Community Calendar
Area events
Repair Café: PA Makerspace and The Bregovi Group will co-host the first Repair Café Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at PA Makerspace in the Franklin Commons at 400 Franklin Avenue No. 103, Phoenixville. At the Repair Café, everything centers on making repairs. Bring items that need repair, and knowledgeable volunteers will help try to fix them for free. The volunteer fixers can work on items such as mendable clothing, lamps, small appliances, other electronics, bikes, toys and jewelry. They can also sharpen knives and scissors. Guests only pay for needed parts. If guests know what parts are needed, please get them ahead of time and bring them to the Repair Café to save time. The Repair Café is meant to get people involved with the repair process and create connections with others in the community. Guests are asked to stay while their items are being fixed.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” Auditions: Forge Theatre will hold auditions for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” March 3 and 5 (snow date: March 7) at 7 p.m. Actors will be expected to both sing and act; those interested in auditioning for Prologus, Pseudolus, Hysterium or Hero will be expected to read a monologue of the director’s choosing. Prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of the show; do not prepare a song of the show itself. This is an ensemble heavy show, and all voice parts will be appreciated and welcomed. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” performances will be June 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30. For more information, visit ForgeTheatre.org.
Gift Card and Basket Bingo: The Kiwanis Club of Phoenixville will hold its Gift Card and Basket Bingo Saturday, March 9, in the Covered Bridge Room of the Kimberton Fire Company, 2276 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and bingo will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets in advance are $25 each. This will include 20 games of bingo and entry into the door prize drawings. Tickets purchased at the door the night of the event (if available) will cost $30. In addition, guests may purchase special bingo games. There will also be raffle baskets and a 50⁄50 drawing for which guests may purchase chances. The proceeds from this event will benefit the All-Ability Playground in Reeves Park and other children’s projects run by the Kiwanis Club, such as the summer entertainment programs held at the Children’s Plaza on Saturday mornings. Tickets may be purchased at phoenixvillekiwanis.org by clicking on the “Buy Bingo Tickets” tab or by calling 610-246-1546 and making arrangements to pay for and receive tickets.
Beginner Genealogy Classes: Pennypacker Mills will hold genealogy workshops for beginners led by genealogist Rose Brown Saturdays, March 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. At each workshop, participants will explore how to trace their ancestors through a variety of sources. Find out how, what and where to find valuable information about your relatives through interviews of family members; visiting libraries, archives and cemeteries; and using the internet. Handouts will be provided. This workshop has limited enrollment. Fee: $40/adult, which covers all four classes. To preregister, call 610-287-9349. Classes will be held in the Classroom Building at Pennypacker Mills, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville For information or online registration form, visit montcopa.org/pennypackermills.
Quilt Show and Sale: Homemaker’s Country Quilters will hold its quilt show and sale, Blooms of Spring, Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 4-H Center, 1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville. The show will feature more than 150 quilts sewn by Homemaker’s Country Quilters members. The Recycle Room will sell fabric, sewing notions, books and magazines at reduced rates. Vendors also will have sewing patterns, fabric and many sewn items for sale. Cash or check only. The show will feature a display of Quilts of Honor Challenge Quilts. Members sewed these quilts to honor military, fire or police officers. In the Education Room, try your hand at hand quilting where instructions will be given around the quilt frame. Sandwiches and treats can bepurchased at the Quilter’s Café. Admission price is $7 with the proceeds to support the 4-H Center. For more information, visit homemakerscountryquilters.org.
Norristown Garden Club Scholarship: The Norristown Garden Club is offering scholarships to residents of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania enrolled in full-time, horticulture-related programs. Non-residents will be considered if attending a full-time, horticulture-related program at an academic institution in the above Pennsylvania counties. Horticulture-related fields may include agriculture education, agronomy, botany, conservation, environmental concerns, floriculture, horticulture, land management, landscape architecture and plant pathology. To obtain an application, visit norristowngardenclub. org/ngc/index.php/scholarshipapplication. The deadline for applications is April 30.
