Shopping Season Begins (and other doings around town)

As you do your holiday shopping this year, please give Norristown's small businesses your patronage, not only on Small Business Saturday (tomorrow, the 25th), but throughout the season for your holiday food, spirits, gifts, party hair-dos, etc. Remember, spending your bucks within N-town's borders boosts our town's economy. Going to the mall doesn't. That goes for you small business owners, too. Help yourself by, in turn, spending some of your profits in Norristown.

Saturday, 9 pm-midnight at Five Saints Distillery (E Main and Green Sts.). Wes Johnson will perform.

Tuesday (and all Tuesdays in November), 6-7:45 pm, Norristown Library. Career Workshops. Local career coach Lynn Carroll will share her expertise and enthusiasm with you in this last workshop for job seekers at all skill levels and in all industries. This week Nail The Interview. Register at www.lynncareercoach.com/events.

Tuesday, 6 pm in Council Conference Room, Municipal Hall. Budget Workshop. No explanation on the website of what this entails. And interesting that it's the same night and almost the same time slot as the Riverfront Public Meeting. Clone yourself.

Tuesday, 6:30-8 pm in Council Chambers, Municipal Hall. Riverfront Redevelopment Public Meeting. First in a series of public meetings about the Riverfront Redevelopment Feasibility Study. The community’s input is critical to developing and implementing the vision for the redevelopment of Norristown’s riverfront area. (We have a beautiful riverfront. Don't let developers make it look like Conshy.) If you have any questions, please call the Norristown Department of Planning and Municipal Development at 610-270-0450.

Thursday, 6 pm at the Historical Society of Mont. County (1654 Dekalb). Historical Architecture. Presenter Barry Rauhuser will provide fundamental tools needed to start seeing your house in a new light. Introductory topics on historic architecture include formal and vernacular architecture, regional differences in house types (pre-1850), basic styles and construction techniques from 1700 to 1920, how to measure and draw a house, and how to look around at the landscape of houses in Montgomery County. $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Call 610-272-0297 to RSVP.

Next Friday, Dec 1, deadline for nominating a family for the Norristown Police Department's Seven Days Before Christmas. To nominate, go to this link. Monetary donations can be made by mailing your check to the Norristown Police Foundation, 235 E. Airy. Donations of toys and other gifts, and gift cards can be brought to the Police entrance in the rear of 235 E. Airy.

Also next Friday, the deadline to register for GN PAL's Family Holiday Carnival which will be Friday Dec 8, 6:30-8 pm (for children 4-12 years old, and at least one parent or guardian). Games, crafts, music, photo with Santa, giveaways, prizes, food. Call 484-808-4810 to register.

On Wednesday, December 13, the Lt. Patty Simons Food Drive will be gathering at Elmwood Park Zoo and they'll need volunteers anytime between 8 am-11 pm to help collect, sort, and box donated nonperishable goods for this years drive. Heated tents, food and a DJ will make the volunteer time enjoyable. Please come and help.

St. Pat's Bazaar, Sweet Charity, and ways you can help your town for the holidays

Thanksgiving, the official beginning to the end-of-year holidays, is less than a week away. You can make a table decoration at the library today, or visit St. Pat's bazaar this weekend to get in the mood. And at the end of this Diary entry are two opportunities to do something for Norristown's less-fortunate this season. Get involved.

Friday, November 17, 11 am-1 pm at Norristown Library. Make your very own Thanksgiving table decoration from local, natural materials. Artist Gary Fischer will help you make your own table decoration with locally-sourced natural materials including dried leaves, vines, grasses, seed pods and beautiful bittersweet. We'll provide everything you need. Call or drop by the Front Desk to register. SPACES ARE LIMITED. Contact Cliff Hirst, 610-278-5100 x0, cliffhirstmnl@gmail.com.

Friday, 5-8:30 pm and Saturday, 10 am-8 pm, St. Patrick's Church Christmas Bazaar. Plan to come for a meal of homemade soul food and/or Mexican food. Lots of crafts, gifts, jewelry, candy, games, etc. Silent auction and raffle baskets. Santa! Dancers at 6:30 pm Friday, Carolers at 1 pm Saturday, plus other entertainment.

Friday, 6-8 pm at Alfredo's Restaurant. Norristown Welcome Committee meeting. The Committee is developing a Welcome Packet to be given to all new residents. If you're interested contact Denise Hall at poboxhall@gmail.com.

Friday and Saturday, 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm at Centre Theater. Last weekend for "Sweet Charity" by the King of Prussia Players. Info at this link.

