Around Phoenixville

Beginning this weekend, Activate Phoenixville Area will be presenting weekly Tai Chi classes at the Phoenixville Civic Center, 122 S. Main Street. --- Join other residents for a “pay-as-you-go” one-hour class ($5 per person per class). Presented by: White Eagle Martial Arts Instructor: Tammy Rosebrook Three sessions to choose from: Saturdays (Nov. 1st – Dec 21st) 9:00am- Beginner’s Class 10:00am – Intermediate Class or Wednesdays 7:00pm (Nov. 5th – Dec. 17th) New students will be accepted through the third class. The class will then be closed so that participants have the opportunity to improve in their practice. Location: Phoenixville Civic Center - 122 S. Main Street Please note: Classes will resume in Reeves Park in the Spring. Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. ---

On Saturday, Decemeber 13th, Phoenixville will play host to the 5th Annual Firebird Festival. From the festival website ( www.firebirdfestival.com ): --- Starting at 4 in the afternoon, the Downtown District will be transformed into a performance art venue with storytellers, choruses, dancers and musicians, all performing and relating stories of Winter and of the Phoenix – the mythical bird and namesake of Phoenixville. Located along the 200 and 300 blocks of Bridge Street, the festivities will take place in the Colonial Theatre, the Phoenix Village Art Center and Steel City Coffee House, as well as in the parking lot next to the Justice Building. At the conclusion of the performances in the Theatre, the Arts Center and the Coffee House a community Drum Ensemble accompanied by dancers will lead festival goers in a procession down Bridge Street to the giant, wooden Firebird sculpture just west of the Justice Building. Two huge Peace birds - each carried by three people - will circle th...

On Saturday, December 13th, the Schuylkill Canal Association will be hosting their annual Holiday Luminaria. From the flyer I was sent: --- The Schuylkill Canal Association invites you to the Holiday Luminaria Saturday, December 13th, 6:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Locktender’s House, Lock 60, Mont Clare Come see the most spectacular light show of the holiday season, hundreds of luminary candles lining the towpath up to the house. Enjoy the joyful music played by Meadowlark; Elisa & Jansen, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus between 6:30 & 7:30 PM with your little ones. Partake in holiday treats and hot cider and join in with SCA as we toast our friends with best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. All are welcome, donations will be gladly accepted. Ample parking is available at Lock 60. A steady rain only cancels this holiday event. For more information and directions, please visit SCA’s website at www.schuylkillcanal.com or you can always contact SCA at 610-917-0021 or v...

Beginning Saturday, November 15th, the Soroptimist International of Phoenixville will be hosting their 61st Annual Art Show and Sale --- Soroptimist International of Phoenixville - 61st Annual Art Show and Sale Center for Arts & Technology – Pickering Campus. Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, PA. Art Show and Sale Saturday, November 15th from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, November 16th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Artists’ Dinner Reception (open to the public) Saturday, November 15th from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. $25 per person payable at the door Paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography ---

For the second year in a row, Artisan’s Gallery & Café will be participating in the Empty Bowls Campaign: --- In 1990 a high school art teacher in Michigan helped his students search for a way to raise funds to support a food drive. What evolved was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fund raising meal. Guests were served a simple meal of soup and bread, and were invited to keep the bowl as a reminder of hunger in the world. By the following year the originators had developed this concept into Empty Bowls, a project to provide support for food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations that fight hunger. Since then, Empty Bowls events have been held throughout the world, and millions of dollars have been raised to combat hunger. For more information about the Empty Bowls Campaign visit their website at www.emptybowls.net . For a $20 donation, you can help fight hunger in our area, and enjoy artisan’s bread and homemade soup served in a ceramic bowl created by a local...

Reader Mary wrote in to inform me about Country Charm Furnishings, a new store that has just opened at 28 S. Main St. (between Brown's Cow and The Best Friends' Boutique). From Country Charm's website : --- I sell Country Primitive Style Furniture,Handbuilt Country Farm Tables, Hutches, Pantries, Armoires and many accent pieces such as wreaths, country pictures, candles, etc. Most furniture is handbuilt by an experienced craftsman and his family who has been building furniture for over 20 years out of fine quality knotted pine wood. --- For more information, you can visit their site at countrycharmfurnishings.com or give them a call 484-924-8136.

Reader Margo Ketchum wrote in to tell about an upcoming event to help raise money for the Phoenixville Area Time Bank . --- Mark your calendar for Sunday afternoon, November 9th, 2pm, for some pure fun. The Forge Theatre, at 241 First Avenue in Phoenixville, has offered Phoenixville Area Time Bank a special showing of the popular musical comedy Nunsense to benefit the organization. Now in its 25th year, Nunsense has gained a big following across the country and around the world, with a fan club, sequels, and a special website. The story features five rather diverse and somewhat wacky nuns who take over a high school stage set, to raise money for the burial of their poor sisters who the cook accidentally poisoned. They sing, they dance, and they get you, the audience, involved! Tickets are $20, available by reservation (610-608-9261 / timedollar@verizon.net ), or picked up at New Century Bank in Kimberton. The non-profit Phoenixville Area Time Bank offers local individuals a chance t...

