People often ask the LEDC what's going on now that the Farmers Market is over for the year. They're kidding, right? There's LOADS of stuff going on in Lansdowne to satisfy our desire — anyone's desire — for local goods and entertainment. And best of all, almost none of it involves getting up early on a Saturday!

SIT BACK AND ENJOY
We know that as the weather gets colder, it's tempting to settle in on the couch and answer the siren call of Nova and the latest Ken Burns documentary (okay, really The Office and Project Runway). But your favorite shows will hold for a couple days, so set the Tivo or DVR and tear yourself away for a few hours to take in these great events right here in the borough.

Not in the mood yet for The Messiah? Head over to the Twentieth Century Club tonight, Thursday, December 6, as the Lansdowne Folk Club presents The Dreamsicles, with guest Monica McIntyre, for an evening of ballads and love songs sung like they mean it, because they do. Recently married Cary Cooper and Tom Prasada-Rao claim Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Carole King among their influences and perform both originals and covers. Add Monica McIntyre on cello and violin and you won't give Survivor another thought all night.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 16, you can catch Celebration Theater's An O. Henry Christmas, also at the beautiful (and clearly useful) Twentieth Century Club. Adapted from several O. Henry short stories and good for all ages, this play uses humor and clear, poignant language to help its characters rediscover the spirit of Christmas. Now who couldn't use a little of that?

STEP UP AND BUY
If you're like us, you think that any shopping that can be accomplished NOT at the mall or a megastore is time well spent, so not having to even leave Lansdowne is triply valuable, right?

Now in its 10th year in Lansdowne, the annual Home Show is back in an actual home in 2007 after a few years at the Lansdowne Theater. At least half a dozen local artisans will be featuring their goods at 86 E. Greenwood Avenue this Friday evening, December 7, and all day Saturday the 8th, and this is your personal invitation to grab a friend or two and come. While you enjoy refreshments in a party atmosphere, you can make a major dent or even finish up your holiday shopping with handcrafted jewelry, scarves, candies, fruit syrups, wooden furniture and utensils, old-fashioned relish, and more, all made by people who live just around the corner.

Also available at the Home Show: Farmers Market gift certificates! They're a great idea for both enthusiasts and that friend or neighbor who needs a little incentive to try the Market. Consider it a gift for the town as well as that person on your list.

Studio 47 West will be holding their premiere sales event Thursday, December 13, from 4 to 7 pm at (you guessed it!) the Twentieth Century Club. So if there are any women left on your list at that point who would appreciate a knockout necklace or yowza bracelet, that's the place to be. Plus, they'll do the gift wrapping for you!

And a couple more gift certificate ideas: Mission Burrito would be feliz to set you up with a GC good for eating in or taking out their menu items or the cheese, sausage, or other authentic Mexican foodstuffs available in their new refrigerated case. Or, if you know someone who enjoys lattes or almond braids (we do, we do!), a gift certificate from The Regency Cafe will be a big hit.

If supporting the local economy is on your list of New Year's resolutions (and we hope it is), it's easy to start practicing now. There's plenty to do and scads to buy, all within walking distance of home. So bundle up and look both ways before crossing the street when you head out to these swell events and places. And have a terrific holiday season.

Can you identify the Lansdowne location shown in this photograph? Check the next edition of Discover Lansdowne for the answer!

Facade Grants: Grants are available to business owners in the central business district for facade improvement. This program can provide up to a 50% match for qualified businesses. For more information please contact Gary Chilutti by calling 484-461-7001 or sending an email to Gary@LansdownesFuture.org.

Fundraising: Help the LEDC make Lansdowne even better by making a tax-deductible contribution today. Funds are used to support projects such as the Lansdowne Farmers Market, Lansdowne Arts Festival, Lansdowne Loves Movies, and all sorts of great stuff (including this newsletter!). Gifts can be made online at www.LansdownesFuture.org/donate.

Volunteer: Yet another way to make Lansdowne a great town...volunteer for the LEDC. We have spots open in Facade Design, Organization, Promotions and Economic Restructuring. To volunteer, please contact Gary Chilutti by calling 484-461-7001 or sending an email to Gary@LansdownesFuture.org.

Harry got mad at Joey and threw him out of the Wawa. Jimmy is a jerk sometimes. Mrs. Patchings feels bad for not tipping the paperboy. out of the Wawa. Jimmy is a jerk sometimes. Mrs. Patchings feels bad for not tipping the paperboy.

