Category: Education

New, Free Art Program for Kids at ArtFusion 19464!

Check out this innovative, FREE program and sign up by March 31st!!

Local young artists will soon get a chance to expand their drawing skills while learning about a new language. Drawing with Hebrew Letters, sponsored by Sager and Sager and The Jewish Women’s League of Congregation Mercy and Truth, will introduce students to drawing using a creative language of letters and shapes. The graphic quality of the Hebrew alphabet is the perfect inspiration for teaching language through art. Students will create with ink, paper and color, learning to express with their hands what their imaginations see.

This free program is open to artists of all faiths. No prior drawing experience or knowledge of the language is required, just a desire to learn and create. Applications can be picked up at ArtFusion’s 254 E. High St. location or downloaded from their website at artfusion19464.org. Applications are due by March 31.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center. 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. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Cityscape artist to talk at Pottstown Area Artists’ Guild meeting tomorrow

The March meeting of the Pottstown Area Artists’ Guild will be held Tuesday, March 19th, from 7 to 9 PM in the Boyer Gallery of the Hill School’s Center for the Arts located at Beech and Sheridan Streets in Pottstown. (Plug 860 Beech Street into your GPS.)

After a short business meeting, artist Teresa Haag will present her fresh and deliberate painting approach to her “portraits” of cityscapes as she captures the energy of old buildings and streets.  She will talk about her unique approach to paint application as well as her experimentation with various materials and mediums. Check out her website here!

The meeting is free and open to the public.  You do not have to be an artist to attend.  Those simply having an interest in art are always welcomed.

Updates on PAAG’s upcoming third annual “Art on the Hill – the Pottstown Art Show” opening May 31st will also be made.  If you have any questions, or need directions, you can call Barbara Tschantre at 610-764-7586.

YMCA to hold free GARDEN FIT seminar

The Pottstown YMCA at 724 North Adams Street will hold a FREE seminar

“GARDEN FIT, Health Benefits of Gardening – Healthy Garden & Healthy You” 

on Monday March 25, from 6:30-7:30 pm.

Learn how playing in the dirt has more health benefits than you can imagine…cardio, strength, creativity, tranquility, nutrition and social.

Seminar led by Holly Reinford of H & B Landscaping.

Register by March 20 by calling the Y at 610.323.7300

Victory Bank Sponsors Spring Workshop for Small Businesses

This news about upcoming workshops for small business owners and entrepreneurs comes to us from Pottstown SCORE, counselors to America’s small business community.  (www.PottstownSCORE.org)

Are you an entrepreneur who would like to learn practical, real-life information on how to start and operate a business?  If so, be sure to sign up for Pottstown SCORE’s spring workshop series, “How to Start and Operate a Small Business.” This seminar, sponsored by Victory Bank, is scheduled to be presented from 7:00 to 9:30 pm on four consecutive Monday evenings beginning on April 22.  All classes will be held at the SCORE office, Suite 102 in the New York Plaza Building, 244 High Street, Pottstown. There is ample free parking in the lot behind the building.  Use the entrance from the parking lot to access the SCORE office.

This workshop series, presented by SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, is for those who are considering starting a business as well as those who are currently operating a small business.  All courses are taught by experienced members of SCORE and outside practitioners recognized as experts in their specific fields.

The workshop sessions are as follows:

  1. Sources of Information and the Legal, Tax and Accounting Considerations in setting up a business, April 22
  2. The Business Plan and the Business Loan, April 29
  3. Sources of Market Information, Marketing, May 6
  4. It’s All About Profit, May 13

The instructors for this workshop series are local business partners and experienced SCORE counselors.  Tap into their expertise to gain practical, real-life information on how to start and operate a small business.  The instructors are as follows:  Scott Cass, Owner, eScott Marketing, LLC; Don Havas, President of Applied Technology and Sciences, Inc; Jeff Kofsky, President of Higher Vision Coaching and Counseling; Laurie Kercher, Vice President and Commercial Relationships Manager of the Victory Bank, Wyomissing office; David Megay, Esq., Attorney with O’Donnell, Weiss & Mattei; Scott Rakowski, CPA of Rakowski and Company; Ralph Clemmer, chairman of the Board of Evans-Hauseman& Richard, Inc.; Carolyn Wiker, Head of Adult Services at the Pottstown Public Library.

