Around Phoenixville

Below is a list of things going on around town on New Year's Eve. If you know of something going on in town, please add it to the comments area and I will update the list. Thanks and Happy New Year! Club 212 - New Year's Eve Party from 9-2. General Admission price of $55 includes five hour open bar, champagne toast at Midnight, hors d’ oeuvres and party favors. VIP and dinner packages also available. Click here for more info Majolica - Majolica will be open on the 31st, serving a limited a la carte menu, with special offerings and treats. Service begins at 6:00, and we are accepting reservations on the half hour until 9:30! Click here for more info

Start the year off right by attending a free Tai Chi demo at the Phoenixville Library on Saturday, January 9th. The demo starts at 10am and is being offered by Activate Phoenixville Area . As space is limited, it is being asked that you please pre-register by email at activatepville@pasd.com or by phone at 610-917-9890 ext. 25.

A couple of months ago, I mentioned the publishing of a new Postcard Book , Around Phoenixville .  The publisher, Arcadia Publishing , was kind enough to send me a copy for my review and I am very glad they did.  As a relative new comer to Phoenixville, my wife and I moved here a little over four years ago, I found the pictures to be a great way to see into the past of our town.  What I enjoyed most about the book was that it did not just focus on the history of the Phoenix Iron Company but rather gave a glimpse of the entire area, including photos from nearby Charlestown and Mont Clare.  Its pretty amazing how similar our town is today, something that played a large part in my families decision to move here and something that I think a lot of fellow residents take a lot of pride in.  I'd highly recommend Around Phoenixville to anyone who has even a passing interest in the history of our town. For those of you who are interested, Wolfgang Books is hosting a b...

Lord Edgar takes a new wife after his first wife meets her untimely demise in the jaws of a werewolf. But ... is his first wife really dead? What’s the secret known only to the one-legged butler? And who is Irma Vep anyway? The Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlam, a deliciously funny tribute to Gothic melodrama, opens January 8 at Forge Theatre in Phoenixville. The script bristles with horror-movie themes and boasts a large cast of quirky characters. But here's the twist: all the characters are played by two actors, who race through a breathtaking stampede of costume changes to bring the story to life. Performances are January 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 8pm; January 17 at 2pm; at Forge Theater, 241 First Avenue, Phoenixville. Tickets are $12; ages 18 and under, $10. For reservations, call 610-935-1920. For more information, http://forgetheatre.org/ .

Holiday Luminaria Saturday, December 12th, 6:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Locktender’s House, Lock 60 on the Schuylkill Canal, 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 and visit with Santa Claus between 6:30 & 7:30 PM with your little ones. Partake in holiday treats and hot cider and join in with SCA and our program sponsors; the Fitzwater Station and PECO Energy, as we toast our friends with best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. The Luminaria is canceled only if there is a steady downpour of rain; a misting drizzle, fog or even a few inches of snow create an even more beautiful atmosphere to the magnificent light display.

December 5, 12, 19—three Saturdays for you to pick from 10 am to 4 pm each day Please visit us, and taste our goat milk cheeses. Cheeses make great gifts—gift certificates for cheeses, and for native plants both for sale, too. 1165 Yellow Springs Road Chester Springs, PA 19425 610.827.2014 catherine@yellowspringsfarm.com www.yellowspringsfarm.com Yellow Springs Farm proudly offers both fresh and aged Artisanal Goat Cheeses. The most important part of our cheeses is the exceptionally good milk our goats produce. We breed and raise Nu­bian goats, with occasional genetic crosses, carefully selected for their naturally nutrient rich milk. Our herd browses pasture, cleans up invasive plant species in the wood­land, and basks in the sun. Our goats also eat local hay, and organic grains. Al and Catherine Renzi make Yellow Springs Farm cheeses using age-old processes borrowed from both French and Italian traditions. Our original interpreta­tion of these recipes, and inclusion of ...

Popular Downtown Country Store Announces Change of Ownership Custom-made furniture and accent pieces for holiday gift-giving On Sunday November 29th, Country Charm Furnishings in downtown Phoenixville said goodbye to Nancy Munro, founder and co-owner of the unique country furniture and design store located at 28 S. Main Street. Fellow owner, Stephanie Wenitsky, who threw a going away party for her business partner, will be taking over as the sole proprietor. Nancy and Stephanie became partners in May of 2009, after Nancy had been open at the Phoenixville location since October 2008. According to Wenitsky, recent changes in her partner’s life initiated the change in ownership. Wenitsky and Munro met through Craigslist while Wenitsky was looking for a country-style sofa table. She discovered Nancy’s country furniture business, which was then called Nancy’s Country Furniture. At the same time, Wenitsky had a small home-based business selling country décor. After months of talkin...

Phoenixville's Sixth Annual Firebird Festival is being held on Saturday, December 12th. The event has become a day long celebration with activities kicking off around town beginning as early as 2:30pm. The actual lighting of the bird will begin at 8pm. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.firebirdfestival.com/textfiles/schedule.htm .

Rock & Roll After School is offering a Rock & Roll Winter Camp from December 28th thru January 1st. The camp is open to all, no experience necessary. For more information, see their camp page at www.rockandrollafterschool.com/camp.html .

For the 12/4 First Friday, Hipster Home will feature The Thrifty Discount DJs in their display window. It's another hip night of Blanko Dave and The Altoona Kid spinning retro lounge, pop, go-go, soul, psych, garage, country, and easy listening tunes for your shopping pleasure. And it’s 98% thrift store vinyl, feturing hip holiday stuff thrown in the mix this go-round! Music will go from 7:00 PM until whenever. Catch a clip from October here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h__C5-h0nT0 .

