Category: Business

Positively Pottstown joins “Fill the Media Lab” food drive

The Mercury’s Community Media Lab, Town Square bloggers, and other local newspapers are teaming up for a food drive to help stock the shelves of area food pantries.  With the tight job market, high unemployment, and sky-high gas, heating oil, and healthcare costs, more and more area residents are finding themselves relying on food pantries for the first time ever. 

Here’s how the food drive will work:

The Mercury, Post newspapers, including The Sanatoga Post, and various bloggers are announcing their participation in the food drive to collect at least 20,000 food items by April 7th. See The Mercury article here and The Sanatoga Post article here.  The bloggers can team up with their local pantry and feature them in recurring blog posts. They can also team up with various businesses who want to serve as collection sites.

While the food drive will run until April 7th, we will not be holding onto all the food collected until then because that would mean it’s not on the shelves of the food pantries, getting used up by those who need it now. So… as the food is collected, it will periodically be delivered to the pantry of choice by the blogger or business. Pantries in towns throughout the region will benefit: Pottstown, North Coventry, Boyertown, Royersford, Spring City, Phoenixville, Collegeville, and the Upper Perkiomen Valley. But first we’ll take a picture of what’s collected and send it to The Mercury, where it can be pinned onto an image of the Media Lab. In this way, we will virtually “fill the Media Lab” while filling up local food pantries in reality.

 Positively Pottstown is on board! We’re going to be directing the results of our collection efforts to the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, commonly known as The Cluster.  The first Pottstown business we’re teaming up with is Grumpy’s, the homemade sandwich and soup shop in The Farmers’ Market. Grumpy’s has generously offered not only to be a collection site, but to match every single food donation that comes in. That’s two for the price of one, all going to The Cluster. 

Positively Pottstown would like to team up with other locations in Pottstown. Let me know if you want to be a collection site, and I will get the word out to readers and Facebook friends.

I should note here that food items are not the only things in demand. We’re also putting a special focus on laundry detergent – it’s expensive and it’s something that tends to drop in priority when children are hungry… but kids want to go to school in fresh-smelling clothes. So please consider picking up an extra bottle of detergent the next time you’re shopping. We’re hoping to collect 1,000 bottles of detergent before all is said and done.

Now, it’s up to you. Positively Pottstown has many readers and Facebook friends outside of Pottstown. Whatever community you live in, please consider finding the food pantry, bloggers, and businesses that are taking part in our Fill the Media Lab initiative and make a donation soon. Or, since this campaign is running through Lent, consider a weekly donation. There’s a tradition of giving things up for Lent and then there’s plain, old-fashioned giving. We all thank you in advance for your support.

The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities
57 N. Franklin Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
610-970-5995
The Cluster welcomes all cash, food, and clothing donations between the hours of 8:30am-12:00 Monday through Friday. Please come to the back door off the alley.

Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches
300 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 (in the Farmers’ Market)
610-323-1232
Open Tuesday-Saturday
Tuesday-Wednesday: 11am-6 pm
Thursday-Saturday: 8:30 am-6 pm






Women’s Power Networking Lunch set for March 9th

CALLING ALL MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOVE TO NETWORK!

 Women’s Power Networking – PA Power Lunch

Friday, March 9, 2012 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Featuring

 “HOW TO MAKE 2012 YOUR BEST YEAR YET”

Presented by TONI LAW

 

Join us for a great meal, great networking and an awesome speaker!

Registration closes Midnight, Sunday March 4th

 

The Copperfield Inn at Lakeside

594 West Ridge Pike

Limerick, PA 19468-1440

A little about Toni:

 Toni Law is a Sales Coach & Associate with The Training Center for Sales & Business Development/Sandler Training ® (TTC/Sandler Training ®). She is considered to be the leading expert in sales and sales training for the small business owner and entrepreneur. In 2007 she was introduced to Sandler Training ® and completed several management and sales training courses. Toni recognizes the ‘pain’ her prospects and clients feel and redirects their efforts to increase referrals, sales, and revenue. Most importantly, she teaches them how to build and maintain better business relationships. Toni received her BA degree at West Chester University and enjoys spending time with her family.

