Around Phoenixville

East Pikeland Township has announced on their website that the covered bridge on Rapps Dam Road will be closed at some point during January for repairs by PennDOT. The township has just been notified by PennDOT that the reconstruction project for the Rapps Dam Road Covered Bridge will begin in JANUARY. The exact date for road closure has not yet been announced, but detour signs will be posted two weeks in advance. The project, which includes rebuilding the steel structure and removing and replacing portions of the roof, siding and decking, is not expected to be completed until November, 2011. The bridge was originally constructed in 1866 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The project will extend the life of the structure while maintaining its historic significance.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

A woman's purse can be a lifesaver. Really. Local women can shop for new purses and/or donate gently used-purses to help victims of human trafficking at the next Soroptimist Club of Phoenixville dinner meeting, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 at Franklin Commons, 400 Franklin St. Club members and guests will learn more about the issue human trafficking, particularly in the Philadelphia region and how Change Purse , a grassroots organization, uses purses to save women and children from modern-day slavery. “It’s estimated 100,000 to 300,000 children in the United States are at risk for sex trafficking each year,” said Change Purse co-founder Krista Dollman, of Harrisburg. Change Purse collects and sells donated purses to help rescued sex slavery victims, usually girls under 18 in the United States. Founded by three stay-at-home mothers, Change Purse works to create awareness about domestic human trafficking. “This is a really important issue to Soroptimists; it really tie

Why Are They Waiting? Everyone who comes to Macao seems to be waiting. What are they waiting for? They don’t really know. And as they wait, strange things begin to happen... Join the sultry nightclub singers, trench-coated villains and other exotic underworld characters who inhabit the world of Adrift in Macao. A hilarious, irreverant musical comedy set in the steamy, shadowy world of 1950’s film-noir, this witty parody takes you deep into the mysterious tropics where anything can happen -- and usually does. Forge Theatre in Phoenixville is proud to present Adrift in Macao, a zany, wise-cracking musical comedy written by award-winning playwright, Christopher Durang, with music by Peter Melnick. Steve Shulz directs. The cast includes Diana Gagliardi, Gary Bullock, Bob Goretski, Leigh Ann Brienza, Russ White, Dru Ullery and Allie Greet. Performances of Adrift in Macao are January 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 at 8pm and January 16 at 2pm. Closes January 22. Adults $15, St

Last night, Borough Council approved the 2011 budget which will see a 9.9% increase in property taxes. Council was split 4-4 on the vote with Mayor Scoda breaking the tie in favor of the budget's approval. In addition to the property tax increase, all Phoenixville residents 18 and older will be subject to an additional $10 per person per capita tax. Good news in all of this is that the threat by some council members to eliminate two police officers from the force was not acted on. In order to keep these positions, cuts were made elsewhere including the elimination of five Borough paid positions. The annual July 4th fireworks display will also come to an end. Voting for: Evans, Handwerk, Speck, Reber and Scoda (tiebreaker) Voting against: Buckwalter, Dugan, Gautreau and Kirkner The Phoenix has full coverage, including video, of last night's meeting .

Thai L’Elephant has opened their new location at 301 Bridge St., the former location of La Crêperie Café Bis. Originally opened in 2007 in the shopping center behind O'Gradys, Thai L'Elephant brings Zagat Rated Thai cuisine to downtown Phoenixville and is a great addition to the already vibrant restaurant scene on Bridge Street. Good luck to them in their new location! For more information, visit their website at thailelephant.com .

Reader Michael Heinz sent in some pictures he took of last weekends Firebird Festival. Visit Michael's blog at heinztrucking.com for the full gallery.

This Saturday, December 18th, join the Phoenixville Kiwanis for Cereal with Santa. Children and Parents join Santa Clause for cereal and fun and games. Pictures with Santa. Letter writing to Santa. Letters to Soldiers. Face Painting and Coloring Sheets. Special "Friends" of Santa as guests. TICKETS ARE $5- available at National Penn Bank, 702 Main Street in Phoenixville, by calling 610-933-9575 or at the door. The event is from 8am-12pm and will be held at the Phoenix Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 station, 177 Church Street.

On Saturday, December 18th, singer/songwriter Jim Hanft will be performing at Steel City Coffee House as part of the Cold As Elf Tour. Recently off of a Scandinavian tour in support of his new album, " Weddings Or Funerals ," Jim will be hitting the road with fellow songwriters, Jake Hill (Boston) & Will Knox (NYC). The show is a part of a northeast tour celebrating the holiday's. The complete info for the show is: COLD AS ELF TOUR Jim Hanft w/ Samantha Yonack Jake Hill Will Knox Steel City Coffee House Saturday, Dec. 18th :: 8:30pm 203 Bridge St. Phoenixville, PA PreSale Tix: https://www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?ticketing=steel Click here to watch a video of Jim performing live on Swedish National TV.