From a media release by the Philadelphia Premium Outlets WHAT: This holiday season join us at Philadelphia Premium Outlets for some fun filled activities for the whole family. We will kick-off the holiday season with carolers and musical entertainment during our After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale featuring Midnight Madness and continue through December. Breakfast with Santa Sun, Dec 6: 8:30am - 9:30am Join us for a fun filled morning and delicious breakfast with Santa. Breakfast will be sponsored by Green Leafs and Bananas from 8:30 - 9:30am in the Food Court. Santa will then stroll throughout Philadelphia Premium Outlets until 12:30pm. Bring your camera to take advantage of this great photo opportunity. Reservations can be made by contacting the Information center at (610) 495-9000. Holiday Entertainment - Strolling Victorian Holiday Carolers Fri, Nov 27: 12:00 am - 3:00am Dec 5, 12, and 20: 12:00pm - 3:00pm Enjoy strolling carolers dressed in Victorian costumes performin...

From watchingphoenixville.com Borough Council this evening, with two members of the public in attendance, voted to advertise the 2010 budget with no tax increase. The first budget was presented to the Finance Committee in mid September and was presented to Council two weeks ago. Some cost cutting measures, among others, included; reducing the CDC cost by 50 percent; limiting raises of non-union/non-uniform to 2 percent and eliminating video taping of the Finance Committee meetings. Removing leaf collection from the 2010 budget had a motion made but died due to a lack of a second thereby ensuring collection next fall. With recommendations from Management and Committee, a little more than $34k was taken from the fund balance to achieve a zero percent tax increase. The incoming Council can re-open the budget next January if they so choose. No word on what the CDC cuts will mean to Barry Cassidy's position.  Presumably the difference could be made up using private monies if th...

Rumor has it that the owner of Daddy Mims has decided to close shop on its other restaurant, Johnny's New Orleans Pizza Kitchen, and has expanded operations into both places.

Giving the people what they want: Majolica Morphs Into Multifaceted, Moveable Feast! November 11, 2009 – PHOENIXVILLE, PA: Not long ago, rumors of Majolica's demise had foodies from Philly to Phoenixville fretting. The beloved BYOB– a stand out on a street infamous for its selection of bars and bar food– closed for several weeks earlier this year only to reopen again. When the husband and wife team of Andrew Deery and Sarah Johnson elected to take a hiatus to reorganize many fans feared the worst. "We closed during the apex of the recession," says Chef Andrew Deery whose name has become synonymous with creative cuisine in Chester County, Pennsylvania and beyond. "We changed the menu, the decor, the approach, all behind blacked-out windows so, I suppose, there was a bit of suspense." When Majolica reopened– with lower prices and a new look– they were embraced by new and loyal customers alike. "We listened to our audience, retooled and made Majolica ...

The 2009 Kiwanis Holiday Parade will be held during December's First Friday, December 4th. The parade begins at 7pm at the intersection of Bridge and Starr Streets, ending at the Family Dollar. Santa's arrival will be led by marching bands, decorated fire trucks, floats and some of Santa's favorite characters.

On Wednesday, November 18th from 7-9:30pm, local artist Chuck Hirsch will be presenting a Historic Phoenixville Art Exhibit. The event is being held at the Schuylkill River Heritage Center in the Foundry. For more information, visit the Heritage Center's website at phoenixvillefoundry.org/foundry.html . The event is free to the public.

In August, I mentioned that Sly Fox would be relocating across Rte. 113 this fall .  Well, those plans have been pushed back. A delay in receiving all the necessary building permits has set back moving Sly Fox Phoenixville across Rt. 113 to its new location in the Maple Lawn Shopping Center until early next year. “Even though appearances may be deceiving since there’s no construction going on, we are moving along with a lot of the work necessary to make the move,” says Pete Giannopoulos, “but at this point, given the coming holiday season, we wouldn’t try to get open this year in any case. Looking at things on the bright side, and that’s always my philosophy, we can use the extra time to be sure we get everything exactly right and to work out a lot of the details about the interior. Where do we put this? Where do we hang that? I’d like to have gotten into the new location as quickly as we could—believe me, we are as excited as our customers about taking this next big step—but yo...

Networking Event Features Talk on Social Media PABA rounds out successful year with special event The Phoenixville Area Business Association (PABA) will hold a special networking event on Wednesday November 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Club 212 ( 212 Bridge Street ) in downtown Phoenixville. The event will feature a short talk from guest speaker Scott Hamrick of Visible Mission, Inc. Hamrick will talk to business owners about using social media to market their businesses to a wider audience. The growing popularity and of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have made these perfect avenues for finding new customers and keeping current customers advised of sales, events and new products. Attendees will be treated to a variety of hors d’oeuvres donated by PABA member businesses, like Molly Maguire’s, Steel City Coffee House, and Prestige Chocolates, among others. A raffle will be held to win special donated gifts from area businesses like Fashionista’s Salon, Deep Muscle Therapy Group, In...

On Sunday, November 8th, the Valley Forge Audubon Society is hosting a Green Transportation Program. The event is being held at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove from 1-4:30pm. Join us for an in depth look at Green Transportation as the Valley Forge Audubon Society continues their series on, "How to Live Green?" The program will explore Green Transportation today as well as the possibilities for the future. There will be a variety of alternative fuel vehicles on display as well as the presentations listed below. We look forward to seeing you at this FREE program! Pottstown's Bike Share Program - Tom Carroll, Pottstown Chamber of Commerce - 1:00 - 1:30pm Storm Water Management - Robert G. Traver, Ph.D., PE, D.WRE, Professor & Director, VIllanova Urban Stormwater Partnership, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University - 1:45 - 2:15pm Electric Vehicles - William Kofki, Ph.D., Department of Civil Engineering, Villanova Universi...

