North Penn Area Christmas Lights Map is Now Up!

This might be, in my opinion, the single coolest thing I've seen on The Reporter's website all year...The Area Holiday Lights Map is up!

Read descriptions of the holiday light displays, view them on the interactive Google map, and even get a little crazy and create your our own driving route. Sure, maybe some of the fun of driving around looking at the lights is not knowing what you'll find around the next corner. But for for others of us, its all about packing in the most wattage in the shortest amount of time - before the kids get restless and start whining. Whatever your strategy, its worth a look to be sure you aren't missing something you'd really enjoy that could be just right around the corner!

The map, of course, covers Lansdale, North Wales, Hatfield, Harleysville, Towamencin, Kulpsville, Colmar, Montgomeryville, etc. but it also includes some fancy displays a little farther away in towns such as Skippack, Lower Gwynedd, and even Ambler.

New Local Gift Idea - Gift Cards that Help Our Library!

The Lansdale Public Library has a great program running that not only helps local businesses, but helps the Library to raise funds, too!

Purchase gift cards for local businesses through the Community Marketplace and the library will get 7% of the purchase price. When you register, simply enter CMP01006 as the Company Name under Company Details and the library will receive credit.

Gift cards are available for: Green Street Luxuries (something for mom!), Kick 'n Wear Soccer Store (something for the kids!), William Penn Inn (something for everyone!), and more!

The Little People's Shoppe Wants Your Baby Gear

Need a little extra cash this month? Who doesn't! Well, if you have gently used baby gear collecting dust, read on. 

The Little People's Shoppe just issued this list of items they are seeking. Check the list, check your closets and garage, give them a call, and breathe a little easier when that January statement arrives in the mail. 

Here is what the LPS has to say:

LPS LOOKING FOR BABY GEAR!!!!!
(ALL GEAR MUST BE CLEAN, HAVE ALL PARTS, WORKING BATTERIES, & MANUFACTURED IN THE LAST 4 YEARS)
TRAVEL SYSTEMS
STROLLERS
CAR SEATS (Manufacture Date of 2008 or newer)
HIGH CHAIRS
JUMPEROOS, EXERSAUCERS, WALKERS
SWINGS, BOTH REGULAR AND CRADLE
PACK N PLAYS
BASSINETS/CRADLES
GATES

PLEASE CALL 215-412-3339 AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO GET YOU IN ASAP!!!

Youth Soccer Fundraiser at Cheeburger Cheeburger TONIGHT!

Don't feel like cooking tonight? Me neither!

Luckily, the TYA (Towamencin Youth Association) U-9 Girls Travel Soccer Team is holding a fundraiser TONIGHT at Cheeburger Cheeburger in Chalfont. The girls are raising funds for their first indoor season and tournament. How exciting!

Cheeburger Cheeburger will donate a portion of tonight's sales to the team. Please print out this flyer to bring with you.

Animal-Powered Parade - TODAY

OK, its a bit last-minute and not exactly right in town, but...I know there are some fly-by-the-seat-of-your-diaper toddlers and road-warrior parents out there who are going to love this one...


I've just received word* that there is an all-animal-powered parade happening today at 1:00pm in Red Hill / East Greenville. Here's the scoop:


Starts in Redhill, PA 
Ends in East Greenville at St. Marks

The only ALL ANIMAL POWERED PARADE!

FREE EVENT FREE PARKING on side streets all over.

Starts promptly at 1:00 so come early to get parking and a good spot to watch the parade from.

Beautiful horses, mules, ponies 

Service dogs and Rescue Labs

SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS

Santa Land at St. Marks where you can sit on Santa's lap and share your Christmas wish!

FUN FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

DRESS WARM AND DON'T MISS THIS FAMILY EVENT!
Hot cocoa, tea, coffee and baked goodies at reasonable prices....
restrooms and warm crafting rooms at St. Marks.


Further details regarding the exact parade route and directions can be found here.


*Thank you to Laura from the Lansdale-area Freecycle group for this info. If you aren't familiar with Freecycle, take a moment right now to change that. As parents of young kids, this will be right up your alley.!

Live Coverage of Tonight's Festivities!

For those who prefer to keep the kids in from the cold tonight, but who don't want to miss all the action, The Reporter will be running a live feed from Railroad Plaza covering Santa's visit and the annual tree lighting.


The coverage begins at approximately 6 pm. Click here for the live webcast.

Holiday Gift Ideas to Help Our Community

Still looking for the perfect gift for someone - or perhaps EVERYONE - on your list? The North Penn Under Ten Local Holiday Shopping Guide is here to help! Dozens of ideas are here for every person on your list (especially those kids under ten!) and, best of all, all of these stores are locally-owned!

So, this year, spread the joy beyond the recipients on your shopping list. Spread joy to all those friends and neighbors who own the great local shops around town that depend on us. (We don't want more great local businesses to go the way of Garden Golf or Glamalicious). :-(

Read more!...

Bookfair to Benefit North Wales Area Library

Barnes & Noble is holding a Bookfair to benefit the North Wales Area Library on Saturday, December 4, 2010, at the North Wales Store (1271 Knapp Road, North Wales, PA). A portion of sales to customers presenting a voucher at checkout will be donated to the Library.  Vouchers are available at the Library (see their hours of operation here).

Also...this year the benefit has been extended to ONLINE sales from December 4 to December 9!  Do your shopping through BN.com/bookfairs/ during that week and enter Bookfair ID 10320828 when you check out.  A portion of the price of your purchases will go to the Library!

Let's remember the Library this holiday season as we remember others, so it can continue to be there for our community.

