Discover Discounts Are Back!
Do you love or hate December? Admittedly, it is rather demanding as months go: all that shopping, baking, cooking, decorating, wrapping, mailing, party going, and merry making can wear a person out. Add in concerns about what it all costs and whether you'll get it all done on time and the twelfth month could even veer into the unpleasant. You might start to think you hate December. But consider it against what follows — cold, dark, rather dull January and February (heck, even March is no great shakes) — and you might find more reason to appreciate this final month of the year despite the stresses it presents. To keep your December spirits up and to thank you for being a reader of this e-newsletter, we've asked around and come up with some special discount offers just for readers of Discover Lansdowne. The generous business owners and groups listed below encourage you to "think Lansdowne" (and get creative) when you shop, dine out, seek to be entertained, and take care of your home and other interests this month. Just mention you read about a special offer in Discover Lansdowne — a Discover Discount — to get the described deal throughout December. And don't forget that parking is free in Lansdowne at meters and in municipal lots the whole month! Starting to feel a bit better about December?

• Talk Is Cheap(er). Chris Arouh at Galaxy Wireless Communication, Inc, would like you to enjoy 10% off everything in the store (except air time coupons). Galaxy Wireless carries all-you-can-talk prepaid plans and offers repairs of all makes and models of cell phones. The storefront is at 16 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-626-6800; galaxy2comm@aol.com.
  
  
• More Abundance, Less Bucks. Carl and Lisa Arosarena at Life More Abundant are offering 10% off any book, including bibles and children's books; 10% off greeting cards and gifts (including bible bags, mugs, calendars); and 10% off audio CDs and video DVDs. Offer is good only at their storefront (not online) at 25 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-259-0101; info@lifemoreabundantpa.com; www.lifemoreabundantpa.com.
  
  
• BOGO. Dave and Phoebe Titus offer new members at Cinema 16:9 two months of membership for the price of one — just pay for your first month of membership and get your second month free. Your local movie salon is at 35 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 484-461-7676; www.cinema169.com.
  
  
• Staff Reductions. Have a budding Yo-Yo Ma or Norah Jones in your house? Joe Todaro invites you to take 10% off all holiday books and sheet music at Todaro's Music, 28 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-623-3555; mandolute@aol.com; http://worldfrets.com.
  
  
• Toast-worthy. Stephen and Jennifer Wagner think you will enjoy taking 25% off the fresh, seasonal cocktail mixers that pair so well with the spirits you bring to Sycamore, 14 S. Lansdowne Avenue; 484-461-2867; sycamorebyo@gmail.com; www.sycamorebyo.com.
  
  
• Trickle Down. Chris and Marcy Allen are offering any size drip coffee for only $1.50 between 6:30 and 9:00 am weekdays at the Regency Café, 29 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 484-461-4002; info@regencycafe.com; www.regencycafe.com.
  
  
• The Heat Is On. Save money during the cold! Rick Grocott of Greydog Plumbing, Heating & AC suggests you service your heating system for better efficiency and to lower your energy bill. Take advantage of the neighbor discount — $99 for a full heating service. Or, mention Discover Discounts for 20% off any job in December. Give Mom that new faucet she been wanting, or fix that leak in the bathroom for Dad. Discounts apply for residential service; offers cannot be combined. Stop in at Greydog's new office at 199 E. Plumstead Avenue; 610-352-4328; greydogplumbing.heating@yahoo.com.
  
  
• Quote From Your Good Neighbor. Jeff DiBlasi and his team at State Farm are happy to help you with a free quote on your auto, home, life, and health insurance needs. Buying insurance for a loved one might be the most practical, and in some ways comforting, gift going. 14 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 610-626-5400; Jeff@Insurewithjeff.com; www.insurewithjeff.com.
  
  
• Next Stop. The newest addition to Lansdowne's main street, Paddington Station (Antiques on the Avenue) carries one-of-a-kind gifts, collectibles, and antiques. To celebrate the Christmas season, the Carpenters are offering 15% off two of their new lines — fabulous Tolani scarves and Elaine R's extraordinary Snow Children — for Discover Lansdowne readers. The shop is located next to Sycamore at 12 S. Lansdowne Avenue; 484-461-7770.
  
  
• Furry Friends. Consider giving a gift membership to Animal Friends of Lansdowne to a loved one who holds critters dear or who has lost a pet. For a $50 Special Friend fee, your gift recipient will get the membership plus a bonus AFL T-shirt and a card from Animal Friends acknowledging you as the giver. Purchase the membership through the AFL website, and send them an email with your gift recipient's name, address, and shirt size. It's thoughtful, meaningful, and beneficial.
  
  
• Tour for Four. And perhaps the most unique gift idea here: the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation is offering private theater tours for a discounted (and tax-deductible) donation of $85 for parties of up to four people. Just make your donation in December and contact them at 610-622-1234 or info@lansdownetheater.org, mentioning the Discover Discount, to set up your tour (which can be after December). What a way to surprise and satisfy a parent who was a regular at The Lansdowne decades ago or that friend who keeps wondering aloud what the theater is like inside.

"Fair" Is Being Modest
It would take a lot to quash our love of church bazaars. The baked good tables alone are worth the trip. This Saturday, December 5, we'll be heading to the Lansdowne Baptist's Christmas Fair between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. In addition to the bake table (among other delights, theirs will be offering Mary Jo's famous lemon bars and Pastor Dave's soon-to-be-famous preserves, especially his hot pepper marmalade), there will be vintage treasures in Grandma's Attic, one-of-a-kind gifts for bid in a silent auction, unique Christmas crafts, and a café serving lunch. But don't dawdle: this is a church bazaar, not Target, so we're talking limited stock. Come early for the best shopping. 17 E. LaCrosse Avenue; 610-626-0637.

