Collegeville Connects:
News from Main Street
 
                               April 2009
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Please join us in welcoming Linda Flederbach as the new Main Street Manager for Collegeville.  Linda comes to us from Building A Better Boyertown (with a slight detour to Florida!) where she was instrumental in attracting new business to Boyertown.  She is the recipient of a number of industry awards and will be a true asset to Collegeville.
 
Please know that I have enjoyed working with you and hope to keep in touch with the many friends I have made.

Looking ahead, there is a renewed focus, locally and nationally on "going green" and much of this issue focuses on the number of efforts that are being taken in our region and our state to be environmentally responsible.  It is a worthy effort and if you have a story to share, please email us at mainstreet@collegevilledevelopment.org.
 
                               
Ginny Simon
 
               Bringing Solar Power to West Africa

Collegeville native Kira Costanza and her father, Jon Costanza, are working with microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Togo, West Africa to combat the region's energy crisis.  SunPower Afrique, a non-profit organization founded by the Costanzas in 2008, aims to connect MFIs, non-commercial banks who offer tiny loans to poor small business clients, to solar photovoltaic systems which generate electricity from the sun.  The reliable, renewable energy provided through SunPower Afrique's programs will not only enhance MFIs' ability to reduce poverty and achieve development goals, but will also train local workers and jumpstart a small-scale solar industry in this tiny West African country.  Want to get involved or support the project?  Please visit www.sunpowerafrique.org.
 
             Stimulus Bill & Other Legislation Give
                a Boost to the PA Solar Industry

Solar power is finally affordable in PA! In July 2008, Governor Rendell signed into law the Alternative Energy Investment Act, which provides $180 million for solar energy projects in the Commonwealth. These programs will be enhanced by Federal dollars flowing into State Energy Programs in the coming months.  With these programs, homeowners and small businesses can expect to save 20-30% on installation costs.  In addition, the recently extended Federal Investment Tax Credit (30%) for solar projects makes Pennsylvania's solar energy future look even brighter! Please visit www.dsireusa.org or www.sunpowerbuilders.blogspot.com for more information on incentives and reasons to go solar in 2009.

                      Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
                     Cebrates the 17th Annual Lenape
                                 Survival Challenge!
 
On April 25th the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy will hold its 17th Annual Lenape Survival Challenge - a two person team event.  Over 100 teams will run 4.5 miles through the scenic hills of Schwenksville, run up and back down Spring Mountain, jump into a canoe and row down the Perkiomen Creek to the finish line!
 
Time: The race begins at 9:30 am - must be 16 yrs. old to participate.
Where:  Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, Schwenksville
Fee:  $75/team Members - $100/team Non-Members
Pre-registration required - registration deadline April 17.
For information, call 610-287-9383 or visti www.perkiomenwatershed.org.
 
Can't participate? - Come out and cheer them on!
Go to www.perkiomenwatershed.org click on Events then Lenape Challenge for a Spectator Viewing Map.

Join us at the

                             Collegeville Arthritis Walk
     Help fight arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disabilty.
 
April 25, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. on the Ursinus College Campus

Raise $100 and receive an official Arthritis Walk T-shirt. No registration fee to participate.  Start a team, join a team or walk as an individual. Choose from a 3.1 mile walk or run.  
Plus 1/4 mile Kid's Fun Run Dash! 

For more information go to
www.collegevilleaw.kintera.org or
Call 215-574-3060

 To volunteer or to sponsor, please contact Cheryl Lutz at
215-574-3060, ext. 116 or clutz@arthritis.org

             Keystone HELP Program Makes Energy         
        Conservation More Affordable to PA Families
 
Pennsylvania is stepping up its efforts to help more families cut their energy bills by expanding efforts to make energy conservation and efficiency measures more affordable for households. The new, $17 million Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan and Rebate Program will make it easier for families to insulate their homes, seal off drafts, or install high efficiency heating and cooling systems, geothermal heat pumps, and ENERGY STAR - qualified windows and doors.
 
The program, made possible by the $650 million Alternative
Energy Investment Fund legislation Governor Rendell signed in July, is an expansion of the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program, or Keystone HELP, that was created in 2006 by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to offer affordable energy efficiency financing options.
 
Under the new program, the Department of Environmental Protection will provide $3.5 million to reduce the interest rates on nearly $16 million in low-interest loans, as well as $1 million for rebates through the new energy efficiency program.
 
Energy efficiency professionals contracted through the Keystone HELP program can help homeowners prioritize investments to optimize energy efficiency and maximize savings. Applications and program guidelines are available at www.keystonehelp.com. The deadline for applications is June 30. For more information on the Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan and Rebate Program, visit www.keystonehelp.com. For more information on funding programs
through the Alternative Energy Investment Fund, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and click on the "Fueling Energy Savings" icon.
 
Mark Your Calendars!
 
Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce
 
Thursday, April 16, 8:30 - 9:30 am; Courtyard by Marriott, 600 Campus Drive, Collegeville
 
Congressman Jim Gerlach presents what local businesses need to know about The Stimulus Package and how it will affect Western Montgomery County.  RSVP to 610-489-6660 to attend.  $5 to be paid at the door.
 
