Month: May 2011

Free Art Program for Cancer Patients Receives Funding from Hill School

The Gallery School of Pottstown is proud to announce their Healing Arts program has received a grant from the Hill School Student Philanthropy Council. The Healing Arts Program offers free art programs to those whose lives have been touched by cancer. Participants can choose any of the School’s scheduled 2011 summer classes in topics from pottery and drawing to glass fusing and painting. Visit www.galleryonhigh.org for complete class details, and to download an application for the program. Applicants may also call 610-326-2506 for more information.

Acceptance in the Healing Arts program is on a first come, first served basis, and there are a limited number of spaces available. Also available through this program is a brand new Fiber Exploration Class. This class is available to support groups as a fun group activity. Participants will try their hand at spinning their own yarn and will work on a cooperative weaving project. Their final woven piece will be framed and presented to the group after their class. No experience in the fiber arts is necessary–just a willingness to try new things. Please call or email the Gallery School for more details and to schedule. A very limited number of classes are available

Healing Arts is sponsored by the Hill School Student Philosophy Council. The Student Philanthropy Council, first launched in October 2008, was created by Charles A. Frank, III, Hill School Class of ’59 and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and his wife, Betty. The program allows Hill students to learn about the value and processes of philanthropy. In addition, the program provides funding to Pottstown nonprofit organizations with strategic initiatives focused on enhancing the health and overall wellness of area families and communities.

The Gallery School of Pottstown is a 501c3 non-profit community art school and gallery. The School offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. The Gallery on High hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The Gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.

The Gallery School of Pottstown
@ Gallery on High
254 E. High St.
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-326-2506
www.galleryonhigh.org

St. Aloysius Church

Pottstown is home to many congregations and faith communities of all denominations. On Sundays, we will periodically feature a Pottstown congregation with a photo and a link to their website, if they have one.

We are out and about, taking photos all the time, but if you’d like us to use a photo of yours, please send it along and we’ll credit you or your congregation.

We’re starting this series with St. Aloysius Parish, the first Catholic church established in Pottstown in 1856.

Saint Aloysius Church
223 Beech Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-326-5877
www.saintaloysius.net
Pastor – Fr. Joseph L. Maloney

Hungry?? Head over to MCCC for Taste of the Town on Saturday

Breast cancer gets a lot of press, and deservedly so.  This disease strikes mothers, daughters, sisters, friends.  I can say that it has hit close to home for me this last year as a dear friend is in the fight of her life against breast cancer.

What might not get as much attention are the families of the women engaged in this battle, but Prayers and Poinsettias has their well being in mind.  This local non-profit, founded and headed by Mary Beatty of Barto, PA, provides scholarship funds to students at Montgomery County Community College whose mothers have or have had breast cancer.

This weekend you can help the cause, raise money to help a student at MontCo and sample food from some of the area’s best restaurants.  The Taste of the Town event is scheduled for Saturday, May 21st from  1-4pm at the North Hall Art Gallery of MCCC.

For just a $20 donation, you can sample food from the following restaurants:

Java’s Brewin of Limerick and Pottstown Hospital

www.javasbrewin.homestead.com or find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/javasbrewin

This coffee shop has been around since 2007 in Limerick and more recently in the lobby of the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.  Their light food, delicious muffins and welcoming atmosphere are the result of team effort at this family owned business.

Ice House Deli

A Pottstown staple both for their food and community involvement, Ice House Deli serves pizza, steaks and more in their downtown location.  Their name is very fitting because the building they occupy actually used to be an ice house!

www.icehousedelivers.com

Rita’s of the Shops at Coventry Square

Be cool-eat a Rita’s!  (okay that song is now stuck in your head, sorry) at the Rita’s of Coventry Square.

Rita’s website

Dave’s Rib Shack

www.davestakoutribshack.com

Located in what looks like an ice cream stand, Dave’s Rib Shack serves up pulled pork, brisket and of course, ribs.  They open at 8 am everyday and have fresh breakfast items!

