5 Things to Know Today

Happy Friday, Bethlehem! Happy long weekend, Bethlehem! We know a certain who could use the extra day off. 

1. Today is May 27, 2011, the 74th anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects San Francisco to Marin County in California. Why is this significant in Bethlehem? Well, the bridge was built by McClintic-Marshall Construction Co., a subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel, which used steel forged at the South Bethlehem plant for construction. The unique international orange color of the bridge’s suspension towers has most recently provided the inspiration for the accent color on the newly opened .
2. Did we mention that today is Friday? And that it’s the beginning of a long weekend? Specifically, the weekend? If you are bolting out of town, the cheapest station to tank up your car is the along Route 512, at $3.71 a gallon. The , also on Route 512, is charging $3.73. And there is no need to pay more than $3.75 anywhere else. If you are staying in town, we have a on what you might do to have a good time over the next three days.
3. If you are trying to get out of town, or just around it, some road projects might slow you down just a bit. For example, PennDOT is planning an inspection of the Fahy Bridge, which could create some lane restrictions there today. Pothole patching is planned along Route 378 between Broadway and Seidersville Road. And herbicide spraying further north along the Route 378 spur route toward Route 22 may result in the closure of highway shoulders.
4. Leon Redbone plays the Musikfest Café this evening at 7:30 p.m. The ArtsQuest website says Redbone “is often most recognized for his trademark Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and bow tie … He specializes in the interpretation of jazz and blues standards and Tin Pan Alley classics.” In recognition of Memorial Day, ArtsQuest is offering a buy one, get one ticket deal to all active duty or retired military personnel and first responders.
5. In the mood for a movie? ArtsQuest’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas is showing “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,” the latest from Academy Award-winning documentarian Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me), about the proliferation of branding, advertising and product placement in American life. To promote the film, Spurlock actually convinced the city of Altoona to change its name to “POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,” for two months. For a price, of course.

Enjoy the weekend!