Registration begins at 6:45 pm, and all classes start promptly at 7:00 pm.

Each session costs $25.  A manual on preparing a business plan will be available for $20.  A special price of $100 is offered for the 4 classes as a package, and this includes the manual.  As an added bonus, there is a 50% discount off the workshop fee for each additional person. Victory Bank customers have an opportunity to apply for a free scholarship for the workshop by contacting the bank.

This has been an extremely successful and well-attended workshop.  Early paid reservations guarantee a seat.  For more information or to register, call the Pottstown SCORE office at 610-327-2673 or register online at www.pottstownscore.org.

 

Annual Home Show runs tonight thru Sunday at Sunnybrook

Here are all the details from the Building Industries Exchange website:

The annual Home Show is a three-day expo sponsored by the Building Industries Exchange (NARI-BIE) of Pottstown and Vicinity, Inc. and produced through volunteer efforts of NARI-BIE members.

The Show offers drawings, prizes, demonstrations, and an all-under-one-roof opportunity for visitors to collect home improvement and building information from local professionals.  Admission is $5 at the gate; children 16 and under are free.

Adult attendees will receive a ballot to nominate their choice of exhibit for “Best in Show”. First, second, and third place ribbons will be awarded based on the final vote tally.

2013 Schedule of Events

The 2013 NARI-BIE Pottstown Home Show will be held March 1-3, 2013 at Sunnybrook Ballroom and Grounds. For a map and directions to Sunnybrook, please click here.

Friday, March 1

  • 5:00 PM – Show opens to the public
  • 6:30 PM – Seminar:  Understanding the EPA Lead Paint Law – Presented by Gehman Design Remodeling
  • 7:30 PM – Seminar:  Maintain Your Expensive Blacktop Investment at Home, Work, or Social Property – Presented by Chem Seal
  • 9:00 PM – Show closes

Saturday, March 2

Sunday, March 3

  • 11:00 AM – Show opens to the public
  • 12:00 PM – Shred Event Begins (maximum:  2 file boxes; must purchase show ticket)
  • 12:30 PM – Seminar:  Go Green and Save Green – Presented by Halo Energy, LLC
  • 1:30 PM – Seminar:  Weatherize your Home’s Air Leaks with a Thermal Imaging Camera – Presented by Oehlert Bros., Inc.
  • 3:00 PM – Shred Event Ends (maximum 2 file boxes; must purchase show ticket)
  • 5:00 PM – Show closes

Family Services Offers Free Income Tax Prep to Low-Income Individuals and Families

Thanks to Karen Konnick of Family Services of Montgomery County for passing this along.

Family Services, the Montgomery County Asset Building Coalition and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are offering free income tax preparation to low-to-moderate income individuals and families (who earn less than $51,000) through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The IRS trains and certifies all VITA volunteers to prepare and electronically file income tax forms. VITA volunteers are trained to assist clients in claiming special credits and refunds, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. The mission of the program is to help working families improve their finances and increase their self-sufficiency.

“We can help put money back in your pocket,” said Kathy Cael, VITA site coordinator. “By filing your taxes through a VITA site, not only will you save money in filing fees, but you’ll also receive your tax refund quickly. In most cases, tax refunds are deposited directly into your bank account within 7-to-10 days.”

Family Services is offering VITA appointments at two locations in Montgomery County:

  • Family Services’ Pottstown Office, 1976 East High Street, Pottstown. Appointment times:  Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5-7:15 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-Noon.
  • Family Services’ Eagleville Office, 3125 Ridge Pike, Eagleville. Appointment times:  Thursdays, 5-7 p.m.

Appointments are required for all VITA sites. To schedule an appointment at the sites listed above, please call Family Services at 610-326-1610.

