Paid parking coming to downtown

At a community forum on April 21st, it was revealed that downtown parking lots will be metered beginning on May 3rd. From The Phoenix:

The new parking structure in downtown Phoenixville is slated to begin Monday, May 3.

The new structure permits two hour free parking per block on the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Bridge Street, and unit blocks of North Main and Gay Streets.

The parking lots at Prospect Street, Main and Bridge Streets, Price and Main Streets and Taylor Alley will be dollar an hour parking with meters and a central pay station.

Two hour parking and metered lots will operate as such from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Parking Authority will have personnel on the streets to enforce adherence to the new parking structure.

There will be parking for residents and the employees of the downtown.

Residents can purchase a month-to-month parking permit for the Taylor Alley lot (behind Family Dollar) for $10 per month. There are 78 parking spots in the Taylor Alley lot for residents and will be on a first come, first served basis.

Any additional parking after the resident needs are taken care of will be allotted to the downtown employees.

The lot across from the Foundry building has been secured by the Parking Authority for employees parking. There are 150 parking spaces in this lot for employee parking and will be open from 6 a.m. until 4 a.m.

Permits will be required for employees on a month-to-month basis for $10.

Read the full article here.

Annual Sly Fox Bock Festival & Goat Race Being Held This Sunday, May 2nd

From the Sly Fox website:

The annual Sly Fox Bock Festival & Goat Race (which determines the name of the year's Maibock) draws thousands to Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery in Phoenixville to enjoy German food and music and what may be the most extensive lineup of Bock beers poured at any brewpub in the nation on a single day: Slacker Bock, Helles Bock, Instigator Doppelbock, two Eisbocks (Slacker and Instigator) and the To-Be-Named-Later Maibock.

The race itself has evolved into a multi-heat event leading to a final run matching the day's best performers Register your goat now by calling Sly Fox Phoenixville at the number below. Not only is the winning goat honored by having the Maibock named after it, the winning owner gets a $75 gift card good at both Sly Fox locations.

We'll also be featuring some fantastic Bavarian pretzels and Brats along with a full lineup of German style beers. In addition to the four Bock beers and two Eis Bocks mentioned earlier we'll also be serving up our Gold Medal Winning Pikeland Pils, Helles Golden Lager, Royal Weisse, Vienna Lager, Charles Bridge Pilsner, & Dunkel Lager.

For more information regarding this event contact: Sly Fox Phoenixville 610.935.4540

Mother's Day Cardmaking Workshop at Phoenixville Public Library

Craft instructor Linda Santamaria will host a Mother’s Day cardmaking workshop for adults at Phoenixville Public Library on Tuesday, May 4 from 7:00 to 8:45 PM. No experience is necessary. Participants will make three feminine greeting cards for ladies they’d like to remember in a special way. Extra card kits will be available for those who’d like to make extra cards at home. Cost is $7.00 per person, payable at the door. Registration is required. Cancellations by noon on May 3, please. Call 610-933-3013, Ext. 32, or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org. Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Ave., Phoenixville.

Big things coming to Phoenixville

Received an email about a series of events some local businesses are putting together:

Prepare yourselves for a year of fun and excitement with a recent collaboration between Eternal Image Tattoo Studio, Music Artist Dave Vegas and Salon Fiber to bring some rather interesting events to the area throughout the summer.

Dave Vegas, one of the areas hottest music artists, under JTL Artist Management, will be performing at Club 212 in Phoenixville May 21st, this being one of the first events this collaboration will be jointly producing is a preview of things to come.

"We're hoping to bring something fresh and unique to the area and show other businesses that in a slow economy there are still ways to generate and spark public interest that will benefit everyone involved by teaming up and working together." said Eternal Image owner Ryan Grondin.

Keep an eye open for events being held by these guys and be sure to come check them out. This may be just what a growing Phoenixville needs to add excitement to it's already interesting reputation.

Summer Series for Young Audiences

From the Colonial Theatre email list:

We wanted you to be the first to know about all the great programs we have lined up this summer for our Young Audiences Summer Series. All the shows are posted on our website. Click here to see the line up.

We are also very happy to announce that Hua Hua Zhang will return to teach a truly unique workshop for children ages 10+ during the week of Jul 26 - 30. Click here for details on the workshop.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS:

• Tickets are available for advance purchase beginning April 15. Advance tickets are $7 (including a $2 per ticket restoration fee) Tickets purchased at the box office are $8 (including a $1 per ticket service fee).
• Online is the fastest, least expensive way to buy tickets. Go to thecolonialtheatre.com and click "Buy Tickets."
• If purchased online, you will be prompted to print out your tickets as a pdf at the end of the purchase process. You will also receive an email with a link to reprint your tickets.
• For purchases of 10 tickets or more for a single show, please contact Kirsten at 610-917-1228 for information on our group discount.