Saturday, 9 pm-midnight at Five Saints Distillery (E Main and Green Sts.). Wes Johnson will perform.

Tuesday (and all Tuesdays in November), 6-7:45 pm, Norristown Library. Career Workshops. Local career coach Lynn Carroll will share her expertise and enthusiasm with you in a series of workshops that will be helpful to job seekers at all skill levels and in all industries. This week Build Your Network. Register at www.lynncareercoach.com/events.

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

Wednesday, 1 pm at Norristown Library. FREE movie. "The Big Sick"~a romantic comedy starring Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan and Ray Romano. Rated R. Drop in.

Thursday and Friday, Municipal offices closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. Library is closed on Thursday.

Next Saturday, November 25, is Small Business Saturday. Please give Norristown's small businesses your patronage for your holiday food, spirits, gifts, holiday hair-dos, etc. Remember, spending your bucks within N-town's borders boosts our town's economy. Going to the mall doesn't.

The Norristown Police Department will once more be doing Seven Days Before Christmas, where they donate to the neediest families in Norristown. You can nominate a family at this link. Monetary donations can be made by mailing your check to the Norristown Police Foundation, 235 E. Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401. Donations of toys and other gifts, and gift cards can be brought to the Police entrance in the rear of 235 E. Airy. DEADLINE is December 1.

On Wednesday, December 13, the Lt. Patty Simons Food Drive will be gathering at Elmwood Park Zoo and they'll need volunteers anytime between 8 am-11 pm to help collect, sort, and box donated nonperishable goods for this years drive. Heated tents, food and a DJ will make the volunteer time enjoyable. Please come and help.

Craft Fair, Theater, FREE stuff

Chilly weather has arrived, reminding us that the holidays are coming up, which means food and clothing drives as well as crafts for Thanksgiving and beyond. You can start dropping off non-perishable food items for the annual Lt. Patty Simmons Food Drive this week at Municipal Hall, Five Saints Distilling, Norristown Library, Piazza Family Market (247 Lafayette) or Police and Fire Depts around Montgomery County. Crafts can be found at Selma Mansion's Craft Fair on Saturday, or make some of your own at the library next Friday.

Friday, November 10, Municipal offices will be closed (for Veterans Day).

Friday and Saturday, 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm at Centre Theater. "Sweet Charity" by the King of Prussia Players continues. Will run weekends through Nov 19. Info at this link. 

Saturday, 9 am-3:30 pm at Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy) Norristown Preservation Society's Annual Holiday Craft Fair, featuring gifts and decorations for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other December holidays, such as jewelry, candles, homemade items, candy, bath items, baked goods, and more. Raffle baskets. Santa! Historical Harmonies will sing carols (and maybe some drinking songs!) from 10 am to noon. The event is free and open to the public. All profits from the sale of vendor spaces go towards the restoration and maintenance of Selma Mansion.

Saturday, 11 am-1 pm at Cecil and Grace Soup Kitchen, 521 Church St. A November to Remember Event. Healthy hot lunch, warm hats, gloves, and socks (adults and kids) as well as hot chocolate, FREE. Sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha, Advocates Against Hunger and Einstein Medical Center.

Saturday, 8 pm-midnight at Five Saints Distillery (E Main and Green Sts.). Brian Horoho will perform.

Monday, 4 pm and 7 pm, Eisenhower School, Markley and Coolidge. 2018-19 NASD Budget Process Forum. Come participate in the process of setting the schools budget for next year. Learn how your schools get funded. Attend either session.

Tuesday (and all Tuesdays in November), 6-7:45 pm, Norristown Library. Career Workshops. Local career coach Lynn Carroll will share her expertise and enthusiasm with you in a series of workshops that will be helpful to job seekers at all skill levels and in all industries. This week Tell Your Story.  Info at this link. 

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

Wednesday, 5-8 pm, Municipal Hall. Public Hearing for Septa Regional Rail to King of Prussia. 5-6 pm Open house and refreshments, 6 pm presentation, 6-8 pm, public comment.

Thursday, 6-8 pm at Municipal Hall, Council Chambers. Law Enforcement Explorers Program Open House for students ages 14-20. Come learn about a career in law enforcement. Questions: Captain Rich Clowser, NPD, at 610-270-0496 or rclowser@norristown.org.

Next Friday, November 17, 11 am- 1 pm at Norristown Library. Make your very own Thanksgiving table decoration from local, natural materials. Artist Gary Fischer will help you make your own table decoration with locally-sourced natural materials including dried leaves, vines, grasses, seed pods and beautiful bittersweet. We'll provide everything you need. Call or drop by the Front Desk to register. SPACES ARE LIMITED. Contact Cliff Hirst, 610-278-5100 x0, cliffhirstmnl@gmail.com.

