Around Phoenixville

Throughout the month of April, Renaissance Academy and Artistans Gallery & Cafe will be hosting a Student Art Show. To kick things off, they will be hosting a reception during this Friday's First Friday event from 6-8pm.

On April 26-29, Camphill Village Kimberton Hills is hosting a Symposium titled “Being Human in the 21st Century: Toward New Thinking”. The event, sponsored by Camphill , will also feature a public presentation at 7pm on April 28th for those who cannot attend all four days. About the event: Humanity has developed powerful forces of technological innovation, integrating policies, and ecological insight, yet today we face challenges unimaginable even decades ago. What is needed of us now? The North American region of Camphill, a 70 year old worldwide movement, is celebrating its 50th anniversary on this continent. As part of that celebration, we invite you to join us for this thought-provoking symposium that brings together outstanding social thinkers, environmentalists, and other active participants to share and create insights into what is needed to inspire and develop the best aspects of human nature and civilization. Camphill Village Kimberton Hills is located at 1601 Pughto...

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Dogwood Festival . For those new to town, the festival is hosted by the Phoenxiville Jaycees who describe it best: The Dogwood Parade and Festival has become part of the rubric of Phoenixville since it first started as a means of celebrating the arrival of spring and Armed Forces day. In fact, the first seven Dogwood queens earned their crowns by selling the most war bonds during World War II and the first Dogwood parades were one-day festivals ceremoniously held on Armed Forces Day. Instead of rides and games, though, the first Dogwood festivals offered only pony rides and homemade food from local residents. Following World War II and the Korean Conflict, the Phoenixville Jaycees continued the tradition by hosting an annual pageant to decide the Dogwood queen. As the years went on, the festival grew from one to four days during the 1970s and ‘80s to a six-day festival in the 1990s. The Dogwood Festival and Parade has come a long way ...

Our friends over at OneNineFourSixZero stopped in to Pepperoncini with a group of friends and put the recently opened restaurant through the paces. Here is what they thought of their dining experience: Pepperoncini (184 Bridge Street – 484.924.8429) opened this week to good word-of-mouth reviews from those in-the-know. Seven of us decided to give it a try and record our findings. Before we get into that though, let's dissect their website ABOUT and follow it with comments... Read the full review here .

On Sunday, April 17th, Grace Valley Fellowship is hosting an 2011 EGGSTRAVAGANZA at National Christian Conference Center from 1-2pm. The EGGSTRAVAGANZA will feature an Easter Egg Hunt & Pictures with the Easter Bunny! There will also be moonbounces, face painting, candy, crafts and music. The National Christian Conference Center is located at 1485 Valley Forge Rd. For more information, visit gvfonline.org

This season, Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative , a non-profit farmers co-op, is offering Community Supported Agriculture shares in Phoenixville at First United Methodist Church. About Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative (LFFC) LFFC is a non-profit organic farmers cooperative of 75+ small-scale, Certified Organic family farms in Lancaster County, PA. They focus on creating healthy, quality food from their highly maintained and enriched soils. Their CSA season begins in May and ends in October. Those interested should sign up by April 15th to receive the first share. Online sign ups are taken at their website, www.lancasterfarmfresh.com .

Beginning April 15th, the Forge Theatre will be presenting A LITTLE MURDER NEVER HURT ANYBODY , a mystery-comedy by Ron Bernas. About the show: Julia and Matthew seem to have it all. But Matthew wants more — so he resolves to murder Julia by New Year’s end, and tells her so. She vows to stay alive, and tells him so. And so the game begins — a hilariously farcical match of wits and the witless. Show dates as follows: April 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 8:00 PM; April 17 at 2:00 PM For more information, visit forgetheatre.org .

