Montco Commissioners Tell Pottstown The Era Of The “Big Check” Is Over

Editor’s note:  What else is new.  The county is over involved in Pottstown‘s affairs and has helped to create a great deal of the problems Pottstown and Norristown both face by making them the dumping group for Section 8 Housing and social services.  Now we just wash our hands and say “see ya”.  Typical!

POTTSTOWN, Pa. — Say goodbye to the big, giant check.

That was one of several messages Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards had for Pottstown officials last week during a rare joint meeting of borough council, school board and members of the board of Pottstown Area Industrial Development, or PAID.

Officially, the joint meeting was also the required annual meeting of PAID at which the executive director, Steve Bamford, is required to give a report on the activities of the year before.

But since Bamford was not hired until November, there was not much to tell.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120529/NEWS01/120529365/montco-commissioners-tell-pottstown-era-of-the-big-check-is-over-(video)

Pottstown Borough Manager Lured Away By West Norriton Township

Location of West Norriton Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Pottstown‘s loss is West Norriton‘s gain.  And it is Pottstown’s loss!  Good luck finding somebody to replace Jason!  We wish Jason the best of luck in his new position and thank him for leaving Pottstown in better shape than he found it.

POTTSTOWN, Pa.  — Borough Manager Jason Bobst is leaving the post he has held for three years to take a job as the township manager of West Norriton.

With the 90 days’ notice his contract requires, his last day will fall sometime in August.

Bobst said Tuesday he had not been looking for long, “but I saw an opportunity that opened up and it piqued my interest.”

He was helped in what he said was “a difficult decision” by “ongoing issues around here,” but he declined to elaborate.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120522/NEWS01/120529831/pottstown-borough-manager-hired-by-west-norriton

Montgomery County Community College Graduates Largest Class In Its History

Location of Whitpain Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WHITPAIN — Sarah Munson told the Montgomery County Community College class of 2012 Thursday evening to be proud to say they are graduates of the school, considering the hard work each person put in to finish his or her degree.

“I hope as you walk across that stage tonight and receive your diploma that you have that same pride that I do, for you are not just graduating students, you are workers, veterans, single parents,” Munson said in her student address.

The largest class in history graduated from the community college on Thursday; a total of 1,392 students received 1,417 associate degrees and certificates. This year’s commencement ceremony was the 45th in the college’s history and was held at the central campus in Blue Bell for the first time in two years after renovations on major campus buildings were completed.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120518/NEWS01/120519475/mccc-graduates-largest-class-in-its-history

Collegeville Farmers Market Gets A Jump On Second Season

COLLEGEVILLE, PA - Is one of your favorite days of the year the day the farmers’ markets open for the season?

Much-needed relief from a long, up-and-down winter will be sent on Saturday, with predicted temperatures in the 80s and, more importantly, the opening of the Collegeville Farmers’ Market.

Helping CFM launch its second season are returning vendors like the ever-popular gelato folks (Jenny & Frank’s) and first-of-the-season veggies – lettuce, swiss chard and the like – from Down Home Acres in Fleetwood.

Hand-crafted gifts, locally grown and produced artisan foods, activities for the entire family, and the music of Kendal Conrad round out the market’s 2012 debut.

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-times-herald/story/collegeville-farmers-market-gets-jump-second-season/1

King Of Prussia Wegmans To Open Its Doors Sunday

Location of Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA - “Didn’t there used to be a golf course here?”

There was a gleam in Danny Wegman‘s eye as he cracked a joke, standing on the spot where he and a lot of other folks literally made the earth move – after 16 years of hitches and hurdles.

At a sneak peak of the freshly constructed Wegmans market at 1 Village Drive on Thursday, the company’s amiable CEO said he could hardly believe that his namesake 80th store was three days away from opening in King of Prussia.

The Rochester, N.Y. native recalled how excited his dad, Robert Wegman, was when he first got a glimpse of the North Gulph Road property – then the home of Valley Forge Golf Club – all those years ago.

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-times-herald/story/king-prussia-wegmans-open-its-doors-sunday/1

SPRING-FORD YOUTH COMMUNITY THEATER TO PRESENT THE LARAMIE PROJECT

High School Students Tackle Controversial Play

Spring-Ford Youth Community Theater to Present The Laramie Project

ROYERSFORD, PA  – Spring-Ford Youth Community Theater is proud to present The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and the members of Tectonic Theater Project at the Spring-Ford 8^th Grade Center located at 700 Washington Street, Royersford, PA 19468. Performances run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, May 3^rd through the 12^th.  Curtain is a 7:30 p.m.

