Free Events for Kids

IF you're wondering what to do with your kids over winter break, here are some activities in Norristown.

Tuesday, December 27, 2 pm at the Norristown Library. Bead Fun for kids grades K-6. No registration needed. Drop in and make some fun bead creations.

Thursday, 2 pm at the Norristown Library, for kids grades 3-6. Sew Awesome. Sew a snowman stuffie.  Registration required (so they can have enough supplies on hand). Call 610-278-5100 x205 or stop by the Children’s Department to sign up. Class size is limited.

Next Friday, December 30, 10:30 am-12:30 pm at Elmwood Park Zoo. Zoo Year's Eve festivities in Canopy Gardens Hall. Games, arts and crafts, dancing, live animal program at 11 am. We'll toast the new year at noon. Free to attend with zoo admission. Please contact Guest Services at 610-277-3825 x222 for more information.

Also, this is the last week for the 2nd Annual PJ Drive of Vance Community Partners. Please drop of winter weight pajamas sized infant through toddler, school-age and teens at one of these locations before December 31: Vance Center, 212 Cherry St (Mondays and Wednesdays only); Municipality of Norristown (235 E Airy, main lobby, weekdays); Prothonotary Office in the Courthouse (weekdays); Centre Theater, 208 Dekalb. For info, contact Jill Adelman, 610-277-9125, x 307 or jadleman@vancecp.com.

Help out the Norristown Police Foundation (a non-profit that funds community outreach activities like Citizen's Police Academy and the NPD's charitable projects). Lawn signs are available for a minimum donation of $10 at the Police Department (235 E Airy, rear) or from Signarama at Logan Square. Let's help them raise funds and show our support by putting these signs up all over town.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and anything else you might be celebrating this week.

Santa Express and Other Happenings

Last week of events before Christmas.

Friday, December 16, 5:30-7:30 pm at Montgomery County OIC (Arch and Basin, 2nd floor). Toys for Tots Distribution Day.

Friday, 6-8 pm at First Presbyterian Church (Airy & Dekalb), "Christmas Around The World". Food, games, open gym, crafts, snacks, and Santa (arriving by fire truck this time). All pre-registered kids get a gift from Santa. To register, call 610-272-4961 or email fpileggi@norristown.org.

Saturday between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, Norristown Fire Department's Santa Express will cruise the streets delivering presents to kids. If you'd like Santa to stop at your Norristown residence, go to this link, and download the form NOW. Bring your gifts to Municipal Hall lobby (235 Airy) TODAY (Friday 12/16).

Saturday, 10 am to noon at the Library (Powell and Swede), Buying Town Back Real Estate Investing Seminar presented by Christopher Darden Real Estate and Norristown Men of Excellence.

Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, the last Brunch with Santa events at the Elmwood Park Zoo. EPZ Member Adult $25.95, EPZ Member Child (age 3 to 12) $14.95, Non-Member Adult $30.95, Non-Member Child $19.95, Baby (2 and under) $10.00. To purchase your tickets, please visit http://bit.ly/EPZBrunch

Sunday, 5-7 pm at Five Saints Distilling, 129 E Main St. Pop Up Restaurant from Butler Catering. 4 Course Meal. $25 per ticket advance purchase required. Call 484-288-0982.

Tuesday, 6:30 pm at Municipal Hall (235 E Airy), Council workshop meeting.  No agenda yet.

Vance Community Partners is running their 2nd Annual PJ Drive. Please drop of winter weight pajamas sized infant through toddler, school-age and teens at one of these locations before December 31: Vance Center, 212 Cherry St (Mondays and Wednesdays only); Municipality of Norristown (235 E Airy, main lobby, weekdays); Prothonotary Office in the Courthouse (weekdays); Centre Theater, 208 Dekalb. For info, contact Jill Adelman, 610-277-9125, x 307 or jadleman@vancecp.com.

