Messy Church, Yoga, Chinese New Year and More

Only a few events this weekend, but they're good ones, for adults and kids alike. Also note, we have college tours coming up. The costs are extremely reasonable. If you have high school juniors or seniors in your family, take advantage. See below for information.

Friday, January 27, 10:30-noon at Norristown Public Library. $5 Yoga and Meditation Sessions. Enjoy beginner’s Hatha Yoga. Learn the basics of this ancient and popular practice. Instructors Sarah O’Brien and Roger Shaughnessy will teach the basic poses and alignments. No experience is needed; mats available. Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. The class will conclude with a one-half hour meditation session. $5 is due to the Instructor at the beginning of each session. Call or drop by the Front Desk to register. 610-278-5100, x 0   averma@mclinc.org

Friday, 6-8 pm at Christ United Church of Christ (W Marshall and Noble). "Messy Church" for all kids and adults. Games, Food, Crafts, Storytelling. Enter on Noble or parking lot sides. More info? Call the church at 610-275-3092.

Saturday, noon-1:30 pm at the Elmwood Park Zoo. Celebrate Chinese New Year with EPZ and learn about the year of the rooster  in the Canopy Gardens Hall. Crafts, live animal greetings featuring "animals of the zodiac" and try on a Dragon Mask. Program is free to enjoy with zoo admission. For more information, contact Guest Services at 610-277-3825 x222.

Saturday, 7 pm at Coffee Talk, 507 W Marshall. Herman Bruning sings songs of peace, love and respecting Mother Earth. Donation $10.


 

Saturday, 7-11 pm at Five Saints Distillery (129 E Main). Danielle & Jennifer perform.

Next Friday, February 3 at 8 pm, "Grand Concourse" opens at Theatre Horizon. The play will run through Feb 26. Go to this link for information and tickets.

Job-Training Classes will begin at the Montgomery County OIC (Arch and Basin) on February 6 for Certified Nursing Aide and Feb 13 for Customer Service/Sales. Requirements: Montgomery County resident, 18 years of age/older, HS diploma or GED, meets income guidelines, clean background and reliable transportation for CNA. For information, contact 610-279-9700 or www.montcooic.org

High School Juniors and Seniors, Montco OIC will be running 2 college tour trips this semester. One to Kutztown University on February 23, 10 am-1 pm. $10 includes transport, lunch and the campus tour and information. Advance registration required. The other is a 4-day tour (April 11-14) of 9 campuses in MD, DC, NC, and VA. Luxury bus, 3-star hotel, meals, and the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Information session on February 10, 6 pm at the OIC. You must submit your application before then. For information on how to apply for either tour, call 610-279-9700.

The Sewing Club of Ebenezer Methodist Church (234 E Spruce) is organizing a bus trip to the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, DC. The trip will be Saturday, April 22. $80 per person. If you're interested, call 484-674-5479.

Events for the Coming Week

Just a few things this weekend. I recommend the Schuylkill River program at the Centre (and, hey, it's FREE). On the whole, Norristown's going to be quiet this week. Good time to get some books or movies from the library, stock up on your favorite snacks and kick back.

Friday, January 20, 5:30-7 pm at Centre Theater (208 Dekalb). "The Death and Rebirth of the Schuylkill River." FREE PROGRAM.  An evening of spirits and history, as the Schuylkill River Town Program presents a fact and fun-filled program about the Schuylkill River, from its role as lifeblood of the Industrial Revolution and the “workshop of the world”, to a fiery open sewer, and finally to its recent rebirth as 2014 River of the Year and home to bald eagle and shad. Learn the incredible story of how the river has shaped our community and the nation. Beforehand, sample products from Norristown’s Five Saints Distillery and Conshohocken Brewing Company.

Friday January 20 from 6-8 pm at the First Presbyterian Church gym (Airy and Dekalb) is Game Night 1 for 2017. Games, arts and crafts sports and, of course, NACHOOOOOOOs. Kids of all ages welcome.

Saturday, 6-9 pm at Elmwood Park Zoo, Canopy Garden Hall. Tiaras & Ties: Father-Daughter Date Night. Dance the night away as you share a special night together featuring snacks, games, music and photo opportunities. Father Daughter Member Pair: $20, Father Daughter Non-Member Pair: $25, Additional Daughters: $10 each. Register at this link.