4th Annual Celtic Street Fair to be held May 8th

On Saturday, May 8th, Phoenixville will once again play host to the popular Celtic Street Fair. The fair will be held in its usual spot on the 200 block of Bridge Street and music starts at 10:30am. For more information and a complete schedule, visit the East of Hebrides event site.

One last chance to raise a pint at the original Sly Fox Phoenixville location this weekend

Sly Fox is moving ever closer to opening its new location in the Maple Lawn Shopping center and this weekend is your last chance to get a pint in their original location. From their mailing list:

THE BIG MOVE HAS BEGUN...

The 15bbl brewery was moved from Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery in Pikeland Village Square to our new location on the other side of Rt. 113 in the Maple Lawn Shopping center yesterday evening.

The old location will remain open for business through this Sunday, April 18 (see story below) and then shut its doors forever.

The exact opening date for the New Sly Fox Phoenixville is not yet known; it will be announced once all the inspections and permits are complete and a certificate of occupancy has been approved.

ONE LAST ONCE...

The final weekend in the Original Sly Fox Brewhouse and Eatery will be a bittersweet celebration of all our history and good times there and of all the good times to
come in our new home.

Please join us on Saturday and especially Sunday for One Last Pint at the old bar. Let's drink those beer lines dry.

More information on the weekend plans will be detailed on our Facebook page, via Twitter and on our website calendar as they become available.

It will be a chance to say goodbye to a building that holds a lot of memories and perhaps see some old familiar faces.

Renaissance Academy Beef & Beer Fundraiser

On Saturday, May 1st, Renaissance Academy is hosting a Beef & Beer Fundraiser.

Saturday, May 1st, 2010 - Renaissance Academy Beef & Beer Fundraiser

Details: All community members (age 21 older) are invited to the Renaissance Academy Charter School Beef & Beer Fundraiser, which will include “all you can eat” food & beverages, live entertainment, 50/50 drawings, and more.
Location: Franklin Hall (Franklin Commons – 400 Franklin Street, Phoenixville, PA)
Time: 7pm – 11pm
Cost: $30 in advance - $35 at the door
Tickets: Available online at www.rak12.org/index.php?n=BnB.Page; at Renaissance Academy’s main office (40 Pine Crest Street, Phoenixville); or at the door ($35)

All proceeds will fund Renaissance Academy’s new campus, which will be located in the Franklin Commons Education Center, Phoenixville.

Please plan to join us for a night of fun! For more information, please go to www.rak12.org or call 610-983-4080.

Celebrate the life of Harry Kalas

Are You Wild About Harry?
Memorial Group Throws Party for Kalas and You're Invited!

April 7, 2010-- The Philadelphia Phillies' opening day came and went this year with several noticeable differences. Polanco at the hot corner and Halladay on the mound were new sights but it was something less visible that made the Phillies first season opening win in four years bittersweet for some fans.

When the Phillies emerged victorious in an 11-1 romp over the Washington Nationals on April 5, 2010 it was without their voice of nearly forty years.

Nearly one year ago, the Philadelphia Phillies' Hall of Fame announcer, Harry Kalas collapsed in the Nationals Park press box at approximately 12:30 pm on April 13, 2009, just a few hours before the Washington Nationals' home opener against the Phillies. Kalas had touched the lives of millions of Philadelphians as the longtime play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia Phillies.

In a heartfelt demonstration of affection for Kalas, a group of friends formed the non-profit group Dear Harry, Inc. to fund and build a permanent monument to Kalas that they will gift to the Philadelphia Phillies upon completion. Lead by acclaimed bronze sculptor and longtime Phillies fan Lawrence Nowlan, the group has been raising funds for the effort since November and are more than one-quarter of the way to their goal.

"Social media and a website that accepts contributions to the effort have gotten us this far," said Suzanne Norris, Development Director for the organization, who adds that Dear Harry, Inc. is now exploring more aggressive ways to raise the remaining funds. "First, we're throwing a one-of-a-kind party followed closely by one-of-a-kind opportunities for companies to contribute."

Read more »

Wolfgang Books and Steel City Coffee Shop Present the Steel City Reading Series

Wolfgang Books and Steel City Coffee Shop are teaming up for a new reading series in Phoenixville. The first event will be held this Saturday at Steel City Coffee at 3 pm with David Rhodes. David was recently named one of the 50 Most Inspiring Writers in the World by Poets and Writers magazine, and the format of the series should give the audience a great opportunity to see why.

