Hi Neighbor!

Worried about a major snowstorm striking this winter? Don’t. I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that we won’t get more than a dusting. Why? Because we bought a snow blower, which basically guarantees a mild winter, right?

We held out for two years, but last winter was the final straw. In January, we had a horrible snowstorm the weekend of my middle daughter’s birthday party and had to cancel because my husband couldn’t shovel the driveway in time. He was outside with his trusty shovel for at least four hours, while I was stuck inside with the kids (not sure which is worse). I begged him to borrow the neighbor’s snow blower but he mumbled something about “man pride.” He finally threw in the towel around dinnertime, when he spotted a crew plowing a neighbor’s driveway across the street and asked if they could finish ours up. They agreed on a price and our driveway was plowed in ten minutes flat. A few weeks later we got a bill in the mail for five times what we paid. Apparently the crew told their boss they had plowed our driveway but neglected to mention the deal we’d struck—or the money we’d paid them.

So this year I put my foot down and insisted we buy a snow blower. A friend told us it didn’t snow more than an inch for FIVE YEARS after he bought his snow blower. Fingers crossed!

Stay Warm!
Kate

• The Dandelion, 124 S 18th Street, Philadelphia
• Tango, 39 Morris Avenue, Bryn Mawr
• Amuse at Le Meridien , 1421 Arch Street, Philadelphia
• Jones , 700 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
• Marigold Kitchen, Spruce Hill, 501 S. 45th Street, Philadelphia
• Jet Wine Bar, 1525 South Street, Philadelphia

WHO ME?

#Selfie Lecture: Self-Portraiture in the 21st Century
Monday, January 30th  
6:00 PM
Main Line Art Center
746 Panmure Road, Haverford
#Selfie takes a look at the changing face of self-portraiture in our world of smart phones and social media. Artists have always used their own personas to explore identity, community, and social issues. Many use humor to share their ideas. The lecture will focus on contemporary art, including artists who use Facebook and even DNA samples to expand portraiture in 21st century art. Minimum enrollment needed to run each lecture, so please don’t wait to register! Tickets are $8 for members and $10 for non-members.
mainlineart.org

Open Screen Monday
Monday, February 6th
9:15 PM
Bryn Mawr Film Institute
824 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr
On the first Monday of every month, BMFI invites area filmmakers to bring their films of ten minutes or less to show on the big screen. Admission to each session is free. Starting this year, all Open Screen Monday attendees (audience members and filmmakers alike) will qualify to enter BMFI’s December 2017 film contest, with an awesome prize package awarded for the best film. To have your film added to the screening schedule, bring it to the theater box office any time after 8:00 PM the day of the screening. You may also sign up using the Open Screen Mondays submission form. Films are shown in the order registered.
brynmawrfilm.org

FLOWER POWER

Behind the Scenes at the Philadelphia Flower Show
Thursday, February 2nd
6:30 PM (meet and greet); show starts at 7:00 PM
Christ Church Ithan
536 Conestoga Road, Villanova
Get ready for the Philadelphia Flower Show as Joe Blandy, president of Stoney Bank Nurseries, gives insight into the world’s largest and oldest flower show. As a landscape architect, Blandy uses his experience in landscape construction and design to create unique and innovative solutions to the most challenging projects. Under his leadership, Stoney Bank Nurseries, Inc. won “Best in Show” honors at the Philadelphia Flower Show in 2003, 2004, 2014, and 2016, along with an International Gold Medal in 2015 and 2016. This event is a partnership with The Community Garden Club at Wayne.
radnorlibrary.org

Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza
Saturday, January 21st – Friday, March 31st
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
Featuring more than 4,500 vibrant orchids, all on view inside the Conservatory, Peirce-du Pont House, and Visitor Center. Our talented horticulturists celebrate the beauty and variety of orchids with an artful display that includes a towering 12-foot-tall archway made up of pink Phalaenopsis orchids, giant orbs of orchids, our spectacular purple and white orchid curtain, and more than 200 colorful Vanda hanging from above in our Silver Garden.  longwoodgardens.org