The Philadelphia Premium Outlets will be hosting a 'Halloween Spooktacular' on Friday, October 31st from 4-7pm. --- Halloween Spooktacular Fri Oct 31: 4pm–7pm Children of all ages are invited for this fun filled event. - Trick or Treat at participating stores - Children can register for our Halloween Costume Contest* located near the Food Court from 4pm – 6:30pm - Special treats can also be enjoyed courtesy of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. *Children must be accompanied by an adult; winner to be announced at 7pm. --- The outlets are located just off the Sanatoga Exit of Route 422. For more information, please call (610)495-9000 or visit their site at www.premiumoutlets.com/philadelphia

H a l l o w e e n P a r t y LOCATION: Phoenixville Public Library, 183 2nd Ave, Phoenixville, PA 19460 DATE: Thursday, October 30, 2008 TIME: 8:00PM to 11:00PM COST: $50.00 per person ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT PHOENIXVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY BYOB & Refreshments and beverages will be provided. MANY HAUNTING ADULT ACTIVITES PLANNED Prizes for individual, pair and group costumes. Silent Auction items to be available. (Costumes are optional.) Tickets are available at The Phoenixville Public Library or Barto Pool & Spa For questions, please contact Kelly Deveney (610-917-0293) or Amy Barto (610-842-8038)

Reader Jillian sent this in: --- Eco-Moms Alliance of Chester County join together with Scientists, Business Owners, and Candidates for Congress to discuss the local impacts of Global Warming. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!! What: Local moms bring together a Union of Concerned Scientists presenter, “green” business owners, candidates for Congress, and a speaker from Al Gore’s Climate Project to discuss the impacts and solutions of global warming here in Pennsylvania. Where: Camphill Village Kimberton Hills 1601 Pughtown Road Kimberton, PA 19442 When: Saturday October 25th 2008 from 1pm – 3pm 12:45 PM to 1:00 PM Event Registration 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Climate Change Forum 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM Q&A 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM Meet & Greet Reception Featuring: James F. Thorne, Ph.D. presenting the Union of Concerned Scientist report “Climate Change in Pennsylvania: Impacts and Solutions for the Keystone State”, invited guests Rep. Jim Gerlach and Bob Roggio, and Richard Whiteford, a presenter with ...

Mike McWhirter Consulting is a small consulting and service business. We specialize in Macintosh and using Macintosh in the home, small business and large business areas. We are located in Phoenixville, PA, in beautiful Chester County. Our service area includes Harrisburg to the Jersey Shore and from Northern Delaware to Scranton, PA. Our specialties are Macintosh computers, wired and wireless networks, consulting on new equipment purchases and installs, assistance with packing and moving sensitive equipment and performing upgrades. We can also setup Microsoft Windows on your new Intel based MacBook, MacBook Pro, or Mac Pro computers. Have the best of both worlds in one computer... Advantage Apple! Have an iPod? We do them as well! About the owner... Mike McWhirter has been working with Macintosh computers for over 20 years. Starting with the very first Macintosh Computer through the very latest super computers, the Mac Pro and Mac Book Pro, Mike has been on top of the Mac scene. Mike ...

Chef Andrew Deery and Sarah Johnson are the husband and wife team behind Phoenixville's innovative Majoical restaurant. The Bridge Street destination BYOB just added a festive 8-seat farmhouse table. Majolica , one of Phoenixville's most well regarded restaurants , has unveiled a much needed new website. In addition, they have added a new Farmhouse Table option for their diners, allowing groups of 6-8 to enjoy a prix fix menu in an environment completely unique to Phoenixville. From their press release: --- Like dining at a fine French farm MAJOLICA SETS THE TABLE FOR A NEW SEASON October 15, 2008– Phoenixville, Pennsylvania’s Bridge Street is quickly becoming known as the region's 'Restaurant Row'.The former steel town in Philadelphia's Northwest suburbs has reinvented itself as a dining destination with bright bistros from end-to-end on the historic street, but no culinary light shines as brightly as Andrew Deery's Majolica. With an innovate Autumnal menu...

The former Mansion House Restaurant and Bar has reopened under new ownership. The new restaurant is named, strangely, the Pickering Creek Inn, despite its proximity to French Creek. From last Friday's article in the Phoenix: --- "People are pleasantly surprised with how the Inn looks," [co-owner Jeff Feulner] said. "Everyone loves the food and the Sunday Brunch is really popular. This has succeeded my expectations. I had no idea what went into everything." Kaufmann said the Inn's menu is his, and the influence is on comfort food with a twist. "I like to work with comfort food," he said. "That's why we have sandwiches on our menu. I want people to feel like they are at home. Our food is classic with some contemporary flair, such as Yankee pot roast and roasted corn soup. We support local farmers and local cheese. I feel it's important to support local farmers. The Phoenixville Farmers Market is awesome." Feulner said that with go...

