Events for the Next Week

To everyone who posts event info on online calendars, and to anyone who shares or retweets event info on social media, PLEASE double check your information before you post. In the last few weeks, I've seen and in one case passed on, incorrect information. In several instances, starting times listed for events have differed from different sources. Today I noticed discrepancies between the town and OIC calendars. The good news is, we've all gotten MUCH better at disseminating info. We just have to check our facts, okay?

"The Fantasticks" continues at Centre Theater (208 Dekalb) tonight at 8 pm, Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. Only 6 more performances. This is a great family musical and truly a Norristown community endeavor. Don't miss it. Tickets, $15-22, can be ordered at https://thecentretheater.ticketleap.com/the-fantasticks/dates

WARNING FOR EVERYONE: Harding Blvd. will be closed for southbound traffic between Sterigere and Markley Streets on Saturday, June 21st from 11 am to 3 pm for the Greater Norristown PAL Youth Rally, according to the Municipal website. The sign on Harding Blvd implies that the whole road will be closed (it'll be a nightmare if that's true, with northbound Markley closed). Not sure which is correct. May be best to avoid the area unless you're going to the rally. 

Saturday from noon to 3 pm, is the PAL Youth Rally, the Greater Norristown Police Athletic League will hold their annual Youth Rally. Great opportunity to see what programs PAL has available to the youth of the Norristown Area and also to volunteer. Activities, games and free food.

Saturday from 1 to 4 pm, you can view a baseball game for free at Pennypacker Mills Historic Site, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville: the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia vs. the Harrisburg Keystones. Never heard of them? That's because they play vintage base ball, using rules from the year 1864, when no one wore baseball mitts, the bats were thick-handled and heavy, and there was no such thing as whacking one out of the yard for a home run. Out of the yard was still in play. Members of the Athletics will also show children how to play “Town Ball,” the precursor to modern-day baseball. Bring a chair or blanket on which to sit. I played 1864 ball at a living history event once and I'm posting a photo below to prove it. These vintage games are loads of fun and a great place to take a family of baseball fans. Pennypacker Mansion will also be open for free tours that day from 1 to 4 pm. It's a Montco historic site, so go see what your taxes are paying for.  For more information, please call 610-287-9349 or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pennypackermills.

Sunday night at 7 pm, "Flower Power" will be onstage at the Bandshell at Elmwood Park playing 60s and 70s rock.  Food/drinks available at the snack stand. Any questions call 610-270-0467. (If the weather is iffy for any of the concerts, you can call the number for cancellation info.)

Monday Movies begin this week at the Norristown Library with a showing of "Frozen" at 1 pm, Monday afternoon in the community room. An adult MUST accompany children under 8. If you have any questions, call 610-278-5100 Ext 4. For a listing of the Monday Movie schedule go to http://mnl.mclinc.org/blog/2014/06/05/monday-movies-summer-2014/ 

Now that school's out, the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library has events for kids, and some for adults, EVERY DAY. Crafts, movies and more.  Go to their calendar at this link--the entries in red are all at the Norristown branch on Powell and Swede. The library is a great, free place to hang out when the weather's too hot, even if you just go in and read a magazine for an hour or so to cool off. Good for seniors.

Tuesday morning from 8:30-9:30, the Norristown Business Association will hold their monthly meeting at Casa Bonita (Dekalb and Oak, next to Thiftway). The NBA has been active this year in bringing town organizations together and helping to promote our businesses. Come to the meeting and see what the group is all about.

OPEN JOB FAIR, Tuesday from 10 am-3 pm, Greater Norristown PAL, Harding Blvd. If you are interested, you must have ID, be at least 17 years of age or older, arrive early and in professional clothes. Info, call 610-278-8040, ext 223 or see www.greaternorristownpal.org

Tuesday night at 7 pm is the monthly Zoning Board Hearing. The agenda is at http://norristown.org/userfiles/file/events/1124.pdf 

Wednesday from 2 to 4 pm, Montgomery County OIC (Arch and Basin) will offer a FREE computer class on website management and coding. Participants will learn how to build a basic webpage and add codes to customize it to their preference. Class is limited to 8 students per session and will meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month, all other times by appointment. Call (610) 279-9700 to register.

