n Pottsville: The Penn State Extension, based in the Agricultural Center at 1202 Ag Center Drive, will offer a workshop titled "Toss Your Hat in the Ring" from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 5 at the center. It is for people who have thought about serving on their school board, borough council or township board. The session will include an overview of local government and the responsibilities of a township supervisor, a borough council member or a school board director. It will include: Instructions on how to run including filing a petition, reporting campaign expenses and other important information presented by Frannie Brennan, director of the Schuylkill County Election Bureau; a panel of local officials from Schuylkill County who will talk about why they decided to run for office and some of their experiences since they were elected. The workshop, according to a release, won't offer campaign tips or strategies. Rather, the focus will be on understanding the roles, responsibilities and personal rewards that come with public service. "If you are interested in serving your community, this is an opportunity to learn more about how to do it," Liesel Dreisbach, Penn State Extension educator, said in the release. "You don't need special training or experience to serve your township, borough or school district. If you're willing to learn on the job, then consider tossing your hat in the ring." The workshop fee is $25 per person. Registration can be done online at agsci.psu.edu/local-government/schuylkill or calling Penn State Extension Lehigh County at 610-391-9840. Penn State, according to the release, is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce.
n Pottsville: Carl Raring and Amy Tobash gave a presentation on the Sovereign Majestic Theater, North Centre Street, during a recent meeting of the Pottsville Rotary Club. The creation of the Majestic Theater Association, they said, was originally proposed by the late Pottsville Mayor Terry Reiley at an economic summit in the late 1980s due to a need identified in the community for a theater and performing arts center. An association was created and members researched locations in downtown Pottsville and came up with the site that formerly housed the Majestic Theater that opened in 1910 but was shut down in 1929 at the start of the Great Depression. A farm market opened in the building in 1940 and continued in business until 1995. When the building was purchased by the Majestic Theater Association - at a very fair price, according to Raring - renovations began. The group was fortunate in that the flooring, ceiling and lights were intact and in good condition; however, there was some asbestos that needed to be removed before the work could be completed. The removal of some of those walls is what led to the exposed brick look the theater enjoys today. Currently, the theater has 221 seats with an option to add handicapped seating in the front as needed. The theater now hosts many different types of entertainment. M&T Movies at the Majestic is a monthly series of children's movies with free admission and free popcorn. The theater is also available to rent for weddings, corporate events and meetings Raring and Tobash said.
n Schuylkill Haven: Michael Fosberg and his one-man play, "Incognito," will be featured at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Morgan Auditorium on Penn State School campus as part of its Community Cultural Events program. Fosberg, according to the program calendar, "has been helping American audiences confront the issues of race and identity head on" through his "autobiographical" play. At 34, he began a search for his biological father. "When his father revealed in their first phone conversation that he is black, Fosberg quickly discovered that his quest for his long-lost father would result not only in the discovery of a new branch of his family tree, but of a new heritage and idea of self." The revelation resulted in the creation of "Incognito." According to the calendar, the Chicago Tribune heralded the show as an "engrossing and deeply moving trip for both the audience and the performer." The show is free and the public is welcome to attend.