It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic The Soldiers and Sailors Monument gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Allentown, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when I would call about different circumstances.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best personal care facility fit for my mother. They have a passion for helping seniors and prioritize the health and well-being of their clients over everything else. I would highly recommend them when you are in a position of finding senior care services for your loved ones.”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They have been amazing. My mother really likes her caregiver.”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He actually came to the rehab center to meet us where my father was getting physical therapy after a fall. This way he was able to accurately access how much care my father would need and which caregivers would be the right fit. We were afraid we'd have to move him to a nursing home but fortunately we were able to set up in-home care. It's been four months now and we have been very happy with the caregivers who have been assigned to my father. Always Best Care is very responsive and flexible in adjusting hours as needed, somehow managing to keep the caregivers my parents have bonded with even though the hours have been reduced. We are happy our parents are able to age in place with care as they need it.”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for my in-laws. They have been sensitive to our needs, diligent in their efforts to provide the best possible care, and consistent in their follow-up to see if things are satisfactory. We have been executing this process from out-of-state and the process has been very smooth. Through phone calls and face-to-face meetings when possible, both Ken and Rebecca have been professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father was given a year to live. Instead of immediately looking at me like a business opportunity, he treated me like a close friend. He listened and treated me with complete kindness.. I have gotten to know Ken and his wife Rebecca and I can easily say that they are two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't trust them with. Especially the care of a loved one.”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been invaluable as the family navigates through dealing with the impact of our sister's illness to all of us. The structure with using ABC's online portal to evidence our sister's care is extremely beneficial in ensuring strong and coordinated communication. It is truly appreciative this technology is available and utilized by ABC. For those dealing with identifying care for a loved one, you would be smart to contact Always Best Care of Upper Buxmont.”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good heart. Always Best Care does. The client always comes first as does their health and well-being, and the family seeking the best for their loved ones. Thank you Ken for all you did for my parents!”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond for their clients, as do their staff. They handled emergent situations for my grandmother when we were on vacation - staying with her the entire time at the hospital. Ken also did significant research for our decision to put her in an assisted living community. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father. Both Ken and Rebecca were incredibly compassionate, empathetic and caring. In addition, they were knowledgeable and had a wonderful process for determining the needs of the family, the needs of the specific individual and finding an appropriate match for a caregiver to meet those needs. I can't say enough about the services provided by Always Best Care. Ken always went above and beyond, he knew the questions to ask, and how to navigate all the red tape of various organizations (Veterans Administration, etc.) AND he diligently does site visits to the facilities he references so he is able to speak from experience about the quality of care at the facilities under consideration. If you are in need of advice and assistance in caring for a family member I recommend Ken and Rebecca and Always Best Care with no reservations.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law. Ken is very well versed in available providers and other services needed at this time.The day care providers dealt well with her memory problems.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for my Mom during an extremely difficult time. It was great finding two people who cared & listened to my situation. I never felt alone in my difficult decision making process.”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in getting to know my father. They went out of their way to help us as our plans changed from in home care to personal care. They explained the process and were with us every step of the way to answer questions and provide support. I would use them again in a minute.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help for my mom, I live out of town, and can't be there myself very often. But this business goes all-out to take care of my mom. I don't know what we would do without them.”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Trout Creek Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Grille 3501 or visit Mack Trucks Historical Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Allentown, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Allentown, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Allentown, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A soon-to-open restaurant, serving Cuban specialties and comfort food, aims to bring "Little Havana in Miami to Allentown."José Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef, entrepreneur, food innovator, and restaurateur, announced that Rosa Blanca, his first of two new restaurants in downtown Allentown, will open daily beginning Monday, March 24.Rosa Blanca will operate on the ground floor of The Nines residential building at 950 Hamilton St.Prior to the official opening, Rosa Blanca ...
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A soon-to-open restaurant, serving Cuban specialties and comfort food, aims to bring "Little Havana in Miami to Allentown."
José Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef, entrepreneur, food innovator, and restaurateur, announced that Rosa Blanca, his first of two new restaurants in downtown Allentown, will open daily beginning Monday, March 24.
Rosa Blanca will operate on the ground floor of The Nines residential building at 950 Hamilton St.
Prior to the official opening, Rosa Blanca will open to the public for two dinner and cocktail preview nights on Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22, from 4 p.m. to midnight, according to a news release.