The Chester County website has yesterday's election results. MAYOR PHOENIXVILLE BOROUGH LEO SCODA (DEM) . . . . . . . . 1,331 61.42 LOUIS J. AMICI (REP). . . . . . . 836 38.58 WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 MEMBER OF COUNCIL PHOENIXVILLE NORTH WARD RICHARD M. KIRKNER (DEM) . . . . . 366 55.62 BOB TIGRO (REP) . . . . . . . . 291 44.22 WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1 .15 MEMBER OF COUNCIL PHOENIXVILLE MIDDLE WARD HENRY WAGNER (DEM) . . . . . . . 250 50.61 MARC REBER (REP) . . . . . . . . 243 49.19 WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 1 .20 MEMBER OF COUNCIL PHOENIXVILLE EAST WARD ERIN MCDEVITT (DEM) . . . . . . . 249 42.71 DAVE GAUTREAU (REP) . . . . . . . 334 57.29 WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 MEMBER OF COUNCIL PHOENIXVILLE WEST WARD DANA L. DUGAN (DEM) . . . . . . . 218 ...

Phoenix Ballroom is dedicated to bringing quality dance instruction to Phoenixville. There is a very active and dedicated ballroom dance community already located in Phoenixville. However, there has never been an actual dance studio, where these people can expand their knowledge of dance and enjoy being with other people of like interests. Phoenix Ballroom is located in downtown Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, we provide the community with a comfortable, friendly environment in which to learn the art of partnership dancing. Phoenix Ballroom will offer private dance instruction, group classes, social dance practices and rental facilities for local events. It doesn’t matter whether you have dance experience or no experience at all. You also don’t need a partner to learn. With over 20 years teaching experience you will find our innovative teaching techniques speed the curve of learning while making it fun. Dancing is something that appeals to men, women and couples of all ages, it is a ...

On Friday, November 6, 2009 from 6-9 pm, Steel City Coffee House will be celebrating its 8th Anniversary. Steel City Coffee House Hosts Open House Cornerstone business celebrates 8th Anniversary Steel City Coffee House will celebrate its 8th Anniversary on Friday, November 6, 2009 from 6-9 pm with an open house. The open house will feature free music provided by local artists and special deals on food, beverages, and holiday gift cards. To encourage people to come out to this event they are giving away a free “perfect pot” of coffee to the first 50 people who arrive at 6:00 pm. Founded in 2002, the coffeehouse has been credited with being a major part in the revitalization of Phoenixville. In the last eight years Steel City Coffee House has developed into one of the best loved small music venues in the Philadelphia region, on par with the likes of the Tin Angel and The Point (no longer in business). While supporting local artists and bands, Steel City has found a niche in pre...

PennDOT is on a roll, after opening the Gay Street Bridge some five months ahead of schedule, they followed up by reopening the bridge on Valley Forge Rd. that crosses over the turnpike. From 422improvements.com : KING OF PRUSSIA, PA. (OCT. 26, 2009) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced the opening of the newly reconstructed Valley Forge Road Bridge (Route 252) today – weeks ahead of schedule. The bridge crosses the Turnpike at milepost 324.3, 1.6 miles west of the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit #326). Allan A. Myers, a Company of American Infrastructure, was awarded the $4.8 million contract to rebuild the bridge in January with the anticipated opening in mid-November. The new bridge features a stone architectural treatment and includes two 12-foot travel lanes and 8-foot shoulders. It will accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists who use the bridge to access Valley Forge National Park. The area adjacent to the bridge has been landscaped with two rain gardens. The ...

Citing "...some unanticipated funding challenges", the Phoenixville Public Library Foundation voted Monday to withdraw its current expansion proposal. Karen Johns has more .

In early September, Majolica's Chef Andrew Deery began hosting demo days in which he shares his knowledge, techniques and favorite recipes. Due to success of the first two demos, he has added additional dates for the remaining classes. New dates are listed below: 11/24/09: FISH 12/22/09: SAUCES 01/19/10: HORS D'OEUVRES 02/23/10: CHICKEN 03/23/10: FRESH PASTA For more information or to sign up, visit the Majolica website .

As part of its Holidays from Hunger program, Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) will hold an Empty Bowls Dinner Event at Artisans Gallery & Café 236 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, on Friday, November 13, 2009, from 5 to 8 pm. Begun in Michigan in 1990 by a group of students who were looking for a project to help support a food drive in their community, The Empty Bowls Project has spread throughout the world including our Phoenixville Community. This year, local artists and students, (including some from Phoenixville High School, many other schools, and day camps) are creating the ceramic bowls. This project is also being supported by donations from many Phoenixville merchants, restaurants and community volunteers. You can help eliminate hunger in the greater Phoenixville community by purchasing a ticket for $20. Come to Artisans Cafe on November 13th and start by selecting a handcrafted bowl. Then, hop into the soup line for a simple meal of soup and bread. Yo...

Phoenixville Weight Loss Challenge Starting October 26th! Who: Anyone interested in losing weight, having a fun competition and possibly being the Biggest LOSER? Why: I just paid out over $273 this week to the four winners of the last Weight Loss Challenge. Everyone who finished the class LOST WEIGHT!!!!!! When: Challenge Starts MONDAY October 26th: 7PM. Meets once a week and ends December 14th. Where: Stone Education Center 400 Franklin Ave. Phoenixville, 19460 Call Heather Craig: 610-283-9368 to pre-register, space is filling up. I want to help more people lose weight and get healthy!

