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.

My not-so-usual Election Blog

Usually I write a series of blogs the week before election day summarizing the candidates on the ballots in Norristown. This election I didn't have the stomach for it, literally. I tried reading the Republican candidates websites and reviewing their public statements but they were making me ill.

They all seem to wholeheartedly support Trump, McConnell and Ryan, and therefore support their policies of putting innocent young children in detention camps, taking away preexisting condition protections from healthcare, stealing from Social Security and Medicare, supporting the racist leanings of some police departments, encouraging Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists, giving tax cuts to the richest people while creating tariffs that destroy our farmers, ignoring the climate change that's bringing severe storms, heatwaves and wildfires to our states, taking safeguards away from pollution restrictions from our water and air, etc.  They all seem bent on hurting people so they and their cronies can make a buck. The candidate for governor, Wagner, has said that he's delighted to be endorsed by the AltRight, and that he'd "stomp all over" Governor Wolfe's "face with golf spikes." No thanks. I'd rather have a quiet, reasonable, sane governor for my state, not someone who talks like an eighth grade bully.

I've had it. I'm voting straight Democrat. There are candidates on the Green and Libertarian Party slates, too, if that suits you better.

This election, EVERY citizen needs to get out to VOTE. You can help stop the cruelty in America. You can turn around the direction the country is headed. You can help begin to bring the country back together. Don't assume your vote won't count. Don't leave these problems to your children's generation to solve.

ELECTION DAY (and other events this week)

Saturday, November 3, 8-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling. Tru-Blu's Tribute to the Blues.

Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm, Eisenhower Middle School (Rescheduled from last week). Pitching for Unity. Come out to watch the Norristown Police Force take on the Carver Center staff at softball. Vendors, food, live DJ, 50/50 raffles.

Tuesday: ELECTION DAY. Go Vote! Polls open 7 am-8 pm.

Wednesday, 4:30-6 pm, First Presbyterian Church (113 E. Airy). Volunteer Tutor Orientation. Learn all about a volunteer tutor opportunity that can change the lives of adults needing help with reading, writing, math, GED prep or English as a Second Language. Attend a free Orientation by the Literacy Council of Norristown from 4:30 to 6:00 PM on November 7. For details or to register, call 610-292-8515 or visit our website: LcnLit.org.

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

Thursday, 5-6:30 pm, Montco OIC (Arch and Basin). YouthForce Roundtable Discussion for ages 13-18 (parents are invited to attend as well). Join Montgomery County OIC and Norristown YouthFORCE for a roundtable discussion surrounding workforce and career readiness for youth in our community. During a light dinner, we will host a conversation on the following topic: How do we make our community a better place to live, work and play?

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

Next 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.

Drug Take Back, Softball and HALLOWEEN

HALLOWEEN activities this week at Elmwood Park, the Library, Roosevelt School parking lot, and Healing Word Church.

Saturday, October 26, 10 am-noon, New Life Internet Café, 19 W. Marshall. Photo ID Clinic. Questions, call 610-945-6398.

Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, Municipal Hall, 235 E Airy. Prescription Take Back Day. Bring your old or unused prescriptions to Norristown Police Department.

Saturday, noon-1:30 pm, Elmwood Park. Jack O'Lantern Jamboree. Tricks and treats. Costume Contest, Music and Pumpkin Decorating. For info, contact 610-270-0467 or recreation@norristown.org.

Saturday, 2-3 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Creepy Cooking Class for kids 5-12. Come make some spooky snacks and gruesome grub. Peanut butter may be used. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Class size is limited. Drop in. For info, contact 610-278-5100 x205.

Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm, Eisenhower Middle School. Pitching for Unity. Come out to watch the Norristown Police Force take on the Carver Center staff at softball. Vendors, food, live DJ, 50/50 raffles.

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

Wednesday, 11:30 am- 1 pm, Norristown Hospitality Center (530 Church St). Open House.

HALLOWEEN Activities:

Wednesday, 4-7 pm, Roosevelt School Parking Lot. Trunk or Treat. CADCOM hosts its annual Community Trick-or-Treat event. Local organizations create a maze of cars, decorate the trunks, and hand out safe treats. FREE. All are welcome.

