5 Things to Know Today

Good morning, Bethlehem.

1. Today is Tuesday, July 5, 2011, the 186th day of the year. On this day in 1947, Larry Doby became the second black man in Major League Baseball, and the first in the American League, when he was signed to a contract by the Cleveland Indians. Often overlooked by many because his breakthrough came 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Doby had to suffer the same indignities that Robinson did, and without the same kind of media attention that Robinson received in New York. Still, Doby persevered, becoming the first black man to homer in a World Series game as he led the Indians to a world championship in 1948. He twice led the American League in home runs in the 1950s and once led it in RBIs. In 1978, he became the second (once again) black man to be named manager of a major league team. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998. Celebrating birthdays today, Robbie Robertson, best known as the guitarist for The Band, and Huey Lewis, best known as the leader of Huey Lewis and the News.
2. The paving work at Route 412 and Cherry Lane, at the city’s border with Hellertown, continues this morning at 7 a.m. Expect lane restrictions and delays through that area. Of course, the ramp-building project at the south side of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge continues. Traffic there will continue to be messy at peak times.
3. makes its weekly appearance this afternoon at 3 p.m. at PNC Plaza. Fresh fruit, vegetables, locally-produced baked goods, salsa, meats, cheeses and various surprises. Today, there will lectures on nutrition.
4. City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m. in . Ninety minutes before that, at 5:30, Mayor John Callahan plans to hold a public signing ceremony of the that council officially gave final adoption to on Friday night.
5. Amateur musicians are invited to bring their guitars, mandolins and banjos to tonight for its monthly Old-Time Jam to swap songs and have a good time. It’s free and starts at 7 p.m.