Heating Up For The Fourth

Today we're heading into our first brutal heat wave of summer, but there are cool things to do around town (if you don't have A/C, bring the kids to the library or let them cool off at the Carver Center). And remember, Independence Day is Wednesday. Parade, parties, concerts, and fireworks.

Friday, June 29, 1-4 pm at the George Washington Carver Community Center (Jacoby and Arch). Get Out of School Splash Party. FREE. Music, Food, Games, Swim. Info call Ericka Wharton, 610-272-7480 or email gwcarvercenter19401@gmail.com.

Saturday, June 30, 9 am-3 pm at Norristown Area High School, 1900 Eagle Dr. (enter at Whitehall Rd.). Hazardous Waste Collection. Bring non-latex paint products, automotive products, outdoor and household chemicals for disposal. Complete list of acceptable materials at this link (scroll down).

Saturday, 10-11:30 am, Montco Courthouse (Swede and Airy). Families Belong Together Protest Rally led by Senator Daylin Leach. Just show up.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Lou Monaco performs. No cover.

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

Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 pm at Christ UCC Church (W. Marshall and Noble) parking lot (inside if it rains). Independence Eve Music Festival. FREE outdoor concert. Local performers, The Song Sheets, will share the "Best of Americana" including patriotic songs, folk music, and even some show tunes. Concessions are available for purchase (benefits Appalachian Mission trip). Please bring a chair. For info, contact Melanie Eberhard, 610-275-3092, church@uccchristchurch.org.

No Council meeting is listed on the municipal calendar for this week.

Wednesday, JULY 4 Celebration. 9:30 am-10 pm. Parade begins at 9:30 am at St. Francis (Buttonwood and W Marshall), goes down Marshall to Astor, right on Astor, left on Airy, right on Arch, right on Main.

When the parade is over, a block party will begin downtown. Live bands, food trucks, beer tent, kids' zones. Around 1 pm, head over to Elmwood Park for 2 concerts (Old School, 1 pm, and Wildflower, 7 pm). Fireworks at Elmwood Park will cap off the night.

Thursday, 11 am-2:30 pm, in front of the Courthouse. The Norristown Farmers' Market. Stop by Thursdays through October 25.

Next Friday, July 6, 9 pm (gate opens 8:30 pm) at the Carver Community Center. Poolside movie night. $3 admission for movie alone. $5 for movie, snack and beverage. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Info call Ericka Wharton, 610-272-7480 or email gwcarvercenter19401@gmail.com.

Next Saturday, 8-11 am at the Carver Center. Carver Kids' Car Wash. $7. Info call Ericka Wharton, 610-272-7480 or email gwcarvercenter19401@gmail.com.

Football Clinic, Free Music and Movie, and More

Okay, it's officially summer. Time for a reminder, now that everyone's windows are open and people want to sit on their porches or in their backyards. Be considerate of your neighbors. They may not have the same taste in music as you do (especially after 10 pm at night). They may not appreciate you scaring their pets and small children when you set off cherry bombs outside their homes (every weekend, not just July 4). They may not want your grill and fire pit smoke wafting in through their windows. They may not want to watch you do drug deals as they try to enjoy nice summer evenings on their stoops. And now that more of us are outside, try to say hello to each other once in a while. If you can't be a nice neighbor, do us all a favor and move out of Norristown.

Saturday, June 23, 8:30 am-2:30 pm at the Norristown Youth Eagles Field (on Stanbridge St across from Norfab's parking lot at 1320). FREE Football Clinic. Drills and Position Training. Guest Speaker, NAHS Head Coach, Joe "Rock" Milligan. All students must have a parent present. Lunch will be provided. Sponsored by the Norristown Men of Excellence. RSVP to Hakim Jones 484-429-9330.

Saturday, Noon-2 pm, outside the Norristown Library. Big Truck Day. Kick off our Summer Reading season by seeing and touching big trucks up close and personal. Firetruck, construction truck, police vehicle, and more. Also, a children’s book sale (cash only) and Dog Bites hot dog cart will be selling treats. For kids of all ages. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Sunday, 7 pm at Elmwood Park Bandshell. Summer Concert Series continues. This week, Sofa Kings perform. FREE. Bring a lawn chair or something to sit on.

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

Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm at Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room, Mary's Matinee. Enjoy a free movie the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. This showing: "Downsizing." Drop in. For info, Mary Motta 610-278-5100 x111, mmotta@mclinc.org.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 2:30-4 pm at Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Community Room. Improv with Rob. Improvisational comedy is a great way to stretch your funny bone while learning how to think on your feet. Come to this event and Rob Wilf will show you how. Create fun characters and create funny scenes by making it up as you go along. Step up to the stage and the challenge. For Teens (12+). Drop in. For info, contact Asha Verma  610-278-5100 x0, averma@mclinc.org.

Thursday, 11 am-2:30 pm, in front of the Courthouse. The Norristown Farmers' Market. Stop by Thursdays through October 25.

Thursday, 1-2:30 pm, Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Kids Cook. Learn basic cooking techniques, prepare easy, yummy recipes in this 7-week program. For kids with adventurous appetites, ages 6-12. Registration required. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Class size is limited. To register, call 610-278-5100 x205.

Thursday, 7 pm, Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Monthly poetry readings begin. 4th Thursday of each month. Poets and poetry lovers welcome.

Next Saturday, June 30, 9 am-3 pm at Norristown Area High School, 1900 Eagle Dr. (enter at Whitehall Rd.). Hazardous Waste Collection. Bring non-latex paint products, automotive products, outdoor and household chemicals for disposal. Complete list of acceptable materials at this link (2nd page).

Flea Market, Juneteenth, Concerts

Finally, a sunny weekend! Enjoy the Flea Market and Juneteenth downtown. And we may actually have a concert in the park on Sunday at last.

Saturday, June 16, the Norristown Preservation Society is hosting their annual Flea Market at Selma Mansion. FREE admission for shoppers. For info, call or text Dee Kirkpatrick at 484-860-2533.

Saturday, all day starting at 9 am at Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Sign up for Summer Reading. Win prizes for reading. Pick up a summer reading log in the Children’s Department and keep track of the minutes you read. For every two hours you read or have been read to, you win a prize and a chance to win a bicycle or a $50 Barnes & Noble gift certificate. (Maximum 10 free books per child.) For children ages 0-12. For info, call 610-278-5100 x205.

Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, tours starting at Five Saints Distilling (129 E Main), Juneteenth Celebration. Hour-long walking tours of downtown Norristown. At each stop, actors will perform short segments from black history. Celebrate Emancipation Day with a dramatic exploration of the African-American journey to freedom. Tours begin every 20 minutes. (Note from Elena ~ this is one of the coolest, most unique events we do in Norristown. Don't miss it.)

Saturday 2-3:30 pm, Norristown Public Library Board Room. Saturday Book Club. The selection this month is "The Other Einstein," by Marie Benedict, a tale inspired by the first wife of Albert Einstein ~ female physics student at an elite late-nineteenth-century school in Zurich, where she falls in love with a charismatic fellow student who eclipses her contributions to his theory of relativity. Copies of the book are available at the Front Desk. We encourage registration. Stop by the Front Desk or call to register. Contact Asha Verma, 610-278-5100 x0,  averma@mclinc.org.

Saturday, 8-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Pat's Run performs. No cover.

Sunday, 7 pm at Elmwood Park Bandshell. Summer Concert Series continues. This week, Beach Bumz perform. FREE. Bring a lawn chair or something to sit on.

Monday, 8 am- 4:15 pm, Gotwals Elementary (Oak and Swede). Register your 1st-6th grade kids NOW for Science is Fun Camp which starts Monday and runs through July 27. Staffed by certified teachers, fun-filled learning activities, weekly field trips (The Franklin Institute, American Helicopter Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences, Elmwood Park Zoo, Adventure Aquarium). $358 Camp Fee includes field trips. Register at https://ymicfoundation.org/events.

Tuesday, 6-8 pm, Theatre Horizon, 401 DeKalb St. Summer Social / Juneteenth Celebration. Join the Norristown Chamber for a night of food, drink, networking. Even more, the Executive Board of the Chamber and Theatre Horizon will be making two special and exciting announcements. Chamber members are able to attend this event at the discounted price of $10 per person. Non-member ticket prices are $15. Food and admission are included in the ticket price, with drink vouchers accompanying your ticket. Not a member? Join for only $75 for the year and get free admission into the social.

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

Wednesday, 6 pm at Eisenhower School Library. Meet and Greet for the new superintendent, Christopher Dormer. All residents welcome.

Wednesday, Historical Society of Montco. This is the last day to RSVP for the opening night gala of the new "Made In Montgomery County" exhibit. The opening will take place June 27 from 6-9 pm. $30 per person. The evening will feature a variety of hors d'oeuvres and locally made beverages. To RSVP, call 610-272-0297 by June 20.

Thursday, 11 am-2:30 pm, in front of the Courthouse. The Norristown Farmers' Market. Stop by Thursdays through October 25.

Thursday, 6-7:30 pm, Norristown Library Community Room. Libraries Rock Live Performance. Kick off your Summer @MC-NPL with a blues' performance by local musicians Georgie Bonds and Brian McLean. Snacks will be served. For info, contact Asha Verma, 610-278-5100 x0, averma@mclinc.org.

Next Saturday, 8:30 am-2:30 pm at the Norristown Youth Eagles Field (on Stanbridge St across from Norfab's parking lot at 1320). FREE Football Clinic. Drills and Position Training. Guest Speaker, NAHS Head Coach, Joe "Rock" Milligan. All students must have a parent present. Lunch will be provided. Sponsored by the Norristown Men of Excellence. RSVP to Hakim Jones 484-429-9330.

