Tag: Pottstown

WBZH getting ready to launch Phase 3

Yesterday I had the chance to catch up with Dave Devlin, Program Director for The Buzz, WBZH 1370 AM. The Buzz is the Pottstown area’s only local radio station and it’s poised to launch Phase 3 of their plan to bring back and expand community radio in a big way for the tri-county region.

Phase 1 involved getting the station back on the air just over a year ago, after 1370 went silent for about a year.

Phase 2 involved a name and identity change from WPAZ to WBZH, The Buzz.

And now, Phase 3 –  which I actually can’t specify just yet! – will soon position the station to serve the community in a way that’s totally unique for a radio/TV station anywhere.

On February 7th The Buzz will hold a press conference, including local bloggers, to announce their new campaign, and on February 9th it will swing into action. Stay tuned here and online at wbzh.net or on the radio at 1370 AM. Catch The Buzz!

 

Next Positively Pottstown Happy Hour this Friday

You are cordially invited to

come in from the cold and meet old friends and new at The Party ReduX Brand Store, a full-service party and event planning company in downtown Pottstown.

Jeffery Jackson and his team welcome you to their location at 205 E. High Street
from 5-7 pm to sample stellar hors d’oeuvres and get your weekend started!
As usual: $5 cover for appetizers; beverages complimentary.
RSVP 
ASAP
to
positivelypottstown@gmail.com

Wellness Foundation Helps Community Garden Grow

The Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $30,000 to the Preservation Pottstown/Mosaic Community Land Trust to build Pottstown’s first community garden at 423 Chestnut Street. The Foundation’s grant will allow for the construction of up to 42 raised beds for planting and the installation of fencing, paths, a trellis, rain barrels, compost bins, benches, and a play area for children.

“We are honored and grateful to receive this grant from the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, which will allow us to complete Pottstown’s first community garden this spring,” said David Jackson, President of Mosaic Community Land Trust. “The garden will greatly increase access to healthy foods and already has many supporters in Pottstown and surrounding communities.”

Community gardens are a growing trend particularly in vacant lots in urban areas. They are viewed not only as a way for people who have limited access to full-service supermarkets for fresh produce to improve their nutrition, but also as a way for neighborhood residents to reconnect. Residents pay a small annual membership fee and are given a small plot in which to grow vegetables and flowers. Educational workshops will teach members how to garden and what tasks need to be completed throughout the entire growing season. Jackson noted, “Some of the additional benefits of a community garden include: improving the quality of life for neighborhood residents, stimulating social interaction, beautification of the neighborhood, and improving opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education.”

A key to the success of a community garden is the development of partnerships. Jackson includes as Mosaic’s partners for this project: Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, Borough of Pottstown, Pottstown School District, Genesis Housing Corporation, Susquehanna Bank, Lowes, Davey Tree Experts, Lointerhome, and many individual donors and volunteers.

The Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation enhances the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. The Foundation was formed in July 2003 with the proceeds obtained from the sale of the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Non-profits interested in learning more about the Foundation’s grants program and application process should visit their website at www.pottstownfoundation.org. For great ideas on how to create a healthy lifestyle for you and your family, check out their online community, Mission Healthy Living, at www.missionhealthyliving.org

Juan Carlos now open for Sunday brunch!

Juan Carlos is now officially open for Sunday brunch, every Sunday from 9am to 1pm! Their breakfast menu – a special blend of the classic, the Hispanic, and a few of our own creations – features 12 delicious items, made fresh to order. Stop in and try:


-the decadent Breakfast Chili Relleno: the classic poblano pepper stuffed with scrambled eggs, chorizo, and mixed cheeses, and served with a side of home fries.

–Triple Berry Toast: a favorite for anyone with a sweet tooth! This dish showcases warm ciabatta bread sandwiching Nutella-cream cheese filling, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, and topped with our homemade icing.

-the ever-popular Vegetable Frittata: featuring mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, onions and jalapeños, and served with a side of home fries.

But keep in mind, folks, that this is only a sample of what they have to offer! Stop in this Sunday – and every Sunday afterwards! Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Restaurant is located at 235 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. Their number is 484-624-4931.

“Year of the Young Woman” kicks off on Jan. 21 at Pottstown YWCA

Life is generational by nature. So is the generation gap. The YWCA Tri-County Area invites women of all ages to attend “Bridging the Gap”, the first in a series of workshops provided during 2012, “Year of the Young Woman”. This series of events and opportunities will highlight the cohesion and shared promise of women reaching their full potential.

 

According to Andrea Primas, YWCA Tri-County Area Executive Director, “A girl’s passage from childhood to adulthood is often uncertain and confusing. Women face tremendous challenges today as well as numerous, unprecedented opportunities. The YWCA’s goal is to address these issues, and provide women of all ages with the means to thrive and live competent, confident, capable lives.”

 

Bridging the Gap will be an insightful panel discussion that will include both young and seasoned women. The program will facilitate cooperation and understanding between women of different ages and cultures. It will create a synergistic relationship between women as they recognize their mutual interdependence by connecting the wisdom of some, with the enthusiasm of others.

