Hi Neighbor!

One of the more challenging aspects of sending your child off to college is watching them figure out how to live on their own and waiting patiently for them to do so. Case in point: my son. We had done the college set-up thing before with our daughters, but boys are different than girls. They don’t care what color their comforter is. Getting Nicholas to pick out things at Target was like pulling teeth; which resulted in me nesting like I did with my first baby.

My friend, Maria, mother of three boys, has it figured out. She says the trick is to get them all settled in, but to never go back into the room when you come back for visits. That’s right—do not go back in. “Pull up, beep and have them come out whenever you visit,” she told me, “because you do want to see that dorm room again! Trust me.” Really?

Well, silly me for not heeding that advice. Because I went back. And I went IN. And boy, was she right.
Clothes everywhere. Clean? Dirty? Had those sheets ever been changed? Why was the Windex and Comet still unopened? Clearly no Scrubbing Bubbles had ever scrubbed that tub! I was appalled but my son was unfazed. “Relax! It’s fine! We like it like this!”
And there lies the hardest part of this process--where you hold your tongue so that your visits will be fun and happy, not tense and scrappy. No one ever died from squalor. Eventually he’ll tire of the mess and clean it up. Or not. His choice. But if you can’t handle it, you better listen to Maria and don’t go back in!

Relax! It's fine!
Sandie

BE "IN THE KNOW"

Did you know you can now buy a two-day Historic Philadelphia Pass making the must-dos in Philly's original city even easier — and more affordable? This pass includes tickets to the National Constitution Center, The Betsy Ross House, Christ Church Burial Ground (and throw a penny on Ben Franklin’s grave in a nod to “a penny saved is a penny earned”), plus two days of rides on the PLASH Tourist Loop! Purchase one at the Independence Visitor Center or online here
  
CSA Surprise: Cooking from Your Box
Wednesday, August 10th
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
PICKUP SPOT: Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Avenue, Wayne
Did you know you can sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and order a share when you want it, with no long-term commitment? And if you’re not sure what to do with all of that produce, Chef Michele Haines will unlock the secrets of the box, teaching delicious recipes using fruits and veggies from Jack's farm. Stop by to grab your box and stay for the class! $65.
The Wayne Art Center is a pick-up place for Jack's CSA each Wednesday. Jack's is a family run, organic farm in Pottstown. Learn more at www.jacksfarm.net.
wayneart.org

Pick Your Own Produce
Linvilla Orchard
137 W. Knowlton Rd, Media
Peaches, Blackberries, Sweet Corn – oh my! Pick Your Own is in full swing! Take a look at everything that's picking right now:
Peaches, Donut Peaches, Blackberries, Eggplant, Bell Peppers, Hot Peppers, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn!
Linvilla.com

Angioscreens
Thursday, August 11th
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Community Room--Main Line Health Center
1991 Sproul Rd., Broomall
An Angioscreen is a six-minute screening to test for the risk of heart disease and stroke. Register for a painless, radiation-free screening that provides you with clear and immediate test results of your circulation and vascular health. This screening includes a personal consultation. Screening is only $50. Call 1.866.CALL.MLH (1.866.225.5654) for an appointment.
Angioscreenings are also available at Lankenau Medical Center, Paoli Hospital Details here:
mainlinehealth.org

FOR THE TOMATO LOVERS

Annual Great Tomato Tasting
Wednesday, August 31st,
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Rutgers Clifford E. & Melda Snyder Research & Extension Farm
140 Locust Grove Rd., Pittstown, NJ
Did you know there’s a new Jersey Tomato coming to roadside stands this summer? In honor of Rutgers University’s 250th Anniversary, their New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station (NJAES) developed the Rutgers 250, in response to an absence of jersey tang in the modern tomato. They also host an Annual Great Tomato Tasting to celebrate all varieties of Jersey Tomatoes. So if you love tomatoes, it’s worth the drive! $7.00 per person, kids under 10 free. Click here for more information
To RSVP, click here
 
Heirloom Tomato Dinner with Happy Cat Farm
Thursday, August 25th
7:00PM – 10:00PM
Terrain at Styers
Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills
A very special 4-course dinner celebrating the star of the late summer garden: heirloom tomatoes. Kennett Square’s Happy Cat Farm will be supplying the produce from the 200+ heirloom varieties grown on their sustainably operated farm and nursery nearby. Click here for info and reservations:
 
