Archive | August, 2010

What They Sold For

What They Sold For

They paid how much?

They paid how much?

POTTSTOWN PA – The top price paid for real estate within Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township from March 29-May 7, 2010, was $242,000, the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reports. The property is located at 1400 Brooke Rd.

A second property, at 95 Brookview Ln., sold for $218,000. A third property, at 1641 Kepler Rd., sold for $207,000.

This week’s top reported prices were listed Sunday (Aug. 8, 2010) in “The Top 50,” the newspaper’s weekly review of highest prices paid for real estate sold within the city of Philadelphia and townships in its surrounding counties.

By contrast, during the same period, the top real estate sales price in Pottstown PA Borough, immediately to the west was $275,000; Limerick PA Township, east, $386,584; New Hanover PA Township, northeast, $350,000; Upper Pottsgrove PA Township, west, $275,000; and in North Coventry PA Township, south, none listed.

Across all of Montgomery County, the highest-priced property sold during the period went for $1,300,000, at 462 Moredon Rd., Abington PA.

Related:

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20100809-LPTwpPA-422DinerRazed (Edit1)

Diner Soon To Be An Eyesore-No-More

422 DINER COMES DOWN WITHIN A WEEK – The fire-gutted 422 Diner (see the inset, above), 1600 Industrial Hwy., Pottstown PA, has been razed less than seven days after its unsightly appearance became a topic of discussion during the Aug. 2 (2010) meeting of the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Board of Commissioners. Commissioners heard complaints, and offered their own comments, on how the then-standing diner – which was hit by an accidental fire in February – had become an eyesore. Township officials claimed they couldn’t act on seeking demolition from the owners, because insurance negotiations were continuing. By Saturday, however, just five days after the meeting and a Post story about it, the diner shell was already reduced to rubble (above). Contractors’ equipment remains on the site (below), in front of the Pottstown Best Western hotel, because a 15-foot-high pile of debris must still be removed. Plans for re-building on the site have been discussed but not formally announced.

Related:

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners’ Aug. 2 meeting):

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Posted in Business4 Comments

20100807-SanatogaPA-SanatogaCorpFacade (1Edit)

Turning The Dial On Sanatoga's Wayback Machine

FOR A SHORT TIME, IT’S ‘SANATOGA RADIO’ AGAIN – Before the early 1960s, when it changed its name, the electronics and appliances store now called Sanatoga Corp., at 2783 E. High St., Sanatoga PA, was known as the Sanatoga Radio Co. A bit of its history is on display this week, as the store’s front facade of stone veneer is removed (above) and the exterior gets refurbished. A dumpster sits out front to hold the veneer chipped away by workers.  Signs for the old Sanatoga Radio, which was founded during 1925 in the same location it now occupies, are visible to passers-by driving east and west on East High Street as they detour around the bridge being reconstructed near Sanatoga Road. “Drive in and make yourself at home,” one part of its sign reads (below).  “Park and shop under one roof.”

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Band, Audience Alike Enjoyed Themselves In Sanatoga

Band, Audience Alike Enjoyed Themselves In Sanatoga

SANATOGA PA – Country and southern rock musicians in the band Mesa made it clear Sunday evening (Aug. 8, 2010) they were having as good a time on stage, beneath the bandshell at Sanatoga Park, as they hoped the audience was having on the hillside lawn beyond.

Band members were in a joking mood as they bantered between songs played during the second-to-last installment in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township‘s 2010 edition of its Parks and Recreation Department “Concerts In The Park” series. An audience of about 100 people, most of them with heads bobbing in time to Mesa’s beat, came to the park at 200 S. Sanatoga Rd., Pottstown PA, to enjoy the free show.

The setting sun still shone brightly, and a quiet breeze prevailed, both creating optimal weather conditions for a night in chairs or atop blankets on the grassy slope facing the bandshell.

Next week (Sunday, Aug. 15) at 6 p.m., in the series’ final concert, talented neighbors take the stage as local musicians in the Pottsgrove Community Band return for what has become an annual appearance. The band features a variety of popular hits, show tunes and marches.

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Posted in Entertainment, Video2 Comments

20100809-LakeCleanup-WatershedConservancy

Commissioners Endorse Watershed Conservancy Plan

Volunteers for the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, which covers part of Lower Pottsgrove Township, work on water clean-up.

SANATOGA PA – A proposal to add the Lower Perkiomen Creek Watershed Conservation Plan to Pennsylvania’s Rivers Conservation Registry, which gives its author a chance to both qualify for grant funding and to help further protect water quality in streams and creeks across 57 municipalities in four counties, was endorsed last week (Aug. 2, 2010) by the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Board of Commissioners.

