What do today’s Happy Hour, Food Drive & DECA all have in common?
The answer is simple: bringing people together.
Today’s Happy Hour is from 5-7 pm at Rich Ranieri’s Flooring and Carpeting at 218 E. High Street. Check out what this 30-year-old business has to offer in the way of quality flooring and paints! But before you head out the door, or while you’re on the way over, please consider picking up a jar of peanut butter, a can of tuna, a box of cereal, a canned good, or a bottle of laundry detergent for the “Fill the Media Lab” food drive, spearheaded by The Mercury, and being supported by the entire region. There will be a collection box at the Happy Hour for your items. Let’s make a decent showing!
Now, you might be wondering: What does this have to do with DECA? You might also be wondering: What the heck is DECA?? Evan Brandt’s blog post this morning at his awesome blog, Digital Notebook, will give you that answer. Lindsey Havyer, a Pottstown High School student, placed 6th in the 61st Annual State Career Development Conference held recently in Hershey. Her winning project was a community service project, where she organized a group of students to clean up downtown Pottstown on weekends between May and July 2011. Her strong finish earned her a chance to compete at the national competition in Utah this spring. But she needs $1200 to get there. She’s already cutting costs by traveling with a team from Pottsgrove.
Because Lindsey brought her classmates together in service to their town, the Pottstown Downtown District Authority (PDIDA) is taking up a collection from the downtown merchants so they can give back, not only to Lindsey, but to future students who focus their efforts on the downtown. PDIDA would like to establish an annual scholarship that recognizes those students.
What does this have to do with today’s Happy Hour? Because I got an awesome deal on the food for today’s event from Craig and Susan Bolinger of The Ice House, Positively Pottstown will be donating the difference to PDIDA to support Lindsey, who must raise her travel funds by March 28th. Donations can also be sent to the PDIDA Office at 17 N Hanover St. There’s no time to waste!
So… in addition to collecting food items for the food drive, we’ll also take donations for Lindsey Havyer’s travel fund.
Thanks to everyone in advance for coming together to support each other and what’s best about our community. All of this, by the way, is a perfect example of the spirit of the Buy Local philosophy of our very own local radio station, WBZH, The Buzz, 1370 AM. More on that in an upcoming post… stay tuned!
* From Evan’s Digital Notebook: “If in the midst of this, you’ve been asking yourself, “just what the heck is DECA anyway?” You’re not alone.
It is apparently an acronym for Distributive Education Clubs of America, although finding that information on the organization’s web site proved nigh impossible (thank you Google).”
Thank you, Evan!
FREE faculty music recital this Sunday evening at Tri-PAC
A FACULTY RECITAL AT THE TRI-PAC
If you’re a music lover with eclectic tastes, we know where you should be at 7 PM on Sunday, March 18 – the Tri-County Performing Arts Center at 245 E. High Street in Pottstown! That’s when the teachers who offer private lessons year-round at the Tri-PAC hold their annual Faculty Recital. It’s a high-quality musical potluck, and admission is FREE (but of course donations are welcome). Opera, Pop, Classical, Jazz, and instrumentals all are on tap. Laugh, sigh, clap and be enthralled with the virtuosity! It’s all in the intimate Newberry Loft setting, so arrive early – there is limited unreserved seating.
Lillian Hellman’s Toys in the Attic now showing at Tri-PAC
Please check out the Tri-PAC‘s press release below regarding their current show, Toys in the Attic, written by Lillian Hellman. (Photos courtesy of Tri-PAC.)
We just observed International Women’s Day on March 8. On that day, Lillian Hellman’s exquisitely written drama, Toys in the Attic, opened at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center is located at 245 E. High Street in Pottstown. Many readers perhaps haven’t heard of this award-winner (New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play). That could be because Toys isn’t performed often (it really challenges actors). Or maybe it’s because Hellman has been described as “America’s most significant woman playwright of the twentieth century.” What if, instead, Hellman were described as one of America’s most significant playwrights, period? Would we be seeing more of her plays more often?
Critics debate whether Hellman should be considered in the same breath as Arthur Miller or Tennessee Williams. Also debated is the position of Toys in the Attic in the Hellman universe. Many critics consider it her best. When it was revived by New York’s Pearl Theater in 2007, its director, Austin Pendleton, who knew Hellman, described Toys to The New York Times as his favorite among her plays, comparing it to Chekhov. “It’s the most personal, very mysterious and very charged. And it has some of the most extraordinary language I’ve ever heard onstage,” Pendleton said. 
