Around Phoenixville

Reader Abby wrote in to tell of a blog she has started for new parents in the area, Babies on Bridge Street . Says Abby about the site: The blog is intended for new parents in Phoenixville to find baby friendly activities, businesses, and resources in our area. I'll be reviewing these places and activities for parents to see what it's like. There's nothing more intimidating than attending new events with little babies in tow. I hope the blog will encourage new parents to enjoy what the town has to offer and inspire a little courage to leave the house! Good luck to Abby with the site!

On Wednesday, February 2nd, Renaissance Academy Charter School will be hosting an open house from 9-11am or 6-8pm. OPEN HOUSE February 2, 2011 9am-11am or 6pm-8pm rsvp at 610-983-4080 x1134 or jennifer.scherer@rak12.org The Renaissance Academy is a tuition free, award-winning, college prep, charter school for students in grades K-12 in Phoenixville , Pennsylvania . Open since September 2000, the school offers a college preparatory curriculum to over 930 students from more than 18 surrounding school districts. Its challenging curriculum was designed to encourage students to think objectively and to approach life thoughtfully and creatively. In addition to the college-preparatory curriculum, the school also offers sports teams, a band and choral program, and a variety of fine arts including world language (K-12), dance, drama, ceramics, graphic design, art, music, yoga and Pilates. Students also have opportunities to participate in theatrical events. Productions for the school

Local students now have more access to music education and instruments, thanks to the recently-established Give the Gift of Music Foundation, which supports local music education for eligible children ages 7 to 18. Today, the Foundation announced its first major donation of $12,000 from the Steel City Blues Society of Phoenixville, a nonprofit organization that cultivates and preserves the tradition of blues music, and its two first scholarship recipients. The $12,000 donation is from the Steel City Blues Society, which hosted the inaugural Phoenixville Blues Festival held September 11, 2010 and was attended by more than 3,100 people. Funds raised from the festival were designated for the Give the Gift of Music Foundation ( www.givethegiftofmusic.org ), the new, non-profit Pennsylvania 501 (c) (3) Foundation that donates musical instruments and/or financial assistance in the form of scholarships for lessons in approved music education or enrichment programs in the greater Phoenixvil

The first in a series of three free financial literacy seminars for investors, “Investing in Recovery: A Guide to Portfolio Repair”, will be presented at Phoenixville Public Library on Monday, January 24 at 7:00 PM. Eric Lanshe, Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, will be the speaker. His first talk, “A Vision of the Present”, will present an overview of the economy and investment markets. He will highlight attractive investment opportunities for 2011 and discuss events that could dramatically alter the course of the markets. Attendees will receive actionable items they can put into place to help their investment portfolios in the new year. 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, Phoenixville, PA.

Sad news to report, Wolfgang Books will be closing at the end of March. Owner Jason Hafner sent out the following: I am sorry to say that Wolfgang Books will close when our lease expires at the end of March. After five years, I can no longer maintain the business and am not able to renew the lease. I have enjoyed my time as the owner of Wolfgang Books considerably, and I thank all of you who have supported the store over the past five years. It is news to no one that our country's economy is struggling at the moment, and sales at Wolfgang Books have been affected dramatically over the past year or so. In addition, as more and more people move to e-readers we have experienced a classic example of a "chipping away effect." While a great deal of Wolfgang Books customers remain committed to books as a physical object, not all do, and the margins are too slim to be able to sustain a loss of any of our patrons. This isn't to say that one way is right or wrong; it is ju

A few days ago, The Handcrafted Cookie Company posted on their Facebook page that they will be closing their doors for good on February 28th: It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our ownership of The Handcrafted Cookie Company will end this Feb. 28. Due to family priorities, we have had to make this very difficult decision. We’ve learned a lot in two years, made new friends, and experienced huge changes in our lives, the birth of our daughter by far the biggest of these. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. We could never have done this without all of you. Sincerely, -Chad, Theresa and Maya Williams