The Freedoms Foundation , a national, non-profit organization that provides citizenship education programs for students, will offer citizens across the country a unique opportunity to honor and thank military veterans they know with its first annual Veterans Day “Salute-A-Vet” Luminaria Candlelight Ceremony on November 11th. The event ties in with the 90th observance of Veterans Day, which was initially known as “Armistice Day” to recognize the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Between now and Veterans Day, the Freedoms Foundation is selling “Salute-A-Vet” Luminaria (for a $10 donation) to allow people an opportunity to recognize veterans they know- a friend, family member, co-worker or neighbor. The Luminaria will be lit at a solemn candlelight ceremony on Veterans Day night at the organization’s Valley Forge campus. The names of all veterans honored with a luminaria will be announced as part of the ceremony’s solemn roll call. Click here to download a luminaria order form . Re...

Fred Hubler, President of Creative Capital Wealth Management Group, will present “The Case for Optimism” at Phoenixville Public Library on Monday, October 27 at 7:00 PM. During this time of volatility in the financial markets, Fred will explain the benefits that patience can provide and show opportunities that shouldn’t be passed by. He will share some good news about the bear market and provide you with key ideas for the future. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a seat, stop by the Reference Desk at the Library, call 610-933-3013, Ext. 32, or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org. Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue in Phoenixville, PA.

Reader Stephanie Nilles will be performing at the Steel City Coffee House next Wednesday, October 22nd. Stephanie provided this description of her music: --- Stephanie Nilles' music was perhaps best described by a friend as "Ella Fitzgerald beating the sh*t out a Regina Spektor." Born in Chicago to a chemical engineer and an architect, Stephanie is an active musician of various genres by sheer accident. At 17, she was a finalist at the Young Concert Artists' International Competition. At 22, she was a finalist at the Corpus Christi International Piano Competition and had graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music with a BM in classical piano performance. These days, rather than complaining about outdated copyright law and waiting around for a record-deal-to-nowhere, she's performing her own politically-influenced jazz/folk/punk tunes in her adopted home in North Harlem (NoHa) and out on the road in a hatchback with a Roland and a small sound system. She has...

The Phoenixville Area Business Association will present its first Progressive Dinner on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 from 5:30-7:30pm. The dinner will feature a four course meal (aperitif, appetizer, entree, and dessert) at four different locations within a short walking distance in downtown Phoenixville. Two tracks are available with the capacity for a total of 60 Progressive diners. Track A will feature an aperitif at Hipster Home, followed by a starter course at Franco Ristorante, entree course at 101 Bridge and the dessert course at Steel City Coffee House. Track B will feature an aperitif at Fashionista's Salon, starter course at Le Creperie Cafe, followed by an entree at Columbia Bar and Grille and ending with dessert at Artisan's Gallery and Cafe. What better way to discover the cullinary offerings of Phoenixville. Tickets are $65.00 per person and do not include alcoholic drinks (other than the aperitif) or gratuity. Group rates apply for groups of 6 or more. The f...

On Saturday Sunday, October 12th, the Kimberton Fire Company will be hosting a pasta dinner, bake sale and raffle. The proceeds from the event will go to the family of Trey Love, a 23 month old who has been diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of childhood cancer. The event runs from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets for this benefit are $10 for adults, and $5 for children (12 & under) and are available in advance and at the door. For tickets, please call Joanne Love at 610-935-4946 or Shelly Smith at 610-933-1019. For those who are unable to attend and would like to help, please send your donation to: Trey Love, 414 Virginia Avenue, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Source: The Phoenix

Reader Jennifer Brango, a certified personal trainer and instructor for the Great Valley Adventure Boot Camp , wrote in to tell about its programs for the coming winter months. --- I wanted to let you know about the new location and upcoming camps for Great Valley Boot Camp. Previously we held camp at Reeves Park, we have now found an indoor location Sports Extreme in Oaks to continue camp through the winter months. Currently a new camp for women only, just started Oct 6th at 9am 5 days a week for 4 weeks and we are still taking registrations. An evening camp will be starting Oct 27th at 6:30pm for men and women. Also another morning camp will be starting Monday November 3rd at 6am for women only. Just a little note about Great Valley Adventure Boot Camp, we are unlike any other boot camp, we are open to all fitness levels and you will find only Certified Trainers teaching our Boot Camps. Our Boot Campers gain an overall sense of health and well being in a safe, fun, motivating ...

The annual Phoenixville Halloween Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st. The parade begins at the Borough Hall at 7pm and makes its way through downtown, culminating at the Family Dollar. The rain date for the parade is Thursday the 23rd.