Final First Friday & Christmas Celebrations Galore in Lansdale This Weekend!

I've just received the official scoop on all of this weekend's First Friday and Christmas events in Lansdale, straight from the Lansdale Borough:

Tree Lighting Friday, December 3 at 6:00 pm

The annual festivities will be held in conjunction with First Friday in Lansdale and take place in Railroad Plaza.  Holiday music will be performed by the North Penn High School Chorus along with refreshments provided by Hatfield Quality Meats and Rosenberger’s Dairies.  Old Saint Nick will arrive at 6:30 pm to lead the Christmas tree lighting countdown.  This year, after the tree lighting, head over to the Lansdale Center for the Performing Arts to visit with Santa and take in “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”.  First Friday activities will continue in the plaza with Renee Wilson performing.

In addition to the annual holiday activities , Lansdale will attempt to break the Guinness Book Work Record  for the largest candle lit parade.  Over 1,000 people are needed to participate in the 8:00 pm First Friday Candle Lit Parade and put Lansdale in the record books!  Visit www.npcnlive.com for additional
 information and to register for the parade.

Also, throughout the downtown you will find music by some of your favorite First Friday performers along with Ziegler's hot cider, warm chocolate chip cookies, roasted walnuts, ice sculptures and store front windows decorated by Chantilly Florist and Byre’s Choice.

TubaChristmas Concert Sunday, December 5 at 2:00 pm

A Sunday afternoon in Railroad Plaza is filled with the sounds of seasonal music from sixty or more of the most talented tuba and sousaphone players in the area.  This outdoor concert is a must attend event for young and old alike.

For more information on any of these programs please visit www.lansdale.org or call 215-361-8352

Happy Holidays to all!

Happy Hanukkah, North Penn!

It looks like the weather has eased up just in time for tonight's Menorah Lighting at Railroad Plaza in Lansdale! There's something wonderful about watching the lights come up on a crisp December evening. But, if you prefer to avoid the cold, there is also a Hanukkah celebration happening at Montgomery Mall tonight at the same time that includes crafts and activities. Decisions, decisions!

Further details are on the North Penn Under Ten calendar.

Happy Holidays to all!!

Eagles Pep Rally at Elmwood Zoo Tomorrow!

Elmwood Park Zoo is holding an Eagles Pep Rally at Noon tomorrow featuring the one and only Swoop the Eagle! 

Join us at the Elmwood Park Zoo and show us how you eat, sleep, and bleed GREEN. 

With a number of football themed activities for the kids, as well as an appearance by Swoop, it's sure to be a fun-filled day for the whole family!

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

Get a Little Extra Cash from the Little People's Shoppe

The Little People's Shoppe, a terrific consignment shop in Lansdale, is looking for a few specific items this week. Need to purge before the holidays? They are looking for highchairs, pack 'n plays, "anything Thomas the Train & anything American Girl Doll/Bitty Baby". If you have any of those items and wish to consign them, just give them a call at 215.412.3339. Think extra holiday cash!

Babies Boogie Class Added at Indian Valley Public Library

We are so fortunate in our area to have so many great libraries!

Indian Valley Public Library, which is in nearby Telford, has some truly awesome programming that's well-worth the short drive. Today they announced that, due to overwhelming interest, they've added a second "Babies Boogie" class to their fall programming. Here's the skinny. (These classes are also listed on the North Penn Under Ten Calendar.)

"Babies Boogie" is for children ages 0-3 and their caretakers and will meet on Fridays at 11 am for 30 minutes of songs, music, dancing, stories, movement, rhymes and motion from November 19th to December 17th. You can register at the library, by phone (leave a message) 215-723-9109 ext. 112, or by email.

Time For a Safety Check, Mom & Dad!

Once you've finished changing your clocks, take a minute to check the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors. If you're like many busy parents, you might not have checked them since your child came home with a reminder notice during Fire Prevention Week last month. So, now is the perfect time to begin that once-per-month habit that is so hard to start.

While we're on the topic of safety, just a reminder that all food and product recalls are automatically posted in the margin of every page on NorthPennUnderTen.com (as is our local weather forecast). So, if you are looking for info on that recent Britax car seat recall or for accurate info on the recent lollipops recall, its all right there!

Have a great (and safe!) week!

Pick a Holiday! Any Holiday!

Check out the NPUT Calendar for the scoop on more than two dozen events within a twenty minute drive of downtown Lansdale! This weekend, you have your choice of a turkey dinner, a visit with Santa, or some late-season pumpkin picking! Not that this should surprise any of us when we live in a town that celebrates Mardi Gras in November!... Have fun!

PS...don't forget about First Friday tonight!!

The Reporter To Feature Local Children's Artwork

The Reporter is inviting young artists to share their Thanksgiving-inspired artwork with the paper's readers. Kids grades K-12 are welcome to submit a high-resolution jpeg of their artwork for publication Thanksgiving weekend in The Reporter’s Lifestyle section on both the website and the print edition. Send submissions by November 21st to aixaeditor@gmail.com, with "Thanksgiving Art" in the subject line. This is not a contest.

Tweet Your Child's Wish List to Santa!

This just in! Beginning today, the Montgomery Mall is offering a "Tweet Your Holiday Wish List to Santa" program. Mall management tells us, "Parents are welcome to sit down with their kids and tweet Santa their child’s holiday wish list. This is a Web 2.0 alternative to writing Santa a traditional wish list letter and mailing it to the North Pole. In addition, by utilizing the social media tool, parents can research which Montgomery Mall stores carry the toy or gift that they are looking to purchase for their child or family."

