Five Things You Need To Know Today

• Activities will be at Chestnut Street Park at the corner of Washington and Chestnut streets in Pottstown. The celebration is being coordinated by Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization, the MOSAIC Community Land Trust, Pottstown, Pa. and Genesis Housing. The event is open to all and will include refreshments, public safety demonstrations and a story time for kids with book reading on internet safety awareness. 

• New this year for Pottstown will be a four-block walk through the streets near the Park. The traditional display of support for NNO is for area residents to keep an outside light on during the evening and sit outside on a porch or step. Residents are asked to come out to show solidarity against drugs and crime, and to help develop a partnership between the community and local police, fire and emergency services. Local organizations are also invited to bring a table and any information or handouts.

• Pottstown will be among thousands of U.S. communities to participate in National Night Out, sponsored by the National association of Town Watch. The National Association of Town Watch is a non-profit, crime prevention organization which works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and local law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

• National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” was introduced by the association in 1984. The event has grown from 400 towns in 23 states the first year to over 15,000 communities in all 50 states with 37 million people last year in August 2010. Questions, suggestions and offers to volunteer or contributions can be directed to VivaPottstown@hotmail.com or flyeredup8831@gmail.com.

• About:

- Genesis Housing Corporation is dedicated to the development of affordable housing and to the education of consumers on housing and financial issues. Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has served Montgomery County as a community housing development organization. Learn more at www.genesishousing.org.

- Citizens for Pottstown's Revitalization works to unify all of Pottstown's pockets of activism. In keeping with CPR's mission to breathe new life into our community through positive actions, community involvement, courage and respect, we invite you to submit news and comments promoting the betterment of Pottstown. Learn more at www.VivaPottstown.com

- Pottstown’s MOSAIC Community Land Trust is a local non-profit corporation dedicated to increasing affordable homeownership opportunities in Pottstown, developing a community garden at 423 Chestnut Street and empowering residents to participate in the improvement of their own neighborhoods. Collaboration is the key to their efforts to create long-lasting change, and they are already partnering with local businesses, volunteers, Pottstown School District, Pottstown Borough and other community organizations, such as The Gallery and Genesis Housing Corporation. MOSAIC has been working with a nationally-recognized expert in community land trusts, thanks to a grant from National Penn Bank. Learn more at  www.PottstownCLT.wordpress.com