Collegeville Connects
News from Main Street
January 2010 |
|
 Blend
a new cafe owned by Ryan DeFrain
454 East Main Street
Opening early spring 2010 |
| CBS Channel 3 Had Their Eye on Main Street
On Thursday, December 10, CBS Channel 3's Lesley VanArsdall broadcasted from Main Street in Collegeville for their Eye on Main Street series. TV viewers and early risers who wanted to be part of the live action were entertained by the Perkiomen Valley High School Brass Ensemble, the Perkiomen Valley Jazz Choir, performances by students of the Dance Depot and the Coyle School of Irish Dance as well as festive acoustical music by Celtic Spirit.
|
| CEDC Welcomes New Board of Directors Members
The Collegeville Economic Development Corporation is pleased to annouce the election of five outstanding members of the community to the Board of Directors.
Brian Dubas
Brian Dubas is Vice President/Senior Business Development Officer for Meridian Bank in Devon, PA. Brian joined Meridian in January, 2009, after spending more than 10 years at Commerce Bank. At Commerce, Brian served briefly as Assistant Manager in Lansdale, PA, before his promotion to Branch Manager in Collegeville, PA, where he served from October, 2000 to October, 2006. During this time, Brian served as President of the Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce, President of the Perkiomen Valley School District Foundation, President of the Montgomery County Bankers Association, and President of Kiwanis of the Lower Perkiomen Valley-Collegeville. Brian also held a position on the Steering Committee of Save the Speakers' House, Inc., and was a founding member of the Collegeville Economic Development Corp. In 2007, Brian was promoted to Retail Market Manager in Chester County for Commerce.
Currently, Brian is a Board member of Best Buddies of Pennsylvania, a Board member of Pottstown Symphony Orchestra, and an active member of the Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce, Professional Business Network, Synergy Works and Kiwanis of the Main Line.
Brian is a 1997 graduate of the University of Delaware, and holds a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Brian, his wife, Jennifer, and his children, Liam and Lily reside in Collegeville.
Catherine Kernan
Cathy has over 35 years' experience in communications and PR, with the last 24 years of her career concentrating in healthcare PR. She has held executive level and management positions both in the U.S. and internationally with four pharmaceutical companies: AstraZeneca, Astra/Astra Merck, Merck, and CIBA-Geigy (now Novartis). She also has experience from the PR agency side, having served as a Senior Account Executive at Burson-Marsteller's head office in NYC. Since 2007, Cathy has headed up Kernen Communications LLC, a virtual PR agency. Cathy resides in Collegeville, PA, where she has served two terms as a Councilwoman and is very active in local politics and candidate campaigns. Cathy holds a B.A. in English Literature and a B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Cincinnati and is the mother of Katie, a grown daughter. In addition to her position on CEDC, she is also a board member of the Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Pastor Martha Kriebel
Pastor Martha Kriebel has served as Pastor of Trinity Church since 1979. She serves as chair of the Collegeville-Trappe Ministerium. She considers herself to be a student of local history, encouraged by family ties to "Bean's Store, Creamery," and by being one in a family of Ursinus College graduates.
Pastor Kriebel is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls, Ursinus College, Lancaster Theological Seminary, and the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia.
Frank Sautner is the owner of DaVinci's Pub in Collegeville and a real estate investor in the City of Philadelphia. He started his career in the automobile industry and worked as a Finance Director for the John Kennedy organization for 15 years. Prior to opening DaVinci's Pub, Frank owned a restaurant in Manayunk for six years. As a restaurant and property owner he felt it was important to be a part of the neighborhood civic association. Frank joined the Wissahickon Civic Association and was eventually asked to become a board member to help open up communications between the businesses in the area and the residents. He has lived in the Collegeville area with his wife and three children for the past 12 years.
Ken Schaefer
Ken Schaefer is a Senior Advancement Officer and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Ursinus College. He graduated from Ursinus in 1970 with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to moving with his family to Chester County, he was active in the Collegeville community, serving as a member and Chair of the Borough Planning Commission, a member of the Borough Council (Chair of Public Safety and Finance Committees), and later as Borough Treasurer. He also has served as a Board member and President of Spring-Ford Counseling Services in Royersford. |
 Farmers Market Planning to Begin
The Collegeville Main Street Program Economic Restructuring (ER) Committee will be forming a sub-committee responsible for making plans to start a farmers market in 2011.