Local Phoenixville author Vincent Martino Jr. has a new book coming out on October 26th. Around Phoenixville (no relation to this blog) is the latest in the popular Postcard History series from Arcadia Publishing , featuring over 200 vintage postcards from Phoenixville's past. Around Phoenixville depicts the people, places and events that have shaped the community’s rich history and heritage, with images of such landmarks as the Phoenix Hotel, the West End Fire Company, and the construction of the Gay Street Bridge. It is the author’s hope “that this book will enlighten future generations, while fostering a fond remembrance for the past in people of all ages.” Highlights of Around Phoenixville : Includes the Phoenix Iron Company, the silk mill and the Byrne Knitting Mill Features the small town of Phoenixville’s multifaceted industrious past Explains the steady growth of Phoenixville through an influx of European immigrants drawn to the area by the promise of work Shows...

On Friday, October 30th from 4-7pm, Philadelphia Premium Outlets is hosting a Halloween party: Children of all ages are invited to Trick-or-Treat at Philadelphia Premium Outlets; participating stores will provide candy and treats, while supplies last. Costume Contest will be held near the Food Court at 6:30pm, and live entertainment will be provided compliments of the Kimmel Center's Broadway performers. Winners will be eligible for stores prizes as well as Family Four Packs of tickets to Kimmel Center’s productions including Wicked.

On Tuesday, October 20th, the annual Phoenixville Halloween Parade will once again make its way through downtown. The parade starts at 7pm at Borough Hall, winding its way through Church, Main and Bridge Streets, coming to an end at the Family Dollar. See the parade route here .

Franklin Commons , on the north side of town, is a very un-common place! We are an education center from Pre-School to Grad School , we have after school programs, WIFI throughout the building and a great meeting place for all types of events from business to family... we can hold over 1000 guests! In additition to the education offerings, Franklin Commons is also home to Franklin Bistro which is open to the public 7-7 Mon-Thurs and 7-2:30 on Friday. Food by Cornucopia is homemade, healthy and priced just right!! Franklin Commons wants to be the place you think of to start or end your local parades! For more information, contact Teri Eide at 610-983-4632 ext. 346 or by email at teide@franklincommons.net . Franklin Commons is located at 400 Franklin Ave. and can be found on the web at www.franklincommons.net .

Parents' Night Out - In-Town Babysitting at Phoenix Karate on Saturdays Phoenixville, PA, October 16, 2009 - Remember when Saturday night was your big night out? Well you can bring it back -- even if you do have kids -- with Phoenix Karate's new Parents' Night Out. Every Saturday, Phoenix Karate's Master Neil Phelan will open up his dojo to children (ages 3 and up). Parents can book their kids in for a night of games, movies and fun, while the grown-ups have their night out. "I just want people to be able to come down to Phoenixville and eat in our restaurants and enjoy our town on a Saturday night without having to worry about their kids," says Neil. "We'll definitely be using this service," said Julie Duffy, mother of two children who take classes at Phoenix Karate. "Neil's great with kids. They'll probably have more fun than we will!" About Phoenix Karate's Parents' Night Out Where: Master Phelan's P...

On Saturday, October 24th, the Phoenixville Democratic Committee is hosting a beef and beer fundraiser. The event is being held from 7-11pm at the Phoenixville VFW, 200 Starr Street. The fundraiser will give residents a chance to meet the Democratic candidates up for election this November. Ticket prices are $30 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Marifran Manzo-Ritchie at 484-680-1213 or by email at mmanzo@phoenixvilledems.org .

On Saturday, November 14th, local guitarist John Lilley will be performing two shows at Steel City Coffee House . Showtimes are at 7pm and 10pm and tickets are $15 in advance or $18 on the day of show. About John Lilley John Lilley, one of the Philadelphia area’s most popular and well-known guitarists, will release a CD of his own music, Lucky Kinda Guy ( www.johnlilley.com ), on October 6, 2009. For the first time in his career, Lilley is stepping up to the mic as front man and band leader. Best known as guitarist for The Hooters, Lilley has been performing with them throughout Europe this summer, playing for festival crowds topping 100,000. Back on his home turf, he’s looking forward to sharing his purely homegrown music with an intimate audience. Lucky Kinda Guy was primarily recorded and produced in Lilley’s West Chester studio over the past three years in between the Hooters’ international touring commitments. “I’d barely get unpacked from the road before I’d fire up the s...

On Saturday, October 17th, St. Johns UCC, 315 Gay Street, is hosting a Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. In addition to all-you-can-eat pancakes there will be eggs, bacon, sausage, juice and coffee. Cost is $7 for adults and $4 for kids between the ages of 3 and 12.

KYW 1060 indicates that despite the merger, Pfizer plans to keep the former Wyeth plant in Collegeville open, saving thousands of jobs in the process. As the merger was completed on Wednesday, some layoffs were still possible due to consolidation -- but not the 4,000 that would have come if Pfizer had decided to close the Upper Providence plant and relocate operations elsewhere Read the full article here .

Eternal Image Tattoo, Phoenixville's only Tattoo shop is under new ownership. Now family owned and operated, we strive to provide our customers with not only a wonderful piece of art, but also a fun and interesting experience. Come check out our new renovations, customers will enjoy our 2 private tattoo rooms and piercing room, 3 additional open tattoo stations, our store front and jewelry displays. We have thousands of tattoos to choose from and we can custom design anything you can dream up. Ryan, Scott and Lou Grondin are the new owners of Eternal Image and are working hard to change the stereotypical reputations that most tattoo shops have by providing a fun safe environment for people of all legal ages and establishing friendships with the many customers who return to Eternal Image for quality work time after time. We're proud to be a new local business in a growing Phoenixville. Eternal Image Tatoo is located at 427 Schuylkill Rd, Phoenixville. For more information, ...

