By Eileen Faust
efaust@pottsmerc.com
NORRISTOWN — A Montgomery County family's dog rescue efforts have gained them the chance to win $5,000 worth of pet food for the organization that united them with their newest family member.

Buddy, a Lhasa Apso dog from upstate New York, was suffering and the family who owned him couldn't afford the care. They gave him to the American Lhasa Apso Club which united him with Ellen and Walt Pfender of Norristown.

Buddy was severly malnutritioned, his front legs were malformed and he had urethral stones, as if that weren't enough, while the Pfenders were caring for him, they noticed he was in pain and took him to the veterinarian only to learn he had a spinal disc infection. Buddy was immediately rushed to the veterinary hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he underwent disc surgery after suffering paralysis of his hind legs.

Buddy is recovering and happy again, and his story is one of 10 that were chosen by Purina to compete for the title of the Doing More for Pets Ambassador, a competition that is part of Purina's Rally to Rescue initiative to find permanent homes for 300,000 abandoned or abused pets and to bring attention to small rescue organizations and shelters that are often overlooked and in need of funds.

The winner of the Doing More Ambassador contest, which is going on now, will receive a free trip to the American Kennel Club's National Dog Show in Philadelphia this November. In addition, the pet rescue organization that assisted the winning dog or cat will receive $5,000 worth of coupons for pet food from Purina.

Votes can be made now through Oct. 30 at www.rallytorescue.org, click on Events, then click on "Doing More for Pets" contest to view videos and a brief written history of each competitor.

Buddy was the only Pennsylvania pet to be chosen from more than 120 competitors for the final round of judging which will be made by a judging board in addition to online votes.

Purina is also visiting different sites throughout the continental U.S. to promote pet adoption, including the annual Boyertown YMCA Tomato Blast on Aug. 22 where Wiener Dog Races will be held. The Rally to Rescue van brings pet tips and information and also supports local pet rescue organizations who come out to find homes for their pets in need.

To learn more about Rally to Rescue, visit www.rallytorescue.org.

A tent city is forming outside the new Chick-fil-A at 4675 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter, which is slated to open tomorrow. According to the Chick-fil-A company Web site, the first 100 people in line at the grand opening of a restaurant get a prize of one Chick-fil-A meal each week for a year.

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The Amity Board of Supervisors approved a “Run Back In Time” 5K Race to run in conjunction with the Mouns Jones Country Fair on Sept. 26. The race route would be from the Wastewater Treatment Plant, near the Mouns Jones Morlatton Village on Pennsylvania Avenue, and continue to the Thun Trail.

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A small group of protesters could be seen outside the Planned Parenthood offices on High Street Wednesday morning in Pottstown. Holding up placards, the group was objecting to what is says is funding of abortions by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund.

In a letter posted on its Web site, The Susan G. Komen for The Cure foundation states, ".. while Komen Affiliates provide funds to pay for screening, education and treatment programs in dozens of communities, in some areas, the only place that poor, uninsured or under-insured women can receive these services are through programs run by Planned Parenthood."

The letter goes on to state: "As part of our financial arrangements, we monitor our grantees twice a year to be sure they are spending the money in line with our agreements, and we are assured that Planned Parenthood uses these funds only for breast health education, screening and treatment programs."

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Lower Pottsgrove has made some changes to its zoning board, according to the Sanatoga Post.

Robert Mohollen has filled the seat of David Marsteller, who resigned. Mohollen was an alternate member of the zoning board until now. Filling in as the alternate is Stephen Klotz, an outgoing township commissioner who is not running to be re-elected to his commissioner's seat this year.

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Upper Schuylkill Valley Park is holding a Stories with Animals event focusing on foxes on Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. It will be the last session in the summer story series and will focus on two foxes that live at the park on Route 113 in Royersford.

The event is for children ages 3-7 and preregistration is required as space is limited. Call 610-948-5170 to preregister. There is a $4 fee to cover materials for a craft session at the end of the program.

