Memorial Day Events, Summer Camps, & Water Ice With A Cop

Have a great Memorial Day weekend! If you have kids ages 5-12, now's the time to register them for Community Arts Norristown's summer camp and/or, if your kids are in grades 2-6, sign them up for the Science in the Summer workshops at the library (see below for details on both).

Friday, May 25, 7:30 pm at Coffee Talk, 507 W Marshall. The XVI Annual Bob Dylan's Birthday Bash.

Friday, RSVP by today for next Friday's event (June 1), Noon-2 pm at the Einstein Medical Building, 1330 Powell, 5th Floor Atrium. Information about their new Healthy Women Program that provides FREE screenings for breast and cervical cancers. Lunch provided. RSVP to Brandi Chawaga, 484-622-7013 or chawagab@einstein.edu.

Saturday, 11 am-1 pm at Montgomery Cemetery (Hartranft and Jackson Sts). Memorial Day Observance by the Historical Society of Montgomery County. Wreath laying, speeches, military reenactors.

Saturday, 8-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Somewhat Civil performs. No cover.

Sunday, 7 pm at Elmwood Park Bandshell. Summer Concert Series continues. This week, Dean Garofolo, Elvis impersonator. FREE. Bring a lawn chair or something to sit on.

Monday, Science in the Summer registration continues at the Norristown Library Website (http://www.scienceinthesummer.com/). Children entering grades 2 through 6 can sign up for this FREE, fun science enrichment program provided by The Franklin Institute. This year we explore the Science of Space. Through active, hands-on learning, students explore the sun’s energy, the phases of the moon, human survival in space, and how rockets overcome Earth’s gravity. Two-day session dates are July 11 and 12, or July 30 and 31. Sign up is online and requires an email address. Registration will continue through June. Info at 610-278-5100 x205.

Tuesday at Community Arts Norristown (506 Haws Ave). Register your kids for Summer Camp by today (May 29) and receive 10% off. Camp begins June 18. Register at www.communityartsnorristown.org/summer-camp.

Tuesday, 4:30-6:30 pm, 600 block of Astor. Water Ice with a Cop, with the Norristown Police Department. Stop by for some free water ice and get to know your neighborhood cops.

Thursday, 10-11 am, Norristown Public Library (Swede and Powell). FREE Infant CPR training. Learn how to save your baby's life. Hosted by Montco Dept of Health and Human Services. To register, call Megan Anteparra at 610-278-5117 x6760

Next Saturday, 5-8 pm, Timshel Coffee (104 E Main). Partay! FREE. Lite refreshments. Fun activities. Come say hello to Norristown's new coffee shop.

Next Saturday, June 2, 7 pm at Coffee Talk Artists Co-op (507 W Marshall). Herman Bruning and Friends in concert.

On Saturday, June 16, the Norristown Preservation Society will once again host their annual Flea Market at Selma Mansion. If you'd like to be a vendor, indoor spaces are limited and filling up, first come first serve. $20/space, 8×4 feet bring your own table. Outdoor spaces are 8×8 feet bring your own table, chair, and canopy if you want. $15/space. These are pick your own space when you arrive. Payments can be made through PayPal at SelmaMansionNorristown@Aol.com or by check or money order mailed to Norristown Preservation Society, PO Box 2097, Norristown, PA 19403. If mailing please include your contact info and type of craft, product you vend, or if it is yard sale or flea market items. To check availability and for other info, call or text Dee Kirkpatrick at 484-860-2533.

Stuff To Do While Staying Dry

The monsoons are supposed to be over by Wednesday, but in the meantime, N-town has a lot of indoor activities for you and your family.

Friday, May 18, 5:45-8 pm at 1st Pres Church, Airy and Dekalb, Spring Game Night. Coco Movie Night. FREE.

Friday, 8 pm. Last weekend for "Peter and the Starcatcher" at Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). Other shows: Saturday at 3 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm. ALL shows are limited availability. Click on this link to see what tickets are left.

Saturday is the last day to pre-order compost bins and rain barrels at discounted prices through Montco PA Recycles (county recycling dept). Pickup will be Saturday, June 2, 9 am-noon, at Norristown Farm Park (2500 Upper Farm Road entrance, at the intersection of Germantown Pike and North Wales Road). Compost bin is $50 and rain barrel is $65. Order online at www.montgomerycompostersale.ecwid.com. (Note from Elena: I bought both. Compost bin is still going strong. Rain barrel cracked after 5 years of May-October use. Still, these are good prices for both these items.)

