Around Phoenixville

Gateway Pharamacy will be hosting their All Day Madness Event tomorrow, December 11th. The event, their biggest sale of the year, will be held from 8am-10pm and will feature great sales on gift and holiday merchandise, extra special deals like $5 "Grab Bag" Stockings and also a visit from Santa from 12-7pm and Olaf from 4-7pm! For more information, visit their webstie at thegatewaypharmacy.com or on Facebook .

Phoenixville Area Soccer Club (PASC) will unveil a memorial dedicating its field complex in Charlestown Park to its club founder and longtime coach, Alex Gojkovich, Sr. The ceremony will take place at PASC's fields at 12:30 PM on Saturday, October 24. The fields are located at Beulah Heights St & Southwest Ave, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Current and former PASC players, coaches, and club members – and everyone in the local soccer and sports' community – are invited to attend and honor Mr. Gojkovich and share remembrances of the man once called "Mr. Soccer of Phoenixville." Gojkovich, an immigrant from Yugoslavia, had a storied history with the beautiful game. His club soccer career in his native Yugoslavia was halted when he went to serve in World War II. After spending time in a POW labor camp in Germany, Gojkovich went on to stay in West Germany and play professionally for Club Bayern in Munich. Ultimately, Gojkovich preferred playing soccer for fun rather t...

Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) will host its 9th Annual Empty Bowls hunger awareness event and fundraiser on Friday, November 6 from 4:30 to 8:30 at Technical College High School (formerly CAT-Pickering). Come join us for a simple meal of soup and bread as we acknowledge hunger in our midst and raise awareness and funds to feed our neighbors and make a difference in our community. Tickets are $20 and include a pottery bowl for you to keep. Please visit their event page for more information and to order tickets.

This Saturday, October 10th, Madison Westridge Gardens, 970 Township Line Road, is hosting a community yard sale from 8:30-4. The yard sale will have over 25 residents participating and they will be grilling hot dogs starting at 10:00am to raise money for the National Kidney Foundation. For more information, please contact Melanie at 610-935-9122 or by email at pmwestridge@maglp.com .

Gray Magic Wands is an online business run by Phoenixville resident Lane O'Neill. They specialize in hand crafted wooden wands inspired by Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and more. Lane talks a little about his business: I'm a native Eastern PA resident who has lived in and loved Phoenixville for 10 years with my wife and daughter. I've been a tinkering, novice woodworker since High School, but recently got the urge again, specifically, Lathe turning. There's something Zen like in watching a log turn into unique, fantastic shapes, so that's what I decided to focus on, the Fantastic. I love the way children can pick up a stick and have their imaginations take them on a journey. I want to give them a better stick. Magic Wands can turn a boy or girl into a wizard or witch. And add panache to a Halloween or convention, costume. I make varied one-of-kind styles and custom pieces. I also turn wooden Star Wars light sabers and Dr. Who sonic screwdrivers. I...

On Tuesday, August 4th, the Sugar Free Allstars will be playing the Colonial Theatre . Sugar Free Allstars are a Family Funk super duo from Oklahoma City. Chris “Boom!” Wiser and Rob “Dr. Rock” Martin joined forces in 2001 and quickly gained a following with a high-energy live show that has been described as a hip-shaking, head-bopping, southern-based explosion of fun for all ages. Sugar Free Allstars are among the ‘Top 12 Family Music Artists in America’ according to Time magazine. They’ve had two #1 songs on SiriusXM radio’s ‘Kids Place Live,’ and in 2012 were featured on a Grammy Award-winning album. The show begins at 10:30 and tickets are $6.50 (free for children under 3). For more information, including links to some of their videos and tickets, visit http://thecolonialtheatre.com/programs/sugar-free-allstars/ .

Laura Prell has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help feed 108 families a real meal. Laura is working with the St. Peter's Church Food Bank and estimates it costs $20 to provide a family a real meal and is thus hoping to raise $2160. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. From the campaign page: The idea of feeding 108 families a real meal with real food started a long time ago, but last year, I was reminded of this idea, when I was putting my food away after coming home from food shopping. Not everything would fit in my fridge and I was annoyed. Then I felt like someone smacked me in the face... I have too much food and it won't fit in my fridge... I am so blessed that I have never known hunger a day in my life. I knew I wanted to do something that showed how grateful I am for that. My husband and I, have always donated to food banks at the holidays, but we wanted to do more, make it more of a monthly reminder of how good we have it. We started b...

