FREE Dress for Success event tomorrow
This just in…
FREE Dress for Success Event
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
10am – 1pm
Salvation Army of Greater Pottstown
137 King Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
Registration Required! Call for your appointment NOW!
Call TCN to register for a Free Appointment at 610-705-3301
Choose from our 100s of outfits to find the ensemble that helps you stand above the rest!
Register for our free event and have help picking your best interview outfit, accessories and shoes. (Sizes are limited.)
SPONSORED BY THE TCN Homeless Services Program, Soroptimists Program, The Nottage Project, In Ian’s Boots, The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, and The Salvation Army.
TriCounty Community Network
Partnering to improve health, social and environmental conditions
The “Buy Local” movement is sweeping across the country and it has arrived in Pottstown like a force from Mother Nature. So, what does it mean to “buy local?” It’s pretty simple: By shifting even a fraction of your spending to locally-owned businesses in your hometown, you are supporting the employment base, the tax base, the school system, and your neighbors and friends. And, when the word gets out that there is support for local businesses from area residents, Pottstown could become a more attractive place for those considering expanding or opening up a new business.
During the month of May, the Pottstown School District and the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority, otherwise known as PDIDA (puh-dee-duh), have teamed up to help Pottstown flex its economic muscle with a “Buy Local” competition in the school district. All the schools and the administration are competing to see who can spend the most money during the month of May in the PDIDA district. PDIDA encompasses High Street from York to Evans Streets and Hanover and Charlotte Streets from Queen to King Streets. Students, staff and their families are shopping in those areas, getting a receipt, asking the merchant for a “Buy Local” sticker for the receipt and then turning it in at a School District building. In just two weeks, more than $16,000 was spent in the downtown! See Evan Brandt’s article here.
Did you know that there’s another Buy Local wave rolling through the region?
Local radio station WBZH, The Buzz (1370 AM), has been living and breathing the “buy local” philosophy 24/7 since February, when they announced that “buying local” would be the essence behind everything they do.
While their programming has always included local voices and up-to-the-minute local news and coverage, they have come up with advertising packages with customizable options that fit every business budget. They even offer free “buy local” taglines that you can record, along with your business name and location, to get the word out about the importance of supporting the people who are working and making an investment in your community.
We are bringing these two entities together for the next Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour, taking place tomorrow, Friday, May 18 from 5-7 pm at the PDIDA office at 17 N. Hanover Street. WBZH will be broadcasting the “Suki Says!” show live from 4-7 pm. Come out to network and meet local folks who are running businesses and trying to support local business, arts and culture in Pottstown every day. A $5 cover charge will get you food from Giuseppe’s, a new Italian restaurant and pizza place at 864 E. High Street; chocolate-dipped pretzels by Sugar High, a new sweet shoppe at 250 E. High Street; and complimentary beverages.
To rsvp, send an email to positivelypottstown@gmail.com; we also won’t turn anyone away at the door, so just stop by to get your weekend started right, right here at home, keeping it local.
The YWCA – Tri-County Area has been presenting the Girl Talk Series of programs during their Year of the Young Woman, and the series continues this Saturday with a talk on Non-Traditional Careers.
Entitled Who Said “It’s A Man’s World?”, the program will take place Saturday, May 19 from 10 am – 2 pm at the YWCA at 315 King Street, Pottstown. This discussion will explore non-traditional careers for women, consider where women should start to pursue a non-traditional career, and will provide examples.
Guests can park in the Evans Street lot located on King Street across from the YW. (Use the PERMIT spaces ONLY.) The program is free with reservation for women and girls age 8 and up. Just call the YW now to reserve a spot for you and your daughter: 610.323.1888.
Future events in the Girl Talk Series include:
July 28, 2012: Cyber Bullying and Stalking
September 22, 2012: Advocacy
November 10, 2012: Go Green!
For information about events, please contact the YWCA at 610-323-1888.
The Fourth annual Coventry Woods Festival will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 1 to 5 pm at the Fernbrook Entrance to the Coventry Woods, intersection of St. Peters Road and Fernbrook Lane in North Coventry. The festivities are sponsored by the Township Parks and Recreation Commission and will be held rain or shine.
This annual event celebrates healthy lands and healthy communities, and will feature music, food, goat races, community displays, and a full slate of other activities.
Bring family and friends to experience the former Camp Fernbrook which, through the hard work of North Coventry’s Open Space Committee, has added such a wonderful gateway to the over 600 acres of the Coventry Preserve. The event is truly a family affair with food, music, games, and goat races for the children. Please join in for a ceremony at 2:30 pm.
Editor’s note: This timely information about an HBO series that begins tonight comes to us from the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation.
