The Sanatoga Post

Chair massage; no charge.

POTTSTOWN PA – “Ladies’ Day Out,” a free health and lifestyle event for women, will be held Dec. 4 (2010; Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the offices of Dr. Niraj Patel at the Chiropractic and Wellness Center PC, 1143 E. High St, Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Women from across the greater Pottstown area are invited to unwind, relax, and pamper themselves with a free manicure and pedicure, body mass analysis, free wellness scan, free skin analysis, total nutrition and weight-loss workshop, how to live young workshop, free blood pressure check, “helping you see the big picture” lecture, self-defense demonstration, free chair massages, a discussion of reflexology, and other activities. Advance reservations are appreciated but not required.

For more information, call 610-323-6858.

Photo from Google Images

Ho-ho-ho.

POTTSTOWN PA – St. Nick beat the turkey to Coventry Mall.

St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, the Big Elf … whatever you’d prefer to call him, he arrived well ahead of Thanksgiving and can now be found daily, seven days a week, in the Center Court of the mall at Routes 724 and 100 in North Coventry PA, just south of Pottstown.

He’ll occupy a throne there, listen to children’s requests, and be available for photographs too, Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

The mall also will host a breakfast with Santa on Dec. 4 (2010; Saturday) beginning at 9 a.m. in its Food Court. Kids can remain after breakfast is finished to decorate a Christmas stocking. Tickets for the breakfast, which must be purchased in advance, are available at the mall’s Guest Services office. For more information, call 610-327-0700.

Photo from Clipart.com

Opening of Giant Food Store and other retailers at Upland Square boosted the Pottsgrove School District's bottom line.

POTTSTOWN PA – Business was good, literally and figuratively, for the Pottsgrove School District last year, an annual audit of district financial records shows.

Pottsgrove collected about $600,000 in taxes it hoped to get from the opening of the Upland Square shopping center, but couldn’t realistically budget for, during the school year ended June 30 (2010), Christopher Turtell, a manager for the accounting firm Herbein + Company Inc. of Reading PA, told the district Board of School Directors last week (Nov. 9, 2010).

Not all the extra cash fell to its bottom line, district Business Administrator David Nester said, but he acknowledged Pottsgrove ended its year with a surplus of about $500,000. The question yet to be answered by board members is, “how best to use the money?”

Nester gave them two possible choices when directors gathered at the administration building, Kauffman Road, Pottstown PA, for a regularly scheduled meeting. They didn’t act on either, deciding instead to wait, as board Treasurer Fred Remelius put it, “until we’re a little further along in the current budget season.”

According to Turtell, the audit confirmed:

• Money the district collected from earned income taxes went down last year.
  Some workers earned less, some were affected by cuts in hours, and some lost their jobs altogether, he said. The combination meant less 6 percent tax revenue, “and that’s going to be a trend” for awhile, Turtell added.

• The district fund balance overall is “excellent.”
  The fund balance is a sort of virtual savings account, showing how much, if any, extra money the district has designated for but not committed to current or future expenses.
  In Pottsgrove’s case, the fund balance was $14.7 million at year’s end. Of that, $1.5 million was marked for retirement incentives, $350,000 for compensated absences, $3.8 million for future hikes in payments made to the state Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), $4.3 million for the general operating fund, and $4.6 million for the capital reserve (school buildings and projects) fund.
  “It’s nice to see the district is planning a little bit ahead,” Turtell said of the numbers.

• District investments seem safe.
  Unlike other school districts within the state, Turtell noted, Pottsgrove has not “gambled” in financial vehicles that promise high returns but also pose higher risks.

The auditors, Turtell said, gave the district an “unqualified” opinion, the highest and best ranking they could provide.

As for the surplus, Nester suggested the board could consider using it to increase the amount being saved for PSERS payments, which were expected to rise by between 8 and 10 percent annually for several years. Since then, however, the state Legislature has further pushed back the PSERS debt. Nester also said the board could consider using the surplus to offset costs in the upcoming budget.

