Events for the Coming Week (Run, Walk, Paddle, Eat, Drink Beer)

First off, a new restaurant is open in town--Las Palmas Del Sur at 10 W Main, right across from Banh Mi. You can almost smell the food in the photos on their Facebook page, it looks that good. Stop by and welcome them to our community. And if you're on Facebook, LIKE their page.

Saturday morning from 9 to noon, The Norristown Project and Chosen Ones Youth Group will clean Rapp Alley, Blackberry Alley, and Hurst Alley. Meet at Christ UCC church parking lot at Marshall and Noble Sts.

Saturday at 2 pm, a new bench will be dedicated in a short ceremony at Riverfront Park (1 Haws Ave). All are welcome to attend. The bench will be dedicated to the memory of Van "Peanut" Matthews, one of the Riverfront Rangers.

Also Saturday, staring around 2 pm at Riverfront Park, the Schuylkill Rivertowns initiative with the Fairmount Waterworks present the Norristown Around-the-Island Walking/Boat Tour. On this guided tour, you'll walk along the Schuylkill River Trail across Stoney Creek to the DeKalb Street Bridge. After crossing the bridge, you'll visit the Norristown Dam Fishway before meeting a dragon boat at the Upper Merion Boat Club dock, then paddle around the backside of Barbadoes Island.  Knowledgeable local guides will provide background on Norristown's important historic, environmental, and recreational connections to its river, our drinking water source. The walk is approximately two miles and the paddle is approximately a half mile. This event is free, but space is limited! Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/norristown-around-the-island-tour-tickets-12876244193

Saturday evening from 4 to 7, the Centre Theater presents "A Taste of Theatre" -- a fundraiser that includes beer tasting from Gretzky Brewery and Poor Yorick's Brewing. Food provided by Zone Catering and Capone's in East Norriton. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple. Call 610-279-1013 for info. Tickets at https://thecentretheater.ticketleap.com/a-taste-of-theatre/ Come out and support the Centre Theater.

Sunday morning starting at 9 am, 5K Run and 1 mile fun walk at Elmwood Park Zoo. The event supports RSVP's Children programs which provide help to area Head Start programs and the like. Awards given in each age category (under 12 to 70 and over) and gender. Refreshments. Following the race, there will be free admission to the zoo that morning to all participants and their families. Go to this link for more info.

NOTE: Due to the race, Harding Boulevard will be CLOSED Sunday morning.

Also, Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm, Open Mic at Coffee Talk Artists Coop, 507 W Marshall. Donation $5.

Sunday from 1 to 4 pm, Elmwood Park Zoo and the Norristown Fire Department present Fire Smart -- family-friendly activities that promote fire safety and prevention. This is also the 1st Sunday of the month, so Norristown residents can get into the zoo free between 2 and 5 pm. Firefighters, police officers, and EMT's will be on hand, and opportunities for children to dress up as a firefighter, operate a fire hose and tour a fire truck. For more information, contact Guest Services at 610-277-3825 x222. I should also mention that this is the giraffes last weekend before they head for winter quarters.

Starting Monday at Roosevelt School (1161 Markley St): The Incite Institute-- stimulating interest STEM, the Arts, and Fitness for Norristown Area Students grades 5th through 8th. Free Tutoring and Homework help. Sponsored by 21st Century Community Learning Centers, NMOE, GNPAL, and NASD. You must register--contact Hakim Jones, 610-630-5048 or hjones@nasd.k12.pa.us .

Tuesday at 7:30 pm, Municipal Council Meeting at Municipal Hall. The agenda is already available (wow!) at http://norristown.org/userfiles/file/council_agenda_oct_7_2014.pdf.

Next Friday morning, come down to Municipal Hall and chat with Norristown Administrator Crandall Jones. Starting at 10 am, Crandall will hold a Town Hall meeting, which will allow residents to ask questions about our town, upcoming projects and municipal services.

Heads up for next weekend: Don't plan to go out of Norristown. The Car Show will be downtown, and it's Kids Day at Riverfront Park. Plus you'll be able to watch (for FREE) the time trials for Team USA's dragon boat team right here on our patch of the Schuylkill River. More info next Friday.