Auditor General Candidates

The offices on the primary ballot are US President, PA State Attorney General, PA Auditor General, PA Treasurer, US Representative, State Senator, State Rep, and Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the Presidential Conventions. I'm starting with Auditor General because on the Democratic ballot, 6 choices are listed, and they aren't well-known names for most people (neither is the GOP candidate--I'll do him too). I'll list a short bio (most from Ballotpedia.org) for each, but feel free to research all the candidates on your own. That's the nice thing about doing a mail-in ballot. You can take your time and fact-check these candidates before deciding.

Pennsylvania's Auditor General is the chief fiscal watchdog of the commonwealth. The office is responsible for using audits to ensure that all state money is spent legally and properly. So keep in mind that you'd probably want someone who understands money to do this job.

DEMOCRATIC BALLOT

Harry Scott Conklin is in the PA House of Representatives for the 77th legislative district in Centre County (where State College is). Conklin studied Carpentry at Clearfield County Vocational Technical School, then worked as a Carpenter's Apprentice. His professional experience includes being the owner/operator of a carpentry business for 17 years and as the current owner and operator of Conklin's Corner Antique Mall.

Michael Lamb is the Pittsburgh City Controller in Pennsylvania. He assumed office in 2007. Lamb is  an attorney. In addition to his government work, he serves on the boards of the Kane Foundation, the Catholic Youth Association, the Downtown Pittsburgh YMCA, and the 3 Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Project. He was also a founding co-chair of the community group A Plus Schools in Pittsburgh.

Tracie Fountain was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She worked in the Pennsylvania Auditor General's office for 29 years, most recently as the Audit Bureau Director, before resigning to run for the Auditor General position. In her work for the office, Fountain directed the following bureaus: School Audits, State-Aided Audits, Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association Audits, Liquor Audits, and Children and Youth Services Audits. She is a Certified Public Accountant. Of all the candidates, she has the most experience for the job.

Rose Rosie Marie Davis was born in Oklahoma. She is a Certified Public Accountant and the current Vice-Chairman of the Smithfield Township Board of Auditors, first elected in 2018. Davis' professional experience includes working in financial management consulting. She is a member of the Finance Committee of the Shawnee Valley Owners Association and the Monroe County NAACP.

Nina Ahmad is from Philadelphia and has worked as a molecular biologist and entrepreneur. Prior to running for auditor general, she was Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement in Philadelphia. She has served as president of the Philadelphia NOW and on the board of the Philadelphia Foundation. She was also a member of the National Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under President Obama.

Christina Hartman is from Lancaster and has worked as both an independent consultant and a consultant for Cygnet Strategy and BroderickHaight Consulting. Her consulting work focuses on providing operational, strategic planning, fundraising, and management guidance to non-profit organizations and trade associations. Hartman has also worked with a variety of organizations in the international development and humanitarian fields, including Joyful Heart Foundation, National Democratic Institute, The Prince's Trust, and Freedom House.

REPUBLICAN BALLOT

Timothy DeFoor is the only GOP candidate for Auditor General. He was elected as Dauphin County Controller in 2015. Before that, he served in the Attorney General’s Office and is a retired special agent. He worked in the State Inspector General’s office as a special investigator, and worked for UPMC Health Plan and various federal contractors as a former Internal Auditor, Quality Manager, and Fraud Investigator.

Change in Polling Locations

As I said in my last Diary entry, Norristown is consolidating polling locations for the primary on June 2.  They'll all be in schools, because schools are closed right now and no other people will be on the premises, and they've been closed, so they won't have to be deep cleaned the night before.
Here are the new locations.

If you aren't sure what ward you're in go to this link, type in your address, and your polling location will come up.

If you vote in person, PLEASE WEAR A MASK. Help protect the other voters and the election workers that day. And please don't bring your children.

Better yet, sign up for Vote-By-Mail. That way, you'll stay safe at home. Please encourage older voters to do this. For info, go to this link.

If you've already applied, you can check your status at this link. My ballot arrived in the mail today. I'll be doing a Diary about offices on the ballots and candidates soon.

However you decide to do it, VOTE! Let's have a great turnout for Norristown this time.

Stay safe and well.

Voting in PA in Times of COVID19

On June 2, Pennsylvania will hold its primary election. Some of you will say, "What does it matter? The presidential nominees have already been decided." But if you want to vote against either of those choices, there are choices on both parties' ballots (I'll cover them in another blog). There are other offices on the ballot, too. No choices on the GOP Ballot, but Democrats have choices for Auditor General and State Senator.

But you may also be saying you don't feel safe going to the polls this year with a virus on the loose. No problem. This year in PA, you can vote by mail. It's like an absentee ballot, but you don't need a reason for absence. Every registered voter can do it.

