The following is a note from one of the organizers of the yardsale held to benefit Haiti relief efforts:

I would like to thank everyone who helped, donated, and bought items at the Haiti Relief Fund Yardsale on Saturday, February 20.  Thanks to everyone we raised a little over $580. and it will be sent to Haiti.  All other donations were divided between someone who is taking items to Haiti and Goodwill.  Thank you so much for helping!

Sincerely,

Tamara Kruis

On behalf of Councilman Jason Ibrahim’s family and friends, thank you for the many condolences and words of support since Jason’s unexpected passing on Friday evening.

Jason’s viewing will be held on Tuesday from 1-3 and 5-8 at Calvary Baptist Church, 810 Ruskin Drive Altoona, PA. The funeral service will also be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Wed. at 10 am.  Childcare will be provided. The public is invited to attend.  A dinner will follow the service.

Jason left behind his wife, Elizabeth, and three young children.  Information on the Elizabeth Ibrahim Children’s Benefit Account can be found at www.JasonsChildren.com.

There is also a group on Facebook to leave memories and condolences, In Memory of Jason Ibrahim.

Jason Ibrahim was my friend.

Jason was a 29 year old father of three.  A husband to Elizabeth.  A software developer.  A city councilman.  Most of all, a Christian.

Jason’s faith was deeply rooted.  In high school, he searched for truth.  He found it in the life and words of Jesus Christ.

It’s that same Jesus who has, this weekend, received Jason into heaven.

These aren’t empty words, and they are not words that will spoken only as a comfort.  They are words that thunder with truth, because they were lived.  Jason did not put on a show about his faith; he was confident that Jesus is alive, that the core Christian beliefs are true, and that life’s secret isn’t in religious activity but in believing and obeying God.

He put this faith into action in a number of ways.

Jason, as many of you know, was a newly elected Altoona City Councilman.  He had energy and ideas to make our community better.

Some of you also know that Jason was a co-founder of ILoveAltoona.com.  He put his abilities and ideas to use to create a venue to highlight the great things about our area.

Jason will be missed.  His infectious humor and enthusiasm; his desire to know and understand issues well not to just take a party line; his passion to protect innocent life… these things we will remember.

Fortunately, those who love Jesus Christ and obey Him will see Jason again one day.  That’s our confident hope.

Altoona City Councilman and ILoveAltoona.com co-founder Jason Ibrahim passed away suddenly at his home Friday evening.  Jason was a new Councilman who had just been elected in November 2009.  He leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth, and three young children.

Here are links to find out more about Jason and how to help his family.

The Altoona Mirror did a nice write-up for Sunday’s paper.  It can be found here.

There is a memorial page for Jason on Facebook.  Click here for that page.

There has been a fund set up for Jason’s children.  View that info here.

The following is a press release by the City of Altoona:

CITY OF ALTOONA EMERGENCY OPERATION INFORMATION

IN ANTICIPATION OF THE HIGH WIND INCIDENT WHICH MAY AFFECT US OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS THE CITY OF ALTOONA PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING EMERGENCY OPERATION INFORMATION:

1. CHARGE YOUR CELL PHONES NOW
2. REPORT YOUR POWER OUTAGE TO PENELEC (EVEN THOUGH YOUR

NEIGHBOR DID).  THE NUMBER IS: 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)

1. THE CITY EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER PHONE NUMBER

IS: 949-2550.  FOLLOW THE MEDIA TO SEE WHEN THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER IS ACTIVATED AND OPEN TO TAKE YOUR PHONE CALLS

YOU CAN ALSO RECEIVE CITY EMERGENCY UPDATES NOW BY E MAIL AND TEXT BY GOING TO WWW.ALTOONAPA.GOV AND REGISTERING FOR NIXLE EMERGENCY ALERTS.  LOOK FOR PUBLIC SAFETY/COMMUNITY ALERTS REGISTRATION ON THE CITY WEB SITE.

FOLLOW THE NEWS MEDIA, NIXLE AND PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL 14 FOR UPATED INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Blair Senior Services, Inc. and the United Way of Blair County are partnering up to expand free income tax preparation services.  Low to moderate income families and individuals under the age of 60 can contact the United Way at 814-944-0884 to schedule a 1:1 appointment with a trained and certified volunteer tax preparer.