The first meeting will be held at the Main Street office at 476 East Main Street on February 18 at 6:00 PM. All are welcome and encouraged to join the effort. No prior experience with farmers markets is needed. The ideal committee member will have a passion for providing options for community members to support local farmers and to obtain local produce and other food items.
|
Holiday Hunt Winners Announced
· Grand Prize Basket Valued at Over $400 Tim Mahon
· $50 Visa Gift Card Tracy Cunningham
· $25 Whitby's Jewelers Gift Certificate Anne Ziegler
· One Month of Aikido Classes
Asahi School of Aikido Jim Calyin
· One Free Lesson and Free Registration Tara Wisniewski
The Dance Depot
(Valued at $32)
· One Free Lesson and Free Registration Anneka Hoffman
The Dance Depot
(Valued at $32)
Thanks to all those who contributed and helped to make the Holiday Hunt a success.
The Collegeville Main Street Program Whitby Jewelers
Greenwald Florist and Plant Workshop TR Insurance Group, Inc.
The Dance Depot Collegeville Home, Inc. (Benjamin Moore)
Asahi School of Aikido Bangles and Things
DaVinci's Pub Nina's Collection
The Irish Shop McCarter's Allstate Satchmo's
Sabre's Fine Jewelry Ursinus College
A Classic Clip Plus |
Business Spotlight
Bangles and Things - More Than Just Beautiful Bracelets
When Raj and Heera Sekhawat opened Bangles and Things, located at 323 East Main Street, Collegeville, in February of 2009, they envisioned focusing on internet sales and using the location as a warehouse for their products. Today, Bangles and Things' retail location is anything but a warehouse. Says Raj, "It's more like a concept store. We offer unique items for accessorizing oneself and the home."
The staple at Bangles and Things has always been jewelry; sparkling bangles and beautiful necklaces worn for many occasions. Recently Raj and Heera began offering items for the home such as pillows, table runners, decorative tabletop items, marble tables and 100% wool, hand-knotted rugs directly from India. Items in the store range from as little as $1 up to $1000.
Bangles and Things is also unique in that they are a Q-Pay payment center. Utility, cable and cell phone bill payments made at the location are submitted immediately, acting as if one is paying in person.
Bangles and Things is the only dealer in Collegeville to sell Cricket cell phones. Cricket offers unlimited regional talk and text services for as little as $25 month, where no contract is needed. International coverage can be purchased for an additional $5 per month.
In the coming weeks, Raj and Heera plan to bring their products to their customers. They will display packaged jewelry items at local businesses. For $10 buyers will receive the chosen merchandise plus a $10 gift card to be used at the Bangles and Things store. Raj is confidant that when shoppers come in to redeem their gift card they will find so many more items then they could have expected. |
Ursinus Schedules Programs to Celebrate the Life of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
Ursinus College offers a celebration of the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with programs and Freedom School classes spanning two weeks. The events, as follows are free of charge and open to the public:
Monday, January 18
Noon Ecumenical service in Bomberger Hall.
6 PM Candlelight Vigil with Barry Scott, creator of "A Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., on Olin Plaza, to Bomberger Auditorium. Sponsored by S.U.N., the Office of Multicultural Services, College Activities Board, Leadership Development & Student Activities, UCARE and the UC Ambassador Program.
Tuesday, January 19
8 PM Keynote Address, "After Innocence, Reflections on Imprisonment and Redemption: An Evening with filmmaker Jessica Sanders," Olin Auditorium,
Wednesday, January 20 - Freedom School
11 AM "Music and the Movement - '60s Pop Culture and the Role It Played during the Civil Rights," - taught by Assistant Dean Todd McKinney, Olin 102
1 PM "Forbidden Love: Miscegenation and American Film," taught by Assistant Professor Desirée Garcia, Olin 103.
7 PM Guest speaker Richard Hight, "The Shape of Your Character," Black Box Theater, The Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center.
Thursday, January 21 - Freedom School
11 AM "The Central Elements of King's Theological Vision," taught by the Rev. Christian Rice, Olin 101.
1 PM "Tuskegee: Race and the Ethics of Human Experimentation," taught by Associate Professor Kelly Sorensen, Olin 103
7 PM "Bettering the World, Bettering Yourself: The Imperative of Service," taught by Ryan Collins 2010, Olin 103.
Saturday, January 23 - UCARE Event: Debating for Democracy at Widener University, Students should reserve in advance.
Tuesday, January 26 - Freedom School
11 AM "Whiteness and Authority," taught by Assistant Professor Walter Greason, Olin 104.
7 PM "Racial Invisibility in the U.S.," taught by Shakeeta Parker 2010, Olin 103.
7 PM "Which Box Do I Check?"- An informal discussion on mixed-race identity as we see it in educational and social structures, taught by Fernando Jones 2012, Olin 101.
