Filmmaker Josh Fox Coming To Franklin Commons To Screen And Discuss His Film Gasland

Award-winning and Oscar-nominated documentary film “Gasland” and filmmaker Josh Fox comes to Franklin Commons September 7th at 6:00 pm. Exploring the urgent issue of the dangers of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), the event will feature discussion between Fox, state legislators, and the public, as well as a screening of the film.

Fracking is a means of natural gas extraction that involves millions of gallons of water, sand, and undisclosed chemicals being injected under high pressure into the ground. 80-100 tons of chemicals are used per frack and scientists have identified known carcinogens, such as Benzene, among these substances.

The evening begins at 6:00 pm with an hour of dinner and drinks (BYOB). Seating is limited and tickets may be ordered now via email to lisa@consultcts.com. Your $35 donation purchases a ticket for the entire evening's events.

Starting at 7:00 pm, Fox and state legislators will be invited to take part in a panel discussion, followed by a Q&A, and then a screening of “Gasland.” Reservations for this portion are also limited and tickets may be purchased for a donation of $10.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Protecting Our Waters, a Philadelphia-based grassroots alliance committed to protecting the Delaware River Basin, the state of Pennsylvania, and our region from unconventional gas drilling and other threats to our drinking water, environment, and public health.

Franklin Commons is located at 400 Franklin Ave, Phoenixville, PA 19460.

Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area Hosting Two New Events in September

This September, the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area will be hosting two events.

Military Timeline - September 10

Location: 204 Church Street, Phoenixville PA 19460
Sponsor: The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area
Time: 10 AM to 3 PM
Contact: 610-935-7646

The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area will sponsor its second Military Timeline on Saturday, September 10th from 10 AM to 3 PM. What's a military timeline? It's a living history program featuring military re-enactors dressed in historical garb who interact with the public to explain the time period they are depicting and explain their uniforms, equipment and weapons. This free event will be held on the lawn of the Historical Society. Coordinated by Ryan Conroy, re-enactors will cover from the Revolutionary War to the modern era. Also present will be speakers who will give special talks at 11 AM, 1 PM and 2 PM under a tent on the lawn. The Museum will be open during the same hours and features a special exhibit on Phoenixville and the Civil War.

Historical Society Annual Banquet - September 21

Featured Speakers: The Tuskegee Airmen
Location: Spring Hollow Golf Club, 3350 Schuylkill Rd., Spring City, PA 19475
Sponsor: The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area
Time: 6 PM
Contact: 610-935-7646

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. The American military and federal government were racially segregated during WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen were subject to racial discrimination, both within and outside the Armed Forces. Despite these adversities, they trained and flew with distinction. The story of these brave patriots needs to be told, and the rare opportunity to hear this story as told by one of the original Airmen, is available for anyone who lives history. The Historical Society banquet will be held at Spring Hollow Golf Club at 6:00 PM on September 21st, 2011. The cost for the talk is $40 and includes choice of dinner entrée. Please contact The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area at 610-935-7646 or email hspa@verizon.net for an invitation. Reservations must be received by September 14th.

Author of New Book on Richie Ashburn to Speak at Phoenixville Public Library

Bruce Mowday, co-author of the new book, Richie Ashburn – Why the Hall Not?: The Amazing Journey to Cooperstown, will speak at Phoenixville Public Library on Monday, September 19 at 7:00 PM. Richie Ashburn has been called the “most beloved athlete” in Philadelphia history. In their book, Bruce Mowday and Jim Donahue tell the uplifting, true story of Ashburn’s kindness to a young fan who later returns the favor to help the star athlete get into the Hall of Fame.

A former sportswriter, local author Mowday has written more than a dozen books on local history. Copies of his new book will be available to purchase and have signed.

The Fall Speakers & Events Series is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Phoenixville Public Library.

This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 610-933-3013 x32 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org. Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA.

From Everest to Antarctica Adventure Film Fest at the Colonial 10/1/11

On Saturday, October 1, 2011 the Colonial Theatre will host From Everest to Antarctica, a cinematic journey from the heroic age of exploration to the present day. Four documentary films featuring legendary explorers such as Shackleton, Hillary and Tenzing will be presented by Everest summiteer Paul Deegan. Joining Paul by video link from the UK will be expedition leader Felicity Aston. Felicity will be discussing her latest film, Call of the White, which tells the story of eight women from seven countries – some of whom had never seen snow – who attempted to ski to the South Pole in 2009. Call of the White will receive its US premiere at this event. Tickets start at $10. They can be purchased via www.phoenixvilleadventure.com or by calling 610.917.1228.