38 kids will have a better Christmas because of donations to the N-town Police Foundation's "Seven Days Before Christmas" project. You can help the Foundation help our community by making a minimum $10 donation. You get a lawn sign for your pledge. Bring your donation to the Police Department (235 E Airy, rear) or Signarama at Logan Square. Let's help them raise funds and show our support by putting these signs up all over town.

Toys For Tots, Children's Events, Concerts, Etc.

We have holiday events for kids coming up around town, but also concerts at 2 venues downtown Saturday~August Moon and Five Saints. Do dinner at Diva's first~it's their 5th anniversary. Get out and celebrate the season in N-town.

Friday, December 9 and Monday, Dec 12 are the last days to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots to Representative Matt Bradford's office at Logan Square (off of Markley Street) between 9 am and 5 pm.

Saturday, 10:30 am at the Norristown Library (Powell and Swede), LEGO+ . For children in grades K-12 (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). Create and build using a variety of great materials for the budding engineer: LEGO, K’Nex, Straws& Connectors, and more. No registration required.

Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm, Diva's Kitchen at 9 West Main will be celebrating their 5th year as a business. Raffles, giveaways, free food and music. Stop by and check out this great addition to our downtown restaurants.

Saturdays and Sundays through Dec 18, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, Brunch with Santa at the Elmwood Park Zoo. EPZ Member Adult $25.95, EPZ Member Child (age 3 to 12) $14.95, Non-Member Adult $30.95, Non-Member Child $19.95, Baby (2 and under) $10.00. To purchase your tickets, please visit http://bit.ly/EPZBrunch

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distillery (Green and Main), Rhodes Less Traveled performs. No cover charge.

Saturday, 8-11 pm, August Moon, 300 E Main St. Second Saturday Jazz. Come out for a festive night of classic jazz standards and tunes from the Great American Songbook as George Weldon and his dynamite crew put us in touch with the feel of the holiday season. Dine in during the show to enjoy August Moon's excellent Korean/Japanese cuisine and sushi. Jazz doors open at 7 pm.

Sunday, 1-5 pm at Norristown Arts Building, 619 W Washington St. Open Studios & Reception. More than 20 artists will display their works. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday and Thursday, 6-7 pm, at Mt. Zion Church (1312 Willow). FREE Yoga classes. Bring a mat or a towel. The instructor is Mike Butler. Class will continue every Tuesday and Thursday.

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

Next Friday, December 16, 5:30-7:30 pm at Montgomery County OIC (Arch and Basin). Toys for Tots Distribution Day. This is the last week for applications for families of Montgomery County. You may fill out an application by stopping by the office at 1101 Arch St, 2nd floor.

Also next Friday, 6-8 pm at First Presbyterian Church (Airy & Dekalb), "Christmas Around The World". Food, games, open gym, crafts, snacks, and Santa (arriving by fire truck this time). All pre-registered kids get a gift from Santa. To register, call 610-272-4961 or email fpileggi@norristown.org.

Next Saturday, December 17, The Norristown Fire Department's Santa Express will take cruise the streets delivering presents to kids. If you'd like Santa to stop at your Norristown residence, go to http://norristownfire.org/3rd-annual-santa-express/ and download the form. You can start dropping off gifts Monday, Dec 12.

Also next Saturday, 10 am to noon at the Library (Powell and Swede), Buying Town Back Real Estate Investing Seminar. Presented by Christopher Darden Real Estate and Norristown Men of Excellence.

You can show your support for the Norristown Police AND help out the Norristown Police Foundation (a non-profit that funds community outreach activities like Citizen's Police Academy and the NPD's charitable projects). Lawn signs are available for a minimum donation of $10 at the Police Department (235 E Airy, rear) or from Signarama at Logan Square. Let's help them raise funds and show our support by putting these signs up all over town.