Local Stocking Stuffers
Finally, here are two more gift ideas that combine two great qualities — local and creative. First, after much anticipation, Minas' latest studio recording, Bossa Nova Day, is at last available. Featuring 10 new tracks, Bossa Nova Day has elements of samba, bossa nova, baião, choro, jazz, blues, and folk, and is Patricia King and Orlando Haddad's first CD performing only as a duo, making it uncommonly intimate and revealing. A must for Lansdowne music lovers.

Our second gift idea is Bardo Boy, an unusual novel by Drexel Hill author Len McCawley that starts in Lansdowne and takes place mostly in the afterlife. You read that correctly — the afterlife. Given that setting, it's perhaps not surprising that the book includes the hottest character type going right now — vampires. Also figuring in the story is Buddha, who is perhaps not as white hot as blood suckers at the moment but whose star power has considerable longevity. You can read more about Bardo Boy and purchase it here.

Each year around this time, a group of Lansdowne residents band together as Lansdowne Cares and collect food and gifts for needy families in the William Penn School District. They are looking for new, unwrapped toys and games, mittens, scarves, hats, toiletries, books, journals, educational materials, and other gifts for all ages. Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional gifts. The drive continues through December 18, and donations are being collected at Hoff Communications at 23 S. Lansdowne Avenue. Want more info? Call Betsy at 610-623-7300 x5, or Jennifer at 610-220-1385.

Almost 100 pies were sold as part of the fundraiser pie sale to benefit the Lansdowne Theater. The Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation thanks the Regency Café for coordinating the actual sale and baker Debbie Keeler for rolling out all that pastry. Now, the HTLC could use your help as an advocate for the restoration and reopening of the theater. They're asking that we all write a few short, upbeat letters to local and federal powers to persuade them that this is a worthwhile use of money. The Lansdowne Theater Advocacy Guide explains it all, includes addresses of the governmental types on the receiving end, and provides a few sample letters. It's easy. Take a few minutes and drop a few lines. When the theater reopens, you'll know you made an impact.

This Sunday, December 6, the Lansdowne Police Department and the Lansdowne Public Safety Committee are hosting a Neighborhood Watch Organizational Meeting and Block Captain Training event. The meeting begins at 2:00 pm and takes place on the second floor of Borough Hall, 12 E. Baltimore Avenue. Open to the public, this meeting will offer discussion and information about community-based crime prevention programs. Lansdowne residents already involved in crime prevention programs are encouraged to attend to share their experience and expertise. For more information, contact Michael Schleigh, Public Safety Committee Chair, at schleighm@borough.lansdowne.pa.us.

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

Movies at Cinema 16:9
December 3 to 17, various times
Harry Potter Festival, Miracle on 34th Street
35 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

Holiday Paw-ty to benefit the Animal Rescue Foundation of Southeastern PA
Friday, December 4, 7:30 pm; $30 per person
Rose Tree Fire Company Banquet Hall, 1275 N. Providence Road, Media

Christmas Fair at Lansdowne Baptist Church
Saturday, December 5, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; Free
17 E. LaCrosse Avenue, Lansdowne

Lansdowne Games Day at The Garden Church
Saturday, December 5, 11:15 am to 9:00 pm; Free
82 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

Christmas Tea at Simpson Gardens
Saturday, December 5, 1:00 pm; $10 to $15
84 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne; 610-623-1514

Wreath-making Workshop sponsored by GLFL
Sunday, December 6, 3:00 pm; $15 per person
For reservations or more info: dpverlenden@mac.com

Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert
Sunday, December 6, 12:00 or 2:30 pm; $5 to $18
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, Upper Darby High School

Minas 25th Anniversary Celebration with special guest Lizanne Knott at the Lansdowne Folk Club
Thursday, December 10, 7:30 pm; $15 to $18
Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne
lfc.org@rcn.com or 610-622-7250

Minas at Picanha Brazilian Grill
Friday, December 11, 7:00 pm; $21.99 includes meal
6501 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia; 215-743-4647

Third Annual Holiday House Tour sponsored by GLFL
Sunday, December 13, 2:00 pm; $5 per person
For reservations or more info: smorganstein@aol.com

Greg Klyma CD Release Party at Concerts at the Beach House
Sunday, December 13, 5:00 pm; $15, BYOB
bob@bobbeach.net or 610-626-0012

Penn Wood High School Holiday Craft Sale
Thursday, December 17, 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Penn Wood High School, Green Avenue Campus
100 Green Avenue, Lansdowne

Beethoven's Birthday Bash at Celebration Theater
An evening of champagne, sonatas, and cake; featuring Dolores Ciavola on piano
Sunday, December 27, 7:00 pm; Free but reservations suggested
Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

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

The final Special Bonus Pre-Thanksgiving Market was a huge success! Shoppers were happy, vendors were selling out (no mushroom soup by 9:45!), and the weather was delightful. It was so great, in fact, that we'll probably do the same thing next year. Until then, here are John Kelly Green's photos of the day. When you're done with those, take a look at his pictures from the Holiday Tree Lighting event the evening before the last Market. Thanks again, John!

Santa's lap had plenty of room for everyone at the Holiday Tree Lighting. Photo Credit: John Kelly Green