Want to try out this new spin on an old tradition? Simply login to Twitter and write a tweet to Santa at @MontgoMallSanta.

Food For Fines Program Launches at Lansdale Library

Have some overdue fines on your account at the library you're feeling ashamed of? Now you can feel good about them instead!

Now through Monday, November 15th, bring in non-perishable food items to the Lansdale Public Library to help Comfort Keepers stop Senior Hunger. For each food item you bring, the library will waive $0.50 in overdue fines up to a total of $6.00.

Of course, you don't have to have overdue fines to donate food! For more information on the types of items needed, visit www.StopSeniorHunger.com.

Additional Info on Santa's Arrival - Catch a Sneak Peak Friday Night!

We have received additional information regarding Santa's debut at Montgomery Mall, direct from the source! (No, I don't have a private line to Santa. Oh how I wish! But, this comes direct from mall management.)

The mall will host its annual Santa's Arrival Parade starting at 6 p.m. Friday night outside of the Salsa’s Mexican Grill entrance where Santa will climb aboard a Montgomery Township Fire Department fire truck. He will ride around the mall’s perimeter accompanied by the Montgomery Township Police Department and mall security officers. The parade will end at the LensCrafters mall entrance where Santa will descend from the fire truck, enter the mall for an indoor parade, and find his way to the Santa set in the mall’s Elevator Court. Radio Disney and costumed characters will keep guests entertained at the mall’s Sears Court until 8 p.m. Santa will be available to visit and get photos taken with local families and children throughout the holiday season.

During the holiday season, the Montgomery Mall will also offer charity gift wrapping services, two Pet Photo Nights with Santa (11/21 & 12/12 - see the NPUT Calendar for more info on this), a "Tweet Your Holiday Wish List to Santa" program, among other festive events. Additional details will be listed in future posts.

This could be a warmer, drier alternative to First Friday if the weather doesn't improve soon!

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town...This Week!

Whoever said "Christmas seems to start earlier every year" had probably just visited the Montgomery Mall. This year, you can get your face time with the big guy early and avoid the rush because Santa arrives at our local mall THIS SATURDAY!

You can find Santa in the Elevator Court and visiting hours are posted below. For added convenience, these hours are also posted on the North Penn Under Ten Calendar. Yes, it was painstaking, but the awesome feedback from you all is worth it! (Now, don't forget to click on some ads while you're here...)

Nov 6 (Sat) 10:00 AM-8:00PM, Nov 7 (Sun) 11:00AM-6:00PM
Nov 8 (Mon) through Nov 11 (Thu) 11:00AM-8:00PM
Nov 12 (Fri) & Nov 13 (Sat) 10:00AM-8:00PM, Nov 14 (Sun) 11:00AM-6:00PM
Nov 15 (Mon) through Nov 18 (Thu) 11:00AM-8:00PM
Nov 19 (Fri) & Nov 20 (Sat) 10:00AM-8:00PM, Nov 21 (Sun) 11:00AM-6:00PM
Nov 22 (Mon) through Nov 24 (Wed) 10:00AM-8:00PM, Nov 25 (Thu) THANKSGIVING- CLOSED
Nov 26 (Fri) & Nov 27 (Sat) 10:00AM-8:30PM, Nov 28 (Sun) 11:00AM-7:00PM
Nov 29 (Mon) through Dec 2 (Thu) 10:00AM-8:30PM
Dec 3 (Fri) 10:00AM-9:00PM, Dec 4 (Sat) 11:00AM-9:00PM, Dec 5 (Sun) 11:00AM-7:00PM
Dec 6 (Mon) through Dec 9 (Thu) 10:00AM-8:30PM
Dec 10 (Fri) & Dec 11 (Sat) 10:00AM-9:00PM, Dec 12 (Sun) 11:00AM-7:00PM
Dec 13 (Mon) through Dec 16 (Thu) 10:00AM-9:00PM
Dec 17 (Fri) 10:00AM-9:30PM, Dec 18 (Sat) 9:00AM-9:30PM
Dec 19 (Sun) 10:00AM-8:00PM
Dec 20 (Mon) through Dec 23 (Thu) 9:00AM-9:30PM
Dec 24 (Fri) 8:00AM-6:00PM

Surviving Election Day in Lansdale

So the kids are off from school on Tuesday and you're wondering how you're going to navigate Election Day, eh?

Here is our suggestion...

First, visit SmartVoter.org, by the League of Women Voters, to see who the candidates are for our area and to read unbiased info on all of them.

Next, drag your kids along to the voting booth. Sure, it might not be easy or particularly fun, but voting is important and teaching that to our kids is extremely important!

Finally, when your kids behave beautifully at the polling location, or at least don't break anything there, reward them with a trip to Kidz Rule because Kidz Rule is holding special hours on Election Day and each two-hour block is just $5 per child.

Good luck and may the best candidates win!

Another 20+ Halloween Events in Lansdale for Kids and Families!

Good morning, North Penn! The day awaits and what choices we have today! Celebrate fall, Halloween, harvest time, you name it! Scary, fun & friendly...the Lansdale area has it all this weekend!

Check out the North Penn Under Ten calendar and head on out! Its a beautiful day!

And If You STILL Need a Costume...

If you are still looking for that perfect Halloween costume or want to add to your kids' dress up box, you are in luck. Here are a few places worth checking out, in addition to the many party and Halloween specialty stores in our area:

2nd Avenue (Welsh Road near Redner's Market): This morning there were at least a few dozen ready-to-wear children's costumes in assorted sizes on the racks. Not to mention a huge selection of discounted clothes to create your own unique ensemble.