Strange lights in the Friends’ of the Library book room. Reports of disembodied footsteps in the attic. A ghostly little girl who runs back and forth, playfully, through the sensor beam in the Children’s Library... Are these tales fact or fiction? You be the judge. Join the cast and crew of SCARED! as they take you on a virtual tour of the Phoenixville Public Library after dark when ghosts are said to roam. Following a 46-minute screening of the show, the floor will be open to questions about all things paranormal and then – the grand finale. Team up with the crew of SCARED! as they guide you through your own paranormal investigation of the library! Take notes, use some of their ghost hunting equipment and compare your findings with the experts. Don’t miss the incredible opportunity to work alongside the pros in the world of ghost hunting! SCARED! at the Phoenixville Library begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 24. Seating is limited for this one-time event so purchase your ...

Phoenixville's 2nd annual Bark For Life will be held on October 24, 2009 in Reeves Park. Registration begins at 12pm, blessing of the animals at 1pm and the walk begins around 1:15pm. There will also be a Doggie Halloween Costume Contest at 2pm! All money raised will go to the American Cancer Society. Contact Shelley at 610-420-1608 for information or registration forms! Also, on October 12 from 4-9pm at Petrucci's Ice Cream-Water Ice, there will be a Kick-Off Celebration: For those of you that haven’t heard, we are trying some new things this year to keep everyone’s interest. Our Kick-Off Celebration is coming up very shortly. It will be held on Monday, October 12, on -the “Pink Patio” at Petrucci’s Ice Cream-Water Ice from 4:00-9:00 p.m. You can register your team for the Relay, sign up for the Bark For Life, purchase Luminaria, or just come out to get ice cream. Mr. and Mrs. Colarusso are donating 50% of the sales from the evening back to this year’s Relay, so co...

Forge Theatre in Phoenixville is proud to present “1776,” the award-winning musical about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This Broadway hit is a light-hearted look at our founding fathers as they grapple with independence from Britain. Book by Peter Stone; music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Performances are Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, and Dec. 3, 4, 5 at 8pm; a matinee is Nov. 15 at 2pm. Reservations: 610-935-1920. Visit Forge online at www.forgetheatre.org .

Need an excuse to run? Local groups will be offering you two chances to do so over the next two months, and you can help some great causes in the process. 23rd Annual Citizen Advocacy Phoenixville Fun Run - Saturday, October 24 The annual 5k, 10k run and 1 mile Fun Run returns to Reeves Park. The Fun Run starts at 8am with the 5 and 10k runs beginning at 8:30. For more information, visit www.phoenixvillerun.com Phoenixville Jaycees 1st Annual 'Burn off the Bird' 5k Run & 1 mile Fun Walk - Saturday, November 28 Always feel guilty about how much you eat on Thanksgiving? This is the run for you. The race, which will be held at the Civic Center, starts at 9am and a portion of all proceeds will be dedicated to the revitalization of Reeve's Park. In addition to the race, there will also be a vendor fair which begins at 8am. For more information, visit www.phoenixvillejaycees.org .

On Saturday, October 17th, Wolfgang Books will be hosting two book signing by local authors. Terminal Mind author David Walton - 3pm Local author and Philip K. Dick Award-Winning author David Walton will be on hand to discuss and sign copies of Terminal Mind . Ghosthunting Pennsylvania author Rosemary Ellen Guiley - 7pm Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Ph.D. is an expert on paranormal, visionary, and spiritual topics. She has written over 30 books on a wide range of subjects, from angels to zombies and everything in between. We are happy to welcome her to discuss and sign copies of her recently released Ghosthunting Pennsylvania . For more information, including additional upcoming events, please visit the Wolfgang Books website .

The Relay For Life of Phoenixville Kickoff Celebration will be held from 4-9pm on Monday, October 12th. "Relay For Life of Phoenixville Kickoff Celebration!" PHOENIXVILLE -- Philadelphia changes the lights on Liberty 1 and Liberty 2 to honor those fighting it. NFL players wear pink cleats and gloves to support those enduring it. Everybody has had some kind of contact with it and it can affect anyone. It is cancer, and Phoenixville is fighting the battle to cure it. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so when you think pink… THINK PINK! Join us on the Pink Patio at Petrucci’s Ice Cream and Water Ice, Nutt Road in Phoenixville, as we kick off Relay For Life of Phoenixville on Monday, October 12, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Enjoy music of Lew Seeders and stock up on your favorite treats before Petrucci’s closes for the season. No coupons are necessary! Petrucci’s owners John and Mary Colarusso will donate 50% of the sales during Kickoff to Relay! Plus, register your team, re...

On Monday, October 26th, beginning at 7pm, Phoenixville Public Library will host Peter Krok, Humanities Director of the Manayunk Art Center in Philadelphia, and his presentation “The Enduring Poe: The Genius and the Woe”. Edgar Allan Poe is one of America’s greatest, most innovative, and most versatile writers, and in some ways one of the first modern writers. Poe’s themes of death, decay, terror and loss are eternal, and that is why his stories -- and his life -- have captivated the imagination of generations. Poe’s life was full of sadness. He seemed to remain the orphan that he was. The three most important women of his life – his mother, his foster mother, and his wife -- all died of tuberculosis. He struggled to make a living, and when he found the right job, he couldn't keep it. Join us for Peter Krok’s presentation as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Poe’s birth. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Phoenixville Public Library, and is free and open to th...