Next Friday, 5-8:30 pm and Saturday, 10 am-8 pm, St. Patrick's Church Christmas Bazaar. Plan to come for a meal of homemade soul food and Mexican food. Silent auction and raffle baskets. Santa! Dancers at 6:30 pm Friday, Carolers at 1 pm Saturday, plus other entertainment.

A month from now, on Wednesday, December 13, the Lt. Patty Simons Food Drive will be gathering at Elmwood Park Zoo and they'll need volunteers anytime between 8 am-11 pm to help collect, sort, and box donated nonperishable goods for this years drive. Heated tents, food and a DJ will make the volunteer time enjoyable. Please come and help.

Election, Theater, Comedy, FREE Library Programs

Good news this week ~ CONGRATS to Theatre Horizon for winning 2 Barrymore Awards for their 2016-2017 season. Also, I want to see all you registered voters out for election day this week. Don't let the weather or anything else stop you. Send a message that everyone in N-town cares about their government. Voter info can be found at vote411.org or scroll down here on my blog and read the previous entries for this week.

From Nov 1 through 15, Stewart Middle School will be collecting wearable clothing, shoes, belts, handbags, linens, stuffed animals and hard toys. They'll receive money for each pound of goods they collect. Place items in tightly tied plastic bags drop off in the rear of the building. A sign will be posted on the drop-off door.

Friday and Saturday, Nov 3 and 4, 8 pm at Centre Theater. "Sweet Charity" by the King of Prussia Players opens. Will run weekends through Nov 19. Info at this link.

Saturday, starting at 8 am, Reformed Church, 1700 W Main, 5K Run for Immigrant Rights. Info at www.WeAreOneResistHate.com.

Saturday 9-10 am at Norristown Library. NCIA (Norristown Citizens in Action) is forming a Welcome Committee. The goal is to create a cost-effective, useful, welcome package that is thoughtful, intentional and informs newcomers to Norristown. The scope of this initiative is for homeowners, renters and businesses and will be implemented in phases. Bring your enthusiasm, ideas, and "can do" spirit.

Saturday, 9 pm-midnight at Five Saints Distillery (E Main and Green Sts.). Peggy Kellar will perform.

Sunday, 2-5 pm, Elmwood Park Zoo. FREE admission for Norristown residents with ID.

TUESDAY, 7 am-8 pm at your polling place. Election Day. (FREE admission, but preregistration required.) Polling locations and sample ballots at this link.

Tuesday, 2 pm at Norristown Library. Thanksgiving Craft Fun for children, grades K-6. Make some festive holiday-themed crafts. Kids under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Drop in.

Tuesday, 3:30-5 pm at Norristown Library. Create Club for Teens (ages 10+). Monthly arts and crafts. This week's club: creating temporary tattoos. No registration required.

Tuesday (and all Tuesdays in November), 6-7:45 pm, Norristown Library. Career Workshops. This week Find Your Dream Job. www.lynncareercoach.com/events.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Five Saints Distillery, Laugh Out Loud Comedy Showcase. Doors open at 6 pm. $7 presale, $10 at door. Info at 701-314-2147.

Wednesday, 7:30 pm, Council meeting. Municipal Hall.

Thursday, 9-10:30 am, Human Services Center (1430 Dekalb St). ICN presents Opiod Update. For info, contact Vivian Schorle, icn@icnconnections.org

Next Friday, November 10, Municipal offices will be closed (Veterans Day).

Next Saturday, 9 am-3:30 pm at Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy) Norristown Preservation Society's Annual Holiday Craft Fair, featuring gifts and decorations for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other December holidays, such as jewelry, candles, homemade items, candy, bath items, baked goods, and more. Raffle baskets. Santa! Historical Harmonies will sing carols from 10 am to noon. The event is free and open to the public. All profits from the sale of vendor spaces go towards the restoration and maintenance of Selma Mansion.

Next Saturday, 11 am-1 pm at Cecil and Grace Soup Kitchen, 521 Church St. A November to Remember Event. We will be offering a healthy hot lunch, warm hats, gloves, and socks (adults and kids) as well as hot chocolate, FREE. Sponsored byAlpha Kappa Alpha, Advocates Against Hunger and Einstein Medical Center.

Common Pleas Court Judge Candidates

Several different judge candidates appear on the ballot this election. I’m only going to summarize the Common Pleas Court candidates. Information for the others can be found at www.vote411.org. Put in your address, click Enter, then click on “Get personalized information on candidates and issues.”