Vance Community Partners is running their 2nd Annual PJ Drive. Please drop of winter weight pajamas sized infant through toddler, school-age and teens at one of these locations before December 31: Vance Center, 212 Cherry St (Mondays and Wednesdays only); Municipality of Norristown (235 E Airy, main lobby, weekdays); Prothonotary Office in the Courthouse (weekdays); Centre Theater, 208 Dekalb. For info, contact Jill Adelman, 610-277-9125, x 307 or jadleman@vancecp.com.

Winter Wonderland, Tree Lighting, and Other Events

Winter Wonderland at Riverfront Park

The Norristown Project moved their community calendar. Go to this link to view it in its new home. It's the best listing at a glance of events happening all around Norristown and it's very easy to add an event if you've got one coming up. Also, the Library has a whole slew of seasonal activities for adults and children this month. Go to http://mnl.mclinc.org/events/ to check them out (on the pull down menus, select "Main Library").

Friday, December 2, 5-7 pm at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd. Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. FREE to attend. Santa, arts and crafts and more. The tree will officially be lit at 6:45 pm.

Friday, 7-10 pm at Five Saints Distilling, 129 E Main St.  Drinks on Luxor. The new Luxor Apartments will toast their upcoming grand opening next month. Bring your friends or anyone looking for an apartment for libations and karaoke.

Saturdays and Sundays through Dec 18, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, Brunch with Santa at the Elmwood Park Zoo. EPZ Member Adult $25.95, EPZ Member Child (age 3 to 12) $14.95, Non-Member Adult $30.95, Non-Member Child $19.95, Baby (2 and under) $10.00. To purchase your tickets, please visit http://bit.ly/EPZBrunch

Saturday, 6-9 pm at Riverfront Park (1 Haws Ave). Winter Wonderland at Riverfront. Come join the Dragon Boat Club of Norristown as we celebrate the Christmas season with Carols, Mr and Mrs Claus, and Norristown's High School Jazz Band.  FREE to everyone. Baked goods and hot beverages for purchase (benefits jazz band). Riverfront Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland with luminaria lights, balloon decorations and the smell of hot chocolate. Come sing some carols, enjoy the warmth of the community and greet Santa as he arrives by Dragon Boat. Lots of parking. Bring flashlights, glow sticks, anything you have to light up the night. For information, contact Robin Parker, rparker@dragonboatclub.org.
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Saturday, 8:15-11:30 pm, Centre Theater, 208 DeKalb St. Classical meets Rock N Roll Holiday Show. Kevin Durkin and his classical style along with Devon Anderson and her contemporary style for a Holiday Show to remember. Classical meets Rock N Roll will get you in the holiday spirit, and just to make sure, Five Saints Distilling will be in the house offering a special cocktail for the season. Doors open at 7:30 pm, show starts at 8:15 pm. For tickets, call 215-906-0919 or go to this link.

Sunday, 2-5 pm Norristown FREE day at Elmwood Park Zoo. Adults must show photo I.D. as proof of residency.

Monday, 6-7 pm at CADCOM, 113 E Main. Fathers' Rights in Child Custody. Join us for refreshments and this presentation highlighting the factors considered when awarding child custody and your rights as parent or grandparent. Please RSVP by calling 610-277-6363.

Tuesday and Thursday, 6-7 pm, at Mt. Zion Church (1312 Willow). FREE Yoga classes. Bring a mat or a towel. The instructor is Mike Butler. Class will continue every Tuesday and Thursday

Tuesday, 7-9 pm at Five Saints Distilling (Main and Green Sts), Painting With A Twist. Tickets are $35. Only 5 seats left. Go to this link for info and to reserve a seat.

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

Next Saturday, December 10, from 11 am to 7 pm, Diva's Kitchen at 9 West Main will be celebrating their 5th year as a business. Raffles, giveaways, free food and music. Stop by and check out this delicious addition to our downtown restaurants.

