Narblog

Narberth's Witch-Hunt

The Narberth Business Association is kicking off Halloween on October 25 from 1pm to 4pm with a “Witch Hunt” for the kids.  Children of all ages are encouraged to search the town in a scavenger hunt for thirteen of the witchiest witches around.  Find all thirteen and collect treats along the way!  For more infor­mation, please contact the Narberth Business Association Secretary, Tracy Tumolo at (610) 667-3041 or sweetmabelart@aol.com

 

Narberth Fall Music Festival

 Narberth continues its great tradition of street festivals with the Fall Music Festival on Sunday, October 19th from 2-7pm.  This free event takes place right on Haverford Avenue in the heart of downtown Narberth.  Acts include Guy Campo and the Sarcastics, Deep Six, Michael Jantz & The Davenports, and the Lucky Stiffs.  Come out for a day of free music and great food and drink, and support a wonderful cause. 

Representatives from Philabundance will be on hand to accept cash donations and flip-top cans of soups and vegetables.  Help donate to the local food bank, and bring the heart of the Main Line to Philly area kids in need.  Call 610-667-0510 or e-mail manager@mcsheas.com for more information.

Narberth's First Oktoberfest

Narberth is having its first annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 18, at 7 pm in the Borough Hall (100 Conway Ave).  There will be food, beer, music, dancing and prizes—and all adults are invited join the fun.  Gather your friends and book your table today!  Proceeds will go to support the December Dickens Festival.  Tickets are $22.50, or $25 at the door, and are available at Maido and other Narberth businesses. For more informa­tion, please contact the Narberth Business Association Secretary, Tracy Tu­molo at (610) 667-3041 or sweetmabelart@aol.com

Mayor Grady's NarbNet for Sept 5th

Mayor Grady's email is reproduced below.  Welcome back all you vacationers!  There is lots to do this week in Narberth.

Here’s a list of fun, entertaining and community events in and about our town for the upcoming week (and don’t forget to check www.meetthemayor.org for updated events):

1)     Tonight, Friday, September 5, 2008 the Narberth Business Association will he hosting “First Friday” from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M.  Narberth’s First Friday comes back from the August hiatus with a bang—and a new mural.  Merion artists, Beth Warren and Karen Krivit will be on hand for the unveiling of the new mural “on the hill” at N. Narberth Avenue in downtown Narberth.  The celebration will continue at Sweet Mabel with food, drink and music by the Jasafar Blues Band.  Please join us!  For more information, please see www.narberthpa.com.
      
2)     Tomorrow, Saturday, September 6, 2008, Aloha Style on the Main Line will be celebrating its one (1) year anniversary from 2:00 P.M. to 4:000 P.M. with hula, games and free registration in front of the studio at 102 Forrest Avenue, Narberth.  If it rains on Saturday, all activities will continue inside the studio.  Please join us for a fun time!

      Also Tomorrow, Saturday, September 6, 2008 the Narberth Greens Flower and Vegetable Exchange will be held at 10:00 A.M. next to the Narberth Library.  Chat with other local gardeners, bring home grown vegetables, flowers, herbs to trade and pick up some free coffee grinds to compost in your garden.  For more information, please see www.narberthgreens.org.

      Plus, on Saturday, September 6, 2008 it’s the “NFFL” Draft!  (Narberth Flag Football Draft).  Stop by the park at 9:00 A.M. and see the kids throw the pigskin around and be placed by the Jets, Dolphins, Redskins, et al.!  For more information, please see: www.narberthflagfootball.com.  In the event of rain, the draft will be scheduled for Sunday, September 7, 2008 at the same time schedules set forth at www.narberthflagfootball.com,

3)     On Sunday, September 7, 2008, Narberth Women’s basketball returns at 8:00 A.M. to the Narberth basketball courts.  All skills are welcome and there’s lots of fun!  For more information, please contact Maureen at Maureen@alum.wellesley.edu.

4)     On Monday, September 8, 2008 Narberth Borough Council will be holding a Joint Caucus/Council Meeting at 7:30 P.M. in Narberth Borough Hall.  This is your opportunity to address Council with any and all questions regarding the Borough’s affairs.  For more information, please see www.narberthborough.com.

