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January is here, and it's easy to let frosty temperatures keep us vegetating inside. It's good for winter-weather blues to get out and have some fun. Chill out this winter and explore these three January events in Allentown. Bobby Collins Comedy Night Laugh those winter colds away with Bobby Collins, January 12 at State Theatre Center for the Arts. Did you know laughter improves our immune system? Doctors say it just might be more effective than medicine. Bobby highlights the humor in everyday situations with a comedic discussion of current events. The theater is at 453 Northampton Street in Easton. Be there at 7:30 p.m. Advance online tickets prices are $30. Meet General T. Osnofla and DJ OZNO On January 27, join General T. Osnofla and DJ OZNO at Beachead Comics on 1326 West Chew Street for a live graphic novel signing and discussion of their current works. Guest artists will add to the mix and have their independent works on display. Visit Facebook to pre-order your $10 copy of the first two episodes, plus shipping. Model Train Exhibit Presented by Merchants Square Mall, come and see 40 trains over more than 7,000 square feet. There's a lake with rain, stars, moon, and a miniature amusement park. The models are on display every weekend in January and beyond from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. The mall is at 1901 South 12th Street. Adults are $8, and kids 4 to 12 are $3. Outside is an enchanted winter wonderland. Get out there and enjoy these January events in Allentown. Image via Flickr by rghtxpsr

We Americans love our Chinese food, illustrated by the fact that there are more than 40,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S. We've tracked down our favorites and picked these two best places to get Chinese food in Allentown. Foo Joy Chinese Restaurant Known in Allentown for its modern interpretation of classic Chinese dishes, Foo Joy uses only highest quality fresh ingredients served up by friendly staff. Patrons boast that this restaurant's portions are enormous, and their outstanding specialty dishes like shrimp shumai dumplings are delicious. They even offer a lighter-fare menu with steamed choices. Get your food piping hot with Foo Joy's fast delivery or take-out service. Located at 3229 Hamilton Boulevard, Foo Joy Chinese Restaurant is open Monday through Thursday until 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11:00 p.m., and late on Sundays until 10:00 p.m. Hunan Springs Chinese Restaurant Located on 4939 Hamilton Boulevard, Hunan Springs is said to serve up the highest quality authentic Chinese cuisine in town. Offering a mix of fare from the Pacific Asian Rim, their signature dish is hard-to-find whole Peking duck with pancakes and scallions. Hunan Springs' beautiful, low-lighted atmosphere and fully stocked bar add to the ambiance, and all dishes are served-up family style, so go ahead and share. Hunan Springs is open Monday through Thursday until 10 p.m., weekends until 10:30, Sunday till 9. Take-out is also available. Convenient and full of flavor, Chinese food is one of Allentown's greatest adopted cuisines. Enjoy discovering these two restaurants near you. Image via Flickr by rtaylor0129

You're on a mission to stay healthy and active, and you're on the lookout for the perfect gym to call your own. Here are two great local gyms that will help you stay fit, right here in Allentown. CrossFit Lehigh Valley CrossFit Lehigh Valley is the area's first CrossFit establishment offering a premier fitness experience. Whether you're a competitive weightlifter or a weekend fitness enthusiast, CrossFit can help you reach and maintain your conditioning goals. Take advantage of individualized attention from a professional instructor, so you don't have to wing it like you do at other gyms. Each CrossFit workout is not only challenging, but it also offers something new so you'll never get bored doing the same old routine. Gym hours vary, so visit the website or stop into 754 Roble Road. Planet Fitness Home of the “judgment-free zone,” Planet Fitness staffs tons of friendly certified trainers. The facility is always clean with loads of mood-boosting natural light. Membership packages start at $10 and get you access to all 1,400 locations across the country. Planet Fitness is geared toward beginners, making this gym the perfect choice for most new workout enthusiasts. From group classes to tanning, to hyrdomassage, Planet Fitness has the amenities you love and is open 24 hours. Pop in whenever the workout bug hits you at 1332 Hanover Avenue. Before you sign a contract, ask questions. Some gyms offer a free week's pass so you can make sure your new gym meets your needs.