From The Mercury : PHOENIXVILLE — The Phoenixville Area Middle School sixth grade chorus has moved into the final round of B101's Christmas Choir Competition. The choir is competing in Division 1 for student musicians in grades K to 6. It is directed by Amy Darby. The choir recorded a version of "Jingle Bells" that was played for the competition on 101.1 WBEB FM and which will be played during the morning radio show on Thursday starting at 7 a.m. For the choir to win, listeners must log onto www.B101radio.com and vote for the Phoenixville chorus. Voters must first sign up using a valid e-mail address before voting. One vote is allowed daily for each registered e-mail address. If the choir wins its division, it will receive $5,000 for the school's music program. The winning choirs from each division will perform with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Tune in tomorrow to hear the choir's entry. To vo

The French Quarter Bistro has a number of events on tap this week: DOCK STREET BREWERY BEER DINNER THIS THURSDAY December 9th 7-9PM Join us as our award-winning food is paired with Philadelphia's own DOCK STREET Brewery's delicious beer! Come rub elbows with some of the most adventurous brewers in the region! Please call ahead for tickets. Reservations HIGHLY recommended. (610) 792 7292 MENU: Appetizer: Grilled lollipop lamb chops with a creole mustard dipping sauce // paired with Dock Street Hop Garden DIPA 9% ABV Salad: Smoked salmon, arugula, onions and tomatos tossed in a raspberry champaigne vinagrette // paired with Dock Street Royal Bohiem Pils 5% ABV Entree: Blackened alligator and crawfish etoufee // paired with Dock Street Prisoner of Hell 10% ABV Dessert: Chocolate espresso peanut butter candy cake // paired with Dock Street satellite Espresso Stout $5.5% ABV

Phoenixville's Seventh Annual Firebird Festival will take place next Saturday, December 11th, and promises to be bigger than ever. The festivities kick off at 4pm with events being held throughout town and culminate with the lighting of the bird at 8pm by the Justice Center on the 300 block of Bridge Street. For a complete schedule of events as well as pictures from previous years and a history of the event, visit firebirdfestival.com .

On Friday, December 17th, The Food Muse and Franklin Commons will be hosting a shared Holiday Party: This year Small Businesses looking for a Fun, Festive and Affordable Holiday Party will find what they need at the newly restored Franklin Commons in Phoenixville. Looking for a way to help local businesses celebrate in this challenging economy, Linda Ross, Owner of The Food Muse Catering and Teri Eide, Public Relations Director for Franklin Commons came up with the idea to provide a shared Holiday Party... a solution that let’s everyone know they are appreciated but does not break the budget. The cost is just $50 (tax and service are included) per person. The shared Holiday Party is also open to the General Public for the same all inclusive price – Neighbors, Family and Friends can partake! Welcoming Stationary Hors D’oeuvres, A Delicious Dinner Buffet, Decadent Godiva Mocha Fudge Fondue, Coffee and Tea, Non-alcoholic Beverage Station, Holiday Tunes and Dance Music Provided by

Charlene Roth displays one of her specialty crafts - a hand-woven wool rug.   Items for sale in the Craft Shop are made in workshops at Camphill Kimberton. The Camphill Village Kimberton Hills Craft Shop is a unique and wonderful place to do your holiday shopping. The shop features a wide range of one-of-a-kind items including woven, knitted and felted handmade crafts. Many items are made from recycled materials and are handcrafted by adults with developmental disabilities. Camphill Village Kimberton Hills is located at 1601 Pughtown Road , Kimberton , Pa. The craft shop, located in the Kepler Building , is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After shopping, stop by the Camphill Café for lunch, located just a short walk from the shop. The café offers organic, homemade soups, sandwiches, entrees and desserts and is open Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The mission at Camphill Kimberton is to encourage individuals, especially those with special needs, to disco

For more than 20 years the Phoenixville Jaycees have organized a live nativity at Reeves Park featuring a reading of the nativity story from the reigning Dogwood Queen, carols sung by a local chorus and volunteer actors. The public is encouraged to come and read along, sing along, and participate in this joyous event! This years Nativity will be held on December 19th beginning at 6pm. The event is free to the public.