28 Days
February is a short month, but it has a lot packed into it: Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day, Washington's birthday, Ash Wednesday, plus, this year, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday (see Remaking History, below). All these are nationally recognized, as is February's being Black History Month (again, see below), National Heart Month, and National Dental Health Month (c'mon, people, floss already). But Lansdowne likes to do things its own way, so the Lansdowne Public Library is celebrating Library Lovers Month by proclaiming every day a holiday of sorts. Pick the ones you want to celebrate (perhaps National Chocolate Mint Day) and skip the ones that don't inspire you (definitely Toothache Day). As if that's not enough, the Library has teamed with Animal Friends of Lansdowne to declare February Love Your Pets Month, with a focus on animal books all month, plus a special two-movie day on Friday, February 20, with Babe at 4:00 pm and Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey at 6:30. But wait -- that's not all! Not everyone has dogs or cats (or pigs) as pets, so on Sunday, February 22, at 2:00 pm, Jojo the Grey Adoption and Rescue for Birds will be leading a session on exotic bird care. How's that for inclusive?

Sounds Good
This month affords many opportunities for a music-centered afternoon or evening or even all night out, either right in Lansdowne or nearby.

Tomorrow evening, Friday, February 6, Lansdowne's Bob Beach will be performing with the way-fun band Hoots and Hellmouth at Drexel University during the Mad Dragon concert, also featuring four other bands for the recession-friendly price of $10. Doors to the Mandell Theater, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, open at 7:00 pm, and advance tickets are available here.

If you're less into foot stomping and more into adagio, the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra's Baroque Concert on February 8 at 3:00 pm might be for you. Featuring several works by Vivaldi and a soloist for nearly every piece, the performance takes place at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, Upper Darby High School. Tickets are $5 to $15 (get a $2 discount with a valid WHYY member card) and can be purchased at the door or by calling 610-622-1189.

All are invited to a free concert by Turning Point, a select Christian contemporary vocal group of students from Eastern University in St Davids, at 5:00 pm Sunday, February 15, at the Lansdowne Baptist Church, located at the corner of East LaCrosse and Lansdowne Avenues. Enjoy the show and then light refreshments afterward.

Consider that concert a warm-up for the blowout that comes later that same night (Sunday, February 15) in the form of a Carnaval celebration sponsored by the Philadelphia Samba Club and featuring Lansdowne's own samba sensation Minas, plus Brazil Production's sassy dancers and Philasamba, a percussion and dance troupe. The party is from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am at the beautiful Tierra Nightclub, at 4535 N. Fifth Street in Northeast Philadelphia, which offers fabulous South American food, multiple open bars, and free parking. Tickets are $20 at the door, or you can order them here at a discount.

Rounding out the month's offerings are the bluegrass bands Mason Porter and Aimless Pursuit on Thursday, February 26, at 7:30 pm at the Lansdowne Folk Club. For reservations or more information, call 610-622-7250 or email lfc.org@rcn.com. Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne.

Remaking History
Next Thursday, February 12, 2009, will be the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. While Lincoln is certainly one of the most famous and best loved American presidents, because of this bicentennial and Barack Obama's election, he's gotten even more attention recently, and deservedly so. We won't be adding anything new to the discussion about the Great Emancipator, but we do want to say Happy 200th, Mr Lincoln — you set the commander-in-chief bar high. Americans love a birthday party, so there are celebrations and commemorations of every sort taking place throughout the region in February and beyond. Go here for events in Pennsylvania, here for events in New Jersey, or here for the chockfull national calendar of events. And remember to head to the bank on Lincoln's birthday, when four new pennies will go into circulation featuring reverses that honor Honest Abe.

Not coincidentally, February is Black History Month, and we're situated just west of a little burg known as Philadelphia that's loaded with museums and societies and centers that have more historical happenings planned than you can shake a quill pen at. Most are free to the public and make for an enjoyable and educational afternoon out.

Birds and Bees
Uh, we meant Birds and Trees. If you're a bird watcher, now's the time to keep those feeders filled. The dead of winter is a tough time for our feathered friends, especially when there's several inches of snow and ice on the ground. If you're especially inspired, perhaps you'd like to participate in next weekend's Great Backyard Bird Count, which can involve as little as 15 minutes of your time for one day between February 13 and 16. If you're not a regular birdwatcher, you'll probably be surprised to see the great variety of birds (including vast numbers of woodpeckers and not a few hawks) that can be found in Lansdowne.

One of the reasons that we have so many birds here is the trees, about which we have rhapsodized before. Every year we lose a few to disease or storms or overzealous pruning, so it's nice that the Lansdowne Tree Advisory Board is again offering free trees for the front yard of any resident who requests one by February 15. Just contact Mary Lou Jennings at 610-622-0162 to ask for one, and then be ready to take delivery next month. It's that easy.

In addition to the wonderful goings-on listed in the column at left, don't miss these upcoming events:

Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra Baroque Concert
Sunday, February 8, 3:00 pm, $5 to $15
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, Upper Darby High School

Turning Point at the Lansdowne Baptist Church
Contemporary Christian vocal group
Sunday, February 15, 5:00 pm, Free
E. LaCrosse and Lansdowne Avenues, Lansdowne

Mason Porter with guest Aimless Pursuit at the Lansdowne Folk Club
Thursday, February 26, 7:30 pm, $18
84 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; 610-622-7250

Craft Show to benefit St Philomena's School
Saturday, March 21, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Free
Marian Hall, 24 N. Wycombe Avenue, Lansdowne

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!

Reuse, Recycle — Restore a Home
Before you call the borough for bulk trash pickup of furniture or appliances that you've replaced or don't need but that still are in good shape and would work for someone else, consider contacting the Community Action Agency of Delaware County. They'll put your castoffs to good use in emergency shelters or for families that are leaving shelters and setting up new homes. The agency also helps victims of domestic abuse, fire, and other disasters by partnering with more than 25 local service agencies. So instead of sending your old but working TV or used but still useful furniture to a landfill, find it a new home. Call 610-522-9611 to see if your items can be put to use.

LSO SOS
If you have an interest in classical music and the arts in general, the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra could use your help as a member of the Board of Directors. Duties vary, but you'd be providing year-round support to a group that's been offering classical music to the region since 1946. Contact Jack Covert at LSOmusic@aol.com or 610-394-2783 if you're interested.

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.