The cast is made up of high school students in grades 10 through 12.  Spring-Ford Youth Community Theater President, Bonnie Fetteroff, directs.  Laramie is the capstone production for the group’s 2011-2012 season, its 14^th.

The extensive research that would ultimately become The Laramie Project began in November 1998, one month after Matthew Shepard, a young, openly gay man, was abducted, brutally beaten, tied to a fence and left to die on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming.  Over the course of eighteen months, the writers traveled to Laramie six times and conducted over 200 interviews with its residents to document the community’s views on homosexuality, their reaction to the crime itself as well as to the fact that the perpetrators were two local youth.

The New York Times hailed The Laramie Project as an “. . . enormously good-willed, very earnest and often deeply moving work of theatrical journalism . . .” and Curtain Up called it “. . . a play of forceful but never showy dramatic impact, its seriousness leavened with laughter”.

The Laramie Project asks the audience to call into question the beliefs and values that form the very foundation of modern society: faith, trust, tolerance, forgiveness, community, and the desire for truth.

Please Note: Due to adult themes and language, this production is only suitable for mature audiences.

 Tickets for The Laramie Project are available at the door at a price of $10, advanced tickets are available for $6 from any cast member or by emailing tickets@sfyct.org.

Job Announcements

Pottstown Family Center/Family Services of Montgomery County

Position: Family Involvement Specialist.  Part Time: 12 hours per week @ $10.00 per hour.

Minimum Associate’s Degree in social work, early childhood education, human development/related field OR high school diploma with at least two years of related work experience preferred. Minimum two years working with parents and young children. Valid PA driver’s license and insurance; Child Abuse clearance, PA & FBI criminal background checks. Responsibilities: Assess general welfare needs of families and assist families in goal formulation and completion; collaboration with families and professionals in community agencies and schools; recruitment of families for open programs; provide initial support and follow-up with families; assist with parent group meetings. Qualifications: Knowledge of child development patterns, parent education, family systems and community resources; Bilingual a plus

Contact: Jessica McCartin (610.326.1610), fax resume (610.326.3104) or via email   jmccartin@fsmontco.org by 5/2/12

——————–

Family Services’ Project HOPE is seeking a full time medical case manager to work with clients infected with HIV/AIDS throughout Montgomery County, PA.  The medical case management position will entail linking clients infected with HIV/AIDS to infectious disease doctors and monitoring their progress through treatment adherence and quality of care.  This position will be located in Family Services’ Eagleville Office.  We are looking for a bachelor’s level staff person with experience in case management and working with persons who have a chronic disease.  Fluency in Spanish is a plus but, not necessary to apply for the position.  Candidate must have a car and current car insurance.  All interested candidates should send their resume to Daiquiri Robinson, program director, at DRobinson@fsmontco.org.

“The Voice” Contestant, Tony Lucca Has Ties To Montgomery County

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Reality television has spawned many singing competitions, with NBC’s The Voice being one of the most successful.  Back for a second season, judges Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green have selected another bumper crop of talent to compete on their live shows, where Americans get to vote for their favorite singer(s)!

One of this year’s contestants is Tony Lucca.  Tony was on the Mickey Mouse Club with big stars like Christina Aguilera, Brittney Spears and Justin Timberlake.  However, Tony hasn’t become a household name yet like the people I just mentioned.  That’s not to say Tony isn’t an amazing talent, but there are plenty of talented people who don’t “make it” for one reason or another.

Charles W. Yerger, who taught English in the Spring-Ford School District for 21 years, is our Montgomery County connection.  Mr. Yerger, in addition to teaching at Spring-Ford and working with actress Lisa Waltz during his tenure there, was one of the main tutors for the Mickey Mouse Club stars.  Charles would impart knowledge and wisdom to the young actors from a trailer on the back lot of the Disney MGM studio.  Mr. Yerger worked with these now household names when they were adolescents and played a role in shaping their lives, as teachers often do.  Many have stayed in touch with their former teacher.  Tony has not only stayed in contact with his former teacher over the years but even invited Mr. & Mrs. Yerger to his wedding.

