💡A SUPER Weekend Ahead

ISSUE #023

February 07, 2025

👋 Good Morning, Lower Merion!

Welcome to the weekend! If ever there were going to be people looking forward to 6:30 on a Sunday evening….it would be this Sunday! If the Super Bowl isn’t on your to do list this weekend, there are plenty of other options. Let’s check them out!

In the Spotlight:

💡Bark, Berries, and Boughs at Stoneleigh | A Winter Garden Walk

💡Stay Cozy, Stay Connected: Exciting Late-Winter Activities at Kaiserman JCC

💡Mark Your Calendar! Key Dates for Pennsylvania’s 2025 Municipal Primary

💡Bryn Mawr on Ice: Ice Sculpture Festival

💡Join the Ultimate Pregame Cleanup at The Harriton Preserve

💡Your Guide to Summer Camps is Here

💡Reminder: Lower Merion Author Contest Deadline Approaching

💡Celebrate Black History Month with Montco’s Virtual Programs

Keep on reading to learn more about what’s going on in the area. We hope you find something useful!

The Lower Merion Spotlight Crew

Are there some local events we should know about? Click the button below and let us know. It’s your newsletter, after all! 🙂

In this issue of the Lower Merion Spotlight

🏘️ Real Estate and Housing Insights

🔍 Your Community: Up Close

📅 Lifestyle and Local Happenings

📝 Community Services and Resources

☀️ Lower Merion Weather

📃2025 Summer Camp Guide

🔗 Lower Merion and Narberth Job Board

The Super Bowl Effect: Why Homebuyers Get Back in the Game After the Big Game

_{Brought to you by our sponsor,}_{Carolyn Kaufmann}_{, Realtor with Keller Williams Main Line}

With all the excitement about the Super Bowl on Sunday..it made sense to review the rooted belief that the real estate market “picks up” after the Super Bowl. It comes from the traditional seasonal patterns of home buying and selling. Here’s why:

Weather and Timing: After the Super Bowl (which is in early February), the weather starts to warm up in many parts of the country. People are more likely to venture out to look at homes when it's not freezing outside, and the days are getting longer. Spring also brings a sense of renewal, which often motivates people to make big life changes like buying or selling a home.
Post-Holiday Focus: The holiday season (November-January) tends to slow things down in real estate because families are focused on celebrations, traveling, or recovering from expenses. After the New Year, many buyers and sellers re-engage with the market after a break.
School Year Cycles: Many families prefer to move before the new school year starts, which means they start looking for homes earlier in the year (February through April) to close on properties and settle in by summer.
Tax Season: With tax season in full swing after the Super Bowl, many buyers are receiving their tax returns, which can serve as a down payment or help them financially prepare for a new home purchase.
Psychological Shift: The Super Bowl is a cultural milestone, signaling that winter is winding down. People feel ready to start thinking about new projects, including buying a home.

So, while it’s not an exact science, there’s enough of a combination of psychological, financial, and practical factors that make the period after the Super Bowl a popular time for the real estate market to ramp up. That said, GO BIRDS!!!

ARE YOU:

🤔 Curious about real-time market activity in your neighborhood?
💰 Looking to find out your home’s value in minutes?
📋 Interested in viewing all active and coming soon listings?
🏠 Looking to help someone buy or sell a home in Lower Merion?

If you answered yes to any of the above, CLICK HERE to connect with Carolyn, your trusted local expert for all things Real Estate in Lower Merion!

Keller Williams Main Line

Brought to you by MainLineJobs.com | Local jobs, for local residents, run by local companies.

Bark, Berries, and Boughs at Stoneleigh | A Winter Garden Walk

Experience the winter beauty of Stoneleigh on Saturday, February 8, with a guided walk through the garden’s seasonal landscape. With the leaves gone, discover the intricate bark, vibrant berries, and stunning seeds that add life to the chilly days. Led by Stoneleigh staff, this scenic tour offers a fresh perspective on nature’s winter charm.

📅 Date: February 8, 2025
📍 Location: Stoneleigh, Villanova, PA

Register here: https://natlands.org/event/bark-stoneleigh-2025-0208/

Stay Cozy, Stay Connected: Exciting Late-Winter Activities at Kaiserman JCC

Looking for fun and engaging activities to brighten up the winter months? The Kaiserman JCC is offering late winter programs for adults, including social events, cultural experiences, and educational opportunities. From thought-provoking lectures to hands-on workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Check out their Winter 2025 Guide for a full list of offerings and details on how to participate: View the guide here.

Mark Your Calendar! Key Dates for Pennsylvania’s 2025 Municipal Primary

Make sure you're ready for the 2025 Municipal Primary in Pennsylvania! Here are the key dates:

📅 May 5 – Last day to register to vote (vote.pa.gov/Register)
📅 May 13 – Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot (vote.pa.gov/ApplyMailBallot)
📅 May 20 – Election Day! Polls open 7 AM - 8 PM (vote.pa.gov/Polls)
📅 May 20 – Deadline to return mail-in ballots by 8 PM (vote.pa.gov/ReturnBallot)

Get ready to vote at vote.pa.gov!

