The Phoenix asking for your help with questions for council candidates

I try to steer clear of political talk on this blog but, with the elections right around the corner, I thought this was worthy of a mention. In today's Phoenix, they have an article asking for readers to submit questions they would like answered by those running for Borough Council.

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What are the most important issues in Phoenixville right now? From the budget to garbage to crime to parking to anything else including blue lampposts, what should borough council candidates be discussing?

The residents of Phoenixville are invited to submit questions to The Phoenix that will then be posed to the candidates. The public will have until Tuesday, Oct. 30, to submit questions via mail, e-mail or dropping off at the newspaper office.

The Phoenix will narrow down all the submitted questions to the top five most interesting, relevant and fair queries. Those will then be forwarded to all the candidates. Each candidate will also be allowed one open-ended statement.

An article with all the candidates’ responses will be published in The Phoenix and online at www.PhoenixvilleNews.com on Monday, Nov. 5, the day before the election.
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Questions can be mailed to The Phoenix, Candidate Questions, PO Box 689, Phoenixville, PA 19460; e-mailed to editor@phoenixvillenews.com or dropped off downtown at the newspaper office at 225 Bridge Street.

Source: The Phoenix

Gay St. Bridge project delayed, again

Demolition of the Gay Street Bridge, originally slated for August and then moved back to November, has been delayed again. The new start date is late January or early February.

From the Phoenix
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In an interview Wednesday, Mike D. Holva, Project Management, Bridges, for PennDOT’s District 6-0 in King of Prussia, said that contractors’ bids based on final specifications for the project are due to be opened November 29. After contractor selection, PennDOT expects to issue a "notice to proceed" January 14, 2008.

Following that date, Holva said, "there will be at least a two-week period" before any work is done, in which the contractor is required to place signs announcing the bridge’s closing. There may also be short delays beyond that: "It’s possible that contractors may find something" in the specifications or on site that would require adjustment to the proposed work plan, he said.

With those considerations in mind, Holva estimated that work would likely begin in earnest "sometime in February."
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It is estimated that the project will take two years to complete meaning the new bridge will be ready sometime in early 2010.

Source: The Phoenix

Four local businesses named as Philly Hottest

The results are in and four local businesses have won their respective categories in Fox 29's MyFoxPhilly's HotList competition. The winners are The Columbia Bar and Grille for Best Romantic Restaurant, Hipster Home for Best Housewares Store, Ramondo’s Cheese! for Best Cheese Shop, and Wolfgang Books for Best Bookstore. The Colonial Theatre won second place in the Best Indie Theater category.

Congrats to all five!

Source: The Phoenix

Firebird Festival Scheduled for December 15th

Preliminary details for the 4th Annual Firebird Festival have been announced. This year's festival will be held on Saturday, December 15th. Based on last year's schedule, you can expect events to begin around town that afternoon leading up to the lighting of the Firebird at around 8pm. For more information on the history of the Firebird Festival, see firebirdfestival.com. As of this writing, the schedule listed is from last year's festival but I'd imagine it will be getting updated shortly. Once it does, I will be sure to update you.

Kite Mural Fundraising Party planned for Oct. 20th

Got an email from the Colonial Theatre mailing list this morning about an upcoming fund raiser for a new mural that is being created downtown. From the email

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The Phoenix Village Art Center is hosting a fundraiser to help pay for a new mural in Phoenixville. The mural, designed by artist Charles Segal, is being created for the west wall of 138 Bridge Street between Iron Hill Brewery and the Columbia Bar & Grille. Please join us at the Art Center, 207 Bridge Street, on Saturday, October 20 from 4-7PM for cocktails & hors d'oeuvres, as well as a slide presentation on kite flying & its history by David Ciotti, American Kite-fliers Association member.

Tickets are $35 each or $60 per couple.

Please RSVP by October 17 via email, phone or mail. Checks can be made payable to Phoenixville Main Street CDC - Kite Mural.

Email: nailersrow@hotmail.com (Please include KITE MURAL in the subject line.)

Phone: 610-812-3474

Mail: Kite Mural, 3 Mill Street, Phoenixville, PA, 19460

The kite mural is a PHOENIXVILLE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE project. Weather permitting, the mural will be completed by late November, 2007.

Your support of the arts in Phoenixville is greatly appreciated!
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For more information on the Phoenixville Village Art Center, please see their website.

ocean earth wind fire holding Open House all week

This week ocean earth wind fire is hosting an open house. As part of the open house, all of their yoga classes will be free to the public. For more information, including class schedule and prices once the open house comes to an end, please see their website at http://www.oceanearthwindfire.com/.

Any features you would like to see?

First, I'd like to thank everyone for visiting the site. Over the past couple of months, readership has really started to grow which makes writing the blog very satisfying. With summer over, things seem to have slowed down a bit which got me to thinking. Is there anything you can think of which would make the site even more useful? I am open to any and all suggestions. Not saying they will all be implemented, but I'd like to hear what you think. Send me an email at tips@bridgeandmain.com with any suggestions you may have. And thanks again for reading!