5 Things to Know Today

Good morning, Bethlehem. Here comes the weekend.

1. Today is Friday, June 17, 2011. On this day in 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died giving birth to her 14th child. Her husband, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan I was so wracked with grief that he devoted much of the next 20 years to overseeing the construction of her mausoleum, the Taj Mahal. A force of 20,000 laborers, artisans and craftsmen built the bejeweled white marble complex at Agra, India. One-thousand elephants were used to transport building materials from across India and Asia. To many, it is a symbol of eternal love and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
2. Thank goodness it shouldn’t take 20 years to complete the new ramp from Third Street to the Hill-to-Hill Bridge, we hope. Traffic woes will get worse this weekend in South Bethlehem, as Brodhead Avenue from Broadway to W. Third Street will be closed beginning at 6 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m. Monday morning to allow for paving work associated with construction. If you are going out tonight in the South Side (and there are a lot of reasons to, as I will explain) give yourself some extra time to get there.
3. premiers tonight at 5 p.m. as the sounds of Latin America fill the air around . Rap and regaeton artist Bolo Flow takes the stage at the Air Products Town Square at 6 p.m., followed by the salsa styling of Luisito Rosario y Su Orchestra at 9 p.m. Main Street Musikfest veterans Runa Pacha play their wind instruments at PNC Plaza beginning at 7 p.m. Virtuoso jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval headlines at the at 7:30 p.m. Except for the Sandoval concert, all is free.
4. This is day four, and the next to last day, of the . Films that explore African culture and the genre of folklore continue to be featured at one of three festival sites in South Bethlehem – , Sinclair Lab and the Victory Firehouse. Check the festival website for schedules.
5. hosts singer/songwriter Cliff Eberhardt, a talented tunesmith who can weave a great melody with a clever turn of phrase. His songs have been performed by Buffy St. Marie, Richie Havens and folk supergroup Cry, Cry, Cry. Tickets are $17.50 and the show starts at 8 p.m.