It's happened to all of us. We drive to the store and come out five minutes later to discover a flat tire. Hopefully, you've got your spare, but will you need an expensive new tire? Delve into these occasions when you can repair the tire with a plug and be on your way. When Can You Plug a Flat Tire? For the best chance of a using a plug, never drive on the flat. You don't want to damage the sidewall. Make sure your tires are in decent shape, with at least 30 percent tread life remaining. The puncture must be in the tread and less than a quarter of an inch in diameter. Don't attempt to plug the sidewall. It's much weaker than the tread and may not hold. The Perks The advantage of patching a leaky tire is that, if you're handy around the garage, you can plug the tire yourself. There are many different tire patch kits sold at automotive stores and an abundance of how-to videos online. Fixing the flat yourself could save you hundreds over purchasing a new tire. The Drawbacks If you're not confident plugging your tire, you should hire an automotive professional. If you don't install the plug right, your tire could leak, or the plug might work loose. Having a blow-out on the highway could be dangerous. Different types of flats call for different repair methods, but using a tire plug may prevent you from plunking down big money for a brand-new tire. Image via Flickr by The Bees

Windshield wiper blades use a kind of plastic rubber to grip the glass, and but the rubber doesn't last forever. Over time it'll harden and crack, taking less and less water with it each time you turn on the wipers, and if you let it go on long enough the blade will eventually start to fall off the wiper. But there are ways to make wipers last longer than they could. Park Indoors or Under Something Sunlight and UV radiation are main reasons why wiper blades age. This means you can keep them in good shape by parking in a garage at home and at work, and if a full roof isn't available, you can get the next best thing by setting up an awning over your driveway or by parking in the shade under a big, leafy tree. Keep the Blades Clear of Ice When you know it's going to snow and you're parked outside, you can pull your wipers up off the glass so ice doesn't glue them in place. And if the storm takes you by surprise, be careful and remove the wipers before you start scraping the ice and snow off. Scraping ice off the blades with a hard plastic scraper is a good way to make them start to crack. Wiper blades don't last very long even if you take good care of them, but on the bright side they have a standardized design, they don't cost much, and they're easy to replace. Still, you might as well make the most of each wiper blade. Image via Flickr by Tim Patterson

Driving in winter weather is significantly more dangerous because of icy roads and poor visibility. If you're living in or visiting a cold-climate place this winter, it's important that you take the necessary precautions to reduce your risk of accidents. Here's how. Get the Right Engine Oil Engine oil tends to become thicker when the temperature drops. Overly-thick oil doesn't do a good job in keeping your engine lubricated, causing it to become less efficient. If you're unsure which type of oil you should use during winter, you can refer to your owner's manual. Ensure Good Visibility Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly. Also, fill the windshield washer container with specialized windshield washer liquid. Avoid using plain water because it'll freeze in extremely cold conditions. Additionally, you need to check to see if your defroster and heater are in good working condition. Check the Belts and Hoses Cold weather can undermine the condition and effectiveness of the belts and hoses in your car. As such, it's essential that you check them for wear and tear before winter. Check Your Tire Pressure Wet and snowy conditions can reduce the traction of tires. Therefore, you have to make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Bear in mind that tire pressure is likely to drop as it becomes colder. Check your owner's manual to find out the ideal pressure level. Whether you have little or a lot of experience driving in winter weather, it's beneficial to follow the tips above. Proper preparation doesn't only improve your safety, but it can also help keep your car in a good condition. Image via Flickr by JeepersMedia

