From the Mailbag
Our email box was virtually bursting after the last Discover Lansdowne went
out two weeks ago. First, thanks to everyone who let us know that the date for the
Straight No Chaser
concert at the
Lansdowne
Theater was wrong the first time. Can't get anything past you clever
readers. Indeed, the show is Saturday, April 17 (not April 22),
with doors opening at 2:00 pm and the show at 3:00. The theater's been closed
for 22 years, which is where that number came from, but it has nothing to do
with the date of the event and was just a transcription mistake. Apologies
for the error and for having to clutter up your in box with a second email
to correct the first. And a reminder to get your tickets already. Nagitty
nag, nag nag.
The other big mail generator (and you have to understand that no matter
how often we ask you to let us know your opinion on something, you rarely
do) was the proposal of 'Downe Town as a nickname for Lansdowne. While
three or four of you were opposed, the "ayes" carried the day at a ratio
of a good 5 to 1. Thus, the motion to refer to Lansdowne on occasion as
'Downe Town has been carried, even if that will happen only in
this newsletter. (Though if anyone wants to borrow it for, say,
the 'Downe Town Pogo Stick Club or a Round 'Downe Town column in the
paper, we won't claim copyright infringement.) The best part of the
mail that the 'Downe Town proposal generated was hearing what folks
used to call Lansdowne. Bill P. let us know that "from Elberon
Avenue in the 50s, [Lansdowne] was 'uptown'" (confession: we had to get
out our borough map to see that Elberon is over by the library). Even
though she left the borough two decades ago, Susan P. contributed this
memory: "When I was growing up in Lansdowne, many of my neighbors
called the business district 'up the Avenue.' Instead of saying they
were going to the 5 & 10 they would say 'We're going up the Avenue to
go to the 5 & 10.'" Finally, Terry B. added that "We old timers used
to call the main drag 'the Village.'" (Apparently that was so long
ago, residents were living in huts.) So, our little borough's been
known as "uptown," "the Avenue," and "the Village," at the very
least. These recollections are both fun to hear and a subtle plea
for a single nickname we can all use, so 'Downe Town it is. Many
thanks to everyone who shared a memory or ventured an opinion either way.
Hair Here
Unless you are follicularly challenged, you probably have the
occasional bad hair day. Hope for one of those on Saturday, pretend
it's intentional, and make the most of it at the Mane Attraction
Hair Salon's Crazy Hair Day Party, where a prize will be awarded
for the craziest hairdo (or should we say hairdon't?). Between 6:00
and 10:00 pm, the salon will be celebrating the change of seasons with
a Spring Fling that includes a raffle, a 50/50 drawing, pizza and
drinks, and product samples, plus that aforementioned contest for
wackiest 'do. Call them if you're thinking this is one competition
you excel at and you want more details: 610-623-6000. The shop's
centrally located at 35 S. Lansdowne Avenue.
A Quiet, Dark Revolution
Another local option for Saturday evening is simply shutting down
and stepping out. Cities and landmarks all over the globe will be
turning off the lights and electronics for 60 minutes during
Earth
Hour in a show of support for the future of the planet by
working together to create a sustainable low-carbon future. The event
started three years ago, and is a visible acknowledgment of people's
concern for the planet. But don't take our word for it. If you prefer
hearing from experts, go
here to
see videos on the topic from supermodel Gisele Bündchen and her
husband NFL quarterback Tom Brady. (Hey, if they don't know about
stopping climate change, who does?) But back to Lansdowne. It looks
like the weather is going to be just peachy Saturday evening, so after
you turn off your lights, rather than cursing the darkness or lighting
a candle, how about stepping outside with some neighbors for a nice
meander through 'Downe Town (after clicking off your porch light). A
group will be departing at 8:30 from the Lansdowne Avenue parking lot
and would be delighted to have you join them. Though it's really pretty
much as simple as that, if you think you need more information, email eborgman@aol.com or call 610-715-6803.