The restaurant will be closed on Sunday, March 23, before beginning its regular schedule on Monday, March 24.
Rosa Blanca’s regular hours will be:
Based on one of Garces’ popular restaurant concepts, Rosa Blanca is a Cuban café and rum bar offering fast-casual service featuring breakfast and lunch before switching into a full-service restaurant and bar for dinner.
“This kind of hybrid concept is fairly unique in the Lehigh Valley,” Garces said.
“Rosa Blanca will flow from a breezy café with classic Cuban coffee and pastries by day to a tropical rum bar by night, bringing Little Havana in Miami to Allentown through great music, warm hospitality and, of course, wonderful food and drinks. Evenings at Rosa Blanca will be festive and fun, whether you’re headed to a show or event downtown or just looking for a special dining experience.”
Rosa Blanca’s lunch and dinner menu will offer hearty Cuban specialties and comfort food, from sizzling Cubanos to crispy empanadas, as well as soups, salads and entrees with flavors of the Caribbean.
The restaurant will also offer to-go service at a window on Hamilton Street and will begin catering this spring.
Garces’ second new restaurant in Allentown, Okatshe, will be his modern take on traditional Japanese izakaya. It will open in the second quarter of 2025 at a soon-to-be-announced location downtown.
An Iron Chef known for helping to build Philadelphia's restaurant scene in the early 2000s, Garces is known as a leading culinary authority of Spanish and Latin-American food – from the Spanish tapas at Amada, his first restaurant, to the award-winning burgers and whiskey flights at Village Whiskey.
Garces was attracted to downtown Allentown by "the city's continued revitalization and the placemaking efforts of City Center Group," a prominent downtown Allentown developer, according to the release.
"This harkens back to when I first got to Philadelphia in 2001 and saw an opportunity to create special dining experiences for a market that I felt was right," Garces said in a January announcement.
"I believe in what City Center Group has been doing to make downtown Allentown a strong destination for food, entertainment, and live-work-play, and I share a passion for that mission. I'm excited to invest in downtown Allentown and particularly to be aligned with the Moxy hotel and Archer Music Hall opening this spring."
City Center owns and operates the restaurant’s building on Hamilton Street in the Downtown West neighborhood, where Archer Music Hall and a Moxy Hotel both opened in early 2025.
Rosa Blanca’s interior by dash design of New York City features Art Deco style, lush greenery and an emphasis on glamour to produce "Cuba’s Golden Age aesthetic," the release states.
The 1,500-square-foot restaurant will seat around 40 guests indoors among the bar and tables. Sidewalk seating will accommodate around 30 additional guests.
Over the past five years, Allentown's Downtown West neighborhood has emerged as a vibrant location for entertainment and apartment living.
The district, which sits between Ninth and 12th streets and Walnut and Linden streets, has recently welcomed five new City Center Residential communities, including Cityplace, The Nines, The Gallery, Walnut View, and 1010 Apartments.
Also in Downtown West, City Center Group in January opened the Moxy Allentown Downtown, a boutique Marriott hotel, and it opened Archer Music Hall, a state-of-the-art concert hall run by Live Nation, earlier this month.
Other new features of the burgeoning district include widened sidewalks, upgraded lighting, public art and murals, trees and landscaping, and a new 1,100-space parking deck.
Rosa Blanca also will operate within a few blocks of PPL Center, Da Vinci Science Center and several office buildings, shops and other restaurants.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown could soon have a new school, with a facility for students the first point of order for the developer behind a project to overhaul the sprawling former State Hospital site.City Center on Tuesday earned unanimous support from Allentown’s planning commission for its plans to build a school for students between kindergarten to the eighth grade.Crews will likely start work this summer to prepare the site, located along a new access road off Hanover Avenue, City Center executive Robert DiLorenz...
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown could soon have a new school, with a facility for students the first point of order for the developer behind a project to overhaul the sprawling former State Hospital site.
City Center on Tuesday earned unanimous support from Allentown’s planning commission for its plans to build a school for students between kindergarten to the eighth grade.
Crews will likely start work this summer to prepare the site, located along a new access road off Hanover Avenue, City Center executive Robert DiLorenzo told LehighValleyNews.com.
An athletic field is planned between the school and Hanover Avenue.
The Allentown School District is expected to take over the property early next year, he said.