The United Way will be taking appointments for February 3 – April 8, 2010.

Please have individuals 60 and over contact Blair Senior Services, Inc. at 814-946-1235 for assistance.

The City of Altoona Police Department announced at 11:38am that it has lifted the Snow Emergency.  Parking on Snow Emergency Routes is now permitted.  The City is clearing the odd side of the streets today (residents should park on the even side).  The even side of the streets will be cleared on Friday (residents should park on the odd side then).  Questions call 949-2550.

(ALTOONA CURVE PRESS RELEASE)

ALTOONA, Pa – So you think you can mascot?  The Altoona Curve is inviting all members of the public who are interested in becoming one of the team’s three mascots during the 2010 season:  Steamer, Diesel Dawg or Al Tuna.

The tryouts will be held on Saturday, February 27 at St. Rose of Lima, Maria Parish Center located at 6^th Avenue and 56^th Street.  Registration for the tryouts will be from 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. with the actual tryouts beginning shortly.

“We’re looking for able-bodied, creative, energetic, athletic contestants who enjoy being around people and that are going to help us bring our overall fan experience at Blair County Ballpark to a level it’s never been before,” said Bill Bettwy, the Altoona Curve’s Director of Mascot and Brand Development who will oversee the tryouts.  “Donning a mascot suit is a very tough job,” Bettwy added.  “It’s physically demanding and it requires a lot of endurance.”

Participants at the tryout will have the opportunity to wear each mascot suit.  Steamer, who was given a makeover this past offseason and unveiled at a press conference at Blair County Ballpark last week will have a friendlier, more approachable look.  His suit will also allow for easier maneuverability throughout the ballpark, which will be paramount given the expanded role that all mascots will have in 2010.  Diesel Dawg will also be extremely active in mascot skits to help complement Steamer’s presence.  Al Tuna, a neon-orange fish carries a unique role as the Curve’s official “rally” mascot.   Every time the team scores a run, Al comes bursting out of a small door in center field and does a short rally dance to help further pump up the crowd.

All inquiries regarding the Curve’s mascot tryouts can be made to Bettwy via phone at 283-3132.

The Altoona Curve’s 2010 season opener on April 8 is just 57 days away.  Fans can reserve their best seats with a full or partial season ticket plan which start as low as $25.  For more information on securing the fun and affordability of one these ticket packages, fans can contact a Curve ticketing associate over the phone at 877-99-CURVE or in person at the Blair County Ballpark front office during normal business hours.

An Announcement from the City of Altoona:

SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARED
WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ALTOONA

A SNOW EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED IN THE CITY OF ALTOONA EFFECTIVE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. (DECLARED AT 1:00 P.M.)

ALL VEHICLES MUST BE REMOVED FROM SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES IMMEDIATELY. THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ENFORCING ALL CITY ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO THE DECLARATION OF A SNOW EMERGENCY, AND IN PARTICULAR, NO PARKING ON SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES. VEHICLES IN VIOLATION OF PARKING ON SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES WILL BE TOWED.

SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES ARE IDENTIFIED WITH RECTANGULAR RED AND WHITE SIGNS WITH BLACK LETTERS. NO PARKING IS PERMITTED ON SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES UNTIL THE EMERGENCY HAS BEEN LIFTED.

ONCE AGAIN, THE CITY WILL BE TOWING UNDER THIS DECLARATION.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW REMOVAL OR THE SNOW EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL: 949-2550.

RESIDENTS ARE ASKED NOT TO CALL THE CITY HIGHWAY YARD. ALL CALLS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO 949-2550.

St. Rose of Lima Church, 5519 6th Avenue, will be hosting a yard sale to benefit the people of Haiti on February 20th, from 9:00 AM (set up time) until 3:00 PM. Donations are needed; clothes, toys, and bake sale items, etc. They could use as many volunteers as possible to help set up, etc. Please contact Tamara at 944-9901.

All proceeds will go to Haiti relief.

Please share this information with as many people as you can!