Individuals must bring the following documents to their VITA appointment:

  • Photo identification (driver’s license or state-issued identification card) for self and spouse
  • Social security cards for self, spouse and dependents
  • Birth dates for self, spouse and dependents
  • Wage and earning statement(s) (Form W-2, 1099, unemployment statements) from all employers for self and spouse
  • Interest and dividend statements from banks for self and spouse
  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit
  • Other relevant information about income and expenses
  • Total paid for daycare, daycare provider’s address and tax identification number
  • Form 8332 or a copy of a divorce decree if you are a non-custodial parent claiming a child
  • A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns (if available)
  • If filing jointly, both the filer and spouse must be present to sign the tax return.

For a complete list of VITA tax preparation sites in Montgomery County, please visit www.mcassetbuilding.org.

Would you prefer to file your taxes in the comfort of your own home? Now you can – for free! Individuals or families with a combined income under $57,000 may prepare and file their own federal and state taxes online at www.myfreetaxes.com/fsmontco.org. This website is powered by H&R Block and sponsored by Walmart and the United Way.

Since 1900, Family Services has been caring for children, seniors and families in Montgomery County who face everyday emotional difficulties or physical hardships. The agency’s innovative social service programs make a positive difference in the lives of 16,000 county residents each year. For more information, contact Family Services’ Pottstown Office at 610-326-1610 or visit www.fsmontco.org.

Nominations Sought for MCCC’s Alumni Hall of Fame

This comes to us from the college…

Montgomery County Community College’s Alumni Association Board of Directors is now accepting nominations for distinguished alumni to be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame.

Each year, several outstanding individuals are nominated and selected for the Hall of Fame from the more than 55,000 College alumni. The Hall of Fame inductees represent the best and the brightest who have made notable, positive differences in their careers and communities.

Nominations for 2013 are being accepted until Feb. 28. Nomination letters must include the name of the candidate, years of attendance, graduation year, reasons for nomination, achievements or awards, volunteer service, as well as any press clippings or third-party recognition. Alumni may nominate themselves.

Nominations may submitted via email to alumni@mc3.edu or mailed to Montgomery County Community College Alumni Office, East House, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.

Selected nominees will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame during a celebratory program on Oct. 11, 2013, and their names will be added to the list of Hall of Fame honorees on display at the Science Center Theater at Central Campus in Blue Bell.

To see a list of past recipients, visit:  www.mc3.edu/foundation/alumni/hall-fame/members.aspx.

Inspirational Travis Roy to Return to Hill School

I apologize for the short notice here, but if you’d like to hear an inspirational speaker tonight, head over to the Hill School Center for the Arts. This comes from Cathy Skitko, Director of Communications.

Inspirational Travis Roy to Return to Hill School to Continue Four-Year Relationship with Senior Class

On Thursday, February 7, at 7 p.m. in Hill’s Center For The Arts at 860 Beech Street, nationally-recognized motivational speaker Travis Roy will return to campus to address The Hill community for the second time. This event is free and open to the public.

In 1995, Roy was paralyzed in a freak hockey accident, but he has turned personal tragedy into a positive story with the creation of a nationally-recognized foundation created to help victims of spinal cord accidents.  Roy first addressed The Hill community on January 26, 2010 as the speaker for that year’s school theme, “A Common Humanity.”

The Hill’s connection to Roy and the Travis Roy Foundation dates back to 2009-10, when the freshman class read his book, 11 Seconds, during that year’s winter break.  The class sold Travis Roy Foundation wristbands as a fund raiser that year, with a goal of $800.  Thanks to a matching gift from Rich Pentz, a 1999 graduate of The Hill who is friends with Roy’s brother-in-law, a total of $1,500 was raised.  During Roy’s visit to campus, the class presented him with a check and announced that they had decided to “adopt” the foundation as an ongoing project during their four years at The Hill.

The class has held a fundraiser for the foundation in each of the three years since Roy’s initial visit to campus.  In 2011, a “Photo Fair” in which favorite Hill teachers dressed up in a variety of costumes and posed for photos with students raised more than $2,000.  The class decided to establish the Travis Roy Broomball Invitational in 2012.  Broomball is a game played on an ice hockey rink with modified paddles serving as the “brooms,” a small rubber ball, and no ice skates.  The inaugural tournament was a hit, with more than a dozen teams participating in the round-robin style tournament.  This year’s tournament, which was held on Saturday, January 12, was equally successful.  In all, the two broomball tournaments raised more than $3,500 for the foundation.

