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.

Psychics, Living History, and Woodstock Comes To N-Town

We may finally see the sun this weekend. Lots to do Saturday around Norristown ~ check out the living history reenactors at the library ("Ned Hector" is amazing), the psychics at Selma Mansion, and the Woodstock tribute concert at Coffee Talk, among other activities.

Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, Annual Psychic Fair at Historic Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Join the Norristown Preservation Society for their 2nd annual Psychic Fair. A variety of talented readers, healers and workshops available. $5 admission at the door includes attendance to any and all of the workshops offered during the day. All readers, and healers are a separate charge for their services upon day of event. Also raffles of many goodies. All the proceeds from this event go to the Society for the upkeep of Selma Mansion.

Saturday, 12:30-2 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Community Room. Revisiting the Founding Era Day: Life on the Line, in Camp, & on the Home Front, presented by Members of the 6th Pa Regiment. With over 40 years of experience in “Living History” the 6th Pennsylvania is the standard in today’s reenacting community. This program is part of Revisiting the Founding Era, a three-year national initiative of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History presented in partnership with the American Library Association and the National Constitution Center, with generous support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. For info, contact the Reference Desk at 610-278-5100 x2 or email PKellyEvans@mclinc.org.

Saturday, 3:30-4:30 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Community Room. Revisiting the Founding Era: Ned Hector, Peter Kiteredge, and Other Blacks In Washington's Army. Presented by “Ned Hector”, Hero of the Battle of the Brandywine, as portrayed by Noah Lewis. Mr. Lewis uses humor and audience participation in his programs honoring the African Americans who served the American cause. He brings to life their struggles with prejudices from the highest levels of government, efforts to find acceptance, and sacrifices to secure freedom for American people. This program is part of Revisiting the Founding Era, a three-year national initiative of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History presented in partnership with the American Library Association and the National Constitution Center, with generous support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. For info, contact the Reference Desk at 610-278-5100 x2 or email PKellyEvans@mclinc.org.

Saturday, 7-10 pm, Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Remembering Woodstock, concert with Herman Bruning, Jim Ramsey, Paul Girard and more. Donations welcome.

Saturday, 9 am-5 pm at Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Library Card Sign-Up Month. Through Sept 30, kids in grades 0-12, if you don't have a card and sign up for one this month, you'll receive a free book and bookmark, plus be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card. New registrations only. For info, contact 610-278-5100 x205

Sunday, Noon at Christ United Church of Christ (Marshall and Noble). Community Barbecue.  All welcome. Food and Games. Kids activities.

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

Wednesday, 2-3 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Talk Like a Pirate Day. Children ages 5-12 can drop by for some pirate themed crafts and activities, and learn some pirate lingo. For children ages 5-12. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Drop in. Norristown area schools day off activity. For info, call 610-278-5100 x205.

Wednesday and next Wednesday (26th), 6-8 pm, Municipal Hall. NPD presents Neighborhood Watch Training. FREE. You must attend both sessions. For info call 610-292-8283 or email mbishop@norristown.org.

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

Thursday, 4:30-6 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Community Room. Science of Sound. Caryn Lin transforms sound through the use of her five-string electric violin and a myriad of modern technology. Drop in. For info, contact Asha Verma, 610-278-5100 x0 or averma@mclinc.org.

Next Saturday, Sept 22, 1-2 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. Meet Local Author David Jackson Ambrose, whose first novel, State of the Nation, happens right here in Norristown. David will read an excerpt from the book, followed by a Q&A session. Raffle for a gift bag. Light refreshments included. Registration encouraged. Call 610-278-5100 x2, or drop by the Reference Desk to register. For info, contact Jennifer Hoey 610-278-5100 x2 or jhoey@mclinc.org.

Next Saturday, 5-6:30 pm, Montgomery Cemetery (1 Hartranft, Norristown). The Culture of Death, Twilight Walking Tour & Presentation by Barry Rauhauser, Historical Society of Montgomery County. Cost of $15 includes walking tour, refreshments and presentation (tour requires walking on uneven ground). For information or to reserve a ticket call 610-272-0297 or purchase on line at hsmcpa.org/events.

Both Theaters Open, a Slew of Library Programs, and More

We've got plays at both theaters this weekend! And during the day Saturday, THREE FREE events for kids at the library. I'll be singing songs welcoming May at the Friends of the Library Open House at 1 pm, so stop by. It's FREE.

Friday, May 4, 5-7 pm at Gotwals Elementary School (Swede and Oak). Fire Safety Night. Games, raffles, food, and face painting. Proceeds benefit Fire Safety in Norristown (so I assume it's not a free event).

Friday, 8 pm, at Centre Theater (208 Dekalb), King of Prussia Players opens "Avenue Q." This weekend's shows are Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. The show will run weekends through May 19, and is for adults only. 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 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm, both limited availability shows, and Monday at 7:30 pm. The show runs through May 20th. Click on this link for the schedule and tickets.

Saturday, May 5, 9 am-4 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Mother's Day Card Craft. Come in and make a special card for the mothers and grandmothers in your life. For kids in grades K-6. Drop in. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. For info, contact 610-278-5100 x205.

Saturday, 11 am, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. Peter Pan Workshop for kids grades 1-6. Presented by Theatre Horizon.

Saturday, 1-4 pm at the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library (1001 Powell). The Friends of the Library invite you to a FREE Open House. Refreshments, door prizes, and entertainment by the Norristown Jazz Band (1 pm), May Revelers (2 pm) and Grupo de Danza Nuevo Mexico dancers (3 pm). You can also take a Hidden Library tour at 2:30 pm. High school students will be on hand to read aloud to small children. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Come find out how the Friends support your library.

