Historic Pottstown Annual Holiday House Tour 2010

The Historic Pottstown Neighborhood Association is proud to sponsor its annual holiday house tour, Historic Pottstown by Candlelight on Sunday, December 12, 2010. This event showcases some of Pottstown’s most treasured architectural wonders both on the outside of these properties as well as their interiors. Come and enjoy our tour to see what Pottstown has saved from the past and kept for the future.
$12.00 Ticket includes:
Victorian Tea presented by the Doe Club at the Pottstown Elks from 12noon-2pm.
All homes and buildings on the tour are open from 1pm-6pm.
Model train display.
Free trolley transportation for all ticket holders.
Free refreshments to ticket holders.

For ticket information or if you are interested in having your home open for our annual holiday house tour, please contact Sue Krause at (610) 323-2229.

Pottsgrove Manor By Candlelight

Candlelight tours for Pottsgrove Manor 2010:

December 12, 2010 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.       

Twelfth Night Holiday Tours begin Friday, November 26th at 10:00 a.m.  Pottsgrove Manor is festively decorated for the season.  Tours run until January 9th, 2011.  Experience what a colonial holiday season would have been like.

Pottsgrove Manor

100 W. King St

Pottstown, PA  19464

Voice: (610) 326-4014

Internet: http://historicsites.montcopa.org/historicsites/cwp/view,a,3,q,24487.asp

Best Bet For Tax Revenue: Mixed-Use Downtown Development

This is an article about mixed-use urban development that should be a must read for all Pottstown civic leaders and concerned residents about the direction our community needs to take.   Hit tip to Chris Huff for the referral!

http://www.newurbannetwork.com/article/best-bet-tax-revenue-mixed-use-downtown-development-13144

SEPTA Replacing Aging Passenger Rail Cars

Image via Wikipedia

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is spending $274 million to replace 120 passenger cars in their commuter rail system.

73 of these new cars will replace ones built in the 1960’s!!!  The first three new cars went on their maiden voyage this morning.

The new Silverliner V rail cars are being partially built in South Korea and finished in Philly.  The new cars have better air-conditioning and heating systems, wider doors, wider aisles, larger windows and wheelchair areas.  All 120 cars should be in service by mid 2011.

Pottstown Brick House Halloween And Thanksgiving Events

Image via Wikipedia

Dave has some great events planned for the upcoming fall holidays!

Saturday, October 30th is the Cops and Robbers Costume Party.  DJ Brother Mike is providing the music.  There will be contests, prizes, giveaways and drink specials.  So dress up as a cop or robber and get down to the Brick House this Saturday night!

Pumpkin drinks, creepy cocktails and Sam Adams seasonal New Castle Brown Ale are on the drink menu!

New entrée specials are:

Tuesday – Chicken Cordon Bleu or Chicken Florentine $12.99

Wednesday – New York Strip Steak $14.99

Thursday – Brick House Shepherds Pie $10.99

Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, at the Brick House includes a “Family Style” holiday meal special.  Reservations are now being accepted  The full menu is also available all day! 

The Brick House is located at the corner of High and Hanover Streets in downtown Pottstown.  Good food, good friends, good times!

Tell ’em Roy’s Rants sent you!

http://www.pottstownbrickhouse.com

‘Moving Stories’ Concert Showcases Innovative Work By Student Choreographers, Dancers

Dance performance Nov. 18-20 displays talents
of 11 young choreographers, more than 50 dancers. 

Allentown, Pa. (Oct. 28, 2010) — The Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Moving Stories,” a dance concert showcasing the new works of advanced student choreographers, Nov. 18-20 in the College’s Baker Theatre in the Trexler Pavilion for Theatre and Dance.

Under the artistic direction of Sarah Carlson, lecturer in dance at Muhlenberg, junior and senior dance majors and minors will premiere original works that represent issues that are important to each choreographer. Each dance presents a unique movement statement, displaying a wide array of movement styles and ideas. The concert represents the culmination of a semester-long choreographic process.

“‘Moving Stories’ is a physical embodiment of the questions that are on the minds of the student body,” Carlson says. “Each dance presents another vibrant way of understanding these questions, prompting further inquiry, and an experience of these issues on a kinetic, visceral level.”

The student choreographers draw deeply from personal life experiences in creating their pieces — as well as from their diverse liberal arts education — finding inspiration from a wide range of disciplines.

“Many of the pieces are tackling how our world is changing and how we connect as a society,” Carlson says. “The choreographers are using their pieces as a means of presenting these questions and prompting the audience to come to a new understanding of these issues.”

“Moving Stories” reflects the unique dynamic of the Muhlenberg College dance program, among the highest-ranked programs of its kind in the country. The Fiske Guide to Colleges names both the theater and dance programs among the top 20 small college programs in the United States; Muhlenberg is one of only eight colleges to be listed for both theater and dance.

Most of the pieces are in the modern dance style, but Jeremy Arnold ’12 is one of the few students to choreograph a tap piece for “Moving Stories.”

“I am thrilled to have some incredible feet at my disposal here,” Arnold says.  “I am excited about this piece because the outlet for tap in the real world is relatively limited, and exposing people to my choreographic process, improvisation, and performance experience will be thrilling for me and hopefully will make for a great piece.”

Senior Katie Fierro ’11 uses sound effects and voice-overs to enhance her piece, “A Beautiful Passing,” about her grandfather’s battle with Parkinson’s disease.  AlexJo Natale ’12 and her trio of dancers explore schizophrenia through a childhood fantasy world.

In her piece “Face to Face(book),” Ashley Sleeth ’11 explores the changing dynamics in dating that have occurred because of Facebook. Sioned Papparotto ’12 works with 1950s gender stereotypes, using a ’50s television commercial as the soundtrack.

“Moving Stories” also showcases the works of Brittani Maglio ’11, Christine Pepin ’12, Lynn Lisella ’11, Krista Bacchieri ’12, Maggie Griffin ’11, and Jeanette Meibach ’11.

“Moving Stories” performances are Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18-19, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 20, at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for youth. Performances are in the Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre and Dance, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew Street, Allentown.

Call 484-664-3333, Monday through Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. for ticket reservations, or online at www.muhlenberg.edu/tickets. For more information about the dance program at Muhlenberg College, visit www.muhlenberg.edu/dance

To arrange an interview or photo opportunity with Sarah Carlson or any of the student choreographers, please contact Scott Snyder, at 484-664-3693 or scottsnyder@muhlenberg.edu.

 

Downtown Pottstown Christmas/Holiday Event Schedule

Please click on the link below to see all the exciting activities that will be taking place in downtown Pottstown during the December “holiday” season:

http://www.downtownpottstown.org/

Federal Judge Clears Way For Hotly Contested Valley Forge Park Deer-Kill

A federal judge has cleared the way for Valley Forge National Park to begin “thinning” the deer herd from 1,200 to about 200 animals.  Annual shoots will begin in November and end in March.  They hope to reduce the herd by 500 animals the first year.

For the entire story from the Philadelphia Inquirer, click here:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/news_breaking/20101027_Stop_Valley_Forge_deer_kill__judge_asked.html

President Clinton To Attend Bethlehem Rally For Onorato

Image via Wikipedia

Former President Bill Clinton will be campaigning in Bethlehem for Dan Onorato (D), candidate of governor of Pennsylvania, on Thursday of this week.  The rally will be held at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem.

In other political news, several major newspapers have endorsed Tom Corbett (R) and Dan Onorato (D).  The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is endorsing Corbett while Onorato received the support of the Philadelphia Daily News, the Scranton Times-Tribune and the Easton Express-Times.

Reid: ‘I’ve got a good football team’

Oh Andy, really???

More of the same..”no excuses”, “we need to improve some things”, “Vick is getting better”, “we’re in the hunt” and so forth and so on.

Different year, same @#%&.

Go Eagles!

Fulton Bank Asserts Dominance In Lancaster Financial Services Market

Fulton Bank has asserted its dominance in the Lancaster County financial services market and expanded its lead over number two rival Susquehanna Bank.

Fulton Bank has 23.09% of all Lancaster County deposits, up from 21.3% last year.  Fulton increased its lead over rival Susquehanna Bank from 3.37% to 5.14% over last year.  Both banks are based in Lancaster County.  Susquehanna Bank is based in Lititz and Fulton Bank has its headquarters in Lancaster City on historic Penn Square.

Fulton Bank has a branch in Pottstown located at 799 State Street in the Pottstown Plaza shopping center.  Susquehanna Bank maintains a very visible presence downtown Pottstown occupying a 5-story building at the corner of High and Hanover Streets.

Fulton Bank has been named one of the best places to work in Pennsylvania for 2010 in the large company category.  http://www.fultonbank.com/viewpage.asp?n=3

Fulton Bank has just announced plans to expand their corporate headquarters in Lancaster City and add 225 more employees.  The building project will be between $15-$20 million dollars.  To see the details click here: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/300590

William Penn Memorial Fire Tower In Reading Offers Incredible View – 60 Mile Radius

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower in Reading offers a 60 mile panoramic view!  From the skyscrapers in Philly to Palmerton‘s bald mountain and more.

If you would like the opportunity to see this gorgeous panorama, the fire tower in Reading will be open to the public on November 20th and December 18th!  You have to be willing to walk the 168 steps to the top, but it is well worth it.

Check out the rest of the Reading Eagle article here:

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=258903

Lancaster County Home Sales Rebound In September

Image via Wikipedia

After the federal tax credit expired for homebuyers in June, home sales in Lancaster County took a nose-dive by more than 50%.  568 homes sold in June.  In July, that number dropped to 276!

Since hitting bottom, the number is steadily climbing.  August home sales numbered 302 and September sales increased by 12.3% to 339.

Settlements for the first nine months of 2010 are 4.5% below the same period for 2009.

Interest rates are below 5% for a 30-year mortgage which is helping to drive home sales. 

Additional positive news is houses are selling faster.  52% of homes sold within two months and 34% sold within 30 days.  The median sale price has also increased over 2009 by 7.9%.