Board members didn’t take a formal vote, but nodding heads around the conference table indicated they all agreed with Remelius’ wait-and-see attitude.

Related (to the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors’ Nov. 9 meeting):

• Pottsgrove Ended ’09-’10 Year With Surplus, Audit Shows
• Rigs Arrive At Ringing Site To Drill Deep For Geo-Heat
• Pottsgrove Band Heads To Hershey For Championships

POTTSTOWN PA – Is the economy getting better? Slightly more than 5,900 of Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township‘s 11,213 residents – about 53 percent of all who live within its borders – may think so, according to an extrapolation of data presented Wednesday (Nov. 17, 2010) in university research conducted for First Niagara Bank.

Figures distributed by the Siena Research Institute of Sienna College indicate a little more than half of Pennsylvania residents surveyed believe the economy in general is going to improve, and 54 percent think their own personal financial situation will get better during the next year as well.

Things are looking up - well, a little at least - in Pennsylvania, a survey concludes.

Results of the second annual Pennsylvania Survey of the Economy and Personal Finances were announced with fanfare on behalf of the New York-based bank, which has 10 branch offices spread across Pottstown, Limerick, Boyertown, Gilbertsville and Douglassville PA.

The estimate of Lower Pottsgrove opinions on the economy is a reflection of the institute’s survey about the state as a whole, and is based on township population numbers updated in 2008 by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Despite a somewhat heightened feeling that things are looking up, however, the survey also found Pennsylvanians in general are worried about their wallets and cautious about the future.

Seventy percent of those polled statewide told surveyors the cost of food is now a financial hardship. Gasoline prices have a serious effect on the household budgets of 65 percent, up from 59 percent a year ago. Eighty percent (11 percent higher than last year) are concerned about the coming winter heating costs.

On the job front, according to the survey, one-in-four Pennsylvania households reported that one of their residents got a second job during the past six months to make ends meet. Nineteen percent lost a job, and 23 percent suffered a cut back in work hours. Seventeen percent said they personally know someone that has lost their home in foreclosure in the past year. In several instances, those numbers were lower in comparison to the 2009 survey.

“Times remain tough in the Quaker State, but today optimism trumps pessimism,” said Dr. Don Levy, the institute’s director.  “While more hopeful than last year, residents are now evenly divided on whether our current economic problems are temporary or that our country’s best days are behind us.”

The survey was conducted Nov. 3-5 (2010) by random telephone calls.

Photo from Clipart.com

A digital sign operated elsewhere by a Lamar subsidiary.

POTTSTOWN PA – One of those flashy, computerized, full-color electronic billboards that greet drivers in both directions on U.S. Route 422 near the Oaks interchange may be coming closer to home on the same highway.

The Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Zoning Hearing Board, in an advertisement that appeared Wednesday (Nov. 17, 2010) in The (Pottstown PA) Mercury newspaper, said it would hear the request of an advertising company to replace a “tri-vision billboard sign” already at 223 Porter Rd., Pottstown PA, with a new sign carrying “electronic changeable message faces.”

The newspaper is the township’s official publication of record for legal notices.

The hearing is set for Dec. 14 (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. in the municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., on the application made by Lamar Advertising of Penn LLC, 600 E. Neversink Rd., Reading PA. It owns the sign, and made the request with the permission of the property owner involved, who was not identified. Although its base would sit on Porter Road, the sign would be seen from 422.

Lamar’s request has already been denied by the township zoning office, which issued its ruling in September (2010). The hearing constitutes an appeal by Lamar of that decision. The company also is challenging the validity of the township zoning law that specifically limits the size of electronic signs and the frequency with which their messages can be changed.

Township law currently allows only one message every 24 hours. The billboards at Oaks, in comparison, change their messages once every 10-15 seconds.

The property is zone for industrial use, and is located near the township sewer pumping station on Porter Road.

At the same meeting, the zoning board will hear a request by a Danny Road, Pottstown PA, homeowner to install an in-ground swimming pool.