Beekeeping Workshop
Saturday, February 4th (Rain/snow date: Saturday, February 11th)
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road, Media    
Join Tyler’s beekeeper Paul Strommer to discover the Arboretum’s growing apiary and opportunities to get involved. This program covers beekeeping basics, including necessary equipment and hive management. Learn all about the Arboretum’s Hive Sponsorship Program, exclusive for Tyler members and perfect for beginner beekeepers. Pre-registration required.
tylerarboretum.org

Bookbinding Workshop
Saturday, January 28th
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Harriton House
500 Harriton Road, Bryn Mawr
Bookbinder Ramon Townsend, who trained at Colonial Williamsburg, will teach us how to make our own hand-sewn, leather-bound book. You will also learn how to repair and rebind your treasured book or family bible. Bring your volumes in disrepair for a free evaluation. This workshop is $75 per person, which includes all materials. Members get a 10% discount. Reservations required; call 610-525 0201 or e-mail HarritonHouse@aol.com
www.harritonhouse.org

PAFA Wearable Art Workshop
Sunday, January 22nd
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Media-Upper Providence Library
1 E Front Street, Media
Back by popular demand! Artist Dressler Smith will teach basic sculpting techniques as participants craft their own contemporary jewelry, inspired by works from the Pennsylvania Academy of Find Arts (PAFA) collection. Clay and materials provided by PAFA; participants are encouraged to bring their own “found treasures” to personalize their designs. Space is limited, and preregistration is required.
mediauplibrary.org

Sip & Skype with Kate Siegel
Sunday, January 22nd
10:00 AM — 11:30 AM
Har Zion Temple
1500 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley
Join us for morning beverages and snacks as we speak with author, Kate Siegel via Skype. Ms. Siegel’s book, Mother, Can you Not? lovingly lampoons the lengths to which our mothers will go to better our lives—even when it feels like they’re ruining them in the process. This program will contain adult content. Attendee discretion advised. harziontemple.ticketleap.com

SNOW MUCH FUN!

Snow Day Activities
Saturday, January 21st
10:00 AM
Ardmore Library
108 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore
Join us for snow day activities (whether or not there is snow). There will be snow crafts, puzzles to work on, and games to play!
www.lmls.org

Winter Trek Riverbend Ramble
Saturday, February 4th
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Rd, Gladwyne
Join Riverbend's expert staff for a hike through our 30-acre preserve including the Alec Williamson Bird Observation Area, Aquaponics Greenhouse and Insect Hotel. Learn more about all of Riverbend's programs and upcoming projects while enjoying our field, forest and stream ecosystems. Meet at the Riverbend barn at the end of Spring Mill Road. Perfect for families and adults. FREE! Register at info@riverbendeec.org.  
www.riverbendeec.org

CULTURE UP

Penn Museum 36th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration
Saturday, January 21st
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Penn Museum
3260 South Street, Philadelphia
This festive day features traditional Chinese music, contemporary Asian film and Asian American art, zodiac gallery tours, tangram workshops, tai chi, falun gong and kung fu martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy, family crafts and much more—with the grand finale drums and the roar of the lion dance and parade.
Free with general admission.
penn.museum

BROWSE & BUY

44th Annual Fine Art Show & Sale
Saturday, January 28th – Sunday, February 5th
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Daily
The Mansion at the Academy of Notre Dame
560 Sproul Road, Villanova
This weeklong exhibition features nearly 100 artists’ works in a variety of mediums, including oils, watercolors, acrylics, sculptures, ceramics, and glass. This year’s featured artist is Philadelphia-area resident Liz Finley who is known for her rich, colorful seascapes and landscapes of Philadelphia and its surroundings and for her interesting takes on still life.
ndapa.org

Professional Artists Members Exhibition
Through February 11th
Main Line Art Center
746 Panmure Road, Haverford
Main Line Art Center is proud to present the work of a selection of Professional Artist Members in our award-winning galleries. The juried exhibition features painters, photographers, sculptors, and mixed media artists from the Greater Philadelphia area. The Professional Artist Membership Program provides a select group of artists with a variety of exhibition, educational, and networking opportunities that enrich and support the artists as well as expose them to collectors, curators, and designers.
mainlineart.org

