As promised, this is the first Discover Lansdowne of late 2009. Fresh Picks, the Lansdowne Farmers Market's e-newsletter, will be back in the spring. Nonetheless, the Farmers Market is as good a place as any to start this issue, since it was a blast last week, with nearly all the kids and most of the grownups in costume and none of that sad last-market feeling that typically plagues the final October Saturday, since we're having a Special Bonus Market Day on November 21, right before Thanksgiving. We had plenty of that now-familiar wet-market feeling though, as it rained off and on all morning, but spirits were high, treats were abundant, and the foot traffic was surprisingly good. Per usual, John Green took some swell shots that capture the general gestalt of the morning, which you are invited to view here. Clever shoppers started planning Thanksgiving menus, reserving mushroom soup, and placing orders for dinner rolls and whatnot for pickup on November 21, when the vendors will converge at the parking lot one final time this year to load us up for the ensuing holiday and, alas, the ensuing winter.

Two costumed characters wave goodbye from the last regular Lansdowne Farmers Market of the year, held on Halloween. The Farmers Market returns for one more Saturday with a special Thanksgiving Market to take place on November 21.

Photo by John Kelly Green

Music, Music, Music
For taking up only one square mile of the planet, Lansdowne has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to music, boasting an instrument shop, a folk club, a house concert venue, a brass band, a mandolin band, a Brazilian band, a jug band, a symphony orchestra for Pete's sake, and no doubt many still-to-be-discovered acts of the basement and garage variety. For whatever reason, the fall seems to be when musical events hit their stride, with many upcoming opportunities to catch local acts or national acts that are appearing locally.

Grab your feathered headgear, as you have three opportunities to catch the bossa nova rhythms of Minas over the next two weeks. First -- and free! -- is Patricia and Orlando's performance this Sunday, November 8, at 1:00 pm at the Lansdowne Meeting House as part of Lansdowne Friends School's Homecoming celebration. This special day at LSF (from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm) will also feature the unveiling of the school's community photo installation and a delicious cold lunch. Everyone is invited. Call 610-623-2548 for details about tickets and the whole day's activities. Second -- and basically free with a huge meal -- is next Friday's appearance at Picanha Brazilian Grill, 6501 Castor Avenue, in Northeast Philadelphia. The roughly $22 admission includes an all-you-can-eat buffet of grilled meat and other Brazilian specialties. The duo will be playing between 7:00 and 9:30 pm that evening. Last -- but hardly least -- is the concert and party celebrating the release of their sixth CD, "Bossa Nova Day," on Monday evening, November 16 at World Café Live in West Philly. Admission is $25, or $30 if you'd like the autographed CD. (XPN members receive a discount on up to two tickets purchased by phone or at the box office.) The show starts at 7:30 pm, and a good time will certainly be had by all.

If you prefer your music with less of a beat, this Sunday, November 8, is the start of the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra's season with its Autumn concert, featuring works by Brahms, Mahler, and Smetana. Tickets range from $5 for students to $15 for general admission, with discounts offered to Upper Darby Performing Arts Center members and WHYY members. The performance is at 3:00 pm at the Upper Darby High School.

Finally, if venue matters to you and your thinking is "the more intimate, the better," catch Acoustic Eidolon at Concerts at the Beach House next Wednesday, November 11, at 7:30 pm. Bring a snack or dish to share, your own bottle, and at least $15 to stick in the collecting can, the contents of which go to the artists. Contact Bob Beach if you've never been (bob@bobbeach.net or 610-626-0012); he'd love to tell you about how it works. And where he lives.

Soirees for Good Causes
Two fundraising events this Saturday deserve special mention, and you may even want to dress up a bit for them. Animal Friends of Lansdowne's Fifth Anniversary Gala benefits a great cause (local needy critters), takes places in an interesting location (the Restaurant School), and even offers a chance to shop (a silent auction). The $48 ticket covers a three-course dinner and a glass of wine; there's also a cash bar. The cocktail hour is at 6:00 pm and dinner begins at 7:00 at 4207 Walnut Street in West Philly.

Back here in Lansdowne, the Live Art Auction at the First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne will offer an unusual opportunity to purchase fine art -- paintings, illustrations, animation cels, etc -- as well as sports and music memorabilia, usually much below gallery prices. The preview is at 7:00 pm, with the live auction starting at 7:30. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $10 and cover both the auction and a wine and cheese social, with hors d'oeuvres and desserts throughout the evening. The funds raised by the event will be used toward a heating control system for the church and school. For tickets or further information contact Evelyn Quirk at 610-259-5526 or Barbara Conway at 484-463-8338.

Rummage Rules!
There's nothing like a good old-fashioned church bazaar, and we have one right here this weekend. Starting at 10:00 am on Saturday, The Garden Church will be offering a variety of goods, surprises, and bargains, including handcrafted gifts, baked goods, books, CDs, DVDs, and plants. Many items are in new or excellent condition. An indoor cafe will serve hotdogs (of course), chili, sloppy joes, soups, desserts, and beverages, plus Nelson's delicious mouthwatering barbecued chicken and ribs will be for sale on site, either as full meals or ala carte. While you're bargain hunting at the bazaar, stop in at the Secret Garden, a shop brimming with a variety of quality gifts, packaged food items, and cards, all priced to please. Christmas items are now in stock also. For more information, contact the church at 610-623-1645 or connect@thegardenchurch.org. The Garden Church is across from the Wawa at 82 N. Lansdowne Avenue.

