5 Things to Know Today

Good morning, Bethlehem.

1. Today is Tuesday, June 14. 2011. It is Flag Day, the day we honor Old Glory. It is on this day in 1777, that the American Continental Congress first adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. Since that date, there have been 27 different iterations of the American flag, which has had the number of stars change every time new states are added to the union. The current edition, which first flew with 50 stars on July 4, 1960, has been in service longer than any other flag in our country’s history. Pennsylvania became the first, and still the only, state in the union to declare Flag Day a state holiday in 1937. To mark the occasion, the city of Bethlehem and the United Veterans of Bethlehem will hold a flag disposal ceremony at 7 p.m. this evening. Anyone with worn or unwanted American flags can bring them to this event at Eighth Avenue and Schoenersville Road, across the street from the .
2. Children ages 6 to 14 are invited to the on Illick’s Mill Road to participate in what organizers hope will be The hope is that at least 10,000 kids on four continents will participate in the multi-site lesson aimed at promoting water safety. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Lesson begins at 11.
3. There will be pothole patching along the continuous road known either as Easton Avenue or William Penn Highway, from Elizabeth Avenue in the city to 13th Street in Bethlehem Township. There will be flagging, lane restrictions and delays along that stretch all week, according to PennDOT. Be prepared. Also, the construction and traffic nightmare that is the south end of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge continues. Did you see this same item on Monday? Yes you did. These conditions are expected to last all week.
4. The weekly starts at 3 p.m. today at PNC Plaza on the western side of the former blast furnaces at E. First Street and Founders Way. Fresh produce, baked goods and other locally produced foods, crafts, flowers and plants will all be available for sale until 7 p.m.
5. City Council’s Community Development Committee meets at 7 p.m. tonight at Town Hall to review its street vendor ordinance, which regulates how food cart vendors may operate in Bethlehem. In recent years, the issue has proven to be a controversial one as hot dog vendors have tried to set up shop in South Bethlehem to mixed reviews. Many South Side business owners have vehemently complained at City Council meetings while legions of supporters have backed vendors up by launching Facebook pages and showing up by the dozens to patronize them.