Bryn Mawr on Ice: Ice Sculpture Festival

Join the Bryn Mawr Business Association for a magical evening of ice and fire on Friday, February 21, at 4:00 PM! Stroll along Route 30 to admire stunning ice sculptures, watch live carving at Bryn Mawr Village Shops, enjoy restaurant specials, sip hot cocoa at WSFS Bank, and toast s’mores at the Firehouse!

🔗 Stay updated at brynmawr19010.com
📩 Questions? Email [email protected]

Join the Ultimate Pregame Cleanup at The Harriton Preserve

Flyer courtesy of Friends of the Harriton Preserve

Get ready for game day by giving back to nature! On Sunday, February 9, at 10 AM, team up with fellow Eagles and Chiefs fans for a Preserve Cleanup at The Harriton Preserve (500 Harriton Road, Bryn Mawr). Help make a difference before kickoff!

📩 More info: [email protected]
🌐 Website: harritonpreserve.org
📞 Contact: +610.349.3258

Your Guide to Summer Camps is Here

Planning for summer? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to local summer camps, making it easy to find the best options for your kids! Whether you're looking for sports, arts, STEM, outdoor adventures, or general fun, this resource has you covered.

Check out the guide and start planning for an unforgettable summer! ☀️🏕️🎭🏀

View the full guide HERE

Reminder: Lower Merion Author Contest Deadline Approaching

Image courtesy of LLLS webpage

Aspiring writers, don’t miss your chance! The Lower Merion Library System's Local Author Contest is still accepting submissions, but the deadline is fast approaching on February 8. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or children’s books, this is your opportunity to shine.

If you haven’t entered yet, now’s the time!

📅 Deadline: February 8
📖 Details & submission info: https://lmls.libcal.com/event/13731840

Celebrate Black History Month with Montco’s Virtual Programs

Flyer courtesy of Montgomery County Facebook Page

February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the achievements, resilience, and lasting influence of African Americans in shaping our nation's history. Montgomery County is offering a series of virtual programs throughout the month, focusing on the impact of African Americans in the labor force and how their contributions continue to shape our communities today.

📅 Programs run all month long!
🔗 Learn more & register: https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/3683/Black-History-Month

Want The Spotlight?

We love sharing community events for free. For businesses looking for extra visibility, our spotlight features are available, perfect for highlighting what makes you special.

Interested? Email Us: [email protected]

SPECIAL EVENTS

Friday, February 7, 2025

Live Music: Wesley David
📍 118 North Wayne | 🕒 4:00 PM
Live Music: The Legwarmers
📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 8:00 PM
Live Music: Two Rocks Rye & Tucked In
📍 118 North Wayne | 🕒 9:00 PM
Live Music: Matt Walden w/ Zack Couron
📍 Dawson Street Pub | 🕒 Time TBD

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Live Music: Chris Day
📍 118 North Wayne | 🕒 4:00 PM
Live Music: Shake It Off - Taylor Night
📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 8:30 PM
Live Music: Karl's Garcia Band
📍 118 North Wayne | 🕒 9:00 PM
Live Music: Hootenanny Tweed
📍 Dawson Street Pub | 🕒 Time TBD
West Coast Swing Social
📍 Pivot Ballroom | 🕒 Time TBD

Sunday, February 9, 2025

SUPER BOWL 🏈
Live Music: Dan Bern & Jeffrey Gaines
📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 2:00 PM
Celestial Milonga
📍 Pivot Ballroom | 🕒 Time TBD

Monday, February 10, 2025

Live Music: BVTLIVE! Wedding Showcase
📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 6:45 PM

RECURRING/UPCOMING EVENTS

Bryn Mawr on Ice: Sculpture Festival
📍 Bryn Mawr Village | 📅 Friday, February 21 | 🕛 4:00 PM
Riverbend Barn Dance
📍 Riverbend | 📅 March 21st | 🕒 6:30 PM | 🔗 Register HERE
Belmont Hills Library Bingo Night Fundraiser
📍 BH Fire Company Hall | 📅 May 3rd | 🕒 7 - 10 PM
NICKEL BOYS | THE BRUTALIST | A COMPLETE UNKNOWN | A REAL PAIN
📍Bryn Mawr Film Institue | 🕒 Check Showtimes
Art Exhibition | The Cut-Up Club
📍Main Line Art Center | 🕒 Gallery Hours
Kaiserman JCC
- Full Event Calendar | 🔍Search offerings
Wolf Performing Arts Center
- Auditions | 🔍Search offerings
- Classes | 🔍 Search offerings
Main Line Art Center
- Adult and Youth classes start soon
  🔍 Search catalog
Playin’ Time Productions
📍Kelly Music Center | 🔍 Search classes

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👇Want your event listed in the Spotlight? Let us know. We’re here for you!👇