"The Honest Truth About Honest Abe" is a collection of 20 essays from the syndicated column, JDM vs the World, by Phoenixville writer Jonathan David Morris. 

The collection also includes two excerpts from his novels, "Versus Nurture" and "The Best Sniper Ever." 

In honor of President's Day, this book is FREE all day Monday. You can download it for your Kindle or read it on the free Kindle App for your computer, tablet, or smart phone.

Here's the link:
http://amzn.to/xeC08a 

Here's a shot from the bridge near the Foundy building... For more photos, check us out on Facebook!  (And don't forget to email us your photos so we can make a whole 'nother album)

The new Nook & Kranny Kafe, which shares the same building as the Black-Eyed Susan Shop (847 Valley Forge Road), will open on February 13th.  

They will feature a menu that is larger than a typical tea room menu, and serve dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, BYOB style.

The room is operated by Rubeo’s Catering from Avalon, NJ. Executive Chef / Owner Raymond C. Rubeo has been serving his community since 2004, providing a personalized service to clients. 

He hopes to bring that same quality of service to Phoenixville... The finest foods, supplies, and personable wait staff. 

OneNineFourSixZero is excited for the opening... Hopefully we can set up a deal for you guys!

Another Phoenix has risen from the ashes of its predecessors. This year's firebird is an expression of power and purposefulness. It holds a glowing ember in its beak, awaiting the moment when the renewing flames devour it once again. The Phoenix is an ancient symbol of resurrection, and as such serves to remind us that rebirth is impossible without a casting off of old forms.

SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS (At the Firebird Site - 300 block of Bridge Street)

4:00pm - The Crafts Bazaar opens - be sure to come and enjoy the food, street performers, music, entertainment and more.
Barry Lee of Spirit Wing is the master of Ceremonies

4-4:30pm - Frank Della Penna creator of Cast in Bronze, is born and raised in Phoenixville, is a big name on the big stages around America, but till now hasn’t performed in his home town. His instrument ~ the carillon ~ consists of 35 bells with a total weight of four tons. It is the only musical act of its kind in the world, and we are very fortunate to have him at our festival. The sounds are inspirational and moving, capturing the soul of all those bells. Watching his passion and magicianship makes for an unforgettable experience.

4:30-6pm - Stellarscope has the rare ability to combine quality space-pop and sonically charged experimentation. They create textured soundscapes with emphasis in songwriting and expansion. Stellarscope has released several full-lengths and EPs, and their music has been featured on Discovery Channel, A&E, MTV, and more. 
Current members * Tom Lugo - vox, guitar, fx, samples, programming * Rob DeFlaviis – bass, keys 
* Bob Forman - drums, percussion . And this year joined by Cyndee Lee Rule - violin and Nik Turner - Saxophone

6:30-7:30pm - Spirit Wing   – one of the most popular Native American groups in the region. They have been together for ten years, performing at the Philadelphia FolkFestival, Bethlehem Music Fest, New Jersey Folk Festival and many other venues in the tri-state area, including performing at the Firebird Festival in Phoenixville since it's inception. They have been nominated for a Native American Music Award in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Their background is a strong Americana/Folk/Blues sound, and their members are: Barbara Andrews-Christy, Barry Lee, Chris Hawley and Doug Penglase.
 
7pm - Firedancers for the Firebird Festival are provided by The Playing Mantis. They're very excited to be attending this unique and exciting community event, and are looking forward to a great burn! Based out of Wilmington, DE, The Playing Mantis travels the east coast providing fire performance, instruction, and supply. Their featured performers this evening are: SnapDragon, Mantis, Omni, and Smokey.

7:30pm - All the fire magicians ~The Playing Mantis, Adamo Ignis and The Phantasmagoria-Circus grand display.

7:45pm - Pageantry parade down Bridge Street, includes drummers, dancers, giant puppets and the torch that lights the bird.

8:00pm - LIGHTING THE FIREBIRD

For 3 days only this week, PHX ART GALLERY will be kickin' it at 240 Bridge Street (formerly THE PRINT SHOP). An installation will feature 10 local artists: Veronica Batter, Maryanne Buschini, Martha Parrish Bush, David Knoecklein, Colleen McCarthy, Michael Moore, Tania O'Donnell, Kai Pedersen, Jessica Puma, Sarah Robb. 

The collaborative gallery will feature 2 dimensional work by the above artists, in a variety of media and subject matter: oil, acrylic, mixed media. 

HOURS:
Thurs, Dec. 8, 5-9pm
Fri, Dec. 9, 5-9pm
Sat, Dec. 10, 10-9pm

Ahh, ye ole pub crawl… A time-honored tradition of intoxicated jackassery. And what better town to perform such a ritual than the pub-peppered streets of Phoenixville?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term (including variations like "gin crawl" and "beer crawl") has been in use since the late 19th century. The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English defines 'pub crawl' as both a noun and a verb, with the noun (dating from 1915) being defined as "a drinking session that moves from one licensed premises to the next, and so on", and the verb (1937) meaning "to move in a group from one drinking establishment to the next, drinking at each."