Judges of the Court of Common Pleas are the ones who try most criminal and civil cases. If you’re called for jury duty in Norristown, those trials are handled by these judges. They serve 10-year terms. You’ll vote for no more than 2 candidates.

All three candidates are lawyers, of course. I put them in alphabetical order by their last name.

WENDY G. ROTHSTEIN of Plymouth is with the law firm of Fox, Rothschild, LLP and has been a respected trial attorney in Montgomery County. She’s running on both Republican and Democratic tickets. She was born in Norristown and spent her early school years. Other Norristown connections: she’s a board member of the Elmwood Park Zoo, and also chaired the Liberty in the Law Program, facilitating visits of attorneys and judges to 6th grade classes in the Norristown Area School District.

JEFFERY SALTZ is running as a Democrat. He’s from Lower Merion and runs his own law firm in Center City Philadelphia. He has 30 years of courtroom experience, including in Montgomery County.

JOSEPH P WALSH, Republican, is from Montgomery Township (near Lansdale). He was appointed as a Common Pleas Court Judge last September to fill a vacancy. He’s now running for a full term.

Questions on the Ballot

On the far right side of the ballot next Tuesday, you’ll see 5 questions. Four have to do with whether or not the judges below should retain their offices for another term:

THOMAS SAYLOR – Currently chief justice of the PA Supreme Court, which he’s served on for 20 years. Republican, age 71 in December.
DEBRA TODD -  Democrat, age 60. Has served 10 years on the PA Supreme Court.
JACQUELINE O. SHOGAN – Republican, age 64.  Has served on the PA Superior Court for 10 years.
THOMAS M. DELRICCI has been a Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Montgomery County for 20 years. Currently President Judge. Age 62. I couldn’t find his party affiliation anywhere, but both parties are endorsing his retention.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The 5th question is for a proposed amendment to the PA Constitution about Homestead Exclusions to your Property Tax Assessment. Here’s the wording:

“Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to permit the General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing local taxing authorities to exclude from taxation up to 100 percent of the assessed value of each homestead property within a local taxing jurisdiction, rather than limit the exclusion to one-half of the median assessed value of all homestead property, which is the existing law?”

If you’re like most of us, you didn’t understand a word of it. There’s supposed to be a “plain English” explanation posted in all polling places next Tuesday. I’ve heard though, that the “plain English” wording isn’t much better. And do you really want to be trying to wrap your brain around the meaning at the last minute?

Here’s what I think it does and doesn’t mean.

* It absolutely DOES NOT mean your property taxes will be lowered or eliminated. *

The current law says that local authorities (that is, counties or school boards or townships) can grant homestead property tax exclusion on your assessment, up to 50%. Most homeowners get one. Look on your school tax bill under “Homestead”. Mine lowers my assessment about 8.5% and I have a fairly modest home. I don’t know who, if anyone, gets 50% off. If anyone does, I hope they’re poorer than me and not richer.

The ballot question asks whether the percentage should be changed to 100%. That is, should your local authority be allowed to lower assessments by up to 100%. Does this mean this would actually happen? No.

The main reason this probably won’t happen is that lowered property taxes MUST be made up elsewhere. You might get higher income taxes, with a portion going to school tax, or a new local sales tax in addition to the state sales tax. Think about how this shifts the tax burden.

A higher income tax would shift it off seniors and onto working people. You might think that’s fairer and maybe it is. Working people tend to be the parents with kids in our schools, or in charter schools supported by our district. But there are lots of single working people with no children living in the district who might move to get away from a higher income tax, thus lowering other tax income. And you might end up with the same homestead exclusion on your house while others get a better percentage, PLUS having to pay a higher income tax.

A new sales tax would depend on what exactly was taxed. Food? Clothing? Other necessities? Or only luxury items? If necessities, then every taxpayer would support the schools, whether they have kids or not, but at an unequal ratio to their income. The poor would likely have a greater percentage of burden than the wealthy. But, really, could a reasonable sales tax raise enough money to fund our schools? Probably not. And the implementation and enforcement of it would likely cost more than other methods. Again, you might end up paying the same in property taxes AND paying a sales tax.

What would be better, I think, is if the PA General Assembly raised funding for education back to its old levels and quit playing these sorts of games, trying to appease PA’s wealthy estate owners, setting rich folks against the poor and middle class. And putting the burden of ultimate blame on local authorities instead of on the state legislature, who created the funding mess in the first place.

I’d recommend voting NO on this question, because it’s too misleading, too hard to understand, and smacks of political manipulation.