Impact Thrift (now located on Rt 309 across from Babies R Us):  Yesterday morning had at least a dozen, as well.

Little People's Shoppe (The Pavillion): has all of their costumes now marked at 50% off.

Happy Shopping & Happy Halloween!

More Free Meals for Kids This Halloween Weekend

Well, the local restaurants sure are fighting over the chance to fill your little trick-or-treaters bellies! Here's a brief rundown of the places in town that are offering specials this weekend. Get your printer ready because some require you to present a coupon (links provided below):

Boston Market (Allentown & Forty Foot Roads, Towamencin):  Free kids meal with adult purchase and this coupon thru 10/31.

Chipotle (Airport Square, Rt 309, Montgomeryville): Get a burrito (or BOOrito!), bowl, salad, or oder of tacos for just $2.00 when you come dressed up as a processed food - really! - between 6pm and 10pm on the 31st. No coupon required, further details here.

Chili's (DeKalb Pike across from Montgomery Mall): Free kids meal with an adult entrée purchase and this coupon between 3pm and 10pm on the 31st.

T.G.I. Friday’s (Montgomery Mall parking lot): FREE Appetizer on Friday and Saturday (10/29-10/30) for anyone wearing a costume. Choose from Mozzarella Sticks, Pot Stickers or Crispy Green Bean Fries. Free Kids Meal on Sunday 10/31 for any child in costume accompanied by one paid adult entrée. No coupon required, further details here.

A big "Thank You" to MamaCheaps for these! MamaCheaps is a great source of discounts, coupons and money-saving strategies, particularly for families. Lucky for us, she is locally-based, too, so nearly every fantastic deal is available in our area. Check her out sometime - you'll be glad you did.

Turn Your Candy Into Cash for the North Wales Library!

The Halloween Candy Buy Back program returns to North Wales Area Library! 

Bring your unwanted candy to the library and a generous local dentist will make a donation to the library - up to $1,000! Plus, every child who brings in candy will receive a non-candy prize in return.

The program runs from November 1st through the 14th during normal library hours:

Monday:  1:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday:  10:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday:  10:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday:  10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday:  1:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday:  10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday:  Closed

Win Free Tix to Kidz Rule's Halloween Party

Be sure to stop by Kidz Rule in Hatfield this weekend for some great Halloween fun! Parties are happening on Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 8:00PM and on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00PM. (In the event of rain, Kidz Rule will extend their party hours. Great idea, Kidz Rule!) 

The parties feature trick or treating, haunted house, free cider & donuts, free arts & crafts and...unlimited bouncing! Admission is $10 per child, adults and infants are free.  But...right now, if you "Like" Kidz Rule on Facebook, you will be automatically entered to win two free party passes! Woo hoo! Winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, so get clickin'!

Only a Few Spots Remain for Halloween Bash at Gymboree

Gymboree Play & Music of Montgomeryville is hosting its annual Halloween parties this weekend. Friday night is already sold out! But, a few spaces remain for the Saturday party (as of Noon today, there were 5 spots left). 

Gymboree Halloween parties are fun, not scary, events full of seasonal songs and games. Wear your cutest costumes and be ready to take home a goodie bag. All kids from birth through four years are welcome. Price is $19 per adult child pair. For exact times and to make your reservation, call 215-412-5257. Hurry before those remaining few spots are filled!  Additional details are available on the North Penn Under Ten Calendar.

Lansdale Library Longs for Legos

Coming soon to the Lansdale Public Library...its The Little Builders Club!

If you have lots of Legos or "krazy" amounts of K'nex hanging around your house or know of someone who does, drop them off at the Lansdale Public Library and help build up the excitement about this awesome new club!

For library hours or information on the many other wonderful clubs, programs, and materials available, click here.

Kids Eat Free at Applebee's This Halloween!

Get a good solid meal in those bellies before the candy hits! Kids eat free all day at Applebee's on Halloween with a paying adult.

Applebee's wants you to know: Kids must be accompanied by an adult to receive free kid's meal. Two free kid's meals per adult entree purchase. 12 and under from the kid's menu dine-in only one meal per child per visit. Can not be combined with any offer or discount. Not redeemable for cash. Tax and gratuity not included. Kid's eat free meal valid at participating Rose Group Applebee's in the greater Philadelphia and surounding market,Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Delaware, Baltimore, MD & DE Eastern Shore Markets and Lawrenceville & Hamilton, NJ.

Half Price Tickets to Nightmare at Elmwood!

Don't let the name scare you off! "Nightmare at Elmwood" is good, family-friendly, non-scary fun for all ages! Costume contests, carnival games, candy and more await you at this treasured zoo in nearby Norristown. And...get ready to be excited...our friends over at The Reporter have hooked up an awesome half-price ticket deal! So, if you've thought about going, here is a great chance to go without breaking the bank! Be aware that this deal ends soon! (Looks like around 2:00am tonight/tomorrow if I'm doing my math correctly.)

Still Need a Costume?...

Not to worry! Michael's has you covered! Stop by Michael's (on Route 309) tonight between 6:00 and 8:00 pm to create a quick and easy costume to complete your Halloween look*! 

Phew! Now...back to tackling the rest of that ever-growing "To Do" list that all of us parents have!...

*Michael's wants you to know:  While supplies last. Powered by Creatology™ and Sulyn.

Awesome Jack-o-Lanterns to Inspire You!

Headed to Freddy Hill, Merrymead, or one of our other great pumpkin patches this weekend? Here's a little something to inspire some cool carvings! Check out the amazing designs at ThisOldHouse.com and then vote for your favorite.