Visit www.montcopa.org for more information or call 610-948-5170.

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Warwick Park is holding a Family Night Hike this Saturday from 8 to 9 :30 p.m. in the park off Route 23. Families are invited to bring flashlights to help them see their way as they are introduced to the nighttime critters at the park.

An adult night hike will be held the same night, but no flashlights are permitted for that hike.

Hikers should preregister by visiting www.chesco.org/ccparks or calling 610-469-1916. Hikers should meet at the lower parking lot of the park off 191 County Park Road.

A Pottstown girl is among those who have been selected to the Pennsylvania State Police commissioner's Honor Camp in Hershey.

Francesca Memoli of Pottstown will join 51 other teenagers who will learn about state police operations at the State Police Academy, according to a press release issued Tuesday by Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski.

The cadets, ages 13-18, were picked from 1,500 boys and girls who participated in local Camp Cadet programs in 2008.

Pawlowski said the Honor Camp was created in 1998 as a reward for the top two cadets from each local program.

“The Honor Camp will provide the cadets with a greater understanding and appreciation of the Pennsylvania State Police and state government,” Pawlowski said. “Also, this is an excellent opportunity for our troopers to build positive professional relationships with these outstanding teenagers.”

Troopers teach Honor Camp cadets about criminal investigations, police skills, use of force and more. The camp includes team problem-solving activities and sports.

Visits to the Capitol, governor’s residence, state police headquarters, and Hershey’s Chocolate World also are included.

Memoli will begin her week of state police exposure on Aug. 2 and a graduation ceremony is held at the end of the week at the academy.

The Honor Camp program is coordinated by Cpl. Joseph P. Nolte of the State Police Bureau of Training and Education.

Spring City will host a National Night Out on Aug. 6 from 5-8 p.m. in Brown Street Park. The event is being organized by the Spring City Lions Club.

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The next yard waste collection in Pottstown will be held on Aug. 6 and 7. If your trash is collected on a Thursday, place your yard waste at the curb on the 6th. If your trash is picked up on Friday, place your yard waste out on the 7th.

Grass clippings are NOT collected as yard waste and waste will not be taken if grass clippings are mixed in.

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The final concert of TriPAC's summer concert series will be Travis Wetzel and his trio on Friday, Aug. 7 at 8 p.m. The group will perform bluegrass, rock, gospel, country and jazz music on the fiddle, mandolin and upright bass. You can buy tickets for the performance online here. Or you can purchase tickets at the door.

Megan MacF arland, a Lower Providence resident and junior at James Madison University, has organized a 5K run in honor of her older brother Marc Small, who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

The run/walk, to be held in conjunction with the township, will begin and end at the Lower Providence Township Building, 30 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, on Saturday, Aug. 1. Early check-in will be Friday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the pavilion near the playground. Race day check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the race commencing at 8:30 a.m.

Marc Small was a Special Forces Medic serving with the U.S. Army when he was killed. He had only been in Afghanistan for three weeks, but during that time he built a relationship with the local people and children. Megan notes that “His unexpected passing has been a tragedy to our family, but we know he would have wanted us to continue his memory in positive aspects.”

This run, which the family hopes to hold annaully on the Saturday closest to Marc's birthday in August, is an opportunity for the community to honor the sacrifice of this fine young man, as well as to support a cause he believed in, the “Small Steps in Speech” foundation.

Small Steps in Speech was created by Marc’s fiancée Amanda Charney to assist children with communication disorders.

Many community organizations and businesses have pledged their support with cash and in kind donations including The Lenfest Group, The McNett Family, Globus Medical, Independence Blue Cross, J.P. Mascaro & Sons, O’Neill Properties, Streamlight, Clean as a Whistle, Lower Providence Police Association, Brandywine Realty and Robert E. Lamb, along with more than 30 local donors of prizes and refreshments.

Entertainment at the event will be provided by the band Sudden Regression.

Registration forms may be found at www.lowerprovidence.org. The registration can be completed online or mailed and race day registration is possible, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Almost 300 runners have already registered.