The Little Foxes, considered Hellman’s most popular play, was performed 410 times in its original Broadway run. Through 1960-1961, Toys in the Attic, originally starring Jason Robards, Maureen Stapleton, Anne Revere and Irene Worth, played 456 times. Reviews at the time reflected diversity of opinion. Two legendary reviewers:
“…not the greatest play in the world, it is head and shoulders above the level of the season, and it provides opportunities for some extraordinary acting.” Brooks Atkinson, The New York Times
“Toys in the Attic binds us to it, with a cold, serpentine grace that is born of a clear head, a level eye, and a fierce respect for the unchanging color of the precisely used word.” Walter Kerr, The New York Herald Tribune
The cast for this production includes Andrea Frassoni (Carrie), Leena Devlin (Anna), John Jerbasi (Julian), Elise D’Alleva (Lily), Deborah Snow (Albertine), Jabbar Wright (Gus), Lee Leagiton (Henry), Philip Seader (Taxi Driver and Delivery Man), Carl Durr (Delivery Man).
Performances at the Tri-PAC run Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays 3 PM through March 25th. Ticket prices range from $13 to $21 depending on showtime and age. Tickets may be purchased at www.tripac.org, or at the door the night of the show if available. As always, there are discounts for groups of 10 or more. Check our website, or call the theater at 610-970-1199 for more information. PARENTAL GUIDANCE IS SUGGESTED FOR THIS SHOW.
There is plenty of excitement ahead, with “Farragut North”, performances by the Melange Contemporary Dance Company and the Senior Follies, all leading up to our June musical “Hairspray”. There’s something for everyone at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center!
Village Productions is a dynamic performing arts organization founded in 2001 by a dedicated team of performing artists, arts educators, and area residents who dreamed of creating new and highly accessible performing arts opportunities for the community. Village Productions seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and educational opportunities geared toward a diverse audience. You may contact Village Productions through their website at www.tripac.org, or by telephone at 610-970-1199.
Soroptimists of Pottstown bring Ceili Rain to Sunnybrook for St. Patrick’s Day
Are your St. Patrick’s Day plans still up in the air? The Soroptimist International of Pottstown is presenting an Irish Extravaganza this Saturday, March 17th at Sunnybrook Ballroom beginning at 7 pm. The evening will feature dancing, dancers, a 50/50, music, and food as well as the sounds of Ceili Rain. Their website describes their music as: “an original, innovative blend of pop-rock music with a dash of Celtic/Irish flavor and a subtle, but sincere, uplifting/joyful message.”
If you’re wondering how to pronounce their name and what it means, this is also from their website: “Ceili” is pronounced Kay-lee, and it means “party,” specifically with music, dancing and merriment. It’s also a Latin form of the word for “heaven.” Put together with “Rain,” it is a “downpour of heavenly partiness.” You gotta love that!
(Photo from Ceili Rain website.)
Details: All are welcome!! Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 North Sunnybrook Rd. Pottstown, PA 19464. Ticket Price: 25.00 For Tickets or Information Call: Butsy McElroy (610) 323-3230 Tickets also available at: Warrick Jewelers, 251 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 (610) 323-4493 Bookkeeping Services LLC, 228 E. High St. Suite 200, Pottstown, PA 19464 (610) 323-3230
Computer glitches and catching up
It’s been kinda hard to blog lately. My laptop is in the shop for an overhaul after a virus put some major systems in a closed and impenetrable loop. (I’m typing this on a netbook, squinting at the screen, trying to keep my fingers from tripping over each other.) The good news is that it’s on the mend and I should be re-united with it before the end of the day.
On top of that, though, I’ve been inundated with requests to post the news of community groups, local businesses, churches, nonprofits, and arts organizations. There is so much good news and fun stuff to do around here that I am actually being overwhelmed by it; I’m just one person doing this in my “spare” time, while juggling several other activities and life itself. Of course, all the good news is not a bad thing! Except that it is frustrating not getting the info out in a timely way. This morning I sent out a post about a Motown Review on March 24th and then was notified by a reader that it had been cancelled. I don’t ever want to create confusion for the readers of Positively Pottstown!
I will now try to pull a “Roy”* and get a lot of info out in the next hour or so. I may never be truly “caught up,” but I’m going to give it a try! Thanks for hanging in there.
* This is my shout-out to Roy Keeler of Roy’s Rants and Progress Pennsylvania. He often sends out his blog posts in a flurry; he just keeps pumping the information out there.
Arts scene in downtown Pottstown this weekend
The arts scene in downtown Pottstown is blossoming, and you’ve got your pick this weekend.
Get your tickets now for Toys in the Attic at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center at 245 High Street. The show opened last night and will run Thursdays through Sundays until March 25th. Toys in the Attic is an award-winning drama from the brilliant and tempestuous Lillian Hellman. Written in 1960, it unfolds like it’s today with explorations of greed, envy, economic struggle, deceit and so many skeletons in the closet. This is a chance to see a live performance where the actors say one thing, mean something else, and yet make the difference clear to the audience. Toys in the Attic will play in the Tri-PAC’s black box theater; to add even more intensity, it istaged in-the-round, practically bringing the audience into the living room of this family. For tickets, visit www.tripac.org. Or call 610.970.1199. Student, Senior discounts available. Groups welcome and there are discounts for 10 or more tickets. Need help arranging your group visit? Give them a call!