Some people think absentee ballots aren't counted. Not true. I've worked at the local precinct on voting day and I can tell you that we stay late and count absentee ballots every time. This year workers will stay even later and count all the mail-in ballots. And election workers this year would RATHER be counting mail-in ballots than see voters who might potentially be carriers of COVID19 in person. It's going to be a 15-hour day for them at least, and despite masks, face shields and gloves, there will be few breaks for hand-washing. So do them a favor and, if you haven't already, apply for a mail-in ballot.

Here's how: First go to https://www.votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Mail-and-Absentee-Ballot.aspx. Click on "Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot." Follow the instructions. If you have a PA Drivers License #, you can request an ballot online. Easy. The State sends the request to your county, who'll look you up and approve or not approve your request (you might have to register to vote first, which you can also do on that website). If you're approved, a ballot will be mailed to you. They just started sending out ballots this week, so if you already applied, you'll likely have your ballot soon.

You have until May 18th to register to vote and until May 26th to request a mail-in ballot. Ballots must be received at your courthouse by June 2 at 8 pm. DO NOT bring them to your polling place. Don't wait until the last minute to do any of the above. PLEASE use Vote-By-Mail, for everyone's safety, your own and your family's included. If you insist on voting in person, WEAR A MASK to your polling place and this year, DON'T BRING YOUR CHILDREN. I love to see parents teaching their kids how voting is done, but this year it's too dangerous. Some kids who get COVID are getting a dangerous inflammation of the bloodstream with it. Come alone and observe physical distancing guidelines.

POLLING LOCATIONS
Some polling locations will change this year. Montgomery County will probably be using schools as locations because they're already closed. If you usually vote in a school, probably no change. They'll be deciding by May 11, and then I'll post the link where you can find your polling location. But hey, it won't matter if you sign-up for Vote-By-Mail.

I made the difficult decision this year not to work this election. I love doing it, but this year it's a job for younger, healthier people. If you're currently not working and need some extra money, the Montgomery County courthouse is looking for pollworkers. If you're interested, go to https://www.montcopa.org/759/Pollworkers for more information.

Stop The Stupidity, Norristown

When I started this blog in 2012, my thought was to point out the good things about the town to quiet naysayers, and to point out what needed work so residents could nudge their council reps towards better solutions. Instead, I found council making worse and worse decisions, and residents not showing up for council meetings and if they did contact their reps, they were being ignored. I contacted my reps about problems in my neighborhood, and was treated politely, but nothing improved. And readers of the blog even sent me their own problems, somehow expecting an out-of-work, disabled writer, composing this blog for free to solve their woes for them and getting mad at me when I couldn't. So I stopped writing the blog except for election information twice a year.

What brought me out of the woodwork this time was the sheer stupidity of what our local government has become. And in this day and age of stupidity in the US Senate and Executive Branch and in our state legislature, I've finally become sick of all of it. The final straw was a notice I saw this morning that our Council had approved $100,000 to be spent on a stormwater study, including a $20,000 use of a helicopter. And it sounds like they'll be slapping us taxpayers with stormwater fees of some sort in the future.

To be truthful, I was actually thinking of writing a blog the last week about trees, about big old growth trees being cut down all over town and how that's bad for Norristown for a whole number of reasons. (Stay with me, it ties in.) In the last few years, I've counted about 3 dozen large trees taken down in the North End alone and I've seen cleared lots in other parts of town.

Back in 2012, we had a Shade Tree Commission that regularly encouraged property owners to plant trees on their properties because a) nice trees could raise property values and b) trees provide shade. With increasing heat waves every summer the last 3 years, we desperately need shade to counteract the reflected heat from all the paving and brick houses in town. There used to be incentives to plant trees. There were classes on how to do it. Whatever happened to that commission?

Besides shade, trees clean our air by absorbing carbon dioxide, and they sequester that carbon while they're alive so that it won't contribute to global warming (which gives us the heat waves). The 3 dozen trees I've seen cut down would have absorbed about a TON of carbon dioxide EVERY YEAR.

But one of the most important gifts trees give us is that their roots absorb water. I have two small trees in my side yard. In warm months when I use a rain barrel for my garden, I run the overflow hose around those trees. The roots can absorb runoff from storms of as much as 2 inches or more of rain, depending how fast it comes down. Large trees like those I've seen cut down, would absorb much more stormwater.

In the last 10 years, developers like Sarah Peck have used Norristown taxpayer funding to cut down trees and pave over large lots. She has done her darnedest to get around laws requiring the replanting of trees. At Arbor Mews she removed some very large, very old trees and put a scattering of tall bushes in their place that barely absorb any water. She at least supposedly put in an underground cistern there. At Arbor Knoll, farther up Dekalb St, Norristown had to update the stormwater drains (at taxpayer expense) to handle the added runoff because of the paving. I'm on record as the one who went to Zoning and Council meetings and spoke about how Ms. Peck's plans for these 2 developments would bring on stormwater runoff problems.

(Fun fact:  The word "arbor" originally meant a shady garden alcove where trees form a roof. "Arbor" Day is a day set aside for celebrating and planting trees. Ms. Peck's use of the word Arbor in all her development names is a bad joke.)

I'm not saying there aren't reasons to cut down some trees. Some die after a long life, some fall in storms, and some have been destroyed by spotted lantern flies (ALL invasive trees-of-heaven should be cut down because of that).  PennDOT's been cutting down all the old growth trees along Markley to widen the street, which I guess can't be avoided. But others seem to be coming down simply because property owners don't want them (especially landlords).

Here we are, after years of letting developers cut down old growth trees, after years of no incentives for planting trees to beautify the town, NOW Norristown Council decides we might have a stormwater problem.


So here's a solution. Take a fraction of that $100,000 and instead, replant native trees in public areas all over town, especially where stormwater collects. Require anyone who's let a building lot sit vacant for more than a year to plant native trees on it. Give property owners incentives to plant small trees, at least, on their properties, and maybe also incentives for the planting of rain gardens (that is, smaller plants and native grasses that absorb water well, planted in places where runoff is currently eroding soil). We don't need more concrete infrastructure to solve the problem when a natural solution would work better (and cheaper) and make the town so much prettier.

I'm tired of taxpayers always having to bail out the stupidity and short-sightedness of Council's decisions. It's happened over and over in the 60+ years I've lived in this town. But at least, paying for trees should help solve stormwater problems for many years to come, and trees benefit every resident in other ways. Plus they're good for the planet, too. Win, win, win.

Or will it be more stupidity, Council?

Election ~ Judge Candidates

Yesterday I talked about Judge Retentions, but when a seat on the courts is vacated, we have a regular election for judges. If you vote straight party, and want it to apply to judge candidates, you don't need to do anything else. If you want to split your ticket, you need to fill in the ovals for as many candidates as you want but within the limit set. You can write in candidates, too.

If you want to know more about these candidates, I encourage you to look them up on  https://ballotpedia.org (though some aren't listed or have very little information). Here are their names and parties.

SUPERIOR COURT (vote for no more than 2)

Amanda Green-Hawkins, Democrat
Daniel D. McCafferty, Democrat (who showed absolutely no wisdom or prudence when he put DOZENS of ugly campaign posters all over the ground in a public park in my neighborhood ~ I'm guessing he didn't do that in his own neighborhood.)
Megan McCarthy King, Republican
Christylee Peck, Republican

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (vote for not more than 3)

Melissa Schwartz Sterling, Democrat
Virgil B Walker, Democrat
Henry S. Hilles, III, Democrat
Matthew Hovey, Republican
Gregg Richman, Republican
Robert A. Zigmund, Republican

Election ~ Judge Retentions

I'll start by reminding you that if you vote straight party, you still MUST flip the ballot over and vote yes or no for all the judge retentions. Don't forget to do it. Also, I apologize for not being able to post an image of the actual ballot on the blog, but Blogger isn't cooperating this morning.

In Pennsylvania, when a judge reaches the end of their 10-year term, they don't have to run against anyone to retain their job. We just vote yes or no, sort of the equivalent of old Roman Coliseum rules: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. The problem is, all that's listed on the ballot is their name and office. No political party and no other info that would tell us which way these judges would rule on a potentially political or otherwise sensitive case. Those in higher offices might certainly have those kinds of cases come in front of them.

Below is some information on all those running for retention. I've gotten most of the information from Ballotpedia (clink on the link and type the names into the search field for more info on the candidates), but I've also added their political party affiliations at the time of their last election. I've listed any major awards, endorsements that seem to heavily favor one side or the other on major issues, or important rulings. I only mention case details as facts, not judgment calls.

SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES

Anne Lazarus, Democrat. Recipient of the Sandra Day O'Connor Award in 2013 by the Philadelphia Bar.
Judith Olson, Republican. Endorsed by Pennsylvania Pro-Life and Firearm Owners Against Crime.

COMMONWEALTH COURT JUDGES

Kevin Brobson, Republican.  In 2017, he ruled that the 2011 state congressional map, though agreeing that it favored Republicans, was not against the state constitution. The PA Supreme Court overturned the ruling in 2018.
Patricia McCullough, Republican.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio, Republican.
Patricia Coonahan, Republican.
Wendy Demchick-Alloy, Republican. Sentenced Attorney General Kathleen Kane to 10 to 23 months in prison and 8 years probation (maximum sentence would have been 12-24 years).
Lois E. Murphy, Democrat.
Garrett D. Page, Republican.
Gary Silow, Republican.
Kelly C. Wall, Republican.

There are your judge retention candidates. I'll do another blog about judges up for election and other candidates.

