Market Prep
Just as you swap out your bedspread or throw pillows a time or two each year, it's time to swap out your e-newsletter. This is the last Discover Lansdowne for spring 2012, since in two weeks you'll receive the first Fresh Picks of the year because we're super close to the start of the 2012 Farmers Market season! That's right: T minus 16 days till liftoff, so you better get ready. While there are no prerequisites to reading the e-newsletter or attending the Market, you might want to hop over to the LFM website to whet your appetite. The site's been updated throughout, including all new photos, a staggeringly long list of vendors (many new for 2012 and almost all of them coming for the May 26 Market), a 2012 vendor schedule, and a couple of brand new special pages just cuz we could (gratuitous kid photos here, and 10 delightfully unexpected things from 2011 here). If you're a Facebook user, get liking the Market since we occasionally post important things there. (You can also like most of our vendors -- in the Facebook sense -- by following the red F icons on the Vendors page.) And if you have a Lansdowne Farmers Market yard sign, dig it up and put it out next week. Time to get this party started!

A Fairy Tale to Tell
The story of Cinderella has existed for centuries, with variations on the tale of unjust oppression/triumphant reward (oops... spoiler!) being told as far back as Ancient Greece. This weekend, Lansdowne's own Celebration Theater will present one of the more contemporary versions of the story with its production of Cinderella! Cinderella! , which begins a six-show run at the Penn Wood High School Theater this Friday. The hilarious, suitable-for-all-ages adaptation, which features a cast and crew of talented local actors and is being directed by Linda Squibb, will take place the next two weekends, May 11-13 and May 18-20. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 pm; Sunday shows at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $9 each or five for $39 and will be available at the door. Support Lansdowne's community theater!

Listen to Your Neighbors
Although this e-newsletter was created to promote what's happening in Lansdowne, from rummage sales to arts festivals, once in a while the biggest thing happening in Lansdowne is actually taking place outside of town. This Friday night, May 11, is a case in point, as three 'Downe Town residents -- former Poet Laureate Molly Connors, award-winning poet Charlie O'Hay, and big-deal blogger and social media expert Cecily Kellogg -- perform pieces of their own devising in Philadelphia as part of the Listen to Your Mother production. This event is billed as a "national series of live readings by local writers in celebration of Mother's Day," and Lansdowne appears to have contributed more participants than anywhere else except Philly proper. If that's not reason enough to head into the city for this special evening, it also features well-known writer Jennifer Weiner, author of Good in Bed and In Her Shoes, and a bunch of other writers too, though those from 19050 will be undoubtedly shine the brightest and do us all proud. Expect lots of laughs and likely some tears too as people with a way with words use the one most of us knew first -- mama -- as a jumping off point for their brief but memorable pieces. The show starts at 7:00 at the William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia; tickets are $20 and are available here or at the door (assuming they're still available, but why risk it).

11th Annual Town-Wide Yard Sale
Whether you're a buyer or a seller, you'll probably agree that the ideal conditions for a yard sale consist of plenty of sunshine, low humidity, temperatures in the 70s, and a one-square mile borough full of bargains. All of the above are in place as we look toward this Saturday's 11th Annual Town-Wide Yard Sale taking place at these locations (and probably even more). Official start time is 9:00 am, but we all know that the best bargains can be found early, so set those alarm clocks and start shopping!

If you like your yard sale purchases to support a good cause, you won't want to miss the Animal Friends of Lansdowne's Mega Yard Sale the same day and time at 33 East Greenwood Avenue. Donations are welcome.

If Your Wheels Don't Roll...
This weekend's weather is also highly suitable for getting out and about on two wheels, bicycle style, and the Lansdowne-Yeadon Elm Street Program and the Lansdowne Public Library have decided to help you get pedaling with a free bike repair event this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. In celebration of National Bike Month, you're invited to bring your bikes to the library parking lot for assessment. Staff will fix flats, show you how to patch your tires, adjust brakes, and make minor repairs (that means minor, as in no missing handlebars and such). First come, first served.

