VOLUME 13, ISSUE 3 “HOME OF THE PHANTOMS” JANUARY 2017 The Colonial Theatre: More theatres, more movies! around 60,” she said. Written by: The Colonial only hous- Ben Circus es one theatre at the moment, containing 658 If there’s seats— some of which one thing are perched atop a the inhabit- grand balcony. The key ants of to this whole expansion Phoenixville according to Foote is love, it’s the arts. That’s right, we that they’ll “be able to take immense pride in our diverse get film sooner. They’ll array of artistic programs, ranging get them the day they from festivals (celebrating the open anywhere else,” likes of “The Blob” and the Firebird, amongst other things), A graphic rendition of the smaller theatre. PEOPLE: to carnivals to community flea Mrs. Lees markets. The Colonial Theatre Photos courtesy of Colonial Theatre stands tall and proud on the 11,000 square foot for fundraising events, as the main Matt Garcia building was pur- lobby of the theatre “was never chased in 2008 designed to have 650 people flood Mr. Karabetsos when The Journal it after a concert.” Kayla Grammerstorf Register, the parent Emily Simmons, the develop- company of “The ment director at the Colonial, said, NEWS: Phoenix,” unloaded “There's not a lot of room for the building for 1.1 socializing, and that’s one of the AP US Government Mock million dollars. things that the building next door Election “We were in the will afford us. People will hope- right place, and at fully not just see the Colonial as a Office 365 the right time,” place where they can come for Foote said. “We great entertainment, but also as a 2017 Impact Awards raised $950,000 place where they can do some Cappies Review of “Taming [from our donors], socializing.” of the Shrew” and in that was a After nearly a year of construc- $250,000 grant tion, the expansion will open to Firebird Festival Spanish Club Gives Back A graphic rendition of the newer, larger theatre. HOSA: Heroes of Healthcare lively Bridge Street, looming over allowing the Colo- Theology Club Fundraiser the bustling suburban scene of nial to more effec- shops and restaurants alike. A tively compete with OPINIONS: hidden gem, the Colonial hosts a larger movie ven- wide array of cultural, social, and ues. Midterms & Finals cinematic events, and proudly You may be won- Tattoos stands as a major artistic landmark dering how exactly in Phoenixville’s extensive histo- the Colonial can The Uber of Love ry. And this year, it’s getting an afford to expand its expansion. boundaries. The James Sadowski’s Health Yes, you The larger of the two theatres. Although the two levels Update heard it are currently partitioned (shown in photo), this theatre correctly. will include around 170 seats. ENTERTAINMENT: The Coloni- VVVVVV: Defying Gravity al Theatre from the state.” the public in spring of 2017. Alt- will be Amongst the features to be in- hough there will be no Rogue One nearly dou- cluded in the expansion is the ‘groundbreaking ceremony,’ the bling in size in order to accommo- answer to this crucial question lies building of a new rooftop deck. theatre will open its doors to the Quantico date more programs, such as “live in the building next door, former- The deck will have “big windows public in what is known as a “soft Overwatch concerts, music, and comedy.” ly known as The National Bank of in a big space with the roof behind opening.” The theatre will open Mary Foote, the executive director Phoenixville. Previously housing it,” Foote said. The deck will immediately, and patrons will SPORTS: of the Colonial Theatre, said “The Phoenix” newspaper, the afford the theatre the more space have access to its amenities. Ei- they’ll “be able to get ther way, you can be Phantoms Football more film.” That certainly It is important that everyone consider a gift to help sure to be thrilled by 2016 Philly Sports Recap seems to be the case, as the new features add- the expansion is to also support this expansion. Go to BankontheArts.org to ed to the already- NFL Review & Predictions include “one theatre with make a tax-deductible contribution and be part of the amazing Colonial. Philadelphia Union around 170 seats,” while excitement! another theatre “will have Premier League Update PEOPLE Mrs. Lees: Master art teacher and secret entrepreneur Outside of school, Mrs. Lees the Tredyffrin School District, lective will Written by: Austin loves spending time with her Powers Mrs. Lees made the decision to husband Michael and her two launch its web- become an art teacher and site and online kids, Adma and Gavin. You walk into the G- chose Kutztown University. shop in 2017. wing of Phoenixville