Around Phoenixville

On Friday, January 25th, the Colonial Theatre is hosting their First Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting. From their email: --- This event to benefit the Colonial is a chance for tasting single malts and limited edition whiskies that you would not normally see on your bar shelves or in your local liquor store. We have this opportunity because Riannon Walsh, a world-renowned whisky expert, lives right in our back yard and loves and supports the Colonial herself. Riannon's work in the industry over the past 20 years includes hands on experience in small batch pot still whisky production in both U.S.-based and Scottish malt distilleries. Her expertise as a "nose" has resulted in independent bottlers of single malts turning to Riannon for cask selection. The Association for the Colonial Theatre wishes to thank our premiere sponsor for their support: Master Distiller: New Century Bank And, special thanks to our Head Stillmen sponsors: Riannon Walsh, President of Cloona

Last Thursday night, local developer Manny DeMutis presented plans for the 500 block of Bridge St. that would see two 14-story towers built. The development, which would sit on 5.5 acres of land, would include "38,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, 448 residential units, and structured, shared parking." Source: The Phoenix

Going to start a new feature which I hope to include every Friday. Basically, it will just be a reminder of things that are going on around town for that weekend. Friday, Dec. 14th Valley Forge Fire Company Holiday Event - Starts at 7:30pm Saturday, Dec. 15th Holiday Concert with David Jack - Colonial Theatre starting at 10:30am Firebird Festival - Festivities begin at 4:30pm Sunday, Dec. 16th Live Nativity - 6pm at Reeves Park For more information on all of these, please see our Events section .

On Sunday, December 16th, starting at 6pm, the Phoenixville Jaycees will be presenting their annual live nativity at Reeves Park. Reader Shane sent me the following: --- PHOENIXVILLE JAYCEES PRESENT ANNUAL LIVE NATIVITY SUN. DEC. 16 PHOENIXVILLE — The Phoenixville Jaycees will be bringing some holiday spirit to Reeves Park this Sunday, December 16, at 6 p.m., by re-enacting the nativity with live animals and carols performed by members of the Phoenixville Area High School Choral Program. 2007 Dogwood Queen Maria Konstantinidis will be reading the nativity story between carols and members of the Phoenixville Jaycees will re-create the manger scene. Public participation in singing carols is encouraged. “The Live Nativity has been a Phoenixville tradition for 26 years,” said Jaycees President Megan Thomas. “The Jaycees are delighted to be able to host events like the Live Nativity to be able to spread holiday cheer and bring members of the community together.” The event is rain-or-shine

On Saturday, December 29th, Kimberton welcomes back one of its own when Julia Chalfin will be putting on a classical music concert at Rose Hall in the Camphill Village Kimberton Hills . Julia is a graduate of the Kimberton Waldorf School and is a classically trained Soprano. She is currently performing in the Richard Strauss Conservatory Opera Performance in Munich, Germany. Joining her on piano is Russell Posegate. They will be performing music by Mozart, Puccini, Handel, Lehar, Ravel, Chopin, Bizet and Bach. The concert starts at 4:30pm and admission is free. Thanks to reader Richard for the information!

On Thursday, January 17, 2008, the sixth annual 'A Taste of Phoenixville' will be taking place at Robert Ryan's Columbia Station . The event, which will be held from 6:30-9pm, features "edible delights from the likes of Robert Ryan's Columbia Station; Thai L'Elephant Browns Cow Ice Cream Parlor; The Columbia Hotel; Bridgeside Deli & Grille; Foresta's Country Meat Market; Molly Maguires; Ramondo’s Cheese!; Iron Hill Brewery; Aquilante's; Majolica; Twin Bays; Eliza’s Bakery; and The Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery." In addition to the food, live music will be performed by local band Rhapsody and there will be a silent auction. All proceeds go to help the Good Samaritan Shelter of Phoenixville . Last year's event raised ~ $30k! For tickets and additional information, please call 610-933-9305. Source: The Phoenix

For the first time in its history, the Phoenixville Farmers Market will continue to operate through the winter, albeit on a limited basis. The market will be open twice a month from 10-11am and most of the vendors will be bringing primarily pre-ordered items. It will be located in the same spot as it always is, behind the Family Dollar at the intersection of Bridge St. and Taylor Alley. Dates for the market are as follows: December 8th and 22nd January 12th and 26th February 9th and 23rd March 15th and 29th April 12th and 26th For more information, please see the Farmer's Market website .

Wanted to introduce you to a new blog I am starting up. I have named it the Phoenixville Soapbox and it will be a place where we can discuss things like politics as they relate to our town. Several readers have asked that I write about things like the upcoming tax hike but I did not want to mix those discussions in with what this blog talks about. Check it out when you get a chance, and, as always, let me know what you think. Phoenixville Soapbox

Click for a larger version On Saturday, December 15th, the Phoenixville Public Library is hosting a Holiday Concert featuring David Jack, former star of Sesame Street. The concert, which is being held at the Colonial Theatre , begins at 10:30am and is being sponsored by the Friends of the Phoenixville Public Library . Admission is a canned good for the Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) . Prizes will be given out. Thanks to reader Brandon for the info!

On Sunday, December 9th, the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation will be hosting a free concert at the Colonial Theatre . The concert, which will be held from 2-4pm, will feature two separate performances. The first, from 2-3, will be presented by Astral Artistic Services and will feature two young classical performers: Doug O’Connor on Saxophone and Lidia Kaminska on Accordion. From 3-4, the Jazz Ensemble, the Vocal Choir and the Hand-Bell Choir from Valley Forge Christian College will perform. For more information please call the Foundation office at 610-917-9890. Source: Phoenixville Area School District Website .

It appears that the Gay Street Bridge construction project is one step closer to beginning. According to today's Phoenix , PennDOT is close to approving a bid from the Nyleve Bridge Corporation for the new bridge. Assuming the bid is approved, construction will begin early next year ( about one year later than originally planned ). If all goes as planned, the new bridge will be ready by late '09 or early '10. During that time, traffic will be detoured. Although the article does not specifically mention it, it seems that cars will be detoured to Main St. while trucks will probably have to take High St. to Township Line Rd. Source: The Phoenix