To adapt a familiar opening, it's a (relatively) quiet week in Lansdowne, with not a whole lot going on that's out of the ordinary. Unless you count public fairs and open houses and all the private menorah lightings, tree decorating, cooking, and baking that's happening inside the snug twins and rambling Victorians that line the borough's many small streets. Because Hanukkah falls especially early this year (it started already!), the holiday season will likely feel even longer than usual. Not that that's a bad thing, just the reality. We say just give in to it. Make the potato latkes, spin the driedel, swag the porch, toss handfuls of tinsel, buy Nutcracker tickets, stock up on champagne and mixed nuts, shop shop shop -- whatever makes December feel like the crazy have-to-pack-it-all-in-by-the-end-of-the-year month that it's become. With all the invitations that are no doubt coming your way, you can only lay low for so long anyway. It's only 30 more days. You can make it. Naps help.

Fairly Festive
Even a quiet week in Lansdowne doesn't imply that nothing is happening, only fewer things than usual. The Farmers Market is truly and completely over for the season, and with it go the easy shopping, eating, and entertainment we all count on it to provide. However, its absence clears the way for fun things like the Christmas Fair at the Lansdowne Baptist Church, which is this Saturday, December 4, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the intersection of Lansdowne and LaCrosse Avenues. This fair is famous for its high-quality, low-cost bake table, for Pastor Dave's canned preserves and pasta sauce, and for its Christmas crafts and Grandma's Attic rummage sale. Miss it and you're losing out on a Lansdowne holiday tradition, not to mention some unbeatable lemon bars.

To Do: Art Space Debut!
The big news and most happening event right now in the borough is the debut of Art Space Lansdowne, a brand new venue devoted to the visual arts and dedicated to providing a place where artists, artisans, and craftspeople can create, teach, sell, and gather. The Art Space will throw open its doors to the general public next week, on Wednesday, December 8, with a bright and festive introductory Holiday Open House from 6:00 to 9:00 pm that's free and indeed open to all. In true gallery style, complimentary snacks and wine will be available (to those of age to partake), and various artists will be on hand with their creations for sale, to lend a hand in helping you make a special gift, and to hear your thoughts on what sort of classes and activities you like to see in the Space. Classes and workshops will be getting under way in January, but attendees will be able to try their hand at the Open House with quick and inexpensive crafts like hand-stamping a personalized copper pendant or tag and putting together sterling earrings among other hands-on activities. All ages are welcome to the Open House -- the more, the merrier! It'll be a perfect opportunity to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts from local artisans and to be reminded of what a thriving arts community the borough harbors. Art Space Lansdowne is the brainchild of borough resident and business owner Jennifer Hoff and is located adjacent to Hoff Communications on Lansdowne Avenue, with its entrance around the corner at 31 E. Madison Avenue, the little street that leads to the Septa parking lot. (Go here for a list of participating artists and here for the press release about the opening of the Space.)

Happening Tonight: Good Film or Good Cause
Tonight at 7 pm, the Lansdowne No Place for Hate Committee presents a free film screening at the Lansdowne Public Library of a very moving film about the struggles of civil war in Liberia. Pray the Devil Back to Hell tells the story of the conclusion of the war in 2003, when the women of the country interceded to bring the warring factions to the peace negotiations. Popcorn will be provided, but please bring your own beverage.

Speaking of beverages, if the film isn't your thing, why not head up to 2312 Garrett, (close to) Lansdowne's own tap room, where a Habitat for Humanity fundraising event takes place from 7 pm to 9 pm tonight. Make a $10 donation to Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County and get a free "Ales for Nails" pint glass to keep, plus your first pint of beer courtesy of Sixpoint Ales.

Dog Show, of Sorts
Lansdowne Farmers Market vendor Bone Appetit Barkery will be holding an Open House Holiday Show December 5 and 12 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at 2119 Valley View Drive, Folcroft, for holiday shopping for the special canines, felines, and pet lovers on your Christmas list.

BTBTV
In case you missed NBC10's The 10! Show the other day, one of Lansdowne's newest businesses (and late-season Farmers Market vendor) B.T. Baking received some great exposure when Justin Pizzi stopped by to taste some of their locally sourced, organic brownies. The newly opened retail store is located at 54 West Marshall Road and is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Borough Bounty
As we lean heavily into the holiday season, it's not a bad idea to be reminded of all the spots around town where you can pick up seasonal necessities, including decorations (Bonnie's Wondergardens, the thrift shops), baked goods (Regency Café, Provisions, B.T. Baking), prepared foods and party trays (Provisions, Travers Food Market, Doyle's Deli), supplies for baking and preparing foods yourself (Life More Abundant, Harvest Local Foods, Mar-Win Shop n Bag), gift certificates (Cinema 16:9, Sycamore, Lansdowne Folk Club, Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra), gifts traditional (Paddington Station Antiques, Secret Garden Unique Gifts, Todaro's Music, John Green photos) and gifts less traditional (Atons Medical Supplies, Lansdowne Scrubs and Uniforms, State Farm Insurance). Another idea in these days when so many of us already have more stuff than we can handle is to give a gift donation in honor of a loved one to Animal Friends of Lansdowne, the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation, the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (sponsor of the Farmers Market, the Arts Festival, and other events that make Lansdowne great), the Lansdowne Public Library, or another local group that is doing good for the community where you live.

New Year's Even Better in Town
If you want to be on award-winning Sycamore's guest list for New Year's Eve, don't put off making your reservation for the $59 prix fixe 6:00 or 9:00 pm seating. Chef Sam Jacobson is planning a special menu (keep an eye on the website for details), and reservations are being accepted via Open Table or telephone (484-461-2674) for both seatings. At midnight, the restaurant will be reconfigured for a special Minas concert. Tickets are $25 and will include light snacks. Beer and wine are being provided for the concert by the Historic Lansdowne Theater, and proceeds from this event will go to the HLTC. Keeping it real, keeping it local, keeping it real local.

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

Movies at Cinema 16:9
Gasland, Four Lions, Strange Powers, Bazaar of All Nations, Monster
Call or go online for times and tickets
35 N. Lansdowne Avenue; 484-461-7676

Pray the Devil Back to Hell presented by No Place for Hate
Thursday, December 2, 7:00 pm; Free
Lansdowne Public Library, 55 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Christmas Fair at the Lansdowne Baptist Church
Saturday, December 4, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; Free
Lansdowne and LaCrosse Avenues

Youth and Holiday Concert by the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, December 5, 3:00 pm
General Admission $15; Seniors $12; Students $5
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill

Holiday Open House at Art Space Lansdowne
Wednesday, December 8, 6:00 to 9:00 pm; Free
25 S. Lansdowne Avenue/31 E. Madison Avenue

Barb Zimmerman book signing and Toy Drive & Sale at The Arc of Delaware County
Saturday, December 18, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, Free
The Arc of Delaware County Thrift Shop, 19 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Hearts in Harmony: The Romance of Robert & Clara Schumann
Champagne reception and music presented by Celebration Theater
Sunday, January 23, 7:00 pm; $5
Twentieth Century Club, 84. S. Lansdowne Avenue

Santa was so popular at the borough tree lighting . . .

. . . that everyone wanted to look a little like him.

Photos by John Kelly Green