Conshohocken News & Gossip – Week of 04/25/11


News & Gossip

A new wood floor is down and painting is ongoing at what will be OBVI in Conshohocken.  The owner, Antoinette, is targeting a May 20th opening.  Stay tuned for more details.

Is Conshohocken implementing an “extremist homosexual agenda?”

84-year-old Albert Chipollini has been cutting and styling hair in Conshohocken for 61 years.

The Continental Bank at 6th and Fayette is going up quick.

It looks like Londobury has been sold.

Robin Gupta, owner of Guppy’s, would like everyone to know that he is not running for Borough Council.  The person running for Borough Council is Raj Gupta.

Brian Quinn, a four-year letterwinner at Temple (1987-90) and a professional golfer for 16 years, is in his third season as head golf coach at Temple. Quinn won 17 professional tournaments and played on the Asian PGA, South African PGA and South American PGA Tours. He is currently is the director of instruction at the BQ Golf Academy in Conshohocken (at Tee’s).

The Boxing Show’s Henry Racich (left) and Kamal Gray from The Roots (right) were Celebrity Bartenders last Thursday at Guppy’s.  The event benefited Janie Carbo.

Summer is almost here? Have you joined a pool yet? Plymouth Country Club is running a great deal on pool memberships. You can view the information here (they are at the bottom).

Public Hearing


Concerned about the future of Conshohocken? Want to read the Revitalization Plan and have the opportunity to ask questions. Here is your chance:

  • Read the Revitalization Plan by clicking here. It is the bottom document.
  • On May 4th at 7:00 p.m. you are encouraged to attend the Borough Council’s Working Session and hear more about the plan and ask questions. The meeting will be held at Borough Hall at 8th and Fayette.

You should also check out local public relations executive Tony DeFazio’s article on the Revitalization Plan from a few weeks ago.

Healthy Stuff

Conshohocken Physical Therapy has several tips that everyday people can use to lead healthier lives.  And they even have a app for it.

Foodie Events

Conshohocken Restaurant Week is returning on June 13-19, 2011. This year’s participating restaurants include Isabella, Gypsy Saloon, Stella Blu, Flanigan’s Boathouse, Pepperoncini, The StoneRose, Guppy’s, Spamps, The Great American Pub, Shula’s 347 Grill, Spampinato’s, Trattoria Totaro, Piatto Grille and Totaro’s. More will be confirmed this week. There will also be a Preview Party on June 6th at the Philadelphia Marriott West in West Conshohocken that will benefit Cradles to Crayons. Only a limited number of tickets will be available for the Preview Party! Preview Party tickets go on-sale tomorrow. To make sure you have the opportunity to get tickets, join our mailing list (you can find the Newsletter Sign-Up on the left side of the page) or like our Facebook page.

On Monday, May 2nd Kevin Sbraga, season seven winner of Bravo’s Top Chef, will join Chef Chip Roman for a collaborative five-course meal at Blackfish Restaurant. Sbraga shares some history with Chip Roman. Both got their start working for Philly’s own Georges Perrier – Sbraga at Le Mas Perrier in Wayne and Roman at Le Bec Fin. And on Monday, May 2, the two chefs will team up to create one tip-top meal. Blackfish was recently named Philadelphia’s top restaurant by Philadelphia Magazine. For reservations call 610.397.0888.

Every Tuesday, Blackfish offers a four course dinner featuring a different ingredient. You can see the upcoming featured ingredients here. Price is $45 per person. Call 610-397-0888 for more info.

Stella Blu is offering a Spring Fling Menu during April. From asparagus to spring peas and beets to fava beans, Stella Blu’s Spring Fling Menu features the flavors of this new season. Choose two courses for $30 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The Spring Fling Menu is available for dinner April 1st – April 30th. Stella Blu’s a la carte menu will also be offered. Call 610-825-7060 for reservations.

Events, Happenings & Specials

On May 7th, Baggataway is having their annual Cinco de Mayo/Kentucky Derby party….Cinco de Derby. They put up a big tent in the parking lot, have all types of Mexican food, drink specials, the Kentucky Derby and a couple bands perform.

Spamps is hosting a Yappy Hour on Sunday, May 1st from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  They ask for a $10 donation at the door that goes directly to the SPCA.  There will be drink specials, awesome deals on apps, food from the grill, sushi specials, and a day full of fun with live music from Andrew Beerer featuring Nick Fazzini and Brian Strain. Bring your pup to make new friends, and meet the adorable adoptables, like Bodie pictured above, the SPCA is bringing.

Stay tuned for details on the Restaurant Rally.

The Colonial Democrats are honoring Conshohocken’s Liam McGuigan and the Democrat of the Year on Thursday, May 5th at the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club.

Check out the specials for Mother’s Day at Lavenders BodyCare Clinic.

Plymouth Country Club is hosting a Italian Night on Wednesday, May 4th starting at 6:30 p.m. to benefit Plymouth Ambulance.  $35.00 gets you a seven course dinner and they will be offering $20.00 bottles of wine and a cash bar.  To reserve your spot contact Frank Gallo at (610) 608-4171.

The Positive Pooch is starting another round of puppy classes in May.

Higher Ground is hosting a Carnival at the B Field at 11th and Harry from April 28th to May 1st.  It will open nightly at 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.  There will be games, rides and the usual carnival fare.

Pepperoncini is taking reservations for Mother’s Day for Pepperoncini Conshohocken and Pepperoncini Phoenixville. They will be opening at noon with their regular menu, a delicious brunch and blackboard specials. To make a reservation call Conshy at (610) 941-7783 or Phoenixville at (484) 924-8429.

