Category: Sports & Recreation

Pottstown calendar highlights for the coming week

Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure has opened at Tri-County Peforming Arts Center. I saw the preview performance last night, and it is just spectacular! Children will be enchanted by the flying characters; P.J. Schweizer, who plays Peter Pan, is spot-on and full of mischievous energy througout; and Maddie Aicher, who plays Wendy, has got just the most angelic voice I’ve heard in a long time. The show runs Thursday through Sundays up until June 19. TriPAc is located at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. This is a new version of Peter Pan and TriPaC is hosting the U. S. Premier. NY critics will be here to check it out. If it moves to Broadway, you’ll be able to say you saw it first… in Pottstown, PA! There’s be an opening night reception tonight, Friday, June 3rd.  Go to TrIPAC.org to order tickets online. Prices are always discounted for students and seniors.

 Tonight is also the opening of The Pottstown Art Show, presented by the Pottstown Area Artists Guild and The Hill School Center for the Arts. The show will be at the Hill’s Boyer Gallery until June 12. This is PAAG’s first juried show, which will raise funds for scholarships for local students who will pursue the arts in college. The PAAG is in its 51st year. See the Artists Guild website at www. Paag.info for more details.

Get a great deal on used books at the Pottstown Regional Public Library‘s Back Door Book Sale today and tomorrow! The library is at 500 E. High Street; the phone number is (610) 970-6551.

This weekend brings the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life to Pottsgrove High School.  Pottstown’s relay for Life teams raise more money than any other area in Pennsylvania and is one of the top performers in the world, last year raising more than $729,000 to fight cancer. The opening ceremony is at 10 am on Saturday, followed by the Survivor and Caregiver Walk. There are other ceremonies in the evening. See Rosemary Keane’s blog post from earlier today for more details.

For the children of Pottstown, a new and exciting event is being held this Saturday from 12-3 in the new Chestnut Street Park at the corner of Chestnut and Washington Streets. It’s called Science in the Park and it promises fun hands-on activities that will get your kids learning new concepts and maybe even wanting to grow up to be a scientist or engineer!  There will be demonstrations on Kitchen Chemistry, Slime and polymers, rocks and minerals and chemical reactions.  A huge shout-out to Pottstown resident Anna Johnson for bringing this wonderful idea to life! More info can be found at vivapottstown.com.

The professional chamber ensemble CANTATICA will return to Emmanuel Lutheran Church,150 North Hanover Street, Pottstown for the final concert of its 2010-2011 concert season on Sunday, June 5, at 4:00 PM. The program, I Hear America Singing: A Celebration of the American Spirit, will feature solo voices, chamber choir and instruments (clarinet, violin, cello, bass and piano) performing early American hymns, Shaker songs, Afro-American spirituals, Appalachian folk songs and fiddle tunes, contemporary classical settings of Civil War texts, and classic jazz. Admission to I Hear America Singing: A Celebration of the American Spirit is $14 Adults, $12 Seniors, and $6 Students. Tickets may be purchased by email at info@cantatica.org, by telephone at 484-951-5113 and at the door.  

Finally, next Thursday, June 9th Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County is holding a Homeownership Orientation Session from 6:30 PM — 8:30 PM at 450 High Street  in the Sidney Pollack Building across the street from the Pottstown Library. For more info, call Jean Ford, Family Services Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity 610-278-7710.

Scenes from Kenilworth Park

Positively!Pottstown thanks Jim Lovely of Kenilworth for sending in these photos of wildlife in Kenilworth Park. We featured Kenilworth Park in last fall’s Parks & Recreation series for the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Rosemary Keane and I are steadily recording the blog series for WPAZ 1370 AM so they can re-broadcast the information whenever they get a chance; keep an ear open for “Paths, Parks & Playgrounds: Your Guide to Outdoor Recreation.”  We appreciate Jim’s contribution to keeping the area’s incredible outdoor resources in the spotlight!

 

Electronic music artist at BMX event in Memorial Park tonight

Boston-based, electronic music artist Ali Berger will entertain visitors at the BMX Memorial Classic in Memorial Park tonight, beginning at 6 pm. Full disclosure: This is my kid!

