The Secret Studio Returns To ArtFusion 19464 For A Third Year

POTTSTOWN, PA – Looking for a way to make holiday gift shopping easier for your children?  Then be sure to check out VanGogh’s Secret Studio, a fun opportunity for kids 12 and under to shop for special gifts for family and friends.  The studio is fully stocked with goodies for everyone on their lists, from relatives to teachers and coaches.

All items are handcrafted and range in price from $1 to $5.  The Workshop will be open Saturday, December 15 from 10am to 3pm and Sunday, December 16 from 12-3pm at the ArtFusion building, 254 E. High St.

ArtFusion recommends children come with a list and a budget.  Parents can download a simple form from the ArtFusion website: www.artfusion19464.org.  The ArtFusion elves will help the children select gifts and stay within their budget.  Shoppers will even get their gifts wrapped for free! Parents must remain in the gallery while their children shop.  The Studio is a fundraiser for the non-profit ArtFusion 19464.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown.  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.

Reading/Berks Businesses Participate In Small Business Saturday

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

Right on the tail of Black Friday, as consumers shake off their turkey slumber to start their Christmas shopping, is Small Business Saturday.

American Express began the effort in 2010 and its website boasts that more than 100 million people came out to support independently owned businesses last year.

Today’s event has several area retailers celebrating by bringing consumers extended hours, discounts, special events and the like, to encourage holiday shopping at small businesses.

Brad Eastman, owner of home specialty shop E.I. Home, 4453 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, said he was overwhelmed by the amount of people who came out for the event last year.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=430955

Vignettes Of Black Friday

With promotions, discounts and doorbusters already well under way on Thanksgiving Day itself, many big-box retailers are making Black Friday stretch longer than ever.  The Lede is checking out the mood of American consumers in occasional vignettes Thursday and Friday as the economically critical holiday shopping season kicks off.

Shoppers waiting outside Sam’s Club in Eagan, Minn., for Friday’s 7 a.m. opening clung to free Starbuck’s Holiday Blend coffee as they endured freezing temperatures and biting winds and collected brightly colored vouchers for laptops and big-screen TVs.

The biggest draw: a 96-cent Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone.  Once inside, they also beelined for tickets for the 63 Samsungs in stock, which sold out shortly after the store opened.  Customers could make an appointment for later in the day or another day to purchase the phone, choosing from three carriers, Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint.

“O.K., this is my last blue for Sprint,” an employee called out at 7:08 a.m.

Read more:  http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/coverage-of-black-friday/?hp

Scranton Shop Owners Hopeful ‘Small Business Saturday’ Takes Off

Retailers hope the third time will be a charm as they prepare for Small Business Saturday, the shopping season’s celebration of small boutiques and mom-and-pop stores.

In 2010, Small Business Saturday was a nonevent for customers of Lavish Body and Home in downtown Scranton.  Lavish was busy, but no one really knew about Small Business Saturday.

Last year, Lavish co-owner Jonathan Chernes said a good number of people came to the store solely because it was Small Business Saturday.  This year, more people are talking about it, he said.

“Merchants have gotten together, there is buzz in social media, and ever more advertising on television,” Mr. Chernes said.

Read more:  http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/local-shop-owners-hopeful-small-business-saturday-takes-off-1.1407292

Pittsburgh Ready To Light Up The Night

A map of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its neighborhoods labeled. For use primarily in the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pittsburgh police are hoping Light Up Night revelers will avoid the buzz kill of a parking ticket or trip to the tow pound.

They are recommending extra caution tonight for those who drive to the festivities.  Because several parking meters have been removed and replaced with kiosks, the temporary “no parking” signs might not be as in-your-face as when they were attached to each meter.  They recommend that visitors park in lots or garages rather than on the streets.

As an added precaution, they are urging visitors not to leave valuables like iPods, laptops or GPS devices within sight in their vehicles.

