Recipe: Refreshing Summer Sangria

It's going to be a hot one, so cool off with this slightly sweet, refreshing drink.

It is hot, hot, hot this weekend, and may people are having barbeques and picnics with family outside. While the kids are running through the sprinkler or sliding down a Slip and Slide, the adults in your party can chill off with this slightly sweet and refreshing sangria. If you’d like, you can splash some lemon lime soda or soda water on top of each glass or add 6 oz. of either to your pitcher just before serving. Even if you’re not having a party, this sangria is fantastic to sip by the pool or just enjoy on a steamy hot afternoon.

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Grilling this Holiday? Do it the Safe Way

When you get in front of the grill this weekend and on the Fourth of July, follow these steps to keep your food safe for your BBQ goers.

This 4th of July, the Ad Council, the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health and Human Services are letting the Founding Fathers do the talking with a unique infographic sharing the four easy steps to food safety. [Download the full info graphic in our media section.] "George Washington says…CLEAN John Adams says…SEPARATE Thomas Jefferson says…COOK Benjamin Franklin says…CHILL" As the 4th of July approaches, cases of foodborne illnesses are surging in the summer season. According to the authorities, Americans spend $400 million on beef alone for July 4th barbeques. New FDA research done in collaboration with USDA shows that only 23% of Americans who own a food thermometer actually use it when …

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Memorial Day Party Ideas

Ideas for making your Memorial Day party even more memorable

Happy Memorial Day! By now, you’re either already enjoying your holiday weekend, or gearing up for it. Are you kicking off summer with a trip to the beach? Planning to take advantage of holiday sales at car dealerships and furniture stores everywhere? Or just enjoying a family Memorial Day barbecue? If you're hosting a party, or just attending one, Patch has collected some great entertaining ideas to wax patriotic in style!  Free printables – Beverage labels, hot dog wrappers, cupcake-topper pinwheels, paper snack cones – all of these red, white and blue printable projects are free! Enlist the kids to help with the cutting and pasting.  Patriotic treats – Strawberries are red, blueberries are blue, and so the American-flag inspired dessert…

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We Have A Winner!

There was stiff competition on all sides, but you voted, we counted, and Zachary's BBQ has the best take out in town.

The results are in and Norristown Patch readers chose new-comer Zachary's BBQ as the best take out joint in Norristown. Hometown icon Via Veneto's had taken a commanding lead in the first few days of our poll (no surprise there), but as word about the poll got out, fans of Zachary's started logging on. With over 280 votes, Zachary's BBQ took almost half. Vio Veneto's held strongly onto second place, and another new-comer, Diva's Kitchen took third. Zachary's founder and chef, Keith Taylor, was just thrilled to be in such great company in our poll. When he first heard he was in competition with his neighbor Via Veneto's, who was in the lead, he wrote in the comments: "Nobody likes to lose, but, Via Veneto Pizza and Norristown do go together…

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The Best Eats for the Big Game

Looking for the best food in town for your Super Bowl shindig? Look no further.

OK, so without the Eagles in the mix, there's not much to get psyched about this Super Bowl Sunday except the food. Lucky for you, Norristown has some of the best game-watching munchies for miles around and a couple of places are running Super Bowl specials. Here are some of our top picks: Via Veneto Pizza, 1803 Markley St.; 610-279-5222 Everyone knows that Via Veneto's is the place to go for great pie, but that's not all they're good at. On top of the great food Via Veneto's is running some great specials for game day: And, of course, Via Veneto's will deliver. You can download their menu in our PDF section. Then give them a call and tell them Norristown Patch sent you! Gino's Ristorante and Pizza, 2401 W. Main St.; 610-539-0155 Gino's …

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Norristown Business Association Names Zachary's BBQ 'Restaurant of the Year'

The NBA invited Norristown residents to vote for their favorite restaurant in the inaugural contest.