Also Saturday, 8 pm at Centre Theater. "Delinquent Comedy" by Starving Artist Prevention. $15. 

Tuesday, Zoning Board Hearing is cancelled for this month.

Wednesday, 7 pm, HARB meeting, Municipal Hall.

Next Saturday, noon-1:30 pm at the Elmwood Park Zoo. Celebrate Chinese New Year with EPZ and learn about the year of the rooster  in the Canopy Gardens Hall. Crafts, live animal greetings featuring "animals of the zodiac" and try on a Dragon Mask. Program is free to enjoy with zoo admission. For more information, contact Guest Services at 610-277-3825 x222.

Job-Training Classes will begin at the Montgomery County OIC (Arch and Basin) on February 6 for Certified Nursing Aide and Feb 13 for Customer Service/Sales. Requirements: Montgomery County resident, 18 years of age/older, HS diploma or GED, meets income guidelines, clean background and reliable transportation for CNA. For information, contact 610-279-9700 or www.montcooic.org

The Sewing Club of Ebenezer Methodist Church (234 E Spruce) is organizing a bus trip to the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, DC. The trip will be Saturday, April 22. $80 per person. If you're interested, call 484-674-5479.

MLK Day Events and More

Enjoy programs for kids and adults on Martin Luther King Day at different venues around town, most of them absolutely FREE and staggered throughout the day so you can get to all. Then, at the end of the week, be a light for our community at Theatre Horizon, and learn about our river at Centre Theater.

Starting Saturday, January 14th at 10:45-11:15 am at First Presbyterian Church gym on Airy St., Norristown Recreation will host a 6 week Norristown Ninja Warrior Obstacle Training Course for ages 6-16. Practice agility, speed, jumping, strength, balance and other needed skills for 6 weeks. The last week, you will be challenged by a complete obstacle course to see if you are a real Norristown Ninja. Cost $25.

Saturday, 8-11 pm, August Moon, 300 E Main. This month's Second Saturday Jazz will feature the Dylan Taylor Quartet. Dine during the show. Jazz doors open at 7 pm. Sets on the hour.

Monday, 10 am-2 pm, GW Carver Community Center (Jacoby and Arch), MLK Day of Celebration. Arts, crafts and activities for children grades 1-12. History and entertainment. Everyone welcome. Cmmunity serve hours available if needed.

Monday, 1-4 pm, Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd. MLK Day at the Zoo. Admission will be free, though we do ask that you make a donation as you enter the zoo. We'll be hosting a live animal education program entitled "I Have a Dream" at 1 pm in the Canopy Gardens Hall. Elmwood Park Zoo salutes all of the volunteers who have contributed their time and services throughout the year.

Monday, 5-7 pm at Theist Temple Church (535 E. Marshall) MLK Day-NAACP Youth Chapter film screening of "Boycott."  In addition to the film, learn about NAACP membership. Bring snacks.  All ages welcome.

Tuesday, 5-6:30 pm, Municipal Hall, Lobby, Ready Montco and the GPS tracker for snow plows. Sign up event to get added to the email/text or phone notifications through this county system. The sign up will take less than 5 minutes. More information please call 610-270-0429.

Tuesday, 5-7:30 pm at Municipal Hall rear (police station). Open Office Hours with Chief Talbot and Captain Clowser. Do you want to express concerns or just chat? This is your chance to interact with Chief Talbot and Captain Clowser during open office hours.

Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Municipal Hall, Council Workshop.

Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 pm, at Norristown Library. Police COMPSTAT, a meeting that Chief Talbot and his leadership team use to discuss the crime strategy and their effectiveness in implementing the strategy. Open to the public.

Thursday, at 5:30 pm, in front of Theatre Horizon. "Be A Light." Everyone is welcome; bring any source of light (flashlight, candle, phone, etc.)  In each time zone across the country, people will gather at this time outside of theaters to create a "light" for dark times ahead, and to make and renew a pledge to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Next Friday, January 20, 5:30-7 pm at Centre Theater (208 Dekalb). "The Death and Rebirth of the Schuylkill River." FREE PROGRAM.  An evening of spirits and history, as the Schuylkill River Town Program presents a fact and fun-filled program about the Schuylkill River, from its role as lifeblood of the Industrial Revolution and the “workshop of the world”, to a fiery open sewer, and finally to its recent rebirth as 2014 River of the Year and home to bald eagle and shad. Learn the incredible story of how the river has shaped our community and the nation. Beforehand, sample products from Norristown’s Five Saints Distillery and Conshohocken Brewing Company.