Local and international pop artist James Enders has got a spring exhibition, Once Upon a Time, at Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine this Saturday at 6 pm. Enjoy free food and drinks, check out the work of this local artist, see and be seen! Juan Carlos is at 235 East High Street, just a few doors away from the TriPAC. Why not check out James’ show before going to see Toys in the Attic?
Also downtown on Saturday night is the opening reception for photographer Karl McWherter‘s exhibit at MOSAIC Community Land Trust‘s gallery at 10 S. Hanover Street. This reception coincides with MOSAIC’s Open Mic from 7-11 pm. Stop by to meet Karl and check out his haunting images, splashed with color, of an abandoned school in Philadelphia. Also, if you’re a writer, poet, musician, singer, juggler or whatever, come perform for friends. I’ll be there to read from my memoir-in-progress. Participants have up to 20 minutes to do their thing. The last event drew 40 people. This is your chance to take center stage!
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This Sunday, March 11 at 4 pm you can hear CANTATICA, a professional chamber ensemble that is the artist in residence at Emmanuel Lutheran church at 150 N. Hanover Street in Pottstown. On March 11th they will be presenting CABARET SONGS: CLASSICAL AND CLASSIC., TICKETS are available at the door. They are $12 Adults – $10 Seniors – $8 Students .. For INFORMTATION/RESERVATIONS email info@cantatica.org or call 484-951-5113
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Gallery School needs your online vote!
Dear friends,
The Gallery School of Pottstown and The Pottstown Memorial Regional Cancer Center, a division of Fox Chase Cancer Center, have applied for a grant from the LiveStrong Foundation to expand their Healing Arts program. THEY NEED YOUR VOTE TO GET THE FUNDS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
The Gallery School has teamed up with The Pottstown Memorial Regional Cancer Center to offer a Healing Arts Program that uses different art forms, group discussions, and creative workshops to help patients explore the person they want to be or used to be in the context of their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The Artist in Residence program will expand on what is currently being offered and would improve patient perception of their own well-being. But they need your vote. It’s easy to do.
Online voting began on March 7th and runs through March 23rd. Just as the Pottstown area kicks cancer’s butt in fundraising for Relay for Life, let’s rally for this Healing Arts Program, lead the way, and click away. That’s all it takes – a few clicks – to cast your vote.
Here’s the link: http://vote.livestrong.org/vote2012/regions/5/
Please don’t hesitate to forward this to spread the word, and thank you in advance for supporting the healing power of the arts for those who are battling cancer in our community.
Area food drive picking up speed
The “Fill the Media Lab” food pantry drive being conducted by The Mercury, The Sanatoga Post, other Post newspapers, and area bloggers who are part of The Mercury’s Town Square, is kicking into high gear. New businesses keep coming forward to offer their location as a drop-off point for donations of food and laundry detergent.
Residential and commercial real estate attorney Andrew Monastra has joined the local fight against hunger by offering his office at 740 E. High Street in Pottstown as a drop-off location between the hours of 8:30 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Food collected there, as well as at Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches (in the Farmers’ Market), is going to the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities. During the first week of the food drive, Grumpy’s collected 117 food items and 15 bottles of laundry detergent.* Grumpy’s is also making a matching donation for everything they collect.
Andrew Monastra’s office is down near the post office in Pottstown; it’s that beautiful Grand Review Building. Andrew is always finding a new way to support the efforts of area non-profits. His Heartland Abstract title company makes a donation from each real estate transaction to either MOSAIC Community Land Trust, The Gallery School of Pottstown, or The Carousel. Please consider contacting Andrew Monastra for your next real estate transaction!
In other “Fill the Media Lab” news, The Sanatoga Post reported today that Zuber Realty (2117 E. High Street) has become the latest donation drop-off spot in Lower Pottsgrove Township, joining Pottsgrove High School (1345 Kauffman Rd.) and Chesmont Storage (1500 Industrial Hwy.)
* I’ve got a photo of the food collected, but I’m having “technical difficulties” with my camera. 😦 Will post photos as soon as I can!
Next Happy Hour on March 16th at Ranieri’s Carpet & Flooring downtown!
This month’s party is in the heart of the downtown! Join the gathering on Friday, March 16th from 5-7 pm at Rich Ranieri’s, established in Pottstown since 1980. The $5 cover will get you appetizers from the Icehouse; beverages are complimentary.
RSVP NOW!
positivelypottstown@gmail.com
BUY LOCAL!
Rich Ranieri’s Carpet & Flooring, Paint & Wallpaper
Icehouse
King & Manatawny Streets
Pottstown, PA 19464
Positively Pottstown blog 