Saturday, 2-3:30 pm at Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room (2nd floor), Saturday Book Club. Selection this month is "My Brilliant Friend," by Elena Ferante. Copies of the book are available at the Front Desk. Registration encouraged. Stop by the Front Desk or call to register. Contact Asha Verma 610-278-5100 x0, averma@mclinc.org.

Saturday, 6-9 pm at Diva's Kitchen (9 W Main). Karoke Night. $15 per person. Door Prizes.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Jazz 180. No cover.

Sunday, 7 pm at Elmwood Park Bandshell. Summer Concert Series continues. This week, Old School (80's Hard Rock Band). FREE. Bring a lawn chair or something to sit on.

Monday, Science in the Summer registration continues at the Norristown Library Website (http://www.scienceinthesummer.com/). Children entering grades 2 through 6 can sign up for this FREE, fun science enrichment program provided by The Franklin Institute. This year we explore the Science of Space. Through active, hands-on learning, students explore the sun’s energy, the phases of the moon, human survival in space, and how rockets overcome Earth’s gravity. Two-day session dates are July 11 and 12 (dates per library website, not sure why the poster is different), or July 30 and 31. Sign up is online and requires an email address. Registration will continue through June. Info at 610-278-5100 x205.

Monday, 6:30-8 pm at the Historical Society of Montgomery County (1654 DeKalb). Making History Greater Series: “The Works of Benjamin and David Rittenhouse.” Social 6:30 pm; Presentation 7 pm. FREE and open to the public. For information 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org or https://hsmcpa.org/.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall. Zoning Board Hearing. Agenda at this link.

Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm in Norristown Public Library Board Room. Free movie. "The Shape of Water." Drop in. For info, contact Mary Motta 610-278-5100 x111, mmotta@mclinc.org.

Wednesday, 5:30-7 pm, at Five Saints Distilling (Main and Green). Rotary Club and Dragon Boat Club are hosting a Happy Hour, open to the public. Come meet them and find out about their projects. Light finger food will be served.

Next Saturday, May 26, 11 am-1 pm at Montgomery Cemetery (Hartranft and Jackson Sts). Memorial Day Observance by the Historical Society of Montgomery County. Wreath laying, speeches, military reenactors.

Both Theaters Running Shows, Mother's Day Activities, and ELECTION DAY

Don't forget to VOTE on Tuesday. And Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there.

Friday, May 11, 6-9 pm at SAAC, 536 George St. Mirror Party. Self-wellness event for all ages. Food, music, entertainment. $15 per youth, $20 adults. Hosted by K.E.Y.S.N.A.Y. Info at 215-617-0068.

Friday, 8 pm, at Centre Theater (208 Dekalb), King of Prussia Players continues "Avenue Q." This weekend's shows are Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. The show will run weekends through May 19. Tickets at this link.

Friday, 8 pm. Peter and the Starcatcher continues at Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). Swashbuckling storytellers and musicians use handmade magic and effortless flights of fancy to upend the century-old story of how a brave young girl inspires an orphan boy to become the legendary Peter Pan. Other shows this week: Saturday at 3 and 8 pm, Sunday at 3 pm, Thursday at 7:30 pm. All shows but Saturday's are limited availability. The show runs through May 20th. Click on this link for the schedule and tickets.

Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, parking lot at Dekalb and Airy. FREE shredding event. Place all documents to be shredded in paper bags. For info, 1-866-389-5654. (Question from Elena: where does one get paper bags these days?)

Saturday, 10 am-noon, New Life Internet Café, 19 W. Marshall. Photo ID clinic.

Saturday, 11 am-1 pm, Community Arts Norristown (506 Haws). Mother's Day Brunch: Family Workshop. Families that cook together have fun together. Learn to make a delicious brunch with chef Kristin Stitz. Please call 610-272-1545 for info and to register. $30, includes one child and one adult; additional children are $15 each.

Saturday, 7:30-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Slim & Guy and the Contusions. No cover.

Sunday, Noon-5 pm, Diva's Kitchen, 9 W Main. Mother's Day Brunch Buffet. $35. Reservations at 484-674-7967.

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 7 am-8 pm ~ PRIMARY ELECTION DAY ~ Find your polling location and other voter info at this link. VOTE ~ It's vital this year.

