Second Trail Mural Design Session is on Wednesday

Volunteers work on design suggestions for the Schuylkill River Trail mural planned for Riverfront Park at the session on March 7. The next session is planned for March 20 at ArtFusion 19464 at 341 Beech St.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area.
The creative juices were flowing when people drew objects found in nature during the first Schuylkill River Trail Mural Public Meeting.

A section of the trail will be transformed into a work of art through a community-involved project.

A trail mural being painted by volunteers.

Attendees of the March 7 meeting held at First Presbyterian Church learned more about the trail mural and participated in a hands-on art activity. People created drawings that may possibly be incorporated into the final mural design. 


The next and last public meeting about the trail mural will be held on Wednesday, March 20, at Art Fusion 19464, 341 Beech St. in Pottstown, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All materials will be provided. 

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area in partnership with Art Fusion 19464 is seeking the community’s help to both contribute to the mural design and paint it on the trail. 

The mural will include varying shapes of nature and wildlife representations found throughout the Schuylkill River Watershed. The watershed is a land area which encompasses about 2,000 square miles and is the largest watershed that feeds into the Delaware River.

The art mural will celebrate the natural beauty of the watershed and help connect people to two significant resources within the region, the Schuylkill River and Schuylkill River Trail. 

After the community creates and submits their drawings to Schuylkill River Greenways, local artist Jody Wenzel will merge some of the publicly created designs with her own to create the final outline.

Volunteer artists with some of their trail mural design
suggestions from the March 7 session.

Wenzel is a retired Pottstown School District art teacher and an ambassador for the Schuylkill River Trail. She has crafted several art designs for Schuylkill River Greenways including all of the interpretive signs seen along the Pottstown RiverWalk, a trail located at Riverfront Park that connects to the Schuylkill River Trail for a 1-mile loop.  

Wenzel said incorporating art along the trail has several benefits. 

“It helps to engage new audiences,” she said. “It’s another approach to convey information in a way that’s visual and relatable.”

A public mural installation will be held on April 27 at Riverfront Park in Pottstown. The estimated 120-foot mural will be painted along the trail section in front of the pollinator garden and near the park’s amphitheater. 

Schuylkill River Greenways invites area residents and community groups to attend the installation and paint a section. Volunteers that want to paint the mural in April can sign up for a time slot on the event page at schuylkillriver.org/events/trail-mural-public-installation.


Community and school groups interested in participating on April 27 are asked to contact Le’Santha Naicker at lnaicker@schuylkillriver.org.

The Schuylkill River Trail mural is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and several generous individuals. For more information about the mural project, visit the Schuylkill River Greenways website at schuylkillriver.org or call 484-945-0200.

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA is a non-profit organization with the mission of connecting residents, visitors and communities to the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement and economic development.

ArtFusion 19464 Fundraiser Goes Taco Loco

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by ArtFusion19464

ArtFusion 19464’s annual beef and beer fundraiser is Saturday, Aug. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m at the facility at 341  Beech St. 

This year’s event will feature a gourmet taco bar. Guests will enjoy beef, chicken and veggie tacos fillings, soft flour tortillas, crunchy tortilla chips, and fabulous toppings and sides. 

Victory Brewing Company has once again generously donated their amazing beer for this event. There will also be soft drinks, water and delicious homemade desserts.

Each guest will receive one complimentary door prize raffle ticket. 

Lucky attendees can win Iron Pig tickets, a $50 gift card to Cutillo’s restaurant, an incredible fresh artisan bread gift basket, original art, pottery, jewelry and more.

ArtFusion 19464 is also running two special pre-event raffles. 

Supporters can win 4 tickets to Dorney Park, a $236 value, or 4 tickets to a Philadelphia Phillies game, a $290 value.

Tickets are $10 each, and they will sell a maximum of 100 for each prize, giving great odds of winning. The winner will be chosen during the fundraiser on Aug. 18. 

Supporters do not need to be present to win and will be notified if their ticket is chosen. 

Generous donations from UGI/AmeriGas and Dorney Park made this special raffle possible.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located in a new facility at the Beech St. Factory in downtown Pottstown. 