One must first determine an ending point for the crawl. The perfect placement of Phoenixville’s imbiberies on Bridge Street makes this task a cinch. You’ll either end up at the Pickering Creek Inn or PJ Ryan’s, or in some extreme cases, the Prima Lounge.

Here’s our suggested route and links to each bar:
1) PJ Ryan's
2) Bistro on Bridge
3) Molly Maguire’s
4) The Fenix
5) Pepperoncini Sotto
6) Columbia Bar and Grille
7) Iron Hill Brewery
8) Hacienda Michoacana (just opened at 101 Bridge Street... No official website yet, but great margaritas!)
9) Pickering Creek Inn

Happy boozing, and remember to designate a driver or walk, or your last stop could be the holding cell!

Have you been to the Wooden Spoon yet? 

I have... Several times. 

I swear on my life I had the best piece of blueberry pie ever there. The Quiche is certainly not to be missed either.

Hopefully this free coffee promotion gets people to the Spoon. Chef Julie Zlogar is very a very accomplished chef and has a variety of interesting items available daily.

You can keep track of all her culinary exploits here:
http://www.woodenspooncafe.blogspot.com/


Bon appetite!

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Lynn Jusinski of Patch.com writes:

"It's that time of year to fill up your bellies with some great eat. Kitchens in and around Phoenixville were busy this week. It's the season for Christmas bazaars, cookies, turkey, breakfasts and all-around good food. Here are five delicious destinations for your weekend enjoyment."

We personally think that the Christmas Bazaar at Sts. Peter and Paul is an awesome option. There will be Ukrainian food to eat there or take home, and various vendors to help you kick off  your holiday shopping. 

Check out all the details HERE.

We could not be happier about re-launching the new incarnation of our site with Eleanor's Kitchen! This place has one of our favorite burgers of all time, the Grace 
burger, plus tons of other awesome things. 

Here's the original story we did on Eleanor's when they first opened...

Eleanor’s Kitchen – Not Just Another Sandwich Shop 

If you haven’t been to Eleanor’s Kitchen (6 S. Main St.) yet, you have some fucking explaining to do. This place serves up crazy-ass creations, like some joint you might find in the hipster section of any major city.

For instance, take “The Double Tap”, otherwise known as two deep fried twinkies ($2.95). This might not be the most original example of food on Eleanor’s menu, but it certainly has its place in what one might consider unorthodox / cool cuisine. I personally like the fact that I can get this item within walking distance of my house, even though I may not actually ever order it.

Something on the same section of the menu, the one labeled “Dare To Be Daring”, is pretty unique… The Brigglesworth ($3.95). This is a pocket of chicken skin filled with mashed potatoes, chicken stuffing, and a splash of cranberry sauce. It’s then breaded, deep fried, and served with hot gravy. So how’d they come up with this?

Owner and operator of Eleanor’s, Max Cucuzza says, “The Brigglesworth began as suggestion from my friend Bridget to do some sort of chicken skin sandwich. After some brain storming and few drinks, it kinda just evolved into the Brigglesworth!"

Cucuzza has been working in the pizza biz off and on for the past 15 years. Aft his parents sold their pizza shop, Cucuzza decided that he wanted to open a small joint with a big imagination.

I recently tried another one of Eleanor’s oddities called “The Ritters”. This is a pair of deep fried Weiners wrapped in fresh roast beef (which is then grilled around the dogs), topped w/ Tiger sauce (horsey sauce) and served on toasted potato rolls ($6.75). I was impressed… Simple, yet delicious and unique. I never thought to put all of those things together, but it worked well. 

Most sandwiches also come with homemade chips, which are awesome.

“The chips started out of necessity due to the lack of space in Eleanor's,” said Cucuzza.”I barely have enough room for seating not to mention a chip rack… and you have to have chips with a sandwich. People have really taking a liking to them.”

Another cool feature of the menu is the "Create Your Own" option. You choose the meat, cheese, bread, toppings, and sauces and they'll make it how you want it... and if it's good enough, your item with make the menu!Take the Grace Burger for instance. Created by the guys at Grace Tattoo, this sandwich consists of two five oz. burgers, stacked w/ two slices of pepper-jack, two slices of swiss, six pieces of bacon, spicy mayo, one over easy egg ($10.50). Take that, hangover!

“I stumbled upon this location when I was helping the guys at Grace Tattoo open up,” said Cucuzza. “The owner was looking to sell and I was looking to buy. Plus after spending so much time in Phoenixville I became quite smitten with the town.”

It’s only a matter of time before Phoenixvillians become smitten with Eleanor’s as well.

We'll be launching with our FIRST DEAL next week!

Check back on Wednesday...