Around Phoenixville

From 422improvements.com : The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will start construction Tuesday (May 26) to rehabilitate and improve a deteriorated 4.5-mile section of Route 422 in Montgomery County under a $12.2 million project that is financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). “This multi-million dollar improvement of Route 422 would not be starting this year if it were not for the federal economic stimulus funds,” PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso said. “We are ready to upgrade this rough stretch of pavement and provide motorists with a smooth, structurally-sound roadway for many years to come.” Construction crews will rehabilitate Route 422 from a half-mile east of the Route 29 (Collegeville) Interchange to 1,500 feet west of the Royersford Interchange in Upper Providence and Limerick townships, respectively. The project is scheduled to finish in July 2010. Starting next week, crews will remove areas of deteriorated concrete pavement ...

Special thanks to those who fought and died in defense of our country.

Starting June 20th, The Phoenix will become a weekly publication, published every Saturday. The paper, which will expand its coverage area to include Spring Ford School District, will be free and will see the # of papers printed increased to 7000. For more, see the article in today's paper .

The Schuylkill Canal Association's 27th Annual Canal Day will be held on Sunday, June 28th from 9am-4pm. The event, as always, will be held at Lock 60 on the Schuylkill Canal and Saint Michael's Park, Mont Clare, PA. From an email I received: Canal Day is a full day of family oriented fun along the canal; included are events such as the Schuylkill River Trail Run, a Business Expo, nature programs, dog rescue demos, canoe / kayak race, boat demos, fishing derby, decorated bike parade for all ages, 2-day Art Show, kids games and crafts, highland games, flea market and craft show, Trampoline Thing, Orbitron & Jacob’s Ladder rides, food, music, Locktender’s House tours, magician and fire juggler, Canal Joust and Vaulting, Mont Clare Fire Co. trucks and demos and 4 lock openings throughout the day. For more information, including event and competition registration forms and a full schedule of events, please visit the SCA’s webpage dedicated to Canal Day 2009 .

The Phoenixville Area Time Bank is hosting an orientation seminar on Thursday, May 21st from 7-8:30pm. From their email: Time Dollar Orientation For current and prospective time bank members. Find out more about Phoenixville Area Time Bank's member services and how to go about setting up exchanges. Learn how to use the member-only website. Please note: a $25 annual contribution is asked of all members to help defray costs of running the Time Bank. When: Thursday, May 21, 2009, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Where: Sheltering Arms Family Center, 1375 Hares Hill Rd, Kimberton, PA RSVP: Call Margo at 610-608-9281 About the Time Bank Need more time? A Time Dollar is a new kind of money based on time. You can spend your Time Dollars when you need a ride, childcare, house organizing, home repair, or any number of other services. You earn Time Dollars by offering services that you like to engage in whenever it suits your schedule. You can spend right away, save up for the future, o...

From the Phoenixville Public Library mailing list: Phoenixville Public Library will kick off its Adult Summer Reading Program on Monday, June 8. This year’s theme is “Read to Feed”. For every two books read between June 8 and August 14, $1.00 will be contributed to Heifer International towards the purchase of farm animals for an impoverished family. The Reading Program is free; you must be at least 18 years old to register. The program will also include weekly raffle drawings for gift cards from area merchants. You may register at the Library or online at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org beginning June 8. Call 610-933-3013, Ext. 32 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org for more information. Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue in Phoenixville, PA.

Riannon Walsh The CelticMalts Whisky School begins a new semester next Thursday, May 21st. The first class is being held at The Fenix , 193 Bridge Street, from 7-9pm. From the CelticMalts website : The Wonderful, but confusing...World of Fine Whiskies - All the Mysteries will be Revealed!! Take a 'tour' through some of the world's most fascinating drams. Learn how they are made, how to nose and taste and pair them and really discover what whisky/whiskey is all about!! We'll sample 6 incredible spirits ranging from Single Malts to Bourbons to the finest handcrafted Vatted malts and Blends. Each student receives a free CelticMalts Spirits Glass to take home after learning to 'nose' with this fine and unique glass during class. We'll be pairing our whiskies with great cheeses and other fine foods during the two hour session. Call NOW for your reserved tickets: 610.933.9494 Classes are conducted by internationally known whisky specialist, Riannon Walsh . Tick...

Registration is now open for new classes that Great Valley Boot Camp will be offering starting June 8th at Reeves Park. Morning classes, which begin at 5:30am, are for women only, are offered either three, four or five days a week. Evening classes, which start at 6:30, are co-ed and have either a three or four day option (no Fridays). For more information, or to sign up, please visit www.GreatValleyBootCamp.com .

Due to the Dogwood Festival parade, this week's Farmers' Market will be held in the Parking Lot of New Century Bank at the intersection of Bridge and Starr Street. The market will head back to its normal location behind the Family Dollar next week. For more, see today's Phoenix .

Phoenixville Area Community Services is holding a fundraiser on Wednesday, May 20th, from 5-8pm at the Chick-fil-A in Audubon. Socialize with your family and friends over an affordable dinner and support Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) at the same time by dining at Chick-fil-A. PACS’ Night at Chick-fil-A will be held on Wednesday, May 20, from 5-8 pm, at the Chick-fil-A at 680 South Trooper Road in Audubon. A percentage of all sales that evening will be donated to PACS to further their mission of connecting people in the Phoenixville area to community resources and emergency assistance. No gift certificates, special coupons or tickets are needed. In addition, you can spin the prize wheel for $1, and win a Chick-fil-A prize. There are no losers, and all the proceeds will go to PACS. Now, more than ever, we can use your support. Please join us.

For those planning to attend the Dogwood Festival Parade on Saturday, the Jaycees have posted some information on their blog . The parade will begin at 1pm and will be complete around 3pm. The Dogwood Festival will be open from 12:30 to 10pm.

From the Phoenixville Farmer's Market e-Newsletter: Opening day for the season is this coming Saturday, May 9th! Come join us as we celebrate the opening of the season. The market will be open from 9am to 1pm in our regular location, the municipal parking lot behind Family Dollar. The weather forecast looks rain free for tomorrow morning, but we will be here rain or shine. The farmers are harvesting the freshest available produce for the market and the bakers are busily proofing bread dough and baking cookies, all for our delight! This Week... We have a great season ahead of us and everyone is busily getting into gear for the warm weather. Herb, vegetable, and ornamental plants are here, ready for you to enjoy in your own garden this year. Our providers will be featuring great Mother's Day gifts and perfect ingredients for brunch, dinner, or perhaps breakfast in bed. The children's area will once again be brimming with joy and creativity with Mother's Day card m...

Tomorrow is the 3rd Annual Phoenixville Celtic Street Fair. The event, hosted by East of the the Hebrides & USA Kilts runs from 10am-6pm on the 200 block of Bridge Street. Below is the concert schedule: The Gay Street Stage – at the end of Bridge Street (Times subject to Change) 10:30 to 11:00 - BRIAN BORU PIPE BAND 11:15 to 12:00 - THE BOGSIDE ROGUES 12:05 to 12:25 - BRIAN BORU PIPE BAND 12:30 to 1:15 - THE BRIGADE 1:20 to 1:40 - BRIAN BORU PIPE BAND 1:45 to 2:30 - THE BOGSIDE ROGUES 2:45 to 3:15 - DIDGERIDREW from Brother & FRANK EWING from Downtown Harvest 3:20 to 3:25 - BRIAN BORU PIPE BAND and then will march to the Main Street Stage 3:30 to 4:30 - THE BRIGADE 4:45 to 5:45 - THE BOGSIDE ROGUES The Main Street Stage – at the end of Bridge Street (Times Subject to Change) 10:30 to 11:15 - OLIVER McELHONE 11:30 to 12:15 - THE MALONES 12:30 to 1:15 - OLIVER McELHONE 1:30 to 2:00 - DIDGERIDREW from Brother & FRANK EWING from Downtown Harvest 2:15 to ...

The BAYOU and the BBQ — IN KIMBERTON The Station Bistro Stages an Authentic Crawfish Boil on May 17, 2009 The rolling hills and quaint villages of northern Chester County seem an unlikely location for the lively flavors and mouth-tingling tastes of real Cajun cuisine, but Craig Miller, chef of the one and a half year old Station Bistro, has a passion for gumbos, jambalayas, etoufees and especially crawfish boils. He has added his gumbo to the Station Bistro’s straightforward menu, giving just a glimpse of his Cajun repertoire to the regulars that frequent the restaurant for his hefty burgers, hearty pasta dishes and wood-smoked ribs and shaved pork. But it’s May, prime crawfish season, and Craig Miller is itching to do another real crawfish boil. Miller and wife Nancy have been doing crawfish boils in their backyard for years, sharing their passion for Louisiana cooking with family and friends. When the Millers had the opportunity to work in New Orleans for Darden Restaurants’ Olive G...

On Monday, June 8th, Communities that Care is sponsoring a "Playground Pasta" night at Irish Joes Cafe. If you liked Pasta 4 PACS – you're going to love PLAYGROUND PASTA Monday June 8, 4:00 – 8:00 Irish Joe’s Café 180 Bridge Street, Phoenixville $8 advance, $10 at the door, children 5 & under $5 TAKE OUT or EAT IN CURBSIDE SERVICE AVAILABLE For information call: 610-933-7728 (Dolly) or 610-935-1198 (Dave) SPONSORED BY Communities That Care Proceeds benefit:Reservoir Park Summer Playground Program 2009

On Sunday, May 10, 2009 from 10a-1p (music from 11am-1pm), treat mom to a special Mother's Day Jazz Brunch at Steel City Coffee House . Mom eats free* at our special Mother's Day Jazz Brunch. Celebrate her special day by treating Mom to a great Jazz Brunch, featuring the jazz stylings of Choder & LaMar. *Mom eats free with the purchase of a breakfast or lunch item of equal or greater value.

Received this from Jane Tucker with the Phoenixville Area Business Association : Phoenixville Area Business Association is presenting the first Historic Inns of Phoenixville Dinner & Tour to feature two of our historic inns, Pickering Creek Inn (circa 1850) and Columbia Bar & Grille (circa 1893). We have SOLD OUT tickets for the 1st Trolley and have the option of adding a 2nd Trolley if we can get enough interested parties. The Historic Inns of Phoenixville Dinner and Tour will feature a 45 minute narrated tour of the downtown Phoenixville historic district, to include a 15 minute walk-through of the Phoenixville Foundry and also includes a driveby history of Hotel Washington (now P.J. Ryans), Hotel Chester (now Moon Saloon) and the churches on Church Street. The tour also includes a 3 course dinner at the participants choice of either the Columbia Bar & Grille or The Pickering Creek Inn. Dinner comes with a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets are $65, there is a 5% d...

On Tuesday, May 5, The East Pikeland Home and School Association will host a brief forum to introduce candidates for the Phoenixville Area School Board. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. in the All-Purpose Room at East Pikeland Elementary, 1191 Hares Hill Road, Kimberton. Board candidates will hold a 30-minute question-and-answer session. The regular Home and School meeting begins at 7 p.m.; Dr. Terry Mancini, Acting Superintendent of the Phoenixville Area School District, will be the featured guest.