Next Saturday, January 21, 6-9 pm at Elmwood Park Zoo, Canopy Garden Hall. Tiaras & Ties: Father-Daughter Date Night. Dance the night away as you share a special night together featuring snacks, games, music and photo opportunities. Father Daughter Member Pair: $20, Father Daughter Non-Member Pair: $25, Additional Daughters: $10. each Go to this link to register.

Also next Saturday, 8 pm at Centre Theater. "Delinquent Comedy" by Starving Artist Prevention. $15.

Job-Training Classes will begin at the Montgomery County OIC (Arch and Basin) on February 6 for Certified Nursing Aide and Feb 13 for Customer Service/Sales. Requirements: Montgomery County resident, 18 years of age/older, HS diploma or GED, meets income guidelines, clean background and reliable transportation for CNA. For information, contact 610-279-9700 or www.montcooic.org

The Sewing Club of Ebenezer Methodist Church (234 E Spruce) is organizing a bus trip to the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, DC. The trip will be Saturday, April 22. $80 per person. If you're interested, call 484-674-5479.

Winter Sports, Senior Fair and More

First, someone tell me what's up with the town calendar at Norristown.org. Hardly anything is listed on it, not even Municipal meetings like Council and Zoning. The one event that IS there--the ICN Senior Fair--is listed on the wrong days and as a repeating event, which it isn't (it's listed as the right day on the home page, but if you click through to the calendar, it's wrong). This gives visitors to the site the impression that our town drunk is in charge of updating the calendar. Not a good look for the town and not a positive way to start off the year. Can we fix it, please?

Thanks to Shae Ashe for keeping a dependable calendar of Norristown events on The Norristown Project site.

Saturday, January 7 at Noon, 1:30 pm and 3 pm. Tour Five Saints Distilling (Green and E Main). Tours are 1.25 hours and include the firehouse, distillery and a tasting. Tickets $10 per person.

Saturday, 8-10 pm, Five Saints Distilling. Peggy Kellar performs live.

Mondays from January 9 through Feb 27, 6:30 pm at Eisenhower Middle School, Norristown Recreation Winter Baseball Clinic for ages 4-7 and 8-12. Cost $25. Participants will attend an off-site hitting clinic at an indoor batting cage. For info, call call 610-270-0467.

Tuesday, 2-3:30 pm at the Norristown Library (Swede and Powell), Great Books Group. Come for an engaging book discussion. This month's book is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. The Great Books group meets every second Tuesday of the month. New members are welcome. For more information, contact Shirley Miller at 610-272-4179.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall. Planning Commission meeting.

Wednesday, Indoor Soccer at Eisenhower Middle School. Ages 4-8 starts at 6:15 and 9-13 at 7 pm. Register at 610-270-0467.

Wednesday, 6:30 pm, the Norristown Riverfront Community will meet at Alfredo's Restaurant (Hamilton and W. Main). This month Carrie Barron from the Audubon Center at Mill Grove will be on hand to discuss the possibility of partnering with NRFC for some programs and projects starting in the spring. What would you like to see at Riverfront Park? Activities where kids can learn about the river and nature? A native plants garden? Bird walks? It's important that Norristown residents are involved in the process. Come Wed night and give your input. For info, contact Elena at missmaggieandpat@verizon.net

Thursday, 9-10:30 am, the ICN Senior Fair will take place at the Human Services Building, 1430 Dekalb. Representatives from various agencies will be on hand and there will be a presentation about Power of Attorney. For info, contact Vivian Schorle, 484-919-2614, icn@icnconnections.org

Next Saturday, January 14, 8-11 pm, August Moon, 300 E Main. Second Saturday Jazz features the Dylan Taylor Quartet. Dine in during the show to enjoy August Moon's Korean/Japanese cuisine and sushi. Jazz doors open at 7 pm. Sets on the hour.

The Sewing Club of Ebenezer Methodist Church (234 E Spruce) is organizing a bus trip to the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, DC. The trip will be Saturday, April 22. $80 per person. If you're interested, call 484-674-5479.