This Sunday, June 28th, the Schuylkill Canal Association will be hosting its 32nd Canal Day. For the last 32 years people have been gathering on the last Sunday in June to support and celebrate Schuylkill Canal Park, with Canal Day. This year the Schuylkill Canal Association has added a Beer Garden that will be serving Sly Fox beer at the St. Michael’s Pavilion. Also new this year is a Civil War Camp Reenactment with tours and stories of the great conflict. While adults will be able to enjoy a cold beer on a summer’s day, kids will remain the main focus. Fishing poles will be available for children 12 years old and under who want to participate in the Kid’s Fishing Derby between 9:30-10:00. Popular rides such as the Orbitron and the Bungee Bounce will be back again this year along with Kid’s Crafts, Games, Face Painting and Story Tellers. Kids are also welcome to help the Locktender open Lock 60 and listen to the lively narrative of the Locktender. The Schuylkill Trail Run wi...

Revolutionary Puppets , a new puppet company based out of Phoenixville, has three performances this summer, the first of which is this weekend. From their website: Hello Revolutionaries! We are Revolutionary Puppets, a puppet theater based in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. We offer live, fun, highly interactive shows the first Saturday of every month at St. John's Lutheran Church, 355 St. John's Circle in Phoenixville. Every show is a different combination of short sketches, songs, and lots and lots of audience interation. Our shows have a little something for all ages, so come join the revolution Shows will be held June 6, July 4 and August 1. All three will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 355 St. John's Circle. Tickets are $7 per person, regardless of age, or only $25 for a family of four! For more information, visit revolutionarypuppets.com

On Wednesday May 13, 2015, in conjunction with the Dogwood Festival , the Kimberton Area Lions Club will be hosting KidSight, a Lions' vision screening program for pre-school children. The screening will take place between the hours of 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Parkside United Church of Christ on the corner of Main Street and Third Avenue in Phoenixville, across from the Dogwood Festival location (Reeves Park) and will be conducted by trained specialists. This is a free service provided by the Kimberton Area Lions Club. What is KidSight? KidSight is an initial screening program for eye problems in preschool children. If a screening reveals a potential issue, the child should be referred to an appropriate eye care professional. Children are screened for lazy eye and possible depth perception conditions.

Yumi Kendall, Assistant Principal Cellist of The Philadelphia Orchestra, will give a Benefit Concert for the Lyre Association of North America on Friday, May 8, 2015, 8 pm, at Camphill Village Kimberton Hills , located at 1601 Pughtown Road in Phoenixville, PA. Pianist Sheila P. Johns and The East Coast Lyre Ensemble will accompany Yumi on several selections, including two pieces arranged by Veronika Roemer for lyre ensemble and cello – Saint-Saens' The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals and the Rachmaninoff Vocalise. The lyrists, who are coming together from seven states to support the fundraiser, will also offer a special piece written for the modern lyre. The Lyre Association is raising funds to support the Sixth International Lyre Conference, to be held this summer in Detroit, Michigan. A primary goal of the conference, entitled “The Lyre as Instrument For Peace,” is to build community and help develop capacities for meaningful interaction, giving ear toward understandi...

“Challenging the Money Monoculture” will be the theme of a talk by Dr. Edgar S. Cahn, the beloved founder of the internationally acclaimed system of “Time Banking,” when he and his wife Dr. Christine Gray appear at the Annual Meeting of the Phoenixville Area Time Bank (PATB), Sunday, May 3, starting at 7 p.m. at St Peter's Episcopal Church, 121 Church St, Phoenixville, PA. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available starting at 6:30 pm. Dr. Cahn, Chairman of the Board and CEO of TimeBanksUSA , is an author and leading innovator in the fields of public interest law, social welfare, racial and juvenile justice and alternative economies. He 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 Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of the District of Columbia School of Law. Dr. Cahn’s book No...

Reader Dan E. recently wrote in with an idea on how to ease congestion on Valley Rd/White Horse. We would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. And if any of you have an in w/ PennDot or the borough, please send them this link to see if they can weigh in. Over to Dan:

From eastpikeland.org : Rapps Dam Bridge UPDATE (as of 4/21/15) PennDOT has awarded a contract for repair of the Rapps Dam Covered Bridge, which has been closed since April 29, 2014. The contractor has been authorized to begin purchasing materials and the construction work will begin on May 26, 2015. The contractor has been given 6 weeks to complete the project. Check back here for periodic updates.

Phoenixville Area Soccer Club (PASC) is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Pryor to its staff of coaches in the role of Director of Coaching. Michael brings enthusiasm and experience to the position, and begins his tenure overseeing Fall Travel tryouts next week. "It's my responsibility to ensure that each player's development is our top priority," says Pryor. "One of my favorite parts of coaching is watching players develop a love for the game that is everlasting. I feel that the memories made and the relationships formed are as important as the soccer skills learned." Pryor's coaching credentials include his role as Academy Director at Total Soccer, Asst Coach at Wilkes University, and Head Coach at Wyoming Area High School, in addition to coaching locally. His playing experience includes club ball at Wyoming Valley Soccer Club (1998-2005), high school soccer at Coughlin High School (2002-2004), and college soccer at West Chester Univers...