Very Moving Article on Bullying

Came across this today and had to share. Something all of us who care about kids can benefit from reading.

Single Dad Laughing: Memoirs of a Bullied Kid

www.danoah.com

Just to warn you, some of the things I am going to share with you today may make you uncomfortable, but the truth is often just that. Uncomfortable. Perhaps the only image that needs to be shared in this discussion is this one, scanned in from my seventh grade yearbook. It was in 1993, and I'll...

Twenty Hallowonderful Events Within a Twenty Minute Drive

Ahhhh. You've just got to love Fall...and Fall in North Penn can't be beat! Is it too early to start thinking about the weekend? Good!  Because, this weekend, the Fall fun is endless!

Take a gander at the North Penn Under Ten Events Calendar and make sure you aren't missing out on one of the twenty, yes, twenty! events happening this Saturday!

Help North Wales Elementary School Win a Grant!

Let's help (nearly 100-year-old!) North Wales Elementary win a grant to help their arts initiatives! It only takes about 30 seconds!

View and vote for my school's nomination.

clorox.promo.eprize.com

Help choose the winner. The Clorox Power A Bright Future site gives schools a chance to win grants and daily prizes. Let’s show our support for a Bright Future together!

Upper Salford Annual Used Toy Sale

Too many toys cluttering up your home? Want to de-clutter, but need some motivation to do it?... Well, here you go!

Bring your loved, but still lovable toys to Upper Salford Volunteer Fire Company by THIS WEDNESDAY October 20th. Yes, that gives you two days to sort through those outgrown toys before the holidays hit and you're further swamped.

On the flip side, if you're looking for a budget and earth-friendly way to do some early holiday shopping, here's your chance for that, too!  All, while helping to support our dedicated firefighters!

Here's the skinny. the address is: 782 Old Skippack Road, Salfordville. Its just up Sumneytown Pike, about 20 min from downtown Lansdale. Gently used toys, games and books are accepted until the 20th. Further information can be found by calling 610.287.9324 (at press time, I have a call in to find out their office hours and will post that info as it becomes available).

This even it also posted on the North Penn Under Ten Calendar.

1st Annual Green Halloween Event

"The average child brings home 10 pounds of candy after making the Halloween rounds". - GreenHalloween.org

That, in part, is why GreenHalloween.org is holding the first annual Green Halloween Festival for our area this coming Saturday, the 23rd at the Montgomery Mall. Learn about healthier and more environmentally friendly options for your Halloween "treats", decorations, and more.

Further info is posted on the North Penn Under Ten Calendar. See the "Green Halloween" listing on October 23rd. Or, for more information on the local Green Halloween movement, visit http://greenhalloween.org/Philadelphia/.

This Autumn, Fall for North Penn!

From Fall fests to Harvest Days, Oktoberfest to "Rocktoberfest", full-fledged festivals and fruit-focused frolics, there is NO WAY to avoid celebrating Fall in North Penn this year!


There are tons of great community events now listed on the North Penn Under Ten calendar with many more being added everyday! But, if you're looking for even more Fall fun, here are a few great local ideas:


Freddy Hill Farm's Fall Fest which happens on four weekends in October (2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th, 16th & 17th, 23rd & 24th, plus a bonus day on the 30th!)  Stop by and check out the corn maze with a giant slide at the end, hayrides, pony rides, pig races featuring the cutest little piglets I've ever seen, and naturally pick-your-own pumpkins from their patch. Great family fun at reasonable prices! 


MerryMead Farm's Harvest Days are held every Saturday and Sunday in October from the 2nd through the 31st. MerryMead offers hayrides, wagon rides, a 5-acre corn maze for the big kids, a corn stalk tunnel for the little ones, games, pumpkin painting and much more. 


(By the way, this seems the appropriate time to reiterate my policy of NO endorsed reviews. What you just read is my honest, and, therefore, far more valuable, opinion. I do not and will not accept favors, goods, discounts, etc. for my reviews. Ever. Don't get me started on all those bloggers that will... But, I digress.)


Both of our beloved local farms are charming and uniquely their own, so my advice is: visit both! You've got all month to get there!


Let's not forget that October is also Fire Prevention Month and many area departments are having open houses. A favorite of my two little boys, these FREE community events are both informative and fun!


Here's a quick rundown of the Fire Department Open Houses posted on the North Penn Under Ten Calendar so far:


Thursday, September 30th, 7-9pm, Towamencin (Bustard Road) 
Sunday, October 3rd, 1-4pm, Harleysville
Tuesday, October 5th, 6:30-9pm, Upper Gwynedd


Or, visit MerryMead on the 16th and you can partake in all the Harvest Days fun AND see some cool fire & rescue equipment all in one stop! The Worcester Fire Company will be doing an equipment display at MerryMead and both Smokey the Bear and Sparkey the Fire Dog will be there!


One last note, here is a great site if you're looking for other farms for apple picking and such and their sister site which lists other pumpkin patches a little further away.  


Have a Fantastic Fall and don't forget to "Find Us on Facebook!" (I couldn't resist the alliteration...)

Happy First Week of School!

Parents are buried in forms to complete, kids are simultaneously excited and exhausted...another school year has begun! Wondering how you will keep organized this Fall and not miss out on anything fun? You've come to the right place!

All scheduled school holidays and early dismissal dates for North Penn SD and our local Catholic schools have been added to the North Penn Under Ten Calendar. Don't have kids in school yet? Keep an eye on those dates anyway so you'll know when to expect area attractions to be more crowded!  (I'll never forget that President's Day when we went to The Crayola Factory - ack! Sends a shiver down my spine...)

