Getting Involved
Have room in your life for one more resolution for 2008? Here are some ideas. Resolve to:

1. Support the arts. Volunteer at the Arts Festival or with Celebration Theater.
2. Buy fresh, locally grown produce. Volunteer at the Farmers Market.
3. Continue a tradition, however new. Volunteer at the 5K Run/Walk.
4. Defeat hunger. Volunteer to feed the homeless once a month.
5. Make our schools better. Volunteer on the Martin Luther King Day of Service.

In short, volunteer to get involved.

There are so many people and groups in Lansdowne that are doing good things, things that resonate both within the borough and beyond its borders, on a community as well as an individual level. They're feeding, serving, directing, greeting, visiting, painting, cleaning, entertaining — you name it. And they — we — could use some help.

But you can't help if you don't know what's needed.

We hope that by alerting you to some events and groups that could use specific volunteer assistance you'll step up if you possibly can. So we're making opportunities to get involved a regular feature of Discover Lansdowne. A couple hours once a month or even once every few months (or, in a few cases, once a year) is typically all we're looking for. Best of all, most of these "jobs" are surprisingly enjoyable, presenting a chance to meet and spend time with other like-minded folks who also want to give a bit back. And because we think volunteerism is contagious, sometimes we may tell you about what your neighbors have already done. It will inspire you.

So, please, check your schedule, check your resolutions, and see where you can get involved.

January 21, Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, is the one national holiday that is recognized as a day of service. It's also the one day a year we ask for help painting and cleaning our community. Between 9 am and 2 pm on the 21st, the Ardmore Avenue Elementary School is going to get that gentle facelift. Come help and enjoy both free refreshments and the knowledge that you've made a valuable contribution to your community. Call Jennifer at 610.220.1385 for more information.

Help Stock Our Food Cupboard: Help us replenish the supplies of our local food cupboard that helps so many local families in need. Please bring any of the following items to Ardmore Avenue Elementary School on MLK Day (or beforehand) so we can help feed our community. Items that are especially needed include powdered milk, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, macaroni & cheese, canned stew, pancake mix, syrup, snacks, crackers, canned meat, tuna fish, fruit, drinks, coffee, and tea.

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.

A HANUKKAH MIRACLE by Jennifer Hoff
For the past five years, I have had the privilege to be a part of the Ardmore Avenue Home and School Association's "Ardmore Cares" program. The program provides holiday cheer to some less fortunate local families by providing them with food and gifts each Christmas. read more

 

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.

Art Gallery Opening Reception at Noel Schmidt's Furniture
Thursday, January 17, 4-8 pm; 32 E. Baltimore Avenue; Free
Come see the works of two great artists! Paintings by Larry Smalley and illustrations from Marcus DiSciullo will be on display from January 17 through February 28. Hours of exhibit: Mon, Tue, Wed, and Sat 10-5; Thu and Fri 10-8. For more information call 610-623-0105.

Terry Garland with The Super Humble Country Band at Lansdowne Folk Club
Thursday, January 24, 7:30 pm; Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue; $15-18
Terry Garland is widely known internationally as a master slide and acoustic guitarist. His foot-stomping, gut-wrenching perfomances are enjoyed throughout the US, Europe, and Japan. The Super Humble Country Band is a Philadelphia-based supergroup that plays classics that everyone knows and loves.

Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra Valentine's Day Concert
Sunday, February 10, 3:00 pm; Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill; $15 General admission, $12 seniors, $5 students
For more information visit http://www.lansdowneso.org
Featuring Soprano Cassandra Lambros, this concert will include performances of romance-themed works by Ravel, Handel, Puccini, Verdi and Brahms.

Celebration Theater presents Fools
March 7-22, 2008; Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue; $12-$17
A cast of lovable Neil Simon characters and Mel Brooks-style humor (heavy on the puns) combine to tell this tale with warmth and a gentle message. This "comic fable" takes place a long time ago in a remote Ukrainian village.
For tickets and times visit http://www.celebrationtheater.com

View the complete listing of local events

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT EVENTS
Many of you receiving this newsletter may wonder why an announcement that broadcasts the same events as Lansdowne Announce is necessary. In partnership with the LBPA's ShopLansdowne.com, Discover Lansdowne will bring you these events on an approximately twice-monthly basis. You will continue to receive Lansdowne Announce, however only on a quarterly (4x/year) basis.

MARKET COUNTDOWN: The Lansdowne Farmers market returns Saturday, May 24, 2008! See you there!

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: