Readers' Choice

Armetta's Voted Best Italian Restaurant in Lower Mac Patch

The winner was determined by ratings submitted by readers.

Armetta's was voted the best Italian Restaurant in this week's Readers' Choice poll throughout Lower Macungie Patch. The unassuming storefront at which passers-by can watch pizzas as they're made, has been a Macungie staple for almost 10 years.  Armetta's and Italiano Delite each earned 27 out of 67 votes in this week's Readers' Choice poll, but readers have awarded five stars to Armetta's to break the tie. You can add your own review of Armetta's, Italiano Delite, or any business in our Directory. Check back Monday for our next poll: What's the best movie theater in Lower Macungie Patch area?

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Get Out: Five Things to Do This Weekend

Patch to the rescue! We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time.

This weekend is chock full of fun things to do: a free concert, baseball, the designer showhouse, a Broadway revue and a chocolate fest featuring chocolate beer! Something for everyone! 1. Iron Pigs When/Where: 7:05 p.m. May 18 at Coca-Cola Park, Allentown Why Go: Because the Indianapolis Indians are in town! Pricing: Tickets start at $7. 2. SOTA Designer Showhouse & Gardens When/Where: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through May 20 at Three Chimneys Farm near Coopersburg. Why Go: Because this is the last weekend to see all those beautiful rooms, and to to come away with some great ideas! Pricing: $25. 3. Chocolate Fest 2012 When/Where: 2-5 p.m. May 20 at the Sun Inn Courtyard, Bethlehem. Why Go: Are you kidding? Chocolate appetizers, chocolate …

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Crime and Fire

Three Air Conditioners Taken from Lower Mac Store

Police say man was caught taking third air conditioner from Wal-Mart.

In this instance, the third time wasn't the charm. An Allentown man shopping at Wal-Mart in Lower Macungie Township might have thought he was a cool customer, but loss prevention officers instead probably thought he wasn't so hot. Richardo Orasmin Cabrera, 24, was accused May 11 of retail theft when he was caught loading an air conditioner into his vehicle, according to state police at Fogelsville. Not only had he not paid for that air conditioner, but police further said the same man left the store at 1091 Mill Creek Road with air conditioners on two other unspecified occasions. The total value of the three was $852. Cabrera was taken to Lehigh County Central Booking Center for arraignment on the retail theft charge, police said. He was …

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Readers' Choice

Which is the Best Italian Restaurant in Lower Macungie Patch?

Spaghetti? Sure, but there's so much more...

Sometimes it's pasta, sometimes it's parm preference: chicken, veal or eggplant. Other times there's a craving for stromboli, espresso or a gooey, cheesy ziti or scampi. And sometimes you just want a meatball. This week we want to know which is the best Italian restaurant in Lower Macungie Patch? The choices: If you vote "Other," please tell us in the comments what that other place is! If there’s another local spot that we missed, tell us in the comments section below. Vote for your favorite in the survey below and remember to click on the links above and rate the restaurant on its Patch Directory listing. You can even leave a review. The poll closes at 9 a.m. Friday. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor, based on poll results…

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Readers' Choice

Staycation Winners Abound Across the Valley

Voters identified several great places to go.

Throughout the Lehigh Valley, Patch polled readers to find the best places for a “staycation” in our towns. After five days of voting, the winners have come in. Check out who won below, and let us know what you think by leaving a comment.  Next week, come back to vote on the best places for Italian food.

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Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Molinari's

It has a fresh approach to Italian food.

At Molinari’s on Bethlehem’s South Side, simple meets sophisticated. The restaurant is quite new (open only about six months), and occupies a corner location in a bustling, pedestrian-friendly sector. Outdoor seating on the broad front sidewalk adds another dimension to the dining experience. Inside, high ceilings and contemporary décor—sleek lines, dark wood, absence of clutter and kitsch—create an airy space for attention to focus on fresh Italian dishes with subtle flavors. Service is for dinner only, Monday through Saturday. Molinari’s menu has been carefully edited. Just a few dishes appear in each category, but each one represents a complex combination of flavors. Among the antipasti, priced $8-$13, is creamy polenta and sweet …

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Readers' Choice

Bear Creek and Dorney Park Tie for Best Staycation

For winter or summer activities, our area has great places to spend some time off!

Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom have tied for the best place to "staycation" in the region. Perhaps it's a seasonal choice: Bear Creek offers so many snow-related activities and for generations, no summer has been complete without a trip to Dorney Park. Each destination received 2 votes out of 10 in this week's Readers' Choice poll to win over the Crayola Factory and Great Wolf Lodge, Jim Thorpe, Glasbern and the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, aka the Velodrome, each of which received one vote. But back to our winners: you can add your own review of Bear Creek, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, or any business in our Directory. Check back Monday for our next poll: Which is the best Italian restaurant in …

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Get Out

Get Out: Five Things to Do This Weekend

Patch to the rescue! We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time.

1. The 105th Annual Bach Festival When/Where: Events begin with a lecture at 2 p.m. May 11 and conclude with the reception at 6 p.m. May 12 at various Lehigh University venues. Why Go: Several concerts in Packer Memorial Chapel, other concerts featuring Bach performed on guitar and harpsichord. And just all that lovely music. Pricing: Prices vary by concert. 2. BOGO Jewelry Offer With a Twist ... or a Sparkle When/Where: All weekend at Ten Thousand Villages in the Lehigh Valley Mall Why Go: When you buy a regularly priced piece of jewelry you can buy a second for half price and either keep it or donate it to The Perfect Fit for Working Women, an outreach of the Allentown YMCA/YWCA. Pricing: Depends on what you buy. 3. Oh Mama! When/Where: …

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East Penn School District

'12 Days of Robotics' may Become Annual Event

Emmaus High School Junior Chrissy Cilento talks to "12 Days of Robotics" founder and successful inaugural events and plans for the future.

Special to Emmaus Patch By Chrissy Cilento, a junior at EHS Many patients are used to a here’s-your-bill-see-you-next-time approach to medicine, not ever really interacting with their doctors. The Lehigh Valley Health Network challenged that approach last month with its "12 Days of Robotics" program. The objective of the program was to get the community and its patients involved in the robotic surgery program by interacting with the actual robots used in surgery and the surgeons who make the magic happen. With events ranging from sushi eating to domino stacking, the hospital really succeeded in personalizing its medicine.  Among the many business participants in the "12 Days of Robotics" program, Kome at the Promenade Shops sponsored LVHN’…

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