The Borough’s annual clean-up day will take place tomorrow from 8 am-noon.This event is organized by Bill Sharon and Councilman Mark Gibson. If you want to work with fellow residents, bring a pair of gloves, a broom, a rake – whatever tools you think will be helpful – and meet at Borough Hall (100 E. High Street) or at Empire Hook & Ladder (Franklin & Chestnut Streets) at 8 am. The Borough will be going around to pick up trash bags, and there will be dumpsters at Borough Hall and the firehouse. You can also join other volunteers for refreshments at Smith Plaza at noon.
Please note that if you can’t make the downtown clean-up, please take a few moments to clean up in front of your house, out by the curb, and/or in the alleyway. A neat & tidy yard and sidewalk actually can lift your spirits – at least it does for me!
If you want to extend the good feelings, here’s another volunteer clean-up opportunity from The Mercury…
“If you’re still in the cleanup mood on Sunday, you can join the Mercury staff and other local volunteers who will be giving a similar treatment to Ganshahawny Park in Douglass (Berks) Township from 8 to 10 a.m. The cleanup area was found with the help of the Schuylkill Action Network and the votes of Mercury readers on Facebook.The Schuylkill Scrub organization is providing trash bags and reflector vests, and several people have volunteered to help.For directions or to learn more, read editor Nancy March’s blog post on pottsmerc.com.”
Here’s what the Steel River Playhouse – formerly Tri-PAC – has to say about their name change and their continuing mission to educate and to bring together new and established performing artists…
A star reborn? Not exactly, but Tri-County Performing Arts Center and Village Productions are getting a new name along with the obvious facelift, as anyone can tell by driving by the theater at 245 E. High Street in downtown Pottstown.
Tri-PAC and Village Productions have become the Steel River Playhouse. Same address. Same telephone. Website: www.steelriverplayhouse.org. Email format: (First name)@steelriver.org.
The new flowing steel mesh façade, high-tech marquee, and engaging outdoor plaza will be completed in June and the Steel River Playhouse is planning a June 16 community celebration event.
“The name reflects the strength, beauty and vitality of Pottstown and surrounding region,” said Marta Kiesling, executive director of Steel River Playhouse. “Steel made in Pottstown helped build major structures around the world. Beams iconically stamped ‘Bethlehem Steel’ run through our playhouse. And, of course, the Schuylkill runs through Pottstown, where we have an annual festival and a National and State Heritage Area that honor its beauty and role in our region.”
Kiesling continued, “The new name and logo mark the passage from our initial years of getting established in Pottstown and the surrounding region. We moved to Pottstown in 2005 as part of a broad redevelopment effort, and our wonderful theater complex opened in 2008.”
A name and logo are just a beginning. “Names and logos are just visuals,” says Joshua Lampe, founder and president of StandingStone Media, and the Steel River Playhouse board member leading the re-branding project. “The real work of brand-building is what the Steel River Playhouse has been working on since before coming to Pottstown – quality performances, creating a place for both emerging local talent and established actors and directors to work together, and education that develops talent, confidence and life skills.”
Kiesling adds, “The new brand and façade reflect the Steel River Playhouse commitment to the community and region. From the start, regional planners and leaders recognized that a strong performing arts center would contribute to the economic, cultural and social health of Pottstown and the surrounding region.”
Steel River Playhouse, formerly Tri-County Performing Arts Center (Tri-PAC), seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain,through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Each year, the Steel River Playhouse produces more than 90 performances and hosts more than 10,000 people as audiences, students, artists, donors and volunteers from throughout the region. We offer performance opportunities through open auditions; theater technical training; acting, voice, and instrumental lessons; classes and workshops for all ages; summer camp programs; and educational outreach including scholarships, artists in the classroom, traveling children’s shows, and other initiatives. For further information, visit www.steelriverplayhouse.org, or call 610-970-1199.
Check out Evan Brandt’s article today about the transformation and history of the Steel River Playhouse – all great news for downtown Pottstown and the entire region!
