As we approach the height of the holiday hooplah here in Lansdowne, we are reminded that this is our best opportunity to send our good wishes and sincere thanks to everyone for being a part of what Lansdowne has become -- a close-knit community of residents, businesses, and volunteers working and living together, joined by a growing roster of non-resident visitors who appreciate the quality of life our community has to offer. Sure, those sentiments may seem a tad too Hallmark-y for the real world, but we'd like to think that our community falls a bit outside the norm in terms of community involvement. So again, thanks for being a part of our borough's cultural and social rebirth, and here's to an even more successful and enjoyable 2011 as we continue to build upon our achievements.

Holiday Needs Met
If you're planning to host to a big holiday dinner (and at this point we'd hope you're a bit beyond just the planning stage), surely you've thought to yourself, "Hey, what can I find right here in Lansdowne to make the meal an authentically local experience?" Well, here's a few ideas, direct from our little hometown to your dining room table. For great side dishes, appetizers, breads, baked goods, desserts and more, Provisions Market (7 S. Lansdowne Ave., 484-461-7077) has plenty of options that can be ready-to-serve in a matter of minutes. Also in the gourmet baked goods department, our friends at the Regency Cafe (29 N. Lansdowne Ave., 484-461-9002) make pastries, pies, tarts, cakes, and cupcakes like few others can. They also serve pretty good coffee -- the perfect antidote to those holiday hangovers.

If you're more the do-it-yourself type who likes to show your creative flair in the kitchen, you can find plenty of supplies for preparing foods yourself at Harvest Local Foods (305 Windermere Avenue, 484-461-7884). Or perhaps you prefer to eschew the home-cooked meal altogether and leave the cooking to the seasoned pros. If so, why not plan a trip to award-winning Sycamore (16 South Lansdowne Avenue, 484-461-2877) for gift certificates or one of the best $29 prix fixe meals you've ever had (available Wednesday and Sunday nights).

New Year's Eve: Good Meal and Good Music for a Good Cause!
Sycamore's also got you covered if you don't feel like playing host on New Year's Eve. Reservations are now being accepted for the $59 prix fixe dinners at either 6:00 or 9:00 pm seatings. Check the Sycamore website for menu details, and make your reservations via Open Table or by calling the restaurant directly. At midnight, the restaurant will host a special concert by Lansdowne's own Minas. Tickets are $25 per person, and proceeds from this event will go to the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation, who will be providing beer and wine for the performance.

Where We're Going: Lansdowne's Future and You!
Now let's take a brief moment to promote a cause near and dear to our hearts. The Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (yes that's us, the folks who bring you this newsletter) will be hosting two meetings in January at Cinema 16:9 to explain what the LEDC does and hopes to do in Lansdowne, as well as information on how you can become a part of our efforts. Wine, cheese and crackers will be served, and all of your questions will (hopefully) be answered. Learn about us and join us as we work to improve our community. Meetings take place on Wednesday, January 12 from 7 to 8 pm and on Saturday, January 15 from 2 to 3 pm.

Plan Ahead for Passion
Finally, get out that red lipstick and scrawl a heart on your 2011 calendar on the 23rd of January. That's when Celebration Theater and the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra join forces to present an evening of music, readings, and champagne celebrating the romance of legendary composers and star-crossed lovers Robert and Clara Schumann. Their story may be more than 150 years old, yet this unique musical and theatrical presentation will reinforce the timeless adage that that love can, indeed, conquer all. Tickets are $5 per person; RSVP at CelebrationTheater.com

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

Movies at Cinema 16:9
Four Lions, Waste Land, Crap, It's a Wonderful Life, Night Catches Us
Call or go online for times and tickets
35 N.

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

Minas New Years Eve Concert at Sycamore
Friday, December 31, 12 Midnight , $25
Sycamore, 16 S. Lansdowne Avenue

LEDC Informational Meetings: Lansdowne's Future and You
Wednesday, January 12, 7:00 pm; Saturday, January 15, 2:00 pm
Cinema 16:9, 31 N. 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

Martha von Rosenstiel offers a lesson on creating with glass beads during Art Space Lansdowne's Holiday Open House last week.

Photo by John Kelly Green.