The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills and independence through self-expression. ArtFusion 19464 also hosts rotating shows featuring local artists.

Forget the Super Bowl, Go to the Soup Bowl

ArtFusion 19464's annual Soup Bowl fundraiser is almost here.

The event, which features gourmet soups served in hand-made bowls in the ArtFusion studios, will be held on  on Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The snow date is Feb. 3

Advance tickets are $20 and include unlimited soup, bread, beverages and homemade desserts. 

Get your tickets here. 

(Plan ahead and save $5. If any are available, tickets at the door will be $25.)

Although this fundraiser has been held before, it will be the first time it is held at the studio's new location, 341 Beech St. in the former Fecera's Furniture building.

Panera Bread has once again donated baguettes. Lily's Grill and Grumpy's have again donated soup.

If you too would like to make some soup to donation, email ArtFusion 19464, or at 610-326-2506 to get all the details.

Best of Show at ArtFusion 19464

"Bullrush Tops" by Jodie Scharadin

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by ArtFusion 19464

ArtFusion 19464 is proud to announce that Jodie Scharadin has won a Best in Show award for her collagraph titled Bullrush Tops.

The piece is part of the Summer Member Show currently on display in the ArtFusion main gallery through Aug. 20.

The show features work by ArtFusion’s Working Artist Members, a group of talented and dedicated local artists who work in a variety of different mediums.

The show can be seen during their summer gallery hours: Wednesday to Friday 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The prize was judged by Susan Biebuyck, gallery director of Studio B in Boyertown. As the winner, Scharadin will be a featured artist in Studio B’s annual holiday show.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages.

The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists.

The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

'Best in Show' At ArtFusion 19464

"Messenger" by Gwendolyn Lanier-Gardner.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by ArtFusion 19464

Joe Hoover and Gwendolyn Lanier-Gardner were the winners of the Best in Show competition during ArtFusion’s 2016 Winter Member Show. 

The two artists won their own show in the ArtFusion gallery in the fall of 2016. 

The show promises to be an amazing exhibition of work, showcasing the work of Joe, who has been a Working Artist member for over 10 years and Gwendolyn, who joined the group two years ago.

Visitors to ArtFusion’s gallery during the show were asked to choose their favorite artist and make a donation in support of that artist winning Best in Show. 

"Arboreal" by Joe Hoover.

Each $1 donation counted as one vote. 

All proceeds from this fundraiser help support the non-profit community art center.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. 

The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression. 

ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. 

The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items. 

The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Free Cancer Awareness Ceramics at ArtFusion 19464

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by ArtFusion 19464.

ArtFusion 19464 will be holding a free workshop to make ceramic pots on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 1-3 p.m. 

Students will hand-build clay pots with a cancer awareness ribbon. 

Projects will be bisque fired and can be painted later at home with acrylic paints. 

Participants can keep their pots or share them to encourage strength, self-empowerment and survival. 

This is a free class, courtesy of a grant from the Hill School Student Philanthropy Group. 

It is open to any adult cancer patient, survivor, family member or caregiver. 

You must email or call ArtFusion at 610-326-2506 to reserve a spot. 

There are 15 available spaces.

No Pottstown Borough Tax Hike for 2016

Fuzzy Photo by Evan Brandt

A copy of the 1965 Pottstown Borough Budget taken from
the time capsule 

opened in September and now on display
in the lobby of borough hall.  

I didn't have the heart to
find out what the taxes were then.

Not that any of you think Pottstown's taxes are going back to what they were in 1965, but its nice to dream.

And after all, given that council adopted a 2016 budget last night, it seemed like a good time to reminisce.

But enough of that, to business I say!

It might have been a four-page agenda, but council made quick work of most of it, including a relatively painless decision on the budget.

When borough staff unveiled the proposed $57.3 million budget last week, it included the possibility of a 3.25 percent tax hike to close a $245,349 deficit between projected revenues and expenditures.

By Monday night, the estimate of that  deficit had dropped to $212,731.