From the Wolfgang Books newsletter: Well folks, this is it. It's hard to believe that at 5 pm Sunday Wolfgang Books will be finished selling books to Phoenixville and the Philadelphia area. That said, there are still lots of great books to be had at very steep discounts. Most used books are $3 or less, while new and collectible books are 70% off. Furniture, odds and ends, and other stuff is all for sale, too. We hope to see you one last time, hopefully with your arms full of great reads! Thanks for the past five years, Jason Good luck to Jason with whatever the future holds for him.

As you may be aware, as part of the Borough's 2011 budget, funding for the annual July 4th Fireworks display was eliminated. All is not lost, however. Council reached out to Karen Johns, who was responsible for bringing the fireworks to Phoenixville in 1999 when she served on the council, to see if she could raise the money privately so that the show would continue. Johns formed a Fireworks Committee who have started a Bucks for Bangs campaign. For more information on how you can help, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/PhoenixvilleFireworks . For those of you not on Facebook, you can email pvillefireworks@gmail.com for more information.

Word on the street is that Pepperoncini is set to open tomorrow at 4pm. They are located at 184 Bridge Street, below the Main Stay Inn. Visit their website at pepperoncinirestaurant.com/ or follow them on their Facebook page .

Readers of Around Phoenixville may remember a couple of posts made about a year and a half ago telling of a local boy, Trey Love, battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma. Sadly, Trey's condition took a turn for the worst over the weekend and he is currently in intensive care at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Friends of the Love's have started a 'Support Trey Love' page in an effort to help support Trey's parents in this most difficult of times. For more information and for ways you can help, please visit http://www.causes.com/causes/124694 .

Acupuncture for all! Like other types of medicine, acupuncture is not a one time, magic cure all. Acupuncture works best in a series of treatments, as the body needs a little help maintaining balance. Private acupuncture sessions are relatively expensive and this cost prohibits many of us from experiencing the healing powers of this kind of treatment. At Phoenixville Community Acupuncture , we offer acupuncture treatments in a serene, quiet group setting. This group setting lends itself to community acupuncture's affordability, which gives our patients an opportunity to come as often as they wish. Our fee is based on a sliding-scale ranging from $15-$40, with an additional one-time paperwork processing charge of $10 for the first visit. You decide what you can afford within that range. We hold Community acupuncture on Wednesdays (starting April 6th) from 5:00-6:45pm. Joining us anytime between 5:00 and 6:25 will give you plenty of time to enjoy your session. The earlier you ...

On Saturday, March 26th, local drummer Carl Bahner will be teaming up with international touring artist Julie Slick for a concert at the Lighthouse Lounge , 243 Bridge Street. International touring artist Julie Slick (Adrian Belew Power Trio) will be joining forces with local drummer/composer Carl Bahner to perform improvised music deeply rooted in progressive rock. Drawing infuences from funk, jazz, and the avant garde, each performance is unique and memorable. Come see for yourself what this bass and drum duo has in store for you! The all-ages concert begins at 8pm and tickets cost only $8.

Award winning father-son duo Beaucoup Blue will be playing at Steel City Coffee House on Saturday, April 23rd. Beaucoup Blue is the Americana Philadelphia based duo of David and Adrian Mowry. Father and son have been performing their roots based music nationally and internationally as a duo, quartet and on occasion quintet. Bridging many gaps in American music, their soulful traditional and contemporary styles mesh into an innovative and authentic sound. Although blues is a staple in their repertoire, they base their love in music from Folk, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Country and Bluegrass. All these interests and influences come out in their original song-writing in a unique way. A handsome range of instruments like six and twelve string guitars, slide guitar, round neck resonator guitar, combined with two soulful voices, encompasses a rich and honest feel, noticeably influenced by familial ties. Hear for yourself two generations coming together for the common good of great music ever...

On Sat., April 2nd, from 10am to 2pm, St. John’s United Church of Christ , 315 Gay St., Phoenixville, PA, is hosting its annual craft show featuring lots of beautiful homemade items from local crafters. Gift baskets will be raffled off. Baked goods, hotdogs and beverages to be sold with 20% of the proceeds from the sale of the food and drink being split between St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter and One Great Hour of Sharing offering which will possibly go to help the Japanese earthquake/Tsunami victims).