Tickets are $25 for this event and include salad, entrée, rolls & butter, beverage, and desert! As we must give the venue a headcount and meal selections we apologize that we can’t accommodate walk-in’s or issue refunds!

REGISTER AT:  http://womenspowernetworkingpa.eventbrite.com

Entrée Choices:

Penne Pasta w/Asparagus or Pecan & Panko Crusted Chicken.  For special dietary needs, contact Pat Hahn, 610-495-0605

 We are also accepting monetary donations for Door Prizes, you and your business will be listed in our event program!  If you are interested in donating please contact Dorothy Ruehle by phone at 484-624-4994 or by email at ruehlebookkeeping@comcast.net

Check out Mercury’s profile of Pottstown’s economic development director

Speaking of economic development and PAID, Inc., check out Evan Brandt’s story on Steve Bamford, the executive director of PAID. He’s been on the job for just a few months, but he’s already making things happen, one conversation at a time.

Glad to have you on board, Steve!

Underwater Robotics Company Plans Relocation to Pottstown

Editor’s note: Below is a press release and photo recently received from Steve Bamford, Executive Director of PAID, Inc. – that’s Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc. – the economic development leader in Pottstown. I will echo Council President Toroney’s statement: VideoRay is exactly the type of employer we want to attract to our community, and a huge high-five goes out to Jason, Steve, Borough staff, the Zoning Hearing Board, and Borough Council for helping make this happen. Stay tuned as we report on more good economic development news coming out of Borough Hall and PAID…

VideoRay, LLC and Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc. (PAID) have announced plans for the relocation of VideoRay’s headquarters to Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

VideoRay, the global leader in observation Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) technology, is working on plans to acquire and renovate the former Levitz building at 212 E. High Street.

Photo by Henning Klepp Christensen

The building would initially be occupied by 35 VideoRay employees working in management, corporate administration, marketing, engineering, assembly, and repair functions. The rapidly growing manufacturer of very small underwater ROVs expects to increase the size of its workforce over the next several years.

 “I am very excited about what we can do when we relocate to downtown Pottstown,” said Scott Bentley, President and majority owner of VideoRay LLC. “There are a lot of reasons why we will be better off in Pottstown than where we are now. We were recruited by PAID and I have found Borough Manager Jason Bobst and the Borough staff to be very helpful in addressing some zoning and parking issues. It has been great working with PAID and the Borough.”

“VideoRay is exactly the type of employer we want to attract to our community,” said Stephen M. Toroney, Borough Council President. “A global high tech company with tremendous growth potential will soon call Pottstown home and we are pleased to welcome them.”

PAID and the Borough have been working with VideoRay since November to help determine the feasibility of relocating and alleviating concerns about moving from a rural to urban environment. The company has outgrown its current location in East Pikeland, Chester County.

“We presented the many benefits of establishing operations in Pottstown,” said Steve Bamford, Executive Director of PAID. “The idea of locating in a classic, walkable downtown was appealing to the company. Proximity to restaurants, the Tri County Performing Arts Center, public transportation, and convenient parking factored into their decision, as did plans for expansion of the Schuylkill River Trail and the continued growth of Montgomery County Community College in the borough.”

VideoRay is also exploring establishing a robotics campus in the building by leasing space to independent companies that provide some of the accessories and software used by VideoRay and its customers. “The prospect of additional technology companies moving to Pottstown is tremendously exciting and we are here to be of assistance,” said Bamford.

About VideoRay
With more than 1,950 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in service around the world, VideoRay is the global leader in observation ROV technology. The VideoRay ROV is an extremely versatile, portable, affordable, and reliable solution for underwater operations including surveys, offshore inspections, search & recovery, homeland & port security, science & research, fish farming, and other unique applications in underwater environments. More information about VideoRay can be found at www.videoray.com.