The Dreamsicles with Monica McIntyre at Lansdowne Folk Club
What: An evening of ballads and love songs performed by the duo of Cary Cooper and Tom Prasada-Rao, accompanied by cellist Monica McIntyre.
When: Thursday, December 6, 7:30 pm
Where: Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue
Cost: $15-18

The Home Show
What: Featuring local crafters, the Home Show is the perfect place to look for that unique gift. This year we have some familiar faces as well as some new ones.
When: Friday, December 7, 5:30-10; Saturday, December 8, 10-4
Where: 86 E. Greenwood Avenue
Cost: Free

Celebration Theater presents An O. Henry Christmas
What: In an abandoned New York City lot circa 1893, a group of homeless friends gather for warmth around a trash can fire on Christmas Eve. This uplifting seasonal tale allows the audience to rediscover the spirit of Christmas.
When: December 6, 7, 8, and December 14, 15, 16.
For tickets and times visit http://www.celebrationtheater.com
Where: Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue
Cost: $12-17

Lansdowne Symphony Youth and Holiday Concert
What: The Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra presents its annual holiday performance featuring the Upper Darby High School Concert Choir. Works by Beethoven, Wieniawski, and Tchaikovsky will be featured.
When: Sunday, December 9, 3 pm
Where: Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill
Cost: $15 General admission, $12 Seniors, $5 students

Music and Art @ Regency Cafe
What: Live acoustic folk music from Erich Mace.
Also, through December 31 at Regency, come check out the great art of Lansdowne's own Megan Halsey.
When: Music, Thursday, December 13, 7 pm; Art, all month
Where: Regency Cafe, 14 S. Lansdowne Avenue
Cost: Free

Studio 47 West Holiday Sales Event
What: The premiere sales event from Lansdowne's Studio 47 West will present an excellent opportunity to find gifts for friends and family alike.
When: Thursday, December 13, 4-7 pm
Where: Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Mansfield Brass Christmas Caroling
What: Lansdowne's own full five-piece brass ensemble named for the street in Gladstone Manor where Paul Del Rossi, the group's director and lead trumpeter, lives.
When: Thursday, December 20, 7 pm, at Regency Cafe; also caroling under the street lights (weather permitting), Saturday, December 22 in Gladstone Manor
Caroling begins at 6 pm under the street light at the corner of Mansfield Rd and Madison Ave, travels down Madison Ave to the Gladstone train station and then up Walsh Ave, and ends at the entrance to Gladstone Manor near the large Christmas tree.
Cost: Free

The Art Gallery at Noel Schmidt's Furniture
What: Come see the works of two great artists! Watercolors by Marian Setzman and wood arts from Jim Mikkelsen are currently on display. Exhibition open through December 29.
When: Mon, Tue, Wed, and Sat 10-5; Thu and Fri 10-8
Where: 32 E. Baltimore Avenue
Cost: Free
For more information call 610-623-0105.

Off-Season News
Of course you're missing the Farmers Market this time of year, but there's still plenty of stuff going on with the various Market vendors, including:

Farm Fresh Express Expands Hours: Farm Fresh Express is now open year-round on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 8:30 am to 2 pm. The market is located at 303 Windermere Avenue, one block north of Marshall Road. Walk-in customers can choose from a wide selection of grass-fed beef, lamb and pork; free-range poultry and eggs; milk, yogurt, and cheese from grass-fed animals; pantry items like cranberry honey from southern Delaware, maple syrup from the Scranton area, and a seasonally varied selection of organic fruits and vegetables. For more information or to place an order, call 484-461-7884 or visit www.farmfreshexpress.com.

Lansdowne Announce
Thanks to the Lansdowne Business and Professional Association, we also have a great resource for other local happenings. To see what's happening, visit the latest edition of Lansdowne Announce!

Bonnie's Wondergardens
Don't forget — if you're looking to add a touch of natural elegance to your holiday decorations this year, be sure to visit Bonnie's Wondergardens on Scottdale Road for garlands, wreaths, poinsettias, ornaments, and more!

Looking for Volunteers?
Does your community group need to connect with volunteers? The LEDC wants to help. Here's how: Fill out our Need Volunteers form to place your free call for volunteers. We'll list your specific volunteer needs in this space, giving you exposure to many local community-minded folks.