By all accounts Tony is a genuinely nice guy, a family man and a role model!  If you would like to see a video of Tony’s Beautiful Day battle, click here: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/tony-lucca/video/

I guess most people have heard the theory about six degrees of separation, if not click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_degrees_of_separation.  To make the circle even smaller, there is also a Pottstown connection to Tony Lucca (or should I say former Pottstown connection).  Charles Yerger’s daughter is well-known to many people in the Pottstown School District.  Stephanie Carmody was a member of the President’s Task Force and long time supporter of the Pottstown School District before her recent move to Harleysville.  So if you know Stephanie or Charles, you are also connected to Tony Lucca.  Way cool!

The Voice airs Mondays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 9pm on NBC.  Tune in and check out Tony Lucca!  He could use your support!

AFA Foods In King Of Prussia Declares Bankruptcy

Ground beef in industrial grinder (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NEW YORK (AP) – Ground beef processor AFA Foods said Monday that it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and selling its assets after the public outcry over the beef filler known as “pink slime” derailed its efforts to save its already struggling business.

A spokesman said in an email that the company does not rely on boneless lean beef trimmings and uses it only based on customer specifications. But he said the controversy over the ammonia-treated meat filler has dramatically reduced demand for all ground beef products.

AFA Foods, based in King of Prussia, Pa., processes more than 500 million pounds of ground beef products a year. It distributes to retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Safeway Inc. and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Fast-food chain customers include Burger King, Jack in the Box and Wendy’s.

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-times-herald/story/afa-foods-king-prussia-declares-bankruptcy/1

Pennsylvania Cements Status As Nation’s No. 2 Gambling Market

Slot machines at Wookey Hole Caves (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  PottsVegas never happened but evidently other communities have embraced casinos!  King of Prussia wasn’t too good for a casino!

PHILADELPHIA – Pennsylvania’s 11 casinos pulled in more than $233.1 million in gross slot machine revenue last month, setting an all-time monthly high since the state’s first casino opened in November 2006 and cementing the state’s status as the nation’s second-largest gambling market.

The slots totals released Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board include revenue from two test nights and one day of operations at the state’s 11th casino, Valley Forge Casino Resort, which opened Saturday. Overall, the figures broke the previous monthly record of $218.3 million set in July, and they represent an 8.5 percent increase over March 2011.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=377820

Coroner: Cardinal Bevilacqua Died Of Natural Causes

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NORRISTOWN — A suburban Philadelphia coroner said Thursday that 88-year-old Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua died of natural causes a day after he had been ruled competent to testify at the child-endangerment trial of a longtime aide.

Officials had said Bevilacqua, who served as archbishop from 1988 to 2003, was suffering from dementia and cancer. But last month, prosecutors asked the coroner to investigate because of the timing of his death.

Bevilacqua, spiritual leader of the archdiocese’s 1.5 million Roman Catholics from 1988 to 2003, died Jan. 31 at a seminary and was laid to rest without an autopsy. He was suffering from dementia and cancer, according to church officials and his lawyers, and his death was widely assumed to be from natural causes.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-cause-philadelphia-cardinal-death-20120308,0,7254939.story

Foster Grandparent Program At Appalachian Brewing Co., Collegeville

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Party with a Purpose

Eat, drink and shop at Appalachian Brewing Company while raising money for the Foster Grandparent Program and learning about Decorating Den Interiors. 

Thursday, April 12, 11am-10pm

Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 West 3rd Avenue, Collegeville, PA

11 a.m.-10 p.m.    Order from a special fundraising menu, bid on silent auction items, and receive a free design consultation from Decorating Den Interiors

5-9 p.m.    Shop with local vendors (Silpada, Tastefully Simple, and many more!)

For more information, call the Foster Grandparent Program at 610-630-0201. The Foster Grandparent Program, a program of Family Services, provides volunteer opportunities for limited-income seniors over the age of 55 to help children with special needs.

Casino Nears Completion At Valley Forge Convention Center

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Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on Pennsylvania’s 11th slot-machine casino, set to open next month at a convention center just outside Valley Forge National Historical Park.

The sounds of drills, power lifts and hammers filled the air at the still-under-construction casino Tuesday, when the casino’s operators gave tours of the new facility. That cacophony, however, will soon give way to the cha-ching of coins and the whirr of slot machines when the casino fully opens for business on March 31 with 600 slots and 50 table games.

