FREE Programs, Flu Shots, and More This Week

Beautiful autumn weather the next week, plenty to do in the area, and most of the activities are FREE.

Saturday, September 30, 9 am-9 pm at The Ceramic Shop (1200 Markley St), Grand Opening and Party. Sale with special discounts runs until 5 pm, with a party to follow until 9. Food, drinks, Raku firings, throwing demonstrations, glaze demonstrations, tours of the facility. Go welcome one of N-town's newest businesses.

Saturday, 1-5 pm, The Norristown Project Fall Cleanup. Volunteers are needed to assist with cleaning, weeding, and mulching the flower beds around the trees in the downtown area. In addition to this project, volunteers will work on cleaning the sidewalks. Meet at the intersection of Main Street and Dekalb Sts. Free street parking is available on weekends in the municipality. Businesses and organizations who wish to sponsor or partner on this event can email sashe@montcooic.org. To RSVP, email NorristownProject@montcooic.org. Groups are encouraged to attend. If you would like to register your group, email in advance.

Saturday at 3pm, Riverfront Park. Cardboard boat races return. Following the cardboard boat races, will be wacky races. Watch as the Dragon Boat Club paddlers race in anything that floats down the river. Who will win?? For more info on the club or how you can participate, email us at kbrown@dragonboatclub.org.

Saturday, 7 pm, Valley Forge National Historical Park. Yes, I know I'm breaking my rule of only posting Norristown events, but we DO have a genuine National Park site only 15 minutes away, and this fall on Saturday evenings, they'll be hosting FREE campfire programs at Conway's Brigade. Great experience for kids. Bring a flashlight, blanket and jacket. This week's program is "The Great Cow Chase of 1778." The program will be canceled in the event of rain. Call 610-783-1099 for info and directions, or go to this link.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Main and Green). Music by Civil Discord.

Sunday, 2-5 pm, Elmwood Park Zoo. Free admission for Norristown Residents with valid photo ID.

Tuesday, 1-2 pm, Norristown Library (Swede and Powell), 2nd floor Board Room. 7 (yes, SEVEN) mystery authors will spill all their secrets in a FREE program titled "HOWDUNIT: Mystery Writers Talk." Yes, I'm one of them. The others are Gus Cileone, Jane Kelly, Sandra Carey Cody, J.D. Shaw, Donna Huston Murray, and Jane Gorman. Come and meet them all.

Tuesday, 3:30-6:30 pm, Norristown Library, Community Room. FREE flu shots to all county residents 6 months and older. Bring Medicare card or health insurance card with you (absolutely no cost to you). Let's make sure everyone gets a flu shot this year and everyone stays healthy this winter. For info, call the Montco Health Dept at 610-278-5117 or visit www.montcopa.org/flu.

Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Council meeting at Municipal Hall.

Wednesday, 8:30-10:30 am at the Dunkin Donuts at 151 W. Main. Coffee With A Cop. Celebrate National Coffee With A Cop Day.

Thursday, 11 am-2:30 pm on East Main in front of the Courthouse. The Norristown Farmers Market still continues every Thursday through Oct 26. Fall seasonal veggies and apples, farm fresh, plus baked goods (even gluten-free).

Next Friday, October 6, 8 pm at Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). "2.5 Minute Ride" opens and runs through Oct 29. Friday's performance is Pay What You Decide. Full schedule and tickets at this link.

Next Saturday, Oct 7, 8 am-5 pm at the Laborers' Intl Union, 740 Sandy Hill Rd, The Norristown NAACP will be providing FREE dental screenings, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, for those who do not have insurance. Family activities, pony rides, food and more. To pre-register please contact Renee Golden 610-513-1732, Susie Buchanan 215-896-9390, Ethel Matthews 267-664-2645

Next Saturday, 9 am at Norristown Area High School. Pump N Run 5K to benefit Norristown Athletics. Come at 7:15 am for Pump option. They're looking for sponsors, too. More info at this link. Or email Carolyn.nickels@verizon.net.

Next Saturday, 4-10 pm, at Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Potluck at Coffee Talk.

Next Saturday, 6-10 pm at Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Candlelight Ghost Tours. Quiet guided tours of the mansion will cover both its history and infamous ghost stories. Tours will be continuous. Come anytime. Tickets at the door only. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children aged 5-12. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Active military and members of the Norristown Police and Fire Departments get free admission with ID. On-street parking. All proceeds will go toward the restoration and maintenance of Selma Mansion.

Next Saturday, 7-11 pm, Centre Theater (208 DeKalb St). Mark Twain Returns To Norristown. Fundraiser for Centre Theater in Norristown. Tickets are $50 per person and include Hors D'oeurves, open bar and $100 in chips (I'm thinking that probably doesn't mean tortilla chips, but this is the only info I could find so far).