5)     On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, in response to concerns expressed by many residents regarding the short notice provided for the August 26th aerial mosquito spraying, State Representative Daylin Leach has arranged for a public meeting at the Lower Merion Township Administration Building, 75 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore on Tuesday, September 9th, at 6:00 PM.  In attendance will be the State Department of Environmental Protection, the State Department of Health, the Montgomery County Health Department, and the Clean Water Action Council. These officials will discuss West Nile Virus, the ongoing monitoring program, aerial spraying and answer questions. Please pass this information on to others who may be interested.

6)     On Sunday, September 14, 2008 is Narberth’s Welcome Back Picnic in Narberth Park, from 2:00 to 7:00 P.M.  Enjoy music, great local food and the opportunity to welcome back your friends and neighbors to the Borough!  For more information, please see www.narberthborough.com.

7)         On Friday, September 19, 2008 we will be having our Narberth Movie Night.  The Movie this month is “Toy Story”.  This is a great movie starring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Don Rickles!  My son Tom (he used to be called Tommy) was just 4 when we took him to see this in the movie theatre.  He’s now 17 and planning for college.  It’s sort of like a fun old toy you found in the attic, just coming back to visit us again.  The movie starts at 7:00 and will go to around 9:00 P.M.  The Movie is FREE and all proceeds from refreshments, popcorn and candy benefit the 4th of July Committee.  A movie trailer for Toy Story can be found here.

     Also, on Friday, September 19, 2008, pinwheels, painted by our local children, will be hung along N. Narberth Avenue in anticipation of the following week’s International Day of Peace.  Narberth artist, Todd Marrone, will be painting live, and offering his work for donations to Pathways to Peace.  Food and drink will be served at Sweet Mabel from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.
   
Keep the date! 

Meet the Mayor: Friday, September 19, 2008, 9:00 A.M., N. Narberth and Haverford Avenues, See www.meetthemayor.org;
Meet the Mayor: Friday, September 24, 2008, 7:30 P.M., Narberth Borough Hall. See www.meetthemayor.org;
Narberth Film Festival: Friday, November 21, 2008, 7:30, Narberth Borough Hall.  See here

What is a Narberth Kitchen Party?  Yes, I’ll keep you guessing.  Check out www.meetthemayor.org for upcoming information!

Narberth News Roundup

The Philadelphia Inquirer covered the recent Narberth Green's Flower & Vegetable Exchange.  You can read the story here.

Narberth's Cal Ripken All-Stars had their best playoff run in 16 years.  That story is here.

There will be another free concert this Wednesday evening in Narberth Park at 7pm.  This week will feature performer Kenn Kweder.  Pack a picnic dinner or buy some 4th of July committee Real Pizza and relax with your neighbors.

If you have a news item or community event you'd like to see posted on the Narblog, just let me know.  We have a growing readership.

Upcoming Events

If everyone heads down the shore for the summertime, why do we have so many July events?

• Friday, July 18, 2008 at 7PM will be another Narberth Movie Night.  The movie is “Grease” and attendance is FREE.  All proceeds from refreshments, popcorn and candy benefit the 4^th of July Committee.

• Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10AM, the Narberth Greens Flower and Vegetable Exchange will be held next to the Narberth Library. Chat with other local gardeners, bring home grown vegetables, flowers, herbs to trade and pick up some free coffee grinds to compost in your garden. For more information, please see www.narberthgreens.org.

• The Narberth Flag Football League (“NFFL”) has opened registration for the fall program. Please see www.narberthaa.org for sign up information. 

• Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 8AM, Narberth Women’s basketball returns to the Narberth basketball courts. All skill levels are welcome and there’s lots of fun! For more information, please contact Maureen at Maureen@alum.wellesley.edu.

• Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 7PM, there will be a free concert in the Park hosted by the 4^th of July Committee. The Matt Lafferty Band will be playing and they are known for their Pop/Rock. Pizza dinner and refreshments will be sold by the 4^th of July Committee. Bring your friends, neighbors and the kids to hear some great music under the stars.

• Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 7:30PM, the Borough Manager’s Office will be conducting another Budget Tutorial for the Public in the Narberth Borough Hall. Please join us to learn about how our Borough budgets are formed and implemented.

Caucus and Council Meeting Combined for Monday Night

Narberth Borough will hold a combined Caucus and Council meeting this month.  The meeting is tonight Monday, July 14th at 7:30pm in Borough Hall.  This meeting follows the 7pm Public Safety Committee meeting.  The caucus meeting is your opportunity to speak with council and let them know your thoughts on any issue that concerns you.  The minutes from the previous meeting are here in Microsoft Word format. 

It is expected that the Planning Commission will present their recent findings and propose a no-chain-store ordinance for the business district.

This week's public forum follows last week's budget tutorial presented by Borough Manager Bill Martin to a small audience of around ten interested citizens.  Bill will continue his presentation on July 17th at 7:30pm.  Copies of the current budget are available for pickup at the Borough Office and also at the meeting itself.

Mixed Weather didn't hold back 4th of July Celebration

The overcast and occasionally rainy weather didn't make for a perfect 4th of July.  However, residents didn't let it sour the many parties and celebrations which had been planned. 

If the rain kept you away from Narberth Field for a fireworks display, it was clearly your loss.  The 4th of July committee outdid themselves and delivered a tremendous fireworks display.  Kudos to them for the fireworks and also the excellently executed morning carnival and events.  Massive volunteer hours are dedicated to organizing, planning, and executing this full day of community activities.

While Narberthians have celebrated the 4th of July from the 1870's onward, the town's more formal 4th of July events took shape when production of fireworks was suspended at the beginning of World War II.  As pyrotechnic factories converted production from merrymaking to munitions, Narberth leaders held an open meeting to solicit ideas and alternative ways to celebrate.  "Fireworks out for the duration.  Hence, if Narberth is to observe Independence Day in a formal manner, the celebration should be along different lines than before."

The result was the creation of Narberth Day, an activity-filled carnival that went far beyond the parade, official ceremony, and baseball game which had previously occupied the day.

The event schedule was as follows:

9:50 A.M. Flag raisIng. Children sing Star Spangled Banner. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:00 A.M. Baby Show.
10:15 A.M. to 1:15 P.M. Sports program.
10:30 A.M. Puppet Show (in the Community Building).
1:00 P.M. Pet Show.
2:00 P.M. Hobby Show.
3:00 P.M. Baseball game. Narberth vs. BrooklIne.
5:30 to 6:30 P.M. Jittterbug contest on Windsor Ave.
7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Demonstration by the Volunteer Medical Service Corps.
8:00 P.M. Band Concert
9:00 P.M. Outdoor movies with sound.
9:30 P.M. Outdoor dancing on Windsor Ave.

Everything free but the food.  Souvenir for every child.  In case of rain, program cancelled.  

In 1972, Narberth's 4th of July Committee was formalized to continue these celebrations and raise funds to provide services and equipment for children.  The committee has added expensive playground equipment to "Merry Place" as well as organizing the Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Parade, and numerous other community events throughout the year.

Despite its successes, the 4th of July committee needs you.  Why not contact Bill Smith or Fran Gaudini and let them know your skills, interests, and availability.  Next year, why not celebrate the 4th of July knowing your volunteer efforts played a part in making it great!

Summer Concert and Meet the Mayor Events

From Mayor Grady's Weekly Narberth Activity Update:

"On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, there will be a free concert in the Park hosted by the 4^th of July Committee. The musician is Pat Wictor and is known for his folk music. Bring a late dinner, some friends and the kids and hear some great music under the stars.

Also, on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 7:30 P.M.On the “Meet the Mayor” program returns to Narberth Borough Hall at Please stop by and share your thoughts about our Borough."

The weather looks to be very nice on Wednesday.  I'll see you there!

Tour of Narberth Gardens

This Sunday, June 22 is a self-guided walking trip to 11 Narberth-area gardens, presented by the Narberth Area Garden Club from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Pick up or buy tickets and start tour at Narberth Community Library, 80 Windsor Ave. Information: 610-664-2878.