Tuesday, noon, on the Montgomery County- Norristown Library Website (http://www.scienceinthesummer.com/), Science in the Summer Registration begins! Children entering grades 2 through 6 can sign up for this FREE, fun science enrichment program provided by The Franklin Institute. This year we explore the Science of Space. Through active, hands-on learning, students explore the sun’s energy, the phases of the moon, human survival in space, and how rockets overcome Earth’s gravity. Two-day session dates are July 11 and 12, or July 30 and 31. Sign up is online and requires an email address. Registration will continue through June. Info at 610-278-5100 x205.

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

Thursday, 7 pm at Elmwood Park Bandshell. The Summer Concert Series kicks off with the Allen Reynolds Band. FREE. Bring a lawn chair or something to sit on.

Next Friday, May 18, 5:45-8 pm at 1st Pres Church, Airy and Dekalb, Spring Game Night. Coco Movie Night. FREE.

The Rest of the Democrat Candidates

I'LL post 2 blogs entries today, one for GOP voters and another for Democrat voters (below). Remember, you can find voter info at https://www.montcopa.org/753/Voter-Services.

Except for the Committee candidates, the other Democratic candidates are running unopposed. If you want to see their names, look up your sample ballot at the link above.

Candidates for DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE

The committee defines itself as "the governing body of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party....responsible for directing and promoting the guiding principles and core values of the institution." Also, according to Wikipedia, a political party committee is an organization, officially affiliated with a political party and registered with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), which raises and spends money for political campaigning.

I'm not going to look up every one of these candidates, but below is how you'll see them on the ballot. Turea Hutson (School Board Director) and Dan Woodall (a labor union business manager) are from Norristown. Google the rest yourself. Pick people who seem to represent what you care about and who'll represent you and your family. You'll vote for no more than 16, up to 8 males and 8 females. You can, of course, vote for less than 16, and you can write in candidates.

The Rest of the GOP Candidates

I'LL post 2 blogs entries today, one for Republican voters (below) and another for Democrat voters. Remember, you can find voter info at https://www.montcopa.org/753/Voter-Services.





REPUBLICAN US SENATE CANDIDATES

Jim Christiana has been a PA State Representative (Beaver County) since 2008, (since he was 25 years old). His issue statements (at https://jimchristiana.org/why-jim/) follow current GOP thinking in Congress, though he seems to have a poor understanding on some of the issues (for instance, his solution to the opioid crisis (his #3 issue) involves border agents, but opioids are more a domestic pharmaceutical and health problem). He also, with every issue, lists what he says Senator Casey is doing wrong (and sometimes what his GOP opponent is doing wrong), so I fact checked several of these. Most are gross exaggerations, bending of the truth, or outright lies.

Lou Barletta has served in the US House of Representatives since 2011. Before that he was mayor of Hazelton. His issue statements are at https://barletta.house.gov/issues. He lists his #1 issue as Defense, but it's really more about taking care of the soldiers. Most of his issues really say nothing (for instance, under energy, he doesn't say what types of energy he supports as long as it's made in PA, though there IS a photo of him beside a nuclear cooling tower). Under Gun Rights, he merely quotes the 2nd amendment, without saying what he thinks it means. He seems afraid to take sides on anything. But read his issues yourself and you can view his voting record at this link. Maybe you'll have better luck figuring out where he stands.

~ ~ ~
Candidates for REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE

I tried to look up what the PA GOP State Committee actually does, but couldn't find no explanation in their own words. According to Wikipedia, a political party committee is an organization, officially affiliated with a political party and registered with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), which raises and spends money for political campaigning. So I'll go with that. I'm not going to look up every one of these candidates, but below is how you'll see them on the ballot. Google them yourself. My advice is to pick people who seem to represent you and your family and would support your best interests. You'll vote for no more than 19, up to 9 males and 9 females, plus one of either gender. None are from Norristown. You can, of course, vote for less than 19, or write in candidates.

Democrat Candidates for Governor and Lt. Gov

Remember, the Primary Election is next Tuesday, May 15. For voter information, polling location, and sample ballot, go to https://www.montcopa.org/753/Voter-Services.

The only candidate for PA Governor on the Democrat side is the incumbent, Tom Wolf. His website doesn't have where he stands on the issues exactly, but lists what his administration has accomplished in relation to the issues. Most of the statements are only a sentence or 2 and don't say much, but you can read them at https://www.wolfforpa.com/record/. I'll spend more time on him in the general election.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ~ I should mention that the only official duties of this office are serving as president of the state senate and chairing the Board of Pardons and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council. But lieutenant governors often work on additional projects and have a full schedule of community and speaking events.

