The Gallery School of Pottstown and the Pottstown Regional Public Library are holding a joint fundraiser on Saturday, August 13 from 6-9 pm at the Ballroom on High. The Books and Brushes, Beef and Beer event will feature local food and businesses and benefit the programs and ongoing operations of the community art school and the library.
The theme for this event is “local.” Popular Pottstown restaurant Grumpy’s will be catering. The Ballroom, at 310 E. High St. next to The Farmers’ Market, is also the home to SwingKat Entertainment. Pottstown’s own radio station WPAZ will be creating the soundtrack for the event, so bring your dancing shoes!
Tickets are only $20 and include hot roast beef sandwiches, pasta and veggie salads, beer and soft drinks, and homemade desserts. There will also be vegetarian wrap sandwiches available. Guests can purchase their tickets online at www.galleryonhigh.org, or in person at the School at 254 E. High St. or the Library at 500 E. High St.
The Gallery School of Pottstown is a 501c3 non-profit community art school and gallery. The School offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. The Gallery on High hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The Gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.
Photo courtesy of Betsy BarronI attended LointerHOME’s open house at 467 Farmington Avenue last Thursday and figured I’d blog about it this week… Then I got word this past Tuesday night that the home was already under contract for above the asking price! Looks like LointerHOME’s reputation is growing by leaps and bounds, as well it should. I thought I’d feature this project because it’s a great example of the opportunities in Pottstown for sound real estate investment in homeownership for developers who do quality work.
LointerHOME specializes in the renovation of distressed and foreclosed homes. They work in Miami, Los Angeles, West Chester and Pottstown, with their previous Pottstown project being a foreclosed Edwardian townhome on King Street. Their next project will take them to 426 King Street. The Farmington Avenue home and 426 King were acquired from the Borough after the Borough came into possession via free-and-clear tax sales.
This past Friday about 35 guests scarfed down sandwiches and an amazing salsa by Grumpy’s as they beat the heat in the air-conditioned comfort of LASERWORX, Custom Laser Engravers, at 236 E. High Street for another Postively!Pottstown Happy Hour.
We were welcomed by the Hoffmans: Steve, his wife Donna and son Jim. Steve and Jim are in business together and can provide you or your company with precision laser-engraving services on such surfaces as Waterford crystal, acrylics, metals, plastics, tile, granite, slate, wood, Corian and more. They carry dozens of options for attractive awards, plaques, signs, watches, medals, pendants, trophies, ribbons and gifts ready to be customized.
If you’ve never been in LASERWORX, you might also want to check it out for its architectural significance. It’s got beautiful, original stained glass in the entryway and on the doors and a tin ceiling inside. The name “Betty Lee” in mosaic tile in the entryway is a reminder of the former Betty Lee Women’s Clothing store at that location.
Upcoming Events
The Happy Hours have been taking place once a month downtown since October 2010. The idea is to move around to different businesses and showcase the food of different Pottstown restaurants. The $5 cover charge goes toward paying the food vendors. Anyone who lives, works or wants to network in Pottstown is welcome.If you or your business would like to host, send an email to positivelypottstown@gmail.com. We’re booking locations now for 2012. Here are plans for the rest of the year:
August – no Happy Hour – summer vacation! September 16 – Hosted by SCORE – 20 years in Pottstown! – at the New York Plaza, 244 E. High Street October – Hosted by Ben Moscia and Elise LeBoutillier at The Farmers’ Market, 300 E. High Street November – Hosted by Chris Longeway & Sam Rhame at The Milkman Lunch Co. & Cake Shoppe, 451 N. Charlotte Street December – Hosted at The Brickhouse, 152 E. High Street
Another Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour is taking place this Friday, July 15th from 5-7 pm at LASERWORX, 236 E. High Street in downtown Pottstown. They’re located at the corner of High and Penn Streets.