The scheduled opening comes as competition for gamblers is growing in the suburban Philadelphia market, which already has the Parx Casino in Bensalem, SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia and Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack in Chester. By law, Pennsylvania could one day be home to 14 casinos.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-valley-forge-casino-20120228,0,6627210.story

Grammy Winner Is A Homegrown Celebrity, Working In A Montco Supermarket

Congratulations KEVIN!

CHELTENHAM, Pa. (CBS) — One Grammy winner last week is now back at work at his “day job” — working in a Shop Rite supermarket in Cheltenham, Montgomery County.

Kevin Mackie was in California last week to pick up a Grammy award.  His “All About Bullies, Big and Small” won as best children’s album of the year.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/02/16/grammy-winner-is-a-homegrown-celebrity-working-in-a-montco-supermarket/

Target Eyes Valley Forge Shopping Center For Possible New Store

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UPPER MERION — A new development at the Valley Forge Shopping Center goes before the planning commission next week. If approved, a new Target department store and Starbucks Coffee could come to the township in a few months.

The Valley Forge Center Associate are planning to redevelop the eastern portion of the Valley Forge Shopping Center, to include a Target department store, a Starbucks and an inline commercial building.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120203/NEWS01/120209817

First Friday In Lansdale Moves Forward With New Leadership

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LANSDALE, PA  – The committee to run the borough’s First Friday festival, formed earlier this week over coffee, has only three members and is just beginning to formulate a plan.

That’s according to Charles Booz, whose family owns the Chantilly Lace Florist at 29-31 West Main Street.

Booz said the fledgling committee, which includes himself, Ellen Foulke – manager of the Lansdale Business Center – and his mother Margie, plans to meet with the borough’s parks and recreation and public safety committees next month to find out what is required to hold the event.

Read more: http://thereporteronline.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f233e4302e5e074103950.txt

Killer Greist Wants Case Shifted To Federal Court

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Killer Richard Greist has for many years wanted a change of scenery — a release from his involuntary commitment to Norristown State Hospital for mental health treatment. Now, he wants a change of venue.

In December, Greist filed a petition to remove his civil commitment case from the Common Pleas Court in Chester County to U.S. District Court in Philadelphia. He said, acting as his own attorney, that his confinement at Norristown violated his constitutional rights, as well as the American with Disabilities Act.

He contends that his case should be moved to federal court because authorities have altered his commitment status from civil to criminal; have refused to order his annual commitment hearings closed to the public; have not considered a “trial release plan” for him into the community; and have failed to consider what the “least restrictive setting” for him would be.

In response, the county District Attorney’s Office, acting as an intervener in the commitment proceedings, asked the court to dismiss Greist’s petition, calling his assertions “patently false,” “nonsensical,” and delusional.

Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2012/01/23/news/srv0000016988163.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Giant Food Stores To Acquire 16 Genuardi’s Family Markets In Philadelphia Area

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Giant Food Stores, LLC, is making a competitive push into the suburban Philadelphia market.

The Carlisle-based chain announced Thursday it has entered into an agreement to acquire 16 Genuardi’s Family Markets in the Philadelphia area for $106 million.

The transaction is expected to close over the next six months at which point the ownership will be transferred from Safeway Inc. and the stores converted into Giant Food Stores.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/01/giant_food_stores_to_acquire_1.html

RELATED STORY

Royersford, Norristown and Exton Genuardi’s closing!

http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120105/NEWS01/120109752

New Hospital In East Norriton Township Set To Open September 2012

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As the Einstein Medical Center Montgomery (EMCM) construction project in East Norriton moves toward a September 2012 opening, the fate of the Montgomery Hospital building in Norristown is hanging on the subsidized financing for a senior housing proposal.

The seven-story, Montgomery Hospital building on Powell Street may become the home for 108 apartments for seniors, a children’s day-care center and a senior day-care center if the financing plans of Mission First Housing Development Corp. (MFHDC) win state approval.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/article/20111231/NEWS01/111239940/-1/NEWS&pager=full_story

 

GOP Gobbling Up Berks Political Map

The lone Democrat representing Berks County in Congress would be pushed outside Berks borders, allowing three Republican congressmen to take larger chunks of Berks and a fourth to extend his district into the county.

That picture became clear Wednesday when maps and district descriptions began circulating in advance of an expected vote on them by the state Senate.

Dr. G. Terry Madonna, a political analyst and professor of politics and public affairs at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, described the plan as artful and skillfully drawn to protect incumbents. 

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=352919