Montgomery County OIC will once again be partnering the local Toys for Tots Foundation to find families in need of toys for the holiday season. They are currently accepting applications for families of Montgomery County. You may fill out an application by stopping by their office at 1101 Arch St, 2nd floor. Toys will be distributed on Dec 16 between 5:30 and 7:30 pm.

Representative Matt Bradford will also be participating in Toys For Tots. If you'd like to donate, bring a new, unwrapped toy to his office at Logan Square (off of Markley Street) between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday before December 12.

Register your child NOW for the Norristown Recreation and First Presbyterian Sports Club "Christmas Around The World" which will take place Friday, Dec 16, 6-8 pm at First Presby Church (Airy and Dekalb). Food, games, open gym, crafts, snacks, and Santa (arriving by fire truck this time). All pre-registered kids get a gift from Santa. To register, call 610-272-4961 or email fpileggi@norristown.org.

Vance Community Partners is beginning their 2nd Annual PJ Drive. Please drop of winter weight pajamas sized infant through toddler, school-age and teens at one of these locations before December 31: Vance Center, 212 Cherry St (Mondays and Wednesdays only); Municipality of Norristown (235 E Airy, main lobby, weekdays); Prothonotary Office in the Courthouse (weekdays); Centre Theater, 208 Dekalb. For info, contact Jill Adelman, 610-277-9125, x 307 or jadleman@vancecp.com.

The Norristown Fire Department's Santa Express will take place Saturday, December 17. If you'd like Santa to stop at your house to deliver a present to your kids (Norristown residences), go to http://norristownfire.org/3rd-annual-santa-express/ and download the form. You can start dropping off gifts next Monday, Dec 12.

Show your support for the Norristown Police AND help out the Norristown Police Foundation (a non-profit that funds community outreach activities like Citizen's Police Academy and the NPD's charitable projects). Lawn signs are available for a minimum donation of $10 at the Police Department (235 E Airy, rear) or from Signarama at Logan Square. Let's help them raise funds and show our support by putting these signs up all over town.

Events and Advice to Open The Season

Before I get to the week's events, here are some tips for the season from the Norristown PD.

1. If you're expecting packages to be delivered to your house and your porch/doorstep is visible from the street, either try to be home when they're delivered or have a friend or neighbor take them in. Thieves ride around this season looking for packages they can easily snatch.

2. Also, don't put empty boxes for electronics, small appliances or other expensive items just sitting on top of your trash. You're telling thieves what you've got in your house. Break down the boxes and put them out of sight in your recycling bin.

3. Lastly, make sure ALL your house doors and easily accessible windows are LOCKED whether you're in your house or away. Also lock your car doors and don't leave packages visible in the front or back seats.

As for events, the norristown.org calendar had NOTHING on it this coming week, the Montco OIC calendar is down, and the only event on Nextdoor.com is the Dragon Boat's Winter Wonderland. If you've got holiday events coming up, make sure you put them on the norristown.org calendar and/or Nextdoor.com (a great place to publicize events), or send the info directly to me at missmaggieandpat@verizon.net if you want me to list them on my Friday Diary (I check Facebook, but don't always see the listings unless you tag me). For my Friday blog, the event MUST be open and of interest to the general public and take place within Norristown's borders.

Carolers at last year's Winter Wonderland

This Monday through Friday, November 28-Dec 2, 6 pm at 660 Washington St., volunteers will be helping to craft decorations and blow up balloons in preparation for the Winder Wonderland Festival at Riverfront Park on December 3. They need more volunteers. Everyone, young and old, is welcome. For info, contact Robin Parker, rparker@dragonboatclub.org.

Next Saturday, December 3, 6 pm at Riverfront Park (1 Haws Ave), Santa will once again come to Norristown by Dragon Boat. Come to the Dragon Boat Club's Winter Wonderland and Christmas Caroling celebration. Riverfront Park will be decked out for the occasion and luminaria will light your way to the festivities. Norristown's High School Jazz Band will provide music. FREE to everyone. For information, contact Robin Parker, rparker@dragonboatclub.org.

