Get Out and DO Stuff!

How can you NOT get excited by how much is going on in Norristown? You can sit home and be negative or you can try a few of the activities for the coming week, listed below.

This is going to be a beautiful, sunny weekend. Saturday is National Trails Day and we've got a great walking/cycling trail that goes right through town. You can access the Schuylkill River Trail by parking on Lafayette near Franklin and go up the walk toward the old train tracks, or at the Dekalb Train Station, or park on Lafayette near Barbadoes (there's a little trail that leads toward the railroad bridge over the Dannehower Bridge), or park at Riverfront Park and climb the stairs near the entrance. Bring your family out to get some exercise, enjoy nature, and see what our trail is all about.

But first, tonight at 7 pm, come to Caffe Galileo's (307 Swede) to watch the champion Norristown Men of Excellence take on the Norristown Arts Council in this month's Family Feud bout. Free admission. Guaranteed fun.

Also tonight at 8 pm, "The Fantasticks" opens at Centre Theater. This great family musical will run every weekend through June 29th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $22, seniors, $20, students, $15. Go to this link for tickets or call 610-279-1013.

This is the last weekend for "Hitchcock's 39 Steps" at Theatre Horizon. Tonight's performance is sold out. Last chances to see it are Saturday's show is at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets start at $35. Go to http://www.theatrehorizon.org/shows/the39steps.html to order or call 610-283-2230.

Saturday morning from 9 am-3 pm is the Montco Electronics Collection at Norristown Area High School. Bring old small appliances, TV's, computers and accessories, etc. Drive-thru--they'll unload for you. For a complete list of items and more info go to the Montco Recycling website.

Saturday from 10 am to 12:30, the Norristown Ladies Basketball League will hold registration at the Norristown Public Library. They'll also hold sessions Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at the State Hospital Football Field, and Tuesday and Thursday at the Library at 6 pm. Minimum age, 24. $50 per athlete, for a 5 week tournament, sponsored uniforms. Further details, call Crystal Smith at 484-358-2145 or Rowan Watson at 484-213-0744.

Hey, we've got another supermarket in Norristown and Saturday is the Grand Opening Celebration. From 11 am to 3 pm, visit the new Save-A-Lot at Astor Plaza (on Markley, across from Logan Square) for special deals and a chance to win prizes.

Sunday night at 7 pm, Summer Concert Series presents Allen Reynolds Band. Elmwood Park Bandshell. Bring a lawn chair or ground cover so you can sit on the concrete steps. Bug repellent is a good idea. Food/drinks available at the snack stand. Sponsored by The Arcadia Foundation.  Any questions call 610-270-0467.

Tuesday night at 7 pm is the Planning Commission Meeting at Municipal Hall. On this month's agenda is the plan to turn the top 2 floors of 1 West Main into 16 condominiums.

Wednesday, from 2 to 4 pm at the Montgomery County OIC, Arch and Basin Sts., you can take a FREE class to learn how to use Microsoft Office. Participants will learn functions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, Access and Outlook. Looking for an office job, or a job upgrade? You need this. Registration is limited to 8 spaces per session. To register, call 610-279-9700.

Thursday from 11 am to 3:30 pm, the Norristown Farmer's Market takes place on East Main in front of the courthouse. Sponsored by the Municipality of Norristown, Montgomery County Commissioners, The Food Trust and CADCOM, Phone: 610-277-6363 x144. Every Thursday through Oct. 30th.

Remember, next Friday (the 13th) is the International Food and Wine Tasting Gala at Riverfront Park (1 Haws Ave) from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. Admission $20. Wine and beer tasting, hors d'oeuvres from some of Norristown's finest restaurants, local entertainment, a Lion Dance performance, a passport raffle, and a silent auction, PLUS a fashion show by some of N-town's most prominent citizens dressed in some pretty outlandish get-ups. Come if for no other reason than to welcome Puff the Magic Boathouse Dragon home from its sojourn down the river. 21 and over only. Information at www.dragonboatclub.org.

Many, MANY more events are listed on the Norristown Project/OIC calendar. Check it out.