“The holiday season is upon us and there are predators who seek the opportunity to vandalize vehicles when they observe unsecured valuables left in plain view,” said police spokeswoman Diane Richard.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/city-ready-to-light-up-the-night-662359/#ixzz2CP2kXJyz

More Light Up Night info here:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/lifestyle/downtown-will-be-packed-again-for-light-up-weekend-662083/

Poor Economy Great For Dollar Stores

Dollar stores have evolved into a go-to spot for holiday shoppers on a tight budget or trying to get more value for their money. In contrast with the often dingy spaces they once occupied, many have undergone renovations and are stocked with a bounty of Christmas trees, wrapping paper, toys and inexpensive electronics for the holiday season. Some even carry steaks.

With the job market and economy still unsettled, dollar stores are predicted to perform robustly as shoppers of all incomes flock there to pick up cheap decor and presents. For the fourth quarter, the category is expected to post a sales increase of 4.2% or higher at stores open at least a year, according to business data firm Thomson Reuters.

Although dollar stores have attracted higher-income customers in recent years, the fallout of the nation’s economic downturn is still especially evident in the aisles of these low-cost stores during the holidays.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/business/la-fi-dollar-store-christmas-20111221,0,3740256.story

Reading Christmas House Tour – Centre Park Historic District

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If you enjoy touring historic homes decorated for the Christmas season then you might want to head to Reading this Sunday, December 11th.  The 27th Annual Centre Park Historic District Christmas House Tour is from 1pm to 6pm.  The tours are self-guided and ticket are $15.00!  Tickets will be available at Centre Park, in the 700 block of Centre Avenue, on the day of the tour.  Advance tickets are $12 per person and are available at www.centrepark.org or by calling (610) 375-7860.  Advance tickets are non-refundable.

If riding in a horse-drawn carriage is your thing, that is available as well.  Tickets are $5.00.

Parking is available at First Energy Stadium and a free trolley will shuttle you to and from the historic district.

If you don’t want to tour on an empty stomach, a champagne brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Adrienne’s Inn at Centre Park.  Brunch is $25 per person (includes champagne mimosa) or can be combined with a house tour ticket for $35.  An advanced reservation for brunch is required.  Brunch reservations can be made using the phone number or website listed above.

28th Annual Pennsylvania Christmas Craft and Gift Show Starts December 1st!

If you want to shop till you drop then look no further than the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.  The 28th Annual Pennsylvania Christmas Craft and Gift Show has HUNDREDS of vendors with merchandise for every taste and budget!

In addition to shopping, there is food, entertainment, a 120-foot train display, gingerbread house building and visits with Santa for the kids!

OMG you say!  Tell me more!

WHEN: 10am – 8pm Dec. 1 & Dec. 2  

9am – 8pm Dec. 3  

10am – 5pm Dec. 4

WHERE: Farm Show Complex, 2300 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg

COST: $7, $6 seniors

INFO: (717) 233-5100 or www.pachristmasshow.com

Occupy Pottstown’s Small Business Saturday Event A Success!

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Today’s Occupy Pottstown event was not the usual demonstration or rally.  Instead, Occupy Pottstown members shopped and dined downtown from 10am until 1pm.  The emphasis of today’s event was to support downtown merchants and let them know Occupy Pottstown members are committed to shopping locally first, when possible.  In other words, walk the talk.

Occupy Pottstown members distributed literature downtown ahead of today’s event and had the support of PDIDA and many merchants.  Occupy members wore identification tags so that local merchants could see the tangible impact organizing an event like this would have.  Occupy members were greeted with enthusiasm by local merchants.