Wednesday, 6-9 pm at Healing Word Church, 208 Chain Street. 4th Annual FallFest. This year's theme is "What You Wanna Be When You Grow Up" so come dressed up and don't forget your kids. Candy, gifts, crafts, games, music, and much more.

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Next Friday, Nov 2, Timshel Coffee Art Show Reception. Greater Norristown Art League will show and sell their works.

Next Saturday, 8-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling. Tru-Blu's Tribute to the Blues.

Halloween Events, Painting, Free Movies, Native Plants

Enjoy these 12 days until Halloween, with activities at Selma Mansion, the Library, Elmwood Park, and a truly scary program on the 1918 Flu Epidemic at the Historical Society. Plus FREE movies, a painting class, native plant sale, and the LAST Farmers' Market this year.

Friday, Oct 19, 6-9 pm, First Presbyterian Church (Dekalb and Airy). Norristown Recreation presents movie night. FREE.

Friday, 7-9 pm, Norristown Area High School, 1900 Eagle Drive (in the art rooms). Painting With a Purpose. The Art Teachers will teach you how to paint a masterpiece. For $35 you get a blank canvas, paint, brushes, and very easy instruction to create one of two designs. Refreshments included in the price. To register, click this link. For info, contact NHSPFC@GMAIL.COM.

Saturday, October 20, 10 am-1 pm at Roosevelt School (Markley and Sterigere). Native Plant Sale by the Audubon Society. Also 10 am-1 pm on Sunday, October 21.

Sunday, Noon-4 pm, Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Halloween Witches' Tea. Tickets for Tea Seating are sold out, but you're welcome to come visit the vendors for free. All proceeds benefit the Norristown Preservation Society for the preservation and restoration of Selma Mansion.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall. Zoning Board Hearing. Agenda at this link.

Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Mary's Matinee. FREE movie. This showing: "Adrift." Drop in. For info, contact Mary Motta 610-278-5100 x111 or  mmotta@mclinc.org.

Thursday, 10:30-11 am, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Spook-tacular Halloween Storytime. Come dressed in your Halloween costume. Hear stories, sing pumpkin songs, and do a little trick-or-treating in the library. Ages 2-5 must be with a caregiver. Drop in. For info, contact 610-278-5100 x 205.

Thursday, 11 am-2:30 pm, in front of the Courthouse. LAST DAY for the Norristown Farmers' Market until next year. (Thanks to the Farmers Market for serving N-town through this hot, rainy summer.)

Thursday, 6:30-8 pm, Historical Society of Montgomery County (1654 Dekalb St). FREE program. BLACK OCTOBER: The 1918 Influenza Epidemic in Montgomery County and Surrounding Area, presented by Charles J. Kelly, RN. The 1918 flu pandemic affected over 500 million people around the world. It killed an estimated 74,000 Pennsylvanians, nearly 13,000 in Philadelphia alone. For more information about the program: 610-272-0297; contact@hsmcpa.org; or visit hsmcpa.org.

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

Next Saturday, noon-1:30 pm, Elmwood Park. Jack O'Lantern Jamboree. Tricks and treats. Costume Contest, Music and Pumpkin Decorating. For info, contact 610-270-0467 or recreation@norristown.org.

Beer at the Historical Society, Haunted House at Selma

Don't miss the best haunted house in the area at Historic Selma Mansion Saturday night or the presentation on beer brewing in Montgomery County at the Historical Society the same afternoon.

Saturday, October 13, 2 pm, at the Montco Historical Society (1654 Dekalb St). In conjunction with Made in Montgomery County Exhibit, Rich Wagner Presents: Brewing in Montgomery County: Past, Present, & Future. FREE. Social hour at 2 pm, presentation at 3 pm. Rich Wagner has researched the history of brewing and has self-published guidebooks and conducted tours throughout many parts of Pennsylvania. For more information: 610-272-0297; contact@hsmcpa.org or go to hsmcpa.org.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Selma's House of Horrors. Tickets at door. Kids under 5 free; Kids 5-12, seniors 60+ and veterans $3; Adults $5; Active military, Norristown Police and Fire Departments free with ID. All proceeds benefit the preservation and restoration of Selma Mansion.