The two businesses have been working together for some time to put the series together, and they hope to establish it as one of the premier literary events in the Philadelphia area.

“Wolfgang Books, above all else, embraces and hopefully nurtures a true and vital literary culture,” says Jason Hafer, the owner of the bookstore. “The Steel City Reading Series is an extension of this, and we are thrilled that we are starting the series with one of the best writers in America.”

David Rhodes released three novels to acclaim in the 1970s but stopped publishing after a devastating motorcycle accident. He recently returned to publishing after 30 years of silence with the novel Driftless. The story of his return, along with the winding road that led him there, will be discussed at the event in an interview conductted by Hafer. The interview will be followed by a reading and then David will take questions from the audience. David will be on hand to sign copies of his work, which will be for sale at the event.

Read more »

Phoenixville Weight Loss Challenge Starts April 12

Phoenixville Weight Loss Challenge - Community Service Event

Be the Biggest LOSER and WIN $$$

• FREE Individual Coaching
• CASH Prizes
• FUN group competition
• Weekly Weigh-ins
• FREE body analysis
• Weight Loss, Nutrition and & Wellness Classes
• $35 Registration Fee

Registration money is paid out in cash & prizes to winners. Specific rules will be in place to keep everyone consistent.

Join the Challenge!!
Starts April 12th
Every Monday 7-8 PM for 10 weeks
Call now to pre-register: 610-283-9368
Space is limited

Curtain Call Present 'Tartuffe'

Curtain Call, the drama community at Valley Forge Christian College, is presenting Moliere’s comedy Tartuffe. The show will be held at Kremples Theater located on the campus of Valley Forge Christian College. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for Seniors and Children.

Show dates and times:

Friday & Saturday
April 9, 10, 16, 17 @ 7:30PM

Sunday
April 11, 18 @ 3:00PM

The Handcrafted Cookie Company Announces Quarterly Cookie Recipe Contest

Chad Williams wrote in to tell about a contest The Handcrafted Cookie Company is hosting:

THE HANDCRAFTED COOKIE COMPANY ANNOUNCES QUARTRELY COOKIE RECIPE CONTEST
CUSTOMERS CAN SUBMIT RECIPES TO BE SOLD BY CHESTER COUNTY STORE

PHOENIXVILLE, PA: The Handcrafted Cookie Company is announcing its first quarterly cookie recipe contest! The Company will be introducing a yummy new cookie for each season beginning this summer, and the recipe will come from one of their valued, brilliant customers! Here's how it works:

Prior to each season, the contest will be open with a one month submission window to all comers. Contestants will submit both the recipe and a sample of the baked cookies for consideration. All submissions will be reviewed and a selection made within two weeks of the end of the submission window. The winner will receive their prize thereafter and the winning cookie will be featured on our menu for the full season! The prize will be a Handcrafted Cookie Company gift basket valued at $45 as well as ten 20% off coupons to distribute to friends and family, as well as bragging rights. The winner and their recipe will also be featured in our monthly newsletter! Our first contest will be open for submissions from April 1st through April 30th. Selection will occur during the month of May and the winning cookie will be featured from June through August.

If you’d like additional information about this contest or our store, please contact Chad Williams at chad61@msn.com or (484)921-4934.

610 WIP MidDay Show Features the Bistro on Bridge

Last week, mid day hosts Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano were discussing the Bhut Jalokia, the hottest pepper in the world (by far). The main story behind the pepper: Indian military leaders develop a non-lethal hand grenade that will overpower terrorists by spraying small amounts of the Bhut Jolokia in the air.

The Phoenixvillain, wrote an incredible story on how the Bistro on Bridge uses the Naga Jalokia to make a wicked wing sauce named "10,000 Ghosts", Washington Washington from oneninefoursixzero.com decided to share it with Macnow. He was impressed and intrigued, so he invited the Bistro in to the studio for an on-air interview and presentation where the crew of the MidDay Show and Bistro employee's discussed and tried the "10,000 Ghosts" wings.

The on air interview can be found on the Bistro site. www.bistroonbridge.com.

Rock & Roll After School Bands Performing Downtown Tonight

Phoenixville Wayfinding Exhibit Open On First Friday

On Friday, April 2nd, during April's First Friday festivities, Artifaqt, 15 S. Main St, will be hosting the Phoenixville Wayfinding Exhibit.