Raw Can Roll of Douglassville

Beyond the clever pun they use for their name, Raw Can Roll  serves up some amazing vegan, gluten free, raw foods with plenty of flavor.  They have a cute little cafe in Douglassville and also offer smoothies.  Their menu changes with the fresh foods in season and includes salsas, hummus and other fresh choices.

www.rawcanrollcafe.com

Positively Pasta

If you attended last night’s Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour, you got a sampling of the delicious food from Postively Pasta.  This High Street restaurant serves much more than pasta, with great breakfast, lunches and dinner.

Bause Landry Catering

Another hometown Business, Bause Landry offers full service catering for all kinds of occasions.  Their cakes are absolutely heavenly as well.  If you visit their website, you will definitely get hungry, but you can also check out a video of one of their events!

www.bauselandry.com

Also at Taste of the Town, there will be a silent auction to help raise additional funds for scholarships.

Even if you can’t make it to Taste of the Town this Saturday, be on the lookout for Prayers and Poinsettias around Christmas time when they will again be selling poinsettias to benefit the organization’s mission of providing scholarships and support to the children of women with breast cancer.

Additionally, I would encourage everyone to show their support to these businesses and others who consistently give of their time and their profits to help our community.  The next time you are at a local business, thank them for their generosity and their commitment to Pottstown.

School Board votes to transfer property for community garden

Last night, in a unanimous decision, the Pottstown School Board voted to transfer a vacant lot at 423 Chestnut Street to the MOSAIC Community Land Trust (CLT). Read about it here.

Old Chestnut Street Park

A community land trust is a proven model for promoting affordable homeownership, stabilizing neighborhoods and improving local economies. The community garden at 423 Chestnut will be its first project.

Pottstown’s CLT is a project of the Preservation Pottstown organization founded nearly 30 years ago. The group recently adopted the name MOSAIC Community Land Trust because a mosaic is the coming together of many different, colorful pieces – even some that are a bit rough around the edges! – to create a thing of beauty. (Keep an eye out for an upcoming call for artists to create a mosaic logo for the CLT, in conjunction with The Gallery School!)

The new board of trustees now at the helm of Preservation Pottstown/MOSAIC, with the support of a grant from National Penn Bank (thank you, Sharon McMichael!), have been working with a nationally-known CLT expert, Van Temple, to get its by-laws and operations in order so that it can own and manage projects like the community garden and, eventually, rehab and sell homes to low- and moderate-income working folks.

The School District’s decision is a huge milestone for what it represents: a new wave of partnership and collaboration on a progressive, healthy, sustainable community initiative. This effort has been led by the indomitable spirit of Katy Jackson on behalf of MOSAIC and supported and nurtured by many others, including Dr. Reed Lindley, Stephen Kalis, Andrew Monastra, Jason Bobst, Judy Memberg & Genesis Housing and Al Gryga of DePallo Design & Planning.

While it will be too late to get veggies in the ground for this summer, a team of volunteers and professionals are lined up to begin cleaning up and preparing the lot, perhaps for some fall harvesting, but certainly for next spring. I apologize in advance if I miss anyone in the list that follows – let me know and I’ll get additional names in here! Some of those who have committed to making this happen include: Master Gardeners from Penn State; Shawn Conroy & Lowe’s employees, Alan Jensen-Sellers, Master Arborist with Davey Tree Experts; Eric Schmidt of Colonial Gardens, Mary-Beth Lydon, Chris Huff, Teri Jensen-Sellers, McDonald’s and Giant for refreshments for volunteers, and many, many more.

Teaching children & adults…  meeting neighbors… enjoying the outdoors… getting your hands dirty…  the MOSAIC garden committee is always looking to grow its community. For more information, visit MOSAIC Community Land Trust’s website here.

Paint the Town Purple Kick-off and much more this weekend

Get your weekend sizzling at the Third Fridays Starry Ferrari Salsa Social in Pottstown! It gets jumping at the Ballroom on High at 310 E. High Street, beginning at 7:30 pm Friday night, May 20th. Admission is $12. For more info. Go to www.swingkat.com.

To celebrate 75 years as a National Federated Garden Club, the Pottstown Area Garden Club is presenting  “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” a Standard Flower Show held at the Frederick Mennonite Community, 2849 (Route 73) Frederick today, Friday, May 20 from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 21, from 9am till 2 pm.