Pottstown Trick Or Treat Schedule

Please note, the official Trick or Treat night in the Borough as designated by the Mayor is Sunday, October 31st, 6:00 -8:00 p.m.

SavePottstown! Asks The $64,000 Question

I just read the latest SavePottstown! post.  The question du jour is:

One Year Later… And Exactly What Has Been Accomplished?

I would have to say not much!  Click on the link below to read the latest thoughts from SavePottstown! on the Urban Land Institute Visioning Summit that was held one year ago.  Recommendations were made.  We are all still waiting for something substantive (results) to come out of this meeting. 

http://savepottstown.com/

Early And Cold Winter Predicted For East Coast

Forecasters are predicting an early and cold winter for our neck of the woods, however, another “snowmageddon” or “snowpocalypse” can be ruled out (Thanks be to God).

Temperatures will be normal or below normal for November and December.  Most of our snow will be early in the season.  A January warm-up is also expected. 

La Nina winters are dry but COLD!  Philly is predicted to have an average amount of snowfall.  We appear to be on the border of normal to above normal for temps.

Pennsylvania Jobless Rate Falls Again

This is great news!  The jobless rate in Pennsylvania has fallen for the second consecutive month and is now 9%.  7,000 new jobs were added in September.  The national jobless rate stands at 9.6% so Pennsylvania is below the national average.

New Taxpayer Watchdog Group Being Formed In Harrisburg

Taking a cue from Pottstown, a group of concerned taxpayers in Harrisburg is forming a new organization to represent their interests and concerns regarding the October 1st application for Act 47, which would officially designate Harrisburg a financially distressed city.  The $288 million dollar incinerator debacle is threatening to financially ruin our state capital.

Debt Watch Harrisburg held their first meeting on October 19th at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. Third Street in Harrisburg.  Harrisburg attorney Neil Grover and several other activists are organizing the effort.

If you are a city resident, please click on the link below for more information on how you can protect your interests:

debtwatchhbg@gmail.com

Harrisburg May Not Make Payroll For City Employees

Image via Wikipedia

A bad situation is getting worse by the minute.  Harrisburg has 557 employees and the payroll is $1.2 million.  Payroll is due next week and the city has $492,000.00 in the bank.

Fast Eddie and Linda Thompson are scrambling to find lenders to cover the payroll gap but lenders are skittish about investing in Harrisburg.  Not just because of the incinerator debt but also because of the fighting between the mayor and council.  There is no clear plan in place to get Harrisburg out of the mess they find themselves in.  There is a lot of rhetoric and finger-pointing but no good solutions seem to be forthcoming.

 Somebody needs to take control of this rapidly deteriorating situation!

Copperfield Inn At Lakeside, A Restaurant Review

Image via Wikipedia

 

Wednesday I had the pleasure of dining with my friends JoAnn and Betty at Copperfield Inn at lakeside in Limerick.  I enjoyed Lakeside Inn for many years and was interested in seeing what changes were made physically and to the menu.

 

Visually the space is very appealing.  Rich wood tones, copper accents and more.  We were seated in a booth that was large, comfortable and had a nice pattern on the fabric.

 

Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and was very patient as it took us a while to look over the menu and decide on one thing each.  While the selection isn’t vast, the choices are well thought out.  The majority of the menu items I would have liked to sample.

 

Another thing we liked was that entrées include a garden salad, choice of potato AND a choice of vegetable.  While I would not call this inexpensive dining, the fact that everything isn’t ala carte helps keep expenses down.

 

We finally decided on crab cakes (chef’s signature entrée) and jumbo lump crap meat over whole wheat pasta.  The pasta dish had artichokes and other awesome ingredients in it…a Mediterranean touch.  We all chose creamed spinach, I got a baked potato and Betty chose French fries.  The pasta dish doesn’t come with starch, of course.

 

A basket of warm bread (maybe sourdough) and everything flat bread was brought to the table along with ample butter. 

 

Our salads arrived.  They were fresh and crisp.  Homemade croutons, I believe.

 

Entrées arrived at the perfect time.  Betty and I each got a single crab cake.  Frankly, it was sufficient.  It is all jumbo lump crab meat and was cylindrical in shape.  Nice portion.  The creamed spinach was very good as were the French fries and baked potato.  JoAnn’s pasta dish was spectacular and ample.  She took some home.  She said it was fabulous!  Plates were garnished with candied orchids!

 

Betty and JoAnn shared a strawberry Napoleon which was good, but messy.  I think using a knife would have possibly made things easier.  The dough didn’t cut well with a fork and the filling gushed out.  But again, it was very good.  Maybe not the ideal dessert to share??

 

The ladies also had coffee which they said was good and it was nice and hot.

 

I certainly look forward to a return visit and having the ability to try more menu items!

 

They were very busy for a Wednesday night.  I was glad to see they are doing so well.

 

I give two Roy’s Rants thumbs up for a superb dining experience! A+ 

 

Voice: (484) 938-7082

 

Internet: www.copperfieldinn.net/