If any one single date on the calendar drives more people to stay home and hibernate for a few weeks at a time, it surely must be somewhere on the bottom half of the January page. Welcome to winter, friends. It's cold, to say the least, and while we're fortunate the snow gods haven't cursed us yet, it's understandable that many of you may have opted to curl up under a blanket and save your spare change to offset the PECO bill.

However, we are not bears, folks - hibernation is not an option! And believe it or not, there is a heck of a lot to do around here these days, both indoors and outdoors, starting with this Saturday's debut of the....

Winter Farmers Market
You asked for it, you got it. The Lansdowne Farmers Market makes the first of its four off-season appearances this year on Saturday, in the usual market location. To minimize the need for frostbite treatment, we're operating with limited hours for these markets -- a quick burst of commerce and culture starting at 9:00 am and lasting until 11:00. Don't even think about complaining about the cold -- we've lined up a diverse array of vendors to keep you busy as you make your way through the market, including:

• Bonnie's Wondergardens: Locally grown branches of forsytnthias, various willow branches, daffodils, sunflowers, $5 bouquets, and wintery wreaths
• Cupcakeology: NEW VENDOR ALERT! An amazing array of cupcake choices including red velvet, carrot, and lemon drop cupcakes
• Great Harvest Bread: More than a dozen varieties of sweet and savory breads including pumpkin chocolate chip, spinach feta, and whole grain.
• Green Aisle Grocery: Brats, bauernwurst, and sausages from Brauhaus Schmitz; Griggstown chicken pot pies; three new pickles from Brooklyn Brine; vegan burgers and more!
• John's Mini Treats: Winter favorites including frozen mushroom soup and chili (beef and turkey varieties)
• The Lansdowne Table: Veggie sides, farmers plates, soups, hummus, drunken raisins and more.
• My House Cookies: Delicious cookies and pies.
• Oley Valley Mushroom: NEW VENDOR ALERT! Oyster, White Trumpet, Crimini, Portabella and and Shiitake mushrooms from Berks County
• Regency Cafe: All your favorite baked treats plus plenty of hot coffee and tea to warm you up.
• Schober Orchards: Apples, sweet potatoes, apple and peach ciders, and fruit butters and spreads
• Spotted Hill Farm: Handmade soaps and body products made with the only the highest quality ingredients.

So there you have it -- plenty of reasons to join us on a chilly (and snowy?) Saturday morning. As a slight disclaimer, we should point out that the logistics of this first winter market are highly dependent on the weather and how far some vendors need to travel, so we ask for your patience and understanding as we do our best to get along with Mother Nature.

Getting Down to Business
Anyone with a burning entrepreneurial urge may want to stop by the How to Start a Business seminar next Wednesday, January 25, at the Lansdowne Library. This workshop, presented by SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed, will address basic legal, accounting, business structure, marketing and financing topics that would-be entrepreneurs face when considering whether to launch a new business venture. Counselors will provide an introduction to the business environment and outline the issues that arise when starting up a new enterprise.The free workshop begins at 6:30 pm.

The Big Picture: Main Street and Elm Street
Twice during 2011, local photographer (and friend of this newsletter) John Kelly Green led photo walks of local neighborhoods. In June, the focus was on the Main Street neighborhood (the Lansdowne Avenue business district), while in November, lenses were aimed at the Elm Street neighborhood spanning parts of Lansdowne and neighboring Yeadon Borough. Next Friday night, January 27, Cinema 16:9 will host a free screening of the images from these two photo walks, along with a short documentary created by Lansdowne Public Library Head of Public Services Abbe Klebanoff. Beginning at 7:30 pm, this event is an ideal, affordable (free) opportunity to get closer to your neighborhood and your neighbors.

Poker for Adults to Benefit Kids
The Lansdowne Boys and Girls Club is hosting a fundraising poker tournament at 2 pm on Saturday, January 28, to support the club's many youth sports programs. The 50-person maximum tournament requires a $50 buy-in, with cash prizes to be based on the number of players. Try your luck and come out to the LBGC clubhouse at 7 West Baltimore Avenue for a good time benefiting a good cause. For more information, email Sandy Gallagher or call Dave Czyzewski at 610-517-7510.

Kids Go Green: Flower Frenzy at the Lansdowne Library
From 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, January 28 the Lansdowne-Yeadon Elm Street Program and Lansdowne Public Library present Flower Frenzy, an ecology-based youth program in partnership with Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Brownie troops. Open to ages 6 to 16 and targeting the Brownie age group (2nd and 3rd grades), the program will include a variety of discovery stations featuring educational, craft, and gardening activities. Nature and art therapist Michelle Dean and Lansdowne Parks & Recreation Director Erica Sollberger will speak to participants about their careers, and refreshments will be served. If you have a green thumb and want to lend a hand, email ElmStreet@LansdowneYeadon.org or call 610-745-4063.

Free No Place for Hate Film: Pan's Labyrinth
The Lansdowne No Place for Hate committee continues its monthly movie series at the library at 6:30 pm Thursday, January 26, with a free screening of the Academy Award-winning Pan's Labyrinth. The film, set in fascist Spain during World War II, tells the story of a stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer who escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world. Please note, this R-rated film features violence, and is In Spanish with English subtitles. A discussion will follow the film. Free popcorn will be provided, and bring your own beverage.

'Ask the Vet' Kicks Off Love Your Pets Month
Animal Friends of Lansdowne launches its series of Love Your Pets Month events at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 1, with Ask the Vet, taking place at the Lansdowne Library. Featuring Dr. Sara Sprowls of Glenolden Animal Hospital, this free event is your opportunity to any of your pet-related questions.

About that Santa Claus Parade....
Finally, we'd like to congratulate our friends to the north in Lansdowne, Ontario on their recent 40th annual Santa Claus Parade. Why do we care? To be honest, we don't -- but apparently some less-than-thorough web research by a writer for USA Today led to the inclusion of the "other" Lansdowne's parade in the Travel Tips: Parades in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania article! Luckily, the Santa Claus parade gets third bill to our more established Fourth of July and Memorial Day parades, but we're thrilled to get the coverage, nonetheless.

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

Movies at Cinema 16:9
Call or go online for films, times, and tickets
35 N. Lansdowne Avenue

Lansdowne Farmers Market
First-Ever Winter Market!
Saturday, January 21, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
30 N. Lansdowne Avenue

How to Start a Business Seminar at the Lansdowne Library
Wednesday, January 25, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Free
55 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne PA 19050

No Place for Hate Film: Pan's Labyrinth
Thursday, January 26, 6:30 pm; Free
Lansdowne Public Library, 55 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Lansdowne-Yeadon Photo Walk Screening at Cinema 16:9
Friday, January 27, 7:30 pm; Free
35 N. Lansdowne Avenue

Kids Go Green: Flower Frenzy at the Lansdowne Library
Saturday, January 28, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Free
55 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Ask the Vet with Dr. Sara Sprowls
Saturday, January 28, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Free
55 S. Lansdowne Avenue

First Friday at Art Space Lansdowne
Featuring the Lansdowne Friends School's Empty Bowls Exhibit
Friday, February 3, 6:00 - 9:00 pm; Free
25 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra Valentine's Day Concert
Sunday, February 12, 3:00 pm; $5 to $15
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, PA