About PAID, Inc.
Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc. (PAID) is the non-profit corporation designated by a partnership of the Borough of Pottstown, Pottstown School District, and the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority to coordinate and lead economic development efforts within the Borough of Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Pottstown SCORE offering social media workshops

Below is information for business owners and entrepreneurs from the Pottstown chapter of SCORE. SCORE is made up of current and retired professionals with years of experience and success in business. They understand the challenges you’re facing, and their workshops and counseling services are geared to give you real-life insights, advice, and education. Check out all they have to offer at their website. And definitely check out their upcoming social media series on March 5, 12, 19, 26 to find out how to get people talking and texting and tweeting about YOUR business.

Using Social Media
to make your Business GROW 

This Workshop Series will be held at the
Tri-County Chamber of Commerce
Conference Center
152 E. High St., Suite 360
Pottstown, PAHave you engaged your customers in a conversation?

Are your customers telling others about you?

Social Media is about engaging your customers so that they promote your business. Here’s an opportunity to learn what this is all about and how you can apply it to GROW your business. This workshop series is taught by practitioners recognized as experts in the use of Marketing and the Social Media technologies. 

Workshop Session Topics: 

I.   The Secrets of Effective Internet Marketing

This session focuses on what you need to do to get ready for a marketing program using the Internet.

  • The importance of planning.
  • The keys to getting great results from your marketing program.
  • How to create a compelling message.
  • How the Marketplace has changed.
  • How to implement your marketing through technology to get the results you want.

II.   The Power of Social Media

This session focuses on what you need to know before you get started, how to build an effective Social Media campaign for your business and how to build your online social network .

  • What Social Media Networking sites you need to be on, how they work and how to set up an account.
  • The Power of Blogging including: what is it, how will it help your business and WordPress.com, the blog site you need to be on and how to use it.
  • Why you should think about Video Blogging.
  • How Social Media will save you money while making you money.

III. Mobile Marketing

Your Customers are using Mobile … There’s an App For That and More!

  • Why you and your business app-solutely need to have a Mobile Strategy.
  • Learn how to leverage a Cross Channel Mobile Marketing Strategy.
  • Learn how to leverage a Cross Channel Mobile Marketing Strategy.
  • Why you should be building a list of your customers.
  • Identifying the best marketing channels for your message.
  • How to build a laser targeting list of customers using Mobile Marketing.
  • How and Why you should build a Mobile App for your Business.

IV. eMail and Social Media—are they married yet?

This session focuses on how to use eMail marketing to engage your customers.

  • Why eMail should be a part of your Marketing Strategy.
  • How you can get into Social Media for free today—and here is the instruction book.
  • What you should measure and what you should do about it.

Schedules and Fees: 
Each session costs $40. A special price of $100 is offered for all 4 sessions as a package. Additionally there is 50% off the course fees for each additional person. All fees are non-refundable .

You can register by submitting an Online Registration Request . The registration fee will be due the first night of the workshop.

You can also register by mail by downloading and mailing this Registration form along with the workshop fee.

Make checks payable to SCORE and mail to: Pottstown SCORE, Chapter 594, 244 High Street, Suite 102 Pottstown, PA  19464.

Click here for the workshop Brochure.

Funky Lil’ Kitchen collecting new socks for homeless until Feb. 18th

Editor’s Note: This recently came in from Funky Lil Kitchen. If you can provide some new socks for the homeless, FLK is gladly collecting them until February 18th. See details below, and thank you for your generosity!

Hello Friends,
Our server Val, who some of you might know, has teamed up with non-profit Joy of Sox, whose mission is to bring socks to the homeless.  To help out with this cause, we are holding a sock drive at F.L.K. from Feb. 10th to Feb. 18th. there is a box set up in the restaurant where you can drop off  NEW SOCKS with tags only, for men, women and children during business hours.
If you would like more info on The Joy of Sox or the Sock Drive please contact Val Cap at vhopem@yahoo.com or610.574.7482.
Thanks for helping us make a difference in our local community,
Michael, Tonda & Val

Funky Lil Kitchen is located at:
232 King Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
Phone: 610.326.7400
Fax: 610.326.0746

513 Entertainment… a local business offering entertainment for all occasions

Editor’s note: This article was provided by Joann Minner, owner of 513 Entertainment, a local company that provides all kinds of entertainment options for any kind of event.