The registration fee is $25, which includes an accurate, measured 5K course through the Lower Providence Park and township, a water stop on course, refreshments and entertainment at finish.

Prizes will be awarded to the top two men and women in eight separate age categories. Those who preregister will receive a T-shirt of which there is a limited supply.

For additional information, to donate refreshments or prizes, or to be a sponsor of “On Your Marc” contact Megan MacFarland, 610-416-9898 or onyourmarc8@yahoo.com

For additional information on Small Steps in Speech, visit www.smallstepsinspeech.com

NORRISTOWN — A Montgomery County family's dog rescue efforts have gained them the chance to win $5,000 worth of pet food for the organization that united them with their newest family member.

Buddy, a Lhasa Apso dog from upstate New York, was suffering and the family who owned him couldn't afford the care. They gave him to the American Lhasa Apso Club which united him with Ellen and Walt Pfender of Norristown.

Buddy was severly malnutritioned, his front legs were malformed and he had urethral stones, as if that weren't enough, while the Pfenders were caring for him, they noticed he was in pain and took him to the veterinarian only to learn he had a spinal disc infection. Buddy was immediately rushed to the veterinary hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he underwent disc surgery after suffering paralysis of his hind legs.

Buddy is recovering and happy again, and his story is one of 10 that were chosen by Purina to compete for the title of the Doing More for Pets Ambassador, a competition that is part of Purina's Rally to Rescue initiative to find permanent homes for 300,000 abandoned or abused pets and to bring attention to small rescue organizations and shelters that are often overlooked and in need of funds.

The winner of the Doing More Ambassador contest, which is going on now, will receive a free trip to the American Kennel Club's National Dog Show in Philadelphia this November. In addition, the pet rescue organization that assisted the winning dog or cat will receive $5,000 worth of coupons for pet food from Purina.

Votes can be made now through Oct. 30 at www.rallytorescue.org, click on Events, then click on "Doing More for Pets" contest to view videos and a brief written history of each competitor.

Buddy was the only Pennsylvania pet to be chosen from more than 120 competitors for the final round of judging which will be made by a judging board in addition to online votes.

Purina is also visiting different sites throughout the continental U.S. to promote pet adoption, including the annual Boyertown YMCA Tomato Blast on Aug. 22 where Wiener Dog Races will be held. The Rally to Rescue van brings pet tips and information and also supports local pet rescue organizations who come out to find homes for their pets in need.

To learn more about Rally to Rescue, visit www.rallytorescue.org.

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The Bandana Blues Festival, the bastion of blues and BBQ in the Boyertown area, is in need of some help. Since the closure of Hickory Park Campground for a sewage issue, the festival is in need of a location.

On its Web site, http://www.bandanablues.com, an appeal has been posted asking for a picnic grove or campground in the area that would be able to host the festival. Anyone with a site that's readily available can contact thebeardo@gmail.com.

The festival would have been in its 19th year if it had gone forward. It was usually held around the end of July or the beginning of August.

A Pottstown area doctor traveled to Belize with a group of nursing students and staff from Cedar Crest College to provide needed care to impoverished residents.

Dr. Sandra Leh, assistant professor of nursing at Cedar Crest, said the trip was meant to develop awareness to alternative health care delivery. Students went door-to-door looking for those who were in need of medical treatment and set up makeshift clinics to provide services.

The team treated about 150 people and provided much needed medicine to the communities they visited. For a full story on the effort, check out WFMZ's report.

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The King Buffet in the Wal-Mart shopping center has reopened. The restaurant had to close in late April after a pickup smashed through the front windows and into the serving area, injuring about 16 adults and children.

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The Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead a hoping a draft management plan will take them one step closer to administering the historic buildings at the site.

The homestead's funding was cut this year by the Pa. Historical and Museum Commission which is suffering under a strained budget. The homestead was one of six sites that will have its visitor services reduced once the new state budget is passed.

