Altoona

Pennsylvania

Documents

Mayor's Newsletter - July 2024

View original document →

Wild About Wildlife Month

July is designated as "Wild About Wildlife Month" to highlight the importance of wildlife and its critical role in our ecosystem. The newsletter notes that over the last five decades, populations of 21,000 mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, and amphibians have declined by 68%.

  • Current Threats: While hunting was historically a major cause of extinction, current threats include deforestation, habitat loss, migration barriers, and pollution. In 2023 alone, 21 species in the U. S. moved from endangered to extinct status.
  • Vaquita Porpoise: The newsletter highlights the Vaquita porpoise in the Gulf of California as the most endangered species, with fewer than 10 remaining.
  • Conservation Successes: There is good news; worldwide efforts have helped recover species like Atlantic whales and panda bears over the past 40 years.
  • History of Protection: Key milestones include the establishment of the World Wildlife Fund in 1961, U. S. laws protecting endangered species in 1973, and the first international agreement to protect wildlife in 1992.

Fireworks and Firework Safety

With the Fourth of July approaching, the City emphasizes safety guidelines from the National Safety Council:

  • Supervision: Never allow young children to handle fireworks. Older children should only use them with adult supervision.
  • Safety Precautions: Do not use fireworks if impaired by drugs or alcohol. Never light them indoors, hold them in your hands, or attempt to relight malfunctioning devices.
  • Environment: Use fireworks away from people, houses, and flammable materials. Light only one device at a time and maintain a safe distance.
  • Disposal: Keep a bucket of water nearby to extinguish fireworks fully. Soak spent and unused fireworks for a few hours before discarding.
  • Pets: Be respectful of neighborhood pets, as fireworks can be frightening.
  • Alternatives: Sparklers account for over 25% of firework injuries, particularly in children under 5. Alternatives like glow sticks or confetti poppers are suggested.
  • Ordinances: Residents should check the City of Altoona website for consumer fireworks ordinances.

Fourth of July Events in Altoona, PA

Several events are scheduled for the holiday weekend:

  • Main Line Mania: Sunday, June 30th, 5 PM – 10 PM at Railroaders Memorial Museum. Features fireworks, food vendors, and entertainment by Donny Burns & The 3rd Degree.
  • Fort Roberdeau Star Spangled Fourth: Thursday, July 4th, 10 AM – 4 PM. Free parking and admission. Includes living history reenactors from 10 AM to 3:30 PM.
  • Altoona Curve Baseball: Thursday, July 4th, home game vs. Harrisburg Senators at 7:00 PM, followed by fireworks.
  • Summer Thunder at DelGrosso’s Park: Thursday, July 4th. Musical pre-show at 9 PM, followed by fireworks at 10 PM.
  • Angie Gioiosa Memorial July 4th Race: Thursday, July 4th. Starts at The Mishler Theatre. Includes a 15K Run (7:30 AM), 5K Run (8:00 AM), and 2 Mile Walk (8:05 AM). Registration closes July 1st online; day-of registration is at Heritage Plaza.

Wild Ones PA

The newsletter highlights the local chapter of Wild Ones PA (Ridge and Valley), founded in 2022 by Jordan Wild. Their mission is to preserve, protect, and restore wildflower meadows, native plants, and rain gardens.

  • Ecological Impact: 99% of wildflower meadows are gone due to chemical spraying and invasive plants. Native plants are essential for pollinators; without them, insect populations decline, affecting 80% of our produce.
  • Local Projects:
    • Fairview Park: Maintenance of a rain garden planted in 2018 and hosting school visits.
    • Tuckahoe Park: Cleanup of a three-acre green space with plans for a walking trail.
    • Browning and Kentucky Avenues: Creating a community food forest on empty flood plain fields.
  • Partnerships: The chapter works with the Blair County Conservation District and Ecotopian Earthcare, a local nursery providing native plants.

Railroader’s Memorial Museum Summer Concert Series

The museum is hosting the Railroad City Summer Sounds Concert Series at the new Railyard.

  • Upcoming Concert: Friday, July 12th at 6:00 PM.
  • Featured Act: Cowboy, the ultimate Kid Rock tribute band.
  • Details: Gates open at 5 PM. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in-person or online.

French-American Heritage Month

July is also French-American Heritage Month, celebrating the influence of French immigrants who arrived in Philadelphia in the 1790s to escape the French Revolution.

  • Historical Context: By 1793, over 3,000 French-speaking refugees were in the U. S. Many eventually returned home or moved west across Pennsylvania, often settling around Catholic priests.
  • Cultural Contributions: French immigrants brought technical, medical, and scientific expertise. They influenced the arts (ballet, pantomime), introduced hot air ballooning and the modern circus ("Cirque"), and contributed to American cuisine with wine, pastries, and sorbets.
  • Decline of Population: Political differences and the death of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, along with amnesty declared by Napoleon, caused the French immigration population to dwindle.
← Back to Documents