LASERWORX is a custom laser engraving company; they can help you with awards and promotional items from trophies and plaques to signs, tags, labels, unique gifts and wedding and party favors. Thanks to Steve Hoffman for hosting!
Everyone is welcome to the Happy Hours. They’re totally casual and give folks a chance to visit a business, restaurant or nonprofit organization in town and to meet others from the community. There’s a $5 cover charge, which always gets you some delicious appetizers and complimentary wine, beer and soda.
We’ve been holding the Happy Hours once a month since October of 2010. We’ll take off the month of August for summer vacations and then start up again in September, when SCORE will host on September 16th in honor of their 20th anniversary.
At this Friday’s Happy Hour, Grumpy’s will be providing food — always yummy! To RSVP, send an email to positivelypottstown@gmail.com. See you at LASERWORX!
Thanks to resident Debby Penrod for reporting that Pottstown’s long-standing Fourth of July celebration made the Channel 6 news. See the videohere.
The comment near the end about the event being funded through private donations, rather than tax dollars, will surely strike locals as a skimming of the surface of the very real difficulty of funding the event. The many volunteers who make this and many other community events happen are to be commended for all their hard work and dedication throughout the years. Unfortunately, it’s no longer business-as-usual for the private or public sectors. There’s got to be a new modelof broader and more innovative collaboration in order to keep these community events going — if they are to keep going at all.
Balloon lifts off
As part of the Heritage Action Plan process that took place this spring – the plan is in the final stages of being drafted – it was noted that Pottstown is the host for local and regional events just about every month out of the year. See list below.
What does this have to do with raising money for the Fourth of July? The marketing of these events is left up to the individual organizations who run them. Pottstown, as the home of these events, does not “claim them” as their own, supplementing and coordinating with the existing marketing. Imagine the events on this list always being promoted together, wrapped up in a simple, cohesive branding message, on the Borough, PDIDA, PACA and (eventually) PAID websites.
Pottstown would suddenly look like a place where something fun is always happening. Potential visitors would see the pattern and realize that there is fun and safe entertainment to be found in Pottstown on a regular basis. This is a crucial step (among many others) toward marketing Pottstown’s empty storefronts, industrial space and housing to newcomers — and this is where new donors, volunteers and organizational partners can be found to help keep traditional community events like the Fourth of July going. Donors, especially, want to feel like they are supporting not only a worthwhile cause but a “winning” cause.
Pottstown already has a winning line-up. It just needs to flesh out a couple months, come up with the message (speak with one voice!) and market the hell out of it.
And just because I can’t help myself, here are a few ideas to toss onto the table:
January – continue the winter holiday spirit with Friday Night Lights downtown with literary readings, music and hot cider at multiple venues; bring in outside talent as well as locals, including students from all schools.
February – come up with a Valentine’s Day-themed event or weekend; schedule historical walking tours and coordinate with Pottsgrove Manor & Historical Society programming over Presidents’ weekend.
March – St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl (Brickhouse, Frankie & Johnnie’s, Pourhouse, Jack Cassidy’s)
April – Repent from Pub Crawl by focusing on Easter season events and holding historic church tours every weekend; add outdoor activities such as Schuylkill River bike and kayak tours every weekend.
November – Open up the holiday season with Pottstown Pie Festival. Re-claim Mrs. Smith and our pie-making heritage!!
Festivals/Special Events in Pottstown, by month
January – Polar Bear Plunge
February – ?
March – ?
April – Easter/Cross Walk
May – BMX National Event; Classic Car Show
June– Schuylkill River Sojourn; Soap Box Derby; Volleyball Rumble; Summer Solstice/Dog Show; Classic Car Show
July – July 4th; Classic Car Show
August – Classic Car Show
September – Carousel of Flavor; Open Doors; Classic Car Show
October –Schuylkill River Festival; Halloween Parade; Shiver on the River
November – ?