With recent statistics suggesting that 42% of the United States population will be defined as obese by 2030, The Weight of a Nation, could not come at a more opportune time to shine the light on a national epidemic. The four-part documentary series was developed by HBO in conjunction with several of the nation’s leading research and health care organizations. Three years in the making, the documentary spotlights the facts and myths of this urgent public health issue, showing how obesity affects the health of the nation and the health care system. The series also highlights how individuals, workplaces, and communities are making positive changes.
The documentary airs on HBO on May 14 (Part 1 and 2) and May 15 (Part 3 and 4). Additionally, content will be available free on multiple digital platforms including YouTube and HBO.com. The full series will also be available from the Pottstown Foundation for organizations interested in hosting future screenings.
“Educating ourselves is the first step in getting our community to a healthier weight,” said Dave Kraybill, Executive Director of the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation. “Helping our children make good food choices at home and creating neighborhoods and schools that enable them to eat well and be active are critical to helping the next generation live healthier, happier lives.”
The Foundation also celebrates the ongoing efforts of several grantees who are dedicated to aiding the community in pursuing healthier lifestyles and combating obesity:
Boyertown Area School District’s Brain Body Connection project is an effort to measure the connection between student’s health, physical activity and academic performance. For instance, science teachers collaborate with physical education teachers on days when tests are to be given – ensuring that students receive a stimulating dose of activity before heading into the classroom to take their test. The District’s vision is to expand the focus on physical activity beyond the gymnasium, making it more of an integral and beneficial part of their students’.
Get Moving at the Freedom Valley YMCA is an exercise and health education program meant to motivate individuals to pursue healthy lifestyles. The impetus for the program came during a Relay for Life event. One team noticed others struggling to walk around the track and approached the YMCA with an idea based on community members supporting each other toward common healthy goals. The program began in January and runs through June 2012. Their goal is to see seventy-five percent of participants increase their walking/running time and distance.
Pottstown School District’s Healthy Me initiative promotes healthy living through its after school programs that focus on nutrition, diet, food preparation, exercise activities and stress reduction. The program aims to decrease the proportion of obesity in both the middle school and high school levels. It is open to all students, staff and local community at no charge.
About the Foundation
The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org for more information about the Foundation. Discover Pottstown area’s online community at www.missionhealthyliving.org to learn and share great information on how to lead a healthier life – including its series on childhood obesity. You can also follow Mission Healthy Living on Facebook and Twitter.
If your organization is interested in hosting a screening of The Weight of the Nation, please contact Rose Crews at rosecrews@pottstownfoundation.org for more details.
The Borough’s annual clean-up day will take place tomorrow from 8 am-noon. This event is organized by Bill Sharon and Councilman Mark Gibson. If you want to work with fellow residents, bring a pair of gloves, a broom, a rake – whatever tools you think will be helpful – and meet at Borough Hall (100 E. High Street) or at Empire Hook & Ladder (Franklin & Chestnut Streets) at 8 am. The Borough will be going around to pick up trash bags, and there will be dumpsters at Borough Hall and the firehouse. You can also join other volunteers for refreshments at Smith Plaza at noon.
Please note that if you can’t make the downtown clean-up, please take a few moments to clean up in front of your house, out by the curb, and/or in the alleyway. A neat & tidy yard and sidewalk actually can lift your spirits – at least it does for me!
If you want to extend the good feelings, here’s another volunteer clean-up opportunity from The Mercury…
“If you’re still in the cleanup mood on Sunday, you can join the Mercury staff and other local volunteers who will be giving a similar treatment to Ganshahawny Park in Douglass (Berks) Township from 8 to 10 a.m. The cleanup area was found with the help of the 
Schuylkill Action Network and the votes of Mercury readers on Facebook. The Schuylkill Scrub organization is providing trash bags and reflector vests, and several people have volunteered to help.For directions or to learn more, read editor Nancy March’s blog post on pottsmerc.com.”
Mother’s Day Coupon for Brickhouse!
TCN Membership Meeting
Rep. Tom Quigley to Speak on Local Job Creation
Tuesday, May 15, 8am-10am
Montgomery County Community College, West Campus
Community Room, 101 College Drive, Pottstown
Special thanks to our breakfast sponsor
Money Management International
For more information or to register call 610-705-3301, Ext. 2.
Membership Meeting Agenda
8:00am-8:30am Breakfast & Networking
8:30am-8:40am Introductions
8:40am-8:50am Announcements
8:50am-9:00am Breakfast Sponsor Presentation
9:00am-10:00am Presentation
———————————————————————-
TriCounty Community Career Fair
Wednesday, May 16, 10am – 1pm
Berean Conference Center
2675 East High Street, Pottstown
For more information call 610-705-3301.
Presented by the TCN Exelon Nuclear Workforce Development Program
———————————————————————-
Think you’ll get rich quick by gambling?
