You can tell that we've rounded the bend of winter and are heading into the homestretch, both by that warm spell we had last week and by the interesting events that are turning up all over the calendar. After the relative lull of January and early February, people are popping their heads out again, Punxsutawney Phil style, to see if it's okay to venture forth. Yep -- the snow and ice have gone, the days are getting longer, and there's loads of stuff to do around here instead of hibernating. Here are some ideas, in order of occurrence.

Creature Double Feature
We mentioned in the last Discover Lansdowne that February is Animal Friends of Lansdowne's Love Your Pets month at the Lansdowne Public Library, 55 S. Lansdowne Avenue, and that they'll be showing two petcentric films -- Babe and Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey tomorrow, February 20, starting at 4:00 and 6:30 pm, respectively. (You remembered that, right? Do we need to start quizzing?) It's free but they'd like a headcount, so give them a call to save yourself a spot: 610-623-0239.

Regency Music Resumes
All the musicians that appear at the Lansdowne Farmers Market are talented and appreciated, but there's something about David Falcone that puts him near the top of regular marketgoers' favorites list. Maybe it's his tendency to mock the oncoming monsoon with numbers like "Who'll Stop the Rain" and "Here Comes the Sun." Maybe it's the long sets he plays. Or maybe it's just that he's a darn good musician, clearly comfortable in his own skin, as well as in his own ample hair. The LFM is still a few months away, but you can catch David this Friday evening at 8:00 as the Regency Café resumes its music nights, now on Fridays and starting an hour later, for a true kickoff to the weekend. Admission is free; BYOB. 29 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne; 484-461-9002.

Shorts Weather
After kicking back for a few months, Lansdowne Sofa Cinema returns this weekend with the first show in its spring series. It's not a single film but an evening of Oscar-nominated short films from 2007, including the much-lauded (and winning) claymation short Peter and the Wolf. (See the list of all six titles and links to more info on each at LSC's website.) The show starts at 6:00 pm at the Lansdowne Baptist Church, Lansdowne and LaCrosse Avenues, and it will be your final chance to experience the "sofa" aspect of Sofa Cinema, since next month the series moves to its permanent home, Cinema 16:9 in the historic Lansdowne Theater, where it will continue on the third Saturday of each month henceforth. Tickets are $5 and are available at the Regency Café or at the door. There's only one show though, so maybe you should buy in advance.

Travel Locally
Here's an idea for an inexpensive round-the-world adventure: the International Bazaar this Sunday, February 22, at the Community YMCA. This free multicultural celebration will feature ethnic food, music and dance, crafts for sale or to make, and children's games and activities. One of the food vendors is Lansdowne's Mission Burrito, so a great lunch is ensured. The bazaar takes place from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the YMCA at Lansdowne Avenue and Garrett Road. For more information, try 610-259-1661 x3008, or e-mail mbwalsh@cyedc.org.

Precycling
While we like the idea of raising money for a good cause by riding a bike down the California coast (what a view! what an adventure!), we're really not up to all that pedaling (what saddlesores!). Some folks are braver and fitter, however, and you can support them and the fight against HIV/AIDS at an event this Sunday, February 22, at 3:00 pm. Voices for AIDS: A LifeCycle Benefit will feature local musicians Christine Havrilla and Bob Beach and Friends in an afternoon concert that's open to all. The proceeds will benefit riders Laurie Temple and John Havrilla, who are making the 545-mile 2009 AIDS LifeCycle trek so we don't have to. The show's at 3:00 pm and tickets are $25 at the door of Irwin Hall, First Presbyterian Church, 140 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne; 610-622-0800. If the weather cooperates, consider riding your bike there.

The Grass Is Sometimes Bluer
Described by reviewers as the "folk-bluegrass Replacements," "offering humor and accomplished playing in equal measures," and "just plain fun," and featuring guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and dobro, West Chester's Mason Porter will be playing next Thursday evening, February 26, at the Lansdowne Folk Club. Opening will be Aimless Pursuit with their take on Pennsylvania bluegrass. It's gonna be a foot-stomping good time, and we wouldn't miss it. (They had us at "dobro.") Tix are $15 in advance or $18 at the door of the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue. For reservations or more information, call 610-622-7250, visit the LFC website, or email lfc.org@rcn.com. Performances begin at 7:30 pm.

The Cure
Does your kid have Phillies Fever! Why not have them play softball or baseball for the Lansdowne Boys and Girls Club. Teams for children 4 to 16 years old are forming now. For more information and a registration form, go to www.lbgc.net.

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

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

Rick Prigg: Recent Paintings Show
Saturday, March 7, 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Sunday, March 8, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Free
16 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

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!

Join the Celebration!
Celebration Theater needs help to continue producing quality theatrical performances in Lansdowne and is looking for some good volunteers. Do you have experience or are you interested in public relations, grant writing, publicity, marketing, event coordination, producing, directing, acting, choreography, vocal or instrumental music, lighting, sound, set design or construction, stage crew, stage management, costumes, props, box office, usher, café, graphic art, or computer technology? Even if you have no theater experience or very little time to give, they'd love to hear from you. Celebration Theater is a friendly group of volunteers; get to know them. Call 610-622-0234 and someone will return your call promptly.

The Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program will be accepting applications between now and May 1, 2009 (or until funds are exhausted). Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this program provides a 25% reimbursement grant (to a maximum of $25,000) to enable Pennsylvania small businesses (up to 100 employees) to acquire certain pieces of equipment or adopt certain processes that promote energy efficiency. Well-designed energy efficiency projects can help small businesses cut operating costs and increase competitiveness, while simultaneously reducing Pennsylvania's energy demand. The reimbursement grants can be applied toward the cost of purchasing and installing numerous energy efficient items and systems, including geothermal heat pumps; energy efficient HVAC, lighting, and refrigeration systems; and insulation and air sealing projects. The application and guidelines are available here. You can get help with the application by contacting Michael Grant, Main Street Manager, at mainstreet@lansdownesfuture.org or Virginia Gavin, LEDC President, at info@lansdownesfuture.org.