TGIF

Narberth First Friday
Friday, February 3rd
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Downtown Narberth
Grab a friend or bring the family downtown to have dinner in one of our BYOBs or pubs.  Shop the stores that stay open late, like Character Development Books, which always has a First Friday special. Find some new treasures and have some wine and cheese at Nannygoat Antiques. Don't forget to drop by Sweet Mabel, the heart of the First Friday action here in the Borough. They always have a featured artist of the month, not to mention the funkiest selection of art and gifts on the Main Line.  narberthonline.com

First Friday! Swing
Friday, February 3rd
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Dance instruction
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Dancing
Barnes Foundation
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Join us for a high-energy evening of 1930s-era swing and Lindy hop! Come early for instruction by members of the Society Hill Dance Academy, and then spend the rest of the evening swinging to the sounds of the Blackbird Society Orchestra. This is the second in our three-part series devoted to dance. $28 (members free). $10 college students (valid college ID must be presented).

Narberth Movie Night
Friday, January 20th
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Narberth Borough Hall
100 Conway Ave, Narberth
Mayor Grady and his helpers will show a family-friendly movie in the Big Room at Narberth Borough Hall. The movie is FREE and all proceeds from refreshments, popcorn and candy benefit the 4th of July Committee.
MeettheMayor.org

GET INSPIRED

Philadelphia Home Show
Friday, January 20th – Sunday, January 22nd
Friday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s premier home improvement and remodeling show features the newest design and decor trends, hands-on experiences and celebrity guest and HGTV star Vern Yip. This year’s dynamic and interactive expo showcases the area’s foremost designers and contractors, all with the goal of inspiring creativity and helping local homeowners accomplish the remodeling and improvement projects of their dreams. Tickets are $10 for ages 13 and up and $3 for children ages 6 to 12 (children under 6 are free).
phillyhomeshow.com

Private Craft Collector's Tour and Lunch in Philadelphia
Thursday, February 2nd
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Experience an intimate private tour of two craft collectors' residences on Rittenhouse Square followed by lunch at Marathon in Center City. We will meet at 10:00 am in Rittenhouse Square. Directions and location details will be communicated by e-mail closer to the event. For questions, please e-mail karenlouise@wayneart.org. Tickets are $135. Sponsored by Wayne Art Center.
wayneart.org

LOCAL THEATRE

LAGAN by Stacey Gregg
February 7th – 19th
Villanova Theatre (Vasey Hall)
800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova
A son returns home to find the landscape of Belfast transformed. A woman talks to her son’s ghost. A man finds love unexpectedly. Ten lives act as tributaries feeding into a single river -- the Lagan, which flows through Northern Ireland. Written by Stacey Gregg, one of Ireland’s most exciting young writers, Lagan is an intimate, engrossing portrait of people who have witnessed the tumult of war and the sudden calm of peace. But can a country, or city, ever really escape its past? This American premiere will be directed by Kathryn MacMillan with performances at 8:00 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. Tickets $21 to $25.
villanovatheatre.org

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Part 2
Through Sunday, January 29th
Hedgerow Theatre Company
64 Rose Valley Rd., Rose Valley
This comedy sci-fi will warm your soul with a few hours of misadventures of the last surviving man who hitchhikes onto a passing spacecraft following the demolition of the planet Earth.
Tickets hedgerowtheatre.org

Narberth Community Theater
6376 City Ave., Philadelphia
See a show, audition or volunteer. Tickets are now on sale for Once Upon a Mattress, the theater company’s next play starting March 3rd. NCT is always looking for actors and behind-the-scenes help with ushering, ticket sales, ad sales, production staff and more.
Learn more narberthcommunitytheatre.org

SECURE YOUR SPOT!

Main Line Camp Fair
Wednesday, January 25th
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Conestoga High School
200 Irish Road, Berwyn
Families with children ages preschool through 18 are welcome to attend. Representatives from approximately 100 day and overnight camps will be available to answer questions and discuss their program in detail. Admission is FREE!
mainlinecampfair.org

Special Kids Camps Expo
Saturday, January 28th
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Valley Forge Educational Services, Activities Center
1777 North Valley Road, Malvern
Join us for the Camp Expo's 8th year of presenting recreational and educational summer programs for children with learning differences. This event is free for families and will feature demonstrations and "hands-on" activities. Featuring: Part-day and Full-day Programs from throughout southeastern Pennsylvania including summer Academic Programs, Day Camps, Residential Camps, Therapeutic Programs and Community Resources.
vfes.net