Photo from Google Images

It'll be maroon. It will say Falcons or Pottsgrove, but there's no guarantee it will look like this.

POTTSTOWN PA – You’ll want to bundle up warmly now that colder weather has arrived, and members of the Pottsgrove Booster Club say they’ve got just what you need.

Sweatshirts, flannel pajamas, T-shirts and hats – all of them emblazoned to promote the Pottsgrove High School Falcons sports teams – will be on sale tonight (Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010) beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of Pottsgrove High School, Kauffman Road, Pottstown PA.

You’re warm enough, you reply. Then think holiday gifting, the boosters respond. Proceeds of the sale, club members note, benefit the school’s various sports programs.

By the way, the “spirit items sale,” as the club calls it, will precede an assembly for parents and students to be held at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. It’s topic: college financial aid.

Bet’cha sweatshirts will be a ‘whole lot less expensive.

Photo from PrepSportswear

The entrance to H&K's Sanatoga Road quarry.

SANATOGA PA – For the second time in three months, Haines and Kibblehouse Inc. – the construction materials and contracting company with operations spread over several states – canceled its request for a hearing before the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Zoning Hearing Board on plans to erect a two-sided digital display billboard off South Sanatoga Road.

The hearing had been advertising in late October to be held tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010) at 6 p.m. in the municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., Pottstown PA. Township receptionist Jennifer Corley on Tuesday said the company’s application had been withdrawn, and the hearing would not be conducted.

An earlier hearing, scheduled for the board’s Sept. 21 (2010) agenda, also was canceled by the company.

An existing Haines and Kibblehouse sign on land accessible from South Sanatoga Road currently stands atop a hill with extensive frontage on U.S. Route 422, and is visible from that highway’s west- and east-bound lanes. That sign would be replaced by the new one under earlier plans. The property is near H&K’s Pottstown-Sanatoga Trap Rock Quarry, and is zoned for light industrial use.

Related:

• Construction Company Again Cancels Sign Request
• Construction Company Returns With Sign Request
• Company Cancels Zoning Hearing On Digital Sign
• H&K Asks Lower Pottsgrove For A New Digital Sign

Scott Exley

SANATOGA PA – A Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township businessman is among six judges who selected finalists for this year’s outstanding land development and revitalization projects in Montgomery County, which will be presented today (Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010) with county Planning Commission awards for their accomplishments.

Scott Exley, president of Bursich Associates Inc. of Sanatoga, helped determine three 2010 winners of the county’s Land Development Awards. They have been announced as the Colorcon global headquarters and technology center in Lower Salford Township, an office building at 125 E. Elm St. in Conshohocken Borough, and the St. Luke’s Hospital Upper Perkiomen Outpatient Center in Upper Hanover Township. Joining Exley as judges were Planning Commission Board members Dulcie F. Flaharty and Pasquale N. Mascaro.

The county also will present its 2010 Revitalization Awards to Hatboro Lofts in Hatboro Borough, and Historic Souderton Downtown in Souderton Borough. The revitalization entries were judged by county Community Revitalization Board members Kenneth E. Davis, F. Lee Mangan, and Stuart L. Rosenthal.

Collectively, the presentations in both categories are known as “The Montgomery Awards.” Winners will receive their recognitions this morning at 10:30 a.m. in Conference Room 202 of the county offices at 1 Montgomery Plaza, Norristown PA. “They are dedicated to raising planning and design awareness in our communities, and honor developers, consultants, organizations, and municipalities for their commitment and contribution,” county Communications Director John Corcoran said Friday (Nov. 12).

Young musicians perform at West Pottsgrove.

STOWE PA – This is how many great musicians got their start.

Budding instrumentalists in the Pottsgrove School District offered their performance of “America” (My Country ‘Tis Of Thee) last Thursday (Nov. 11, 2010) during a Veterans Day ceremony at West Pottsgrove Elementary School, 25 Grosstown Road, Stowe PA. Their rendition was captured on video, along with six other clips, and uploaded as unlisted entries at the YouTube user account of grubsy77.