Thursday, April 23 - Build Your Business Network Luncheon.  Sly Fox Brewing company, 312 North Lewis Road, Royersford:  11:30 - 1: 00 pm.  Please call 610-489-6660 for information or to register.
 
Thursday, June 4, 2009 - PV Chamber Golf Outing presented by Keyser Miller Ford, Raven's Claw Golf Club, 3159 Ridge Pike, Pottstown
11 a.m. shotgun
 
Limited sponsorships are available!
 
For more information re sponsorship or registration, call 610-489-6660 or info@pvchamber.net.
 
On Campus 
 
Works in Progress - January 20th thru April 12th 
Go behind the scenes and experience the process of curatorial assessment and study in "WORKS(S) IN PROGRESS".  Bringing  works of art out of the vaults and into the open, in preparation for expansion of the Museum building, the  staff will turn the Main Callery into  a laboratory for  more than 3,000 works from the  permanent collection.  For more information, visit www.ursinus.edu or call 610-409-3500.
 
Impressions of an Age: Ukiyo-e Prints from the Berman Collection
A Japanese print exhibit has opened in the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College in the Upper Gallery. The exhibit runs until April 17.
Matthew Mizenko, associate professor of Japanese and East Asian Studies at Ursinus, and Frank L. Chance, associate director, Center of East Asian Studies, University of Pennsylvania, are the curators of this vibrant exhibit which evokes an important era in the history of Japan. 
 
The 27 images in this exhibition are drawn from a collection of 43 prints donated to the museum's permanent collection by Nancy M. Berman & Alan Bloch.  

The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; and  noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The Museum is closed Sundays, Mondays and college holidays.  The Museum is accessible to the physically disabled and admission is free. The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Exhibitions and programs are funded in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. For group tour information, call 610-409-3500

Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
 
April 25, 2009 - The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy will hold its 17th Annual Lenape Survival Challenge - a two person team event.  Over 100 teams will run 4.5 miles through the scenic hills of Schwenksville, run up and back down Spring Mountain, jump into a canoe and row down the Perkiomen Creek to the finish line!
 
Time: The race begins at 9:30 am - must be 16 yrs. old to participate.
Where:  Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, Schwenksville
Fee:  $75/team Members - $100/team Non-Members
Pre-registration required - registration deadline April 17.
For information, call 610-287-9383 or visti www.perkiomenwatershed.org.
 
Can't participate? - Come out and cheer them on!  Go to www.perkiomenwatershed.org click on Events then Lenape Challenge for a spectator viewing map.
 
May 23 - The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is hosting a day on the Perkiomen Creek on May 23, 2009 from about 9:00 am to early afternoon.  The Conservancy invites experienced canoers and kayakers as well as canoe beginners to join us as we explore the Perkie between Schwenksville and the Skippack Creek confluence.
 
The 2009 Perkiomen Creek Sojourn is sponsored by Keenan, Ciccitto and Associates, a law firm headquartered in Collegeville, PA.
 
Registration is now open for the Perkiomen Creek Sojourn; registration must be received before May 11 at 4:30 PM. Participation fees are $30 for members and $50 for non-members of the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. Canoe rental fees are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. All canoes must have two paddlers at all times. All participants must wear personal flotation devices (pfd's) at all times.  Those interested in participating should contact the Conservancy at 610.287.9383 to register.
 
Community Music School Concert
 
April 18, 8:00 pm - Lauren Kurnow, soprano: In the Gallery at CMS: Arrangements in Time and Space, an exhibition by Gail Gosser.
 
Doors open  at 7:00 p.m. for the gallery artist reception.
Tickets:  $16 for adults; $12 for seniors; $10 for students.  Season subscription available.  For information, call 610-489-3676 or email info@cmsmusic.org.
 
At Your Local Libraries
 
Perkiomen Valley Library
April 15 - "The Sky Tonight"  presented by Astronomy to Go.  This excitingi presentation brings a portable planetarium to the library.  There will be two shows, accomodating 35 persons each.  Registration is free but due to limited attendance, will be on a first come/first served basis for the 6:00 and 7:00 pm shows.  Call 610-287-8360 for more information.  Perkiomen Valley Library Auditorium, Church Street, Schwenksville, PA, www.pvlibrary.net. 
 
April 25 - "Alzheimer's Disease:  What You Need to Know" presented by Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.  11:00 to noon at the Perkiomen Valley Library Auditorium, Church Street, Schwenksville, PA.  The program is free and open to the public.  Please call 610-287-8360 to register. 
 
AROUND TOWN
 
April 23rd - Regional Safety Forum - The Southeastern PA Food Manufacturing Consortium invites businesses to attend a Regional forum on "Safety - Protect Your Employees and Your Bottom Line" on April 23rd at the Radisson Hotel, King of Prussia.  Continental breakfast will be served.  Cost:  $30.  Registration is required - call 215-641-6397.