The plan was created by the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, a non-profit organization tasked with fighting pollution in the Perkiomen Creek and its tributaries. The watershed’s 362 square miles include a northwestern portion of the township.

Lower Pottsgrove already adheres to many of the plan’s suggestions to ensure the watershed remains as clean as possible. It seeks to limit construction on steep slopes next to floodplain areas, preserves open space where possible, allows the transfer of development rights to preserve farmlands, and offers flexible zoning options to increase population densities.

Commissioners offered their endorsement unanimously and without comment.

Volunteers for the conservancy were busy Friday and Saturday (Aug. 6 and 7), pulling creek-clogging, invasive water chestnuts from Delmont Lake and the Unami Creek, located 15 miles northeast of Sanatoga village center.

Photo from the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy

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The Post Week In Review

The Post Week In Review

20081122-postmasthead-signThe Limerick (PA) Post | The Pottstown (PA) Post | The Main Street Post

Published during the week just ended in The Sanatoga Post:

Saturday, Aug. 7

  • Keep Healthy Next Week
    A weekly review of free or low-cost local seminars, support groups, screenings, tests and clinics to help you stay healthy and fit, sponsored or conducted by community health care organizations.
  • Area Residents Among Police Academy Grads
    Montgomery County Community College was the scene last week for graduation ceremonies of 45 cadets, six of whom call our area home.
  • Also, In The Limerick Post
  • Also, In The Pottstown Post
  • Also, In The Main Street Post

Friday, Aug. 6

Thursday, Aug. 5

  • Remember Snow? Town Seeks Money For Clearing It
    Lower Pottsgrove likely will qualify for federal reimbursement for work it did to remove February snowfall from local roads. Township commissioners this week designated their emergency management coordinator to bring back the cash.
  • LGS Tests New Siren System, Beginning Next Week
    Exelon spent $3.8 million locally to upgrade 165 emergency warning sirens. They will be tested starting next week across portions of three counties, and should be operational by November.
  • Stuff To Do This Weekend
    Musical concerts in Sanatoga and Pottstown, both in parks on Sunday. A boatload of free First Saturday family events in downtown Pottstown. Fiber arts workers plying their craft, also Saturday, in Phoenixville. And if you’ve got time Friday night, get your chess moves down pat.
  • Also, In The Limerick Post

Wednesday, Aug. 4

Tuesday, Aug. 3

  • Legal Research Sought For Seizing Old Gas Station
    Lower Pottsgrove commissioners asked their solicitor to look further into whether they have adequate legal reason to take over the former Citgo gas station property at Mervine and North Charlotte streets.
  • ‘Eyesore’ Diner Still Standing Months After Fire
    Demolition of the burned-out 422 Diner, on Industrial Highway at Armand Hammer Boulevard in Lower Pottsgrove, started and then stopped. Insurance negotiations are said to be the reason. Commissioners heard a complaint Monday.
  • What They Sold For
    A review of top prices recently paid for real estate in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township and surrounding municipalities
  • Shoulder Work Slows 422 West Through Thursday
    PennDOT crews will be making side-of-the-road repairs between Sanatoga and Royersford. Stay alert.
  • Also, In The Limerick Post

Monday, Aug. 2

Sunday, Aug. 1

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Keep Healthy Next Week

Keep Healthy Next Week

SANATOGA PA – Health care news for western Montgomery County residents (and anyone else!), for Aug. 8  (2010) and beyond.

Sunday, Aug. 8

A peer-led meeting of Resolve, the National Infertility Association support group, is scheduled to be held weekly on Sundays beginning at 2 p.m., sponsored by Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-917-0006.

Monday, Aug. 9

A blood drive is scheduled by the Miller-Keystone Blood Center for Aug. 9 (2010; Monday) from 9 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. at Proconex, 103 Enterprise Dr., Limerick PA. Appointments are required to donate blood. For more information or to make an appointment call Miller-Keystone at 610-926-6060.

The free monthly meeting of the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, sponsored by Phoenixville Hospital, will be held Aug. 9 (2010; Monday) from 1-3 p.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 355 St. John’s Circle, Phoenixville PA. The program is a picnic lunch. Pre-registration is required for new participants; for more information or to pre-register, call 610-983-1288.

Tuesday, Aug. 10

Blood pressure screenings scheduled Thursday.