Bring a lawn chair and come hang out near the BMX track, where Gruber Pool used to be. HUGE shout-outs to Cathy & Glen Knapper for organizing the Memorial Classic and for letting Ali play, and to the Pottstown Parks & Rec Department for the sound equipment.

Ali’s Facebook page describes his music as, “sometimes chilled out, sometimes heavy, but always glitchy, electronic, and above all, funky. His live shows incorporate on-the-fly mashups and remixes of his own original tunes, which range from glitch-hop to electrofunk to drum & bass. You can catch him rocking shows around Boston and on Lost in Bass on Glitch.FM every Monday night.”

Some of his tunes can be found at BandCamp.com or at Sound Cloud. Here’s a clip from “Spring Break.” See you in the park!

Pottstown’s Justin Knapper sprints to national BMX title

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 by Rennen/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 Park will 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!

For this weekend’s schedule, see here.

Check out our other stories about this weekend’s BMX fun and places for visitors to get a bite to eat around town!

Ride the Nation Meets Trilogy Park BMX: The Warrens are here!

TrilogyParkBMX Memorial Classic Visitors: Where to dine in Pottstown

BMX Family Rides the Nation

BMXers: Welcome toPottstown & check out this special offer!

Trilogy Park in Pottstown hosts national BMX event Memorial Day weekend

BMXers: Welcome to Pottstown & check out this special offer!

Welcome to Pottstown! Just print this ad and take it to Grumpy’s, downtown in the Farmers’ Market, for your discount and delicious sandwich!

*Positively!Pottstown has received no payment of any kind for running these ads. *

Pottstown Business Owners: if you’d like to offer a discount to visitors coming to the BMX tournament this weekend, send a .jpg or other image file to positivelypottstown@gmail.com ASAP. We’ll run coupons through Sunday.


Trilogy Park in Pottstown hosts national BMX event Memorial Day weekend

 Did you know that Pottstown is home to Trilogy Park, a BMX, inline, and skateboard park that hosts a national event each Memorial Day weekend?

Trilogy Park is in Memorial Park at the site of the former Gruber Pool. This year the Memorial Classic is expected to bring between 3,000-5,000 visitors, depending on weather, from as far away as Florida and the Midwest. Each year this event has grown because of the tireless efforts of Pottstown residents Cathy and Glen Knapper and other parent volunteers, and it has gained a reputation as one of the premier events on the National Bicycle League (NBL) circuit.

This is an awesome opportunity for Pottstown to showcase its incredible Parks and Recreation Department and the equally amazing Memorial Park.

I had seen the BMX track last year when I was investigating and writing the parks blog series for the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Even afterwards, though, I didn’t quite know what it was all about, never having gone to a race.

BMX stands for Bicycle Motocross Racing. It involves biking over a dirt course with jumps and turns. Riders wear a helmet, long pants, long-sleeved shirt and closed-toe shoes. Bikes are inspected before each race for safety. Competitors practice the course as much as they can before the race so they’re familiar with the starting gate, obstacles and the turns. Each track posts moto-sheets on a moto-board; this is where riders can find out their number and gate lane for a race. BMX is open to all ages, from toddlers to the over-55 crowd.

The schedule for the Memorial Classic can be found here.

In general, bike inspections and practices by age group begin at 1:30 pm on Friday. A pre-race for local riders who will not be competing in the national races will take place at 6:30 pm.

On Saturday, inspections and practices begin at 6:30 am; opening ceremonies take place at 10:45 and races begin at 11 am and will run until about 4 pm.

On Sunday, there will be NO bike inspections or registrations. There are a few practices scheduled by age group, beginning at 7:30 am. Then racing gets underway at 8:30 am and will run until about 1:30 pm. 

A really special part of this year’s event will be the arrival of the Warren family from Florida in Pottstown on Thursday, May 26th. Neva“The BMX Diva” and her parents, Tammy and Jay, are biking to all the National BMX events this year and blogging about it at www.ridethenation.org. They started their journey on April 20th inTampa and will keep going until they get to the Grand National Championship inLouisville, Kentucky on Labor Day weekend. We’ll be featuring them in an upcoming post and talking about BMX and the Memorial Classic for the rest of the week, so stay tuned! “Like” Trilogy Park on Facebookto keep up with all the latest news, or call the TRACK HOTLINE at 484.363.0592.

Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars Get Down and Derby

You might remember that the last time we checked in with the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars, the league had about 19 members, but these days over 50 skaters can officially call themselves “rockstars!”   The women of Pottstown Roller Derby have big plans for their league, but big plans don’t come cheap. As they outgrow their current space, league co-founders Lida Addison, Tonda Woodling and Patty Fetterman are actively searching for warehouse space in the borough to house their league, and raising funds towards that end. 

This Saturday night, you can come out and support the fledging league and party just like a rock star at the Elks Club from 8pm to midnight.  Your $40 entrance fee gets you food and beer (you’ll need cash if you want mixed drinks) and seventies themed party, named Get Down and Derby with the Pottstown Rockstars,  that just might become legendary. 

Roller derby itself might seem like something of a novelty, but it could be pure gold to Pottstown’s struggling economy.  Bringing a spectator sport like roller derby to the borough would have positive economic ramifications and add to the burgeoning arts and culture vibe that is starting to take root downtown. 

Depending on their eventual home turf, Pottstown’s bouts could attract upwards of 300 people.  The neighboring Lehigh Valley Roller Girls’ League regularly sees attendance between 300 and 500 fans per bout.  And, after watching roller derby, those 300+ people might just hang around for dinner or drinks. 

Skeptical?  It’s understandable that you might be, but consider some of these statistics from the recent poll conducted by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)

Who plays roller derby?

According to responses to the WFTDA’s 2010 demographic survey:

63 percent of skaters are 25 to 34 years old

Most have some post-secondary education; 20% have graduate degrees

31% of responding skaters have children under 18

36% of skaters are married

 

Who watches roller derby?

According to fan responses to the 2010 demographic survey:

Most roller derby fans (60%) are also active fans of other sports

 59% of fans are female

 41% of fans are ages 25-34; another 41% are 35-54

 34% of fans have undergraduate degrees; 21% have a graduate level degree

 (statistics from WFTDA survey, 2010)

That sounds like exactly the kind of demographic that could help this town over the tipping point toward revitalization and the derby league needs some financial help to do it.  Warehouse space (about 20,000 square feet of it) is expensive, as is the actual track they need to furnish it. 

The Rockstars have more in mind that just roller derby bouts, they’ve got great ideas for youth leagues and roller derby boot camp fitness classes.  And, believe me, if you’ve ever seen one of their practices, derby boot camp would be one tough class! 

So, come on out and support the home-grown derby team this weekend at the Elks.  Here is all the info:

Get Down and Derby with the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars

Pottstown Elks Club, 61 High Street

Saturday, May 21st

8pm to midnight

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

$40 tickets includes ALL THE BEER YOU CAN DRINK and food!!!
All the appetizers you can eat!!!
We will have Miller Lite, Yuengling Lager and Labatt’s Blue on tap!
Beer and food included with ticket purchase!
Cash bar for liquor
50/50 RAFFLE
DJ REACT will be spinning the funky beats!!!
70’s Disco Attire is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED

Information about practices can be found on their facebook page and new members are encouraged to come out to the “fresh meat” practices to try out some derby skating.

Airplane rides this weekend for just pennies-a-pound!

A huge shout-out to Pottstown resident Debby Penrod for passing along the details of this amazing opportunity for area folks to experience the thrill of flight! She herself is a member of The Ninety-Nines and has her very own plane, which is kind of hard for me to wrap my head around. I have enough trouble keeping air in my Honda’s tires.

So, here are the details. Head over to Heritage Field Airport in Limerick this weekend – Saturday and Sunday – weather permitting, of course, to get a plan ride at the price of just 15 cents/pound, based on your own weight: minimum $7, maximum $25! (cash only)

For those who have always wondered about those smaller airplanes, or never really took the time to come by the airfield, or whose kids have always dreamed about flying…don’t miss this opportunity to check it out. My first time in a plane took place on just such a weekend, out of Limerick, when my dad took me and four of my siblings for a Sunday car ride. We were surprised to end up at the airport and learn that we were actually going to fly. We all piled into a small plane, and a few minutes later, we were passing over our house at the corner of Franklin and Master in the north end. It was amazing to see how the town was laid out and how our house and yard fit into all that. You get a whole different sense of how we’ve arranged the way we live as a community when you see it from up in the air. Who knows? Maybe this was the first experience that got my brain working like an urban planner’s… Parents: give this some serious thought. These kinds of adventures change kids’ lives!