       Keeping the tradition of Customer Service Excellence alive

513 Entertainment

“If someone had told me that I would start my own business when I turned fifty I would have told them that they were crazy!”  Striking the balance between being a wife and mother and having two full time careers has its challenges, but has proven to be very fulfilling.  I have been in the business of event planning for the past 14 years, so I have gotten accustomed to shifting gears at a moment’s notice to meet the needs of my customers.

The inspiration for professional perfection is driven by the spirit of my parents, who were business owners themselves.  As owners of Frisco Press Printers of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, my parents instilled a strong work ethic in all of their children. I was able to see first-hand how hard work and exemplary service is the key to customer satisfaction and loyalty. I can still see my parents working side by side, seven days a week to meet their production deadlines. Being part of that environment has taught me valuable lessons about the responsibilities of being a business owner.  I named my business 513 Entertainment in their memory.  513 was “their lucky number” and I’m hoping it will bring that same luck to my business.

513 Entertainment provides top notch entertainment for all occasions.  We offer musical talent including live bands, disc jockey services, solo performers, acoustic performers and harpists.    Our entertainers offer a wide variety of genres and performance styles.

513 Entertainment offers a wide variety of performance professionals capable of transforming your social gathering into a delightful experience for guests of any age. My company enlists the talent of artists such as The Magical Illusions of Kyle and Kelly of Pottstown – strolling or stationary magicians, henna and glitter tattoo artists, face painters, caricature artists, costumed stilt walkers, balloon twisters, 14th generation palm and hair readers, baby bump artists and  costumed angel and tarot card readers .  Many of our talented professionals have upwards of thirty years experience at their craft.

As a part of our extensive roster of performers, we also provide equipment rentals such as photo booths, popcorn carts, fully staffed water ice stations and much more.

Packages can be custom designed to fit your entertainment needs and price range.  Allow me assist you in designing a theme for your celebration.  Whether you are planning a Backyard BBQ.  Super Sweet Sixteen Party, Fundraiser, Township/Municipal event or Corporate Function, our performers will add that special touch to any social gathering.

513 Entertainment has had the pleasure of providing musical talent to many local establishments such as the Elk’s Club, the Quiot Club, The Lower Pottsgrove Sportsman’s Club,  Ron’s Crooked Hill Tavern and The Sand Trap just to name a few.  Additionally, in the summer of 2011, I had the pleasure of providing staffing for The Variety Club of Philadelphia/Campisi Financial annual fundraiser.

513 Entertainment of Pottstown, Pennsylvania is a full service entertainment staffing agency eager to provide its customers with only the best performance professionals in the business today.  I look forward to working with you and continuing a family tradition of service excellence.

Joann Minner
513 Entertainment
2228 Welsh Drive
Pottstown, PA  19464
484-624-2835
website:  www.513entertainment.biz
email: jm513entertainment@live.com

Brunish’s Deli: 75 years in Pottstown and going strong!

 

Check out this story in The Mercury about historic Brunish’s Deli on Lincoln Avenue in Pottstown.  And here’s a link to an earlier blog we did on Brunish’s. They’ve been around for 75 years and they’re still family-owned and going strong!

 

 

The perfect gift is waiting for your Valentine at the Gallery on High

The Gallery on High is the perfect place to find that truly unique and thoughtful gift
for your Valentine. They carry an amazing selection of local art as well as glass, pottery, jewelry and more. Plus you can feel good, knowing your purchase goes to support their mission of making the arts accessible to all the members of our community.

You can find these lampworked heart necklaces by artist Tari Zarka, plus much more, during normal business hours: Tuesday-Friday from 10am-4:30pm and Saturday from 10am-3pm. The Gallery is closed on Sunday and Monday.

The Gallery School of Pottstown
@ Gallery on High
254 E. High Street
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464
610-326-2506
http://www.galleryonhigh.org

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