You have a way better chance of being struck by lightning or dying from a bee sting
Please join us……..
Problem Gambling and the College Population
Guest Speaker – Joanna Franklin, MS, NCGC II
Thursday, May 10, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Montgomery County Community College
Central Campus – Advanced Technology Center – Room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell PA 19422
~ and ~
West Campus by video-conferencing, South Hall – Room 213, 101 College Drive, Pottstown PA 19464
Target Audience: College faculty, administrators, counselors, students, and Drug & Alcohol Professionals who provide services in Montgomery County
To register for this free workshop, please e-mail elaffert@montcopa.org or call: Eileen Lafferty, 610-278-3538
———————————————————————-
Fellowship Farm “Blossom Festival”
Open House – Join Us!
Kids & Family Fun, Learning & Nature Activities
Saturday, May 12, 1-4 PM
Fellowship Farm
2488 Sanatoga Road
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464
———————————————————————-
Aevidum
Live Music, Refreshments, Raffles & Resources
Monday, May 14, 7pm-9pm
Montgomery County Community College
Science Center – Entrance off Morris Road
340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA
Aevidum is a depression and suicide education awareness initiative where informed adults empower students to know the warning signs of depression and understand that it is a treatable illness. Students use their gifts and talents to spread the Aevidum message of hope and advocate for other students. Aevidum’s message is delivered through interactive displays, high-energy assemblies, and community events.
———————————————————————-
Girl Talk Series: Non-Traditional Careers
Why a Non-Traditional Career?
Where Should Women Pursuing Non-Traditional Careers Start?
Examples of Non-Traditional Careers for Women and Girls Ages 8 and Up.
Saturday, May 19, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Free with reservation
YWCA Tri-County Area, 315 King Street, Pottstown
There is no cost to participate, but please reserve by calling 610-323-1888 x200
———————————————————————-
POTTSTOWN PRIDE
You can find the Winter edition of Pottstown Pride at www.pottstownschools.com. We are proud to highlight the accomplishments of our students, staff and graduates. Pottstown Pride also honors the memory of our fallen Trojans and provides us the opportunity to thank our supporters.
———————————————————————-
Partnering to improve health, social and environmental conditions.
TriCounty Community Network
260 High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
STEEL RIVER PLAYHOUSE DEBUTS IN POTTSTOWN
Here’s what the Steel River Playhouse – formerly Tri-PAC – has to say about their name change and their continuing mission to educate and to bring together new and established performing artists…
A star reborn? Not exactly, but Tri-County Performing Arts Center and Village Productions are getting a new name along with the obvious facelift, as anyone can tell by driving by the theater at 245 E. High Street in downtown Pottstown.
Tri-PAC and Village Productions have become the Steel River Playhouse. Same address. Same telephone. Website: www.steelriverplayhouse.org. Email format: (First name)@steelriver.org.
The new flowing steel mesh façade, high-tech marquee, and engaging outdoor plaza will be completed in June and the Steel River Playhouse is planning a June 16 community celebration event.
“The name reflects the strength, beauty and vitality of Pottstown and surrounding region,” said Marta Kiesling, executive director of Steel River Playhouse. “Steel made in Pottstown helped build major structures around the world. Beams iconically stamped ‘Bethlehem Steel’ run through our playhouse. And, of course, the Schuylkill runs through Pottstown, where we have an annual festival and a National and State Heritage Area that honor its beauty and role in our region.”
Kiesling continued, “The new name and logo mark the passage from our initial years of getting established in Pottstown and the surrounding region. We moved to Pottstown in 2005 as part of a broad redevelopment effort, and our wonderful theater complex opened in 2008.”
A name and logo are just a beginning. “Names and logos are just visuals,” says Joshua Lampe, founder and president of StandingStone Media, and the Steel River Playhouse board member leading the re-branding project. “The real work of brand-building is what the Steel River Playhouse has been working on since before coming to Pottstown – quality performances, creating a place for both emerging local talent and established actors and directors to work together, and education that develops talent, confidence and life skills.”
Kiesling adds, “The new brand and façade reflect the Steel River Playhouse commitment to the community and region. From the start, regional planners and leaders recognized that a strong performing arts center would contribute to the economic, cultural and social health of Pottstown and the surrounding region.”
Steel River Playhouse, formerly Tri-County Performing Arts Center (Tri-PAC), seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain,through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Each year, the Steel River Playhouse produces more than 90 performances and hosts more than 10,000 people as audiences, students, artists, donors and volunteers from throughout the region. We offer performance opportunities through open auditions; theater technical training; acting, voice, and instrumental lessons; classes and workshops for all ages; summer camp programs; and educational outreach including scholarships, artists in the classroom, traveling children’s shows, and other initiatives. For further information, visit www.steelriverplayhouse.org, or call 610-970-1199.
