5 Things to Know Today

Good morning, Bethlehem. Today is Monday, July 25, 2011. Welcome to the working week. For some of us, anyway.

1. On this day, 46 years ago, Bob Dylan knocked the world of folk music on its rump. Taking the stage at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island with an electrified band, including Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper, he played “Like a Rolling Stone” and two other songs, in what might be described as the earliest hybrid of folk music and rock n’ roll – to a shocking mix of applause and boos. Just 24, Dylan was already folk’s biggest star, with “Blowin’ in the Wind,” to his credit. Many of his die-hard folkie fans reacted as if he had committed heresy. To this day, a debate remains whether the negative reactions stemmed from Dylan going electric, the shortness of the set or the poor sound quality of the amplified instruments. In any event, many from the traditionally acoustic folk scene were not entertained, including one critic from Bethlehem’s who later wrote: “Only a completely non-critical audience, nourished on the watery pap of pop music, could have fallen for such tenth-rate drivel.” The fans ultimately spoke louder than the critics, of course. And pop music has never been the same since.
2. The best we can say about today’s weather is that at least it won’t be 100 degrees out there. But it won’t exactly be pleasant, either. We’re talking about a better than even chance of rain and thunderstorms, high humidity and a high of 87 degrees.
3. The Eagles will be in town today. Don’t get too excited. The lockout isn’t officially over and training camp won’t be opening at – at least not yet. But Fred Barnett, Garry Cobb and Vince Papale will be among the fan favorites to offer instruction to youngsters aged 6 to 14 at the , which is being hosted at , starting at 9 a.m. today and running daily through Friday. The camp will feature “age appropriate, station-based training” for “both advanced players and newcomers. All programs provide football instruction, athletic skill development, fitness and agility training.” Many of the other camps hosted around the Philadelphia area are already sold out, but this one still has room.
4. The Bethlehem Area School Board holds its regular monthly meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at . This would also be the normal meeting night for the Bethlehem Township Planning Commission, but that meeting has been cancelled.
5. will be on vacation this week. Questions, comments, news tips? (We really like news tips.) Reach out to Susan Koomar. susan.koomar@patch.com.

Have a splendid week!