Construction would take about 18 months, with the new school to open in time for the start of the 2027-28 academic year, DiLorenzo said.
But that timeline could’ve been thrown off after city engineers requested a “huge” change to the layout of the 195-acre property “at the 11th hour,” DiLorenzo said.
City Center since last summer has proposed building the development's main access road — called Northridge Avenue — to align with Piedmont Street where it meets Hanover Avenue.
The project to build a new school would be set back at least one academic year if developers had to change the property’s layout.City Center executive Robert DiLorenzo
Engineers recently signaled for the first time they'd prefer Northridge Avenue to align with Plymouth Avenue, a block west of Piedmont, DiLorenzo said.
He told the planning commission the project to build a new school would be set back at least one school year if developers had to change the property’s layout.
“This is a huge deal to the project,” he said, urging members to stick with the plan he’s been presenting for more than a year.
In December the Allentown City Planning Commission granted City Center preliminary approval to build a three-story, 200,000-square-foot school.
The developer on Tuesday provided new details about crosswalks and traffic patterns for the school, including a traffic-circle-like feature south of the school that will connect future roads in the development to the facility.
City Center plans to also build more than 600 townhomes, a “micro-hospital,” offices and other facilities on the property that housed the Allentown State Hospital for almost a century.
The psychiatric hospital opened in 1912 and remained in operation until December 2010. Its numerous buildings were torn down in 2020.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the new school at Northridge would be a two-story building. Plans call for a three-story school.
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ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Some Harrison-Morton Middle School students displaced by flooding there have been moved again, this time from St. Francis School, due to a mechanical failure.Allentown School District officials said Thursday they're confident that all sixth- through eighth-graders will be back to in-person learning by Monday.At a School Board meeting Thursday, district Chief Operations Officer Robert Whartenby provided an update on the status of the middle school, ...
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Some Harrison-Morton Middle School students displaced by flooding there have been moved again, this time from St. Francis School, due to a mechanical failure.
Allentown School District officials said Thursday they're confident that all sixth- through eighth-graders will be back to in-person learning by Monday.
At a School Board meeting Thursday, district Chief Operations Officer Robert Whartenby provided an update on the status of the middle school, which was vacated due to extensive flooding from at least one burst pipe in mid-February.
“So that's where we're going to split up the purple and gold group out of Harrison-Morton Middle School… 120 plus their staff will be going over to South Mountain. The other 120 plus their staff will be going over to Trexler. That way, that student cohorts together with other middle school kids, and they will be able to be educated accordingly.”Allentown School District Chief Operations Officer Robert
Part of that update included another issue — the former St. Francis School, which had taken about 240 students, plus teachers and staff from Harrison-Morton — was no longer usable due to a “mechanical failure.”
St. Francis was among several temporary sites that took in Harrison-Morrison students following the flooding of their 151-year-old school building.
Those included Raub, South Mountain and Trexler middle schools; William Penn Alternative School; Dieruff High School and Lehigh Carbon Community College's Donley Center.
Students who were at St. Francis were split between South Mountain and Trexler middle schools.
“Both of those schools and their administrations opened up their school to six classrooms each,” Whartenby said.
“So that's where we're going to split up the purple and gold group out of Harrison-Morton Middle School… 120 plus their staff will be going over to South Mountain.
"The other 120 plus their staff will be going over to Trexler. That way, that student cohorts together with other middle school kids, and they will be able to be educated accordingly.”
Whartenby commended the two middle schools for assisting Harrison-Morton twice in just a few weeks.
However, the split will result in a transportation issue, he said.
The district will require another bus to send the students to South Mountain and Trexler, totaling four for the Harrison-Morton students.
Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority will help to accommodate the district, Whartenby said, though the trip to South Mountain may be longer and a bit more difficult for students.
For Friday, March 21, Harrison-Morton sixth-graders will use virtual education. All other students still will participate in in-person learning.
Whartenby said Harrison-Morton has gotten the equivalent of a summer cleaning, with floors waxed, carpets cleaned and furniture wiped down and disinfected.
“We're doing a couple more things," he said. "We're going to also be putting in air purifiers in all the classrooms as well as offices, and then running a barrage of indoor air-quality testing.
"Again, just to have that confident feeling that the building can be reoccupied.”
Whartenby thanked officials across the district, at LANTA, and members of the community for assistance.