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College Planning Workshop at Phoenixville Public Library

If you or someone you know has a student who will attend college in the next few years, or even next year, you are invited to attend a free one-hour “College Planning Workshop” at Phoenixville Public Library on Thursday, September 1 at 7:00 PM. David Kay of Advanced College Planning Solutions will be the speaker. Attendees will learn: specific keys to potentially save tens of thousands of dollars on a 4-year college education; how to accurately compare schools, public vs. private; and how to structure your finances to minimize out-of-pocket costs and maximize financial aid. Specific college saving strategies will be reviewed for parents of high schoolers in any grade level.

The Fall Speakers & Events Series is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Phoenixville Public Library. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 610-933-3013 x32 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org. Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA.

Forge Theatre Celebrates 50 Years of Community Theatre in Phoenixville

Forge Theatre's 2011-2012 season celebrates fifty years of providing quality, year-round live theatrical entertainment to the Phoenixville community. Located at 241 First Avenue in Phoenixville, Forge offers a repertory of six productions a year. Forge's ongoing mission is to enrich and entertain the community by providing a superior theatre experience. Each show in the upcoming 50th anniversary season, which begins September 2011 and runs through June of 2012, was performed at Forge Theatre during the past five decades and interesting anecdotes about each show and its director are available on the Forge Theatre website, www.forgetheatre.org.

The 50th Anniversary Season opens with "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" in September, followed by the musical "Cabaret" which runs November 4 through December 3. January of 2012 will feature "Don't Drink The Water" with "On Golden Pond" coming in March. April's production will be "The Heiress", and the final production of the 50th Anniversary Season will feature the musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" in June.

Major renovations are underway to the historic Forge Theatre building in preparation for the 50th season. There will also be a gala celebration held September 30 and October 1 for past and present members, season ticket holders, and donors to the building fund project.

Many Broadway and television stars got their start at Forge Theatre and have sent congratulatory messages to the theatre family. A video presentation featuring those who have gone on "From Forge to Fame" will be featured at the 50th Gala Celebration.

Season tickets are available for the entire season and individual show tickets may be purchased either by telephoning 610-935-1920 or from the Forge Theatre website. Information on show dates, times, pricing and audition information is available on Forge Theatre's website www.forgetheatre.org.

Beach Party Theme for Tonight's First Friday

Hard to believe its already August but that means another First Friday! Tonight there will be a Beach Party theme to the festivities and there will be the usual special events at shops and restaurants throughout town. In addition, live music on the Main Stage will be provided by 52nd Street, a Billy Joel cover band. So come out, enjoy the great weather and support the downtown!

Annual Camphill Cycling Event to Benefit Children and Adults with Special Needs Being Held Sunday, October 16th

Camphill communities in Chester County will host the fifth annual Camphill Challenge cycling event on Sunday, October 16. Camphill Special School , Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, and Camphill Soltane provide life sharing and educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Three Camphill communities in Chester County will benefit from the Camphill Challenge, set for October 16. Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, Camphill Soltane and Camphill Special School provide life sharing and educational opportunities for children and adults with special needs.

In just five years the Challenge has grown from twelve cyclists to over 300. The bike ride begins and ends at Kimberton Waldorf School in Kimberton this year and offers 50, 25, and 10-mile courses for all ages and ability levels. A special Family Fun Ride will take riders to Beaver Farm, a working farm with livestock that is part of Camphill Special School .

Cyclists will travel through Chester County during peak autumn foliage with beautiful views of horse farms, historic homes, and covered bridges. A picnic and live music will round out the day.

Proceeds of the Camphill Challenge benefit the three Camphill communities in Chester County . For more information about the Camphill Challenge, to register for the ride, or become a sponsor, contact Bernadette Kovaleski at 610-935-8660, Bernadette@camphillkimberton.org or visit camphillchallenge.org. For more information on Camphill Kimberton, visit www.camphillkimberton.org.