Nina Ahmad, from Philadelphia, is a scientist (molecular biologist), women's right advocate, first generation immigrant/naturalized citizen. She served on President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and on Mayor Nutter’s Commission on Asian American Affairs. Her statement on gun control is her best, with action points to be taken. The rest of her issue statements are rather general, though she does seem to have a good understanding of them. Read them for yourself at https://ninaforpa.com/issues/.

Kathi Cozzone is a Chester County Commissioner and also lists several government Boards she has served on, including Chair of the Chester County Prison Board. If you scroll down on her website (https://www.cozzoneforpa.com/), you'll find her statement of issues. She lists quite a few of them, though she's light on the actions she'd like to see taken to find solutions (that may not matter considering the office).

John Fetterman is from Allegheny County and has served 12 years as mayor of Braddock, PA (outside Pittsburgh, population 2150). Before that he was a community organizer and GED teacher. He ran for US Senator in 2016. Though he has no issue statements on his site, he spends a bit of space talking about economy from his experience as mayor, yet I question his understanding the problems of the larger cities he mentions, like Allentown (or even a borough like Norristown), since Braddock, PA isn't much larger than the population of Norristown High. And I'm not sure what that would have to do with duties of lieutenant governor anyway. His website is https://johnfetterman.com.

Raymond Sosa is from Montgomery County and works in banking, investment, and insurance services. He has no experience in government except, apparently, doing "legislative policy support" (which he sees as a good thing, but it puts me in mind of the GOP's ALEC and other way too-influential lobbyists who write policy).  He only lists 4 issues (Economy, Education, Criminal Justice, Farmers) and seems pretty lightweight on them. To read them, go to https://www.raysosa4pa.com/ and scroll down.

Mike Stack is our incumbent Lt Gov. He's from Philly and has also been a state senator, attorney, and serves one weekend per month in the PA National Guard as a Judge Advocate General. Disappointingly, he lists no statements on issues at all. https://www.stackforpa.com/.

GOP Candidates for Governor / Lt. Gov

I'm doing separate articles on the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, separated by party, so you only need to read the one you'll be voting for in the election. Today's is for Republican voters, tomorrow's (Wednesday) Democrat.


GOVERNOR ~ Frankly, watching the 2 male GOP candidates snipe back and forth on their TV ads is like teaching middle school all over again. I want to give them detentions.

Laura Ellsworth is a lawyer (though she calls herself a "business leader") in Pittsburgh. It sounds like she does corporate law, especially litigation for large companies. She also calls herself a community leader, though adamantly claims she's not a politician and has never served in public office. Her issue statement has "Property Tax" right at the top and the rest contain phrases like "It is a failure of government to allow communities to be overrun with immigrants". The only citizens she mentions are veterans and seniors. Nothing about regular working people, nor women, and especially nothing about minority communities. Read her issue statements at http://ellsworth2018.com/category/issues/

Paul Mango was a businessman for 25 years (so says his website, Wikipedia says 28, working for McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, working somehow with healthcare). Before that, he was in the military. No government experience at all. On his website, he says he's a "strong pro-life, pro-family, pro-faith" candidate. His issue statements are hard to read-you have to click on each from a drop down menu, then as you read each, different issues seem to be somewhat jumbled together on each page. Read them for yourself at https://www.mangoforpa.com/ He does spend a good amount of TV time assuring his voters he's not a liberal and talking about Scott Wagner's shortcomings (some of which are lies).

Scott Wagner is a state senator from York County. He comes across as a Trump clone (not in a good way). He's already issued a TV ad promoting homophobia and hate, and another telling a slew of lies about his opponent Paul Mango. He doesn't come across in any ad as a particularly pleasant person. Unfortunately, he's the only candidate who seems to have a clue how government works. He only lists 4 issues: Economy, Budget, Education, and the Political System (legislators who go into politics to make money, then become lobbyists). Read them at http://wagnerforgov.com/scotts-plan-to-fix-pa/


LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Jeff Bartos is from Montgomery County. It was difficult to find anything about him. The only website for his election (https://wagnerbartos.com/) is more about Scott Wagner than Bartos. It says he's on the Wagner for Governor team, though he's not mentioned at all on Wagner's site above. Bartos is a real estate exec from Lower Merion. No experience in government. He lists no issue statements of his own. He comes across as Wagner's puppy (or he wants to be).

