Altoona

Pennsylvania

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Mayor's Newsletter - April 2024

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April is Autism Awareness Month

The City of Altoona highlights the importance of understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to the Centers for Disease Control, ASD affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States. The World Health Organization estimates one out of every 270 people worldwide has ASD, noting that early intervention can significantly improve learning and social skills.

Upcoming Event:

  • Location: The Curve.
  • Details: Attendees can enjoy games with lower volumes, a sensory suite, and a quiet suite.
  • Additional Programs: The Society also runs the Sensory Library Program, offering special library cards valid at five area libraries (Altoona, Bellwood, Hollidaysburg, Huntingdon, and Tyrone).
  • More Info: Visit https://centralpaautism. weebly. com

April is Safe Digging Month

Residents are reminded that April is Safe Digging Month. Homeowners and businesses planning projects involving digging must call 811 or visit the State’s 811 website at least a few business days in advance. This ensures buried utilities are marked with paint or flags to prevent accidental damage, service disruption, or injury.

  • Website: www. pa1call. org

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party and Planet Walk

Penn State Altoona is hosting a community viewing event for the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th.

  • Time: Gathering begins at 1:30 PM; eclipse totality is expected between 3:12 PM and 3:27 PM.
  • Location: Outside the Slep Student Center.
  • Activities: Hands-on science activities and a "Planet Walk" (a scale model of the solar system).
  • Safety: Eclipse glasses will be available to the first 300 people on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Cost: Free and open to the public.

Altoona Curve Opens 2024 Season

The Altoona Curve baseball season kicks off on Tuesday, April 9th at 6 PM at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

  • Opponent: First of a six-game series with the Harrisburg Senators.
  • Promotions: The first 1,000 fans receive a magnetic 2024 Curve schedule.
  • Season Highlights: Four bobblehead giveaways, two celebrity guest appearances, theme nights, and 19 fireworks shows.
  • Tickets/Schedule: Visit www. milb. com/altoona

Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. The Blair County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) serves as a neutral place for forensic interviews and medical evaluations of child victims.

Fundraising Event: "Toss Out Child Abuse" Cornhole Tournament

  • Date: Saturday, April 13th.
  • Location: Bavarian Aid Society in Altoona.
  • Time: Doors open at 3:00 PM.
  • Participation:
    • Form a team via the Score Holio App.
    • net.
    • Attend as a spectator (Admission: $5).
  • Prizes: Cash prizes for the top three teams; 1st place pays out $500.
  • Amenities: Free activities for kids, raffles, music, cash bar, and food by Herman’s.

CareerLink Job Fair at the Jaffa Shrine

PA CareerLink® Blair County is hosting a job fair to connect residents with employers.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 17th.
  • Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
  • Location: Jaffa Shrine, 2200 Broad Avenue, Altoona.
  • Features: On-site interviews, workshops, and over 100 hiring employers.
  • Veterans: A 30-minute reserved time slot is available from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
  • Cost: Free to attend. Pre-registration is suggested but not required.
  • Contact: Call 814-940-6201 or visit www. pacareerlink. pa. gov/jponline

Altoona’s Heritage: Native American History

The newsletter highlights the history of Native American tribes in Pennsylvania, specifically focusing on the Shawnee and Iroquois Confederacy.

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was home to tribes including Iroquois, Delaware, Erie, and Shawnee long before William Penn’s charter in 1680.
  • Shawnee Culture: Known for hunting, fishing, and crops like maize, beans, and squash. They built burial mounds, such as the McKees Rocks Mound.
  • Iroquois Confederacy: After 1675, this group controlled the wilderness west of the Susquehanna River.
  • Logan’s Valley: Chief Shickalemy befriended James Logan; his son, also named Logan, moved to the Tuckahoe Valley (now Altoona north to Tyrone) after an accident, leading to the area being known as Logan’s Valley.
  • Frankstown: In 1745, Shawnee people migrated to Ohio. Fur trader Frank Stevens had a post in a Shawnee village called Assunepachla, now known as Frankstown. A commemorative marker stands there today.
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