Wednesday afternoon at 3 pm at Barton Partners (700 E Main, #301), the Norristown Schuylkill River Action Team will hold their monthly meeting. Even if you can't make the main meeting, the team is currently forming the following committees: Art On the Trail, Funding, Programming (which will develop river and trail related activities for kids, bikers, paddlers, etc.), and Marketing and Promotion (for outreach to the community). If you're interested in joining a committee, contact Lizzie Hessmiller at 267-479-6107, or lhessmiller@pecpa.org. Remember, developing the recreation use of the river can only help Norristown's economy in the long run.

Wednesday and Thursday, 5:45 pm, interest meeting and open tryouts for the Community Step Team at GNPAL, 340 Harding Blvd. For youth 13-19, male or female.  For more info call 610-278-8040 ext 223

Next Saturday, the 28th, Norristown Men of Excellence will host their 3rd Annual Free Football Clinic from 9 am-2 pm, Norristown Youth Eagles Field, 1001 Sterigere St. Kindergarten-12th grade. Registration begins at 8:30 am. Parents must be present. Lunch will be provided for all campers.

Also next Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm is the History Day Festival, hosted by the Norristown Preservation Society at Selma Mansion, 1301 W. Airy. Demonstrations of Civil War Medicine, spinning,  paranormal investigations, interactive folk dancing and period music, vendors with food and wares. More info next week..

Update: No Juneteenth This Year

Sorry. I was given some old info. A year old to be exact. No Juneteenth event at Centre Theater this year.

Elena

Come to Juneteenth!

Tomorrow, June 19th, is the day that has been called Juneteenth for more than 140 years. It's the oldest known commemoration of the end of slavery in the US. Why that day? On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, TX and told the surprised residents that the war had been over more than 2 months and that the Emancipation Proclamation had ended slavery 2 and a half years earlier.

The anniversary of that day has been celebrated by the descendants of those slaves, some of them making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston for it, and by other descendants of slaves all over the US. Like Independence Day, most of the celebrations are marked with picnics, barbeques and baseball games, but the history of the day, of the events leading up to Emancipation, plus education and achievement, have always been stressed as well.

So maybe you're asking why more than, say, a third of Norristown's population should care anything about Juneteenth?

Thing is, in a way, Juneteenth kicks off all of our summer cultural observances. We'll have Italian, Irish and Mexican celebrations before the summer's over, and probably a few others. The more we learn about each others' heritages, the more likely we are to get along. And getting along means we can build Norristown up together without the obstacle of cultural divisiveness.

I might be Italian Catholic, but I go to Jewish seders to join friends in celebrating an end to slavery in Egypt. Why shouldn't I go to Juneteenth to celebrate an end to slavery in my own country?

The Centre Theater has been holding an annual Juneteenth commemoration for years. This year, for the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation, the Iron Age Theater Company will present an evening of music, poetry, readings and personalities from history. You'll probably recognize some of the names of the cast: Richard Bradford, Maurice Tucker, Buck Jones, Seidah Hill Durante, Michael Way, Tiffany Joyner, Walter DeShields, Richard Rogers, Alaina Nelson and Gary Giles. (Come on, wouldn't you go just to see Buck Jones?)

Best of all the event is FREE. That's right. FREE LIVE THEATER, Thursday night at 7 pm at the Centre Theater. Reservation are strongly suggested, though. Reserve tickets by emailing juneteenthnorristown@gmail.com or call 610-279-1013.

Noises Off

In the summer, the majority of Norristonians seem to enjoy outdoor activities, and they enjoy bringing the outdoors in by opening their house and car windows. So it's a good time to review the noise ordinance. Some of you don't know there IS a noise ordinance. (Actually, it's very apparent with every set of new neighbors moving onto my street, that they don't know Norristown has laws at all--can we remedy that somehow? Make the link to our General Laws part of a Welcome Wagon packet for new residents?)

Anyway, if you go to the "N" part of the General Law Index and click on "Noise," you'll see several entries dealing with the topic--everything from noisy dogs to noisy motorcycles to noisy manufacturing. For instance, ice cream trucks need a special permit or else they're in violation of Section 215-1 that says you can't use sound to advertise from a vehicle.