CVKH Orchestra 1/25/11: Showtime for Friday's show has changed. Camphill Village Kimberton Hills presents The Prince and the Pauper, a musical comedy by Lewis Hardee, February 18-20, 2011. Directed by Veronika Roemer, The Prince and the Pauper is based on the story by Mark Twain. Prince Edward, son of King Henry XIII, and a poor boy of the slums of London have a chance encounter. They discover that they look very much alike and decided to change clothes “for an hour or two.” The exchange lasts much longer and both boys, as well as everyone around them, discover many new things about life and each other. The musical is freely based on Twain’s story, making even more fun of stiff royalty and showing the audience that poverty of goods does not mean poverty of heart. The music is a delightful mix of modern show tunes and Elizabethan era songs, with many catchy tunes. This is the sixth show produced by Roemer, who lives and works in Camphill Kimberton, an intentional c

Two upcoming events at the Columbia Bar & Grille : Saturday, Feb. 5th, Upstairs at the Columbia , 148 Bridge St. Phoenixville. Retro Disco Dance All Request Night, featuring music by DJ Express. Drink & food specials throughout the night. 8 pm to 12 midnight. No Cover. Sunday Feb 6th, Superbowl Sunday Party in our bar. A game day buffet with your favorite foods, $15.00 per person. Drink Specials throughout the Game. Prizes during each quarter.

On Saturday, February 5th, Stepping Stone Education Center will be hosting a Family Fun Fair. Stepping Stone Education Center’s Family Fun Fair Saturday February 5, 2011 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Fun for all ages!!! Games Crafts Face Painting Silent Auction Great Food!!! Hoagies by Foresta’s Pizza by Flippin’ Pizza Featuring Hands on Science by Touch the Stars Stepping Stone Education Center 400 Franklin Ave. Suite 250, Phoenixville, PA Saturday February 5, 2011 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Call 610-933-7710 for more info

On Friday, January 21st, Sly Fox will once again be celebrating the birth of Scotland's favorite son, Robert Burns. You know the drill. Gang Aft Agley Scotch Ale and Burns Scottish Ale will be pouring, famed bagpiper Daivd Bailliff will be piping and the arrival of the Haggis (6:30pm) will be marked by Ian Turnbull's reading of Burns' Ode to a Haggis. Celtic Spirit will play music throughout the evening. This year we will also reward everyone who attends wearing a kilt with a free pint and have a judging of the best Kilt attire, male and female, with first, second and third place prizes. For more information regarding this event contact: Sly Fox Phoenixville 610.935.4540 The party starts at 6pm with the serving of the haggis at 6:30.

During the month of January, Neumann University will be offering free computer classes at their Franklin Commons location. Schedule as follows January 12th 6-8 PM FREE Microsoft Excel class January 14th 1-3 PM FREE Microsoft Excel class January 19th 6-8 PM FREE Internet 101 class January 21st 1-3 PM FREE Internet 101 class January 26th 6-8 PM FREE Social Networking class January 28th 1-3 PM FREE Social Networking class For more information or to register, email INFO-PXV@neumann.edu with your name and phone number (needed for weather cancelations). Or call Carol at 484-832-0523.

Throughout the month of January, Hipster Home is holding its Keep on Giving Sale: THE SALE THAT KEEPS ON GIVING! So you think the holiday savings are over? Not even close. At Hipster Home all thru the month of January we're running our 'Keep On Giving Sale' on all Gus Modern Furniture. Simply bring 3 nonperishable can goods (that Hipster Home will donate to local charity) and you instantly receive a 15% discount on any Gus Modern purchase. Sofas, chairs, dinning tables, side tables, & light fixtures with all the savings helping your pocket and the local community in need. NOT TOO BAD! Go to our website at www.HipsterHome.com and type 'Gus' into the search bar and the savings will pop up.

Just in time for the New Year, help for your resolution to get into better shape! Phoenixville Weight Loss Challenge 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 $30 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 January 10th, 2011 Every Monday 7-8 PM for 7 weeks Call now to pre-register: 610-283-9368 Space is limited

This Thursday, from 8-11pm, PJ Ryan's Pub (231-233 Bridge St.) will be hosting the First Thursday Comedy Night. Featuring comedians Chris Coccia, Sonya King, Andy Nolan, the Comedy Night will also hvae $2.50 Miller Light Drafts. Show starts at 8pm. Tickets are available now for $10 (available at the bar) and will be $12 at the door. Visit the First Thursday Comedy Night event page on Facebook.