Phoenixville Public Library
Library Info: 183 Second Ave., phoenixvillelibrary.org, 610-9333013 ext. 132. Reservations for events/programs can be made online or by calling the library. Happy Feet! Music Class: Second Monday of each month September through June. For ages 15 months to 5 years. Presented by Mr. Eric. An exciting, interactive class to introduce and instill a love of music. Classic tunes are featured along with newer songs and compositions. Register at phoenixvillelibrary.org or call 610-933-3013 ext. 124. Phoenix Fiction Writers: Adult writers of fiction invited to attend meetings of the Phoenix Fiction Writers at the library. Group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. for education, empowerment and constructive criticism of their work. Led by Eric Parmer, the sessions offer writers the opportunity to ask questions about the writing process, read their work out loud and receive and offer input on the material read. Writers wishing to have their work critiqued should submit their work to Parmer prior to each meeting. The group is free and open to the public. To submit writing samples or for more information, contact 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 5 to 7:30 p.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 610-9333013 ext. 132 or email mpinto@ ccls.org.
ESL Conversation Group: An ESL Conversation Group meets each Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Phoenixville Public Library. This free group is open to ESL students and anyone in the community looking to improve or practice their English. John Argeseanu is the group facilitator. For more information, call 610457-5793 or email johnargeseanu@gmail.com.
Mobile Workforce Navigator: The PA CareerLink and the United Way Financial Stability Center of Chester County want you to meet Ann Marie Barr, the Mobile Workforce Navigator, your guide to resources available to unemployed and underemployed job seekers. Barr provides oneon-one employment assistance in Phoenixville Public Library’s Harrop Room Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-in appointments available. This service is free and open to the public. For more information, email abarr@ openhearthinc.org or call 610331-4101.
The Zen Torpedoz and Holly Bee Concert: Phoenixville Public Library will host a free concert by local musicians The Zen Torpedoz and Holly Bee Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. The group features vocals with guitar, fiddle, bass and percussion. They will perform songs from the 1930s to today, including some originals and some blues. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. Nutrition Links: Phoenixville Public Library will host a free series of nutrition education workshops aimed at lower-income parents, adults, and older adults. These Nutrition Links workshops will be held most Wednesdays through Feb. 20 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Nutrition education adviser Cindy Seigafuse will be the presenter. In this series, attendees will learn to eat healthy on a limited budget; plan low-cost, fast and easy meals; and keep food safe to eat. Participants will also sample new, healthy foods and receive a free cookbook, tote bag and more. Participants must attend at least five classes and complete paperwork to receive a graduation certificate and gift bag. The program is free and open to the public but is designed for parents/caregivers of children age 19 and under, adults or older adults who qualify for free or reduced school lunch, WIC, SNAP benefits, food pantry boxes/bags or Pennsylvania Farmers Market Vouchers. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please Seigafuse at 610-696-3500 or cbs20@psu. edu in advance of your participation or visit. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132.
Solving the Social Security Puzzle: The Phoenixville Public Library will host a free seminar on optimizing Social Security benefits, Solving the Social Security Puzzle, Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. Ethan Quirin of The Scharf Group LLC will be the presenter. This presentation will provide basic Social Security planning information you need to consider as you think about your retirement. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132.
Basics of Social Media Applications: Learn the basics of social media applications in a series of classes to be offered at the Phoenixville Public Library on selected Saturdays in and February. Christine Tarlecki is the instructor. Class schedule is as follows: Feb. 23 (blogging). Class time is 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $15 per class. The classes are open to the public. For class descriptions and required registration, see the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or call 610-933-3013 ext. 132.
Workshop for First-time Home Buyers: The Phoenixville Public Library will host a free workshop for first-time home buyers Monday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. Donna Cable of Re/Max and Kimberly Kozelsky of First Choice Loan Services will be the presenters. This informational seminar will discuss mortgages, pre-approvals, common myths of credit, types of loan programs, buyer’s agents, agreements of sale, home inspections and the importance of communication during the home buying process. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. Books on Tap: Books on Tap, Phoenixville Public Library’s book club for adults in their 20s and 30s, will meet Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at Root Down Brewing Co., 1 Main St., Phoenixville. The group will discuss “Blood Meridian” by Cormac McCarthy. A copy of the book may be reserved at the library or at ccls.org. This event is free and open to the public. Food and beverages are available for purchase. For more information, email Christine Shaffer at shaffer.m.christine@ gmail.com.