• Watch the video, above, or see it and the six others at the school’s “West Pottsgrove Morning News” page on WkiSpaces.

Photo from YouTube

POTTSTOWN PA – Local churches and charitable organizations want to help western Montgomery County consumers get a head start on their holiday shopping, with bazaars, fairs and shows that offer a variety of crafts, foods and other goods. The following is a list of what The Post has been advised is open this weekend (Nov. 19-21, 2010) and in weeks ahead.

• As a service to both our readers and organizers, The Post is publishing this list every Wednesday through the end of the 2010 show season … whenever that may be. Got an appropriate event to add?; e-mail details to The Post.

Be aware: most events start early in the morning and end by mid-afternoon. If you’re going to several in one day, plan a route accordingly.

Friday, Nov. 19

The annual Christmas bazaar of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Parish and School will be held Friday from 4-8 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the parish grounds, 40 Spring Mount Rd., Schwenksville PA. The bazaar features crafters, local vendors, raffle tables, food and baked goods. Its scheduled entertainment includes a live Nativity, Irish dancing, performances by the school’s students, choir and music groups, family activities, crafts for kids, and an appearance by Santa Claus.

Saturday, Nov. 20

The annual holiday craft fair of the Sanatoga Fire Company, 2222 E. High St., Pottstown PA, will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the fire house. Handcrafted items, baked goods, and cookies will be sold. Lunch also will be served.

A craft vendors fair will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First United Church of Christ, 4th Avenue and Washington Street, Royersford PA. It includes crafts, jellies, cookies, baked goods, and a white elephant sale. Lunch will be served. Vendor space is available at $25 for a six-foot table, or $20 for those who bring their own tables. Call 610-948-9156 for more information.

A holiday shopping open house will be held Saturday from 2-5 p.m. at Sanatoga Court, 227 Evergreen Rd., Pottstown PA. It will feature Flowers by Dennis, Beijo Bags, Tupperware, Knitwear by Jean, Tom Boy Tools, Perfect Sense Glamour, Elsie P. Jewelry, Thirty One Gifts, Mary Kay, Jockey Person 2Person, Chocolate Obssessed, Avon, and other vendors. Guests can sample a selection of holiday recipes from the kitchen, and gingerbread cookie decorating will e offered as an activity for children.

The annual Christmas bazaar of Immaculate Conception Academy, 903 Chestnut St. (Route 345), Douglassville PA, will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the academy. It features crafts and food sales, and photographs with Santa.

The Open Door Ministry’s Youth Mentoring Program will be the beneficiary of a silent auction of more than 50 different themed gift baskets being sold in a fund-raiser Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the ministry’s offices, 350 Main St., Royersford PA. Each themed basket is filled with gifts – spa items, gourmet cookbooks and food, movies and popcorn, crafts and jewelry, toys, and more – to please a wide range of ages, interests, and tastes.

A craft and bake sale and flea market will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Berean Bible Church, 2675 E. High St., Sanatoga PA, across from Cutillo’s Restaurant. A variety of baked goods, soups and refreshments also will be offered. Proceeds from the event will help pay health care bills incurred by area resident Beth Reifsnieder and her family as she battles the neuroblastoma. Tables are still available to vendors at a cost of $15. For more information, call 610-323-1723 or 610-476-5772.

A holiday bazaar conducted by the student council of the Birdsboro Elementary Center will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the cafeteria of the school in Birdsboro PA. The event will include food, bake goods, raffle baskets, and craft tables. Vendors interested in having a table at the event should contact Mrs. Vargo by e-mail.

Saturday, Nov. 27

Crafters and other vendors can showcase and sell their products in time for the Christmas holiday at the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Community Christmas bazaar, to be held Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Blessed Teresa Education Center, Swamp Pike and Nieffer Road, Limerick PA. Vendors may reserve a 6-foot or 8-foot table space, with electricity available upon request. For more information, call 610-287-2525.

Photo from Clipart.com