 

“Panelists will consist of multigenerational women from our local community as they share and relate their experiences and the importance of communication,” states Sharon Basile, Board President of the YWCA Tri-County Area.

 

The panel discussion and light tea will take place on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the YWCA Tri-County Area, 315 King Street, Pottstown. Attendance is FREE, but reservations are required. To attend, call the YWCA at 610-323-1888 to register.

 

The YWCA has designated 2012 as the “Year of the Young Woman”. Future programs will focus on topics such as Journaling, Body Image, Non-Traditional Careers, Cyber Bullying and Stalking, Go Green, and Advocacy.

 

About the YWCA:  The YWCA Tri-County Area has been serving the Pottstown and surrounding communities for over 100 years. Their mission to eliminate racism and empower women is achieved through programs and services such as Child Care, Adult Literacy, Women EXCEL and their Healthy Choices program for teenage girls.

 

 About the Year of the Young Woman – 2012:  In keeping with the YWCA USA;’s focus on engaging a new generation (30 & Under), the Year of the Young Woman (12-30), sponsored by the YWCA Tri-County Area, is a series of events and opportunities to connect younger and seasoned women. The experiences will facilitate cooperation and understanding between women of different ages and cultures, and create a synergistic relationship between women as we recognize our mutual interdependence, connecting the wisdom of some to the zeal of others.

 

“No country can get ahead if it leaves half of its population behind,” International Women’s Day, 2011.

 

To be part of building a relational bridge, or for more information about the YWCA Tri-County Area, please call 610-323-1888 or visit them online at www.ywcatricountryarea.org.

 

 

Free Winter Art Program for Kids

The application deadline for the next session of free art programs for children
at The Gallery School of Pottstown is January 14.

Kids Art Academy is an arts exploration program for children ages 8-12. Students explore many mediums and techniques, from drawing and painting to mosaics and glass fusing.

Clay Academy is a ceramic arts program for the same age group. Students in this program will get experience in hand building as well as using a pottery wheel.

Both programs are funded by the Greater Pottstown Foundation and are free for the students, with the exception of a small registration fee once they are accepted into the program.  While preference is given to those students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, all students are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information and an application, please visit the Gallery School’s website at
www.galleryonhigh.org, or visit their 254 E. High St. location. Questions can be
emailed to info@galleryonhigh.com, or asked over the phone at 610-326-2506.

The Gallery School of Pottstown is a 501c3 non-profit community art school and
gallery. 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. The Gallery on High hosts rotating shows
featuring local artists. The Gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift
items.  The Gallery on High is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-4:30pm and
Saturday 10am-3pm. The Gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

The Gallery School of Pottstown
@Gallery on High
254 E. High St.
Pottstown, PA  19464
610-326-2506
www.galleryonhigh.org

IMPROV and OPEN HOUSE EVENTS KICK OFF 2012 AT TRI-PAC

Looking for a way to kick off the New Year by learning something new, or with an evening full of surprises, fun and creativity?   Join the excitement at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, as the  exciting winter session of classes are unveiled and  the N Crowd provides an evening of fast-paced improvisational theater!

The fun begins with an OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, January 7th from 11 AM until 5 PM.  Then visit one of Pottstown’s eateries and come back to the theater for a performance of the N Crowd at 8 PM!   Can’t make it Saturday?  The Educational OPEN HOUSE will continue on Sunday from 11 AM until 5 PM.

The N Crowd is a professional short form improvisational troupe that has been performing weekly inPhiladelphiasince 2005. Performers include Pottstown’s own BJ Ellis! At each show, the N-Crowd plays a series of games and scenes based on suggestions from the audience. There are no scripts, no props, and nowhere to run! The N Crowd was selected by Fox 29’s Hot List as the Best Comedy Club in Philadelphia in 2008 and finished 2nd place in the same category in 2009. Currently, they perform at the Actors Center in Philadelphia.

The audience is an important part of the show, providing the suggestions and cheering the cast on as they tackle a variety of topics.  Be a part of the fun TODAY, Saturday, January 7th at 8 PM.  Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $13 for children 12 and under.  Parental guidance is suggested for this show.  Tickets may be purchased at www.tripac.org, or at the door the night of the show if available.  As always, there are discounts for groups of 10 or more.

At the Education Open House you can register for Group Classes and Private Lessons for ages 3 through senior citizens. Group classes include acting, comedy improv, scene study, audition techniques, music, voice, storybook character play and age-based performance troupes. Private instruction includes acting, voice, piano, guitar, flute, music therapy, and monologue coaching.  Check the website, www.tripac.org, for full class descriptions and times.

Get ready for a great Winter season with the N Crowd, “Goldilocks”, “Ain’t Misbehavin”, “Toys In The Attic”, “Farragut North”, performances by the Melange Contemporary Dance Company and the Senior Follies, all leading up to a great musical in June.  There’s something for everyone at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center!