There are actually more businesses downtown than I realized.  We had no trouble spending three hours shopping.  Some new businesses have sprung up including one new store selling fresh fruit, produce and baked goods at very reasonable prices.  The group I walked around with did not have time to visit every store downtown.  That just leaves more for the next trip 

After today, several members have decided to do as much of their Christmas shopping downtown as possible.  Supporting Pottstown’s existing businesses will encourage other entrepreneurs to consider opening a new business in Pottstown.  I would say the four people in my group easily spent $250 downtown today.  Imagine if a few hundred people would regularly shop downtown on a Saturday!  Imagine if only 10% of Pottstown’s 22,377 residents shopped downtown regularly.

I can happily report my group was not bothered by any panhandlers while we shopped.  There were a few people “hanging around” but they kept to themselves or just said “hello”.  It was a very pleasant experience.

Pottstown’s Funky Santa Individual 5K & 3-Person Relay 5K

Funky Santa Individual 5K & 3-Person Relay 5K
Sunday, December 4th, 2011 – 9:15 A.M.
Montgomery County Community College – 101 College Drive, Pottstown, PA

Race will be held Rain, Snow, Sleet or Shine!
Multiple race divisions for teams and individuals!
Great holiday fun with family and friends … make a day of it during the Pottstown Hometown Holiday Celebration!!!
Prizes for the best holiday dressed or festive costumes.

More Information: http://www.pottstown.org/PDF/funk-santa-5k-relay.pdf

REGISTER ONLINE AT:

www.makebreak.com

 

Pottstown Area Rapid Transit Special Holiday Service

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Special holiday service will operate on the following Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas Days: November 27, December 4, December 11 and December 18.

The holiday service will operate every 60 minutes between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and follow the Night Line routing on Stowe-Sanatoga, Philadelphia Premium Outlets-Pottstown Center, North End Loop-Upland Square and Coventry Mall lines.

Contact PART for specific route and trip information at 610-326-5413.

Pottstown Area Holiday Happenings – This Weekend

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“A Christmas Carol – The Musical” opens Friday, December 3rd at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center in downtown Pottstown.  For more information click on this link http://www.tripac.org

Daniel Boone Middle School 29th Annual Holiday Craft Show runs this Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th from 9 am to 3 pm both days.  Parking and admission are FREE!!  For more information http://www.danielbooneoptimist.com

Glick’s Greenhouse, Once Upon A Holiday poinsettia show.  December 3rd (9-9), 4th (9-5) and 6th (9-9).  More info at http://www/glicksgreenhouse.com

Christmas at Joanna Furnace, December 3rd & 4th, 6 pm – 9 pm, December 5th, 6pm – 8 pm.   A Victorian Christmas celebration.  Click on http://www.haycreek.org/christmas_at_joanna.htm for more information.

Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company presents The Nutcracker, December 5th at 2 pm at the Hill School Center for the Arts.  Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for students.  Tickets are available online at www.danceboxoffice.com For further information please call SVRDC at 484-941-0683 or visit our website at www.svrdc.org

Pottstown Hometown Holiday Celebration, starts today, December 3rd at 6 pm and continues every Friday in December.  For more information on all the free family fun click here:  http://www.downtownpottstown.org/

13th Annual Holiday Celebration – Intercourse PA

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If you enjoy all things Lancaster County and Christmas in a small town atmosphere, the Village of Intercourse is the place to be this weekend.  Live music, children’s activities, food, crafts, live Nativity, a presentation of Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol“, Santa and more!

Festivities start this weekend (December 4, 2010).  Click on the link below to see the calendar of events.  I would suggest perusing the rest of the website to learn more!

http://www.intercoursevillage.com/events.php?ID=9#anchor

Harrisburg Holiday Parade Slated For This Saturday

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The annual Harrisburg Holiday Parade will take place in downtown Harrisburg on Saturday, November 20th.

The parade starts on City Island at 10 a.m., then travels over the Market Street bridge into downtown Harrisburg.

The parade, which marks the beginning of the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Day holiday season, will feature an appearance by Santa Claus, commercial floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons and specialty units.

If you are looking for some family fun this Saturday, check out the Harrisburg Holiday Parade.