Register your child NOW for the Norristown Recreation and First Presbyterian Sports Club "Christmas Around The World" which will take place Friday, Dec 16, 6-8 pm at First Presby Church (Airy and Dekalb). Food, games, open gym, crafts, snacks, and Santa (arriving by fire truck this time). All pre-registered kids get a gift from Santa. To register, call 610-272-4961 or email fpileggi@norristown.org.

Vance Community Partners is beginning their 2nd Annual PJ Drive. Please drop off winter weight pajamas sized infant through toddler, school-age and teens at one of these locations before December 31: Vance Center, 212 Cherry St (Mondays and Wednesdays only); Municipality of Norristown (235 E Airy, main lobby, weekdays); Prothonotary Office in the Courthouse (weekdays); Centre Theater, 208 Dekalb. For info, contact Jill Adelman, 610-277-9125, x 307 or jadleman@vancecp.com.

The Norristown Fire Department's Santa Express will take place Saturday, December 17. If you'd like Santa to stop at your house to deliver a present to your kids (Norristown residences), go to http://norristownfire.org/3rd-annual-santa-express/ and download the form.

Holiday Events Begin (Snow Plans too)

Just a few events in Norristown this weekend. Come out to Selma Mansion Saturday to start your Holiday Shopping. Santa will be there, and I will be, too, singing carols with Colonial Revelers. Then on Tuesday, an important Town Hall Meeting before snow season begins..

Friday evening, November 18, at 6 pm at Eisenhower Middle School Gym. Basketball, indoor soccer, dodgeball, kickball. Games for the entire family and of course FREE snack included to those who preregister with Bill or Frank (no contact info given on the site where I found this). You can also show up on the day of the event, but you might miss out on the snack.

Saturday, 10 am-3 pm at Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Selma's 1st Annual Holiday Craft Fair. FREE admission. Over a dozen vendors, including handmade jewelry, homemade treats and Christmas novelties. Santa will arrive, and at 1 pm, Colonial Revelers will serenade with Christmas carols. Please park on the street. For more information, call or text Dee Kirkpatrick at 484-860-2533. All proceeds from vendors benefit the Norristown Preservation Society for the upkeep and restoration of Selma Mansion.

Tuesday, 6 pm, Municipal Hall, Town Hall Meeting. Public Works Director, Thomas Odenigbo will explain this winter's plan for snow and ice removal and snow emergency routes. If you live on one of the streets listed as a Snow Emergency Route at this link, you might want to come to this meeting or you're likely to have parking problems in the first snow of 6 inches or more. For more info, see or call the PW director at 610-270-0437 or email todenigbo@norristown.org.

Also Tuesday, 7 pm, also at Municipal Hall, Zoning Board Hearing.

Thursday, THANKSGIVING. Municipal offices are closed.

Saturday, December 3, Santa will once again come to Norristown by dragon boat. Come to the Dragon Boat Club's Winter Wonderland celebration at 6 pm. Riverfront Park (1 Haws Ave) will be decked out for the occasion. Norristown's Middle School Jazz Band will provide music. And it's FREE to everyone. If you want to help get the park ready for the event, volunteers will be meeting at 660 Washington St each evening at 6 pm from Monday, November 28-Dec 2, to blow up balloons and fashion other decorations. For information, contact Robin Parker, rparker@dragonboatclub.org.

Vance Community Partners is beginning their 2nd Annual PJ Drive. Please drop of winter weight pajamas sized infant through toddler, school-age and teens at one of these locations before December 31: Vance Center, 212 Cherry St (Mondays and Wednesdays only); Municipality of Norristown (235 E Airy, main lobby, weekdays); Prothonotary Office in the Courthouse (weekdays); Centre Theater, 208 Dekalb. For info, contact Jill Adelman, 610-277-9125, x 307 or jadleman@vancecp.com.