If you’re doing spring cleaning this weekend, you’ll want to head over to Pottsgrove High School.  The Pottsgrove High School Music League is holding a clothing drive Friday and Saturday. Bring your old clothes to Pottsgrove High School between 3-7 pm Friday or Saturday between 10am and 1 pm. There will be a trailer in the parking lot and volunteers on hand to accept your donations.  Funds raised will support the music programs in the Pottsgrove School District. 

On Saturday morning head over to Smith Plaza in front of Pottstown Borough Hall to take part in the Paint the Town Purple Kick-off event. That’s taking place from 10 am to 1 pm. Pottstown is an epic leader in Relay for Life participation and funds raised. Join Relay for Life teams, local businesses and the mayor as the countdown to relay begins.  For more info. Go to www.pottstownrelayforlife.com

 Also this Saturday, May 21st, Taste of the Towne food festival and silent auction will be held from 1-4 pm at Montgomery County Community College’s North Hall Art Gallery at 16 W. High Street, Pottstown. This community event will raise scholarship money for Montgomery County Community College students whose mothers are battling breast cancer. Prayers and Poinsettias, is a nonprofit organization founded by Mary Beatty of Barto, who is an alumna of Montgomery County Community College. Admission is $20 and you can pay at the door. Participating restaurants include Java’s Brewin’, Ice House Deli, Rita’s at the Shops of Coventry Square, Dave’s Rib Shack, Raw Can Roll, Positively Pasta and Bause-Landry Catering.

If you’re feeling a little more raucous, you can Get Down and Derby with the Pottstown Rockstars Roller Derby. Women’s roller derby is taking off across the nation and Pottstown’s got its very own team, now something like 50-women strong. They are raising funds to find a permanent space in Pottstown. “Get Down and Derby” goes from 8pm to midnight at the Elks Club on High Street. Admission is $40 and includes food and beer, with a cash bar for mixed drinks.

And finally, if you’re ready to take a deep breath, clear your head and chill out on Sunday after an insane weekend, head over to Camp Fernbrook, 1954 St Peters Road in North Coventry for the Coventry Woods Festival. It’s happening on May 22nd from 1- 5 pm and admission is free. We visited Coventry Woods and the Fernbrook area last fall when we were doing the parks and rec series, and it’s one of the most gorgeous outdoor spaces in the area. For more info, go to the township’s website at www.northcoventry.us.

Remember, if you want to see your event here, just let us know and we will include you in the calendar.  Get out this weekend and see what’s going on in town!

Career Fair at Sunnybrook Ballroom

Job seekers should definitely make some time to stop by Sunnybrook Ballroom on Wednesday between 11am and 1pm when employers from around the region will be on hand to take resumes and applications.  The impressive list of employers includes everything from food service to retail and medical opportunities. 

The event is sponsored by the Tri-County Community Network in partnership with Exelon, Sunnybrook Foundation, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board, and the (Pottstown) Mercury newspaper. 

Here is the rundown of companies who will be hiring tomorrow:

TriCounty Community Career Fair

May 18, 2011: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown

Accountants For You/Office Staff For You

Adecco Staffing

Aerotek Staffing

AlliedBarton Security

Assisting Hands of Collegeville

Atria Woodbridge Assisted Living

Berks & Beyond Staffing

Best Buy

Boscov’s

The Brick House

Brooks Brothers

CAS Home Health Care

Chestnut Knoll (Phoenixville)

Chestnut Knoll (Gilbertsville)

Century 21 Alliance

Colonial Electric Supply

Creative Health Services

Developmental Enterprises Corp. (DEC)

Educational Data Systems Inc. (EDSI)

Exelon Nuclear

Family Caregivers Network

FirstJobStop.com

HCR ManorCare

Home Health Mates

Home Instead Senior Care

KenCrest Services

LifeQuest/LifeSpan

Lowe’s

Metro Public Adjustment

Montgomery County Childcare Information Services (CCIS)

National Penn Bank

Nikken Marketing

PA Civil Service Commission (Philadelphia)

PA CareerLink (Montco)

Parkhouse-Providence Pointe

Paychex

PeopleShare Staffing

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center

Pottstown Mercury

Robert Half International/Accountemps

Salvation Army

Sanatoga Court/Genesis HealthCare

Sears

Seniors Helping Seniors

SEPTA

Southeastern Veterans Medical Center

Step By Step

Sunnybrook Ballroom

Susquehanna Bank

TD Bank

TIMET

Tracon Telecom Corp.

