Colonial to host First Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting on Friday, January 25th

On Friday, January 25th, the Colonial Theatre is hosting their First Annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting.

From their email:

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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 Cloonaughill Celtic Malts, Inc.


• Michael Ramondo, owner of Cheese!


• Christopher Curtin, master chocolatier at Eclat Chocolate

Riannon, Michael and Christopher are putting together what will be a delightful evening of tasting and learning about single malts, and some wonderful cheeses and chocolates to complement them.

Sponsorship opportunities for this unique event are still available!

• Master Distiller [$1,000]: Includes four seats at the tasting table and your name in poster, press and future emails.


• Head Stillman [$500]: Includes two seats at the tasting table and your name in poster, press and future emails.

Checks can be made out to ACT and sent to PO Box 712, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Contributions are fully tax-deductible for any amount above $30 per person. This event can be a great holiday gift for family, friends or business associates - single tickets are available for $100 per seat. Each attendee will receive the hand blown whisky glass they use in the evening's tasting as a keepsake. These glasses were designed by Riannon Walsh to accentuate the subtle nuances of fine spirits.

Finally, we'd like to thank Tom Bromley of Centre Grafik, Inc. for designing the beautiful artwork and invitations for this event. Please let us know if you would like to receive a printed invitation in the mail. Tickets are extremely limited so please reserve your spot as soon as possible. Hope to see you on the 25th!
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Two 14-story mixed-use towers proposed for Barto Pools location

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

Around town this weekend

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.

Phoenixville Jaycees Present Annual Live Nativity This Sunday, December 16th

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:

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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. Walkways leading into the bandshell of Reeves Park will be lined with luminaries set up by the Jaycees.

The Jaycees would like to thank Jan Swarr, the Wertz family in Chester Springs, Pa. for providing the animals and Mrs. Kate Nice, Director of the Phoenixville Area High School Choral Program.

The Phoenixville Jaycees have been creating a better community since 1952 and are constantly striving to make Phoenixville a better place to live through the hard work and dedication of its nearly 40 members.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Jaycees President Megan Thomas, please feel free to contact Public Relations Director Shane Dilworth at shane_dilworth@hotmail.com.
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Thanks to Shane for the email!

Classical Concert To Be Held on Saturday, December 29th

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!

'A Taste of Phoenixville' scheduled for January 17th

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

Farmers Market to continue through the winter

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.

Introducing the Soapbox

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

Holiday Concert Event with David Jack (Sesame Street) on Dec. 15th

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!

Free Concert This Sunday at the Colonial Theatre

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.

Gay Street Bridge Project Closer to Starting?

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