Pottsgrove Manor To Host Homeschool Day

Pottstown, PA – On Friday, October 4, 2013 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, bring homeschoolers out to historic Pottsgrove Manor for a fun-filled and educational field trip that will let them explore the skills, trades, and pastimes of the 18th century with the site’s fourth annual Homeschool Day.

Around the grounds, children will be able to participate in hands-on activities led by Pottsgrove Manor’s staff and volunteers. Activities will include candle-dipping, apple cider-pressing, writing with a quill pen, dancing and etiquette lessons, tape-weaving, and much more. Guests will get to meet sheep from Red Rope Farm and learn how their hair would be spun into yarn. Demonstrations of open-hearth cooking will take place in the manor’s kitchen. The first floor of the Pottsgrove Manor mansion will be open for self-guided tours, with volunteers stationed in the rooms to share the house’s history and answer questions. The museum shop will be open for the purchase of books, games, souvenirs, and more.

This program is ideal for elementary-aged students and is open to individual homeschool families, homeschool groups, and small school and church groups. The cost is $5.00 per child. Call 610-326-4014 to preregister or for more information. Groups are encouraged to preregister. Activities will be ongoing throughout the day; allow at least two hours for the visit. As most activities will be outdoors, this program will be held weather-permitting. Limited parking and handicapped spots are available in the Pottsgrove Manor parking lot. Visitors may also park directly across on King Street in the Quality Inn parking lot.

Pottsgrove Manor can also be toured during regular museum hours Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm. The site is closed Mondays and major holidays. Groups of ten or more should preregister by calling 610-326-4014.

Pottstown Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Pottsgrove Manor is operated by MontgomeryCounty under the direction of the Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. For more information, please call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

All Around Pittsburgh, They Are Raising The Jolly Roger

Handkerchief code (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As the Pirates enter the last weekend of home games, play-by-play announcer Greg Brown’s signature call, “Raise the Jolly Roger” — based in dark pirate history — is raising the jolly spirits of the new Pirates Nation.

Fans are buying Jolly Rogers by the thousands, with Pirates retail sales now equalling those of the Steelers, even with the NFL season underway. Retailers are gushing. Fans are celebrating. And the entire region is marching toward the playoffs under skulls and crossbones.

And it all started decades ago, when Mr. Brown had a crazy idea as a Pirates front-office employee.

He thought the historic pirate theme could be exploited, so he marched to a team executive’s office, knocked on the office door, and entered to find the exec’s face buried in paperwork, glasses balanced on the bridge of his nose.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/all-around-town-they-are-raising-the-jolly-roger-704146/#ixzz2fSISs2Hl

Residents’ Input Spurs Revisions At Grandview

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

After scrapping a grandiose hotel and condo project on Mount Washington in favor of apartments, a developer once again is tinkering with plans for the development.

The 300 apartments won’t be changing, but developer Beau Beemsterboer is adding an overlook and building a more “iconic” tower at the site of the former Edge restaurant at the east end of Grandview Avenue.

Charles L. “Luke” Desmone, the architect for the project, said Thursday the changes are being made to address concerns and comments raised by residents at meetings to discuss the switch from the hotel/condo project to the apartment complex.

As part of the latest revisions, a “stage-like” platform will be built just east of the Monongahela Incline and will offer visitors views of the Downtown skyline. While part of the proposed apartment complex, Mr. Desmone said the goal is to have the observation deck open to visitors.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/residents-input-spurs-grandview-revisions-704114/#ixzz2fSF3aCJP

Massive Foreclosure Sale: 16 Office Buildings, $67M In Debt, Spanning 2 Counties

Locator map of the Harrisburg metro area in the south central part of the of . Red denotes the Harrisburg-Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area, and yellow denotes the Lebanon Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Harrisburg-Carlisle-Lebanon CSA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sixteen office buildings, $67 million in debt.

It is a sprawling real estate portfolio, one that stretches from Mechanicsburg in the west to Lower Paxton Township in the east. And its all being put up for sale to the highest bidder in October, dramatically enough on the steps of the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Harrisburg.

The foreclosure sale – one of the largest, if not the largest in the midstate’s recent history – comes after a year-long, largely uncontested civil case in federal court, between one of the nation’s largest banks and a real estate company which serves as proxy for other, largely unknown investors.

The buildings include sites in Rossmoyne Business Park in Upper Allen Township, Interstate Drive in Susquehanna Township, and along Flank Drive in Lower Paxton, home to dozens of private businesses and several state agencies, including PEMA.

Reads more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/09/massive_foreclosure_scheduled.html#incart_m-rpt-2

Lancaster Central Market: The 13th Best Market In The United States?

Lancaster County loves Central Market. We know that.

But so do fresh-food aficionados across the United States, according to recent rankings.

Lancaster’s Central Market is ranked the 13th best among 101 farmers’ markets across the nation by The Daily Meal, a website that celebrates all things culinary.  It was the only farmers’ market in Pennsylvania to make the list.

The Daily Meal said its ratings factored in the quality, number, and variety of products sold at the markets, and the availability of each vendor’s background information.  The website also weighed what it described as “street credibility.”

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/896875_Lancaster-Central-Market–The-13th-best-market-in-the-United-States-.html#ixzz2fS8zsrGf

One In Three Kids In Scranton In Poverty

Locator map of the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan Statistical Area in the northeastern part of the of . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As grim as the numbers are, Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly anticipated worse.

New U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Thursday showed deepening poverty across Northeast Pennsylvania, particularly among children.

In Scranton, more than one of every three children – a whopping 33.5 percent – lived in poverty in 2012. Throughout the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton metro area, the rate was one in four among kids and one in six across the entire population.

“I’m not surprised other than I thought the numbers would be higher overall,” said Monsignor Kelly, executive director of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton.

That he was wrong didn’t make him feel any better about the figures or the misery they represent.

“I don’t know how our families are surviving,” he said. “There is little or no help.”

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/one-in-three-kids-in-scranton-in-poverty-1.1555434

PA Attorney General Charges 16 In Drug Ring

HARRISBURG, PA — A Luzerne County man was charged Thursday in connection with a drug trafficking ring being prosecuted by state Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s office.

A grand jury determined evidence is sufficient to charge Darryl Elliot, 27, of South Grant Street, Wilkes-Barre, and 15 others with drug trafficking and conspiracy.

Of those charged, Juan Carlos Alvarez, was already serving time in Lackawanna County Correctional Facility. The grand jury found Alvarez supplied other suspects with drugs from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico to be distributed in New York City and Pennsylvania. Thirteen suspects are from Northumberland County.

Prosecutors do not know where one suspect, Joseph Galgocy, is from, according to a press release from the Attorney General’s Office.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/news/845389/AG-charges-16-in-drug-ring

Wilkes-Barre Slaps Fine On Sherman Hills

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

Editor’s note:  Attention Pottstown Borough leadership – this is the kind of action you SHOULD be taking, instead of denying there is a drug problem and a slumlord problem in Pottstown.  At least Wilkes-Barre is taking proactive steps to clean up a problem that is plaguing their city by using existing laws and ordinances to do so.  In Pottstown these same problems are the elephant in the room that the “leadership”, and I use that word loosely, chooses to sit idly by and ignore at the peril of every resident.  Shame on you people!

WILKES-BARRE, PA — The city has levied a $33,000 fine against Sherman Hills Realty LLC on allegations the realty company failed to have apartments at the Sherman Hills complex inspected before new tenants moved in.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development personnel began a two-day inspection of the 344-unit complex on Monday, the same day the letter was sent to the Brooklyn, N.Y., realty company. The city alleges 60 units had new tenants, but the apartments were not inspected.

“It has come to the attention of the City of Wilkes-Barre that since the last time inspections were performed at your facility, 60 units have changed tenants. A change in tenant per the Wilkes-Barre City Code of Ordinances requires a rental inspection,” the letter says.