The Conshohocken Cafe is holding their first Open Mic Night on Monday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m.  Performers can feel free to show-up, but they would love for you to let them know by notifying them on their Facebook page.

The Independence Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is seeking women interested in joining the organization, and will host a Brunch for women interested in membership Saturday, May 7, 2011 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at Mary Wood Park House, 120 East 5th Ave., Conshohocken.  DAR membership is available to any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. Assistance is provided with identifying a patriot ancestor and the genealogy and application process.  DAR projects focus on patriotism, education, and historic preservation.   A continental brunch will be served.  RSVP by April 30, to Jane @ 610-247-6510 or Janieullman@yahoo.com.

The Philadelphia Fight are kicking off their season with a party at 8 East on Saturday, April 30th from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.  There will be food and drink specials on all night.  They will be welcoming back team members who just had a tremendous tour of the United Kingdom and there will be the opportunity to meet their dance team, the Vixens.

The Plymouth Fire Company is hosting a Think Spring Craft and Specialty Vendor Show on Friday, April 29th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Contact Diane at (610) 213-5942 for more info.

The Conshohocken Antique & Classic Car Show will return to Fayette Street on Saturday, June 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Conshy Clean-Up keeps getting rained out, so once again we will be attempting to clean-up the trail on Saturday, April 30th starting at 9:30 a.m.  Meet at The Outbound Station.  I can not attend this week, so you will be led by Chris Savage.  You can feel free to contact him at (610) 636-0718.  Bring gloves.

On Saturday, April 30th, the West Conshohocken Borough Police Department will be participating in a Take Back Drugs program. This program is for the residents to dispose of their unused or expired medications in a safe manner. A officer will be at Borough Hall, 112 Ford Street, from 10:00am until 2:00pm to accept medications. Just stop by and drop them off.

The StoneRose is debuting their new Spring Menu items today.  The new menu includes Tuna Tartare, strawberry mango salsa, Chilean Sea Bass, Sweet and Spicy Calamari, and many more items.

Trattoria Totaro has Traditional Italian “Sunday Supper”on Monday Night. The supper includes four courses: soup of the day; Caesar Salad; homemade pasta with bracciola, Italian sausage and meatballs marinara; crusty bread with roasted garlic olive oil; and cannolies for dessert.

Beanie Bounce’s Bounce Night, for children ages 5-8, has been rescheduled for May 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Fellowship House of Conshohocken.  The cost is $10.00 per child.

Maloney’s Pub is holding a Texas Hold-em tournament every Tuesday and Wednesday. They will start the tournament right at 9:00 p.m., so get there a little early. Get your chips from the bartender.

WMMR’s Kathy Romano and a guest will be Celebrity Bartenders this Wednesday night from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Guppy’s to benefit Janie Carbo.

The “Bachelor Auction” is returning to Guppy’s on May 7th. You can find all the details here.  Rumor has it that there is a double date package featuring Brian Pieri of The StoneRose and Robin Gupta from Guppy’s.

Piatto Grille is now offering a Senior’s Night on Mondays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. offering seniors 20% off. On Tuesday nights from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. they have Kid’s Night where children 10 and under receive one free kid’s meal with the purchase of one full size entrée. Every Wednesday night is Pasta Night a with $9.00 All You Can Eat Pasta special. There are some stipulations, ask your server for full details. All specials are dine in.

Conshohocken Catholic’s annual Ducky Regatta will be held on May 14th at 10:00 a.m. The event allows you to buy a numbered “ducky” to benefit the school. The duckies are released in river and the first ducky to the bridge wins. Stay tuned for details on how to purchase your ducky.

Candy of the Week

Nothing says spring like Lemon Sticks from Edwards-Freeman Nut Company.

Real Estate


How was the Real Estate Market for the first quarter of 2011? Find out from Matt Mittman from 19428homes.com.

The Jeremy Bowers & Mike Sroka Team may be based in Conshohocken, but they list and sell real estate in the entire Delaware Valley.  Check out their home search site PAHomeSearchers.com or contact Jeremy Bowers at 484-531-5847.

Bowers and Sroka also offer a website that provides information on the current market conditions in your neighborhood, TheHomeValue.net.

Business News


MoreThanTheCurve.com has created a Business Group on LinkedIN. If you would like to join, follow the link and request to be a member. This group is geared towards business networking for people who live and/or work in Conshohocken and West Conshohocken. I would love to get more people and companies in the big building involved with the site and community.

How did First Round Capital get started?

Boenning & Scattergood, an independent securities, asset management and investment banking firm headquartered in the Mid-Atlantic region, announced that Anthony A. Latini, Jr., CFA has joined the investment banking team as a managing director. Mr. Latini will focus on initiating and executing investment banking transactions as well as expanding and strengthening relationships within the financial services sector.

West Conshohocken’s Monetate will award the Monetate Open Source Prize to the best open-source project submitted by a software developer within a 60-mile radius of Philadelphia.

Scott Snyder, who was president and CEO of Conshohocken business strategy consulting firm Decision Strategies International Inc. from 2003 through 2010, and Cambridge Technology Partners co-founder Bill Seibel announced the existence of Mobiquity, a mobile consulting firm for large organizations, last month. Snyder is its president and chief strategy officer and Seibel its CEO. They have raised $5 million from Boston-area venture capitalists for the venture.

Conshohocken-based Saladworks, the nation’s first and largest fresh-tossed salad franchise concept, announced an agreement to further develop the Southern New Jersey market by opening a location in Washington Township, NJ.