The Norristown Fire Department's Santa Express will take place Saturday, December 17. If you'd like Santa to stop at your house to deliver a present to your kids (Norristown residences), go to http://norristownfire.org/3rd-annual-santa-express/ and download the form.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Cleaning Up Crime in N-Town

In September and October, I participated in Norristown's first Citizen's Police Academy. I signed up for 2 reasons. As a resident, I wanted to know more about the NPD and what they're currently doing to reduce crime in our community. And, well, no self-respecting mystery writer turns down a golden opportunity to do research by hanging out with cops. I've gone to workshops and seminars before on the subject, but I learned more in the last 10 weeks than I did in the last 20 years as a writer and in my lifetime as a Norristown resident.

I want to share some of what I learned in a few Diary entries. I'm going to begin with graffiti. Most residents consider it a nuisance more than anything~something kids do when they're bored. I'm guessing many cases aren't even reported, especially those on empty or public properties, or in out-of-the-way areas not visible from the street. A lot of it is never cleaned off. But let me tell you how dealing more effectively with graffiti might help us reduce more serious crimes.

The map shows 34 reported cases of vandalism in Norristown in the last month (per Crimemapping.com). We had 6 reported cases last week. In both time frames, the incidents were reported all over town, and pretty much on any day, at any time. Now, vandalism doesn't necessarily mean graffiti. Any kind of willful destruction of property~slashing tires, breaking windows without entering, etc~is also vandalism, but graffiti is the most common form here.

Graffiti isn't always harmless tags done by bored teens. Much of it is gang-related, and not only teenaged gangs. We have some serious adult gangs in N-town as well as school gangs. The Los Angeles Police Department has this on their webpage:

"The purpose of gang graffiti is to glorify the gang. Gang graffiti is meant to create a sense of intimidation and may increase the sense of fear within a neighborhood. Gang members use graffiti to mark their territory or turf, declare their allegiance to the gang, advertise a gang’s status or power, and to challenge rivals. Graffiti is used to communicate messages between gangs using codes with common meaning."

Not cleaning gang graffiti off a wall is bad for your neighborhood. It invites not only more graffiti, but possibly more drug activity and maybe gang violence as well. As the LAPD goes on to say "A rival gang identifies everyone in a neighborhood [with gang graffiti] as a potential threat."

Example of gang graffiti

Officers in our NPD, though, know how to read gang graffiti. By reporting graffiti to them, they can track gang activity around town. In fact, graffiti can be a useful tool for them. And here's the best part, they'll help you remove it for FREE, because the faster it's cleaned, the safer the neighborhood.

What should you do if you find a tag on your property? Call 911. You might ask, "Isn't 911 only for emergencies? Is graffiti an emergency?" By calling 911, you create a report for the incident, which lets the NPD map where they occur. An officer might not be able to come right out, but when they're done with higher priority calls, someone will come. The officer will take photos of the graffiti and if it's on a surface that can be power-washed, they'll send someone to clean it off for you if you want (after you sign a waiver).

If you'd rather do it yourself, that's okay, but you have a set amount of time to remove the graffiti before you get fined. You can also contact Shea Ashe at The Norristown Project for help at http://www.norristownproject.com/contact-us/  If you pay for the cleaning/paint supplies, TNP will help with graffiti removal.

What if you see other graffiti around town, especially on public buildings or empty houses, but even on the property of a neighbor who hasn't reported it? The trash can above, for instance isn't on private property, yet it does have gang graffiti, which you definitely don't want in your neighborhood. If you have a smartphone, you can easily let the NPD know about it. Simply take a photo of the graffiti and send it to the police tipline at 610-278-TIPS. Tell them the address so they can find it. Even if you don't have a camera or smartphone, call and report it. If it's gang graffiti, the NPD will remove it.

By cleaning up the graffiti around town, we'll not only make our community look better, but help reduce gang activity and other crimes. But Norristown cops can't do this alone. They want to work with residents and business owners. If we all meet them halfway, we can have a better community.