Ready, Set Can with Confidence
Thursday, August 11th
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Resurrection Lutheran Church
620 Welsh Rd., Horsham
Join Beth Miller, Master Food Preserver, as she walks you through the basics of safely canning one of the jewels of the summer harvest.  In this demonstration class, you will learn how to prepare the tomatoes, load them into jars and safely process them using research-tested methods using either a pressure cooker or a boiling water canner. You'll leave armed with the knowledge to safely can as well as recipes for tomato jam, salsa and more! Bring a friend and your canning questions. More info here
 

DO YOU MISS THE 90's

The Gin Blossoms
Friday, August 12th
9:00 PM
Sugar House Casino
1001 N. Delaware Ave., Philadelphia
The Gin Blossoms are coming! Just the name of this band puts “Hey Jealousy” into your head. Get tickets here: sugarhouseentertainment.com  

Counting Crows & Rob Thomas
Wednesday, August 10th
6:30 PM
BB&T Pavillion
1 Harbour Blvd., Camden
It doesn’t have to be 3 AM and you don’t have to be lonely to go enjoy this duo! The kind of guys that have so many great songs, you’ll want to listen for hours! Ticket info here: livenation.com

‘90s Fest
Saturday, August 13th
2:00 PM
Six Flags New Jersey
1 Six Flags Blvd., New Jersey
Walk on the water while at the waterpark with Smash Mouth, along with a complete 90’s lineup that includes Lisa Loeb and Vertical Horizon. Ticket info: 90sfest.frontgatetickets.com

MLA’s Summer Gallery Rental Series
Main Line Art Center
746 Panmure Rd., Haverford
Free
Something Old. Something New. Never Borrowed. Sometimes Blue. From bold flowers and landscapes to vibrant portraits, painter Phyllis Steinberg is bringing her colorful artwork to the gallery walls of Main Line Art Center in Haverford this summer Details here:
mainlineart.org

Shining Knights Chess
Upper Merion Middle School
King of Prussia
Knights, captures, action! Whether you are new to the game, learning to push pawns for the first time, or have played in numerous tournaments and want to sharpen your chess skills, join us at Shining
Knights Chess Club. Click here to register or find out more info for Chess Club taking place on Monday evenings, or click here for the Shining Knights Chess week long Summer Camp.

Secrets and Spies
August 6th – 12:30 PM
August 12th – 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM
Valley Forge Park—Meet at the Washington Headquarters Train Station, King of Prussia - Free
George Washington needs your help! There’s rumor of a plot to have him kidnapped at Valley Forge. Be the first to enlist and join an American spy network to uncover the traitors involved. Wind your way through the area surrounding Washington's Headquarters to help unravel the mystery. The program is presented with children in mind, but fun for participant's of any age! More Info

Schuylkill River Boat Tours- Secrets of the Schuylkill
Thursdays: August 11th & 25th
Saturdays: August 6th & 20th
5:30 & 7:00 Departures
Walnut St. Dock, Under the Walnut St. Bridge, Center City Side, Phila.
Secrets of the Schuylkill--A one-hour fun and fact-filled boat tour that highlights the past, present and future of the Hidden River. Discover the sights, sounds and history of the river. Tours depart from the Walnut Street Dock, located under the Walnut Street Bridge on the east bank (Center City side) of the Schuylkill River. Click here for more info
Buy tickets online or by calling ‪‪800-979-3370‬‬.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Canoe with Perks
May 12 - Sept. 17, Thursdays 5:30 –7:00 PM
Every other Saturday 1:00 - 2:30 PM
John James Audubon Center
Mill Grove, Audubon
Take a guided canoe tour of the Perkiomen Creek with one of our educators! View birds as they feed along the creek, explore the world of macro invertebrates and hopefully catch a glimpse of an elusive muskrat! PFDs, canoes, and oars provided. All participants are required to wear a PFD. Cost is $15 per person and registration is required. For groups of 10 or more, private canoe tours can be booked for any time throughout the week.
johnjamesdev.audubon.org

IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER!

NIGHTTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME