Not Enough Hours in the Day

I made it to 3 meetings/events in Norristown this week. I SHOULD have gotten to 6. After weeks of relative calm, all of a sudden Norristown seems to be exploding with activities. I think we're all just sick of being stuck inside because of snow and cold, and we're anxious to make things happen in town again.

You need to clone yourself for Friday night alone.

Tonight at 7 pm THE WIZ opens at the Centre Theater (208 DeKalb St.). This is a student production, produced by the Centre in association with Norristown Clubs United. Perfomances continue all weekend, Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, and next weekend, Feb. 7-9, at the same time. Tickets are cheap, theater-wise, only $15. Go to http://thecentretheater.ticketleap.com/  Come out and see how creative and talented our kids are.

Same time, Jus' Java (1601 Dekalb) is hosting its usual Friday Acoustic Open Mic. Musicians, singers, listeners welcome. Details at the counter or call 610-277-5282. BYOB.

Also tonight at 8 pm, the Carver Community Center (249 East Jacoby Street) presents a "Bless the MIC" fundraiser with all proceeds benefitting the center. Artists include Christian Artist Paul Robinson, from Norristown, and Ricardo Crockett, Travis Ellis and AJ Harding. Asking a $10 donation. Free food and giveaways. Contact musicmanagementpr@gmail.com

Saturday morning at 10:30 am, the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library will hold a sensory-friendly storytime for children ages 3-6 with special needs. Call Tracee to register 610-278-5100 x 144. Registration is needed.

From noon to 2 pm Saturday, you can celebrate the Chinese New Year at Elmwood Park Zoo. Paper lantern and dragon crafts, animal programs, food, games, etc. For more info, contact Guest Services at 610-277-3825 ext 222.

Saturday afternoon at 1 pm, the Islamic Society of Norristown cordially invites you to a "Meet your Neighbor Social-Open House" at 518 Green Street. Free coffee, tea, donuts and bagels will be served. For more info, please email norristownmasjid@gmail.com

This Saturday night, and Feb 15th, at 7 pm, come to "Day of the Poet" at Jus' Java (1601 Dekalb St.), featuring Saturday Nites and Uptown, Youth Spoken-Word Slam Summit. To participate, come at 6:30 pm to sign up. More info email Griotpolygiot@aol.com or check Jus' Java's facebook page.

Also from 7 to 9 pm, Coffee Talk on West Marshall will be Celebrating Aquarius with a musical jam session. Donations welcome.

Sunday at noon, Elmwood Park Zoo's Nora the Groundhog will make an appearance and weather prediction on the Eagle's Deck. (Please, Nora, say we'll have an early spring). For the last 2 years, Nora's predictions have been right and Puxetawney Phil's have been wrong. From noon until 2 pm, the zoo will have special crafts and activities for children.

Beginning on Feb 7th, and running every Tuesday until April 8th, free AARP Tax-aide/ Preparation will be available at the Norristown Public Library from 10 am to 3 pm, Free to all taxpayers with low and moderate income, special attention to those 60 and older. For more info call 610-278-5100 ext 0.

Also on Tuesday from 5 to 6:30 pm, the  Montgomery County Planning commission will be presenting its MONTCO 2040 Plan vision for Norristown at The Centre Theater (208 Dekalb St). Norristown, you asked and we listened--now attend a public workshop and let us know what you think about traffic and transit, parks and trails, housing and economic development.

Tuesday night, 7:30 pm, Municipal Council Meeting. Info on agenda on next week's Diary (I hope).

Wednesday at 8 pm, "Open Conversation- Spoken Word" at Jus' Java. $5 admission, hosted by Mydera SpeakMeFree and Christopher K.P. Brown. Sign up at 7 pm. 610-277-JAVA for info.

A special note: Theatre Horizon will offer free tickets to Norristown residents through their "Free Tickets & Tuition" Program sponsored by PNC Arts Alive. FREE TICKETS FOR NORRISTOWN RESIDENTS ONLY. Tickets can be reserved by calling the box office at 610-283-2230 or emailing ticket@theatrehorizon.org. Available for all shows, subject to availability. Excludes March 14 & 15 and June 6 & 7. Also free tuition for some children's classes. This is a fantastic opportunity to give Norristown residents and their children exposure to the theater. Check their website for shows.

For other activities (yes, there are even more), go to the Norristown Community Calendar .