“Our class head in 2009 was very passionate about the foundation, and after reading 11 Seconds, I also became passionate about it,” said senior Molly Hopkins, who has been an active participant in organizing each event.  “When he came to campus and spoke and we were able to meet him and put a face to the name and story, it made me and the other members of my grade feel a personal connection.  We realized how important the Travis Roy Foundation is in helping people affected by spinal cord injuries, and we wanted to help contribute to the foundation.”

During his first visit to campus, Roy shared his tragic yet compelling story with the Hill community.  He began his high school hockey career at North Yarmouth Academy in Maine, where his coach was Hill alumnus Kevin Potter ’85.  In 1993, he transferred to Tabor Academy, a New England Division I prep hockey power, for his junior and senior years.  After graduating from Tabor, Roy was set to continue his hockey career at Boston University.

The Terriers won the NCAA National Championship in 1995, and Roy was in uniform for his first collegiate game the night the University raised the championship banner.  Just 11 seconds into his first shift of the game, a freak accident sent him into the boards head-first and broke his neck, paralyzing him from the neck-down.

Instead of passively accepting his fate, Roy decided to make the most of a difficult situation.  Just two years after the accident, he and his family established the Travis Roy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that focuses on finding a cure for spinal cord injuries, and also gives financial grants to those affected by a spinal cord injury that are in need of financial assistance to purchase the equipment needed to live as independently as possible.

Winter musical “Anything Goes” set for Feb. 15-17 at The Hill

This year’s winter musical at The Hill School is Anything Goes.

It will be held in the Center For The Arts (CFTA) Theater at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16; a matinee showing will be held on Sunday, February 17 at 2 p.m.

With music and lyrics by Cole Porter, Anything Goes is an entertaining story about the “madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London.”

Admission for all three shows is free and open to the public.

For info and the cast list, visit there website here.

MOSAIC looking for part-time Garden Manager

MOSAIC Community Land Trust in Pottstown is looking for a part-time manager for their community garden(s). See details below.  This is a GREAT position if you love working outdoors, working with people, and sharing your interest in healthy living with the larger community!

The deadline for applying is February 15, 2013.

Job Title: Community Garden Manager
Reports To: President of MOSAIC Community Land Trust and Garden Committee

Position Summary:
Working under the direction of Mosaic’s Community Garden Committee (Committee), the Manager will work with community members and community groups to organize and coordinate the operation of one and potentially two community gardens. The Manager will be responsible for the following:

 Ensure that the gardens are kept clean and pristine, and all garden beds are fully utilized
 Ensure that all gardeners are in good standing (rules and regulations from the operating manual are followed)
 Collect plot fees and develop policy for assignment of plots
 Facilitate new gardener orientations, work projects, and general garden meetings;
 Coordinate gardening education programs
 Provide mediation within the community garden group(s), if needed;
 Act as a liaison between community garden group(s) and the Committee;
 Collaborate with the Committee and the community gardeners to update the Community Garden Manual
 Manage construction projects and volunteer garden staff at the garden
 Provide regular communication to the gardeners, volunteers, community and garden committee;
 Take on other project-related duties as they arise.

Qualifications
• Strong commitment to community empowerment, social justice, and community food security
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities
• Experience in urban gardening/ farming
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Ability and desire to work outside
• Ability to work within a budget creatively
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and insurance; and a reliable vehicle

Hours
10-30 hours/week, flexible schedule with willingness to work evenings and weekends. This is a one year contract position. Contract extension will be partially based on available funding.
Salary and benefits
This is a half time position with no benefits. Salary from $12,000 to $15,000 depending on qualifications.
To Apply:
Interested persons should send a resume, three professional references, and cover letter including qualifications for this position to: David Jackson, Mosaic CLT President, at itsdl2u@yahoo.com or by mail to the address below by
February 15, 2013. For further information please see the Mosaic CLT website: www.pottstownclt.wordpress.com

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