Last Team Standing
As the Sixers, Temple, and Villanova all went down in flames last week,
the Penn Wood Patriots boys varsity basketball continued their march
(madness!) toward a repeat as PIAA AAAA state champs, with a 66-55 victory
over Scranton on Saturday. Last night, they trounced (yeah, we said it)
the Liberty Hurricanes from Bethlehem 70-51 in the semifinal round, and
go against Plymouth-Whitemarsh in the final, tippy-top, state championship
round on Saturday at Penn State main campus in State College (yes, it's
that big of a deal). Tickets can be purchased until noon tomorrow (Friday)
at Penn Wood High School Athletic Department. If you're interested but not
able to make the trip, the game will be aired live on PCN TV (channel 8 on
RCN, channel 10 on Comcast) on Saturday night at 8:00 pm. If they win, they
will be the only team to repeat as state champions since Glen Mills in
1990-91. On an individual basis, the team has fared fabulously as well,
placing four of its five starters on the Del Val All-League First Team.
However things turn out Saturday night, big congratulations go to the
Penn Wood Patriots for another amazing season!
Egg Cetera
It's amazing the stuff that gets left behind at the local parks — balls
and hats and jackets and, oddly enough, eggs — lots and LOTS of
colorful eggs, which just have to be removed as soon as possible
— it's downright unsightly! This Sunday, March 28, there will be a
Spring Egg Cleanup (aka Hunt) at Hoffman Park on Scottdale Road,
starting at 1:00 pm. We find that children are best for this sort of work,
since they're low to the ground already and look cuter in photos with the
Bunny than grownups do, so bring your younguns aged 3 to 12 by and let them
do the not-so-heavy lifting. There's no pay, but if you tell them it's fun,
they might not even realize they're working.
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Movies at Cinema 16:9
March 25 to April 1, 2:00, 7:00, and 9:00 pm daily
Mine, Terrible
Tuesday features
35 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne
Bob Beach with
Hoots and Hellmouth at the
Strand Theater
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 pm; $20-$30
50 N. George Street, York, PA
Spring Egg Hunt sponsored by the Recreation and Park Board and
the Boys and Girls Club
Sunday, March 28, 1:00 pm; for children under 12; Free
Hoffman Park, Scottdale Road, Lansdowne
Angela Easterling at
Concerts at
the Beach House
Thursday, April 8, 7:30 pm; $15; BYOB
For reservations, bob@bobbeach.net or 610-626-0012
Minas at
Picanha Brazilian Grill
Friday, April 16, 7:00 pm; $22
6501 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia
Keep Lansdowne Beautiful Day, a cleanup
Saturday, April 17, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
(Rain date: Sunday, April 18)
Borough Hall Green, Lansdowne and Baltimore Avenues
26th Annual
Darby-Cobbs Watershed-Wide Cleanup
Saturday, April 24, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; Free
Hoffman Park, Marlyn Park, Pennock Terrace
All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast sponsored by
Epiphany House
Saturday, May 1, 7:30 to 11:00 am
Adults $7, kids 5 to 17 $5, kids under 5 eat free
The Garden Church, Lansdowne and Stratford Avenues
Lansdowne
Arts and Crafts Show
Saturday May 1, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm; Free
(Rain date: Sunday, May 2)
Lansdowne Avenue parking lot
Spring Yard Sale at The
Garden Church
Saturday, May 1, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm; Free
Lansdowne and Stratford Avenues
The Dream of a Darby
Creek Greenway Centennial Celebration
Saturday, May 1, 10:00 am to noon; Free
Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue
Red, White and Bluesy II Spring Social to benefit the
Union Athletic Association
Saturday, May 1, 7:00 pm; $30
Call 610-284-0543 or 610-284-1433 for reservations
Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue
Townwide Yard Sale
Saturday, May 8
All around 'Downe Town
Annual Hoagie Sale by the Ladies Auxiliary of the
Lansdowne Fire Company
Saturday, May 8, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Call 610-622-1995 or 610-485-4526 to order
Lansdowne Fire Company, N. Highland Avenue
Mosaic Mirror Class to benefit
GLFL
Saturday, May 22, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; $30
Reservations: huberwalker@juno.com
Independence Day Parade and Fireworks sponsored by the
Union Athletic Association
Saturday, July 3, starting at 9:00 am
Call 610-284-1433 to volunteer or suggest a theme
View the
complete listing of local events
Tonight at 7:00 pm is Life
More Abundant's monthly vegetarian cooking class, which is free and
led by Chef Johnetta Frasier. Quick, call Carl at 610-259-0101 to save a seat
for yourself in the store at 25 N. Lansdowne Avenue.
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