Pottsville, PA

Check out this article in the Pottsville Republican & Evening Herald about a group of lots in Pottsville that will be developed for low-income housing:

http://www.republicanherald.com/articles/2008/12/09/news/local_news/pr_republican.20081209.a.pg3.pr09pottsville_s1.2147815_loc.txt

At Monday night’s Pottsville City Council meeting, officials said 13 vacant lots on North Second Street are considered “highest need” areas by the Pennsylvania Department of Housing and Urban Development, qualifying them for about $1 million in federal money.

“It’s going to make a big difference in that neighborhood,” City Administrator Thomas Palamar said at the meeting. The money — a chunk of $88.1 million allocated to Pennsylvania — is provided through the 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act and meant to redevelop abandoned or foreclosed properties. Money will be provided through the state’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The end result, Palamar said, will be 10 homes refurbished and ready to sell. Palamar said housing and urban development used a one-to-10 ranking scale, assessing each area’s risk of mortgage defaults or home foreclosures. The higher an area scored, the more likely federal dollars could come to the rescue.

“They’re at the top of the list,” Craig Shields, executive director of Barefield Development Corp., which will assist the city in acquiring and rehabilitating the properties, said at the meeting. Palamar said each home — exact addresses were not provided, but are within Census Tract 19, officials said — is either vacant or considered blighted. City officials will have only 18 months to identify projects and begin work, Shields said, urging quick action. The city will apply for $1 million, with all paperwork due by January. The money does, however, come with a few strings.

Twenty-five percent of the homes must be reserved for homeowners earning no more than 50 percent of median household income. Pottsville’s median household income for 2007 is estimated to be $37,639, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. Also, the remaining homes would be sold to homeowners earning no more than 120 percent of median income, according to neighborhood stabilization program information provided by Palamar.

Holiday Open House At The Grateful Thread

Friday November 21, 4 - 6 Saturday November 22, 10 –2

Fully stocked with hand-dipped, real bayberry wax candles, holiday ornaments and gifts including hand made scarves and jewelry. Best of all they’re are having a recession busting Special Sale With deep discounts on nearly everything in the store, including yarn All Yarn discounted from 30 – 75%

The Grateful Thread 20 N. Center St. Pottsville, PA 17901 570-622-2933

Tuesday – Friday 10 –4 Saturday 10-2

"A Majestic Christmas" with Syncopation - Sunday December 7, 2008

2:00 p.m. Tickets $10.00 in advance /$12.00 at the door / $8.00 students and seniors Back by popular demand, Syncopation, one of the regions' best Jazz, Big Band and Blues bands performing a selection of your Christmas favorites.

Lillie Langtry’s Victorian Christmas Show - Friday, December 12, 2008

7:30 p.m. Tickets $12.00 Please come and celebrate a Victorian Christmas and feel the magic of the holiday season with Miss Lillie Langtry and her daughter Jeanne Marie. The evening will be filled with music and story. Lillie Langtry was born in the Channel Island of Jersey in 1853. She married Edward Langtry 1874. She became the mistress of the Prince Edward, Queen Victoria's oldest son. Her daughter was born 1881. She became a stage actress when Mr. Langtry went bankrupt. There will be Christmas Carols, Broadway tunes and some contemporary songs. You will enjoy the humor of Miss Lillie as she invites some of the audience to sing and dance with her. Miss Lillie will be portrayed by Lucille Fala-Brennan, New York -born actress/vocalist. Jeanne Marie will be portrayed by Stephanie Mau of Summit Hill. Come join us for a fun and memorable evening.

M&T Movies at the Majestic

It’s A Wonderful Life Saturday, December 13, 2008 7:00 p.m. Free Admission

Lion’s Club Free Movie – Elf Friday, December 19, 2008 – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2008 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21, 2008 – 2:00 p.m. Free Admission -----------------------

Sovereign Majestic Theater

209 North Centre Street Pottsville, PA 17901

Phone: 570-628-2833 E-mail: info@sovereignmajestic.com

Website: www.sovereignmajestic.com

www.move2pennsylvania.com

Lew Achenbach and Lance Rautzhan-both Schuylkill County native artist- will show new art work at the SCCA Galleries this Sunday, November 9th, 2008.

Meet the artists reception is from 2pm-4pm.