“The units have since been inspected but your company is still accountable for the fines during this period. The complex … has been found to be in violation of the Wilkes-Barre City Code of Ordinances entitled ‘Rental Dwelling/Residence and Tenant Registration,’ ” the letter said.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/845198/City-slaps-fine-on-Sherman-Hills

Phillipsburg Police Seek Man In Killing

Map of New Jersey highlighting Warren County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Phillipsburg police are looking for a man charged with killing a 22-year-old woman Wednesday night at her Spruce Alley home.

Salim R. Newton of the 500 block of South Main Street in Phillipsburg shot the woman several times, police said. Authorities said Thursday afternoon they were withholding the woman’s identity pending notification to the family.

Newton faces one count of homicide and several weapons charges.

Police have not commented on a motive in the shooting.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-d-phillipsburg-nj-murder-woman-shot-to-death-20130919,0,7690406.story#ixzz2fRv6Iwms
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Chester Rite Aid Manager Shot And Killed, Patrons Hear Loud Bang

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

Patrons fled after a store manager hoping to get out in time to watch the Eagles-Chiefs game was shot and killed inside a Chester City Rite Aid late last night. Police are seeking a man and woman in connection with the homicide.

Chester police say they were dispatched shortly before 10 p.m. to the Rite Aid on the 2000 block of West 9th Street, near Highland Avenue. Upon arrival, they found the store manager suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced at the scene, according a police department press release.

The release said that, just prior to closing, patrons and employees heard a loud bang and rushed outside.

Police are seeking a white or light skinned woman in her mid to late twenties, wearing a red hooded jacket with white stripes down the sleeves, blue jeans and grey sneakers.  She was accompanied by a black male in his late twenties to mid thirties wearing a white tee shirt over a black long sleeve top, rolled up blue jeans and black boots.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Chester_Rite_Aid_employee_shot_and_killed.html#7O1tzfQFoBDHZAWS.99

Vick Playing Tired

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

THE EAGLES retired No. 5 last night. They won’t be retiring No. 7 any time soon.

Maybe Michael Vick tried too hard on the night of his mentor’s immortalization.

Maybe he wanted to impress Andy Reid, the best coach he ever had, the man who afforded Vick redemption.

Maybe he was just tired, playing his third game in 11 days at the most frenetic offensive pace in NFL history.

Maybe he was just due for a vintage Vick implosion.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20130920_Vick_playing_tired.html#KZe36OG8AxXJ7IYW.99

Norristown Pie Festival Is A Delicious Way To Aid Food Cupboards

Location of Norristown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORRISTOWN, PA — Local churches are the barometers of economic disparity in the West End. The once affluent community, with its stately homes lining Haws Avenue, has become a different sort of place. On streets lined with houses whose kitchens once knew bounty are the hungry citizens of contemporary Norristown.

The Rev. Sandra Etemad, rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, described area residents as “a lot of really hard working people that don’t have enough money.”

There are a number of food ministries in Norristown that work to alleviate hungry neighborhoods, from All Saints’ twice monthly Saturday dinners to Haws Avenue Methodist’s Sunday lunch.

The purpose of these meals is twofold. They serve those searching for sustenance and act as meeting places, where parishioners and other community members can gather for company. There are those who attend the meals for just a few minutes of conversation.

Read more:  http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20130919/norristown-pie-festival-is-a-delicious-way-to-aid-food-cupboards

Ten Years Of Cabela’s: Tons Of Taxes, Tons Of Business

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was a poor place for businesses, planners thought.

The slopes of farmland in northern Berks County would be difficult to build on.

Nearby roads were heavily traveled, but didn’t provide a good way in.

The infrastructure improvements necessary to fix those problems would be expensive, and zoning laws would complicate the process.

That was how the Berks County Planning Commission and a national site selection firm viewed 150 acres of fields near Route 61 in Tilden Township a little over a decade ago.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=513221

Reading Mayor Gets Earful At Forum

Pastor Jack Williams of First Century Worship Center told Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer Thursday that he and other volunteers cleaned street litter and piled trash bags behind his 11th Street church one day this summer.

The church wound up with a $25 code fine for its efforts.

What did the pastor and the mayor learn from this?

Maybe that no good deed goes unpunished.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=513206