Superintendent Carol D. Birks said that on Monday, March 24, all students from Harrison-Morton would be back to in-person learning.
Executive Director of Instructional Leadership Arcelius Brickhouse provided further updates, saying a staff meeting had been held at St. Francis, with other members of Harrison-Morton attending virtually.
Brickhouse said another meeting is set for 5 p.m. Friday, March 21, at South Mountain Middle School for parents of students in the gold group.
And another meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. the same day at Trexler Middle School for parents of students in the purple group.
Parents will be able to view the school and ask questions of staff members, Brickhouse said.
“We just want to ensure that members of our learning community family, that you are safe to reoccupy the space."Allentown Schools Superintendent Carol Birks
Birks said renovations still are underway at Harrison-Morton, and that HEPA filters might be installed to ensure optimal air quality.
“We just want to ensure that members of our learning community family, that you are safe to reoccupy the space,” Birks said.
Board members thanked Birks, administrators and staff throughout the district, parents and students for weathering the recent events and keeping students on track.
“We are really coming together as a community on this matter, and rallying around each other and making sure that your students have what they need," school board President Andrene Brown-Nowell said.
"So thank you guys so much for all the work that you're doing.”
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A famed restaurateur who won the second season of Food Network’s “Iron Chef” has announced the opening date of the first of two planned downtown Allentown eateries.José Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef who won the second season of "Iron Chef," said Rosa Blanca will open for dinner and cocktail preview nights from 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22.Th...
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A famed restaurateur who won the second season of Food Network’s “Iron Chef” has announced the opening date of the first of two planned downtown Allentown eateries.
José Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef who won the second season of "Iron Chef," said Rosa Blanca will open for dinner and cocktail preview nights from 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22.
The restaurant, on the ground floor of The Nines residential building at 950 Hamilton St., then will be closed on Sunday, March 23, and start its regular schedule on Monday, March 24.
“Rosa Blanca will flow from a breezy café with classic Cuban coffee and pastries by day to a tropical rum bar by night, bringing Little Havana in Miami to Allentown through great music, warm hospitality and, of course, wonderful food and drinks."Chef José Garces
Rosa Blanca’s regular hours will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays for breakfast and lunch; and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays for breakfast and lunch and 4 p.m.-midnight for dinner and drinks.
Based on one of Garces’ popular restaurant concepts, Rosa Blanca will be a Cuban café and rum bar offering fast-casual service.
“This kind of hybrid concept is fairly unique in the Lehigh Valley,” Garces said.
“Rosa Blanca will flow from a breezy café with classic Cuban coffee and pastries by day to a tropical rum bar by night, bringing Little Havana in Miami to Allentown through great music, warm hospitality and, of course, wonderful food and drinks.
"Evenings at Rosa Blanca will be festive and fun, whether you’re headed to a show or event downtown or just looking for a special dining experience.”
Rosa Blanca’s lunch and dinner menu will offer Cuban specialties and comfort food, such as Cubanos, crispy empanadas, soups, salads and entrees with flavors of the Caribbean.
The restaurant also will offer to-go service at a window on Hamilton Street and will begin catering this spring.
Garces’s planned second new restaurant in Allentown, Okatshe, will be a modern take on traditional Japanese izakaya, or casual bar. It will open in the second quarter of 2025 at a soon-to-be-announced location downtown.Chef José Garces
Garces’s planned second new restaurant in Allentown, Okatshe, will be a modern take on traditional Japanese izakaya, or casual bar. It will open in the second quarter of 2025 at a soon-to-be-announced location downtown, Garces said in a news release.
Garces is known for helping to build Philadelphia’s restaurant scene in the early 2000s.
Garces said he was attracted to downtown Allentown by the city’s continued revitalization and the placemaking efforts of downtown developer City Center Group.
City Center owns and operates the restaurant’s building on Hamilton Street in the Downtown West neighborhood, where Archer Music Hall and a Moxy Hotel both opened in early 2025.
Rosa Blanca’s interior by dash design of New York City features Art Deco style, lush greenery, and an emphasis on glamour to produce Cuba’s Golden Age aesthetic in the heart of Downtown West.
The 1,500-square-foot restaurant will seat around 40 guests indoors among the bar and tables. Sidewalk seating will accommodate around 30 additional guests.
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