Discover Lansdowne - LEDC Newsletter #14

Though it feels like we just got started, this is the last Discover Lansdowne of 2008, with the next issue hitting your inbox January 8. As you've probably deduced, both Discover Lansdowne and Fresh Picks, the Lansdowne Farmers Market e-newsletter, are brought to you by the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) to promote the borough, its businesses, events, people, and talents. We feel pretty confident that you've taken advantage of at least one special event the LEDC sponsored in 2008, which included, in rough chronological order, the Lansdowne Arts and Crafts Show, the Memorial Day 5K Run/Walk Race, the Lansdowne Farmers Market, Lansdowne Sofa Cinema, the Lansdowne Arts Festival, and A Little Bit of the Arts Fine Arts Show. We're proud, but not really surprised, that all the new events got off to solid starts and all the returning attractions got bigger and better, some dramatically (136 entrants for the 2007 5K grew to 241 entrants this year, a 56% increase!).

The LEDC thanks you for taking part in these events -- as vendor, shopper, runner, walker, or, especially, volunteer -- and asks you to stick around because we've got more cool stuff in the works for 2009. We're always looking for help, too, so if you have a particular affinity for any of these happenings and want to get involved in bettering Lansdowne's future an hour or two at a time (New Year's resolution, anyone?), make your move.

Seasonal Doings
Watch some old holiday movies, and you'll notice that one of the sights and sounds of Christmas that's been mostly lost is the oompah of a bundled-up brass band playing on a street corner as fake snow wafts down. Except for the phony white stuff, that kind of scene will be recaptured this Saturday evening, December 20, starting around 6:00 pm as the Mansfield Brass Band celebrates its 10th anniversary by playing Salvation Army arrangements of classic Christmas carols under the renovated turn-of-the-century streetlamps of Gladstone Manor. Carolers are invited to sing along. The band will start at the corner of Mansfield Road and Madison Avenue, travel down Madison to the Gladstone train station and then up Walsh Avenue, finishing at the Christmas tree near the Baltimore Avenue entrance to the community. It's free, fun, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call founder Paul Del Rossi at 610-284-2980.

That ought to get your vocal cords warmed up so they'll be in full throttle the next day, Sunday, December 21, when the Church and Clergy Association of Lansdowne and Vicinity presents an evening of caroling. Meeting at 4:30 pm in the municipal parking lot on N. Lansdowne Avenue and proceeding through the streets and neighborhoods of Lansdowne, this first-time event will conclude at 5:15 pm at the Garden Church on the corner of Lansdowne and Stratford Avenues, where hot chocolate and cookies will be served. All are invited, but don't be late because this is a short one! Call Reverend David A. Braneky at 610-626-0637 for details.

Seasonal Savings
In the last issue of this e-newsletter, we ran a bunch of offers from local businesses of special deals if you mentioned Discover Lansdowne -- so-called Discover Discounts -- and we want to remind you briefly of these, plus add some more. For full details of what's up with these businesses, go here.

First, the new ones:

Noel Schmidt Furniture is, sadly, closing, after more than 130 years as a family business. Noel's great-grandfather started the business in South Philadelphia, and his father moved the store to its present location in Lansdowne in 1950. The retirement sale is currently under way, and all the furniture in the store has been heavily discounted. If you need some new pieces, but have been putting off buying, now's the time. Shop soon for the best selection. The store is open Wednesday and Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Thursday and Friday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. 32 E. Baltimore Avenue, Lansdowne; 610-623-0105; info@noelschmidtfurniture.com. [This is not a true Discover Discount because the deals are open to all, but we're happy to bring it to your attention.]
Greydog Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC, is offering a free gift to customers planning maintenance, repairs, or replacement in 2009 if you schedule by December 31. No job is too small to qualify for the gift. For service in Lansdowne and surrounding communities, call owner Rick Grocott at 610-636-0821.

And, now, the recap of offers still in effect (be sure to mention Discover Discounts to get these deals):

Barb's Bring and Buy Consignment: 15% off all purchases and 25% off Avon until Christmas; 213 W. Baltimore Avenue; 610-259-3848.
Bonnie's Wondergardens: 20% off gift certificates until Christmas; 233 Scottdale Road; 610-259-1733. (The shop will be open every day despite [or to spite] the construction on Scottdale Road.)
Galaxy Wireless Communication, Inc: 10% off everything in the store (except air time coupons) until Christmas; 16 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-626-6800; galaxy2comm@aol.com.
Maureen C. Inglesby, Century 21 realtor: $300 in free groceries for buying or selling a home with her; 610-449-6006 x8470; C21MCI@aol.com; www.MaureenIngelsby.com.
Jasco Jems: Buy one, get one 60% off until Christmas; 26 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 484-461-7495.
Life More Abundant: 5% off any book, 10% off greeting cards, gifts, CDs, and DVDs, in store only, until December 31; 25 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-259-0101; info@lifemoreabundantpa.com; www.lifemoreabundantpa.com.
Lime Sportswear: Waived screen printing setup charge ($40 value) of up to two colors on new orders of 36 pieces or more until December 31; 160 E. Plumstead Avenue; 484-461-7000; tom@limesportswear.net; www.limesportswear.net.
Mission Burrito: $1 off any brunch dish until January 4, 2009; 32 W. Baltimore Avenue; 610-622-6900; www.missionburritopa.com.
PDR Systems, LLC: 10% discount on computer consulting services for your home or office, or 15% off if the contract is over $500, for all services ordered and under signed contract by January 31, 2009; 27 S. Mansfield Avenue; 610-284-2980; PDR.Systems@verizon.net.
Todaro's Music: 10% off all sheet music and books until Christmas; 28 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-623-3555; mandolute@aol.com; http://worldfrets.com.