The Norristown Business Association (NBA) would like to congratulate Zachary’s BBQ for winning the first annual "Restaurant of the Year" award. The NBA asked the community to vote for their favorite Norristown restaurant and the voters have chosen Zachary’s BBQ as Norristown’s Restaurant of the Year. Zachary’s barbecue is smoked in a wood fire pit to perfection by chef Keith Taylor and his team of culinary professionals. The restaurant, located at 1709 Markley Street, also offers catering services.  About Norristown Business Association The Norristown Business Association is a collaborative network of businesses and professionals in the Norristown area. The purpose of the association is to create a thriving business community where …

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Chef Keith Taylor

11:02 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011

There's plenty of great food in Norristown and we love doing business here. It's great to named as one of the best, but, it's even better being in a town where every food establishment is known as the best. Thanks for allowing us to join the ranks and let's have a great year inviting everyone to see just how much great food, hospitality that all of the Norristown business community and residents …   more ›

Norristown In The Headlines

Here's a quick look at what other area media outlets are saying about Norristown.

The Times Herald is reporting on several crimes in Bridgeport involving Norristown residents. The Herald reported that Bridgeport and Upper Merion police, with the aid of a witness, arrested two Norristown men early Monday morning for alleged auto theft and attempted robbery. Darrell Bender, 20, of the 600 block of Corson Street, and Dwayne Quinn-Rogers, 18, of the 1500 block of Standbridge Street, were allegedly spotted by a witness attempting to break into parked cars near Eighth and Mill streets. Quinn-Rogers fled from police, climbing over a fence and running between houses, but was later found in the backyard of a residence. Bender was found in a Ford Escape SUV that police learned had been stolen Aug. 7 in West Norriton. Both men …

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Viewfinder: Shapiro-Richards Team Spends Saturday Partying in Norristown

The Democratic candidates for Montgomery County Commissioner, Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards, stopped by Norristown Saturday to enjoy a backyard barbecue and talk with voters.

The Democratic tandem of Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards paused from an otherwise busy Saturday to grab a bite to eat at Norristown Councilwoman Mimi DeSouza's afternoon barbecue. Prior to arriving at the barbecue, the county commissioner hopefulls spent their morning attending the Ambler Dog Days Parade. Afterward, they stopped in Norristown to grab a bite to eat alongside other prominent Democrats, before leaving to attend a fish fry and a bike night. Norristown Patch was invited to attend the barbecue, and we grabbed some great pictures of the group chowing down and mixing it up.  Enjoy our photo gallery, and stay tuned to Norristown Patch for all your election coverage.

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James Myers

6:05 am on Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Mary Ellen, Norristown Patch doesn't endorse any party. I'm committed to reporting the news from both sides, but I must admit I notice we get more updates, notices and invitations from the Democrats. I'd love more participation from the Republican side to balance things out. We've always been out to cover major GOP news announcements when we know they're happening and with elections coming up, I …   more ›

Phillip Silverstone On Wine

Find Your Wine Companion and Have a Sparkling Summer

This week, a few thoughts on pairing wine and food, and a recommendation for a summer sparkler.

If you’ve been locked in your wine cellar for the past few months and have finally come up for air, let me be the first to welcome you to the sweaty season. It's a season that I, for one, can’t deal with unless I have a libation close at hand to cool my heated behavior. As barbecue and picnic season heats up, summer chefs are discovering that a crisp, light white or red wine pairs well with warm-weather foods and makes an exciting alternative to beer. Although I am a devotee of summer beers, for me, they just don’t do the food complimenting as well as wine. The red wines don’t necessarily need to be chilled to marry with their food companions, but I tend to chill my reds, as well as my whites. The best chilling machine I know of is called …

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Get Out This Weekend

Dancing and Democratic barbecues are just a couple of the fun things on our list of upcoming events.

Looking for something fun and entertaining to do this week? Our calendar is full of local and regional activities and events to stave off summer boredom for you and your family. Enjoy!   Games Around the World Where/When: Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell St., Norristown; July 14, 1 to 4 p.m. Why go: For children ages 5 and up, drop in and enjoy games from other countries, including a life-sized game board. Price: Free   Bicentennial History Committee Meeting Where/When: Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 Dekalb St., Norristown; July 14, 7 p.m. Why go: If you want to get involved in Norristown’s Bicentennial History Committee, join the group at its next meeting tonight. Price: Free   Dance Party Through …

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