Next Saturday, Noon-2 pm, outside the Norristown Library. Big Truck Day. Kick off our Summer Reading season by seeing and touching big trucks up close and personal. Firetruck, construction truck, police vehicle, and more. Also, a children’s book sale (cash only) and Dog Bites hot dog cart will be selling treats. For kids of all ages. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Free Programs, Free Concert, Free Crafts, Free Movie

Again, lots to do around town and most won't cost you a penny. Plus you can meet the new school superintendent this week or next.

Saturday, June 9, Social: 12:30 pm; Presentation: 1 pm, at the Historical Society of Montgomery County (1654 Dekalb). Making History Greater Series: Montgomery County Trolleys. Presenter Mike Szilagyi will speak about the 140 miles of trolley lines that once ran through Montgomery County. In the first half of the 20th century, a wide array of trolley cars rolled over Montgomery County’s rails, from quaint open streetcars rumbling through borough streets to sleek 80-mile-an-hour trolleys sailing across open fields in Upper Gwynedd and Hatfield Townships. The cars had zero emissions, and some lines were powered by renewable hydroelectric power. Books will be available for purchase and signing. FREE admission. For info, contact Barry Rauhouser at 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org.

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

Sunday, 7 pm at Elmwood Park Bandshell. Summer Concert Series continues (assuming the rain lets up, AGAIN). This week, The Monkeephiles. FREE. Bring a lawn chair or something to sit on.

Tuesday, 9 am-5 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Father's Day Card Craft. Drop in to make a card for that special father in your life. For kids of all ages. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. For info call 610-278-5100 x205.

Tuesday, 6 pm at Norristown High Library and June 20, 6 pm at Eisenhower Library. Meet and Greet for the new superintendent, Christopher Dormer. All residents welcome.
 
Tuesday, the Planning Commission meeting has been cancelled for this month.

Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm, Montco-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Mary's Matinee. Free movie in the board room the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.  This showing: "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle." Drop in. For info, contact Mary Motta, 610-278-5100 x111 or mmotta@mclinc.org.

Thursday, 11 am-2:30 pm, in front of the Courthouse. The Norristown Farmers' Market has started up again. Stop by Thursdays through October 25.

Next 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 if 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.

Next Saturday, all day starting at 9 am at Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Sign up for Summer Reading. Win prizes for reading. Pick up a summer reading log in the Children’s Department and keep track of the minutes you read. For every two hours you read or have been read to, you win a prize and a chance to win a bicycle or a $50 Barnes & Noble gift certificate. (Maximum 10 free books per child.) For children ages 0-12. For info, call 610-278-5100 x205.

Activities for Another Rainy Week

I, for one, am getting tired of all this rain and overcast skies. But there are lots of indoor activities this week in N-town.

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

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

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

Sunday, 10- noon, Elmwood Park Zoo. Montgomery County Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. Rain or shine. First 300 people get in FREE.  For info, call 610-292-5039.

Sunday 2-5 pm is also FREE admission day at Elmwood Park Zoo for Norristown residents with ID.

Sunday, 7 pm at Elmwood Park Bandshell. Summer Concert Series continues (assuming the rain lets up). This week, Flower Power performs. 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, 1-2 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. The Author Hour, featuring two successful authors: Sandra Cody, author of the Jennie Conners Mysteries, and Bob McCrillis, author of Puckerbush: Milestones on the Journey to Manhood, will share their inspirations and experiences in writing and publishing. A question and answer session will follow. Light refreshments will be provided. If you have dreamed of becoming an author or just want to meet one, don’t miss this opportunity! Please register by calling 610-278-5100, ext. 2 or email jhoey@mclinc.org.
 
Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall. Planning Commission.

Thursday, 5-8 pm at Elmwood Park Zoo. June Jazz@The Zoo, the annual fundraiser for Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library.  Tickets are $50/person and include drinks, hors d'oeuvres and live music and dancing with the N Town Band. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, contact the library at 610-278-5100 x140.

Next Saturday, June 9, Social: 12:30 pm; Presentation: 1 pm, at the Historical Society of Montgomery County (1654 Dekalb). Making History Greater Series: Montgomery County Trolleys. Presenter Mike Szilagyi will speak about the 140 miles of trolley lines that once ran through Montgomery County. In the first half of the 20th century, a wide array of trolley cars rolled over Montgomery County’s rails, from quaint open streetcars rumbling through borough streets to sleek 80-mile-an-hour trolleys sailing across open fields in Upper Gwynedd and Hatfield Townships. The cars had zero emissions, and some lines were powered by renewable hydroelectric power. Books will be available for purchase and signing. FREE admission. For info, contact Barry Rauhouser at 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org.

On Tuesday, June 12, 9 am-7pm at the Montgomery County Human Services Bldg (Dekalb and Fornance), Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition among first responders to see who can recruit the most blood donors from their communities. NPD, NFD, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office will be in competition. Sign up to help them out now at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Norristown%20BoB. All donors will receive a free t-shirt.

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 if 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.