Wednesday, Jan. 27 - Freedom School
11 AM "Black Identity in the U.S." taught by Danielle Callendar 2013, Olin 102.
1 PM "Education as the 'New Civil Right:' Historical Perspectives on School Reform from the Civil Rights Era to Obama," taught by Assistant Professor John Spencer, Olin 103.
Thursday, January 28
7 PM "The Substance of Our Soul," performance, Lenfest Theater, The Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center.
Friday, January 29 - Freedom School
10 AM "Shaft is NOT a Blaxploitation Move: Black Film in the 1970s," taught by Assistant Professor Frances Gateward, Olin 107. |
Main Street Happenings
Nina's Collection
2010 Fashion Extravaganza: Women of Elegance Fashion Show
Saturday, January 16 - 6:00 PM
Tickets on sale now for $10.00
Held at Augustus Lutheran Church, 717 West Main Street, Trappe
Sponsored by NINA'S CONSIGNMENT, 610-454-0755, 358 E. Main Street, Collegeville. Flowers by Greenwald Flower & Plant Workshop; Hair by Appearance Salon & Spa and Acquire Salon; Makeup by Mary Kay Cosmetics, Jennifer Yuhas; Photography by Aimee Lombardo Photography and Music by Into Apollo. Consigment of gowns and formal wear now being accepted.
The Dance Depot
Argentine Tango
Beginner lesson
Every 1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday from 4:00-5:00 PM
This class for adults offers passion, drama and excitement. Tango socially is based on
improvisational movement and respecting both your partner and the other dancers on
the floor, although a partner is not necessary. Basic balance (posture, tango walk),
rhythm (single and double-time beat steps), connection (communicating with torso,
tango embrace) are all taught in a friendly atmosphere.
For more information call 610-409-5622 or visit The Dance Depot
DaVinci's Pub
Thursday, January 21st
DaVinci's is hosting the first "Wine Dinner"
Details to follow
DaVinci's Pub Entertainment
Friday, January 8th
Ken Battista
Saturday, January 9th
Funzaluv
Friday, January 15th
Lipstick
Saturday, January 16th
Flamin Dick & the Hotrods
Friday, January 22nd
Bronx Wanderers
Saturday, January 23rd
Jumpstreet
Friday, January 29th
DD & the Homewreckers
Saturday, January 30th
Phrogger
Greenwald Flower and Plant Workshop
Make a snowflake arrangement with white snowflake mums and a glittery snowflake pick. Fun on a cold winter day. $14.50
Force paperwhite bulbs in a clear cube. Watch as spring blooms inside. $14.50
|
Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce  PA Public Utility Commissioner Robert Powelson will address the PV Chamber on Friday, January 15 at Ursinus College from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM in the first forum of the Comcast Public Affairs Series.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn how you may be impacted by the impending Energy Deregulation.
Learn tips on energy conservation at home and in business. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
All are welcome to attend this breakfast meeting at Ursinus College in the Musser Auditorium located in Pfahler Hall.
Continental breakfast $20/in advance, $25/door.
Space is limited, Register today!
Comcast is the title Sponsor for the series
with supporting sponsors of GaileyMurray Communications
and Ursinus College.
Library News
Tuesday, January 12
DART - Dogs Are Readers, Too
6:30- 7:30 PM
PREREGISTER. Children may read to a certified therapy dog. All levels of readers welcome. 15 minute rotations among dogs. May call to pre-register and walk-ins welcome.
Thursday, January 28
UPVL Drama Club Presentation
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Upper Perkiomen Valley Library - Large Community Room
Upper Perkiomen Valley Library Drama Club presents "Comic Book Artist". Bring the entire family for this hilarious free program! For more information visit Upper Perkiomen Valley Library or call 215-679-2020.
Community Music School
Saturday, January 9
A Little Night Music - Randall Scarlata, Baritone
Friday, February 5
Winter Ensembles Concert
7:30 PM
Ursinus College
"Sea Level Rise - Looking Forward and Planning Now, Impacts and Solutions for the Delaware River and Estuary" Forum
Wednesday, January 13
9:30 AM - Noon
Ursinus Professor of Biology Kathryn Goddard-Doms will moderate this forum on the impacts of and solutions for sea level rise on the Delaware River Estuary.
The program will be held in The Cusano Environmental Education Center at the Heinz Wildlife Refuge. Sponsoring Organizations include Union of Concerned Scientists, National Wildlife Federation; Clean Air Council; and National Audubon Society.
Persons who wish to attend should contact Anne Crowley, Union of Concerned Scientists consultant, anne.r.crowley@comcast.net , 610-640-3303 by noon, January 12. A recorded message at 610-640-3303 will offer information in case of inclement weather by 6:30 a.m. January 13. | |
