Around Phoenixville

Next Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 1st and 2nd), PennDOT will close one lane of Route 23 between Route 252 and White Horse Road. The lane will be closed from 9am to 3pm while PennDOT installs raised pavement markers. For more information, including other roads in the area that will be having similar closures, see The Phoenix .

Please join PACS for a simple meal of soup and bread - and help fight hunger in our community . On Friday, November 12, local artists will again champion the hungry in our community with Phoenixville area's 4th annual Empty Bowls event . Select a hand crafted bowl specially created by professional and student potters, enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread and keep your bowl as a reminder of the need to end hunger locally and globally! Empty Bowls will be held at the new Artisans Gallery & Café at 234 Bridge Street in Phoenixville. Tickets are $20 per person. You may dine in or take out. All proceeds benefit the charitable mission of Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) which provides emergency food as well as heat, utility and rent/mortgage assistance to community residents who are struggling financially. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact PACS at 610-933-1105 or development@pacsphx.org . For online ticket purchases using your credi

Governor Ed Rendell is breaking out his campaign bus and putting it back on the road. The Governor has scheduled 3 rallies with Manan Trivedi in the 6th district. The Phoenixville stop is Friday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Phoenixville Municipal Parking Lot at Bridge and Main.

From The Phoenix : The Kiwanis Club of Phoenixville will hold their annual Halloween Party on Saturday, October 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre , 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville. Children should come dressed in costume for this FREE EVENT which begins with a Halloween parade across the stage of the Colonial Theatre at 1:30 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Doors open at 1 p.m. After the Parade, adults and children will get to see a screening of the Halloween Classic- "It's the great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" featuring Snoopy and all the Peanuts characters. What Halloween Party would be complete without a little treat? Members of the Kiwanis Club will be on hand to pass out goodies at the end of the performance. This is a FREE EVENT for the children of the Phoenixville area.

Todays' Phoenix reports that last night Borough Council voted unanimously to approve the Phoenixville Parking Authority's resolution to disband. The PPA will continue to enforce parking regulations through November 6th at which point the Phoenixville Police Department "could issue tickets in the lots – whether or not that’s going to happen has not been decided." [Borough Manager Jean] Krack urged everyone to check the Borough website, www.phoenixville.org , for the most up-to-date information on the downtown parking situation. Residents should see information on the website in the next couple of days. Read the full article here .

On Saturday, October 30th, the Phoenixville Area Time Bank will be hosting its 5th Annual "It's About Time" Halloween Bash. The party runs from 7-11pm and will be held at Franklin Commons . The party will feature live music by “The National Bird”, costume contests, a photo booth, silent auction, raffles and prizes, delicious food catered by Annmarie Cantrell of Cucina Verde, beverages and BYOB. The silent auction has had over 75 contributions from local businesses, see the list here . Tickets are $30 at the door and can be purchased online in advance for $25. Questions? Call 610-608-9281 -or- e-mail timedollar@verizon.net .

On Saturday, October 30th, the Shoppes of Village at Eland will be hosting a Fall Festival. The festival is from 12-5pm and will feature live music, a juggler, stilt walker, food, pumpkin painting for kids, coloring contest for kids, wagon rides and much more.

From The Phoenix : PHOENIXVILLE — The Phoenixville Area School Board Thursday night unanimously authorized the borrowing of $26.6 million for capital projects. The bond resolution will finance various projects within the district, including designing, constructing, furnishing and equipping a new Phoenixville Middle School and administrative office. The funds will also go toward providing turf for the football stadium, as well as financing the costs and expenses related to the issuance of the bonds. Read the full article here .

On Thursday, October 28th, The Soul Center will be presenting Belly Dancers in addition to their regularly scheduled drum circle. Says Michael Evans, host of the monthly drum circle: The monthly drum circle I hold at The Soul Center on the last Thursday of each month will have some special guests this month - a talented group of belly dancers will be joining us to move and dance as we play. Folks are invited to come and play along, or simply listen and watch if they prefer. October 28th 7:00PM - 9:00PM The Soul Center 550 Kimberton Road (Rte 113), Suite 1 Phoenxiville, PA 19460 www.thesoulcenter.com For more infomation contact Michael Evans at 610-952-5441 or via email at mrmevans@gmail.com . Event is free although donations are accepted to help in offsetting the cost of hosting this event. For more information, visit thesoulcenter.com/news/drumming-belly-dancing-at-the-soul-center

On Saturday, October 30th, the Columbia Bar and Grille will be hosting their first annual Halloween Costume Party. The party begins at 8pm and features prizes for best costumes, a one hour open bar, and music by DJ Express. Price is $30. Click the image below for additional information.

On Friday, October 29th, the Philadelphia Premium Outlets are hosting a Halloween Spooktacular Featuring Trick-or-Treating & Costume Contest: Halloween Spooktacular featuring Trick-or-Treating & Costume Contest Fri, Oct 29 from 5pm-7pm Children of all ages are invited to Trick-or-Treat at participating stores, and don't forget to enter our Costume Contest for great prizes. Registration will be held near the Food Court from 5pm-6:30pm with winners announced at 7pm. Prizes provided by Famous Footwear Outlet, Lindt Chocolate, Maidenform, Nike and more. For more information on upcoming sales and events please visit us online at www.premiumoutlets.com/philadelphia .

