Music and movies in the park kick off July 3!
(This information is also on the Parks & Rec/Summer Programs page here)

Summer music in the park
Wednesday evening band concerts return to Knight Park beginning July 11th. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. In the event of rain, concerts will be cancelled.

Knight Park Band Concerts
July 11 - Haddonfield Community Band in Knight Park 7:30PM
July 28 - Haddonfield Community Band in Knight Park 7:30PM

(On June 27, July 25 and Aug 22, there will be Summer Mummers concerts held on Powell Lane. For more information, visit our Summer Mummers page here.)

Movies in Knight Park - Tuesdays and Thursdays!
Muppets, dancers and animals - all on the big screen this summer. Movies in the park are free! 

All movies begin at dusk. The screen is located by the Browning and Collings intersection, near the gazebo. This event is BYOC - Bring your own chair.

Movies in the Park Schedule:
Tuesday Nights
July 3  - Muppets
July 10 - We Bought a Zoo
July 17 - Kung Fu Panda 2
July 24 - The Zookeeper
July 31 - Footloose

Thursday Nights
July 5  - Happy Feet 2
July 12 - Mr. Popper's Penguins
July 19 - Prom
July 26 - The Perfect Game
August 2 - Soul Surfer
August 9 - Beauty and the Beast
August 16 - The Lion King
August 23 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid
August 30 - Tangled

Collingswood will use the $5000 winnings from a Reader’s Digest contest for new artwork in Knight Park. The artist will be selected from local submissions collected during a contest held by the Borough and a public online vote will determine which art submission is built in the park.

“We’re proud to be named one of the best towns in the country and our fans and residents made that happen,” said Collingswood Mayor Jim Maley. “We thought the winnings should go to something everyone can enjoy and since they cast those votes the public will pick the new art installation at the park.”

Borough has issued a call for entries to accept ideas from local artists and will narrow down submissions to the top three to five entries. The public will vote on the artwork they’d most like to see in Knight Park. Deadline for sketch submissions and artwork ideas is July 30 and must include sketches, locations, description, cost, etc. Public voting will begin in late summer 2012. An official call for entries with forms and details is available below.

From the call for entries: The Knight Park Art Contest is open to artists in all disciplines. The selection committee is looking for artwork that is interesting and possibly, but not necessarily, functional. Theme is loosely based on the community of Collingswood. A broad interpretation, from history, family, parks, events, etc., will be considered.

After months of voting Collingswood was named the #16 town in the nation in the Reader’s Digest 2012 We Hear You America campaign. Eighteen winning communities, as voted by residents and fans, received funding and promotional support for civic initiatives to better their communities. Collingswood’s fans racked up more than 660,000 votes to win $5000 for a public art project.

Collingswood Mayor Maley was invited to speak at the Bond Buyer Conference (The Bond Buyer is the news source of public finance and municipal bonds) regarding the Moody’s issue. Maley was included as a part of a panel of speakers at the Bond Buyer's 2nd Annual Tri-State Area Public Finance Conference in New York City.

From the article: Mayor Maley late last month compared the junk bond rating assigned to his city a gigantic nose pimple,  because it ‘doesn’t really affect how you operate, but it makes you look really bad.’

The Bond Buyer featured the Borough’s upgrade in the June 4 issue. You can read the entire article below, which features Maley on the front page and continues on page 5.

Moody’s Investors Service issued a report in late May 2012 that restores the Borough of Collingswood’s credit rating to an investment grade rating of Baa3. The rating agency downgraded the Borough to “junk-bond” status in September 2011. 

“We’re happy to have an appropriate rating again but it was a frustrating and unnecessary roadblock. We have always been confident we’d be back at investment grade and we will continue to move forward as we have been,” said Collingswood Mayor James Maley. “We’ve taken the same steps on this project as we announced last August, not one fact has changed. Moody’s original reasons for the downgrade are now factors in the restoration of our credit rating. There is nothing different today from eight months ago except Moody’s conclusion.”

Moody’s based the 2011 downgrade on a Borough guaranty of debt for the LumberYard Condos development. Despite pointing out numerous factual errors in Moody’s report, the rating agency maintained its downgrade of the Borough. The report’s errors included misstating the amount of the Borough’s guaranty by double and misconstruing the Borough’s home improvement program that paid $150 annually to every property owner for four years from profits of the Parkview redevelopment.

