April may be the cruelest month some years and some places, but around here it's looking pretty good in 2010, don't you think? The weather -- always a major mood effecter -- has been mostly sunny and bright and even a bit on the warm side. If your eyes aren't swollen shut from the record-high pollen levels, you're enjoying the bright green early leaves on the trees and the budding shrubs and blooming flowers that make Lansdowne so postcard pretty each spring. The Regency Café now carries ice cream from the venerable Franklin Fountain, and Provisions is adding products, honing its offerings, and varying its prepared food menu weekly. The lovely little Sycamore has switched over to its spring menu and has been drawing diners and raves from well beyond the town's borders. Local business owner, school board member, and volunteer extraordinaire Jennifer Hoff became a blogger for the Delaware County Daily Times to promote, defend, and speak out on all things Lansdowne. The Central Business District got a good scrubbing last Saturday, thanks, as usual, to the generosity of volunteers. We established that 'Downe Town, though not perfect, might be as good a nickname as we're going to come up with for the borough (for throwing around among ourselves anyway). And, in perhaps the area's most impressive show of rebirth lately, the Lansdowne Theater triumphantly opened its doors for the first time in more than 20 years for a concert that was, by all accounts, a rip-roaring success (make a donation here!). These natural reawakenings, small improvements, moderate appointments, and tremendous endeavors -- from where we're sitting, at least -- have combined to make this spring one to remember. And it's not even over yet.

Earth and Arbor
Today is Earth Day, so by all means put a little extra effort into reducing, recycling, and reusing today of all days. We've heard some concern that not enough residents are participating in the borough's yard waste removal program, whereby dead stuff from your property goes to an organic site rather than a landfill. First, here's a reminder that the upcoming pickup date for this is next Wednesday, April 28. Second, we suggest that you print out a few of these reminder forms (on recycled paper, of course), cut them apart, and keep them with you to tuck into the doors or mail slots of locals who are treating their twigs and clippings like trash rather than compost-to-be. It saves you from what could be an awkward face-to-face encounter, and you'll be able to feel like you've tried to make difference. And, heck, it may even work!

To be honest, we'd never heard of Earth Day until maybe 15 years ago, but we clearly recall being lined up when we were little and herded outside onto the school grounds on chilly days to help plant trees for Arbor Day, a "holiday" that seems not to get much attention anymore. Maybe Earth Day stole its thunder by cunningly positioning itself just a few days earlier on the calendar. Arbor Day is indeed coming up on April 30, but Lansdowne will be celebrating early by planting 60 trees around 'Downe Town's Central Business District this Saturday, April 24. Phases 1 and 2 of this plan saw 90 root-balled trees get planted on Baltimore Avenue, which are all happy and budding now. This time the trees will be bare root, so the planting should be easier and faster. As always, the work will be done by volunteers, and if you can help the organizers will be more than grateful, and you'll get to watch "your" trees grow and thrive as the years go by. The plan is to meet at Borough Hall at 8:30 Saturday morning to register and then go from there. Bring gloves and shovels if you have them. Please drop a note to borough manager Craig Totaro if you have any questions.

Last Call: Concert Tonight
Because this newsletter emails out on Thursdays and the Lansdowne Folk Club shows are nearly always also on Thursdays, we often can't give you a lot of notice about what's happening over at the LFC unless you pay attention to the brief listing in the right column and take the initiative to follow some links and outfit yourself with information well ahead of time (hint, hint). Otherwise, you're left with day-of-the-show announcements like this one, which may force you to rearrange your afternoon and evening to get free since you will absolutely want to be at the Twentieth Century Club when the music starts tonight at 7:30 (doors at 7:00). Returning with a new CD after a 13-year break (they must have been exhausted!), Buskin and Batteau perform music that's melodic, witty, folky, poppy, and critically acclaimed. No less a source than the New York Times declared them "the most musically sophisticated act in folk." Jeepers. Opening for them is cutey Austin transplant Abi Tapia, who combines "country sincerity with cosmopolitan snap" on a new album she'll have available at the merch table. It'll be worth going to this concert so you can tell friends you've seen Abi Tapia, which is just plain fun to say and will no doubt bring some confused looks. If you don't have them already, tickets will be $18 tonight at the door, which is still at 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue.

Making Concessions
It's one thing to have a small movie theater in town where you can go to see recent releases like The Hurt Locker and Julie and Julia, but it's another to have an independent cinema that leans more toward art house and that does special (even free!) programming in celebration of Earth Day and that devotes an afternoon to the wonders of chocolate. Thank you, Cinema 16:9. Starting tomorrow, April 23, you'll be able to see the film No Impact Man about a family living in New York City (of all places) that for one year attempts to, as the T-shirt says, "leave no footprint," ecologically anyway, making many sacrifices and life changes along the way. The movie is based on a book that came (of course) from a blog. For the run of this movie (through April 29), admission is free with the purchase of concessions, and this is such a great offer that we hope you'll dive in to the concession stand with the $5 to $7 you're saving and try some new candy, indulge in one of those delicious all-beef hotdogs, or otherwise avail yourself of the gourmet local offerings that are entirely unique to Cinema 16:9. One of these rare treats is Taza chocolates, sweets produced by a small bean-to-bar chocolate maker that is the only US producer of 100% stone-ground, organic chocolate. Come by at 4:00 pm this Saturday, April 24, for a free showing of a short film, The Great American Chocolate Factory, which covers the goings-on in a traditional chocolatery (ah, remember when Hershey gave tours?). Then at 4:30 be introduced to Taza via a "demonstration" that we can only hope involves free samples. If not, there will be plenty of Taza on hand for purchase. Cinema 16:9 is at 35 N. Lansdowne Avenue.

