The Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern Pennsylvania , in collaboration with the Montgomery County Industrial Development Corporation , is pleased to present a workshop: PA Energy Legislation - Opportunities for Local Business

Presented by: Tom Tuffey, PennFuture

Renewal energy and energy efficiency industries are predicted to be among the nation's top economic drivers over the next decade. In PA, the recent passage of a $650 million energy package will generate tremendous opportunities for job creation and business growth at local levels. This seminar will provide information on the legislation and the associated opportunities and changes for Montco businesses.

 Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

 Location: Plymouth Country Club, 888 Plymouth Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA  19462, 610-272-4050

 Time: 7:45 a.m. - Continental Breakfast 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Presentation and Q&A

 Cost:  $20 for all participants.

Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, 10/10/08. No walk-ins will be accepted.

Please visit www.SmartEnergyPA.org to register.

Anyone looking at the pages of data that was collected for the Borough of Souderton's Parking Study will appreciate the work that intern, Rudy Flores, put into getting everything accurate.

He used The Parking Handbook for Small Communities from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center as his guide. This handbook not only guides the data collection and anaylsis, it will make it possible for STMS to reproduce the study in the future to compare results.

You are invited to download the study to read at your convenience. The download is available in two parts: the study and recommendations and the supporting data.

Essentially, the study determined that although adequate parking is currently available, better management of the available space will assure better efficiency of the current supply. Read the article in Souderton Independent on Rudy's presentation on September 20 to Borough Council. 

Rudy Flores headed up a team of local volunteers who made this study successful. learn more about the people behind the project.

Reducing stress is always a good idea for wellness.  The Indian Valley Public Library has several informative classes over the next several months that will help you and your family organize various aspects of your lives to reduce stress.

Please head to the Indian Valley Public Library during the lunch hour 12:15-1:00 (bring a brown bag lunch if you wish) on the first Wednesdays in October, November, December, and January.

STMS volunteer, Beverly Walker Gwozdz, will be teaching several of these classes. Bev has helped the STMS office to organize and run more effficiently so we are happy to share her knowledge with others! Read more for details on dates, topics and times.

It is hard to believe that Tilly Mint Tea Room has only been open for a year. She recently sent us a press release describing her first year's success.

When she opened Tilly Mints Tea Room on September 12, 2007, owner Trish Stubbs wasn’t sure what to expect. She knew tea rooms have become popular among people looking for a respite from their hectic lives. But as a first-time entrepreneur, the Sellersville resident knew it would take time to build a following for her unique little establishment on West Chestnut Street in Souderton.

So Stubbs was a little more than surprised when she served more than 5,000 guests in 12 months after turning the former Vietnamese social club into an authentic English tea room. And that’s with being open only four days a week (Wednesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. plus private parties on Sundays.

“It was amazing,” said Stubbs. “Our guests really appreciated the atmosphere, the wide selection of teas and the great food.  And we enjoyed making new friends. ”

Photo Caption: The staff of Tilly Mints Team Room celebrated their one-year anniversary in Souderton September 12. Pictured are, from left, kneeling: Lindsay Hellman, Jess Anderson and Madi Hart; standing, Lee Anne Kingsbauer, Colleen Trauger, Jenny Ferry, Trish Stubbs and Christine Cassel. Missing from the picture were Diane Gurecki, Jordan Bideau and Brooke Wieder.

 We love press releases with good news to share! Here's the latest from the Montgomery Theater!

Don't miss out on Montgomery Theater's current hit musical, the wild, campy and hilarious musical "Reefer Madness." 

Come see the tale of Jimmy Harper, an All-American youth whose life falls into a pit of debauchery and despair after one puff of the evil cigarette.  Find out if his love for the beautiful Mary Lane be enough to save him from the wickedness of "Mary Jane."  It's all very tongue-in-cheek and "belly-cramping funny."

 Howard Shapiro of the Philadelphia Inquirer says "a cast as handsome as it is gifted wrings every bit of exaggerated madness from Reefer Madness, the Musical - especially from its many production numbers....a cool ensemble, exuberant voices, a five-piece band - and you're a real square if you can't get a buzz." (to read the full review click here.)

And Patty Mahlon, in her blog/review from the Reading Eagle, says "at Friday's performance, the fresh-faced cast delivered high energy, sexy performances that were complemented by cute, minimalist props and sets. The impressive production left me thinking this is the region's first "must-see" show of the year." (to read the full review click here.)

We're also excited to announce that "Reefer Madness" is being sponsored by C.F.Martin & Co., makers of the famous Martin Guitars, considered by many to be the best guitars in America.  Along with funding for the show, C.F.Martin & Co. has donated a special custom designed collector's guitar that is being raffled off to support Montgomery Theater.  For more information click here