5 Things to Know Today

Good morning Bethlehem. Today is Thursday, November 17, 2011. It is also the 36th Great American Smokeout – as good a day as any to kick that nasty nicotine habit, if you have one.

1. The rain ends this morning, but tor the first time since that it will feel something like November. The National Weather Service is predicting a high temperature of 44 degrees with winds of between 8 and 14 mph. It is expected to drop to 26 tonight. Brrrr!
2. Curbside leaf collection has been scheduled today in the north central part of the city, including sections of Linden Street, Pembroke Road, Broad Street, Stefko Boulevard, Dewberry Avenue, Center Street, Goepp Street, Elm Street and points in between.
3. Construction along the northbound lanes of Route 33, near the Route 22 interchange, is scheduled today. PennDOT bridge inspectors are also scheduled to be looking things over in the southbound lanes of Route 33 between William Penn Highway and Interstate 78. Expect lane closures and use caution if you are driving in those areas.
4. for the 19th year at 11 a.m. at a new location – PNC Plaza at on First Street in South Bethlehem. ArtsQuest has shifted the annual open-air market, judged by Travel & Leisure magazine to be one of the five best in the world, from under the Hill-to-Hill Bridge to its new arts and cultural campus in the shadow of the Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces. There is parking adjacent to the market's heated tents. Like always, it will feature handmade gifts from 100 artisans, Christmas music, lots of food and Santa Claus. A holiday lighting ceremony for the SteelStacks campus is planned at 7 p.m. at the Air Products Town Square directly in front of the ArtsQuest Center. The first 100 people on the square will receive one free admission ticket to the market. Daily admission is $8, while season passes are $15.
5. City Council meets in its first hearing of the 2012 budget season at 7 p.m. Council is scheduled to discuss the proposed budgets for the Parks and Public Property Department, the municipal golf course, the Police Department, the Fire Department and the 911 Fund. You can bet there will be lots of discussion about Mayor John Callahan’s plans to , to to convert it to an ambulance station and to pay for a $1.8 million system upgrade for the city’s 911 communications center. Find an online copy of the mayor’s budget proposal here.