In taking the downgrade action, Moody’s cited concern that the Borough would not be able to sell its notes; the Borough sold its notes in September 2011 and again in May 2012 even with the downgraded credit rating. Moody’s downgrade also relied on what they perceived would be the Borough’s inability to reach agreement with the project lenders; the Borough reached agreement with the project lenders on the identical terms announced in August 2011, before the Moody’s downgrade.  

“We made no changes to the LumberYard project or our Borough finances to convince Moody’s of our viability. We just kept moving along as scheduled and Moody’s had to come to the realization that we are not, and never were, at any risk that would justify junk-bond status,” said Maley.

Youths, aged 8 to 15, that register for the Collingswood Fall Recreation Soccer Program by June 30 gain entrance into a two week free soccer camp. The camp starts Monday, July 9 and is run by coaches John Jones and Rich Jones, two professional and highly regarded soccer trainers. 

This Soccer Summer Camp runs from July 9 through July 20 at 6 p.m. in Knight Park. The registration fee for the Rec Soccer Fall 2012 Program, which is required for the free soccer camp, is $35 per youth. 

All players who register early will receive a free special edition summer camp soccer Go Hard or Go Home t-shirt. 

For more information, call the Recreation Department at 856-854-0720 x110.

Youth sailing classes begin Monday, June 18th and meet from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through the middle of August.  Classes are open to kids’ ages 8-16 years old. Safety on and around the water is strongly emphasized. All instructors are certified in CPR and First Aid by the American Red Cross. Safety boats are on the water at all times, and students wear life jackets, supplied by CRYC, whenever they are on or near the water.

All instructors are certified by US Sailing, the governing body of the sport. Sailing teaches discipline, alertness, patience, responsibility for self, others, and equipment and comfort on and around water.  Cooper River’s sailing program has proven successful at offering students a unique experience as well as strength and confidence that can be applied to everyday life.

Visit www.cooperriveryc.org and click on ‘Learn to Sail’ for more information and downloadable youth and adult program brochures. Registration can be completed online or in-person at CRYC. Please call 856-869-9145 with questions or for additional information. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Hear about next steps and Mayor Maley's thoughts on the project in a video blog here.

The Borough of Collingswood has finalized several agreements to move forward in completing the LumberYard Condos project. The Borough took steps last week to be released from the debt guarantee and transfer development of the final phases to Ingerman of Cherry Hill.

The Borough is borrowing $5.1 million to purchase and complete the 13 remaining units in phase two of the condos. $4.7 million of this transaction will pay down the $8.5 million debt which covers the Borough’s guarantee and releases the Borough from any remaining debt guarantee. Costanza Builders is removed from the project but not from any existing obligations. The Borough will sell the 13 units it acquires in the deal to pay down the remaining debt.

The remaining $4 million debt will be transferred to original financer, bank consortium TICIC, who has reached a purchase agreement with Ingerman to complete the development. Ingerman will finish the condos in the remaining half of the building along the PATCO speedline and the empty lot adjacent to the first building along Powell and Haddon. Plans call for a mixed-use structure with first floor retail and apartments above, similar in style to the existing building. Ingerman will also house their offices in the first floor.

“This is the same plan we had laid out in September. At the end of the day the Borough is removed from the project, we’ve added significant housing and commercial space to what was once a barren hole in the downtown and we’ll see revenue in the form of taxes from the project for years to come,” said Mayor Maley. “Despite the delay, we’re happy to see it all finally coming together and it’s truly a boon to the community.”

The Borough was able to borrow funds at 4.95%, despite complications caused by the Moody’s downgrade. The rate is less than a half-percent difference in what the municipality would have received with an investment grade rating. The Borough anticipates that release from the debt and completion of the project will result in a revaluation of the Borough’s credit rating, back to investment grade.

“We were never at risk of defaulting and now the project is moving along,” said Maley. “We were able to gain a good interest rate. We’re able to finish the project that benefits the downtown and it will pay us back in the long run.”

Free library programs at the Collingswood Public Library! Programs are sponsored by the Board of Trustees and Friends of the Library. Programs will revolve around all things nocturnal – from animals to stars!

 All activities are free however registration is required (unless otherwise noted). Attend as few or as many dates as your vacation schedule allows. Programs take place in the Peter P. Childs Meeting Room and last approximately one hour.

Call Carol or Dot from 9:30a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Friday at 856-858-0649 in the month of June to register for all programs except for Tiny Tots which begins registration on July 6.