Yesterday, the Phoenixville Parking Authority voted to disband, citing 'its what's best for the borough as a whole'. Borough Council now must vote to approve the resolution. It is likely this will happen at tonight's council meetng. See The Phoenix for the rest of the article and a video of last nights announcement.

On Saturday, October 23rd, Wolfgang Books will be presenting 'An Afternoon with Lindsay Hunter and Christian Tebordo'. An Afternoon with Lindsay Hunter and Christian Tebordo authors of Daddy's and The Awful Possibilities Both from Featherproof Books Saturday, October 23 @ 3 pm A Wolfgang Books Event @ Steel City Coffeehouse Writers at Bridge and Main continues on October 23rd with Lindsay Hunter and Christian TeBordo, both recently published by Featherproof Books, one of the hottest (and edgiest) independent publishers around. Lindsay and Christian have both garnered excellent reputations for their provocative fiction in addition to their on stage readings. Here's a little bit more about them... LINDSAY HUNTER received her MFA in writing from the School of the Art Institute of hunterChicago in 2007. She is the co-founder and co-host of Quickies!, a Chicago reading series that showcases very short prose. In 2008, Quickies! was featured in Time Out Chicago's B

Starring in Forge Theatre's production of Doubt are Andrea Daniels (L) as Sister James and Sherry Snyder (R) as Sister Aloysius. Did He or Didn’t He? Forge Theatre Presents Doubt Forge Theatre in Phoenixville continues its season with one of the most critically-acclaimed plays of the last decade -- John Patrick Shanley's Doubt: A Parable . This fast-moving, suspenseful drama opens November 5 and runs weekends until November 20. Set in a 1964 Bronx Catholic school, the drama centers around the hard-edged principal, Sister Aloysius, who, after learning about a friendship between Father Flynn and a young boy in the school, decides to take matters into her own hands. Acting on her suspicions, Sister Aloysius is convinced that Father Flynn will be blindly protected by the church hierarchy, and decides to take him down herself. What follows is a bristling confrontation between the fiercely protective nun and the priest who feels that she has overstepped her authority.

On Saturday, October 23rd, French Quarter Bistro will be hosting their first annual Great Chili Debate. The event will feature chili from a number of local restaurants and proceeds will go to Rep Drucker's Reelection fund: Join us THIS SATURDAY, October 23rd @ 1pm for the 1st annual GREAT CHILI DEBATE! Have fun, eat good chili, vote for who you think has the best chili, and meet State Representative Paul Drucker! Proceeds to Rep Drucker's Reelection fund. The contenders so far are: The French Quarter Bistro Chiccarines Gallaghers Country Tavern The Railroad Street Bar and Grill Daddy Mims Creole BYOB For more information, call 610-792-7292.

On Saturday, October 23rd and Sunday, October 24th, Philadelphia Premium Outlets is hosting a Pink event: During the month of October, text "PINK" to 90999* to donate $10 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and enjoy a rewarding day of shopping. Register in the courtyard directly outside of the Food Court, on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24 from opening to 6 PM and show the donation receipt on your phone to receive a special savings card filled with discounts from select stores, refreshments and more. Plus, enter for the chance to win fabulous prizes**. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. For more information please visit www.komen.org or call 1-877-GO KOMEN. During the month of October, shoppers can make $10 donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® by texting "PINK" to 90999*. Show your receipt at a partici

On Wednesday, October 20th, Rep. Paul Drucker will be co-chairing a public hearing to discuss environmental issues and opportunities related to Marcellus Shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania. The hearing will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the Schuylkill Township Building Meeting Room, 111 Valley Park Road. Drucker will co-chair the hearing with committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Those testifying will include Jan Jarrett, president and CEO of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future; Peter Goodman, spokesperson for Trout Unlimited; and Lynda Farrell, spokesperson for The Save Group. No RSVPs are required for this free public hearing. For more details on the hearing, contact Drucker's office at 610-688-5691. A complete schedule of events can be found here .

Phoenixville Public Library presents a one man show, “Sherlock Holmes and the Speckled Band”, starring Neill Hartley, on Monday, November 15 at 7:00 PM. Neill Hartley is Sherlock Holmes in a thrilling version of the short story by Arthur Conan Doyle. See Sherlock Holmes in his study working out the mystery with Dr. Watson. Then follow him to an old mansion where he must stop a killer from committing another horrible crime. This event is free and 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.