Knock, Knock
Who's there? Guess. Guess who? That's right! Huh? Never mind. All are invited to a free screening of the Oscar-winning film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (get it now?) next Friday, November 13, at 7:00 pm at the Lansdowne Public Library. Sponsored by the Lansdowne Human Relations Commission, the Lansdowne No Place for Hate Committee, and the library, this screening presents a late 1960s Hollywood take on race and expectations and offers much to talk about. It's well worth seeing multiple times for the cast alone (Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn), so don't let familiarity with the content keep you away. Plus, it's free and cookies and cider will be served. There will be a discussion afterward, and take-away reading lists will be provided (the suggestions are optional, not homework).

Mark Your Calendar
Coming soon: the next great art event. Sponsored by the LEDC, A Bit of the Arts Holiday Sale will feature dozens of emerging and established artists and craftspeople in the elegant setting of Lansdowne's indispensible Twentieth Century Club, all against the background of live music. Need we mention what a fine chance this is to get holiday gifts? Thought not. Admission is free, refreshments will be available for purchase, and it's taking place on Friday, November 27, 3:00 to 8:30 pm, and Saturday, November 28, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

The Recreation and Park Department of Lansdowne would like the public's input and ideas as they work on the master site plan for Marlyn Park (aka the sledding park). They invite you to share your thoughts at the public meeting at 7:00 pm on Monday, November 16, at Borough Hall (second floor), Lansdowne and Baltimore Avenues. For more information, contact Jeri Staiber at (610) 284-1493 or 20thcenturyclub@comcast.net.

The American Legion Post 65 Food Drive is now taking place. Canned food and other nonperishable food items can be brought to the lobby of Borough Hall for collection. Thanks for helping feed those less fortunate.

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

Movies at Cinema 16:9
November 5 to 19, various times
Pressure Cooker; In a Dream; The Cabinet of Dr Caligari; Food, Inc.
35 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

St Philomena's happy hour fundraiser at Casey's
Friday, November 6, 5:00 pm; $30
812 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill
Contact Lori Giosa at 610-394-6562

Holiday Bazaar at The Garden Church
Saturday, November 7, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
82 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-623-1645 connect@thegardenchurch.org

Fifth Anniversary Gala for Animal Friends of Lansdowne
Saturday, November 7, 6:00 pm; $48 per person
The Restaurant School, 4207 Walnut Street, Philadelphia

Live Art Auction at the First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne
Saturday, November 7, 7:00 pm; $10
Lansdowne and Greenwood Avenues, Lansdowne
610-259-5526 or 484-463-8338

Lansdowne Friends School Homecoming
Sunday, November 8, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
110 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne
610-623-2548

Autumn Concert of the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, November 8, 3:00 pm; $5 to $15
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, Upper Darby High School

Acoustic Eidolon at Concerts at the Beach House
Wednesday, November 11, 7:30 pm; $15, BYOB
bob@bobbeach.net or 610-626-0012

Minas at Picanha Brazilian Grill
Friday, November 13, 7:00 pm; $21.99 includes
meal
6501 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner at the Lansdowne Public Library
Friday, November 13, 7:00 pm; Free; refreshments served
55 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

Minas CD Release Party at World Cafe Live
Monday, November 16, 7:30 pm; $25 to $30
3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215-222-1400

The Angel Band with guest Brian Ashley Jones at the Lansdowne Folk Club
Thursday, November 19, 7:30 pm; $15 to $18
Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne
lfc.org@rcn.com or 610-622-7250

Annual Fall Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by Lansdowne Boy Scout Troop 63
Saturday, November 21, 4:00 to 7:00 pm
$5 for children (12 & under); $7 for adults
The First Presbyterian Church, Lansdowne and Greenwood Avenues, Lansdowne

A Bit of the Arts Holiday Sale at the Twentieth Century Club
Friday, November 27, 3:00 to 8:30 pm, and Saturday, November 28, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Free
84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

Mason Porter at Concerts at the Beach House
Sunday, November 29, 6:00 pm; $15, BYOB
bob@bobbeach.net or 610-626-0012

Do you have an event to announce?
Send your upcoming events to events@lansdownesfuture.org to have them included in this space!

View the complete listing of local events

Special Bonus Market Day, Saturday, November 21, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Lansdowne Avenue parking lot. It's your last chance to get the goods before Thanksgiving and the long, cold winter.

Tonight, November 5, at 6:30 pm, see how to drop two or three sizes instantly using body shapers and get information about nutritional products and a related unique business opportunity in a showcase at Jasco Jems, 26 N. Landowne Avenue, 484-461-7494.

Free vegetarian cooking class, Thursday, November 19, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, at Life More Abundant 25 N. Lansdowne Avenue, 610-259-0101. Chef Johnetta Frazier shows you how to eat well easily.