The Folks Who Work At The Courthouse

This election is the one where we vote for those County elected offices who many of us will deal with at some point in our lifetimes ~ Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, Prothonotary (filing of other legal documents), Controller (if you owe money to the county or they owe you money ~ they also do payroll for the county). Also if you ever have someone die in your home, even of natural causes, you'll probably meet someone from the Coroner's office. The Treasurer handles county funds and investments, and of course, I hope you'll never have to deal with the District Attorney or Sheriff (which is in charge of transporting prisoners and serving bench warrants, among other duties. It has 7 specialty units and 7 divisions. More info at this link.)

You probably can't get out of meeting the Commissioners at some point. They show up everywhere and talk your ear off.

But you need to take part in the hiring of all these offices by voting.

The current commissioners are Val Arkoosh, Kenneth Lawrence, and Joe Gale. 2 Democrats and a Republican respectively. Fred Conner is the other GOP running. You can google all their names for info. You'll vote for no more than 2 of them.

The other incumbents who are running again are all Democrats. The offices where no incumbents are running are Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary. And again, all candidates can be researched online, though some failed to answer voter guide questions. These office are for the most part, non-partisan in nature. If you're voting straight party for some noble reason, then go into the courthouse to get a marriage license, or record a deed, or close a loved one's estate, and are met with incompetence, well, it may be your own fault for hiring the wrong person in that job. Or for not voting at all.

For instance, one candidate for Coroner is a non-invasive cardiologist (doesn't do surgery) and isn't giving up his medical practice to be coroner. The other has a master's in Forensic Medicine, and has worked as an investigator for the Coroner's office and as a sexual assault ER nurse, and intends to work as Coroner full-time.

In the office of Sheriff, the incumbent is a full-time lawyer who owns his own law firm that serves as township/municipal solicitor to 20 different communities, most of which are in Montgomery County. This is a HUGE conflict of interest (though no politician in the county seems to care). He's a part-time sheriff (collecting the full paycheck). Yet, the challenger is young, but at least has a criminal justice degree and security experience, and she'd be full-time. There's always that write-in line, too.


So do your homework. It's important. And come out to vote on November 5 between 7 am and 8 pm.

The Question On The Ballot

As I said in my last diary entry, the ballot in this election includes a state constitutional amendment in the upper right hand corner of the first page. You vote YES or NO by filling in the oval.

Here's how it appears on the ballot (picture, right):

What it means, basically, is that, if it passes, crime victims would be given all the rights listed (and hopefully, they'd be enforced). A similar law passed in California in 2008 and was called Marsy's Law. Crime victims in California are now informed of their "Marsy's Rights" the same way the accussed is given a Miranda warning to inform them of their rights. I'm not sure how this would be enforced in PA but something similar, I imagine.

Remember, if you vote straight party, you still need to answer this question.

Stay tuned for more election information this week.

Election Time Again ~ Sample Ballot

The fall election is a week from Tuesday, on November 5. Those of you who voted last time remember that Montgomery County has switched to a new ballot system, with voters marking a paper ballot with a Sharpie, then feeding it through a scanner themselves to cast their vote.

Why did they switch? The state mandated that all counties get a system that creates a paper ballot that can be recounted by 2020. Our new system is much less tamperproof method than the last. The voter-marked ballot is a primary document not created by a separate machine. Still, if you're unable to fill in a paper ballot due to medical conditions (visual disability, shaking hands, etc.), each polling location has a machine that the disabled can use to create a marked paper ballot. The voter will still scan it themselves.

If you didn't vote last time, I encourage you to come out for this election to try out the new method BEFORE next year's presidential elections. This year, poll workers will have time to answer your questions. Next year, probably not.

So let's look at a sample ballot for this election, in my example pictured, it's Norristown 3-1. (You can find your ballot at this link.  Simply choose your town, then your polling place).

This time around it's TWO-sided: elected offices and a constitutional question on the front. And retention of judges questions on the back (pictured below). 

We've been told that, even if the Sharpie bleeds through the card, when you scan it, your votes will still register correctly because the circles aren't lined up on the front and back of the ballot. And it doesn't matter how you feed in the ballot (either side up, top or bottom first), it will still register.

If you want to vote straight party, that's the first question. Choose the party of your choice and you don't have to fill in the rest of the elected offices (the machine will automatically choose all candidates in the party of your choice). However, you WILL still have to answer the constitutional question on the front and the yes-and-no judges' questions on the back.

If you want to vote straight party except for one or two offices, simply mark the straight party box, then go to the office where you're voting for the other party, mark ALL the candidates you want in that race (for instance, let's say you vote straight Republican, but you want to vote for 2 Republicans and 2 Democrats for School Board—you need to fill out ALL the School Board candidates you want).

One thing that's different from the old voting machines: Back then, if you voted straight party, you could un-vote a candidate running unopposed and basically abstain from that office. You can't do that now. If you don't want to vote for an unopposed candidate, yet vote straight party, WRITE IN another name under that candidate and fill in the circle beside the name you wrote.

