Salisbury Press

Third of four parts

Dogs and cats running loose in Salisbury Township were on the increase last year compared to 2012, according to a 2013 report from Salisbury Township Animal Control Officer Charles Durner Jr.

There were 54 complaints about dogs running at large last year, up from 42 complaints in 2012.

There were 46 dogs apprehended last year, up from 34 in 2012.

There were 21 dogs returned to owners last year, up from 17 in 2012.

There were 32 dogs transported to the Lehigh County Human Society, up from 27 in 2012.

For a sock puppet, Kermit the Frog has come a long way in his career.

Jim Henson's Muppets first appeared on a Washington, D.C., TV show 1955 - '61. "The Muppets Show" was televised nationally 1976 - '81. There have been numerous spin-off TV shows and television specials.

There've been seven previous Muppet theatrical feature movies: "The Muppet Movie" (1979), "The Great Muppet Caper" (1981), "The Muppets Take Manhattan" (1984),"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992), "Muppet Treasure Island" (1996), "Muppets From Space" (1999) and "The Muppets" (2011).

The journey to Touchstone Theatre's "Journey From The East" began nearly two years ago at a party at the home of Mary Wright.

Dr. Norman J. Girardot, recently retired University Distinguished Professor, Lehigh University Department of Religion Studies, and Jp Jordan, Touchstone artistic director, were chatting about the newly-finished the Lehigh-Bethlehem Harmony Pavilion along the South Side Greenway, Bethlehem. Girardot was instrumental in the pavilion project.

"'Wouldn't it be cool to have some big production there?' they agreed," Wright recalls.

Second of four parts

Offenses were up, with several categories up significantly last year compared to 2012 in Salisbury Township, according to the Uniform Crime Report.

There were 355 offenses listed last year, up from 317 in 2012.

Burglaries increased to 46 in 2013, up from 37 in 2012, according to the 2013 annual report released by Salisbury Township Chief of Police Allen W. Stiles.

A retirement incentive for Salisbury Township Public Works Department employees has been approved.

"We would like to exercise that option in 2014," Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano said. "This doesn't have to be negotiated because we're following the contract."

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution opening the retirement incentive for public works employees. Commissioner Robert Martucci, Jr., made the motion, with Commissioner Joanne Ackerman seconding it.

The stage version of "A Shropshire Lad," weekends through April 6, McCoole's Arts & Events Place, 10 S. Main St., Quakertown, is a memorable adaptation of a classic by A. E. Housman.

Ara Barlieb adapted and directs the piece, which is a world debut, based on an 1896 book of 63 poems by Housman (March 1859 - 1936), an English poet. Among the more familiar poems are "To An Athlete Dying Young," "Loveliest Of Trees, The Cherry Now" and "When I Was One-And-Twenty."

Sometimes, you have to catch films before they get away. Even if you miss them at the multiplex, neighborhood theater or indie and foreign-films art house, certain films are must-sees whenever and wherever.

The following three films are well worth seeing. Each is linked by a magnificent obsession or passion. So, put on your film-hunting gear and don't forget the popcorn.

First of four parts

The Salisbury Township Police Department had another busy year, based on an annual report released by Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen W. Stiles.

The biggest increase was in traffic arrests, which totaled 2,038 last year, more than double that of 872 in 2012.

Crash investigations were 344, a slight increase from 337 in 2012.

DUI arrests were 43, up somewhat from 37 in 2012.

Parking tickets were 42, more than double that of 19 issued in 2012.

Ambulance calls were 842, down from 885 in 2012.

If you're of a certain age and can get past the fact that it's not in sketchy black and white, "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" is quite entertaining.

If you're a younger parent or a youngster, you may find the animated feature thoroughly entertaining.

"Mr. Peabody & Sherman" was originally a segment on producer Jay Ward's 1960's television cartoon series, "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show."

Refinements have been approved for the Salisbury Township Police Pension Fund.

By a unanimous 5-0 vote, following a motion by Commissioner Joanne Ackerman and seconded by Commissioner James Seagreaves, commissioners approved an ordinance to change some of the terms and conditions for full-time township police officers.

The changes were made following a recent audit by the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General, which questioned a provision of the township plan having to do with service-related disability benefits.