Camphill Village Kimberton Hills Yard Sale: April 13-16 There are treasures to be found at the Camphill Kimberton Spring Yard Sale, April 13-16, 2011. Plan to come and shop and then stay for lunch at the Camphill Café, open Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yard Sale shopping hours are: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. The sale will be adjacent to the Camphill Café at Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, 1601 Pughtown Road , Kimberton , PA. Donations of clean, good quality natural fiber clothing, household items, toys and tools will be gratefully accepted by the side door of the Camphill Craft Shop. Questions? Contact Felicity at 610-935-0350.

On Monday, April 11, the Phoenixville Area Time Bank will be presenting "An Evening with Dr. Edgar Cahn". Please join us for An Evening with Dr. Edgar Cahn, founder of "Time Banking" When: Monday, April 11, at 7pm Where: Phoenixville YMCA 400 E Potthouse Road, Phoenixville, Arts & Crafts Room Dr. Edgar S. Cahn, author and leading innovator in the fields of public interest law, social welfare, racial and juvenile justice, and alternative economies, will be the featured speaker at the Annual Meeting of the Phoenixville Area Time Bank, Monday, April 11, 7 pm, at the Phoenixville YMCA, 400 E. Pothouse Rd, Phoenixville, PA. The event is free and open to the public. Dr. Cahn, who is founder of the internationally acclaimed system of “Time Banking,” began his work during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations where he made his mark in the development of AmeriCorps/ VISTA and legislation for the “War on Poverty.” He currently serves as Distinguished ...

The Phoenixville Public Library is hosting several events over the next several weeks: The Cause of the Rebellion The Spring Speakers & Events Series at Phoenixville Public Library begins with a lecture on “The Cause of the Rebellion”, Thursday, March 17 at 7:00 PM. Historian and professor Roger Arthur will be the speaker. What happened in America that led from an effort “… to form a more perfect union…” to secession, rebellion, and the most destructive war in our history? This lecture answers those questions in tracing the seeds of rebellion to open violence. The Spring Speakers & Events Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Phoenixville Public Library. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. The Greatest Hits of the Civil War: America’s Earliest Professional Songwriters Lecturer and performer Rick Spencer will present “The Greatest Hits of the Civil War: America’s Earliest Professional Songwriters” at Phoenixville Public Library o...

After the long winter, its time to get the kids back outside and exercising. Phoenixville Area Soccer Club is a great option whether your child is an experienced player or just getting started. They have programs for kids as young as three with intramural leagues for kids aged seven to eleven. All programs feature 45 minutes of instruction by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association coaches followed by small sided (generally 3 v. 3) games that get everyone involved. For more information or to register your child, visit their website at pasc1.org . They are also having walk up registrations this Saturday from 9-11am. Registration fees are currently $60 per player but they go up to $80 on March 20th so sign up today!

East of the Hebrides will once again be presenting the Celtic Street Fair in downtown Phoenixville. The fifth annual fair will again feature live music, dancers, vendors and food. Fair will be held on the 200 block of Bridge Street and will run from 10am-5:30pm. For more information including scheduled performers, visit the East of the Hebrides event page .

The annual Sly Fox Bock Festival and Goat Race will be held on Sunday, May 1st. As in years past, the festival will feature various Bock-style beers, a German menu and will culminate with the Goat Race. From the Sly Fox website: The Sly Fox Bock Festival & Goat Race is held on the first Sunday of May every year, rain or shine. It has become one of the Philadelphia region’s favorite beer-focused celebrations, drawing crowds estimated in the 2,500 to 3,000 range to the Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery in Phoenixville in recent years. A German menu is offered to complement what might be the largest offering of bock-style beers by any brewery in the United States at one time. Brewmaster Brian O’Reilly and his crew produce a mouth-watering lineup: Slacker Bock, Helles Bock, Instigator Doppelbock, two Eisbocks (usually Slacker and Instigator) and a Maibock. The day marks the release of the Maibock which is tapped immediately after the race and named in honor of the winner. The fest...

