National Night Out, Second Saturday Headline a Busy Collingswood Week

For the town that adopted the motto "where you want to be," Collingswood is doing its darnedest to deliver on that promise every day this week.

Monday, August 5, is the latest monthly meeting of the Collingswood Borough Commissioners. At 7 p.m., come on up to the second floor of the Collingswood Senior Community Center on Atlantic Ave., and see your local government in action.

Monday is also the day that the borough starts to offer up a 50 percent discount on end-of-season passes to Roberts Pool. The swim season has been extended to include the weekends of September 7, 8, 14 and 15, so you can put stretch those summer dollars further.

Then, on Tuesday, August 6, Collingswood police and emergency services personnel invite neighbors to come downtown for National Night Out.

From 6 to 9 p.m. near the Collingswood Fire Dept. on West Collings Ave., families can meet the people working to make their community a safer place, take home some fun goodies and generally enjoy a great evening outdoors. Last year's event was a big success—and of course, it's free to all.

While you're out, why not grab an early (or late) dinner at El Sitio Cafe & Grill (729 Haddon Ave.)? From 4 p.m. to close, the restaurant will donate 15 percent of your check to the Collingswood Holiday Parade when you mention the parade to your server. 

On Wednesday, August 7, your junior intellectual-performer-problem-solver can catch up with the World Finalist Collingswood Odyssey of the Mind team at the fourth open practice hosted by the group this summer. The brain-bending action starts at 6 p.m. at The Factory on Fern Ave.

Then, at 7 p.m., Almost Home Animal Shelter, which is headed by Nancy Welsh of Collingswood, will host a fundraiser to pay for the installation of its new (and much-needed) air conditioning system. Stop by, listen to some music, and see if you can kick in a few bucks.

Thursday, August 8, is the last day to catch Just Peachy Restaurant Week. Tortilla Press chef-owner Mark Smith, is leading a peach-specific menu charge across town, with participating restaurants from Smith's own Tortilla Press Cantina in Merchantville to The Pop Shop, That’s Amore, Bistro di Marino, Benny’s Burger Joint and Casona joining in the fun.

(Just Peachy Restaurant Week kicks off August 6.)

Friday, August 9, check out guitar-piano duo The Skys at Fridays Live at Grooveground (647 Haddon Ave.). Mark and Edie Sky jam decades of musical experience into a package inspired by Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, and Yes. Not to be missed!

Then, on Saturday, August 10, there's more music and art galore at Collingswood Second Saturday, when the town is overrun with its talented and party-minded individuals.

Grooveground will host the art of Egg Harbor Twp.'s Rachel Smith all month; the gallery opens at 6 p.m. Or maybe you want to see the pottery of Eric Wolff at the Mud and Fire street setup right in front of Borough Hall?

There's also a big Second Saturday party at The Factory, with a National Picnic trunk show, trivia and free coffee samples from Revolution Roasters, and the hip-happening sounds of The Ray Long Band.

And that's just a taste. Where will you be? Where won't you be!

Well, if you're looking to pick up those SAT scores, on Sunday, August 11, you'll be hard at work in the next Collingswood SAT prep course, the community-led-and-sponsored, nonprofit effort to help Collingswood High School seniors.

As always, if you want your event to be seen in our Week Ahead or Today in Collingswood calendar roundups, post stuff to our events calendar. It also ensures that your promotional efforts get into our e-mail blasts.