The grounds at the Heidelberg site will remain open to the public and maintained by the state under the current plan, but the buildings will be closed and the artifacts housed there likely moved.

The homestead's friends association want to pay a part-time custodial guide that would keep the buildings open to the public part-time but is waiting on approval from the Historical and Museum Commission. The group presented its draft management agreement to the state commission July 23.

Aug. 1 has officially been dubbed "Jim Smale Day" in Pottstown borough.

The designation, announced July 8 by Mayor Sharon Thomas, coincides with the Glenn Miller Orchestra’s return to Sunnybrook.

Smale started out as a trombone player for the Pottstown High School Band, and later went on to play with professional groups, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He was featured on the Four Freshmen “Five Trombones” album and played back-up for artists like Johnnie Ray, Chubby Checker, and Gladys Knight and The Pips

Former classmate, Dick Powell, described by himself as a former “teammate, classmate, and friend” of the late Smale, was instrumental in planning the tribute to the trombonist.

A Boyertown resident was lucky to have 15 minutes of fame on national television.

In a celebrity look-alike contest on the Regis and Kelly Show, Georganne McIntyre was betting she looked like Bette Midler.

McIntyre, who teaches belly dancing at the Inner Life Holistic Center, Gilbertsville, and promotes any body dancing, “any shape, size or age,” was told about the show's contest by a woman she met at a spiritual/holistic expo.

“It was 10:30 p.m. when I read the e-mail and I knew if I didn’t enter it right then that I’d forget about it,” said McIntyre, who is also a nurse.

She was contacted about a week later by the show's producers who thought she'd be a shoe-in.

“I felt like I needed to do this because somebody had put it right into my lap,” McIntyre said of the July 15 show. Unfortunately McIntyre did not win, but you can watch her on the show's episode below.


You can also see a West Chester University student who was told she looked like America Ferrara in the episode below from July 13.



Information courtesy of the Boyertown Times.

History Repeats itself! The Glenn Miller Orchestra will return to the world famous Sunnybrook Ballroom on Aug. 1. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Located in Lower Pottsgrove, the Sunnybrook Ballroom is a national landmark site and one of the three largest private ballrooms in the country.

Opened in 1931, Sunnybrook has hosted more than 380 original Big Bands from 1931 to 1969 and plays host to a bevy of musical talent each year.

Since its opening, more than 5,000 venues have held events at Sunnybrook.

Reopened in April 2008, the ballroom is operated by a nonprofit historic foundation which is seeking to raise $5 million in order to complete the renovation process. Since the first phase of renovations have been completed, the “new” Sunnybrook has hosted more than 200 events including, proms, tradeshows, concerts, weddings and more.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is making its first return to Sunnybrook since the 1970s.

In 1942, prior to leaving for the Second World War, Sunnybrook was Miller’s final stop before Europe. The ballroom hosted 7,380 people who attended Miller’s final show. People came from across the nation and from as far as California and Florida to say farewell to their favorite bandleader.

Today, Glenn Miller remains a part of the historic ballroom as the bandleader’s signature and the signatures of many of his members and performers are housed on the Sunnybrook “Wall of Fame” backstage at the facility.

Sunnybrook is happy to welcome the orchestra back for its first regional performance in 25 years.

Thanks to Tom Sephakis for submitting the above information. Submit your information for this blog at fausteileen0.aroundtown@blogger.com

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Pottstown Borough has cancelled the bid opening for the proposed miniature golf course in Memorial Park, according to a legal notice in today's Mercury.

The bid will be readvertised in the future, according to the notice. No reason for the bid cancellation was made.

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Schwenksville Borough is holding a public hearing on changes to its subdivision and land development ordinance Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Also at the public hearing, an ordinance amendment to the zoning in the VC-2 district will be discussed.

According to a legal notice in Wednesday's paper, Section 1101 of the Village Commercial-2 District will be repealed and replaced with wording that will allow second-floor apartments in the zoning district.