Monday, register as a vendor by today (Oct 15) for the "Pitching For Unity" softball game (Norristown Police Dept vs. Carver Center Staff and members) to take place Sunday, October 28, 11 am-5 pm, at Eisenhower Middle School. There will be food vendors, raffles and a live DJ. Register by calling Theresa at 267-979-7700. You can also donate to the event by calling Phyllis at 610-272-7480.

Monday, 6 pm, at Christian Network Outreach Church, 1001 Swede. Norristown Citizens in Action monthly meeting. For info, contact 215 285-8760.

Tuesday, 2-5 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Community Room. Marvel Movie Mania. Avengers assemble for the library’s showing of Avengers: Infinity War. This summer’s blockbuster just can’t be missed, though children younger than 12 must be accompanied by a caretaker. For info, contact Asha Verma, 610-278-5100 x 0 or averma@mclinc.org.

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

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

Next Friday, Oct 19, 6-9 pm, First Presbyterian Church (Dekalb and Airy). Norristown Recreation presents movie night.

Next Friday, 7-9 pm, Norristown Area High School, 1900 Eagle Drive (in the art rooms). Painting With a Purpose. The Art Teachers will teach you how to paint a masterpiece. For $35 you get a blank canvas, paint, brushes, and very easy instruction to create one of two designs. Refreshments included in the price. To register, click this link. For info, contact NHSPFC@GMAIL.COM.

Next Saturday, October 20, 10 am at Roosevelt School (changed from Oct 13). Native Plant Sale by the Audubon Society. Also at 10 am on Sunday, October 21.

Ghosts, Art, Music, and FREE Zoo

'Tis the season for ghost stories and haunted houses. This Saturday and next, Selma Mansion will be open for both. Plus, you'll find art at Timshel Coffee and music at Five Saints.

Friday, October 5, 6-8 pm, Timshel Coffee, 104 E Main. Art Show Open House for Greater Norristown Art League.(GNAL) Family, friends and public are welcome to come and join in the excitement. October 1-31st artwork from GNAL will be on display and for sale.

Saturday, 6-10 pm at Historic Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). An Evening of Ghost Stories presented by Norristown Preservation Society. Tour the mansion, hear personal experiences. Light refreshments. $5 for adults (13 and up), $3 children (5-12). Tickets at the door. Street parking.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Sons of Thunder performs. No cover.

Sunday, 2-5 pm, Elmwood Park Zoo. FREE admission for Norristown residents with ID.

Monday is Columbus Day, observed. Municipal Hall is closed.

Tuesday, 6:30-8 pm, Municipal Hall. Public meeting to discuss the Norristown State Hospital grounds. Questions, please contact Tracey Vernon at tracey@vernonlanduse.com.

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

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: "Won’t You Be My Neighbor?" Drop in. For info, contact Mary Motta, 610-278-5100 x111, mmotta@mclinc.org.

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

Next Saturday, October 13, 10 am at Roosevelt School. Native Plant Sale by the Audubon Society. Also at 10 am on Sunday, October 21.

Next Saturday, Oct 13, 2 pm, at the Montco Historical Society (1654 Dekalb St). In conjunction with Made in Montgomery County Exhibit, Rich Wagner Presents: Brewing in Montgomery County: Past, Present, & Future. FREE. Social hour at 2 pm, presentation at 3 pm. Rich Wagner has researched the history of brewing and has self-published guidebooks and conducted tours throughout many parts of Pennsylvania. For more information: 610-272-0297; contact@hsmcpa.org or go to hsmcpa.org.

Next Saturday, 7-11 pm, Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Selma's House of Horrors. Tickets at door. Kids under 5 free; Kids 5-12, seniors 60+ and veterans $3; Adults $5; Active military, Norristown Police and Fire Departments free with ID. All proceeds benefit the preservation and restoration of Selma Mansion.

Register as a vendor before October 15 for the "Pitching For Unity" softball game (Norristown Police Dept vs. Carver Center Staff and members) to take place Sunday, October 28, 11 am-5 pm, at Eisenhower Middle School. There will also be food vendors, raffles and a live DJ. Register by calling Theresa at 267-979-7700. You can also donate to the event by calling Phyllis at 610-272-7480.s