A lot of the provisions carry curfews saying when you have to stop making noise. This even covers things like trash collection, which isn't supposed to take place before 6 am or after 6 pm on weekdays. Likewise, construction shouldn't take place after a certain time of evening, so if your neighbor's roofer shows up at 9:30 pm (like my neighbor's did a couple weeks ago), tell him to take a hike.

As for cars, yours can't emit music or other ongoing sounds that can be heard 25 feet or more away from the vehicle. Honking your horn is okay in short spurts. Leaning on it isn't unless it's an emergency. The basic rule of thumb is, if you're making noises loud enough to prevent you or nearby motor vehicle operators or pedestrians from hearing emergency vehicles, pedestrians, other cars, or other warnings, then you present a hazard and you're in violation. If you hear drivers do any of this, you're within your rights to report them.

Possibly the most misunderstood, or at least most ignored, parts of the code are Section 225-6  and Section 229-4, which apply to public residences as well as behavior in parks and other gathering places that we frequent more in the summertime. You can read the section at the links for each, but here are some quotes:

225-6
"A. With the exception of Municipal-sponsored concert events, the only music-playing devices which shall be allowed in Municipal parks shall be common, personal-sized radios, compact disc players or other devices designed for the enjoyment of individuals or small groups.

"B. Music devices shall not be so loud as to be heard beyond a thirty-foot radius: nor shall they create excessive bass vibration so as to disturb park users or residents adjacent to the park.

"C. No music equipment designed for amplification across a large area, including large speaker systems commonly used to amplify music in large group or concert settings, shall be permitted."

229-4
"It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or any which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, help, peace or safety of others within the limits of the Municipality of Norristown. To be a violation of the law, the noises must either be excessively annoying, loud or unusual.

"C. Festivals, carnivals, parties and other gatherings, whether on public or private property, shall be prohibited from generating music, singing, or prolonged noise of any kind whatsoever between the hours of 9:00 PM and 10:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and between the hours of 10:00 PM and 10:00 AM Friday through Saturday.

"D. Parties and gatherings at private residences in Norristown shall not be so loud as to create noise that can be heard by  adjacent neighbors at a distance of 25 feet or greater."

Violations can carry fines up to $300. If you default, you can be imprisoned 5 to 30 days. And these codes can apply to church and non-profit activities as well. Make sure you let the borough know, say, that your church is hosting a concert in their parking lot.

I try to cut my neighbors a break in the summer. There was a party a couple doors away Sunday afternoon. They were way too loud, but it broke up around 7 pm. If it's a once-a-while thing, I can live with it. I have a friend on Lafayette St, though, who says her neighbors play loud music at all times of the night and day, in all seasons. I can't say I'd be too patient with that. As for the groups who show up in Elmwood Park some weekends, with 50+ people, a DJ and a huge sound system that, a tenth of a mile away, makes my brick house shake, I'm not forgiving at all, especially when my tax dollars have to pay to clean up after them the next day.

As for private parties, my best friend has a mantra about that that seems to be the best advice--"Always invite the neighbors." It goes a long way toward thanking them for putting up with your noise and taking up all the parking spots on the block.

To report a noise ordinance violation, call the Norristown police at 610-270-0977.

Don't Let Mosquitoes Ruin Your Summer

One of our county services that gives us our tax dollars' worth is the Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD). If you visit their website, you'll find that they offer free flu shot clinics, rabies clinics (one coming up at the end of this month), and shingles vaccines for those over 60. There's also info on things like hepatitis and the MERS virus. They also post info about upcoming events and health alerts on their Facebook page.

Last week, they issued a notice about mosquito-borne illness. We've probably all heard about West Nile Virus, but this year, a new mosquito illness has come to the US called Chikungunya. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, sensitivity to light, and rash, vomiting and severe joint pain. It's not fatal, but nasty nonetheless, and so far, there's no vaccine. No cases in PA yet, but 6 other states, mostly to the south, have reported it. Still, Rhode Island had 2 cases last month, and it's hit Indiana.

MCHD listed these tips for protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites:

1. Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing.  Mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors, especially blue. (Light colors are also good for discouraging ticks.)

2. Use insect repellent. Follow the label for application. Consult a doctor with questions or concerns.

3. Mosquitoes need stagnant water for their eggs to develop, so dump out bird baths, kiddie pools, and anything else that holds water every three days. Mosquitoes can go through their life cycle in as little as five days when conditions are optimal. Eliminating standing water stops mosquitoes dead in their tracks.

