Community Calendar

Event submissions: Send to editor@phoenixvillenews.com a week prior to publication. Note “Phoenix Calendar” in the subject.

Phoenixville Public Library

Library Info: 183Second Ave., www.phoenixvillelibrary.org, 610-933-3013ext. 132. Reservations for events/programs can be made online or by calling the library. Phoenix Fiction Writers: Adult writers of fiction invited to attend twice monthly meetings of the Phoenix Fiction Writers at the library. Free. Group meets second Thursday and third Tuesday of each month from 6:30to 9p.m. in the library’s Harrop Room. Led by Eric Parmer, offering local writers education, empowerment and constructive criticism. Writers ask questions about the writing process, read work out loud and receive/offer input on material read. Free and open to public. To submit writing samples or for more information, contact Eric Parmer at edparmer@ gmail.com. Legal Outreach Clinic: A free legal clinic will be offered at Phoenixville Public Library on the first Thursday of the month from 5to 7:30p.m. Ian J. Michener, Esq. of Rick Linn, LLC offers this Phoenixville Legal Outreach Clinic, providing information, counseling, and advocacy in various areas of law, including family law, trusts & estates, criminal defense, landlord-tenant law, and legal issues facing small businesses. Attendees receive a free 20-minute consultation with an attorney, who will provide counseling and access to legal resources as needed. Consultations are provided on a first-come, first served basis. For more information, call 610-933-3013x132or email mpinto@ccls.org. ESL Conversation Group: new weekly group on Saturdays from noon to 1:30p.m. Group facilitated by John Argeseanu and open to ESL students and tutors and anyone in the com- munity looking to improve/practice their English. Free and open to public. For more info, email johnargeseanu@gmail.com. MobileWorkforce Navigator: Your guide to resources available to unemployed and underemployed job seekers through the PA CareerLink and the United Way Financial Stability Center of Chester County, is available for free, walk-in appointments each Wednesday from 10:45a.m. to 12:45 p.m., immediately following the weekly meeting of the Library’s Career Success Group. Call for more info. Math 24Club: Mondays from 5 to 5:45p.m. For those in grades three to five. Math 24is a game that builds strong mental math and problem-solving skills. Cuéntame un cuento/Tell Me a Story: Second Wednesday of the month from 1to 1:30 p.m. Ages 3to 5with caregiver . No registration required. This is a bilingual storytime. Come and enjoy stories and songs in Spanish and English. Presented in collaboration with Ursinus College. Go – the Surrounding Game: Thursday afternoons from 4 to 5:30p.m. For all ages and families. Register online at phoenixvillelibrary.org, call 610-933-3013ext. 124or visit the library. Peter Moses and the Musical Experience: Saturday, Jan. 13, from 3to 3:45p.m. upstairs in our Community Room. Ring in the New Year on a musical note with upbeat, participatory songs and movement bubbling over with fun. Registration required online at phoenixvillelibrary.org (Click on Kids Calendar, then go to the event listing), by calling 610-9333013ext. 124or when visiting the library. FamilySearch.org Genealogy Series: Phoenixville Public Library will host a five-week genealogy workshop series on Thursdays from 2to 3p.m. through Feb. 8. The series is presented by Shelli Nye, director of the Valley Forge Family History Center in Broomall. The schedule of sessions is as follows: Jan. 18(Documenting Your Family on Family Tree); Jan. 25(Finding Digitized Records on FamilySearch.org; Feb. 1(How to Think Like a Researcher); Feb. 8(More Places to Look). These events are free and open to the public. Reservations for each session are required. Complete session descriptions and reservations are available on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. Western Holistic Health Series: Phoenixville Public Library will host a three-part series on Western Holistic Health on selected Thursdays in January and February. Melissa A. Greer, D.O., of Carah Medical Arts, will be the presenter. The topic schedule is as follows: “A Western Holistic Understanding of Health and Illness” (Jan. 18); “A Western Holistic Understanding of Weight Loss and Self-Care” (Feb. 1); “A Western Holistic Understanding of Sleep Problems” (Feb. 15). Start time for each talk is 7p.m. The events are free and open to the public. Descriptions and required reservations for each talk are available on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. Eyes on Owls: Friday, Jan. 19, from 10to 10:45a.m. in the Community Room. For ages 3 to 5with a caregiver. Non-participating siblings are welcome to attend. Registration required at phoenixvillelibrary.org, by calling 610-933-3013ext. 124 or when visiting the library. Discover the features that owls use to survive with the help of puppet friends, examination of feathers and other activities. Program does not include live owls. Learn Your Smartphone or Tablet Intermediate Classes: Phoenixville Public Library will host intermediate-level classes on using your smartphone or tablet Saturday, Jan. 20. Joanne Hyndman is the instructor. “Learn Your iPhone/ iPad Intermediate” will be given from 1to 2:30p.m., and “Learn Your Android Smartphone or Tablet Intermediate” will be given from 3to 4:30p.m. Cost for each class is $20, payable at the door. Classes will cover: most commonly used settings, connecting to your email, internet search using Safari or Google, GPS (Global Positioning System)/maps, copying and pasting (text, pictures, documents), top 10apps for seniors, FaceTime or Skype (video phone calling) and tricks and tips. There will also be a questionand-answer period and handouts for in-home practice. This event is open to the public. Space is limited. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. Saturday Morning Microsoft Office Classes: Learn Microsoft’s Office productivity software programs on selected Saturdays from January through March at the Phoenixville Public Library. IT professional Ernie Tidball is the instructor. The class schedule is as follows: Jan. 20(Excel Basic); Jan. 27 (PowerPoint Basic); Feb. 3 (Word Basic); Feb. 17(Excel Intermediate); Feb. 24(PowerPoint Intermediate); March 3 (Word Intermediate); March 17 (Excel Advanced); March 24 (PowerPoint Advanced); March 31(Outlook Overview). Class time is 10a.m. to noon in the library’s Community Education Room. Basic knowledge of computers and the ability to use a keyboard and mouse are required. Students should bring a USB drive if they wish to save their work and may bring their own laptops with Microsoft Office 2013installed. Attendees at Windows 10Overview must bring their own laptops. The classes are free and open to the public. Space is limited. Reservations are required. Attendees may register for one or any combination of classes. When registering, indicate if you will be bringing a laptop. Class descriptions and registration are available on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. Divorce/Custody 101: Phoenixville Public Library will host two free legal workshops, “Divorce 101” and “Custody 101,” Mondays, Jan. 22and 29, respectively, at 7p.m. Melissa A. Iacobucci, Esq., of O’Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C., will be the presenter. “Divorce 101” will review the divorce process in Pennsylvania and the steps required to initiate and finalize your matter. “Custody 101” presents an overview of the custody laws in Pennsylvania and advice for preparing for your custody case. These events are free and open to the public. Reservations are required for each workshop on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013ext. 132. Travelogue Night: Experiencing a little cabin fever? Come travel the world without leaving the comfort of Phoenixville Library at the library’s “Travelogue Night” Thursday, Jan. 25, at 6:30p.m. View vacation photos taken by your fellow library patrons, each of whom will have 15minutes to show and tell you about their favorite destinations. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments served. Reservations required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610933-3013ext. 132. Books on Tap: Books on Tap, Phoenixville Public Library’s book discussion group for 20- and 30-somethings, will meet next Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 7p.m. at Bistro on Bridge, 210Bridge St., Phoenixville. It will discuss “The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit” by Michael Finkel. A copy of the book may be reserved at the library or online at ccls.org. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations not required. Food and drink not included but will be available for purchase. For more information, email Christine Shaffer at shaffer.m.christine@gmail.com. Mosaic Class: Phoenixville Public Library will host a “Mosaic Class” with Geraldine Guzman Tuesday, Jan. 30at 7 p.m. =Participants will create a charming decorative piece. Participants will mix plaster with water to create the base, then select a mixture of rocks, shells and sea glass to place into the plaster mix in a design of your choosing. After it dries, you will be able to take it home that night. The class is open to all ages. No experience required. Cost is $15per person, payable at the door. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or by calling 610-933-3013