Blood pressure screenings will be conducted by staff members from Pottstown Memorial Medical Center on Aug. 10 (2010; Tuesday) from 9 a.m. to noon at the Birdsboro IGA Supermarket in Birdsboro PA.

A free meeting of the Easy Breathers Support Group, sponsored by Phoenixville Hospital, will be held Aug. 10 (2010; Tuesday) from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Cardiac-Respiratory Rehab Department on the first floor of South Tower at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA.

A meeting of the Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Support Group will be held Aug. 10 (2010; Tuesday) from 6-7 p.m. in conference Room B on the third floor of Medical Office Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

A breastfeeding class for new and expectant mothers is scheduled to be held Aug. 10 (2010; Tuesday) from 7-9:30 p.m. in Room 300 of Medical Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Registration is required; a fee of $20 per couple will be charged. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

Thursday, Aug. 12

Project Prevention, a community service of Phoenixville Hospital that offers blood pressure screenings, diabetes education and health-related referrals through an on-site nurse and case manager, will be held Aug. 12 (2010; Thursday) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First United Church of Christ, 145 Chestnut St., Spring City PA.

A two-day safe driver course for persons age 55 and older will be offered Aug. 12 and 13 (2010; Thursday and Friday) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day in Room 300 of Medical Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Successfully completing the program may provide a reduction in some car insurance premiums. Registration is required. A fee of $12 will be charged to members of AARP; $14 must be paid by non-members. For more information, call 610-983-1288.

Friday, Aug. 13

Blood pressure screenings will be conducted by staff members from Pottstown Memorial Medical Center on Aug. 13 (2010; Friday) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Michael’s Craft Store, Rt. 100, North Coventry PA.

Saturday, Aug. 14

A “Dr. Drill Boot Camp Clinic” for fitness that’s open to the public will be held Aug. 14 (2010; Saturday) from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Pottstown YMCA, Adams and Jackson streets, Pottstown PA. Advance registration is requested by Monday (Aug. 9). For information or a reservation, Lynn Seponski at call 610-323-7300, Ext. 13. Tickets cost $10 per person, and the program geared for those age 14 and older.  Proceeds benefit the annual Y Partners Financial Campaign.

Sunday, Aug. 15

A peer-led meeting of Resolve, the National Infertility Association support group, is scheduled to be held weekly on Sundays beginning at 2 p.m., sponsored by Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-917-0006.

Monday, Aug. 16

A blood drive is scheduled by the Miller-Keystone Blood Center for Aug. 16 (2010; Monday) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Limerick Family Care, 296 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick PA. Appointments are required to donate blood. For more information or to make an appointment call Miller-Keystone at 610-926-6060.

Basic Life Support (BLS) re-certification training for health care providers will be conducted Aug. 16 (2010; Monday) in 30-minute appointments from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Suite 300 of Medical Office Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. A fee of $35 will be charged. Participants must have completed the online portion of BLS training, for a separate fee cost, before registering for this session. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

Ready for the big event.

A three-week series of birth prep classes for new and expectant parents is scheduled to begin Aug. 16 (2010; Monday) from 7-9 p.m. in Suite 300 of Medical Office Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Subsequent dates will be announced to participants. A fee of $85 per couple will be charged. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

Tuesday, Aug. 17

A free breast pumping class for new and expectant mothers is scheduled to be held Aug. 17 (2010; Tuesday) from 7-9 p.m. in Suite 300 of Medical Office Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

A grief support group meeting conducted by the Pottstown YMCA will be held Wednesday (Aug. 18, 2010) at 6:30 p.m. in the Freedom Valley YMCA branch at Adams and Jackson streets, Pottstown PA. Those in need of grief support and counseling are welcome to attend. Group meetings are scheduled on the first and third Wednesdays of every month.

Photos from Clipart.com

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20100807-PoliceAcademy-Mccc

Six Area Residents Among Police Academy Grads

BLUE BELL PA – Forty-five police cadets – including residents of Pottstown, Pennsburg, East Greenville, Linfield, Limerick, and Harleysville – graduated last Wednesday (July 28, 2010) from Montgomery County Community College’s Municipal Police Academy, during a ceremony held in its Science Center Theater on the college main campus in Blue Bell PA.

Forty-five cadets graduated last Wednesday from the Montgomery County Municipal Police Academy during ceremonies held in Blue Bell PA.

Graduates of Class 1001, who attended a 22-week full-time program, included Brian Britcher of Linfield, Andrew Kline of Pottstown, Raymond Liczbinski of Limerick, and Amanda Pfister of Harleysville. Graduates of Class 903, who attended a 42-week part-time evening program, included Sgt. Sean Boyle of Pennsburg and Robert Seville of East Greenville.

