March Tonight, then Theater, Zoning and Shopping

Tonight, Friday (Nov 20) starting at 7 pm at George and Marshall Sts, Norristown Rebels would like to invite everyone, family and friends, to the Norristown Stop The Violence March. They'll end at Willow and Spruce for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the ones we have lost in our community. Join in and support peace in our town. If you can't walk, come for the vigil at the end.

Also tonight at 7:30 pm, "Black Nativity" continues at Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb), featuring the writings of Langston Hughes and West African and modern dance. Shows this week also on Saturday (8 pm) and Sunday (3 pm). The show has been extended through December 13. FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE for Norristown residents. Go to this link to see the schedule. For free tickets, call 610-283-2230 ext 1. For info, email ticket@theatrehorizon.org.

Saturday, 2-4 pm -- Norristown Public Library (Powell and Swede) has a new Third Saturday Book Club that meets monthly. If you are an avid reader and would like to discuss a book a month with other adults, contact Asha Verma, 610-278-5100, averma@mclinc.org. (Remember that the library also has regular events for kids and adults nearly every day. Click on their calendar link to the right of this article.)

Saturday at 8 pm. ACPPA Community Arts Center (506 Haws Ave) presents "Naughty Nutcracker." A satirical burlesque show exploring what really happens in Drosselmeyer's magic box once everybody falls asleep. More silly than sexy, Naughty Nutcracker is a variety show of dance, music, trivia, and fairytales like you've never seen or heard before. For the 18 and up crowd. Food, drink mixers (BYOB), and swag will be available for purchase before, during, and after the performance. Doors open at 8 pm, show starts at 8:30. Admission is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Purchase tickets at this link. Proceeds support the arts in Norristown.

Tuesday at 7 pm at Municipal Hall, Zoning Board Hearing. The agenda is available at this link. 2 properties are involved. 637 Markley is the Mexican market near W. Marshall. The agenda doesn't say what the owner wants to do with it, only that he wants a variance. The other is 1529 Dekalb, the Tennis Club property. Sarah Peck's Progressive Ventures wants to build 34 housing units on 1.2 acres.

On Thursday, have a good and safe Thanksgiving.

November 28th is Small Business Saturday. I'd hoped that Norristown's Better Block Project would happen that day to encourage everyone to go downtown, but as usual, our government paid out good money, then let the ball drop. The Norristown Business Association's leadership also let us down this year by dissolving the organization without even consulting with its members. For Small Business Saturday, we're on our own. So I'm going to challenge you. Go to your favorite small businesses in N-town--restaurants, shops, whatever--and post a photo to Facebook or other social media site. Let's spread the word about West Marshall, and about our great food places. And remember, spending your shopping dollars in N-town this holiday season will give our economy a boost.