Its been confirmed that the Gay St. Bridge will reopen on Friday, October 16th. From an email I received: We’ve confirmed with PennDOT that the opening of the Gay Street Bridge will be at 11:00 on Friday, October 16. PennDOT is in the process of sending invitations to all of the elected officials at all levels. It is my understanding that Les Toaso who is the District Executive for District 6 will be the MC for the ceremonies. We are working with PennDOT to pull all of the logistics together. At this time we are planning to have the ribbon cutting at the center of the bridge. We are looking to have dignitaries and guests to gather at both ends of the bridge. At the designated time the procession will come from both ends and meet in the middle for the ceremonies and ribbon cutting. We are working on everything from entertainment to classic cars. The biggest thing is getting the word out so that we have as large an audience as possible. As we get more information we will c...

On Thursday, October 15th, the Trappe Tavern is hosting "Sexual Liberation and Sexual Repression: A Sexual Ethics Conversation" as a part of their Tavern Talks series: Join us as we welcome Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale. Christian Association of UPenn "Sexual Liberation and Sexual Repression: A Sexual Ethics Conversation" Featuring Ms. Virginia, a female character from "An Irreverent Journey from Eggbeaters to Vibrators" Discontented with her safe and familiar husband and lack of sexual experience, Ms. Virginia sets out on the road to sexual discovery. Will she find sexual liberation? Is it ethical? You decide. Find out more about Rev Dr Beverly Dale at her webpage http://passionworks.upennca.org/pw_home/ This Event is sponsored by St. Luke’s Trappe United Church of Christ, Ursinus College, and the PA SE Conference, United Church of Christ. The event is free and begins at 7pm. The Trappe Tavern is located at 416 Main Street, Trappe, PA.

Local community theatre company, the Little Farm Players, will be presenting Godspell next weekend at St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Valley Forge. About the show: GODSPELL is a jubilant celebration of the Gospel as told by St. Matthew, using a variety of fun theatrical traditions: vaudeville, pantomime, soft shoe, clowning, and magic to tell well known stories and parables of the Bible. One of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time, Godspell features a sparkling, seminal score by Stephen Schwartz, and boasts a string of recognizable songs, led by the international hit, "Day By Day." As the cast of actor-clowns makes it way through "Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord," "Save The People," "Learn Your Lessons Well," "Bless The Lord, "All For The Best," "All Good Gifts," "Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side," audience members get to see the parables of Jesus Christ come humanly...

On Saturday, October 17th, 40 local artists transform ordinary chairs into extraordianry works of art for "CHAIR-ity Auction" . Net proceeds from the auction will go to benefit the Phoenixville Area Children's Learning Center . This year's auction will be held from 7-10pm at Franklin Commons, 400 Franklin Ave. Phoenixville, PA. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. For more information, please call 610-933-7177. Click here to see some pictures of the chairs available for bid.

This Friday, Rock and Roll After School features two great bands as part of their Fall Music Series. Fall Concert Series Friday, October 2nd @ 7:30pm Two Great Bands for only $1 Doing our part to help stimulate the economy! Come support young, original musicians in their quest for superstardom! The Spotted Atrocious & Rivers Monroe

Councilman Senley posted on his blog on Monday that the Gay Street Bridge is tentatively scheduled to reopen at 11am on Friday, October 16th, some six months ahead of schedule.

On Thursday, October 1st, the Phoenixville Senior Center, 153 Church Street, will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner. The dinner, which features spaghetti and meatballs donated and prepared by Franco Ristorante, also includes salad, dessert and drinks. Dinner will be served from 4-7:30pm for those eating at the Senior Center or from 3-7:30pm for take out. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 & under and can be purchased by calling the Senior Center at 610-935-1515 or Century 21 Norris-Valley Forge at 610-933-8600. There will also be a limited number of tickets available at the door but, be warned, this event sold out last year.

The Kiwanis Club of Phoenixville is sponsoring the 18th Annual Community Day this Saturday, October 3rd. The event, which is held annually in Reeves Park, features a flea market and chicken barbeque and runs from 8am-4pm. From the article in the Phoenix : Attention bargain hunters and chicken lovers! The Kiwanis Club of Phoenixville is sponsoring its Annual Chicken Barbeque and Flea Market on Saturday, October 3 from 8:00am to 4:00pm and everyone is invited. Chicken dinners will be distributed between the hours of 11:00am and 2:00pm on October 3rd, so don't be late! ... While the event is free to attend, you won't be able to resist the scrumptious aroma, so plan to get your complete chicken dinner tickets ahead of time. The dinners include ½ BBQ chicken, coleslaw, applesauce, roll & butter, cookie, and a beverage. Tickets are available for only $9 from any Kiwanis member, or by calling Community Day Chair, Mark Exley at 610-469-6864. For more information on the Kiwanis C...

The long awaited opening of the new Wegmans in Collegeville (part of the Providence Town Center development) is set to occur at 7am on Sunday, October 11th. Wegmans has created a website with more information abuot the new store at collegeville.wegmans.com . Other stores expected to open this fall: Barnes and Noble Best Buy - Opening 10/1 Dicks Sporting Goods DSW Eastern Mountain Sports Five Below LA Fitness Michaels Olive Garden Petsmart - Opening 10/24 Staples ULTA

The winners of the 2009 MyFoxPhilly.com Best of Philly HOT LIST Awards have been announced and, once again, Phoenixville has more than held its own. With nine 1st Place winners and nineteen total Top 5 finishers, Phoenixville has a lot to be proud of. Congrats to the winners! 1st Place The Columbia Bar and Grille - Best Romantic Restaurant Black Lab Bistro - Best New American The Potomac Bead Company - Best Women's Accessories Phoenix Cleaners - Best Alterations and Tailoring Lush - Best Vintage and Resale Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant - Best Brewpub Hipster Home - Best Housewares Wolfgang Books - Best Bookstore Artisans Gallery & Cafe - Best Coffee Shop 2nd Place Prestige Chocolates - Best Chocolate 3rd Place Molly Maguire's Irish Pub - Best Irish Pub Twisted Leaf Cigars - Best Cigar Shop RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve - Best Wedding Venue 4th Place Seven Stars Inn - Best Steakhouse The Colonial Theatre - Best Indie Theater Best Friends - Best Wom...

