For more information click HERE.

Tempo In Depth, from PBS 39, explores the issue of neighborhood assistance. We’ll find out more about the Four Blocks International District in South Bethlehem. Plus we sit down with Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and Allentown’s president of the West End Alliance, Mike Drabenstott to learn what programs are in place to spruce up neighborhoods in those cities. We also head to Easton to find out how residents are getting federal dollars to turn blighted properties into show places.

South Bethlehem Co-Working, better known as SoBeCoWorks, will be shared office space where freelancers and business owners can rent a desk by the month or pay a daily drop-in rate.  www.sobecoworks.com

Here is the story: The Express-Times

                  Santiago Rivera, Owner of SoBeCoWorks                                             (Photo by Lynn Olanoff, The Express-Times)

Vive tu Vida is a year-long community-based wellness initiative with main goal of promoting healthy eating habits and increased physical activity in the South Bethlehem Community, and the secondary goal of reducing prevalence and burden of diabetes.

The initiative will start off with a kick off event at Borinquen Restaurant promoting healthy lifestyles during Month 1.  Each month during Months 1-10, a different healthy habit lifestyle message will be promoted.  These messages are:

• Switch to low-fat 91% of less) milk, cheese and yogurt.
• Turn off the screens and live your life!
• Eat plenty of vegetables and some fruit every day.
• Be Physically Active Every Day
• East less fast food.
• Drink water instead of soda or juice.
• Snack on healthy foods.
• Get enough sleep.
• East smaller amounts.
• Do something healthy every day that makes you feel good.

The initiative will wrap-up during Month 12, with special events and recognition for successes.

Click HERE to check out the article on the launching of Vive tu Vida in 4Blocks!

For additional information, please contact:

Sherri Penchishen, MPH, RD, LDN, Bethlehem Health Bureau, spenchishen@bethlehem-pa.gov

Bonnie S. Coyle, MD, MS, St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network,           coyleb@slhn.org

By: Carolina Martinez, Business Development Coordinator, CADCB

Almost a year ago, when I started working at Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem (CADCB) I had little information about a shopping district in the Southside of Bethlehem called 4Blocks International. New to the area, and having worked with so many entrepreneurs from different backgrounds and traditions, I did not have any further expectations.

Then I found a fascinating place shaped by the original cultures of its people.  Different ethnicities, languages and celebrations are what really make an international neighborhood. It is the strength we, as active members of that community, are here to empower.

I found the entrepreneurial spirit around these four blocks really exciting, there are 39 businesses. 4Blocks has a bakery, a tailor shop, a leather & shoe repair shop, a bookstore, a notary, hair salons, a hardware store and we are even about to witness the opening of a high tech incubator, just to mention some. CADCB has worked with the business owners and the community in different public space projects, through Southside Vision 2014, and has offered business services like Start Your Business Class, one-on-one assistance with a special interest in marketing the area.

Not only is the community witnessing the development of this neighborhood but business owners are eager to start showing their products and services to the world. They have been revealing themselves in different events for the past year; some of them might even sound familiar to you by now. 4Blocks International was part of the Farmers Market 2011 with three businesses; First Friday had an especial location for four businesses in the corner of Third and New Streets; we had a grand opening for three new businesses; 15 businesses participated in the Luminary Night; six businesses took part in the Windows of Bethlehem Contest and one of them WON!!!

4Blocks International business owners are keen to keep emerging and join the wide variety of offers that the City of Bethlehem has for its visitors. I would like to invite you today to experience this side of the world!!!

The Beauty of Zion Hair Salon just won the “Windows of Bethlehem” contest. This is the first time a business from Four Blocks International takes first place! The business will receive $1,500 in marketing services paid by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations!

Four building owners participated in the 4Blocks International commercial facade project in 2011 – 733 East Fourth Street, 735 East Fourth Street, 807 East Fourth Street, and 708 East Fourth Street. Artefact, Inc., a local architectural firm, was hired as a consultant to oversee this rehabilitation project. Doall Construction of Allentown was selected as the contractor.

733 Before 733 After

735 Before735 After

807 Before807 After

On October 15, 2011, over twenty volunteers from the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem worked to assist with the clean-up and restoration of four additional properties adjacent to one of participating commercial façade buildings. This “facelift” project included scraping, sanding and painting these buildings to improve a run of properties. Volunteers worked hard and completed an amazing amount of work in one day!  In total, $60,000 was spent on the commercial façade project and the facelift project in 2011. (In previous years, $35,000 was spent on four façade renovations in this neighborhood.)

The façade project is one of the several initiatives in this neighborhood. Southside Vision 2014 is funded by M & T Bank, PPL Corporation, Just Born, Inc., and Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. The project is administered as a Neighborhood Partnership Program of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, and in partnership with the City of Bethlehem.

During the past three months, people in 4 Blocks International have witnessed the arrival of two new businesses that have brought more life to this historic neighborhood. These businesses are:

4 Life

Nelson Padilla is offering training in marketing networks in his storefront located in the heart of 4 Blocks International.

Lehigh Shoe & Leather Repair

Noting the absence of a shoe & leather repair shop in the city, Jose Andrade and his wife decided to open Lehigh Shoe & Leather Repair in South Bethlehem. Their more than 16 years of experience repairing and creating leather products in New York and New Jersey is the basis of this new venture. In the three months they have been open, the local community has been grateful for their quality services.

Check out The Express-Times for the full story. – Photo by Lisa Massey.

Mayor Callahan played the roll of “tour guide” during a walk-about to celebrate new building facades and businesses in the historic Four Blocks International Neighborhood.

Check out the 69News Video.

Southside Bethlehem’s newest neighborhood is also one of its oldest.  Built as the home community for early generations of European immigrant families who worked in Bethlehem’s hot metal industries, 4 Blocks International is now quickly evolving into its new life as a vibrant community with diverse international flavors and flair.

As an exciting choice for tastes from around the globe or for a welcoming place to call home for your family or business, 4 Blocks International beckons you to join in the the bold new spirit of discovery now reenergizing Southside Bethlehem’s 4 Blocks International neighborhood.  Come on…