Category: Dining

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!

 

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

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!

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

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For INFORMTATION/RESERVATIONS email info@cantatica.org or  call 484-951-5113

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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

Support the Gallery School: Carnival in Venice event on March 31st!

Fashion Plates 6: Carnival in Venice

The Gallery School of Pottstown asks you to save the date!

Fashion Plates 6: Carnival in Venice is coming in March. Join them on March 31 at Brookside Country Club for another fabulous fundraiser.

The Gallery School’s signature fundraiser returns to its roots as an evening, couples-friendly event. Guests will enjoy amazing food, unlimited signature cocktail, and wonderful entertainment, from a  fabulous fashion show, sponsored by Boscov’s Department Stores, to a strolling magician, a harpist and more. They will give away fun door prizes, and their fabulous silent auction will bring out the bidder in everyone.

Purchase your individual ticket before March 10 for only $65. After March 10, individual tickets will be $70. Or take advantage of their two for $120 ticket deal.

Sponsors

VIST Financial
Boscov’s Department Stores

Table Sponsors

Boenning & Scattergood, Inc.
Independence Planning Group
Heartland Abstract, Inc.
Dolan & Mayerson, P.C.
Sager & Sager
J.H. White Financial
Creative Health Services

Entertainment Sponsors

Pete La Rosa Productions
513 Entertainment
Betsy Chapman, Harpist
Magical Illusions of Kyle and Kelly

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

Info sessions on Pottstown’s first Community Garden to be held tonight and Saturday

MOSAIC Community Land Trust is holding another information session tonight about the community garden being built this spring at 423 Chestnut Street. (See the concept plan below.) All Pottstown residents, business owners, community organizations, and youth groups are encouraged to attend.

Have you ever wanted your own garden, but didn’t have enough room in your yard? Would you like your children to learn how to grow their own fresh vegetables? Would you like to grow fresh herbs for your restaurant?

Thanks to a grant from the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, MOSAIC Community Garden will give individuals, families, and community groups the chance to  work side-by-side on their own garden plots. 

Information sessions will be held tonight and this coming Saturday:

February 21 from 7-8 pm, MOSAIC’s office, 10 S. Hanover St.

February 25 from 2-3 pm at Victory Christian Life Center, 28 N. Washington St.

Applications will be available at the meetings or on our website: www.mosaiccommunitylandtrust.org. They can be dropped off at any of the above locations or mailed to MOSAIC Community Land Trust, 10 S. Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19464 by March 1.

For more information, contact Sue Repko, MOSAIC Executive Director, at 609-658-9043 or srepko@mosaiccommunitylandtrust.org.

In the event that there are more applications than garden plots, a public lottery will be held at MOSAIC’s offices on Sunday, March 11 at 2 pm.

Garden Concept Plan

All-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner being hosted by Scout Troop 129

Boy Scout Troop 129 will be holding a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, February 25 from 4-7 pm at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 150 N. Hanover Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

They’ll be serving up spaghetti in sauce, meatballs, salad, beverages, and dessert.

Tickets are $7 for adults; $5 for senior citizens and children ages 6-13; FREE for children age 5 and younger. Tickets will be sold at the door.

That’s an all-you-can-eat meal deal that can’t be beat!

Still deciding where to dine on Valentine’s Day?

Today is Tuesday, February 14, 2012…

Complimentary bottle of wine and romantic acoustic guitar by Russ Ferrara at Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine tonight. Call 484-624-4931 for reservations. Juan Carlos is at 235 E. High St., Pottstown, PA 19464. On the web at www.jcmexicanfood.com.

Or…. the Brick House is offering several special packages…

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