Support Firefighters and Stay Out of the Kitchen
As a general rule, firefighters don't like to see flames and smoke, however that changes a bit when you're talking about barbecue. So next Thursday, May 17, head over to the Lansdowne Fire Company and support our firefighters by enjoying delicious chicken and ribs at the Lansdowne Fire Company's BBQ Fundraiser. Presented by Nelson's Barbecue, the fundraiser features $7.50 chicken dinners and $12.50 rib dinners, both which include roll, butter, side dish and soda. Call 610-544-4606 or 610-485-4526 for ordering information.

Malcolm Holcombe at Folk Club
Veteran folk/blues singer-songwriter Malcolm Holcombe returns to the Lansdowne Folk Club stage on Thursday, May 17 with his earthy, rootsy songs along with special guest Thom McCarthy. The show takes place at Lansdowne Presbyterian Church, 140 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA. Tickets are $15 with advance reservation and $18 at the door. For reservations or information call 610-622-7250, visit myspace.com/lansdownefolkclub or email at lfc.org@rcn.com.

Argana hosts Grand Opening, Belly Dancing
If you haven't had the chance to experience Lansdowne's newest dining destination, Moroccan restaurant Argana, here's your chance to get a taste and see the remodeled former Lansdowne Diner location at the corner of Lansdowne and Baltimore. Friday, May 18, the restaurant will host a grand opening open house a 5:00 pm featuring free appetizers and coupons. The following night, May 19, award-winning belly dancer Shiraz will perform at 7:00 and 8:15 pm. Reservations are recommended for the performances. Call 484-461-9595.

Help our garden grow!
The Lansdowne Community Youth Garden's online fundraising campaign ends this Saturday! Our goal is within reach - so please help us get there by contributing today. Donations of all sizes are welcome!

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

Listen to Your Mother: Live readings celebrating Mother's Day
featuring Lansdowne residents Molly Connors and Cecily Kellogg
Sunday, May 11, 7:00 pm; $20
William Way Community Center
1325 Spruce Street, Philadelphia

Town-Wide Yard Sale
Saturday, May 12, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
various locations in Lansdowne

Mother's Day Tea
Saturday, May 12, 1:00 pm; $15
Simpson Gardens, 82 N. Lansdowne Ave.

Celebration Theater presents Cinderella! Cinderella!
May 11-13, May 18-20; $9 each or 5 for $39
Penn Wood High School, 100 Green Avenue

Lansdowne Folk Club presents Malcolm Holcombe
Thursday, May 17, 7:30 pm; $15-$18
Lansdowne Presbyterian Church, 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.

Lansdowne Fire Company BBQ Fundraiser
Thursday, May 17, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Featuring Nelson's Chicken and Ribs
26 N. Highland Avenue

Penn Wood High School Art Show Awards Ceremony and Reception
Thursday, May 24, 6:00 pm; Free
100 Green Avenue, Auditorium

Lansdowne Farmers Market Opening Day
Saturday, May 26, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Municipal lot at 30 N. Lansdowne Avenue

Salon Sunday: Artists as Entrepreneurs
seminar featuring Thaddeus Squire
Sunday, May 27, Noon
Sycamore, 14 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Lansdowne Memorial Day 5K
Sponsored by the LEDC
Monday, May 28, race at 8:00 am;
$10 to $20 early registration rates through May 11
Lansdowne Avenue parking lot

Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 28, 9:00 am
Route begins at Lansdowne and LaCrosse Avenues and proceeds to Penn Wood High School for ceremonies

All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast
benefits the Aaron Royal Scholarship Fund Monday, May 28, 9:30 am - Noon
Lansdowne Baptist Church
17 East LaCrosse Avenue

Illumination: The Light Within
Photography exhibit by Mark Gavin and John Gruber
Friday, June 1, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Saturday, June 2, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Soji Zen Center, 2335 W. Marshall Road

Do you have an event to announce?
Send your upcoming events to events@lansdownesfuture.org to have them included in this space!

View the complete listing of local events