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The Lower Perkiomen Valley Regional Sewer Authority is holding a special meeting on Aug. 4 at 8 .m. in the Administration Building at 101 Station Ave., Oaks to award a painting contract and address other issues.

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Boyertown School Board members participated in a video conference at their July 14 meeting with representatives from www.Schooldude.com, a facilities booking software that may change the way the district accepts and tracks applications for facility usage.

Operators of the School Dude Web site plan to streamline the facilities application process that could save the district a significant amount of money in personnel and energy use for events. The board has deferred the scope of this project until final prices are submitted.

At its June meeting, the Boyertown School District announced the retirement of 18 school district staff. Included among the retirees is Gwendolyn Malecki, assistant principal at
Boyertown Area Senior High.

Also retiring are:

Michael Hanley
Nancy Pringle
Delores Weiss
David Marshall
David Reider
Connie Buckwalter
Gayle Kramer
Donna Peterman
Kathryn Galtere
Nina Landis
Denise Slifer
Margaret Harner
Susan LeClair
Ann Wagner
Linda Heffner
Pamela McLaughlin
Gail Wolfgang

Also at the June 2 meeting, the board discussed trimming the administration's staff to save money in the future. The board tabled the idea 5-4.

To read the full meeting minutes, including budget approvals, click here.

Lower Pottsgrove planners unanimously approved plans for an assisted-living facility on Porter Road Monday night, but there are conditions, reported The Sanatoga Post. The building's exterior must be enhanced and entrances to the site on Medical Drive must be limited in the cul-de-sac near Diamond Credit Union and other medical offices.

The proposal now goes before the township Board of Supervisors.

The facility, which would be built by LPAL Limited Partnership, would cover eight acres and have two sections, one three stories tall and one five stories tall in a J-shape, according to The Post. It would accomodate 76 elderly patients who need daily assistance and offer apartment living for 92 seniors who are more independent.

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Limerick Township is considering an overlay zoning district for the area of Lewis Road to make development in the area 'more cohesive,' according to a post by Whatsthe422.com.

Consultants from Simone Collins gave a presentation to the Board of Supervisors at a recent meeting to highlight the features of such an overlay including restricted parking, landscaping and sidewalks.

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The Chester County Pops will be performing this Thursday night in Phoenixville at the high school. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for students. Children under age 12 enter free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by e-mailing Karin Williams at williamsk@pasd.com or calling 484-927-5244.

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Lower Pottsgrove announced in a legal notice on its Web site that it will be accepting bids for its equipment rental and labor contract until 2 p.m. this Thursday, July 23. Bids, which must be made on forms furnished by the township, can be delivered to the township building at 2199 Buchert Road. They must be accompanied with a certified check or bid bond worth 10 percent of the total bid. The equipment sought is needed for paving of roads in the township, according to the full legal notice.

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Some firefighters in Upper Providence are concerned that the township is moving away from the volunteer fire system. The cause for their concern? A $400,000 Pierce Fire Engine recently purchased by the township, according to Whatsthe422.com.

The township says the truck was purchased to reduce the problems of getting equipment from fire stations to the scene since the departments rely on volunteers.

Some volunteers suspect it is the beginning of an attempt to build a new firehouse on Black Rock Road. Such a fire station was proposed as part of a long-term assessment for the township. Construction would depend upon the receipt of funds for such a project, but which Upper Providence currently does not have.

The township does want to standardize functions of the fire companies, including response procedures, training and qualifications for promotion. Upper Providence is served by the following companies: Oaks, Mont Clare, Humane of Royersford, Friendship of Royersford, Collegeville and Trappe.

Are you unmarried and in a relationship? Do you have a memorable moment in your relationship that you love to share with others? If so, you could win a free wedding reception courtesy of the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Allentown.

The Holiday Inn, in conjunction with www.YourMemorableMoments.com, is giving away the free reception on July 29 to the couple who submits the most memorable romantic moment at http://www.hilehighvalley.com/freewedding or at http://www.yourmemorablemoments.com/freewedding by July 27. Stories can also be submitted in the lobby of the Holiday Inn using registration cards.

