5 Things to Know Today

Good morning, Bethlehem. Here comes the weekend.

1. Today is Friday July 1, 2011, 36 days until Musikfest and the start of a three-day weekend for many of us. Happy 59th birthday, . I see some nice folks in the Lehigh Valley got you a cake to help you celebrate a day early. Sure beats a loaf of plain white bread, toasted, eh Elwood? Also celebrating birthdays today, B-52s singer Fred Schneider; Blondie singer Debbie Harry; and actress (and daughter of Aerosmith singer, Steven) Liv Tyler. This is also Canada Day, marking the birthday of the country to our north, which I am sure Ottawa native Aykroyd is also celebrating. And here’s another occasion I am sure the blues aficionado is also toasting with a vodka: Willie Dixon’s birthday. Dixon was born on this day in 1915 in Vicksburg, Miss. Bass player, singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer, Dixon is recognized as being one of the originators of the Chicago blues style. For 15 years, starting in 1950, he was the musical backbone of Chess Records, working with both Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. And since he also worked with Chuck Berry, he is also seen as one of the most important bridges between the blues and rock n’ roll.
2. Repaving at Route 412 (Hellertown Road) and Cherry Lane – right at the city border with Hellertown – was scheduled to continue this morning until its completion this afternoon. There could be lane restrictions and delays.
3. City Council is meeting tonight at 5 p.m. at for the sole purpose of re-voting on the that would establish a Bethlehem Human Relations Commission to investigate and address discrimination complaints and establishes gays, lesbians and transgender people as a protected class. As we earlier this week, council apparently made a procedural error in voting on one of the bill’s proposed amendments on June 21, prompting council’s solicitor, Christopher Spadoni, to advise that a revote is necessary.
4. It’s in South Bethlehem. Visit the and the assorted participating businesses along Third and Fourth streets for the monthly party. Safari is the theme. Music, food samples and original art are all part of the scene. Note that several of the participating restaurants in are in SouthSide. It all starts at 6 p.m.
5. It’s . Eight professional boxing matches at the tent outside the , with Bethlehem’s own undefeated welterweight Ronald Cruz fighting Doel Carrasquillo in the main event. Former football star Eric Newell also has a fight in the heavyweight decision. Weigh in is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Molten Lounge. The fights start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at $51 and $78 were still available.