Over the past 15 years, the Toyota Camry has been the bestselling car in the U.S. for good reason. Its exceptional reliability, performance, ride quality, and cost-effectiveness make it the obvious choice for many mid-size car shoppers. If you're thinking of getting the Camry, it's recommended that you choose the XLE trim. Here are several reasons you'll love the 2018 Toyota Camry XLE. Hybrid Version Available The XLE is the highest of the three Camry trims offering a hybrid version. Delivering a total output of 208 horsepower, the hybrid XLE has a combined fuel economy rating of 46 mpg, which is a 21 percent increase from the previous model. Powerful Engine Option The Camry XLE comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 203 horsepower. However, it's one of the only two trims with an available 3.5-liter V-6 engine. This potent engine churns out 301 horsepower and pairs with a Direct-Shift eight-speed automatic transmission. Loaded with Safety Features Similar to other trims, the XLE offers the Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety features, which includes a rearview camera, pedestrian detection, pre-collision system, lane departure alert, steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also comes with several additional driver assistance features, including rear cross traffic alert, rear cross traffic braking, and blind spot monitoring. The Toyota Camry has undergone significant modifications for 2018, providing a more animated driving experience thanks to improved driving dynamics. With its hybrid version, the XLE gives you the opportunity to significantly reduce your cost of ownership and do your part to protect the environment. Image via Flickr by mariordo59

If you own a recent Toyota vehicle, you'll most likely have access to the Entune infotainment system. This system can perform many functions to provide a more pleasant, well-informed, and safer driving experience. Here are several things you can do to get the most out of your Entune system. Link Your Smartphone You can personalize your Entune system by linking it to your smartphone. This will allow you to access your favorite music, contacts, messages, and apps from inside your car. To do so, you have to turn on Bluetooth on both the system and your phone. Then, look for “Toyota Vehicle” under the Bluetooth settings on your phone. Enter the required information and your Entune system will link automatically to your smartphone. Know Which App is Available The Entune App Suite contains a long list of apps that serve a wide range of purposes. Knowing which apps are available can help you take full advantage of the system. For now, it has Destination Search for getting to a new place, MovieTickets.com for buying movie tickets, Yelp and OpenTable for finding restaurants, and Pandora and Slacker Radio for playing music. Understand the Data Services Depending on which Entune system package you choose, you may or may not have Data Services. This feature gives you access to information such as traffic and weather conditions, fuel guide, sports scores, and stocks. Understanding what your Toyota Entune infotainment system can do is the first step to making the best use of it. Spend some time exploring it. Image via Flickr by Numinosity (Gary J Wood)

The charming Pennsylvanian city of Bethlehem is home to many interesting historic sites and museums, one of which is the well-known Burnside Plantation. This plantation is a Moravian farm that provides an insight into the lives of farmers and farming methods between the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Here are five must-see attractions at the Burnside Plantation. Farmhouse The initial owners of the Burnside Plantation, John and Mary Burnside, constructed the farmhouse in 1748. Between 1760 and 1765, David Tannenberg and Johann Klemm made organs there. It's believed that the beehive oven found in the kitchen was used for crafting instruments. Orchard The orchard at the plantation produced tasty apples for the Moravians, who used them to make apple cider, butter, pies, and schnitz. Today, it's the venue of Bethlehem's annual Apple Days. Louise Dimmick Garden Named after a dedicated volunteer, this garden is a good example of a kitchen garden found in many American homes in the past. It produces a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, spices, and flowers. Johnson Barn The Johnson Barn is a typical 19 th -century bank barn used for storing grains. In the past, farmers would drive their wagons up to the ramp and unload their grains onto the threshing floor. The lower level of the barn served as a stable. Horse-Powered Wheel This ingenious invention made it possible for one horse to perform the work of 15 people. It's now being used as a tool for demonstrating historic agricultural practices. The Burnside Plantation offers guided tours, cooking demonstrations, crafts, games, and other activities. Discounts are available for seniors and AAA members. Image via Flickr by Sangre-La.com