Borough Manager Mark Flanders said the reduction was made "after we had our meeting with AFSCME (the borough's non-police workers are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) and we felt confident in making some adjustments."

Closing that deficit entirely with a tax hike would have meant a 2.74 percent increase in the borough's millage.

Finance Director Janice Lee had also put together a sliding scale to allow council to choose from a menu of options between closing the gap with a tax hike or taking it from reserves.

• A 2 percent tax hike would have meant taking $25,000 out of reserves and an annual tax increase of $19.99 for a property assessed at $100,000.
• A 1.5 percent tax hike would have meant taking $98,000 out of reserves and an annual tax increase if $15.01 for a property assessed at $100,000, she said.



Don't forget, Borough Hall will be closed Wednesday.

• A 1 percent tax hike would have meant taking $137,000 out of reserves and an annual tax hike of $10.03 for a property assessed at $100,000.

But council wanted none of that.

With praise for the staff, and expressed confidence in their ability to find $212,731 in savings or additional revenue over the course of 2016, council voted unanimously for adopt the budget with no tax hike at all.

It will be the third budget in four years with no tax hike.

(BTW, if any of you are wondering why the budget amount seems so high, it's because for the first time this year, Lee also included the $6.2 million water and $9 million sewer budgets -- as well as the $9.5 million sewer capital budget and $5 million water capital budget -- into the total figure.)

An artist's rendering of what Fecera's will look like renovated.

Also of interest last night, council unanimously adopted the preliminary and final site plan approvals for the conversion of the former Fecera's furniture warehouse at Beech and North Evan's streets into apartments and a new home for ArtFusion 19464.

With that, I will let you loose on the Tweets from last night's meeting.

A Downtown Christmas

Free Trolley rides will be offered in Downtown Pottstown from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday over the next two weekends.

Hey folks, the snow is supposed to be pretty bad today so why trek to the outlets or some mall when you can stick close to home, have a great time and spend your money in a way that supports your community?

'Shrek' will be playing at the Steel River Playhouse
for the next two weekends.

Remember to get your raffle ticket and win money for shopping downtown.

The first prize in this raffle is $1,000 and the second prize is $500

Here's how it works: You pay $25 for a ticket and must spend a minimum of $100 between Saturday
and Dec. 20th at midnight in stores in the downtown shopping district.

That means store on High Street between York and Evans streets, or stores with the "Buy Local" sign displayed.

Once you've spent at least $100, drop off your receipts and filled out ticket at the PDIDA Office, 17 N. Hanover St., no later than just before midnight on Dec. 20.

The winning entries will be drawn on Saturday, Dec. 21 after the holiday events, which begin at 2 p.m.

You can purchase a raffle ticket at the PDIDA office on North Hanover Street,Grumpy's Hand-carved Sandwiches, 137 E. High St. or at Cole's Tobacco, 215 E. High St.

Photo by Evan Brandt

The folks at the Community Garden are ready and eager to
help you find the perfect Christmas tree in the snow this weekend.

And don't forget there is still a great selection of trees at the MOSAIC Community Garden on Chestnut Street. Prices range from $20-$40.

Garden committee members are available to assist you with the purchase of your tree by appointment all weekend long. A beautiful, locally-grown tree it right at your fingertips.

Contact Laura Washington at (484) 300-2410 to arrange an appointment or to find out more!

In the meantime, here is a full slate of holiday activities in downtown Pottstown for the next two weekends:

Today, Saturday, Dec. 14

• 1 p.m.: Tree Decoration Making at Red Cloud Kung Fu, 307 E. High St.
• 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Photos with Santa at Smith Family Plaza.

  

  Photos with Santa will be taken at Smith Family Plaza from 2 to 7 p.m.

• 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Carriage Rides along High Street. $5 per person with tickets sold at Smith Family Plaza.
• 2 p.m.: Tea with Mrs. Claus (Free) at the Sitters Clubhouse, 333 High St.
• 2:30/3:30 p.m. and 4:30/5:30 p.m.: Story Time with the Elves, Milkmen Lunch Co., 255 High St.
• 2 to 4 p.m.: Free Trolley Rides on High Street.
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Illusionists and Magicians Kyle and Kelly perform at Smith Family Plaza.
• 8 p.m.: Finish out the day by buying tickets to see Shrek at the Steel River Playhouse, 245 High St.

