5 Things to Know Today

Good morning, Bethlehem! Today is Tuesday, August 2, 2011. Three days until Musikfest. I’m back from vacation and ready to take your calls.

1. On this day 74 years ago, Congress adopted the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively rendered cannabis and all of its byproducts illegal. Also on this day 74 years ago, Garth Hudson, keyboardist for The Band, was born in Windsor, Ontario. We know of no correlation, except that we’ve heard a lot of people smoked cannabis while listening to Hudson’s music. Sticking with a theme, happy 41st birthday to film director Kevin Smith, who wrote and produced Clerks, Chasing Amy and Dogma, among other modern classics. Smith is also well-known for portraying the laconic drug dealer “Silent Bob,” in several of his own films.
2. There is no training camp today at . It is a scheduled day off. Camp resumes Wednesday.
3. Pothole patching is planned along William Penn Highway from Willow Park Road to Greenwood Avenue in Bethlehem Township today. There could be some lane restrictions and delays.
4. Get a demonstration on canning your own fresh fruits and vegetables with representatives from the Ball Corp. starting at 3:15 p.m. at the weekly . With Musikfest just days away, the market is temporarily re-located further south in an area next to the parking lot, which is actually a lot closer to Third Street than First. The market is open from 3 to 7 p.m.
5. Bethlehem City Council meets at 7 p.m. tonight in Town Hall. The agenda looks pretty light.