Hog Island Steaks (785 Starr Street - 610.935.HOGI) opened this week in the Acme plaza. They are claiming to be the "home of the area’s best cheesesteaks and 'hoggies,' and the only restaurant in Phoenixville serving authentic Inside Outs". They also have a nice selection of gourmet pizzas, appetizers, salads, and other goodies on the rather extensive menu... For complete story: http://oneninefoursixzero.com/hog-island/

Black Lab Bistro's owner Guy Clauson left a comment regarding the restaurant being for sale and I felt it deserved its own post as Black Lab is one of the anchors of our town: I am the Owner Guy Clauson. Every two years since opening we have listed the restaurant. This is in no way to say the restaurant is sold or even has offers pending. This process would most likely take years if it were to happen and due to our popularity the most probable outcome would be to remain as the Black Lab with the same recipes and concept that has been here over ten years. We have our Spring Menu coming out April 1st and we will begin a weekday prefix 3 course special for $25.00. Also, we will be starting a $10 express lunch special. We are going to continue to give our customers the best food and service we possibly can. Thank You for your patronage. Chef Guy Clauson

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission is hosting a discussion on the 'Economic Value of Open Space' on Tuesday, March 29th. About the discussion: The basic function of the meeting is for people to learn about DVRPC and how they can get involved in the regional planning process as residents of the Delaware Valley. These meetings are part of a series of listening sessions held around the region. Our goal is to reach those in the Greater Philadelphia region to inform them about DVRPC plans and programs and public participation activities, such as membership on the RCC. We hope these meetings will provide an opportunity for a continuing dialogue between the public and DVRPC regarding the most important issues facing the region. In addition, we have a presentation on a recent DVRPC plan, program or study. For the March 29 meeting, Patricia Elkis, DVRPC Director of Comprehensive Planning, will present a recently completed study: The Economic Value of Protected Open ...

Want to lose weight in a fun group competition? The next Phoenixville Weight Loss Challenge begins the week of March 22nd. Only $30 for the 9 week class. Cash prizes to the biggest LOSERS!! Check out www.SmallerSize.com for more details or to register online. Or call 610-283-9368 to register.

Wolfgang Books , which is set to close its doors at the end of the month , is hosting one final event this Saturday when they present author John Reimringer as part of their Writers at Bridge and Main series. Saturday, March 12th @ 3 pm (Steel City Coffee House) One of the legends of Wolfgang Books (and a true one at that) is that the business began with a single book. Rather than go out with a whimper, we'd like to go out with...one book. So we're going to bring in John Reimringer, all the way from St. Paul, Minnesota for the last installment of the Writers at Bridge and Main Series at Steel City Coffee House. John is the author of the recently released Vestments, one of our 2010 books of the year. It is a powerful and compelling story, not to mention expertly written. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is that John writes so well about such a variety of experiences: the legacies of childhood, a pick-up basketball game, high school love and questions of faith...

On Saturday, April 2nd, Phoenixville Area Community Services will be hosting an American Clasics festival. Previously we had mentioned the finale of the festival, the Jerry Blavat Dance Party , and now we have the details about some of the days other events: Street Fair Events Location: 200 Block of Bridge Street in Phoenixville, PA (block closed for street fair) Time: 12:00 noon - 4:30 pm Cost: No admission fee Classic car, truck and street rod show - Participants may vote for their favorites at $1 per vote. For information on entering your classic vehicle, contact Phoenixville Area Community Services at 610-933-1105 or development@pacsphx.org . Children's activities - storytelling with themed costume characters, puppet shows Oldies music, street entertainers and vendors Show Choir Competition Local highschool glee clubs will compete for best performance. Location: The Colonial Theatre - 227 Bridge Street in Phoenixville Time: 2:00 pm Ticket prices: $10...