She made the decision because Photos courtesy of Mrs. Lees Outside of Area High School, and she loved working with people working on art, before long you hear a and at the time there were not Mrs. Lees loves spending time with her joyful laugh.That laugh many career choices for artists husband, Mike, her two children, Gavin and belongs to none other than one of the three as a profession. Mrs. Lees Adma, and her dog Gibson. They enjoy art teachers here at the high school, Mrs. went to Kutztown University doing family activities together like karate, Lees. Mrs. Lees teaches multiple courses for four years and then went to traveling up to Lake Wallenpaupack, and here at PAHS, including Art 3, Ceramics 1, Saint Joseph’s University for spending time with their friends and family. Ceramics 2, Mixed Media, Sculpture and a two years to get her Masters in Most people do not know much about the new class called Mural Arts. There is much Educational Leadership. She teachers that help PAHS be the great school more to know about Mrs. Lees besides her has been teaching for fourteen it is. Mrs. Lees is one of those outgoing, fun, being an art teacher, all of which contribute years as a whole, eleven of supportive teachers who will help you finish to her being the happy, outgoing person she those years here at PASD, a year at Methac- jor form of her self-expression. She plans on your piece of artwork not because she has is. ton School District, Oley School district for teaching for the rest of her career, and she is to, but because art is who she is. While in a semester, and also at in the process of creating and selling art- high school at One of Mrs. Lees’ original pieces of art: a the Chester Springs Art work outside of school. Conestoga in rhino with a blue bird which was a base Studio. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Lees is drawing with mixed media elements tied in. When reflecting on her always working on artwork of her own, fourteen years of teach- including mixed media paintings and ceram- ing, Mrs. Lees stated, ics. She is even creating a business with her “My favorite experience while husband Mike to sell artwork. Their busi- teaching is observing students ness is called Woolly Collective and it is a work through the process of venue for artists to sell artwork that is made creating their artwork and enjoy- out of repurposed, upcycled materials such ing the accomplishment of a as cigar box guitars, cajons, and fine art finished work of art.” mixed media artwork in 2D and 3D. She Teaching art is not the only said about her up and coming business, “A reason Mrs. Lees loves the sub- percentage of the artwork, specifically made ject. She said that art as a subject by my husband and me, will be donated to is “just who I am. It has always different charities. It’s a way for customers Gibson is Mrs. Lees’s dog been a gift for me” and is a ma- to pay it forward.” Hopefully, Woolly Col- that she loves very dearly. Matt Garcia: Behind the facemask Written by: Matthew Valdovinos Great Valley High School. Halfway All-Area team, and PAC through his sophomore year he transferred All-Conference team. On October 21st, 2016 to Phoenixville. Garcia said, “I really love Matt Garcia is a great the Phoenixville Area how close the community is and how every- leader and in even better High School football one interacts with each other.” When speak- teammate. He had a record record book was rewrit- ing about the differences between Texas year, but he couldn’t have ten when senior running-back Matt Garcia and Pennsylvania he said the biggest done it by himself. He gave set the Phantoms’ single season rushing change was the weather and the impact credit to his offensive line record. The original record was set by Jim- football has. Texas is known for its high that opened up holes all my Johnson in 1966, but Garcia finished his heats and long droughts, while Pennsylva- season, and Coach Bubba, season with more than 1800 yards. nia rarely goes a week without raining. the offensive line coach. Matt grew up in San Antonio, Texas. He Football in Texas is very different than The Phoenixville rushing lived in Texas until his freshman year when football in Pennsylvania. When driving unit as whole succeeded all he moved to Pennsylvania and attended through the state you might come across season as they averaged some towns that completely shut down on over 180 yards a game. The Matt evading a tackler. Matt breaking loose against Friday nights so the store owners and em- offensive line included ployees can go watch the local high school senior Matt “Tex” Valdovi- Photo: Lifetouch Pottstown.