Saturday, 1-3 pm at Community Arts Norristown (506 Haws). Mother's Day Pottery Workshop. Make your mom a beautiful gift of pottery for Mother's Day with Daisy Chapman. $30, includes one child and one adult; additional children are $15 each. For info and to register, contact Kim O'Neill 610-272-1545, kim@communityartsnorristown.org.

Saturday, noon-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Cinco De Derby. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo while you watch the Kentucky Derby on the big screen. Fancy Hat Contest. Food by Butler catering. Music by Brian Horoho from 7 pm on. No cover.

Sunday, 9:30-10:30 am, Christ Church UCC (1003 W Marshall). Pancake Breakfast. Help support Christ Church UCC participate in a mission trip with the Appalachia Service Project this coming summer. $5 adults, $3 children. Please call or email the office to reserve your tickets. 610-275-3092 or church@uccchristchurch.org.

Tuesday and Thursday nights through June 7, 6-8:30 pm, Montco OIC (1101 Arch). Almost Home program, by Habitat for Humanity. FREE finanancial empowerment seminars. This began on May 1, but I only got the into this week. Free dinner and childcare provided. For info and to sign up, visit their website  or contact 610-278-7710 x132, cfarrell@habitatmontdelco.org.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall. Planning Commission meeting.

Wednesday, 11 am-2 pm, Montco Senior Adult Activities Center (536 George). Health and Human Services Fair. Not just for seniors. Get help with LIHEAP, rent rebate, food stamps, medical assistance, and more. Presented by Senator Daylin Leach and Montco SAAC.

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

Wednesday, 5-7 pm, Norristown Library. My Life Montco meeting (for youth ages 13-23, with mental health, substance abuse or other challenges). Speaker, entertainment. FREE. Dinner provided.

Thursday, 9-10:30 am. Human Service Bldg (1430 Dekalb), Community Room. ICN Breakfast with the County Commisioners and PA State Rep, Matt Bradford. RSVP required to Vivian Schorle, icn@icnconnections.org.

Next 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?)

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

Next 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.

Independence Holiday Festivities (and the rest of the week's events)

Theater and music this weekend, then activities for the July 4 holiday begin on Monday night.

Friday, June 30, 7:30 pm, Theatre Horizon (410 Dekalb) presents a concert reading of "Zanna Don't (A Musical Fairy Tale)". Pay what you decide.

Saturday, 8-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Main and Green). Jazz-180 performs.

Sunday, 1-4 pm at Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Open Mic.

Sunday, 2-5 pm at Elmwood Park Zoo, residents who live within Norristown's boundaries who present valid photo ID may enter the zoo free of charge.

Sunday, 7 pm at the Elmwood Park Bandshell, Summer Concert Series presents Diamond Reno (with the music of Neil Diamond). Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Concession stand will be open.

Monday, 6-8 pm at Norristown Library (Powell and Swede). Robo Code: Hands-on learning using iPad apps and our robots, Dash and Dot. Kids will learn to code through fun projects and puzzles. Class size limited to 18. For kids entering grades 3-6.

Monday, 7 pm  at Christ United Church of Christ, W Marshall and Noble Sts (parking lot). Annual Independence Eve Concert. FREE Peace Concert. Come enjoy the music of the Song Sheets (Plus), including folk songs, early American, multi-cultural, inspirational and patriotic selections. Bring a chair. Park on the surrounding streets. Hotdogs, snacks and homemade goodies available. Donations accepted to benefit the church's youth programs. In the event of rain, the concert will be inside the church.

Tuesday, July 4th Festivites:
10 am - Parade beginning at Dekalb and Airy Sts. The route will proceed west on Airy, right onto Astor, left onto W Marshall, right onto Stanbridge, right onto Sterigere, and end at the bottom of the hill in Elmwood Park.
11:30 am - Rest of the day in Elmwood Park, concerts begin with a performance by Old School.
1 pm - Kids' crafts, rides, food trucks, and a beer garden.
6 pm - Wildflower performs
9 pm - Fireworks.

Wednesday, 1:30 pm (also Thursday) at Norristown Library. Leap Into Science, family science exploration by the Franklin Institute. For kids 4-7 and their parents/grandparents.

Wednesday, 6:30-9 pm at Municipal Hall (conference room). The NPD will host a Neighborhood Watch training class. Topics covered include crime reporting, active violence, and a Q&A session. Contact Gina Davies at 610-270-0490 or email gdavies@norristown.org

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

Thursday, 11 am-2:30 pm on East Main in front of the Courthouse. Norristown Farmers Market. Every Thursday through Oct 26. Variety of fruits and vegetables, farm fresh.

Next Saturday, July 8, noon-2 pm at Riverfront Park (1 Haws Ave). Birding With Binoculars, a FREE program presented by the John James Audubon Center. Observe wildlife right on the Schuylkill River. Explore local waterfowl and learn how birds survive in their habitats by finding food, water, shelter, and space. Participants get a pair of binoculars to use during the program. Great for kids and families.

CADCOM is looking for vendors for their Community Day on August 5 (raindate Aug 12) at 340 E Oak St. $15 for business, FREE for non-profits. If you're interested, contact Heather Lewis at 610-277-6363 x166 or email hlewis@cadcom.org.

Have a happy and safe Independence Day.