4. Drill several holes in the bottom of recycling containers so water can drain from them. Trash containers should be covered so no rain can accumulate in them.

5. Make sure roof gutters drain properly and rooftops are free of standing water. Clogged gutters will breed mosquitoes.

6. Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.

7. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers. A swimming pool left unmaintained for even a week can breed thousands of mosquitoes.

8. For areas that cannot be managed with the above methods, there’s always larvicide. Many of the big box stores, home improvement centers, landscaping outlets, and even some pet stores carry consumer products that can be safely used to kill mosquito larvae. Again, read and apply according to the label.

9. Educate your neighbors. If you notice that they may have some stagnant water on their property, respectfully discuss it with them. They may be unaware of the mosquito hatchery in their own backyard.

10. If all else fails, contact the Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD) and register a complaint.  Property owners are responsible for maintaining their property in a condition that does not breed mosquitoes. The same is true for publicly-owned property, so don’t forget about parks, schools, and ball fields. All complaints received will be addressed. To register a complaint, call 610-278-5117 or email publichealth@montcopa.org.

MCHD will be setting traps and running tests on mosquitoes. They'll be applying larvicides to publicly-owned mosquito breeding areas and performing adult treatments in areas where West Nile-positive mosquito populations need to be controlled. If all else fails, they've done aerial spraying in the past (usually mid- to end of summer--and they give notice when they'll be doing it), though I've noticed that Norristown is usually last of the areas to be treated.

As for West Nile, if you see dead birds or squirrels that don't have evidence of trauma, DON'T touch them. Use a shovel or the like to put them in the trash. If you see more than one dead animal or bird like this in your neighborhood in a week, don't dispose of the second one, but leave it and contact the MCHD to see if they want to do testing.

Events EVERY DAY This Coming Week

So much is happening in N-town tonight alone, you have no excuse to sit home watching reruns. As always, check the calendar links at the right for a full list of events. And pray for no rain tonight, since 3 of the events below are outdoors.

Tonight at 6 pm at Elmwood Park Zoo, the Father's Day Campout begins. Discover what happens at the Zoo after the sun goes down. First-time and experienced campers welcome. Tickets are $50/person and $30/member (kids under 3 are free). Price includes admission, dinner, activities, a movie, s'mores by the campfire, and breakfast in the morning. Space is limited. For more information, contact Guest Services at 610-277-3825 x 222 or email guestservices@elmwoodparkzoo.org.

Tonight at 6:30 pm at Riverfront Park, the Dragon Boat Club and Norristown Business Association will host an International Wine, Beer and Food Festival. Live music, vendors, and food from some of Norristown's best restaurants, including Sessano's and Taqueria la Michocacana. Plus a Surprise Fashion Show by some of Norristown's least inhibited residents. $20 (adults only). For advance tickets, go to www.dragonboatclub.org.

Tonight and Saturday at 7:30 pm, come to Montgomery Cemetery for a "Death By Moonlight" lantern-light tour. $10 admission includes tour and a wine and cheese reception after. Adults only. Call 610-272-0297 for info.

Also tonight at 8 pm, "The Fantasticks" continues at Centre Theater. Also Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets $15-22 at this link.

Saturday at 10 am, Habitat for Humanity of Mont. Co will hold their orientation session for their summer projects at their office located on 533 Foundry Rd. in West Norriton. Volunteers can learn valuable skills while having a fun and rewarding experience. On-site parking. Please click on the VolunteerUp link below to register. For more information, email our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@habitatmontco.org. Bring a friend!

Saturday, starting at noon, is the Summer Reading Kickoff Party for kids 4-12 at the Norristown Library (Powell and Swede).  Make a musical instrument, then enjoy a concert at 1 pm. Register for the Summer Reading Program, pick up a Summer Reading log from the Children's Dept. and start reading. For every 2 hours you read, you get a free book, plus a chance to win a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card or a bike. Program lasts through August 16th. For more information, call 610-278-5100 x 205 or stop by Children's Dept. Registration for the noontime instrument making session is required.

Sunday at 7 pm, the Summer Concert Series continues at the Elmwood Park Bandshell. This week enjoy the do-wop sounds of the Norristones. Snack stand will be open. Call 610-270-0467 for info.