Happy holidays, and see you in 2009!

< Back \| December 18, 2008 \| Newsletter #14 \| visit the LEDC online at www.LansdownesFuture.org Subscribe to Discover Lansdowne
Though it feels like we just got started, this is the last Discover Lansdowne of 2008, with the next issue hitting your inbox January 8. As you've probably deduced, both Discover Lansdowne and Fresh Picks, the Lansdowne Farmers Market e-newsletter, are brought to you by the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) to promote the borough, its businesses, events, people, and talents. We feel pretty confident that you've taken advantage of at least one special event the LEDC sponsored in 2008, which included, in rough chronological order, the Lansdowne Arts and Crafts Show, the Memorial Day 5K Run/Walk Race, the Lansdowne Farmers Market, Lansdowne Sofa Cinema, the Lansdowne Arts Festival, and A Little Bit of the Arts Fine Arts Show. We're proud, but not really surprised, that all the new events got off to solid starts and all the returning attractions got bigger and better, some dramatically (136 entrants for the 2007 5K grew to 241 entrants this year, a 56% increase!). The LEDC thanks you for taking part in these events -- as vendor, shopper, runner, walker, or, especially, volunteer -- and asks you to stick around because we've got more cool stuff in the works for 2009. We're always looking for help, too, so if you have a particular affinity for any of these happenings and want to get involved in bettering Lansdowne's future an hour or two at a time (New Year's resolution, anyone?), make your move. Seasonal Doings Watch some old holiday movies, and you'll notice that one of the sights and sounds of Christmas that's been mostly lost is the oompah of a bundled-up brass band playing on a street corner as fake snow wafts down. Except for the phony white stuff, that kind of scene will be recaptured this Saturday evening, December 20, starting around 6:00 pm as the Mansfield Brass Band celebrates its 10th anniversary by playing Salvation Army arrangements of classic Christmas carols under the renovated turn-of-the-century streetlamps of Gladstone Manor. Carolers are invited to sing along. The band will start at the corner of Mansfield Road and Madison Avenue, travel down Madison to the Gladstone train station and then up Walsh Avenue, finishing at the Christmas tree near the Baltimore Avenue entrance to the community. It's free, fun, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call founder Paul Del Rossi at 610-284-2980. That ought to get your vocal cords warmed up so they'll be in full throttle the next day, Sunday, December 21, when the Church and Clergy Association of Lansdowne and Vicinity presents an evening of caroling. Meeting at 4:30 pm in the municipal parking lot on N. Lansdowne Avenue and proceeding through the streets and neighborhoods of Lansdowne, this first-time event will conclude at 5:15 pm at the Garden Church on the corner of Lansdowne and Stratford Avenues, where hot chocolate and cookies will be served. All are invited, but don't be late because this is a short one! Call Reverend David A. Braneky at 610-626-0637 for details. Seasonal Savings In the last issue of this e-newsletter, we ran a bunch of offers from local businesses of special deals if you mentioned Discover Lansdowne -- so-called Discover Discounts -- and we want to remind you briefly of these, plus add some more. For full details of what's up with these businesses, go here. First, the new ones: Noel Schmidt Furniture is, sadly, closing, after more than 130 years as a family business. Noel's great-grandfather started the business in South Philadelphia, and his father moved the store to its present location in Lansdowne in 1950. The retirement sale is currently under way, and all the furniture in the store has been heavily discounted. If you need some new pieces, but have been putting off buying, now's the time. Shop soon for the best selection. The store is open Wednesday and Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Thursday and Friday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. 32 E. Baltimore Avenue, Lansdowne; 610-623-0105; info@noelschmidtfurniture.com. [This is not a true Discover Discount because the deals are open to all, but we're happy to bring it to your attention.] Greydog Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC, is offering a free gift to customers planning maintenance, repairs, or replacement in 2009 if you schedule by December 31. No job is too small to qualify for the gift. For service in Lansdowne and surrounding communities, call owner Rick Grocott at 610-636-0821. And, now, the recap of offers still in effect (be sure to mention Discover Discounts to get these deals): Barb's Bring and Buy Consignment: 15% off all purchases and 25% off Avon until Christmas; 213 W. Baltimore Avenue; 610-259-3848. Bonnie's Wondergardens: 20% off gift certificates until Christmas; 233 Scottdale Road; 610-259-1733. (The shop will be open every day despite [or to spite] the construction on Scottdale Road.) Galaxy Wireless Communication, Inc: 10% off everything in the store (except air time coupons) until Christmas; 16 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-626-6800; galaxy2comm@aol.com. Maureen C. Inglesby, Century 21 realtor: $300 in free groceries for buying or selling a home with her; 610-449-6006 x8470; C21MCI@aol.com; www.MaureenIngelsby.com. Jasco Jems: Buy one, get one 60% off until Christmas; 26 