Univest Bank

U.S. Air Force

Visiting Angels

Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown & Vicinity

Wells Fargo Bank

In addition to employers, the following training Providers will be on hand to help job seekers learn more about their services:

Antonelli’s Medical Institute

MCCC University Center

YWCA Adult Literacy Center

The Tri-County Community Network is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to build relationships among organizations, community members and businesses through advocacy, information sharing and education to improve health, social and environmental conditions within the TriCounty area.”  You can get more information about the organization from their website:  Tri-County Community Network. 

Sunnybrook Ballroom is located at 50 Sunnybrook Road in Lower Pottsgrove.

Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars Get Down and Derby

You might remember that the last time we checked in with the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars, the league had about 19 members, but these days over 50 skaters can officially call themselves “rockstars!”   The women of Pottstown Roller Derby have big plans for their league, but big plans don’t come cheap. As they outgrow their current space, league co-founders Lida Addison, Tonda Woodling and Patty Fetterman are actively searching for warehouse space in the borough to house their league, and raising funds towards that end. 

This Saturday night, you can come out and support the fledging league and party just like a rock star at the Elks Club from 8pm to midnight.  Your $40 entrance fee gets you food and beer (you’ll need cash if you want mixed drinks) and seventies themed party, named Get Down and Derby with the Pottstown Rockstars,  that just might become legendary. 

Roller derby itself might seem like something of a novelty, but it could be pure gold to Pottstown’s struggling economy.  Bringing a spectator sport like roller derby to the borough would have positive economic ramifications and add to the burgeoning arts and culture vibe that is starting to take root downtown. 

Depending on their eventual home turf, Pottstown’s bouts could attract upwards of 300 people.  The neighboring Lehigh Valley Roller Girls’ League regularly sees attendance between 300 and 500 fans per bout.  And, after watching roller derby, those 300+ people might just hang around for dinner or drinks. 

Skeptical?  It’s understandable that you might be, but consider some of these statistics from the recent poll conducted by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)

Who plays roller derby?

According to responses to the WFTDA’s 2010 demographic survey:

63 percent of skaters are 25 to 34 years old

Most have some post-secondary education; 20% have graduate degrees

31% of responding skaters have children under 18

36% of skaters are married

 

Who watches roller derby?

According to fan responses to the 2010 demographic survey:

Most roller derby fans (60%) are also active fans of other sports

 59% of fans are female

 41% of fans are ages 25-34; another 41% are 35-54

 34% of fans have undergraduate degrees; 21% have a graduate level degree

 (statistics from WFTDA survey, 2010)

That sounds like exactly the kind of demographic that could help this town over the tipping point toward revitalization and the derby league needs some financial help to do it.  Warehouse space (about 20,000 square feet of it) is expensive, as is the actual track they need to furnish it. 

The Rockstars have more in mind that just roller derby bouts, they’ve got great ideas for youth leagues and roller derby boot camp fitness classes.  And, believe me, if you’ve ever seen one of their practices, derby boot camp would be one tough class! 

So, come on out and support the home-grown derby team this weekend at the Elks.  Here is all the info:

Get Down and Derby with the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars

Pottstown Elks Club, 61 High Street

Saturday, May 21st

8pm to midnight

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

$40 tickets includes ALL THE BEER YOU CAN DRINK and food!!!
All the appetizers you can eat!!!
We will have Miller Lite, Yuengling Lager and Labatt’s Blue on tap!
Beer and food included with ticket purchase!
Cash bar for liquor
50/50 RAFFLE
DJ REACT will be spinning the funky beats!!!
70’s Disco Attire is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED

Information about practices can be found on their facebook page and new members are encouraged to come out to the “fresh meat” practices to try out some derby skating.

J.O.B. Design & Construction hosts Positively!Pottstown happy hour this Thursday

In the case of J.O.B. Design & Construction headquarters at 64 N. Hanover Street, you’d do well to “judge a book by its cover.” Their historical renovation of the former Dr. Frederick Van Buskirk home is testament to the quality craftsmanship that is standard for J.O.B, which is owned and operated by John and Pam O’Boyle.