Mixed Media Class: Phoenixville Public Library will host a Mixed Media Class Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Geraldine Guzman is the craft instructor. Join the library for art making on canvas using all kinds of media,
including fabric, decorative 3D flowers, glitter, puffy paint, beads, gems, yarn, beautiful images, fancy paper and quotes. This class is for all ages, and all materials are included. Materials fee is $12 per person, payable at the door. This event is open to the public. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary. org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132.
AARP Smart Driver 4-Hour Refresher Class: Phoenixville Public Library will host the AARP Smart Driver 4-Hour Refresher Class Friday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The AARP Smart Driver course offers participants an opportunity to learn how to drive more efficiently and safely. Participants will learn the current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques and how to operate their vehicle more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment. Participants will learn how they can manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time and much more. Participants must have previously taken an 8-Hour Smart Driver class in order to attend this refresher class and qualify for a possible insurance discount. Cost is $15 for AARP members (card must be presented) and $20 for nonmembers (check or money order only, payable to AARP Smart Driver). This event is open to the public. Lunch is not provided. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. Microsoft Word and Excel Classes: Phoenixville Public Library will host a series of free Microsoft Word and Excel classes on selected Saturday mornings, beginning March 2. Paul Celentano is the instructor. The class schedule is as follows: Word Basic (March 2); Excel Basic (March 16); Word Intermediate (April 6); Excel Intermediate (April 20); Excel Advanced (June 1). Class time is 10 a.m. to noon. Basic computing and computer file management skills are required. Participants should bring a notebook and a USB thumb drive and may bring their own laptop. The classes are free and open to the public. Space is limited. Class descriptions are available, and required reservations can be made on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. When registering, indicate if you are bringing a laptop. Phoenix Book Club: The Phoenix Book Club will meet Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. The book club for adults will discuss “The Cleaner of Chartres” by Salley Vickers. A copy of the book may be reserved at the library or online at ccls.org. The group is free and open to the public. For more information, email mpinto@ccls. org or call 610-933-3013 ext. 132.
Author Visit: The Phoenixville Public Library will host author M. Earl Smith as he discusses his new book, “Philadelphia Big 5,” Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar atphoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. Author Visit: The Phoenixville Public Library will host local author Beth Lennon as she discusses her new book, “Mod Betty’s Guide to Philadelphia,” Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar at phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013 ext. 132. A Novel Lunch: Phoenixville Public Library will serves up A Novel Lunch with critically acclaimed fiction author Harlan Coben Friday, March 22, from noon to 2:15 p.m. at Rivercrest Golf Club & Preserve, 100 Golf Club Drive, Phoenixville. Tickets are $65 per person and include lunch, talk and an autographed copy of Coben’s newest novel, “Run Away” (to be released March 19). Proceeds will benefit the Phoenixville Public Library Foundation. RSVP to Lauren Coy at 610-933-3013 ext. 131 or lcoy@ccls.org by March 13.
Perkiomen Valley Library
Library Info: 290 Second St., Schwenksville. Call 610-2878360 for registration and information.
Yoga: Mondays at 7:30 p.m. (no class Dec. 24 or 31). Teens and adults. Drop-in for $5 per session. Join Adjoa Amoah-Aggrey, RYT/Carmen Molina, RYT, for all levels of yoga. Bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing. Beginners welcome. Email questions to yoga.vaayu@gmail.com.
Preschool Storytime: Thursdays through April 11 at 10 a.m. For ages 2 to 5 with an adult. Enjoy stories and songs introducing early literacy skills. Registration requested.
Read, Think, Chat: Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m. Join a lively discussion of books. The book to be discussed is “The Burning Girl” by Claire Messud. Cookbook Club and Monthly Potluck: Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m. Sign up at the library to make a recipe from the cookbook of the month and then join to eat, discuss and share in joy of cooking (and baking)! Featured cookbook: “The Oh She Glows Cookbook: Over 100 Vegan Recipes to Glow From the Inside Out” by Angela Liddon.
Writers Assemble: Thursday, Feb. 28, at 4:30 p.m. Join a monthly writing club. Meet other people who love to write. Come to write or to get or give feedback.
Church News
First UCC: First United Church of Christ, 367 Washington St., Royersford, will hold the following programs Sunday, Feb. 17: Men’s Breakfast Club meeting at Spring Ford Diner at 8:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 10 a.m.; worship celebrating the sixth Sunday after Epiphany with Lancaster Seminary student Katie Jackson giving the message.