From our friends at OneNineFourSixZero, The Black Lab Bistro is officially up for sale and it will cost you a cool $875k if you're interested. More details at oneninefoursixzero.com .

Phoenixville Real Estate Developer Manny DeMutis has assembled a committee of people interested bring minor league baseball to Phoenixville. The Committee will examine the feasibility of locating a minor league baseball team in Phoenixville. “We will move forward through this committee to see if it is possible to locate minor league baseball in Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania”, DeMutis stated. The members of the Phoenixville Committee are as follows: Joe Altomonte, Dave Chawaga, Connor Cummins, Manny DeMutis, Adam Deveney, Dave Gautreau, Fred Hubler, Kevin Johnson, Richard Kardon, Ron Knabb, Jim Kovaleski, Dick Kunsch, Julian McCracken, Dave Moskowitz, Marian Moskowitz, Kevin Negandhi, Jim Northcott, Christa Peers, Jim Redding, Steve Welch. Barry Cassidy and Kim Cooley will serve as staff for the committee. The committee will break down into subcommittees to analyze the physical placement of the stadium, financing, ownership and grant pass through vehicles as well as e...

Fresh on the heels of his proposal to develop Lot O of the Steel Site , Manny DeMutis has taken another step towards reviving the now dormant land. He, along with Barry Cassidy, have formed the Phoenixville Baseball Committee, a group 'of civic leaders determined to build a 3,800-seat ballpark on a portion of the 120-acre tract that was once home to the former Phoenix Iron Works company.' From today's Inquirer: DeMutis has enlisted the help of 20 local business owners, residents, and borough officials to assess the feasibility of reinvigorating the old steel site with a ballpark. They hope to be more successful than a similar group that tried to bring a ballpark to West Chester. That effort came to naught earlier this month when West Chester Borough Council rejected the project as too costly. There remain many hurdles to cross before the Phoenixville project is more than a developer's dream, but the work begins Wednesday when the committee meets for the first ti...

The second Annual, Miles for Moms 5k Walk Run to benefit Mom's House of Greater Philadelphia. will take place on Sunday, April 3, 2011, 7:30am at the Phoenixville Area High School. Miles for Moms 5k Second Annual, Miles for Moms 5k Walk Run to benefit Mom's House of Greater Philadelphia. Sunday, April 3, 2011, 7:30AM @ Phoenixville Area High School, 1200 Gay Street, Phoenixville. Sign-In & Registration @ 7:30am, Walk/Run Begins @ 9am 1 Mile Family Fun Run Start following 5K Awards Ceremony @ 10:30am REGISTRATION Individual: $20.00 Kids Pass (12 & under): $10.00 Family Pass (3 or more) $35.00 All proceeds go directly to the support of parents and children who use Mom’s House childcare. AWARDS T-Shirts and Refreshments will be provided for all participants Cash prizes to Top Overall Male and Female 5K Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each age group: 10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+ For more information regarding this event contac...

On Thursday, March 3rd, the Phoenixville Jaycees will be hosting a 'Meet the Jaycees' event at PJ Ryan's Pub from 7-11:30. The event coincides with PJ Ryan's 'First Thursday Comedy Night' and will give you a chance to learn about the Phoenixville Jaycees and how you can give back to the community! For more information, visit their Facebook Event page

The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area will open a new exhibit on the "First Friday" of March (4th). Entitled "Behind the Wooden Door: Secret Societies in the Land of the Phoenix". The exhibit will include photos, documents, and artifacts related to organizations such as the Odd Fellows (IOOF), the Masons, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle which were active in the Phoenixville community over the years. The exhibit will run through May. The Historical Society is located at the corner of Main & Church Streets with entrance on the Church Street side. The office and museum are open Wednesdays and Fridays from 9AM to 3PM, and the first Sunday of every month between 1 and 4PM.