We've also added all home (and near by away) high school football games to the calendar. There is great family fun to be had as you head out to watch "The Boys of Fall" and the hard-working cheerleaders, as well!

Coming soon...check back here for all sorts of Fall Fest fun as we begin to add details on local hayrides, corn mazes and much more!

Happy September, Everyone!

Loads of Labor Day Fun in Lansdale This Weekend!

Get ready, local families! Because its time for another First Friday, AND the start of high school football games, AND more farmers' markets, AND festivals galore!!

Not to mention that this weekend, kids eat free at Applebee's from Saturday through Monday. (Plus, get 20% your "Carside To Go" order here.) Stop by the Route 309 or Ralph's Corner location while you're out.

If you should find yourself down in the Conshohocken area this weekend, IKEA is offering a Kids Eat Free deal, as well. See details here.

The countdown to school is on, but don't expect things to slow down! Keep an eye on our Now Registering and Calendar pages to help you keep tabs on all that is happening in the North Penn area!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

With just over two weeks left until the school year begins, (so sorry to be the one to point that out, by the way) its time to squeeze in any of those things you were determined to do this summer with your kids.

But, don't panic! Most area pools are open until just a couple of days before the start of school and many summer concert series are still going! Take a quick peek at the North Penn Under Ten Calendar for more ways to maximize the rest of your summer.

If less structured fun is what you're after, check out this great article from Real Simple magazine on "Good Old-Fashioned Playtime" with refresher instructions for us parents on how to play games like Four Square, Hopscotch, three versions of tag and more. Then, check out the North Penn Under Ten Parks Guide and Map for a new place to have some great summer fun!

From Flapjacks to Flick 'n Floats, What the Hecklerfest Are You Doing This Weekend?

Prepare yourself...you are about to begin a weekend that will be totally free of "I'm boooooooored!" moans. And, if its not, then you must have forgotten to check out the North Penn Under Ten calendar!!

Order up a plate of flapjacks Saturday morning at Applebee's and be served a side of self-satisfaction because you'll be supporting the Marching Knights at the same time! Then, choose whether you'd like to gobble up some fresh-picked produce, pluck a gently-used book from one of two area library sales, paint your pet, or learn what the heck Hecklerfest is!

Sunday, you can cap off one of the last (sniff) weekends of (sniff) summer with a relaxing Flick 'n Float in lovely Towamencin.

Enjoy! And be sure to visit our Facebook page to tell us what you did!

Rain or Shine, There's Plenty To Do!

Its not looking like a great day for the pool, is it? Have no fear! You've found North Penn Under Ten, which means that YOU have a back-up plan!  Here are a few of our favorite picks for the week...

This week, you have your choice of six different storytimes, three free movie showings, two different used book sales to benefit local libraries, and much more! The weather is looking iffy for Wednesday and Thursday also, but A.C. Moore and Kidz Rule have you covered! Get the details by visiting our calendar.

Also, a reminder to all families with incoming Kindergartners, this Thursday is your second chance to attend "K-Day", the North Penn district's bus safety program - which is a lot of fun!  You and your kindergartner (and any siblings who are along) can meet the friendly bus drivers, take a ride on the bus, watch a short safety video, and then all children receive a goody bag! Its a great way to work out any first day anxieties and reinforce bus safety. I took my own kids last week and they loved it!

Video Coverage of Lansdale Area Achievers on the Web!

Looking for some exciting, inspiring, family-friendly videos to watch? Look no further than right here in your Internet browser! Our fellow North Penn residents have been up to some pretty awesome things lately...

The Towamencin Titans team (12yo baseball travel team), is in Cooperstown this week, participating in a 103-team tournament which includes teams from all over the country. You can view their game versus the Southern Maine Dawg Pound live on Monday at 11:00am or view Sunday's game against the Nor-Cal Storm (we won't tell you who won) under the "On Demand" games section of the Dreams Park site. Let's go Titans!

Impact Thrift Stores was recently featured in a piece by Amy Buckman on 6ABC News about throwing a creative, affordable party with a (re)purpose. The impressive creativity of Impact employees was shown in various party themes using pre-owned goods from the thrift stores. Take a peek at the video and prepare to be inspired to visit one of their three areas stores to throw your own amazing theme party all while helping them to financially support more than a dozen local charities!

Local students had the opportunity to participate in a TV production camp last week at North Penn High School's NPTV studio. Students learned all the basics of broadcasting and produced three broadcasts which will begin airing on Monday, August 9th on NPTV (time TBA, on Comcast Channel 28 or Verizion FiOS Channel 29) as well as online at www.NPTV.com. Students were visited by a videographer from Fox29 News who shared some career advice. Additionally, the camp was covered by both The Reporter and The Bucks County Courier Times.

Spring Mountain was named Pennsylvania's Best Outdoor Adventure by the site, Official Best Of. Created in 2004, Official Best Of, is a travel resource that thoroughly researches attractions in each state and identifies the very best based entirely on merit, giving even lesser known attractions the same consideration as famous ones. A fun video showing Spring Mountain's canopy tours and other awesome activities can be found on www.OfficialBestOf.com. Simply select Pennsylvania from the list of states along the bottom of the page.

Congratulations to all of our area's achievers!

Friday Night, Our Region ROCKS!

If you're an indecisive person like me, this Friday night is going to frustrate the heck out of you. Or maybe it won't...