Eat at O'Grady's anytime on Tuesday, September 29th and help raise funds to help support Chester County Special Olympics. O'Grady's will donate a portion of the day's take and 100% of the proceeds from raffle basket ticket sales.

LuAnn's Lessons is a music studio which offers music instruction and ensembles for all ages. Kindermusik classes are available for children ages 0-5. Beginning at age 5, flute lessons are available along with opportunities to perform locally at Artisans Gallery & Cafe. Lessons are also available for older children and adults. For women, a woman-only flute group meets about every 3 weeks and is coached by a professional flutist. LuAnn's Lessons is located at 330 Dayton St. For more information about Kindermusik class schedules, go to www.kindermusik.com and click "Find a Class." LuAnn's website is www.suzukiflute.org and she can be reached at 610.656.4453.

Phoenixville Area Time Bank is hosting a Dance Party & Silent Auction on Saturday, October 17 from 7–11pm. For more information, including auction items which can be bid on now, visit pa-timebank.com .

La Crêperie Café Bis has a sign on its front door informing customers that it is now closed. Those who hold a gift certificate can have it redeemed at their Center City location.

On Tuesday, October 6th, Giovanni's Pizzeria in Royersford will be donating 10% of their sales to the Trey Love Foundation. From the Facebook page for the event : Come and enjoy a meal out @ Giovanni's in ROYERSFORD! Eat in or take out, Giovanni's will donate 10% of the days profits to the Trey Love Foundation. The more we eat, the more they donate! Trey Love will be turning 3 yrs. old next month. For most parents, this means they will be leaving behind the terrible twos, and moving on to the next level of parenting. For the Love's, this is numerical evidence that their son is a warrior, a soldier taking on a microscopic monster. In July of 2006, Trey was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma; a rare form of cancer that affects nearly 650 children a year. Since his diagnosis, Trey has survived several rounds of chemo, 2 stem cell transplants and weeks of an experimental immunology study. As little as 2 weeks ago, Trey was hospitalized in ICU w/ a near fatal blood infec...

On Saturday, October 3rd, the Schuylkill Canal Association is hosting a music festival to help it raise money for its various programs and initiatives. From an email I received: Please join us for an afternoon and evening of music, food and drink for all to enjoy at the Schuylkill Canal Fall Music Festival on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 4 PM until 8 PM in St. Michael’s Park, Mont Clare. We are VERY fortunate to be able to bring you the very best - the incredible Phil Roy as the headline act for our first ever Schuylkill Canal Fall Benefit Concert. Joining Phil Roy will be notable local musical acts - Tin Bird Choir, Todd Martin and the ever popular Manatawny Creek Ramblers. A selection of brews provided by Sly Fox Brewery and food from a variety of Phoenixville's downtown restaurants will be available to enjoy at a reasonable cost. Tickets for the festival are $20 if purchased online or $25 at the door.

Phoenixville will be hosting its very own Restaurant Week from October 11-15. The event, which is sponsored by the Phoenixville Area Business Association , features special prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at many local restaurants. For the list of participating restaurants and prix fixe menu prices, visit discoverphoenixville.com .

On Sunday, September 27th, beginning at 2pm, Wolfgang Books will be hosting a Beatles presentation & book signing with Jude Southerland Kessler, author of Shoulda Been There: A Novel on the Life of John Winston Lennon .

Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) is hosting their annual Pasta 4 PACS event tomorrow, Monday September 21st. The fundraiser benefits the PACS Winter Heating Fund. Details below: Pasta 4 PACS Monday, Sept. 21st 4 – 8 p.m. Irish Joe’s Café, 180 Bridge Street, Phx Eat in or Take Out! CURBSIDE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE!! In a hurry? Pull up, pick up – it’s that simple! Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salad & Dessert Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, Kids under 12 are $5 For tickets, please call Karin at 610-476-0997, Joann at 610-933-1105 x 2 or Irish Joe’s Café at 610-935-3625

The Limerick Post has some pictures from this weekend's Phoenixville v. St. Pius X football game . The Phantoms lost the game 24-14.

Epic Boot Camp is a four-week outdoor fitness program that offers fitness training, motivation, and nutritional counseling. Epic has been in the area since 2007 helping clients achieve better health. We have researched and applied the most efficient ways in training to help you burn fat, tone muscle, and increase cardiovascular endurance. Combined with fun activities designed to help women of ALL fitness levels reach their goals. Our campers have been known to eliminate 3-5% overall body fat, increase strength and endurance, and take inches off their body. Some in just over 4 weeks! Women at all levels of fitness, ages, and sizes are achieving awesome results with Epic Boot Camp! Recently one of our campers has lost 65lbs with the Epic Boot Camp fitness classes. She was able to achieve this success by training hard and following the nutrition plan designed by her trainer. It has been a great success story for everyone. What sets Epic Boot Camp apart from some of the other boot camps o...