Achenbach & Rautzhan have a non representational painting style that will excite your imagination.

Lew Achenbach: "The act of painting is a dialogue that I have with the surface; a call and response. The process is facilitating the work to unfold into it’s proper form. It starts as a solid automatic writing pocket of actuality. A memory, a channeled expulsion, a tug at purity and singularity. Currently, I try ‘not’ to paint in a representational way. Attempting to harness an essence of (non) subject. The high challenge is to maintain the honesty of the initial mark-making, as the work proceeds. Colors ‘ask’ to be next to one another; layered and passing on the surface. A story proceeds with color marks, slashes and logical moves. The work tells me that it is finished (for now), or that I’ve gone that one stroke too far (moving that particular piece into another phase of treatment; a chastising or salvaging. A return to prime with sculptured paint ridges (underneath). I purge found surfaces to work on, from the streets of NY and SF, to discarded planks surrounding my PA studio. Burnt wood, stones, ancestral tools all play essential parts in a completed piece : as pattern makers, derived designs and symbols of influence. Revisiting past works has come to fruition. Example : a river flood altered paint sketches in the studio and have been reworked accordingly. Water lines and smudges have become ‘work from’ points; a collaboration. Entities, ancient writing and animal formations are manifest. I am not concerned with making anything beautiful at this point. Something genuine and real is motive."

Lance Rautzhan: "The bastard child of Hans Hoffman and Stan Lee, Lance Rautzhan’s work draws on the passion and improvisational bravado of the New York School and bridges the gap to a Pop aesthetic that reveals an intimate exploration of the human condition. Continuing his characteristic exploration of a more structured Abstract Expressionist influence, Rautzhan’s new paintings are infused with rich and vibrant color fields littered with elements of screen printing, drip painting, figuration and text. These paintings investigate the consequences of love, loss and living in New York City. Lance was influenced by the fantastic imagery of comic book and album cover art of the 1970’s. Forgoing art school to study social theory at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he continued to create and study art under his own conditions and on his own terms. After relocating to Baltimore from New York in 1999, Rautzhan began painting prolifically and exhibiting heavily in Baltimore and eventually in New York. His work is included in the collections of individuals, businesses and galleries throughout the US and in Europe."

Schuylkill County Council for the Arts 1440 Mahantongo Street in Pottsville, PA. 17901

www.move2pennsylvania.com

November Classes at The Grateful Thread

20 North Centre Street, Pottsville-570-622-2933-

www.gratefulthread.org

Class Policies- Advance Payment is required to hold your place in class. No refunds will be given unless you cancel at least 48 hours in advance. Refunds will be given in the form of shop credit unless The Grateful Thread cancels the class. Stars next to class description indicate experience levels. Please respect these guidelines.

* Basic classes, no experience required ** You know how to knit and purl and have made a project or two using these stitches.

* Knitting Circle- 3rd Saturday of every month, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

** Knit Felted Christmas Bells November 7, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Make 9 bells from one skein of wool yarn. All materials may be purchased at the shop with a 20% discount. Class fee $10.00 Limit 4 per class

Learn Basic Knitting Skills November 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This is a fun introduction to knitting! Choose your yarn and needles to create a “one -of-a-kind” scarf. All materials may be purchased at the shop with a 20% discount. Class fee $10.00 Limit 4 per class

* Introduction to Crochet November 14, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Learn basic single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, etc. All materials may be purchased at the shop with a 20% discount. Class fee $10.00 Limit 4 per class

** Beginner’s Come Back! November 15, 10:30 a.m. to Noon and November 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bring your chunky needles! Second class in the beginner knitting series. Learn to purl, yarn over and knit 2 together to make a scarf/wrap. All materials may be purchased at the shop with a 20% discount. Class fee $10.00 Limit 4 per class

** Blanket Shrug November 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8p.m. Calling all crocheters! Come make a warm, cozy blanket wrap using basic crochet skills and a pre-purchased blanket. ( you will need one fleece throw, i.e. Wal-Mart or Dollar store.) Purchase yarn and hook at shop with a 20% discount. Class fee 10.00 Limit 4 per class

Coming Soon……. Special Events coming in December!!! A Sunday afternoon for knitting and yarn sampling! December 14, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Call and reserve a seat!