Debi Dunn, founder of The Heart of Healing , is hosting two new events over the next month: Qi, Tea, and Creativity workshop with Lynne Miller and Debi Dunn When: Sat, October 23, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Where: Creative Healing Arts Studio, Phoenixville, PA (map) Join us and explore five energy healing tools for self-expression and optimal wellness! Fall is in the air and is a time of seasonal transition. It's the perfect time to fall back and tune into your inner Qi (energy). This workshop features a variety of healing therapies: Experience Qi Dancing with Debi and feel the flow. Learn to play an instrument that is tuned together with everyone else's instrument. It'll be music to your ears! Enhance your vibrational level using healing sounds. Elevate and innovate with a special art project. Quiet your mind/body/spirit with a relaxing closing meditation. What are you waiting for? Sign up today and prepare to be amazed and energized! Dress casually and comfortably

The 50th Reunion Committee is attempting to locate the following 6 members of the Phoenixville Area High School Class of 1961. These members should be in the age range of 66/67. Mildred Bunch Coll Jannie Mohr Emilie D. Rosenbaum Gauss Jo Ann Stout Pete Todd Richard F. Vogel If any family members or relatives can assist us in locating these classmates, please call or email, Sharon Kocsi Gubanich, 610-935-1383 or email Sharon@PAHS1961.com .

New Events Rentals Collaboration Launches in Phoenixville Two unique facilities under one roof are featured PHOENIXVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA (OCTOBER 13, 2010): A new program to heighten awareness of Phoenixville’s Franklin Commons and tenant Rock & Roll After School has been launched to highlight these unique facilities’ suitability for rental events, especially “parties that really rock” in “a most un-common place.” An open house was held last night at Franklin Commons to showcase the 225,000-sq-ft mixed-use educational, corporate and event facility and the 5,850-sq-ft Rock & Roll After School to event planners, chambers and visitors bureaus, approved caterers and related professionals.

The Writers at Bridge and Main Reading Series from Wolfgang Books and Steel City Coffee House conjessica francis kanetinues on October 16th with Jessica Francis Kane, author of The Report . Join us for an interview with Jessica, a reading, and a question and answer session. Copies of the book will be for sale at the event and are in stock now at Wolfgang Books. The program will begin at 3 pm, though we suggest that you arrive a little early to pick up a drink or snack and grab a good seat. As always, the event is free and open to the pubic. The Report has received a tremendous amount of advance praise and has already received nominations for several awards. Here are a few words from Jessica about her novel: "The story centers around a night in March 1943 when nearly two hundred people died seeking shelter from what seemed to be another air raid in East London. In all cases, death was by asphyxiation; there were no broken bones.

Tonight, between 6 and 9pm, Petrucci's Ice Cream and Water Ice will be donating a portion of all sales to Operation F.O.C.U.S. (For Our Children's Uncompromised Safety). In addition to great ice cream, guests will be treated to live music by the band A World Once Silent as well as performances by singer/guitar player Mary Sinnott and guitar player Patrick McGinnis. There will also be raffle tickets for sale for a number of wonderful prizes. Operation F.O.C.U.S. provides a safe environment for Phoenixville High School students following the spring prom. Come out and help a great cause!

The annual Phoenixville Halloween Parade is scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday, October 19th. The parade begins at Borough Hall. If you are interested in participating in the parade, click here to download an application . Additionally, on Saturday, October 23rd, beginning at 3pm, there will be a Halloween Dog Festival and Parade at the corner of Reeves Park and Main Street

On Sunday, October 17th, Phoenixville Area High School student Stephen Kenyon will be performing a concert at St. John's Lutheran Church, 355 St. John's Circle, Phoenixville, PA. The concert will benefit Phoenixville Area Community Services . Stephen Kenyon, a student at Phoenixville Area High School, is a gifted pianist. As his Senior Project, Stephen will offer a concert to benefit PACS. He will be joined by a few of his talented friends. The concert will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, October 17 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Phoenixville. You are also invited to a reception immediately following the event. There are no tickets - just a free will offering that will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. All proceeds benefit PACS. Non-perishable food items for the emergency pantry will also be collected at the door.

Neumann University has been educating adults since 1974. Neumann Launches Continuing Education Classes in Phoenixville Neumann University will host an information session on October 19 to present its expanded menu of continuing education classes for adults in the Phoenixville area. The session will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Franklin Commons, 400 Franklin Avenue, just six blocks north of the Gay Street Bridge in Phoenixville. Instructors will be on hand to explain the classes and answer questions. Offerings include classes for personal enrichment, professional development and money-saving skills. There are computer education classes in Social Networking, Google Apps, Internet Safety and Computer Forensics as well as a special Computer Basics course for senior citizens. Professional development classes include Networking, Medical Terminology, Medical Billing, and CLE/CPE classes for attorneys and accountants. A series of For Ladies Only Home Repair classes cover topics such as E

Below are some of the upcoming events being hosted by the Phoenixville Public Library : October Movie Night The next Movie Night at Phoenixville Public Library, Thursday, October 14 at 7:00 PM, will feature “The Last Picture Show” (1971, rated R, running time 126 min.), next in our countdown of the American Film Institute’s “100 Greatest Movies”. Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, and Cybill Shepherd star in Peter Bogdanovich’s nostalgic farewell to an innocent age, based on Larry McMurtry’s novel. Loss of innocence, disillusionment, and confusion are played out against the backdrop of a 1950s Texas town about to close its cinema. The film is stunningly photographed in black and white. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 610-933-3013, Ext. 32. Financial Myths Workshop Some of the most common myths about investing, retirement, insurance, and estate planning are countered in a free talk, “15 Financial Myths”, to