ext. 132.

Perkiomen Valley Library

Library Info: 290Second St., Schwenksville. Call 610-2878360for registration and information. Yoga: Mondays at 7:30p.m. Teens and adults. There is a charge per session. Join Adoja Amoah-Aggrey, RYT, / Carmen Molina, RYT, for all levels of yoga. Bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing. Beginners welcome. E-mail questions to yoga.vaayu@gmail.com. Preschool Storytime: Ages 2-5with an adult. Registration requested. Call 610-287-8360. Baby Storytime: Tuesdays at 9:30am. Ages 6-24mos. with adult. Enjoy stories, songs, and finger plays. Registration requested. Call 610-287-8360.

Area events

Model Railroad Open House: The Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club will hold its annual Model Railroad Open House Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 13, 14, 20and 21, from 1to 5 p.m. at 400S. Main St., Phoenixville. See and hear freight and passenger trains pulled by steam or diesel engines over 700feet of track. Admission is free. Donations are accepted. For more information, call 610935-1126or visit svmrrc.com. Fill The Shelves: The annual Fill the Shelves after the holidays food challenge is collecting contributions of canned and nonperishable food. St. Peter’s Pantry of Phoeniville and Hopeworx of Norristown will receive the bounty for this year. Dropoff will be at Barto Pool & Spa at Bridge and Walnut streets in Phoeniville between Jan. 14and 19during store hours. Call 610539-4411for pickup before Jan. 13. Volunteers to help sort items Jan. 20at 10a.m. are being sought. If interested, call 610-539-4411. A Night for the Lukens Family: A Night for the Lukens Family fundraiser will take place Jan. 20from 5to 9p.m. at Valley Forge Casino The fundraiser will aim to raise $200,000for the family in the wake of a tragic fire that took the lives of two young boys. All money raised through ticket sales, sponsorships and raffles will go directly to the family. The Montgomery County Hero Fund, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office “Wheels of Justice” team, Irish Pub Children’s Foundation and the A-Team are all organizers of the fundraiser. January’s event will include food from area restaurants, drinks and performances by Wildflower and Showtime DJ Mike Valyo. Multiple gift baskets will also be raffled off. Special guest appearances are being finalized and will be announced at a later date. Tickets are $30for police, firefighters, military and EMS and $50for the general public. A reserved table of 10is $450. Tickets can be purchased online at montgomerycountyherofund.com. Donations of items for raffle baskets are also being sought. Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours at the law offices of Cullen & Conwell at 40 E. Main St. Victorian ValentineWorkshop: As Valentine’s Day approaches, pre-register your children to attend Pennypacker Mills’ morning of crafting, refreshments and fun Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10a.m. to noon in the Classroom Building. We’ll make a lacy Victorian card to share, a bee mine hanging decoration, a paper heart-themed quilt ornament and a sachet tote with lavender potpourri to share. The fee is $5per child, accompanied by an adult. This