If you happen to be in or around the Pennsylvanian city of Allentown, it's worthwhile to pay a visit to America on Wheels. Housed in a 48,000-square-foot facility, this museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying historic and rare vehicles. Here are three fun things to do there. Permanent Exhibits The main highlight of America on Wheels is its permanent collection of vehicles. The most notable exhibits in the museum include a Plymouth Road Runner “ Superbird,” rare 1990s GM-built electric-powered EV1, a replica of Pee Wee Herman's bicycle, and a lawnmower with a top speed of 65 mph. The life-like mannequins that are on display alongside the vehicles are an attraction in themselves. Temporary Exhibits Besides the permanent exhibits, you can also view temporary exhibits that feature vehicles on loan from other museums and private collectors. Over the years, the museum has displayed a wide variety of vehicles through its temporary exhibitions, including vehicles from popular movies, British cars, muscle cars, and pedal cars. Kid's Car Service and Restoration Center If you're visiting the museum with your kids, you should bring them to the Kid's Car Service and Restoration Center. This center has a fabricated car for children to work on, giving them a chance to learn about the working mechanisms of a car. Whether you're an automotive enthusiast, history buff, or just an ordinary tourist, you can expect to have a fun and educational experience at America on Wheels. Make sure you check out the museum's classic car-themed HubCap Café at the end of your visit. Image via Flickr by KlausNahr

One of the things you need to experience while you're in Allentown is its great brewery heritage. The city is home to several renowned breweries and brewpubs that offer a wide range of beers and ales to suit different tastes. Here are three of the best brewpubs in Allentown. Fegley's Brew Works Located on West Hamilton Street, Fegley's is a family-run brewpub that has won numerous awards, including gold medals in the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Championships, and World Beer Cup. Some of its flagship brews include Amber Lager, Always Sunny Pale Ale, Knuckleball, Hop'solutely, and Steelworker's Stout. Besides excellent brews, it also has an extensive food menu that includes flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, entrees, and salads. Strange Brew Tavern Strange Brew Tavern is a casual-themed brewpub situated in the southern part of Allentown. It has more than 100 different types of bottled or canned beer and over 20 tap offerings, including high-end ones. The tavern also serves a wide variety of American and Mexican dishes, including signature items such as the Chicken Cordon Brew, Brewben, Beszwich, and Gravy Dave. Grille 3501 The Grille 3501 is an upscale restaurant that offers a unique blend of French, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors. On its menu, you'll find an interesting array of dishes, such as wild boar agnolotti, soy-glazed octopus, Gochugaru rare tuna, crispy king salmon, and others. It also has a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and signature beers. Visiting a brewpub in Allentown will give you a better insight into the city's rich social culture, which will make your vacation more complete. Image via Flickr by Bernt Rostad

Pennsylvania is a fun-filled state that everyone should visit at least once in their life. However, even if you’re a longtime resident of Pennsylvania, you may not know about all the opportunities for excitement that this state offers. Here are a few can’t-miss Pennsylvania activities that you should be sure to experience before you die. Visit Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day Every year, Punxsutawney Phil, a weather predicting groundhog of world-renown, lets us know if we’re in for an early spring or six more weeks of winter. If you’ve never visited Gobbler’s Knob and seen Phil’s power in person, then this event is something you need to attend before you die. In addition to the main event, there are several other chances to have fun, including visiting Phil at his burrow. Stop by the Capitol Rotunda If you’re a fan of history, architecture, politics, or all three, then a sight you must see in Pennsylvania is the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. The Rotunda is characterized by some of the most interesting architectural features in the country, including a gorgeous grand marble staircase and murals by famed painter Edwin Austin Abbey. Take some time to stroll around the Rotunda so that you can fully appreciate its beauty. Explore Crystal Cave Park Visitors to Pennsylvania that have an adventurer's spirit need to spend time in Crystal Cave Park. Known as the “Greatest Natural Wonder in Pennsylvania,” Crystal Cave Park provides the perfect opportunity to explore some of the most interesting rock formations you’ve ever seen. Whether you want to go on a self-guided tour or learn from a professional, you’re sure to have a great time. Image via Flickr by Anthony Quintano