August & September Films and Special Events at the Colonial

The Colonial Theatre has something for everyone during the months of August and September. Featured films starring Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Altman, cult classics like Jaws, the Children's Summer Series and several other special events, including the return of TEDxPhoenixville, means they surely have something for everyone.

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Phoenixville Steel Site gets conditional use approval from Phoenixville Borough Council

From the Phoenix Steel Site blog:

Phoenixville Borough Council Borough Council gave unanimous approval to the proposed downtown development in project, which when complete, will bring new retail development to the downtown. The Council approved by a 7-0 vote, with Dana Dugan not in attendance, to approve the development which features 80,000 square feet of retail, 275 apartments and 30,000 square feet of office space.

The two hour meeting had the council members questioning how the development would mesh into the downtown. Concerns were voiced as how the development would impact the fire safety of the borough, the way finding program and the street music program. The development was also praised by developers as a progressive attempt on behalf of the borough to spur development at the abandoned Phoenix Steel site property.

Developer Manny DeMutis and attorney Michael B. Murray presented the plan and praised the boroughs efforts to make the project happen by offering a LERTA tax abatement project. "The LERTA was a big deal when it came to planning the project" he said, "In the days of very competitive financing arrangements the borough took a big step by saying you are open for business by offering the LERTA" he added.

The project calls for a new street to be constructed along the French Creek which will be bound by Ashland and Main Streets, the project will fill the 400 linear foot gap on the north side of Bridge Street between 101 Bridge and the Phoenix Cycle Shop. "This will complete the streetscape on the 100 block of Bridge Street. We are replicating the Iron Hill development which we completed in 2006 with historically sensitive infill development." DeMutis said.

The project will differ from others as the residential component will be rental and the commercial units will be for sale. "We will be offering the retail units for sale to ensure that many of the retailers will be able to purchase the retail space and remain part of the Phoenixville community for years to come", DeMutis stated. "We will be seeking to locate and organic food market with perhaps a direct farm to shelve retail connection by utilizing partnerships with some of the local farmers. We will attempt to fill the gaps that are located in the downtown mix.", he concluded.

Local Business Spotlight: Passion for Fitness

Passion for Fitness - A Lifestyle, Not a Program

Passion for Fitness, located at 139 Nutt Road in the heart of Phoenixville, offers full service, personalized fitness training. Three key components are at the core of owner Joe Ransom's high success rate with clients throughout the Chester County area: weight training, nutrition, and cardiovascular exercise, with an equal emphasis on all three.

What sets Passion for Fitness apart from other gyms? Attention to their clients. “We give each client a specific, structured plan tailored to their personal goals,” says Joe, “We stay right behind them all the way with positive encouragement and practical advice. We never sign clients up and leave them to do it themselves. We consistently reevaluate their plan and push them to stay on track.” Joe and his team of highly qualified trainers, who work side by side with each client at every work-out, have helped clients lose 150 to 200 pounds in some cases, as
well as successfully helped clients lose that last ten, difficult pounds and change the entire look of their body. Whatever your fitness goal - whether it's weight loss, wanting to get fit, or simply wanting to be healthy – Passion for Fitness has the strength to make it happen.

Passion for Fitness
139 Nutt Road
Phoenixville, PA 19460
www.Passion-For-Fitness.com
second location also in Exton, PA

Tomorrow Night is National Night Out

From The Phoenix this weekend:

Phoenixville will be one of 15,500 communities to participate in National Night Out on Aug. 2.

The national event was started in 1984 and has grown throughout the years, according to NNO’s website, www.nationalnightout.org.

According to NNO, the purpose of the event is “to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.”

In Phoenixville, community members can choose from three locations for NNO.

Town Watch is coordinating two of the NNO events. One will be held at Andre Thornton Park and the other is at Reeves Park. The Town Watch’s NNO will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.

Royal Bank America is hosting its NNO event from 6 to 9 p.m. at its Phoenixville location, 808 Valley Forge Road.

Town Watch President Michael Hill said there will be a grill pit at Andre Thornton Park. Food will be available from Bridgeside Deli and Grille. Alexsolre Mobile DJ will be playing some tunes.

Attendees can meet officers from the Phoenixville Police Department at both of the parks. Children can get their faces painted during NNO. The State Farm Safety Bear will also be in attendance.

Source: The Phoenix