Monday at 3 pm at Siloam Baptist Church (downstairs), Willow Street, will be the organizational meeting for the National Night Out in August. Businesses, organizations and volunteers are needed to begin the planning stages.

Tuesday night at 7:30 pm, Municipal Council meeting at Town Hall, 235 E Airy St.. No agenda posted yet.

Wednesday, 5 to 8 pm at the Norristown Library, The Small Business Assistance Center will present the seminar "Close The Gap: Increasing your Company's Cash Flow" Moderated by Scot Fields of Norristown SBAC. Come meet and network with like minded business professionals before and after the event. Parking is free. The 1st 25 people to arrive will receive a complimentary future business technical assistance counseling session.

Thursday at 7 pm, is "Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black History" at Centre Theater on DeKalb Street.  An evening of music, poetry, dramatized personalities and readings from history. This year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Iron Age Theatre brings the show into the house to share an intimate look at the African American struggle. Featuring Richard Bradford, Maurice Tucker, Buck Jones, Seidah Hill Durante, Michael Way, Tiffany Joyner, Walter DeShields, Richard Rogers, Alaina Nelson and Gary Giles. NAACP Youth Council member act as tour guides. This is a FREE event but reservations are suggested. Reserve tickets by emailing juneteenthnorristown@gmail.com or call 610-279-1013.

Fox Chase Cancer Center's Mobile Mammography Van will visit State Rep. Matt Bradford's Norristown Office at 1846 Markley St. on Friday June 20th at 9 am to offer free breast cancer screenings.Women must be 40 or older--bring the name and address of one of your doctors, prescription from your doctor. You may not be breast feeding nor have breast fed within the last 9 months, must not have had a breast cancer diagnosis within the past 2 yrs, must not be under treatment for breast cancer, must not have had a mammogram in 12 months. To schedule an appointment, call 610-222-3490

Markley St. Headaches / Free Skin Cancer Screening

First, from the "Tell us something we don't already know" category, I received a robo-email from Rep. Matt Bradford yesterday saying that the construction on Markley Street was being extended north so that they'd now be working "between Wood St. and Johnson Highway." Any of you who travel that corridor regularly know that there's been work going on in that stretch for months. But, apparently, PennDoT is about to take it up a notch. This new phase is expected to last until November.

Rather than make Markley one-way between Johnson Highway and Roberts, they've decided to keep two-way traffic, either using tight lanes to one side of the construction, or flag men, depending on the situation. The reliable assumption is that traffic patterns will change often. If you're just trying to get through town, either north or south, use Harding, Pine, Powell or Dekalb instead. The less traffic on Markley, the better.

If you need to get to one of the business in that area, you can still avoid Markley. Logan Square is accessible from Johnson Hwy and also from Pine St., so you can still get to Plymouth Produce, Rite-Aid, etc, and there's no need to deny those cravings for Sessano's pork. Astor Plaza is accessible from Logan St. If you drive through the lot to the far side of the Citgo station, you can get to the cleaners and Zachary's from there. Or simply park in Astor Plaza's lot and walk to Zachary's. The exercise will help you burn off the calories from the sweet potato pie. As for the businesses between Johnson and Logan on Markley, like Nick the Tailor, park at Astor Plaza or at the little lot on the corner of Johnson and Markley, or at the Dunkin Donuts, and walk.

What's important is that we keep patronizing the small businesses in that area and don't let the traffic woes keep us away. We can't afford to have any of them go out of business.

Second, Mercy Suburban is hosting a FREE skin cancer screening this Friday, from 8 to 11 am at their Cancer Center at the hospital on Dekalb Pike in East Norriton. I'm telling you now because you need to pre-register and make an appointment (I just got the notice so for all I know, they might already be filled up). Call and find out at 610-278-2504. If they are filled up, ask if you can get on their mailing list for next year.

In the past, the notices have said the screenings are for those over 50. This one doesn't say that. If you have a family history of skin cancer, or you burn easily, or you've had at least one bad sunburn in your life, and especially, if you have a lot of moles, or any that are odd shapes or colors, you should have a screening. You should also have one if you're over 50 and have never had one, to establish a base line for future exams.

I've had two of these screenings. They're easy and don't take long. They look mainly at your face and arms, and they'll check any questionable moles you have. And they usually hand out free lotion and other goodies.