Tiny Tots Story Time (18-35 months)
Choose either a Wednesday or Friday schedule
Wed, July 11, 18, 25 & Aug. 1 at 10 a.m.
Fri, July 13, 20, 27 & Aug. 3 at 10 a.m.
Registration begins July 6. Call to register

Story Time for 3, 4 & 5 Year Olds
Thurs., July 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2 from 9 to 10 a.m.
Includes stories, songs, snack, play period, and a craft package to complete at home
Registration begins June 1. Call to register

Stories, Activities & Crafts for children entering
Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades
Wed., July 11, 18, 25 & Aug. 1 at 4 p.m
Registration begins June 1. Call to register

Stories, Activities & Crafts for children entering 3rd, 4th & 5th grades
Thurs., July 12, 19 at 4 p.m.
Registration begins June 1. Call to register

Special Programs
-Mr. Malcolm Presents! Enjoy Mr. Malcolm’s unique, humorous, interactive interpretation of well-known stories.
Wed., June 27 at 7p.m. Suitable for 4 to 9 year olds. No registration required

-Dream Boards for children 3 years old through students entering 5th grade: June 20 through August 28. Receive prizes for checking out books or completing tasks. Boards will be distributed at school and will also be available at the Library beginning June 20.

Collingswood’s monthly downtown art and music event is getting a little sweeter for June 9 featuring arts and artistic treats from local art students, bakers and painters.

Professional bakers and cake decoarators from Collingswood and the region will display cakes decorated in the style of famous works of art at the outdoor patio of Grooveground Coffeebar (647 Haddon Ave). Visitors can cast votes for their favorite cake by coin drop of most fantastically decorated cakes. Guests can also watch as local artists create cake and dessert related paintings on large canvasses on the patio. Winners each month receive Collingswood Cash prizes.

“The Art of the Cake” is held in addition to Collingswood’s monthly 2nd Saturday festivities – a free, open air arts walk with dozens of one night exhibitions from jewelers, painters, potters, crafters and artists that show their pieces along Haddon Ave sidewalks and storefronts from 6 to 9 p.m. Art and music are on display along every block in historic, downtown Collingwood for visitors to enjoy while shopping and dining in town. Like the 2nd Saturday Collingswood Facebook page to learn more about artists and exhibits each month.

In the event of rain, the Art of The Cake exhibition will be moved indoors to Collingswood Borough Hall, 678 Haddon Ave. Cakes will not be sampled at the event, but local businesses throughout Collingswood will join in the fun by having dessert and retail specials for 2nd Saturday. There is no rain date for 2nd Saturday events. During inclement weather, artists and exhibitions are paired with business owners and moved inside.

If you are an artist or musician that would like to participate in 2nd Saturday, please visit http://www.collingswood.com/arts/second-saturday to find out how to display your work.

“Tradition” and “Fairy Tales” are on the marquee at Collingswood Community Theatre!

Collingswood Community Theatre is thrilled to announce it has retained the rights to produce the much-beloved, classic musical Fiddler on the Roof! Because of its huge popularity with touring companies, this show is rarely available – but now, it will be seen onstage at the Scottish Rite on October 12, 13 and 19 through 21. Save the date for this moving Broadway musical.

In the little village of Anatevka, Tevye, a poor dairyman, tries to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Fiddler on the Roof has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. The universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

The show features a star turn in Tevye, among the most memorable roles in musical theatre. Its celebrated score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, features songs loved the world over: “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Matchmaker,” to name a few.

Group sales reservations (groups of 10 or more) are available immediately. Contact Dale at dale@classicmarble.biz or 609-217-4691.

For those interested in performing in the show, auditions will be held in August. Contact Mary Baldwin at baldym2@aol.com to be placed on the audition list.

The summer offering by CCT will be the timeless, yet relevant, Into the Woods, performed in CCT’s summer home, the Ballroom at the Scottish Rite on July 11 through 13.

The most popular of Stephen Sondheim’s works, this show is a fractured fairy tale including an ambivalent Cinderella, a blood- thirsty Little Red Ridinghood, a Prince Charming with a roving eye and a witch...who raps.

When a baker and his wife learn they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell.

Everyone’s wish is granted at the end of act one, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. What begins a lively irreverent fantasy in the style of The Princess Bride becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

Ticket information and group sales can be obtained by contacting Mary Baldwin at baldym2@aol. com or Dale at dale@classicmarble. biz (609-217-4691). You can also get more information at www.CollingswoodCommunityTheatre.com.