Saturday, August 25, 2018

AVONDALE: The next big holiday

Lowe's in Avondale already has its Halloween display up, and it is over-the-top this year. I was especially taken by a shaggy, life-size werewolf, clad in a plaid flannel shirt and jeans, and an inflatable rooftop spider the size of a dirigible. I immediately wanted to buy both, but Dearest Partner sagely pointed out that neither the cats nor the neighborhood would be thrilled. Also, the werewolf cost $149. Maybe some light-up Halloween doormats instead ...

HOBBIES: Some pointed questions

I've mentioned before that we have a young friend who moonlights as a sword-swallower. A few days ago we ran into him at his day job (as a grocery store clerk) and he mentioned that he has an important gig coming up and decided to schedule an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist just to get checked out. One hopes that he informs the ENT about his avocation ahead of time!

ENCORE: Resale shop reopens

The Encore consignment shop in Hamorton is reopening on Tuesday, Sept. 4, after its summer break. The first consignment dates are Thursday, Aug. 30, and Friday, Aug. 31, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until all 20 consignment numbers are gone). After that, regular consignment hours begin on Wednesday, Sept. 5, with numbers distributed between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. and consignments beginning at 9 a.m. Consignment days are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Starting this fall, the shop will offer expanded hours for reclaiming unsold items (Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.); online access to your account will be available if you register; the $3 per-consignment fee will be eliminated; Encore gift cards will be available; and hours for dropping off items will be 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Encore keeps half of the sale price of each item, and the money benefits the Chester County Hospital.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

SHOPPING: Eat more fruits and vegetables

I want to give a shout-out to Chris and Tina King's Produce Place. For a long time this marvelous little greengrocer dropped off my radar screen, but it is back there in a very big way. The shop is next to the Country Butcher at Race and East Cypress Streets in Kennett Square, which means it's literally a two-minute drive from the Kennett Y. For me, after a grueling workout, there's nothing better than one of their cold, freshly made smoothies (my choice: Berry). 
Their produce is beautiful, unblemished and delicious, their freshly squeezed juices are wonderful and their salads are the best around. I especially like their delectable cut pineapple; I don't know how they do it, but they manage to remove all those annoying little fibers that get stuck in your teeth.
The shop is open Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An added bonus: I always run into somebody I know who is patronizing that little shopping center. One Kennett Square friend in particular seems to go there as soon as her Thursday morning gym class ends, too!

UHS: Another season starts

Yesterday afternoon I watched the Young Relative compete in a cross-country scrimmage at Unionville High School.
It was great to catch up with the other moms, dads and other family members after not seeing them since the end of track season in the spring. We all agreed that the summer had flown by -- how can school be starting already?! -- and the kids were growing up too darned fast. I've watched the Y.R. and his peers grow from chubby-cheeked kindergartners into poised, delightful young men and women with drivers' licenses. Just stop now and stay that way, OK?!
There's no Oberod race on the schedule this autumn, which is a shame because it was such a lovely venue. But I'm looking forward to the brand-new "Two-Mile Bash" invitational at the UHS course on September 8. And, of course, the split-loyalties meet against my own alma mater, Great Valley, in October. 

POLES: Brace yourself

Back in June, perhaps you'll recall, I wrote about how workers from a company called Osmose were inspecting the underground portions of utility poles throughout our area. One of the workers on my road said told me they had found several rotten ones that would be replaced by PECO in the next few months.
True to their word, the Osmose folks have indeed returned, but rather than replacing the poles they have installed brown metal braces around them. They remind me of the little protective fences around street trees in Philadelphia.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

LONGWOOD: Postmodern Jukebox on stage

Postmodern Jukebox presented a hugely entertaining show at Longwood Gardens on Sunday evening. The troupe puts a vintage spin on popular music, performing top-40 songs by the likes of Katy Perry and Justin Bieber in jazz, swing, piano bar or big band styles. A couple of times they even threw in a little scat, klezmer, ragtime, New Orleans funeral music and a "Harry Potter" movie theme.
The likeable, nattily dressed singers and musicians (there was even a tap dancer!) were top notch and brought a huge amount of energy and good cheer to the stage. In particular, Maiya Sykes was incredible -- she was hilarious in Meghan Trainor's "All About the Bass" and sang an amazing version of Radiohead's "Creep" and, as a tribute to Aretha Franklin, "Natural Woman."
Some of the other songs the group covered during the two-hour show were Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Justin Bieber's "Sorry," Smashmouth's "All Star," Katy Perry's "Roar" and "Last Friday Night," John Legend's "All of Me," the Cranberries' "Zombie," Pearls of Music's "20 Dollars in My Pocket," Gary Jules' "Mad World," Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone" and Taylor Swift's "Shake It Up."
All day long I was watching the weather map hopefully, and it looked as if the rain would move out and it would be a clear evening for the concert. Not so much, but the show went on and I didn't see many empty seats. The audience dressed for the weather, in ponchos and hats, and people were cooperative about putting away their umbrellas when the show started. The crowd did thin out toward the end of the evening, which was a big mistake because the encores were amazing.