Kathy Coder is a businesswoman who founded Inta-Great, a company that trains executives and sales personnel (clients seem to be big corporations, healthcare and Big Pharma, and private colleges and charter schools). She's served as a councilwoman (suburb of Pittsburgh, population about 8400) and she's on the Republican State Committee. The words "leader" or "leadership" can be found in nearly every paragraph on her website. Her #1 issue is lowering the corporate tax rate. She also talks about leadership (there's that word again) training for, apparently, our politicians (I wonder if she'd want her company to provide that?). She does seem to address the opioid epidemic as a health issue (not many Republicans do that) and supports medical marijuana. Read her issues for yourself at https://www.electkathycoder.com/platform

Diana Irey Vaughn is a Washington County Commissioner, in her 6th term. Supposedly, she's Paul Mango's running mate (though again, no mention on his site). She launched her own business (SucSeed) that provides a personal and professional development curriculum. She lists every one of her volunteer accomplishments on her website. I'll let you read them for yourself. She lists The Opiod Epidemic as her first issue. She even lists a few action points, though most of her statements are general and rather 2-dimensional. She's a lifetime member of the NRA. Her website takes a long time for each page to load. http://dianaforpa.com/the-issues/

Peg Luksik grew up in the Philly burbs, was a teacher near Erie PA, and now lives in Cabria county (possibly retired?). She helped the PA Homeschool Association pass homeschool legislation. I could find no issues on her page. All I did find was a rambling lecture on "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" from the Declaration. If I had to guess, I'd say she was a Tea Party holdover. https://www.pa4peg.com/about-peg/

Candidates for US Congress

The PA Primary Election is only a week and a day away, Tuesday, May 15. Polls open 7 am and close 8 pm. To find out where you vote, see your sample ballot, and the answers to other questions, click on this link. Remember, in primaries, we vote by party. You must be registered Republican or Democrat to vote in this election.

The Congressional candidates are important this election because we're voting for US House reps in NEW districts. Norristown (and most of Montgomery County) will be in District 4. Since Brendan Boyle doesn't live in our new district, he can't run here (but he will be our congressman until the end of this year).

On the Republican side of the ballot, the only candidate is Dan David. His website is at http://dandavidforcongress.com/. He has no legislative experience and no list of issues on his site, so who knows what he stands for. The interesting thing is that he'd originally entered his name as a candidate in Lehigh Valley, having moved there from Montgomery County. 2 months later, in March, he switched from Lehigh Valley back to here (did he move back?). I suspect the reason was that the field of candidates in the other location included 6 other contenders, and maybe he figures here he can win without breaking a sweat. He apparently cares more about winning than about issues. Republicans CAN also write in another candidate, of course (maybe someone who considers their residency in our county as more than a means to an end).

On the Democrat side of the ballot, there are 3 candidates.

Joe Hoeffel ~ Hoeffel served as our US Congressman from 1999-2005 (and frankly, I thought he did a good job), so experience isn't an issue. Before that, he served in the PA State House and as Montgomery County Commissioner. You can read his stand on the issues at this link. Even if you don't agree with his stands, you have to admit that he has a grasp of how complex and multi-faceted most of the issues are. He not only lists issues, but action points under each one. Though I do wish he had included action points about women's issues other than reproduction, and issues specifically involving hate and ignorance, especially where that impacts minority groups (no mention of LGBT). And his foreign policy statement mentions nothing about North Korea or Russian cyber attacks involving our elections.

Madeleine Dean ~ Dean is currently the state representative for PA's 153rd District (Abington and Upper Dublin). Before that she served as Abington Township Commissioner and before that as a committee person. Dean's issues statement says very nearly the same as Hoeffel's, though she mentions nothing about foreign affairs. Her action points take a bit more careful reading to find and there aren't as many. She does include sexual assault as a women's issue. She seems a bit stronger on public education. I will say that, having received 4 large-sized mailings from her, 3 in one day, that it's hard to believe she's serious about the environment.

Shira Goodman ~ Goodman, like Dean, is from Abington. She has a law degree but seems to have spent most of her life as a gun-control and equal justice activist. She has no government legislative experience. Her issue statement is at this link (click on "Issues"). It does include issues the others missed, such as protecting the vote, "fake news" propaganda, and the rights of those with disabilities. But her foreign affairs statement only covers the US-Israel relationship (not even mentioning others who live in the Middle East, let alone Russia, et al). Most of her issues seem 2-dimentional ~ only 3-4 sentences for each with no specific actions she'd take on them. I think her best statement is on public education, but read the list yourself and decide.

So there are your candidates. Please read where they stand on the issues and don't simply base your vote on TV ads and mailings. But PLEASE VOTE.

I'll post a link to this info to Facebook and Twitter more than once this week. Please share with your friends and neighbors in the district and encourage everyone to get out and vote this year.