Village Productions is a dynamic performing arts organization founded in 2001 by a dedicated team of performing artists, arts educators, and area residents who dreamed of creating new and highly accessible performing arts opportunities for the community.  Village Productions seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and educational opportunities geared toward a diverse audience.  You may contact Village Productions through their website at www.tripac.org, or by telephone at 610-970-1199.

Plunge into New Year and the Schuylkill River on January 1st

Pottstown’s very own Polar Bear Plunge will take place tomorrow morning at 10:30 am on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Riverfront Park. Participating polar bears – humans in varying states of undress – must sign a waiver ahead of time.

All of the New Year festivities, which are sponsored by the Borough Parks & Recreation Department, begin at 9 a.m. with registration for the Polar Bear swimmers. At the same time, all visitors can participate in a card game that involves swapping cards with other visitors and getting to meet new people.

At 10 a.m., the National Anthem will be sung and the crowd will hear a few words from Mayor Bonnie Heath. The Christmas Tree Toss will begin and the bonfire will be lit by the Philadelphia Steam Fire Company. There may be a new event added, such as a fruit cake toss. Then, at 10:30 a.m., the swimmers will descend into the Schuylkill’s waters. Afterwards, they can dry off and warm up by the bonfire and purchase hot dogs and sauerkraut, which is supposed to bring good fortune in the coming year.

Weather.com is calling for partly cloudy skies and a high of 53 degrees. The river waters will definitely be colder than that. If you’re up for a bracing way to start off 2012 and want to be part of a community event that keeps getting bigger and better, get out to Riverfront Park tomorrow morning!

Still shopping? Unique gifts can be found in downtown Pottstown.

Farmers' Market, High & Charlotte

Procrastinator that I am, I got a huge amount of shopping done on  just a couple of blocks of High Street yesterday afternoon. The Gallery on High… Weitzenkorn’s… Fine Wine & Good Spirits… and The Farmers’ Market. Yes, the Farmers’ Market vendors have gift certificates so you can give the gift of fresh, local food. Stop in to see Grumpy’s Sandwiches, Freeland Market, J&H Produce, Mosteller’s Seafood, Wegman’s Deli, and Pottstown Florist. You might want to wind up your shopping at Weitzenkorn’s; they were serving wine and cheese and they provide free gift wrapping. They’ve got a beautiful selection, knowledgeable and friendly service, and some items were reduced 40%!

There are many other shopping options throughout town… Company Cakes on Charlotte Street, gift certificates to restaurants like Henry’s, Funky Lil Kitchen, the Brickhouse, and Juan Carlos Fine Mexican. How about a gift certificate from Belle Rouge or Emilie’s or something special for that special someone from Jean’s Lingerie? And don’t forget The Milkman Lunch Company & Cake Shoppe, tickets to the Tri-PAC, or lessons from High Street Music Company and The Ballroom on High!

Don’t forget to check out the websites and give a call to confirm hours today, Christmas Eve!

Triple chocolate souffle absolutely divine at Juan Carlos in Pottstown

This past Tuesday night I found myself briefly transported to heaven. One minute I was sitting at a table in Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine at 235 E. High Street in downtown Pottstown, the next I was experiencing a form of transcendence. I had finished my chicken fajitas, chef Ron Garza’s mouth-watering combination of seared chicken and smoky, slightly spicy grilled onions and peppers. I’ve been to Juan Carlos many times, but for some reason, this was the first time I’d had the fajitas and they were outstanding.

I was, however, really looking forward to one of the dessert specials – the Triple Chocolate Souffle. I hadn’t indulged in a decadent dessert in quite some time, but when Casey, my friendly and attentive server, described it, I couldn’t resist.  Chef Garza needs about twenty minutes’ notice to make this dessert, and I placed my order for it when I ordered my food.

When the souffle arrived it looked like this: chocolate ice cream on the left, a dollop of whipped cream in the middle, and a small, round chocolate cake on the right. All of it was drizzled with chocolate sauce. After my first small bite of the cake, I thought, “Okay….” and let the flavors blossom. It is best to take one’s time – to live in the present – when one is on the verge of the miraculous.

Then the second bite… when the dark chocolate center started oozing out, I had what I can only describe as a dessert flashback to a very similar-looking chocolate souffle I once had in a hotel restaurant in Montreal more than a decade earlier. That second bite consisted  of the chocolate lava and the cake, and my heart leapt with hope. Could it be? Yes, it was! It was even more wondrous than that distant memory. Time lost all meaning then as I greedily prepared one spoonful after another of different combinations of the lava, the cake, the whipped cream, and the ice cream. It saddens me deeply to report that I left a few bites on my plate; I was so completely stuffed that it would have been unwise to finish. And yet… and yet I am still filled with regret two days later.

If you have any affection for chocolate, I urge you to call ahead to Juan Carlos Fine Mexican at 484-624-4931, find out if the Triple Chocolate Souffle is available, and then hustle over there, settle in and get set for your own trip to heaven, before it’s too late. 

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