On Sunday, April 26, Iron Cross Athletics will be hosting a free community workout. The class, being held from 11:15-12:00pm (check-in at 11), is open to anyone/everyone in the local community! Individuals of all fitness backgrounds and abilities are welcome, no prior CrossFit experience is needed! Kids must be at least 12 years old. Class size is limited to the first 20 people to register. To sign up or ask questions, email Nikki at ironcrossathletics@gmail.com or give them a call at 203-558-7281. Iron Cross Athletics is is located at 723 Wheatland St, Phoenixville PA. For more information, visit them on the web at iron-cross-athletics.com .

On Saturday, March 28th, Hickory Springs Pet Farm will be hosting an Easter Celebration. The event will be held from 10am-1pm and will feature pictures with the Easter Bunny, goodies and giveaways. Hickory Springs Pet Farm, 1095 Pike Springs Rd, Phoenixville, is a family-owned and operated cat and dog kennel nestled on 16 acres in the beautiful rolling hills of northern Chester County. They offer boarding, daycare, grooming and training services. For more information, please visit them at hickoryspringsfarm.com .

Kimberton Waldorf School , the second-oldest Waldorf school in North America, serving approximately 300 students from early childhood through grade twelve, is pleased to announce an outdoor, nature-based kindergarten program beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year. In the new Forest, Field, and Farm Kindergarten, the “classroom" is the school’s breathtaking 430-acre campus, with its rolling hills, farm and gardens, conservation trail, bubbling creeks, and wooded areas. Held outdoors, this program encourages children to play, explore, and immerse themselves in the natural environment — giving them the opportunity to use their imaginations, develop critical thinking skills, stretch their muscles, and hone their motor skills. The curriculum grows out of the ever-changing environment. The children are busy working in the garden, observing animals, witnessing changes in the land, crafting, and playing in nature’s playground. These kinds of activities develop a deep sense of wonder...

On Saturday, March 28th, the Great American Pub & Hotel (148 Bridge St) will be hosting a Murder-Mystery dinner to support PACS (Phoenixville Area Community Services) . Visit a Recipe for Muder for more information and for tickets.

On Saturday, February 21st, the Spring-Ford Music Association is hosting a Rock the Runway Prom Preview Fashion Show. This fundraiser will feature 'students, teachers and mystery models ... modeling the latest Spring and prom fashions from local retailers and designers'. In addition to the fashion show, they will have a vendor showcase, door prizes, a 50/50 and raffle prizes. A portion of ticket profits sold by music students will be contributed directly to their Student Point Account, the remaining portion will go to the SFMA to help support the music efforts throughout the district. For more information and to order tickets, visit the SFMA at springfordmusic.org .

Iron Cross Athletics , home of CrossFit Phoenixville, is starting a kids program aptly called ICA Kids. The five week long session begins on Sunday, January 25th and is open to kids 7-12 years old. From their blog : Finally! ICA Kids is coming in two weeks! ICA Kids sessions are taught in the same structured environment you’re used to and are led by Karen (Sarge). Each ICA Kids session is five weeks long, and classes are scheduled at 9am on Sundays. Our first session will begin on Sunday, January 25th and will be offered to kids ages 7-12. Classes will be about 45 minutes in length, and during each class, we will warm up (usually by playing a game), complete a kid’s WOD, and finish by working on a skill. The five week session costs $75, and space is limited to 10 kids, with a minimum of 4. If you have questions, contact Sarge. To sign up, talk to John or Nikki next time you’re at the gym. Looking forward to kicking this off in the new year! (Class dates are 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, ...

On Saturday, January 17, Rapidough Pizza Pies in the Providence Town Center, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, will host what they're calling a kick off to THE YEAR OF THE PIZZA . "It's a new year and it's an opportunity for everyone to discover the best pizza ever," offers Nick Farrell, partner in the unique restaurant. Rapidough Pizza Pies opened in April with a restaurant model boasting offerings that are better than fast. In fact, when customers enter Rapidough Pizza Pies, they build custom pies, delicious calzones and fresh salads on an easy-to-use iPad interface and they're enjoying delicious gourmet food about five minutes later. "People appreciate fast but they also desire quality," adds Nick's brother, Tom Farrell. "We knew there was a way to deliver both and to do it with food that everyone loves." People do love pizza and that's why Rapidough Pizza Pies– whose tagline is Best. Pizza. Ever. –decided to celebrate 2015 as...