Events To Get August Started

I'd hoped once we got out of July, Norristown's doldrums would end and the calendar would once more be full. And I was right! Especially don't forget the big community block party Tuesday night for National Night Out and the first Italian feast starting next Friday down across from Holy Saviour Church on East Main. Plus, check the calendar links to the right for weekly events at the library and elsewhere.

Saturday, 9 am to noon, the Norristown Project and Chosen Ones will host a community cleanup at McCann Park off of Sandy Street near Ford (behind the houses). They are asking the community to help with the following tasks: General park cleaning, removing weeds, park beautification through planting. Open to all ages, anyone from Norristown or surrounding communities, high school students who wish to earn community service hours (bring necessary documents for an organizer to sign). If you have any questions about the cleanup or want more information on how your organization can participate, email info@montcooic.org. In the event of inclement weather, the cleanup will take place on Sunday at 3 pm.

Also Saturday starting at 10 am, you can help a MONTCO Sherriff K9 get a new safety vest at "Bocce for Baldo." Sign up for the CPL James Baldovsky Memorial Bocce Tournament, Holy Saviour Bocce Club, 436 E. Main St. $25 per person, $100 per team. Food, Beer, Soda and Water Included. For more info, contact Deputy Michael Petriga, 610-278-3342, mpetriga@montcopa.org, or Sgt. Patricia Haas, 610-278-3830, phaas@montcopa.org

Sunday morning at 10 am, Open Mic at Coffee Talk,  507 West Marshall. $5 admission.

Since this is the first Sunday of the month, there's FREE admission to Elmwood Zoo for Norristown residents from 2 to 5 pm. Bring an ID.

Sunday at 7 pm, Summer Concert Series presents Southern Edge in their Evolution of Country Music show at the Elmwood Park band shell, sponsored by The Arcadia Foundation. Food/drinks available at the snack stand. Any questions call 610-270-0467.

Monday at 3:30 pm, Job Corps Information Session at the Human Services Center, 1430 Dekalb St. Career Training and Education. Free to eligible low-income youth ages 16-24. For more info call 1-800-733-5627, www.recruiting.jobcorps.gov or www.facebook.com/doljobcorps .

Tuesday from 6 to 9 pm, National Night Out Community Block Party on the 1300 block of Willow St. Free food, games, giveaways, entertainment. For info, contact Doris Smith-Starks 610-279-7473, Sis Yvonne Massie 610-275-8163 or Rev. Helen M.C. Jones 610-275-7943.

Also Tuesday at 6:30 pm, there will be an interest meeting about starting a Norristown Community Marching Band at the  Centre Theatre, 208 Dekalb Street. The idea is to have a band that middle school students can join to help sustain our high school marching band. And let me tell you, I was a music teacher--participation in band helps kids do well in all their other subjects, PLUS is great for teaching other life skills, like cooperation.  All interested residents, come and bring ideas.

Because of the National Night Out, the Council Meeting this week will be on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. No agenda yet.

Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, State Senator Daylin Leach hosts yearly Kids' Fair at Elmwood Park Zoo. Free to children and their families in the 17th Senatorial District. Free face paining, free food, spin art and much more! FREE admission but space is limited so you must RSVP at 610-768-4200 or kidsfair2014@pasenate.com

Next Friday from 4 to 11 pm, the annual Holy Saviour Feast begins in the parking lot behind the Holy Saviour Club at 436 East Main Street. Roast pork and other food, fried pizza like my grandmother used to make (if you haven't had it, you HAVE to try it--think Italian donuts), kids' rides, music, souvenirs, wine, beer, and the best birch beer on tap. Feast runs through Sunday, August 10th. More details next week. Questions: 610-539-3575

Registration is now open for children's acting classes at Theatre Horizon--Acting, Storytelling, Improv and Musical Theater. Classes begin in September. For more information, go to https://theatrehorizon.secure.force.com/ticket/#details_a0SU0000001IrkeMAC

Events for the Coming Week

This is the last weekend for the rock musical The Who's "Tommy" at Theatre Horizon (Dekalb and Penn Sts) by New Cavern Productions. For show times and tickets, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-cavern-productions-5220323245

Saturday at 5 pm, GNPAL (340 Harding Blvd) hosts the "Throwdown in N-Town," a night of amateur boxing featuring fighters from GNPAL and the mid-Atlantic region. MAIN EVENT - Julio Berry vs. Kieran Hooks, also featuring Waddell Parker and Andre Mack. $20 for adults (18 - up), $15 for teens (13-17), $10 for youth (8-12), Kids under 7 are free!

Sunday night at 7, The Summer Concert Series presents Mango Men in Concert at the Elmwood Park band shell. Sponsored by The Arcadia Foundation. Food/drinks available at the snack stand. For cancellations, call 610-270-0467 on the day of the concert.

Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 pm, Greater Norristown PAL (340 Harding Blvd) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with a reception--a gathering of local dignitaries, individuals who helped purchase and refurbish the former Stewart Armory, former board members and the local community. During the event, the winners of the 2014 GNPAL Mirabile Scholarship will also be honored. All are invited. RSVP TODAY to 610-278-8040 or brett.wells@greaternorristownpal.org

Thursday from 5 to 7 pm at Montgomery County OIC, 1101 Arch St, youth room. Chosen Ones meeting. This is a youth organization of Montgomery County OIC and managed by The Norristown Project. They are a group of teens ages 12-18 who look to make a positive change in Norristown through volunteering and community outreach. Meetings are open to anyone interested in joining. Email info@montcooic.org for info.

Next Saturday, Aug 2, from 9 am to noon, the Norristown Project and Chosen Ones will host a community cleanup at McCann Park (listed as Ford and Sandy Sts, but best access is to go up Sandy another block and take Toarmina or Angelo Sts). Chosen Ones are asking the community to help with the following tasks: General park cleaning, removing weeds, park beautification through planting. Open to all ages, anyone from Norristown or its surrounding community, high school students who wish to earn community service hours (bring necessary documents for an organizer to sign). If you have any questions about the cleanup or want more information on how your organization can participate, email info@montcooic.org. In the event of inclement weather, the cleanup will take place on August 3rd at 3 pm.

Also next Saturday starting at 10 am, you can help a MONTCO Sheriff K9 get a new safety vest at "Bocce for Baldo." Sign up now for the CPL James Baldovsky Memorial Bocce Tournament, Holy Saviour Bocce Club, 436 E. Main St. $25 per person, $100 per team. Food, beer, soda and water included. For more info, contact Deputy Michael Petriga, 610-278-3342, mpetriga@montcopa.org, or Sgt. Patricia Haas, 610-278-3830, phaas@montcopa.org

As always, check the calendar links to the right for the usual weekly events at the Library and elsewhere.