On Wednesday, August 15 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Indian Valley Public Library Community Room, three local businesswomen will combine their talents and resources to create a memorable evening.

"Two Steps Forward, No Steps Back "is a workshop of free presentations, refreshments and simple and practical beauty, health and organizing tips.

"Marketing is More than You Think" is a training opportunity for any business owner who is interested in better marketing practices. This should include EVERYONE. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, August 22 from 7:30am to 9:00am at the Souderton Mennonite Homes-Friendship Room. Download the informational flyer and registration form. At $15, you can't afford not to go.

Once again, Univest is putting Souderton and Telford up on the big screen on Saturday, September 8. We need to make sure that both boroughs look their finest on the big screen television at the start/finish line near the intersection of Main and Broad Streets in Souderton. The race will be broadcast live on WFMZ and online at www.wfmz.com. Let's look our best by sprucing up storefronts and store windows before the race.

This year, spectators have a special area on the website with all the information they need. Check it out and make sure you can talk knowledgeably to your customers, friends and family about the biggest international event in town.

The most requested new shop in both towns has been for a coffee shop/café with great gourmet coffee.

In Souderton, Main Street Java will be opening in September. New owner, Jesse Corbett, hopes to be open in some form for the Univest Bike Race. Look for work to begin very soon at 117 North Main Street, Souderton. He will be featuring organic & fair trade coffee and tea as well as healthy menu options such as sandwiches and salads along with baked goods. Look for outdoor seating and other amenities that make this kind of shop so popular for all ages.

In Telford, the Passenger Station will soon be completed and ready for a new tenant. Assou Lhedmat, owner and chef at the Reliance Inn, will be opening Assou's Bistro with a completely different concept than the Reliance Inn. He plans to make fresh gourmet pizza, made-to-order pizzas and fresh panini's all with the freshest high-quality ingredients. He assures us that his pizza will unique and not compete with any of the other pizza shops in the area. Add in the espresso, cappuccino and fresh pastries and we have a reason to hangout in Telford.

Construction work on the Freight Building and the Passenger Station is behind schedule and should wind up this fall. The tenants can then begin their work to finish outfitting the buildings to their new uses. Irish Ice will open in early spring of 2008. Assou's Bistro plans to open before Christmas.

The Indian Valley Farmers Market Food Fest was such a hit in July that the Promotions Committee has agreed to do it again on September 22. The letters will be going out to the food establishments with the details and registration forms this week. The fall event will also include area community groups. The reservation fee of $25 will be refunded to any group that provides at least 5 volunteers for set up or clean up. Groups can take this opportunity to recruit new members, promote ongoing projects or raise funds for their programs. Watch here and the www.stmainst.org website for more details. Look for ways to get involved with this growing community event.

Don't forget that the Indian Valley Farmers' Market is open every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Each week we have a core group of vendors who provide the finest fresh produce and baked goods. You will also find a variety of vendors who change on a weekly basis. The common thread is the freshest quality and selection from local producers. Don't miss a Saturday morning.

Every Sunday, starting in June and running through August, the Souderton Community holds Concert Sundaes in the Community Park located at Wile Ave and Reliance Road in Souderton (across the street from the Souderton Community Pool). Different organizations host the different events each Sunday.

So come out, eat some Ice Cream and enjoy the music scene! There is no admission fee, see the website for the complete schedule and times of each event.