December – Candlelight House Tour; Hometown Holiday Celebration
Better late than never! Here are some photos from Positively!Pottstown’s May Happy Hour, hosted by Johnny and Pam O’Boyle ofJ.O.B. Design & Construction and Halo Energy. Their office is located at 64 N. Hanover Street in a beautifully renovated building that was Dr. Gaffney’s home and office for many years.
We had a wonderful time with food by Karen and Chris Foster of Positively Pasta (115 E. High Street, 484-945-1007) and tours available to see the beautiful original woodwork and craftsmanship of the renovation by John and his crews.
The colorful planters at the front door were provided by Hetrick Gardens, which is run by Matt Hetrick. His landscape and nursery center is located at 2620 Swamp Pike, Pottstown, PA. They’re on the web at www.hetrickgardens.com.
Thanks again to everyone who made this another fine gathering!!
Bees, Butterflies, Beaches and Bridges: The Gallery On High’s Summer Member Show Is running now through August 13th. The Gallery on High is located at254 E. High Street. Their hours are: Tuesday – Friday from 10am to 4:30pm, Saturday from 10am to 3pm. They’re closed on Sunday and Monday. For more info, visit their website: www. GalleryonHigh.com.
This next event might not be right in Pottstown, but if you’re in the mood for some good, old-fashioned polka fun, oldies, country, big band music – whatever – get yourself over to the band shell at Sanatoga Park for the Bill Koss Combo, this Sunday night, June 26th, beginning at 6 pm. I have to give a shout-out to the Kosses because my dad used to play trumpet at gigs with their founder “Itchy” Koss when I was growing up. And the Positively Pottstown blog featured Sanatoga Park in last fall’s Parks & Rec Series, sponsored by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation. Lower Pottsgrove puts on a 6-week summer concert series at Sanatoga Park with Exelon Nuclear again sponsoring this year. For the whole line-up, check out the Township’s website at www.lowerpottsgrove.org.
Next Thursday, June 30, the Pottstown Regional Public Library will host a performance of the Ill Style and Peace Dance Troupe. The event starts at 4 pm and is open to all. The Library is at500 E High St. See their website for more news about this and other summer events and programming for all ages. Their website is www.ppl.mclinc.org
When you’re ready to unwind on this Saturday night or any Saturday night, head on over to Sunnybrook Ballroom for their weekly “Hot Summer Nights” at The Tiki Hut. There are drink specials, music and dancing for the 21 and over crowd. Sunnybrook is located at 50 N. Sunnybrook Rd, Pottstown. Check out all their upcoming music and entertainment at www.sunnybrookballroom.net.
Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure is in its final days at the Tri-County Peforming Arts Center! It runs through this Sunday, June 19. TriPAc is located at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. This is the U.S. premier of a new version of Peter Pan, and, yes, it’s happening right here in Pottstown. Go to TrIPAC.org to order our tickets online now. You won’t want to miss it!
Get out of the gate early on Saturday, June 18 and check out the Pottstown Soap Box Derby race, sponsored by the Ambucs. It will take place on the Wilson Street hill off Farmington Avenue. Area kids will compete for the chance to run in the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.
A Summer Solstice Celebration is happening at Smith Plaza tomorrow, June 18. It includes The Gallery School’s community yard sale and lots of live music. WPAZ will be broadcasting live from 10-noon. The Celebration also includes the 2nd Annual PottsMUTTster Dog Show from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Smith Family Plaza, right in front of Borough Hall in Pottstown, PA. Bring your pooch and compete for such honors as Best Singing Mutt and Best Mystery Mutt. REGISTRATION is from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. EVENTS take place from 11:00am to 2:00 pm. It all benefits the Montgomery County SPCA.
Also taking place tomorrow at Pottstown’s Riverfront Park is the 2nd Annual 5K/1M Race to Shelter the Homeless sponsored by Wings of Victory Outreach Corp. Riverfront Park is located at 140 College Drive.
Registration starts at 7:30am – Race starts at 8:30am. There’s a $30 registration fee – Moms & Dads with strollers are welcome!