The building was on the “Historic Pottstown by Candlelight” house tour last December, but I missed it. I finally got a chance to stop by a couple weeks ago and get a tour from Pam. I was just blown away by the beauty of the original hardwood floors, moldings, trim, stair rails and shutters. For other examples of the extraordinary work of J.O.B, click on the “Portfolio” button on their website. They also own a green subsidiary – Halo Energy – that can help you harness solar power and make your home or business more energy efficient.

Johnny O’Boyle has been working in construction and remodeling since 1977. For nearly 24 years, he had his business on East 7th Street in Pottstown before re-locating to N. Hanover Street about a year ago, further cementing his commitment to Pottstown. John currently serves as President of the Building Industries Exchange of Pottstown and Vicinity and has donated J.O.B.’s services for construction of the World War II Memorial in Memorial Park.

We’re really pleased that John and Pam have opened up their business to host the next happy hour, which is this Thursday, May 19 from 5-7:30 pm. Food will be provided by Positively Pasta of 115 E. High Street. You can expect mouth-watering savory-filled puff pastries, potato skins, mini-meatballs and pizza bites. As always, there’s a $5 cover charge for appetizers; beverages are complimentary. If you haven’t done so already, please RSVP to positivelypottstown@gmail.com.

And please check out J.O.B. Design & Construction Co. Inc.for your next construction or re-modeling project!

Brunish’s gets great review in Inquirer!

On April 25, I wrote about my first visit ever to Brunish’s Deli at 577 Lincoln Avenue in Pottstown in “Brunish’s: There’s no place like home for hot dogs and sausages.”

577 Lincoln Avenue

Today, The Inquirer did an awesome story about this classic piece of Pottstown history, their funky space and their mouth-watering sandwiches. Check it out here.

And be sure to check them out in person! No doubt, someone from the Brunish family will be behind the counter ready to welcome you.

Brunish’s is on the web at www.brunishgroceryinc.com. And check them out on Facebook: they’ve got 1,811 “likes” at I Love Brunish’s!!!!!!!

Brunish’s Deli is located at 577 Lincoln Avenue, Pottstown, PA, across from the former Jefferson Elementary School. They’re open 7 am-8 pm, Monday-Saturday and 7am-6pm on Sundays. The phone number is 326-1900.

Plenty to do in Pottstown this weekend

Pancakes, legos, nuns, and school bands.  That’s not the opening of a joke; it’s a sampling of what is going on this weekend in Pottstown. 

Nunsense finishes up its run at the Tri-Pac Performing Arts Center this weekend so be sure and get your tickets for this weekend’s shows before it’s over.  With the tagline:  “so funny, it’s habit forming,” it’s bound to be good.  You can get your tickets online before the show or get them at the door. 

The Pottstown Public Library is kicking off their new Lego Construction Project on Saturday, May 14th from 11am to 1pm.  Kids from age 9 through adults can come in and build to their heart’s content and then display their creations until next month when the club will meet again.  Work on your own or as a team-the event is free. 

The MOMs Club of Pottstown/Pottsgrove is holding and all you can eat pancake breakfast at the Greshville Inn in Boyertown.  Contact  mckeejl@yahoo.com for tickets and more information about the event.  Adults $7, kids 3-12 $5 and all proceeds benefit the International MOMs club Mother to Mother fund. 

The Pottstown Arts and Cultural Alliance is bringing back its Sunday in the Park series with a performance by Pottstown School bands at Riverfront Park.  Bring a blanket and sit in grassy amphitheatre to listen to the talented students of our school district’s music program. 

After all that fun, and maybe after an airplane ride at Limerick Airport, you might want to take some time to freshen up your resume for next week’s job fair at Sunnybrook Ballroom.  Sponsored by the Tri-County Community Network, this job fair has over 60 employer participating.  It is being held Wednesday from 11am to 1pm at Sunnybrook, and you get more information by calling TCN at 610-705-3301 Ext. 2.

Remember, if you want to see your event included in our weekly calendar posts, be sure to email it to us or contact us on facebook!

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