This flight weekend is being sponsored by the Eastern PA Chapter of The 99s, Inc., and you will find a number of pilots from this chapter or friends from Heritage Field Airport on hand, fielding your questions, looking forward to sharing their passion with you and taking you to the skies.

The Ninety-Nines were established in 1929 by 99 women pilots including Amelia Earhart as first president, The Ninety-Nines is the international organization of women pilots that promotes advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring their unique history and sharing their passion for flight. All proceeds support aviation education and scholarships for The Eastern PA Chapter of The Ninety-Nines.

When:
Saturday, May 14th, 2011
10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, May 15th, 2011
11:00 am to 5:00pm

Where:
Heritage Field Airport
(formerly known as Pottstown Limerick Airport)
3310 West Ridge Pike
Pottstown, PA 19464
Phone: 610-495-7000

More Info
Web: http://www.easternpa99s.org
Contact: epa99s@gmail.com

Keller Williams Realty Group in Limerick Ready for 3rd Annual “RED Day”

Associates from Keller Williams Realty Group in Limerick will “Give Where They Live” as part of RED Day, one of the biggest events in the real estate industry. Short for “Renew, Energize and Donate,” RED Day was created to unite Keller Williams Realty offices and associates in an international day of service. The kick-off for the local Keller Williams efforts will be held this Thursday, May 12, 2011.

  Keller Williams Realty Group in Limerick will be supporting Operation Backpack – an organization that provides local hungry students with much needed food for the weekend. In Pottstown alone there are more than 10% of families living below the poverty level and more than 60% of students qualified for free and reduced lunches. Operation backpack works with individuals and organizations to gather donated food and supplies.

The Food Drive begins at 9am on May 12, 2011 with Special Festivities beginning at 11a.m. at the Limerick location at 542 North Lewis Road in Limerick. They will continue to collect food through May 20, 2011 then the drive will continue and culminate with the 5k Run/Fun walk at RiverFront Park in Pottstown PA.

Keller Williams Realty Group will also be holding a Blood Drive conducted by Miller-Keystone Blood Center on Thursday, May 12th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at their Limerick location. Because there is a desperate need at this time for blood, they encourage you to stop by to show your support to this much needed cause.

For more information about RED Day and how you can participate by donating to Operation Backpack or the Blood Drive, please log on to www.kwrealtygroup.com

During RED Day 2010, over 35,000 Keller Williams associates participated in activities ranging from food and blood drives to cleaning up trash in public parks, doing yard work for neighbors in need or revamping gardens at nursing homes totaling more than 150,000 hours of service, making RED Day one of the biggest events in the real estate industry.

Keller Williams Realty Group is located at 542 North Lewis Road in Limerick, PA. Their mission is to Build Careers Worth Having, Businesses Worth Owning, and Lives Worth Living. For more information on a career in real estate, or to find out how to be a part of their growing team in Limerick, please visit their website at www.kwrealtygroup.com

Man-made waterfalls: A vision for Pottstown?

This past Friday, Joe Zlomek, Managing Editor of The Sanatoga Post, published an interesting revitalization story out of Rosemont, Illinois. You can check out the article here: “You can see the Pottstown waterfalls from Illinois.”

Joe describes the way this relatively new town created waterfalls at one of their gateways and at an entrance to a walkway along the Des Plaines River and asks readers to imagine something similar along Pottstown’s Schuylkill Riverfront.

With funding from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area and the William Penn Foundation, the Borough is in the midst of developing a Heritage Action Plan. The plan will lay out a vision, goals and objectives, and a marketing strategy for linking Schuylkill River Trail users to downtown resources, such as shops, restaurants, arts, culture, history and recreation. The River and the Trail are key to any revitalization and economic development strategy.

A working group meeting is taking place this morning, Monday, April 18 from 10:30am-noon. Anyone interested in being part of the planning or implementation of the Heritage Action Plan is welcome to attend this or future meetings.  Please send an email to PtownHAP@gmail.com or check out the Pottstown Heritage Action Plan on Facebook for more info.

A huge “THANK YOU” to Joe for giving us some creative food for thought!

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