Your ballot will no longer be returned by the scanner if you undervote (that is, leave an office or question blank), so proofread your ballot to make sure it's as complete as you want it to be. If you overvote (fill in too many choices for any office), you'll have the choice of getting your ballot back and starting over so you can fix it, or having the scanner negate your vote for the overvoted offices only and otherwise casting your ballot.

It's less complicated than I've made it sound, but like I said, vote this year when we'll have time to help you if you need it.

I'll post more blogs this week about the offices on the ballot and the question.

Not Voting On May 21st? Here's Why You Should

And it has little to do with who's on the ballot. 

A large majority of Montco voters usually choose not to exercise their right to vote in odd-year elections. When the offices are so local that no one hears political ads on TV for the candidates, a lot of voters sometimes have no idea an election is even scheduled.

But this election will be different for Montgomery County residents. Here are 2 sample ballots (You can find your sample ballot at this link.):

If you've voted in the last 20 years, you might note how different these ballots look from what you've seen on the voting machine screens. They're portrait instead of landscape, for one thing. And the illustration shows a hand holding a pen. That's right, for the first time since probably World War II, Montgomery County voters will be handed a PAPER ballot.

You'll be directed to a privacy booth where you'll fill out the ballot manually with a pen. Then you'll take your ballot to a scanning machine and feed the ballot in. When you've cast your vote, the tally is added to a memory card. The paper ballot is saved in a bin under the machine where it can then be used for recounts, if necessary, after the election.

Before accepting your ballot, the machine checks that you've chosen at least one candidate for each office. If you haven't, for each office that you left blank or didn't choose enough candidates, it will ask if you meant to do that. If you didn't, you can get your ballot back, correct it and rescan.

If you've chosen MORE candidates for an office than allowed (say, if you filled 3 ovals under County Commissioner where it only asks for 2), the machine will catch that too, but it's not so easy to correct. You have to start over with a fresh ballot and your other will be voided by a poll worker. If you're in a hurry, you COULD chose to cast the rest of your votes anyway, but that one incorrect vote won't be counted.

See how much fun this is going to be? You don't want to miss this election (think of this year's elections as practice sessions -- you don't want to go through this for the first time next year during the presidential elections).

Here are some ways to help make this process go smoothly:

1. Make sure you're handed the correct ballot for your political party affiliation (only Democrats and Republicans can vote in the primary. Independents, Non-Partisans, and Green Party have to wait until November).

2. Don't tear anything off of your ballot.

3. Don't fold your ballot.

4. Read the entire candidate list for each office before making choices.

5. Fill in the oval beside your choice COMPLETELY. Don't mark with only an X or a check.

6. Only choose the number of candidates you're allowed to choose. You can choose less if you want. You can also write in names if you want.

7. You'll be handed a manila folder for privacy to carry your ballot in when walking to the privacy booth, then to the scanner. HAND the folder AND pen to the machine operator before leaving the building. Each poll location only gets a couple dozen pens. If voters walk out with the pens, they disenfranchise voters coming to vote after them.


So, come vote on May 21 (7 am-8 pm) and try out the new paper ballot system. Be patient with poll workers. This will be their first time with this system, too.

You'll note that candidates for County Commissioner are on this ballot. They're the ones who chose this system. Let them know what you think with your vote (but be careful to research your choices, you could be voting for someone much worse).

MLK Weekend Activities and More

Hopefully the coming storm won't put too much of a damper on the MLK Day of Service activities and other events.

Saturday, 2-3:30 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Saturday Book Club. This month the book they'll be discussing is either The Innocent Man, by John Grisham or A Piece of the World, by Christina Baker Kline (both are listed on the library calendar. Drop by the Front Desk or call 610-278-5100 x0 to find out which and register. Dr. Hal Halbert of Montgomery County Community College hosts.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (129 E Main). Jazz 180 will perform. No cover.

Monday, 9 am-1:30 pm, Montco OIC, 1101 Arch. Join the Norristown Project for our annual MLK Day of Service activity at Montgomery County OIC. Each year we select a classroom at our facility to be painted. On January 21st, we will paint our community classroom and after-school classroom. This activity is limited to 40 volunteers, please RSVP to sashe@montcooic.org with the number of volunteers you will bring. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Monday, 9 am-Noon, Norristown Recreation Center. Looking for a great opportunity to tackle litter and beautify the community? Consider joining Keep Norristown Beautiful and Elmwood Park Zoo for our MLK Day of Service Clean-up Event. Register using this link.

Monday 9 am-8 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. MLK Day of Service-Valentines for Veterans. Stop in to make a valentine for a soldier in the veteran’s hospital in Philadelphia. For kids of all ages. Drop in. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. For info contact 610-278-5100 x205.

Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Mary's Matinee. FREE movie. This showing: "The Children Act." Rated R, 1 hour 45 mins. Drop in. For info, contact Mary Motta, 610-278-5100 x111, mmotta@mclinc.org.

Slow Start to the Year in N-Town

The event list this week is depressingly short. Winter doldrums in Norristown. But, there are still daily events at the library. Check their website: http://mnl.mclinc.org/events/.

Saturday, last day to register for FREE suicide prevention training hosted in partnership with the Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Taskforce, to take place on January 20th, 11 am-1 pm at Christ Chruch, UCC (Marshall and Noble). People who can be trained as Gatekeepers include: parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide. While this event is FREE, please RSVP by calling Christ Church at 610-275-3092 or emailing church@uccchristchurch.org as space is limited. Light refreshments will be provided.

Monday, 6 pm, Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Community meeting hosted by Norristown Citizens in Action. For info, call 610-209-3769.

Monday, 6-7:45 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. Cookbook Club. Join the Cookbook Club to sample recipes from a new cookbook the second Monday of each month. Prepare a recipe of your choice from the month’s selection and bring it to the club to share. Stop by the Front Desk to browse this month’s selection (Please to the Table: the Russian Cookbook). Make a free copy of the recipe you select and sign up for the club. We strongly encourage registration. Drop by the Front Desk, call, or email us to register. The library will provide paper plates, utensils and water. Be prepared to take home any food of yours that is left over after the meeting. You must bring one dish of food in order to participate. For info, call Asha Verma, 610-278-5100 x0, or averma@mclinc.org.

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

Wednesday, Noon-3 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Community Room. Montco Community Support hosts a FREE CSP Potluck Games Day. Unfortunately, that's the only info I was able to obtain. No idea what this is or who to contact for more info.

Holiday Music and Library Programs

Posting the Diary a day early because this is a busy season and I may not get a chance tomorrow. Happy Holidays to everyone.

Friday, December 21, 2-3 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. For kids in grades K-6. Come and create some festive holiday treats to eat or take home. Registration required. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact 610-278-5100 x205.

Friday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). UGLY Sweater Contest. Multiple categories Multiple awards-Spirits, Distillery Ware & Gear.

Saturday, 7-10 pm, Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Herman and Friends Holiday Show.

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

Wednesday, 1-3 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Mary's Matinee. Enjoy a free movie in our boardroom the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. This showing: "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again." Drop in. Info: Mary Motta 610-278-5100 x111, mmotta@mclinc.org.

Thursday, 2-3 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Penguin Palooza for kids 4 and up. Calling all penguin fans. Come explore the world of penguins with a craft and fun activities highlighting our black and white friends. Drop in. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Info: 610-278-5100 x205.

Next Friday, December 28, 11:30 am-12:30 pm. Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Noon Year's Eve Party. For kids 3 1/2 to 6 with caregiver. Come celebrate New Year’s Eve a little early. Crafts and books will enhance the countdown to 2019. Stay to play afterwards. Drop in. Info at 610-278-5100 x205.

Next Friday, Noon-5 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Community Room. Red Cross Blood Drive. One pint of blood can save three lives. Give blood, give life. Participants will receive a free long sleeve Red Cross t-shirt, while supplies last.

The Color Purple and FREE Concerts

Norristown.org (the Municipality) redesigned their website, so that may explain why there aren't too many event listings on it yet. The new calendar takes a little getting used to.

Friday, December 14, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. Registration begins for the Library's computer classes, which begin on January 8. For info, call 610-278-5100 x141.

Friday, 8 pm, Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). The Color Purple. The show will close on Dec 23 (which is already sold out) so this week is your last chance. Other shows this week: Saturday 3 pm,  Thursday 7:30 pm, next Friday at 8 pm and next Saturday at 3 pm. Tickets and complete schedule at this link. Info at 610-283-2230 or email ticket@theatrehorizon.org.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Santucci Trio performs jazz. No cover.

Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). Council meeting.

Wednesday, 5-9 pm, Norristown Area High School, 1900 Eagle Drive. Norristown High Community Gift Wrapping Service & Free Concert. Enjoy the school's orchestral concert, enjoy the bake sale (during intermission), have your purchases wrapped in Christmas, Hanukkah, or Birthday paper, and purchase a ticket to win an amazing holiday baskets. Proceeds go to the NAHS Music Department.

Next Friday, December 21, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). UGLY Sweater Contest. Multiple categories Multiple awards-Spirits, Distillery Ware & Gear.

Next Saturday, 7-10 pm, Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Herman and Friends Holiday Show.

Pearl Harbor, Color Purple, Art Exhibit and more

Friday, December 7, 2 pm. Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. A Different Look at Pearl Harbor. Learn through a visual presentation the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Michael Baron, professor at Temple University, also explores the commanders, tactics, intelligence, and blunders that precipitated America’s involvement in World War II. Contact Erin Corry, 610-278-5100 x0, erin.b.corry@gmail.com.