Boyle also was named to receive the classes’ Spirit of Distinction Award for overall outstanding performance.

Montgomery County PA Court of Common Pleas Judge Thomas P. Rogers, an alumnus and Hall of Fame inductee of the college, and Abington Township Police Department Director of Training Robert Sands – both of whom are long-standing instructors for the academy – were keynote speakers. Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman and Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. attended the ceremony and acknowledged the work of the cadets.

The college, in conjunction with the state training commission, operates the academy at the county Public Safety Training Campus, 1175 Conshohocken Rd., Conshohocken PA. It has been the training ground for about 3,000 cadets, with a consistent graduation rate of higher than 90 percent. The 800-hour curriculum allows successful students to receive up to 20 credit hours toward an associate’s degree in criminal justice.

“This program is built on discipline, commitment and teamwork,” academy Director Frank A.  Williar said. “The graduates are the best, the elite.” Williar, a 1974 academy graduate, was hired as director in 2005. The academy is certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission.

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20100806-HomePainter-ClipartCom

Is Lower Pottsgrove's Loss The State Consumers' Gain?

HARRISBURG PA – A state home improvement contractor registration program may have taken money out of Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township’s municipal pocket, but is giving consumers across Pennsylvania “clear information about the businesses they are dealing with,” Attorney General Tom Corbett claims.

Home improvement contractors now must register with the state.

“Complaints about home improvement projects gone bad are … one of the top reasons” for consumers to contact the AG’s office, Corbett said late last month, as he announced what he called a “wave of legal actions” against contractors accused of wrong-doing in dealings with clients.

The attorney general is responsible for enforcing the state Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, which took effect last July (2009). It requires home improvement businesses across the state to register with his office, providing information sufficient to track down those creating problems, and to allow the public to choose from registered contractors.

Lower Pottsgrove for years successfully operated a township-wide registration system. That has been superseded, to a large extent, by the state effort. The change had an impact on its revenues; Finance Director Michele Christman told the Board of Commissioners that the township, which earned $21,000 from registrations during 2009, so far has brought in only $5,100 this year.

Corbett’s July 22 (2010) announcement said his office had filed consumer protection lawsuits against seven contractors accused of failing to start work, collecting excessive down-payments, not finishing projects, performing work in a shoddy manner, failing to pay refunds, not honoring warranties and other violations of the act. One business formerly operated from Montgomery County, two others were from Berks and Bucks counties; none were within 15 miles of Sanatoga village.

The lawsuits seek restitution for all consumers who have been harmed, along with fines and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation or up to $3,000 for each violation involving a senior citizen, Corbett said.

In addition, he added, the Bureau of Consumer Protection reached settlement agreements with 10 other contractors that require them to fully comply with all the terms of the act and the Consumer Protection Law, and also charges them $1,250 in civil penalties and costs for lesser infractions they avoided.

Consumers encountering problems with contractors or other businesses can file formal complaints with the bureau by calling its toll-free consumer protection hot-line, 800-441-2555.

Photo by Clipart.com

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20100806-TapeLoomConnieUnangst-Montcopa

Spend Your Sunday Casually At Pottsgrove Manor

Pottsgrove Manor museum educator Lynn Symborski works on a petticoat.

Gunsmith John Symborski plies his craft.

POTTSTOWN PA — For a second consecutive week, members of the staff and volunteers at Pottsgrove Manor, the Montgomery County PA historic site that was the former home of Pottstown founder John Potts, are inviting visitors to spend Sunday afternoon (Aug. 8, 2010) casually amid 18th century surroundings while re-enactors demonstrate colonial trades and pastimes.

This event has been added to The Post calendar.

    Museum educator Lynn Symborski said the manor’s costumed interpreters will be living life the colonial way from 1-4 p.m. on the grounds at 100 W. King St., Pottstown PA, with activities such as needlework, gun-smithing, butter churning, and tape-loom weaving. Visitors can watch, learn, and even join in, she added.

    Pottsgrove Manor, built for colonial ironmaster Potts, is operated by the county Parks and Heritage Services Department. A series of five of what Symborski calls “Living History Sundays” have been scheduled there, beginning last week and continuing on Aug. 15, 22, and 29 at the same times.

    While at the manor, visitors also can also tour the museum’s current exhibit, “So Long and Toilsome a Journey: Transportation in Colonial Pennsylvania.” A donation of $2 per person is suggested.

    For more information, call 610-326-4014.

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