Funky Santa 5K starts at 9 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15

• 9 a.m.: Funky Santa 5K, Riverfront Park.
• 10 a.m.: Holiday Brunch at Lily's Grill, 115 High St./ Juan Carlos, 235 High St./ Grumpy's, 137 High St. with local musicians Russell Ferrara, Bees in a Bottle and more.
• 3 p.m.: Matinee of Shrek at Steel River Playhouse, 245 High St.

Saturday, Dec. 21

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: ARTFusion, 254 High St., will host Van Gogh's Secret Studio Shopping for kids 12 and younger. Adults must be in the building, but the folks at ARTFusion will help your youngsters shop for others.
• 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Photos with Santa at Smith Family Plaza.
• 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Carriage Rides along High Street. $5 per person with tickets sold at Smith

  

  Carriage rides

  Family Plaza.
• 2 to 4 p.m.: Free Trolley Rides on High Street.
• 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.: Story Time with the Elves, Milkmen Lunch Co., 255 High St.
• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Illusionists and Magicians Kyle and Kelly perform at Smith Family Plaza.
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Free Babysitting While You Shop, 333 High St., pizza and drinks will be supplied for the kids.
• 8 p.m.: Shrek at Steel River Playhouse, 245 High St.

Sunday, Dec. 22

Holiday Brunches

• 10 a.m.to 1 p.m.: Holiday Brunch at Lily's Grill, 115 High St./ Juan Carlos, 235 High St./Grumpy's, 137 High St. with local musicians Russell Ferrara, Bees in a Bottle and more.
• 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.: More Van Gogh's Secret Studio Shopping at ArtFusion, 254 High St.
• 3 p.m.: Matinee of Shrek at Steel River Playhouse, 245 High St.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Last Minute Shopping, Van Gogh's Secret Studio Shopping at ArtFusion, 254 High St.

Haven't I Seen This Before?

"Mystery Door" by Ellen Marcus is one of the works that will be on display.

ArtFusion 19464 will host an artists reception Saturday afternoon from 12 to 2 p.m.

The show is called "Deja Vu."

The gallery is located at 254 E. High St.

Light refreshments will be served. All receptions are free and open to the public. 

RSVPs are appreciated by email or by calling 610-326-2506.

What's it Worth to You?

Get that antique you've always wonder about appraised tonight.

Do you have some an antique you inherited or bought that has always made you wonder about its worth?

Well you can get that antique appraised tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. and help support two local non-profit organizations in town at the same time.

Eileen Rhoads of Rhoads Auction and Antiques will be on hand at Art Fusion 19464 (formerly Gallery School od Pottstown/Gallery on High) to appraise items brought in.


There is a $15 entrance fee, which includes the appraisal of one item. Appraisals of each additional item is an additional $5 per item, with a maximum of three items per person, so choose carefully.




RSVP to 610-326-2506 or by email.
This is the third time the event has been hosted at Art Fusion, 254 E. High St., and proceeds will benefit the center as well as Forgotten Cats.

The former Gallery on High is now Art Fusion 19464

Forgotten Cats helps many of the stray and abandoned cats in our neighborhoods. They help the animals receive needed medical care, get them spayed or neutered and find them a forever home.


Formerly The Gallery School of Pottstown, ArtFusion 19464 is a non-profit community art center dedicated to making the arts accessible to everyone.

Its mission is to enrich the lives of the residents in the greater Pottstown area through the visual arts, regardless of ethnicity and economic situations. Their goal is to spark creativity, build self-confidence and develop community bonds through education, mentoring and community service.


Ron and Eileen Rhoads Auction and Antiques can be found at 383 Ben Franklin Highway West, Douglassville, PA 19518. They have fifty years in the business and are the second generation serving the Delaware Valley.