Friday, 8 pm, Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). The Color Purple. Other shows this week: Saturday 3 pm, Sunday 3 pm, Thursday, 7:30 pm. Tickets and complete schedule at this link. Info at 610-283-2230 or email ticket@theatrehorizon.org.

Saturday, 1-5 pm, Norristown Arts Building, 619 W Washington. Open Studio Tours & Reception for the Artists in the Annual Art Exhibition. Admission is FREE and Open to the Public.

Saturday, 8-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Jay and the Jury perform. No cover.

Monday, 6 pm, Municipal Hall, 235 E Airy. Municipal Council will hold a Special Meeting for the first reading of the proposed 2019 municipal budget/tax ordinance and will consider a motion to advertisement the proposed budget.

Monday, 6 pm, Timshel Coffee (104 E Main). Community Meeting hosted by Norristown Citizens in Action. Free food and drink. For more info, contact 610-209-3769. Or Facebook.com/norristowncitizensinaction.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). Planning Commission meeting.

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

Thursday, 4-5 pm, Norristown Public Library. Teen Hot Chocolate Challenge. Teens can test flavors and vote for the best cocoa at this special event. Make and take your very own hot chocolate mix. Registration encouraged at the Front Desk.

Thursday, 6-8 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). Special Economic Development Meeting. Agenda: 1 West Main Project Update; 200 E Logan Land Development Proposal and Concept Plan; 410 Dekalb Land Development Proposal and Concept Plan; Riverfront Feasibility Planning Study Update; The How Group Concept plans for land development proposal.

The Color Purple and Holiday Crafts (both in 2 places) and More

Not much going on this week. Or, if there is, no one is publicizing their events in the usual places (Norristown.org, Nextdoor, Facebook, etc).

Friday, November 30, 8 pm, Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). The Color Purple. Other shows this week: Saturday at 3 pm and 8 pm, Thursday, 7:30 pm. Tickets and complete schedule at this link.  Info at 610-283-2230 or email ticket@theatrehorizon.org.

Sunday, 8 am-3 pm at Timshel Coffee (104 E Main). Holiday Card Crafting. All crafting materials supplied. Make your own card. $4. Timshel will even mail it for you.

Sunday, 6:30 pm, Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Purple, The Color of Love. Jam Session with the cast of Theatre Horizon's The Color Purple.

Tuesday, 2-3 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. For kids in grades K-6. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Snow Much Fun at the Library. Stop by the children's department and make a hanging snowman snow globe to take home. Norristown area schools early dismissal day activity. Contact 610-278-5100 x205.

Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). Council meeting.

Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 pm, Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 DeKalb. Introduction to Using DNA Testing in Genealogy, presented by Sydney F. Cruice Dixon, member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and has been actively researching family genealogies since 1995. Members $10; Nonmembers $20. For information or to reserve a seat: 610-272-0297. Contact Barry Rauhauser, 610-272-0297, contact@hsmcpa.org.

Next Friday, Dec 7, 2 pm. Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. A Different Look at Pearl Harbor. Learn through a visual presentation the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Michael Baron, professor at Temple University, also explores the commanders, tactics, intelligence, and blunders that precipitated America’s involvement in World War II. Contact Erin Corry, 610-278-5100 x0, erin.b.corry@gmail.com.

Next Saturday, Dec 8, 1-5 pm, Norristown Arts Building, 619 W Washington. Open Studio Tours & Reception for the Artists in the Annual Art Exhibition. Admission is FREE and Open to the Public.

Next Saturday, 8-11 pm, Five Saints. Jay and the Jury perform. No cover.

Holiday Shopping, Color Purple, and Norristown's 2019 Budget

Saturday, November 24, is Small Business Saturday. Please shop Norristown's small businesses Saturday and throughout the holiday season. Remember, we've got a lot of great food places in N-Town (restaurants, bakeries, a distillery, and specialty stores) for all your holiday catering and entertaining needs.

Saturday, 8 pm, Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). The Color Purple. Other shows this week: Sunday 3 pm, Thursday, 7:30 pm. Tickets and complete schedule at this link. Info at 610-283-2230 or email ticket@theatrehorizon.org.

Monday, 6-8 pm, Municipal Hall. 2019 Proposed Budget Workshop. Meeting of the Municipal Council regarding revenues for the 2019 Budget for the Municipality of Norristown. All interested residents may attend.

Tuesday, 6-11 am. Norristown Transportation Center. The SEPTA KEY truck will be at the Norristown Transportation Center on November 27th from 6 am to 11am. Customers will have the ability to purchase a KEY card as well as the ability to load and register existing KEY cards. Giveaways. Feel free to stop by and ask any SEPTA KEY or SEPTA related questions.