Wings of Victory Outreach Corp. was formed to provide housing and life skills training for homeless or near homeless individuals. They offer a holistic approach and give a hand up by offering programs that develop self sufficiency through housing, employment, education, and character building. Participants gain the skills needed to function responsibly and effectively in daily life.
And when you’re ready to unwind on Saturday night, head on over to Sunnybrook Ballroom for their weekly “Hot Summer Nights” at The Tiki Hut. There are drink specials, music and dancing for the 21 and over crowd. Sunnybrook is located at50 N. Sunnybrook Rd,Pottstown. Check out all their upcoming music and entertainment at http://www.sunnybrookballroom.net.
OMG. YUM.A huge thank you to Tom Abbott, Nancy March and The Mercury for hosting yesterday’s Happy Hour; it was one of the best. Seems their Community Media Lab was just the right size to cause about 60-70 people to literally rub elbows, meet new folks and network.
The gorgeous food shown in these pictures was provided by Chef Michael Falcone and his Funky Lil’ Kitchen… Cucumber with salmon, shots of strawberry soup with a drizzle of creme fraiche, hummus, white bean bruschetta, little dollops of goat cheese on puff pastry and more, every bite a sophisticated taste sensation.
We were also treated to a donation of beer by Sly Fox Brewery. They’re new to Pottstown, moving their brewing operation to the Circle of Progress in the Pottstown Airport Business Center. See The Mercury’s story from today’s paper here. Thank you, John Giannopoulos, and welcome to Pottstown!
I still need to confirm the location of the next Happy Hour, but the date is set: Friday, July 15 at 5 pm. Hope to see you then!
Did you know that Pottstown is the home of a current national BMX champion?
Meet Justin Knapper, #1 in the nation in the Boys’ 14-year-old Expert class of the National Bicycle League (NBL). Oddly enough, because there are not very many BMX facilities in southeastern PA, Justin is also the 2010 New Jersey State Champion.
Pottstown resident Justin Knapper In order to compete in the 2010 Grand Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky last September, Justin had to compete in a minimum of six national races and place high enough to earn enough points to even qualify for the title of national champion. That was no problem because over the past two years, he’s gotten to the finals of every event he’s entered. Last year, that amounted to about 15 national events. So, how does he do it?
“I’ve been racing since I was three years old,” he said, rocking back and forth on his bike at Pottstown’s Trilogy Park. “I bike every day, mainly doing sprints in a parking lot, or going to the gym and lifting weights.”
Justin, who is sponsored byRennen/Intense, can often be seen working out with his older brother Jeremy, who placed 12th in the nation in the 19-25 Expert class and is also the reigning 2010 New Jersey State Champion in his age bracket.
For those who have never seen a BMX race, eight riders line up in a standing position at the top of a hill. When a green light goes on, a gate drops and the riders take off, sprinting over small hills and around a few curves before crossing the finish line. The whole race is over in about 30 seconds. The qualifying heats in an event are called “motos,” and the top 8 finishers from the motos end up in the main event or final. There are three levels – Rookie, Challenger and Expert. A rider can’t move up to the next level until they have a minimum of 15 first-place finishes in a main event.
Unfortunately, area residents attending this weekend’s Memorial Classic at Memorial Parkwill not get to see their hometown champion in action. This past March Justin took a spill and broke one of his legs in 5 places. But he’s still in the hunt to defend his title inLouisville on Labor Day weekend. He’s been doing physical therapy three times a week, and hopes to compete again in New Paltz, New York in mid-June. We’ll be rooting for you, Justin!
The Gallery School of Pottstown and the Pottstown Regional Public Library are holding a joint fundraiser on Saturday, August 13 from 6-9 pm at the Ballroom on High. The Books and Brushes, Beef and Beer event will feature local food and businesses and benefit the programs and ongoing operations of the community art school and the library.
Positively Pottstown blog 