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 484-461-7495. Life More Abundant: 5% off any book, 10% off greeting cards, gifts, CDs, and DVDs, in store only, until December 31; 25 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-259-0101; info@lifemoreabundantpa.com; www.lifemoreabundantpa.com. Lime Sportswear: Waived screen printing setup charge ($40 value) of up to two colors on new orders of 36 pieces or more until December 31; 160 E. Plumstead Avenue; 484-461-7000; tom@limesportswear.net; www.limesportswear.net. Mission Burrito: $1 off any brunch dish until January 4, 2009; 32 W. Baltimore Avenue; 610-622-6900; www.missionburritopa.com. PDR Systems, LLC: 10% discount on computer consulting services for your home or office, or 15% off if the contract is over $500, for all services ordered and under signed contract by January 31, 2009; 27 S. Mansfield Avenue; 610-284-2980; PDR.Systems@verizon.net. Todaro's Music: 10% off all sheet music and books until Christmas; 28 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-623-3555; mandolute@aol.com; http://worldfrets.com. Happy holidays, and see you in 2009!	In addition to the wonderful goings-on listed in the column at left, don't miss these upcoming events: Karaoke Night at Regency Café Thursday, December 18, 7:00 to 9:00 pm; Free 14 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne Minas at Picanha Brazilian Grill featuring all-you-can-eat buffet Friday, December 19, 7:00 to 9:30 pm; $21.95 6501 Castor Ave., Philadelphia Mansfield Brass 10th Anniversary Christmas Caroling Saturday, December 20, 6:00 to 8:00 pm; Free Under the streetlights in Gladstone Manor, Lansdowne; 610-284-2980 Bossa Nova Brunch featuring Minas at World Cafe Live Sunday, December 28, 12:00 noon; $15 continental breakfast 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia More information and tickets View the complete listing of local events Do you have an event to announce? Send your upcoming events to events@lansdownesfuture.org to have them included in this space! It's holiday baking time, and if you're like us, you never remember (okay, bother) to check your supplies before you pull out the mixer and measuring cups. Ten minutes of vain searching for walnuts or oatmeal ends in a 45-minute trip to the supermarket and a seriously impaired holiday spirit. Well, now that shopping trip can be a lot briefer and more pleasant because still-newish Life More Abundant in downtown Lansdowne specializes in natural and organic products and so has a surprisingly good selection of baking needs, such as bulk nuts and spices (fresher and cheaper than prepackaged), extracts (vanilla and almond), sugar, molasses, honey, dried fruit (even cherries), cocoa, peanut butter, oatmeal, and an assortment of flours, including gluten-free (available by the pound or in bulk). The catch is that you need to discover your deficit before 3:00 pm on Friday or not until Sunday, since the shop is closed Saturdays. But it's open until 9:00 pm tonight (and there's even a cooking class going on), so check your ingredients and head over for what you lack. You can be even more time efficient by calling Carl first to see if he has what you need. 25 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne; 610-259-0101. The Regency Café will be closed December 22 to January 10 as they prepare to move to their new location at 29 N. Lansdowne Avenue, so dig out the espresso machine you packed away in 2006 and start homebrewing again, so to speak. The other impact of this hiatus is that you can't wait until the last possible yuletide minute to pick up gift certificates and coffee by the pound (the best stocking stuffer because it smells great plus takes up a lot of room). Go now! 14 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne; 484-461-9002; info@regencycafe.com; www.regencycafe.com. If you make it out of bed at all on New Year's Day, will you really feel like cooking? Us neither. There's no shame in letting Mission Burrito feed ya (again). Their 3rd annual New Year's Day brunch buffet, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm January 1, will feature challah French toast, pancakes, eggs, croissants, beef stew, fair-trade organic Mexican coffee, and much more. Have some hair o' the dog, and bring champagne for passionfruit mimosas. Adults $18, children under 7 $10. No reservations required for parties of less than six people. 32 W. Baltimore Avenue, Lansdowne; 610-622-6900; www.missionburritopa.com. 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. 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 Michael Grant by calling 610-745-4013 or sending an email to mainstreet@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 Sofa Cinema, 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 send an email to volunteer@LansdownesFuture.org.

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER at www.LansdownesFuture.org Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation - 12 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050, Phone: 484.461.7001, email: info@LansdownesFuture.org. Send comments and feedback regarding this newsletter to feedback@LansdownesFuture.org Discover Lansdowne is an initiative of the Lansdowne Main Street Program, a project of the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC). Visit the LEDC online at www.LansdownesFuture.org The LEDC is a 501(c)(3) organization that receives support from the Borough of Lansdowne and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development