Tuesday, 11 am-noon. Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, Board Room. Finding Employment after 50. Explore new job opportunities as Ginny Neumer, former Job Developer and Career Counselor, presents a FREE program designed to put people 55+ back to work. Practical solutions for achieving gainful employment and answer questions about how to achieve that goal in a 1-hour interactive session. In addition, helpful handouts will be distributed. Registration is not required, but encouraged at the library's front desk. For info, contact Asha Verma 610-278-5100 x0.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). Zoning Board Hearing.

Wednesday, 1-3 pm and 6-7 pm, and Thursday 1-3 pm. Municipal Hall. 2019 Budget Hearings. 3 public hearings for individuals interested in providing comments/feedback on the proposed 2019 Municipal Budget.

Thursday, 6 pm, Municipal Hall. Municipal Council of Norristown will hold a Special Meeting to hear the Proposed Budget Presentation for the 2019 Fiscal Year. NO ACTION WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE MEETING.

Bingo, Music, Theater, and TURKEY!

A light schedule this week, but still a few events to keep you and your family entertained.

Friday, Nov 16, 6 pm, St Francis of Assisi Church (600 Hamilton). Designer Bag BINGO. Doors open at 6 pm, BINGO starts at 7 pm. $25 in advance; $30 at the door for 10 Regular Games. Also Available:  3 Special Games $5/pack and includes all 3 games.  Cover All Game is $5 for one game. 50/50 and Door Prizes. Refreshments for purchase. For tickets and information contact Julie Fusco Schad, 484-686-9813 or David Fusco 610-389-2086.

Saturday, 7-10 pm, Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). The Great Fall Songwriters and Performers Event.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling, Jazz 180 performs. No cover.

Saturday, 8 pm, Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). The Color Purple. Other shows this week: Sunday 3 pm, Monday, 7:30 pm. Tickets and complete schedule at this link. Info at 610-283-2230 or email ticket@theatrehorizon.org.

Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). Council Workshop.

Wednesday, 9 am-4:30 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Thankful Squares. Ages 5-12. Design your own thankful square with any words or designs that you choose to convey what you’re thankful for. Black construction paper and colored chalk will be provided. The squares will be assembled together and hung on the wall for a display. Drop in. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. For info, contact 610-278-5100 x205.

Thursday, HAPPY THANKSGIVING. (Municipal offices closed, no trash collection). 

Next Saturday is Small Business Saturday. Please shop Norristown's small businesses. Remember, we've got a lot of great food places in N-Town (restaurants, bakeries, a distillery, and specialty stores) for all your holiday catering and entertaining needs.

Christmas Bazaar, Victorian Holiday, The Color Purple, and More

Start your holiday shopping at St. Pat's Christmas Bazaar and Norristown Preservation Society's Victorian Holiday at Selma Mansion this weekend.

Friday, Nov 9, 5-8:30 pm, St. Patrick's Church Basement (Dekalb and Chestnut). Annual Christmas Bazaar. Wreaths, Attic Treasures, Jewelry, Children and Teen Booth, Tombola, Craft Booth, 50/50 Raffle, Raffle Baskets, Spirit Wheel, Entertainment, and amazing soul food and Mexican food, plus a bakery table. All are welcome. Bazaar continues Saturday 11 am-8 pm.

Friday, 8 pm, Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). The Color Purple. Other shows this week: Saturday 8 pm, Sunday 3 pm. Tickets and complete schedule at this link. Info at 610-283-2230 or email ticket@theatrehorizon.org.

Saturday, 9 am-3 pm, Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Victorian Holiday at Historic Selma Mansion. Stop on by to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. Admission fee is a donation of a non-perishable item which will benefit the Patrician Society Food Bank. Make an ornament for our tree, learn some history, purchase baked goods, take a chance or two on our Raffle Items, shop our vendors on the 2nd floor of the Mansion. Info, contact Michaelene Walski, 484-516-6357 or Michaelene320@gmail.com.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling. Pat's Run Album Release Party. No cover.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). Planning Commission.

Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Enjoy a free movie in our boardroom the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. This showing: "Ocean's 8." Drop in.  Contact Mary Motta 610-278-5100 x111, mmotta@mclinc.org.

Thursday, 6-9 pm, Municipal Hall, Special Economic Development Meeting. ELON Presentation on Phase 2 of the Montgomery Senior Housing Project, 1 West Main Street Project Update, HOW Group Proposal for a Residential/Commercial Project at Kennedy Kenrick, Riverfront Feasibility Study Update, 200 East Logan Presentation on a Proposed Townhome Development Project, Norriswood Apartments Upgrades Presentation & Request for Letter of Support for State Funding, 412 DeKalb Proposed Mixed Use Development Presentation, and Updates on On-going Development Projects.

Next Saturday, 7-10 pm, Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). The Great Fall Songwriters and Performers Event.