Whether you decide to celebrate Lansdale by boppin' around at First Friday, soaking in the beauty of the formal gardens at Byer's Choice, taking a short roadtrip to Bryn Athyn for a great family show, or simply seeking solace in central air conditioning and exploring the ever-changing Montgomery Mall, you are guaranteed a rockin' good time. Here's the lowdown:

First Friday in downtown Lansdale runs from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Musicians include students from Rock and Roll After School on the main stage, playing both original and cover songs and Rick and MC performing outside the new Molly Maguire's pub. This month's theme is "Back to School" and a North Penn bus will be parked in the Kids Zone! While you are there, you can drop off any donations for the United Way's Stuff the Bus campaign. The need in the North Penn region is even higher than normal this year at about 1,300 stuffed backpacks.

Byers' Choice, Chalfont-based manufacturer of fine collectibles, is hosting a month-long outdoor family concert series set in their breathtaking gardens. Pack a picnic dinner and dine to the sweet sounds of The Community Conservatory of Music performing Blues and Jazz selections. The show runs from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

Billy Jonas, a favorite of the young and not-so-young in our family, will be in our area this weekend. No, Billy Jonas is not one of the Jonas Brothers. Let's get that out of the way right now. To say that Billy Jonas is "a top-notch performer who expertly involves the audience and performs music that pulls you to your feet" would be an understatement. Our appreciation for him began about four years ago when we won his "Everybody's in the Band" DVD in a contest and we've been stompin' our feet and clappin' our hands ("'cuz everybody's in the band!") ever since. There are a lot of children's musicians out there. If only more of them could be like Billy... There is no doubt that his Bryn Athyn show this Friday night at 6:30 will be well worth the short drive and suggested $10 donation per family.

But, if live acoustic rock, back-to-school shopping, and air conditioning is what you seek, check out the talented duo, The Cozmophonix, performing as part of the Rhythm and Arts series at Montgomery Mall. The show begins at 7:00pm in Macy's court.

Further details including maps and directions can be found on the North Penn Under Ten calendar. Until next time, rock on North Penn!

The Sweet Smells of School

August is upon us, once again, and that means one thing...its time to Stuff The Bus!

While its always hard to see summertime go, there are certain little things I still remember fondly when I think about that first week of school... The smoothness of a brand-new Pink Pet eraser, the unique smell of our local bookstore, getting to choose my new Trapper Keeper which, undoubtedly, had a picture of puppies on it, picking out new pens and pencils in a myriad of colors... What? Is it not normal to daydream about school supplies? Perhaps I should be talking more about seeing friends, sporting new clothes or meeting the new teachers, you say? Well, then I digress...

Unfortunately, there are a number of children in our area who might not know the joy of having a new backpack of school supplies without a little help from their neighbors. But that is where the good people of The United Way and you come in. The North Penn United Way has made it very, very easy to contribute to this great cause at any level you are able. There are so many drop off spots, you will probably pass by one within the next 24 hours without even intending to. But, if popping into a retailer is a bit inconvenient (believe me, with three kids under age 6, I get that), you can also mail in either a check or even a giftcard to any retailer that sells school supplies. How great is that?

For specific info on what is needed or a list of drop-off locations, please see the "Do Some Good" section of North Penn Under Ten. Until then, I believe I have some Post-It pads in assorted patterns to doodle on... Ahhhhh...stationery...

Its Play Time!

On Wednesday, July 21st, the new North Wales Area Library will be hosting a free production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears presented by Theatre & Kids. The program is free (!) and starts at 10:30am. Don't miss it!

Looking for an encore? The Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company will present Moliere's The Miser at 7:30pm at White's Road Park, also on Wednesday the 21st.

If that still doesn't quench your thirst for the dramatic arts, you must check out Seussical the Musical presented by the Methacton Community Theatre. This production is sure to thrill kids of all ages and will be showing at 8:00pm on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a 2:00pm matinée performance on Saturday. All shows are taking place at the Perkiomen Valley Middle School East, a short drive from Lansdale.

Further details on these shows and other exciting events for the week can be found on the North Penn Under Ten calendar. Bravo, to all our local actors!

Cool Ways to Spend a Tuesday

If you're already planning to see one of the Free Summer Movies at Frank's Theatres this week, consider stopping by Imagination Playzone at the Montgomery Mall afterwards. If you present your movie ticket stub, you'll get a free pizza lunch with your paid admission at the play place! Be sure to arrive by 2pm. Imagination will be offering this nifty deal every Tuesday and Thursday through August 26th.

Also, on Tuesday the 20th, (as long as you're already at the mall!), swing by The Picture People and take part in their Sizzlin' Summer Fest. Your kids can make a fishy craft, receive a goody bag, and parents can pick up coupons to places like McDonald's all for free!

By 7pm, it should be cooler outside (in theory, at least), so check out the Summer Concert at White's Road Park. Performing this week is the (35-piece!) Marine Band of Allentown. They'll play everything from patriotic marches to jazz selections to showtunes!

Eat At Moe's!

Friday, July 16th, when you dine at Moe's Southwest Grill on 309, a portion of your purchase will go to the Layton family of Lower Salford to aid their fundraising efforts. The youngest member of the Layton family, Joshua, age 2 1/2, suffers from severe, even life-threatening, allergies to eggs, milk, peanuts and all tree nuts. Joshua's allergies are so extreme that many of the activities that other children his age enjoy are simply off-limits for Joshua.

That is why his family has committed to raising a hefty $20,000 to acquire an Allergy Alert™ dog for him. This remarkable service dog will be able to identify and protect Joshua from unseen threats like milk residue - a seemingly harmless substance, but one that can send (and has sent) Joshua to the emergency room. The Laytons are already halfway to their goal, but they need all the help they can get.