Shop Really Local
They say that the economy is recovering and that shoppers are out there again, so we're hoping to see plenty of you taking advantage of the bonus shopping opportunities that will occur in Lansdowne next weekend. First up is the Third Annual Lansdowne Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday, May 1, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This little sister to the more established Lansdowne Arts Festival will be featuring the work of more than 30 artists and craftspeople, several of whom are coming in from out of town for the opportunity, but with many local favorites there as well. Wares will include jewelry (by the bushel), ceramics, soap, wood items, toys, quilts, notecards, and knitted things, among other items. This show is a chance to get good deals on unique wares handmade by friends, neighbors, and countrymen (and countrywomen) right before Mother's Day and before the big wedding and baby shower season kicks in. Stock up on gifts to give later, and you'll be patting yourself on the back when you're not heading to the mall at the 11th hour to settle for something mass produced. The LACS takes place in the Lansdowne Avenue parking lot (aka the Farmers Market lot), and will go on so long as it's not pouring rain, in which case it will be bumped to Sunday, May 2. Check here the day of if the weather is iffy. (If you have a really good excuse to miss this show, catch some of the same vendors, plus others, at the St Philomena Craft Show on May 15. Details on that one next time.)

The other big shopping opportunity on May 1 is the spring yard sale at the Garden Church, 82 N. Lansdowne Avenue, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. In addition to offering a fabulous array of other people's stuff (really the best stuff and the best way to recycle), from craft supplies to household items to toys and electronics, this sale typically has a terrific and terrifically cheap bake table, as well as Nelson's barbecued chicken and ribs on site all day. (Really, this sale may become better known for its food than its secondhand items, though they are certainly worth the stop.) The eatathon should start first thing in the morning, in the church's community room, where Epiphany House will be having one of the group's amazing all-you-can eat pancake breakfasts for the low, low price of $7 for adults, $5 for kids 5 to 17, and free for kids under 5 years old. For that price, and once you see and partake of the great spread they offer, you might want to make an additional donation to this group's worthy cause of finding homes for hard-to-place children. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 11:00 am and includes pancakes (chocolate chip and plain), bacon, sausage links, fruit salad, orange juice, and coffee. Seriously, how can you resist?

Socializing
Independence Day might be months away, but the group behind the local celebration -- the Union AA -- is already planning and raising money to fund the parade and the band and the fireworks and all those other things that make July 4th just about the best day all year to be in 'Downe Town. Get in the spirit and just have a great time hanging out with friends and neighbors at the Twentieth Century Club next Saturday night, May 1, at the Union AA's Red White and Bluesy Spring Social. "Spring Social" is such a quaint name for this event that you might be tempted to show up in a bowler or twirling a parasol, and that's fine, but wear your buffet pants because the eats and drinks are plentiful and tempting. Tickets are $30 and you can make reservations by calling 610-284-0543 or 610-284-1433. Starts at 7:00 pm at 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue.

Reminders
Thinking about having a cuppa tea in style at the May 8 Spring Tea at the Garden Church? Then you need to make a reservation by May 3. So get on the horn (610-623-1514) and let them know you're coming. It's $10 for children 10 and under and $15 for adults. If you lean more toward hoagies than finger sandwiches, remember to order yours from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lansdowne Fire Company for pickup on May 8 between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm at the firehouse. The number to order is 610-622-1995 or 610-485-4526, and though were not certain what they cost, it won't be much considering what you get in return (a big sandwich and a fire company).

Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation president Matt Schulz welcomes the crowd at the Straight No Chaser concert on April 17. (For more photos, go here.)

Movies at Cinema 16:9
April 22 to May 6, various dates and times
No Impact Man, The Age of Stupid, Terrible Tuesday features
35 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne

Buskin & Batteau with guest Abi Tapia at the Lansdowne Folk Club
Thursday, April 22, 7:30 pm; $15 in advance, $18 at the door
Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne

26th Annual Darby-Cobbs Watershed-Wide Cleanup
Saturday, April 24, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; Free
Hoffman Park, Marlyn Park, Pennock Terrace

Boy Scout Troop 63 Spaghetti Dinner
Saturday, April 24, 4:00 to 7:00 pm; $5 up to age 12, $8 over age 12
First Presbyterian Church, Lansdowne and Greenwood Avenues

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 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

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

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

Spring Tea at Secret Garden
Saturday, May 8; $10 for children 10 and under; $15 for others
Simpson Gardens, 84 N. Lansdowne
Reservations: 610-623-1514 (by May 3)

Minas Bossa Nova Mother's Day Brunch
Sunday, May 9, 12:00 to 3:00 pm
World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia

Lansdowne Friends School Annual May Fair
Saturday, May 15, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; Free
110 N. Lansdowne Avenue

Penn Wood High School Art Show Reception
May 19, 6:00 to 8:00 pm; award ceremony 7:00 pm; Free
100 Green Avenue

Second Annual St Philomena School Arts and Crafts Fair
Saturday, May 15, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Free
Marian Hall Gymnasium, 13 N. Highland

GLFL Community Plant Exchange
Saturday, May 15, 10:15 am; Free
Lansdowne Avenue parking lot

Hatman presented by Celebration Theater
Sunday, May 16, 2:30 pm; Free
Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Mosaic Mirror Class to benefit GLFL
Saturday, May 22, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; $30
Reservations: huberwalker@juno.com

Our Crochet Celebration at the Lansdowne Public Library
Saturday, May 29, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm; Free
33 S. Lansdowne Avenue
More info: mwazacrochet@comcast.net

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