See the details below for a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament that’s taking place TONIGHT at The Carousel at Pottstown. And click here for Evan Brandt’s blog post about it. Oh… and click here if you want to hear Kenny Rogers sing about knowing when to hold ’em and knowing when to fold ’em!
PEAK (Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness) will sponsor a community-wide outreach event for the Month of the Young Child. This year’s event will be held this Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 1-3 pm at the Freedom Valley YMCA at 724 North Adams Street in Pottstown. We will have Smokey the Bear, a petting farm, Pipper the Clown, moon bounce, and free snacks. Community agencies will provide family activities.
From Peak’s website: “The PEAK initiative is funded through the Pennsylvania-Pre-K Counts, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, Montgomery County Foundation and Children’s Trust Fund and focuses on building partnerships with the early learning programs in the Pottstown community. The goals of PEAK are:
Every three and four year old child has access to high quality child care, early childhood education, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.
Every parent of young children has access to the high quality skill building and resources needed to prepare them to be their child’s first “teacher” and to prepare their children for success in school.
Every child has access to health and wellness services to ensure that they are prepared to maximize their potential in school.”
I’ll be at the YMCA on Saturday afternoon, along with other representatives of MOSAIC Community Land Trust. Stop by our table to learn about Pottstown’s first community garden being built at 423 Chestnut Street and to become a member. Joining the community garden is an affordable, fun way to grow fresh veggies for you and your family; beginner gardeners are welcome. We will offer workshops and help every step of the way. Plots are still available. Come find out what this exciting project is all about! We’ll have a fun project for kids at our table!
Contact the PEAK Coordinator at 610-970-6655 if you have any questions. We hope to see you Saturday afternoon at the YMCA to celebrate Pottstown’s young children!
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.
Speaking of economic development and PAID, Inc., check outEvan 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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
Have you ever wanted to have 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, but don’t know where to begin?
This spring MOSAIC Community Land Trust is building Pottstown’s first community garden at 423 Chestnut Street. They will be holding three information sessions during the month of February to explain what community gardens are all about and to take applications for approximately 40 raised bed garden plots for the 2012 season.
In addition to the garden plots, there will be compost bins, rain barrels, pavers, fencing, trellis, perennial gardens, a storage shed, and water service for irrigation.
Typically, community gardens transform vacant lots into beautiful and positive community gathering places. While fresh, organic food is typically more expensive and out of financial reach for many people, the cost to grow and harvest one’s own food is significantly less. Residents pay a small annual fee to lease their plot and actively cultivate it throughout the entire growing season. MOSAIC plans to provide educational workshops for new and experienced gardeners. Individuals, families, community organizations, youth groups, and local restaurants are all welcome to apply for a plot.
The information sessions will be held at the following times and locations in Pottstown:
Tuesday, February 14 from 7-8 pm at the Ricketts Community Center, 640 Beech Street
Tuesday, February 21 from 7-8 pm at MOSAIC’s office, 10 S. Hanover Street
Saturday, February 25 from 2-3 pm at Victory Christian Life Center, 28-30 N. Washington Street
Applications will be available at the meetings and can be dropped off at any of the above locations or mailed to MOSAIC Community Land Trust by March 1. 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. For more information, contact Sue Repko, MOSAIC Executive Director, at 609-658-9043 or srepko@mosaiccommunitylandtrust.org.
The Borough’s annual clean-up day will take place tomorrow from 8 am-noon. This event is organized by Bill Sharon and Councilman Mark Gibson. If you want to work with fellow residents, bring a pair of gloves, a broom, a rake – whatever tools you think will be helpful – and meet at Borough Hall (100 E. High Street) or at Empire Hook & Ladder (Franklin & Chestnut Streets) at 8 am. The Borough will be going around to pick up trash bags, and there will be dumpsters at Borough Hall and the firehouse. You can also join other volunteers for refreshments at Smith Plaza at noon.
Schuylkill Action Network and the votes of Mercury readers on Facebook. 
Positively Pottstown blog 