The winner will be announced at a party on July 29, at the conference center. The party will feature a champagne greeting, reception, wedding event space previews and an exhibit of wedding services. The top 10 finalists will be announced at 7:30 p.m. and each of the top 10 will receive a $100 gift card from YourMemorableMoments.com

The top 10 stories will be read out loud before a grand prize winner is randomly selected from the finalists.

The prize is a wedding reception for 100 people including a four-course dinner with wine, champagne toast, premium open bar, wedding cake, welcome reception and a complimentary suite for the happy couple the night of the wedding.

Finalists must be present to win. Officials rules of the contest can be found at http://www.YourMemorableMoments.com/freewedding/rules.

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Bertie's Inn on Old Friedensburg Road in Exeter recently held its 19th annual Belt Sander Races benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Berks County, according to the News of Southern Berks.

The idea originally came about thanks to the mind of a regular customers who was a woodworker. The Belt Sander Races replaced the original Ugly Bartender fundraising contest at the establishment.

The event takes up much time and energy as bales of hay and generators are brought in and set up under a tent outside the inn before the races begin, with contestants straddling the sanders and attempting to sand their way down the race course.

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The borough of Boyertown has been recognized as a Relay for Life Community, according to the Boyertown Times.

Boyertown Relay Chairwoman Angela Scheetz presents signs bestowing the honor to Mayor Marianne Deery at a recent Borough Council meeting.

Boyertown's second annual Relay for Life raised more than $115,000. Fundraising for this year's Boyertown Relay effort continues until Aug. 31.

"On Thursday, July 30, Chestnut Knoll Assisted Living Community of Boyertown will host a grand community festival, and our J-Walkers team will be serving all types of delicious foods, including homemade chili and our signature Grilled Sticky Buns ... and all of our net proceeds from those food sales will be earmarked for this current Relay For Life," said Relay Publicity Chairman Jim Davidheiser.

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Boyertown teen Brittany Nicole Good recently placed in the top 20 of the Pennsylvania National American Miss Junior Teen competition, her first beauty pageant, according to the Boyertown Times.

The 14-year-old competed last weekend in Harrisburg against girls ages 13-15 at urging of Erin Joy Good, a friend from Boyertown who is not related to Brittany. Erin Joy Good is a former Miss Pennsylvania Teen and so was speaking from experience when she encouraged Brittany to compete.

Frecon Farms in Boyertown is holding its annual Peach Festival Aug. 1 and 2. The festival will feature the traditional sale of peaches and peachy foods and desserts, as well as a recipe contest with cash prizes, wine tastings and a surprise wine release party, as well as live music by the Manatawny Creek Ramblers.

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According to What's the 422, Limerick planners approved a new gas station at the corner of Township Line Road and Ridge Pike.

The station will be part of the Giant Food Store on the Upper Providence side of Township Line Road. The gas station used to be a Valero but now sits empty.

The plans included five pumps, with none of them offering diesel, which the planning board said might not be wise. Planners suggested that diesel would be a good offering since the closest gas station, a Wawa, doesn't offer it.

The plan now moves on to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

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What's the 422 also reports that the new Walgreen's opened its newest location on Township Line Road, and the Limerick Diner is looking to build an area for outdoor seating at its longtime establishment.

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Lower Pottsgrove is doling out $3,000 to three nonprofits that benefit township residents, according to the Sanatoga Post.

The Visiting Nurse Association, Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society and Pottstown Senior Center all received charitable contributions that restore their funding from the township to past levels. The township had originally planned to give only 50 percent of the requested funding to the organizations in order to balance their budget. The Pottstown library had been among those who would've suffered, but a vote turned those cuts around.

Vehicles aren't the only thing admired in Boyertown. The Museum of Historic Vehicles, which suffered from a fire in April, will honor the firefighters who responded and three girls, Katelynne Little, Danielle Sonder and Quinn Berke, who called 911 about the blaze this coming Monday.

The ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 13 in the Jeremiah Sweinhart Carriage Factory, according to a press release.

"Because of the dedication, efficiency and quick-thinking of these individuals, the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles suffered minimal damage to the building and lost none of the vehicles in the collection," the press release read.

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Four music venues in the Phoenixville area are participating in a multivenue open mic contest starting Sunday and running through Aug. 7.

Those who wish to participate should sign up for the contest at one of the venues during the open mic nights: Burlap and Bean in Newtown Square, Chaplin's in Spring City, Puck in Doylestown and Steel City Coffeehouse. Each venue will choose two representatives to compete in the finale on Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Steel City Coffeehouse on Bridge Street in Phoenixville. The top two winners will receive gift cards, studio time at Los Halos Music and offers of formal gigs at the participating venues.

For more information, check out www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com or sign up at the open mic nights below:

Steel City: Every Thursday, sign up at 6:30 p.m.

Burlap and Bean: Thursdays at 7 p.m.

Chaplin's: Sundays at 6:30 p.m.

Puck: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (You must be 21 or older in this venue).

What do you get when you mix together more than 1,000 kids, 300 volunteers, tons of games, candy, food, fun and some real, live Star Wars Storm Troopers?! You get Kids’ Camp GALAXY, the most out-of-this-world summer camp this side of Jupiter!

Fresh off of the Grand Opening of their brand-new facility, Christ’s Church of the Valley in Royersford will be hosting their 10th Annual Kids’ Camp July 15, 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. until noon each day.

Launched in 1999, Christ’s Church of the Valley is one of the fastest growing churches in the Philadelphia area, devloping from a handful of people meeting in Pastor Brian Jones’ living room to over 1,200 in attendance every weekend.

CCV’s Kids’ Camp is a completely free and wildly fun summer camp for elementary-aged kids that will break the 1,000 mark in attendance for the first time this summer.

Recognizing the need for a similar event for middle school students in the community, this week the church will be hosting its fourth annual STRETCH event. More games, more food, more fun and an environment designed specifically for sixth, seventh and eighth-graders, this year’s theme “cranks up the volume” with STRETCH: OUT LOUD.

Dates for STRETCH are July 8, 9, 10 and 12 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Known locally as the “MovieChurch,” Christ’s Church of the Valley bills itself as a “church for people who aren’t real crazy about going to church.”

For additional information about Kids’ Camp and STRETCH, visit the church’s Web site, www.moviechurch.com.

The new shop Just Desserts officially opened Monday at the corner of North Charlotte and Oak streets in Pottstown. The latest shop to open on the once defunct corner joins the One Step Up groceries and more store and the North End Florist, which occupies the former Shaner's Antiques building.

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Building a Better Boyertown is trying its hand again at a Cruise night. The organization that promotes businesses and economic development downtown is seeking volunteers to help out with the July 18th event, which will run from 4-9 p.m. on Reading Avenue, as well as in the lots of the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, National Penn Bank and St. John's and Good Shepherd churches.

Volunteers will be needed between 3-9:30 p.m. to cover the large area and help with set up and direction. Volunteers should ask for Heather Oxenford at the BBB. You should let her know if you have any health restrictions before you are assigned a post.

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The Glenn Miller Orchestra will once again be bringing its legendary sound to Sunnybrook Ballroom. The only local performance of the orchestra, which hasn't performed locally since the 1950s, the band will arrive on Aug. 1.

Better act fast if you want tickets, though, they are already on sale and available at Sunnybrook's box office. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. The show will kick off at 8 p.m.

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At Monday night's meeting, the Lower Pottsgrove commissioners OK'd use of land it owns by PennDOT during reconstruction of the East High Street bridge, according to the Sanatoga Post. They had already received $500 from PennDOT for use of the land last month, the Post reported.

The board also said it would release money from the county earmarked for Sunnybrook Ballroom improvements next month.