The Chester County Choice Awards , which attempts to identify the best Food/Markets, Restaurants and Night Life spots in Chester County, opened up fan voting for its 2009 edition. Several Phoenixville establishments are on the ballots (and you can write in the one's that are not). Voting runs from 9/16-9/27 so vote today!

On Thursday, September 17th, the Rivers Rockabilly Trio will be performing live on the NBC 10! Show. From their press release: Local musicians to be featured on NBC’s 10! Show The Rivers Rockabilly Trio signs on with new management PHOENIXVILLE, PA– Local performance group, The Rivers Rockabilly Trio, has been invited to perform on Philadelphia’s WCAU NBC 10! Show on Thursday, September 17 at 11:00 AM. Formed in 2005, the trio is known for their authentic performance of rockabilly hits from the 1950s era. The NBC 10! Show appearance will highlight Buddy Holly tunes as a celebration of the September birthday of Buddy Holly. The television appearance will feature the announcement that The Rivers Rockabilly Trio will be appearing two days later at Delaware County’s River Front Ramble, an event which draws nearly 30,000 people for food, music and fun along the Delaware River. The Rivers Rockabilly Trio will appear at the Marcus Hook Market Square Memorial Park from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. The ...

Starting Tuesday, September 15th, Majolica's Chef Andrew Deery will be hosting demo days in which he shares his knowledge, techniques and favorite recipes. Classes are limited to 15 students and each includes instruction and a post demo tasting. The classes/dates are below: 09/15/09: KNIFE SHARPENING 10/13/09: STOCKS 11/10/09: FISH 12/08/09: SAUCES 01/05/10: HORS D'OEUVRES 02/09/10: CHICKEN 03/09/10: FRESH PASTA For more information or to sign up, visit the Majolica website .

Need something done around the house? Mr. Pyp the Handy Man is here to help. Mr. Pyp the Handy Man specializes in small/odd jobs Home repairs/general maintenance Home improvements/remodeling Wood working, painting, staining Landscaping/Power-washing No job is too small or too ODD! For more information, contact Matt at (484)624-7553.

Hipster Home , 237 Bridge St, is holding a canned food drive to support PACS . Anyone who brings in three or more canned food items will receive 15% off any regularly priced item.

The Chester County Health Department's Tobacco Control Program is offering free services to local businesses. Host a Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) workshop at your organization. In this free, 1-hour workshop, employees will discuss the advantages and challenges of becoming tobacco-free, explore the resources available to help them become tobacco-free, and develop personalized plans for preparing to quit. Employees don't have to be ready to quit, only willing to think about quitting. With implementation of the new smoking ban, all employers should help their employees become tobacco-free! After a TFL workshop, we can get you in touch with providers that conduct free, ongoing cessation programs, if you are interested. Click here for more information on this workshop . Does your business have an established tobacco policy in place? We can also provide free technical assistance to help you develop a tobacco policy or enhance an existing tobacco policy to ensure that you are complying ...

The Youth Aid Panel in Phoenixville is seeking community service providers to assist them with their program. Specifically, they are looking for local groups who can offer youths a chance to volunteer their time in order to meet the requirements of the program. About the Youth Aid Panel: The Youth Aid Panel Program helps neighborhoods deal effectively with first time youth offenders. A panel of local community volunteers meets with the youth and his/her family to discuss the offense. The panels hold the youth accountable for their actions by requiring community service, educational programs, and specific restitution. How It Works: 1. Referral. The police department offers the young offender the opportunity to go before the panel instead of heading to court. The referrals are summary or minor misdemeanor offenses such as curfew violations, underage drinking, or retail theft. In order to participate, the person must admit involvement in the offense and agree to meet with the pane...

“Pennsylvania Dutch Covered Bridges”, a free presentation for the whole family by Local Historian Gerry Kershner, will be given on Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 PM at Phoenixville Public Library. Find out why bridges were covered, when the first covered bridge was built in the U.S., and the meaning of the terms ‘arch’, ‘portal’, and ‘trunnel’. Born and raised in northern Berks County speaking Pennsylvania German and English, Gerry Kershner writes and does photography from his home in northern Lancaster County. This event is open to the public. Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 610-933-3013, Ext. 32 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org . Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue in Phoenixville, PA.

Received an email recently from Kristen Caperila, an Independant Educational Consultant, regarding a good cause that can help some local schools: Usborne Books and EDC present the Literacy for a Lifetime 50% Grant Matching Program Are you a school or organization looking to purchase new books? Are you a business that wants to give back to the community? Do you know a Sorority or Fraternity that needs a service project? Does your Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop need a community project? Our Literacy for a Lifetime may be the perfect program for you. HOW DOES IT WORK? Donations are collected on behalf of a school or organization for the purpose of purchasing books and educational materials.. EDC (Educational Development Corporation) will match those donations with 50 % in books! Donations are tax deductible. For example a local business wants to help out a day care center. That business along with the daycare raise funds for the purchase of new books. Their fundraising efforts total ...

On Friday, September 25, 2009, the Phoenixville Community Education Foundation will be hosting their annual Fundraising Gala. Since 2002, the Phoenixville Community Education Foundation (PCEF) has been funding programs to enhance the educational opportunities of students in the Phoenixville region. On September 25, 2009, PCEF will hold its annual fundraising Gala to help the Foundation continue its excellent work for the students of the community. In addition, a phenomenal raffle will be held with the grand prize being a prize package that includes an overnight stay at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, a Broadway show and Sunday brunch at Tavern on the Green. Continue reading On Friday, September 25, 2009, the Phoenixville Community Education Foundation will be hosting their annual Fundraising Gala. Since 2002, the Phoenixville Community Education Foundation (PCEF) has been funding programs to enhance the educational opportunities of students in the Phoenixville region. On Septem...