So, make your way to Moe's. Whether its for lunch, dinner or a tasty snack, stop by and do some good while you eat some(thing) good. Moe's is open from 11am to 10pm and is located in The Shoppes at English Village on Bethlehem Pike (aka Route 309). To learn more about Joshua's story, visit joshuasangel.com.

New MarketPlace Has Launched!

Having a yard sale or fundraiser? Need a gently used stroller or a pair of cleats? Want to sell your old baby gear? Looking for a babysitter or tutor for your child? Have a home business to promote?

Whatever your need, you can now connect with buyers & sellers in Lansdale, North Wales, Hatfield and other local communities for just pennies a day.

Its targeted and totally affordable - Check out the new MarketPlace section of the site here!

New Interactive Parks Map & Vacation Bible Schools Just Added!

So you've heard about this great park, but you have no idea where it is and can't seem to Google it either, eh? With so many great parks in the area, its not surprising. But, now you have a secret weapon...The North Penn Under Ten Interactive Parks Map. Its at the top of the Links page because we think its so handy that it deserves top billing. Take a look and tell us what you think.

Secondly...summer means a few things...and around the North Penn area, it means there's a vacation bible school happening somewhere nearby just about every week. (Chances are, its across the street from one of our many pharmacies. Seriously! Why so many? But, that's a topic for another day.) To help you find one that fits both your beliefs and your schedule, check out the Now Registering page.

Finally, if you haven't noticed already, new links and events are being added to the site CONSTANTLY. Really. Editing this site has become an addiction. So check back often and see what's new!

Tonight's Upper Gwynedd Concert Cancelled

Please note: The concert at Upper Gwynedd's DeBarth Amphitheater tonight featuring the Montgomery County Concert Band has been rescheduled for Wednesday, August 4th.

The North Penn Under Ten events calendar has been updated to reflect this change.

Need something else to do? Branch Creek Community Church is holding a "Magical Variety Show" from 6:30 to 8:30pm. See our calendar for more details.

One Thousand Hits and One Thousand Thank Yous!

Things have been pretty busy for North Penn Under Ten in these first six days... Here's a quick rundown:

• The site had a whopping 1,000 hits in the first 72 hours following its July 1st launch. Wow!
  
  
• Feedback has been incredibly positive & very appreciative. Some of my personal favorite e-mails include one from Stacey of Harleysville who said "I LOVE LOVE LOVE this site!" and one from Denise in Hatfield who stated "Someone had to do it!"
  
  
• We have recently added all "No School" and "Early Dismissal" dates for the North Penn School District as well as Lansdale Catholic High School and St. Stanislaus Parish School to the calendar through June 2011.
  
  
• Just a reminder that whether you subscribe to the blog, bookmark us, "friend" us on Facebook, or simply stop by the site, there is no fee for doing so.

Again, a thousand thank yous for stopping by, friending us, and, of course, visiting our sponsors.

We would love to hear your suggestions for anything else you'd like to see on the site!

northpennunderten @ gmail . com

Condensed List of Tonight's Festivities

Since one of the main goals of North Penn Under Ten is to keep things organized and simplified, here is a condensed list of tonight's fireworks, courtesy of The Reporter. Enjoy!

http://lap.jrcbenfranklin.com/community/07/04/where-to-see-fireworks-parades/

TV Offers Alternatives for Timid Spectators

For those who would prefer to view the fireworks from a distance, your TV has quite a lot to offer this Sunday evening. In fact, you can really line up a nice marathon of fireworks displays if you would like to.

Starting things off, at 8pm, PBS will show their annual coverage of the Washington, D.C. show, "A Capitol Fourth". Hosting, as always, is Jimmy Smits. Other celebrities on hand include Gladys Knight, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, "American Idol" finalist David Archuleta, John Schneider, Lang Lang and the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jack Everly. This is always a fun show because of selections like Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" accompanied by cannon fire from the U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery. KA-BOOM!

Run-time for "A Capitol Fourth" is 90 minutes, however, you might want to switch over to the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular in NYC at 9:00PM on NBC...especially if you have a tween in the house...because that is where you will find Justin Bieber. (Just in case you were looking...) Also appearing will be Leann Rimes and Enrique Iglesias.

If anyone is still awake at 10pm, they can see the always-awesome 35th Annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on CBS hosted, for the second year, by Craig Ferguson. Also performing will be Rascal Flatts.

However you spend your Independence Day, have a Safe and Fun-filled holiday!

Fourth of July Festivities

Thinking ahead to the weekend? (Silly question, huh?)

The Reporter has compiled an excellent list of area parades & fireworks displays. Check it out!

Here It Is!

How often has this happened to you?... Your kids are moaning "Moooooom I'm boooooored!" You sift through a pile of newspapers you've kept "just in case", find the perfect activity that your child would just love...and notice that it happened...yesterday.

Not any more! Thanks to North Penn Under Ten, you now have all the best local events at your fingertips. Our calendar is always up-to-date and, with the click of your mouse, you can even copy events to your own free Google calendar (more on that in a future post)!

Speaking of local...how frustrating is it to sort through all of those "Metro Philly" and "Philly Suburbs" calendar listings, trying (in vain) to find the ones that are happening in Lansdale, Hatfield, North Wales, Towamencin, Upper Gwynedd, Harleysville, Colmar, etc. and not downtown Philly, Southern Chester County, or New Jersey? Problem #2 solved!

This site has been a long time in the works and we couldn't be more excited to get things off the ground!

So, please, bookmark us. Visit our sponsors. And tell a friend.