👋 Good Morning, Lower Merion!

It feels like a good time to express our gratitude to our subscribers. We’re grateful that over 2,000 of you have chosen to subscribe. We’re also thankful that so many of you share community events with us…and that you pass this newsletter along to others. And we’re extremely grateful for the very kind emails we’ve received; they truly make our day.

While our mission remains the same—to spotlight all the amazing people, places, and things that make Lower Merion and Narberth unique—our process for doing so continues to evolve. You’ll notice some subtle changes in how events, stories, etc., are submitted for inclusion in the newsletter. Remember, we’re all about good vibes only 🙂. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

Okay, let’s get to the good stuff!

In the Spotlight:

💡Just Breathe | Physical Therapy and Wellness

💡Join the 2nd Annual Autism Fathers Conference

💡Celebrate Black History Month at "Shades of Black"

💡Experience "Les Chemins de l’Amour" – A Vocal Recital by Cristina Nassif

💡Meet Your State Representative: Mary Jo Daley

💡Spring Programs Registration Now Open

💡Your Guide to Summer Camps is Here

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

In this issue of the Lower Merion Spotlight

💼 Business Spotlight

👥 Community Spotlight

📅 Lifestyle and Local Happenings

🏘️ Real Estate and Housing Insights

📝 Community Services and Resources

☀️ Lower Merion Weather

📃2025 Summer Camp Guide

🔗 Lower Merion and Narberth Job Board

💡BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT💡

JUST BREATHE: Physical Therapy and Wellness

Introducing Just Breathe, a revolutionary approach to pelvic health physical therapy that’s transforming lives. Founded by a dedicated practitioner who understands the challenges firsthand, Just Breathe offers personalized care and a holistic approach to empower patients on their journey to better overall well-being. Dive into our Q&A to learn more about how this innovative practice is breaking barriers, addressing misconceptions, and helping individuals achieve lasting relief and improved quality of life.

What exactly is pelvic health physical therapy, and why is it so crucial for overall well-being?  Pelvic health physical therapy is a specialized area of physical therapy focused on everything involving bowel, bladder and sexual function. Pelvic health plays a vital role in overall well-being because it impacts some of the body’s most essential functions. Proper pelvic health ensures efficient bladder and bowel function, reduces pain, and enhances sexual health—improving both physical and emotional quality of life.

What inspired you to start Just Breathe Physical Therapy and Wellness, and what gap did you see in traditional healthcare that led you to specialize in pelvic health? As a postpartum, perimenopausal mother of a rambunctious toddler, I founded Just Breathe Physical Therapy and Wellness with a deep understanding of the challenges many individuals face on their pelvic health journey—because I've been there myself. I recognized a gap in traditional healthcare, where pelvic health concerns were often overlooked or underserved. My mission is to provide compassionate, expert care to help others feel heard, supported, and empowered.

Additionally, I wanted to create a better work-life balance for myself—to continue pursuing my passion as a pelvic health physical therapist while being present for my toddler when he needs his mama most. At Just Breathe, we believe in prioritizing wellness for our patients and our families alike.

Who are the typical patients you serve, and what kinds of pelvic health issues do they usually face? I provide care to individuals of all genders who are experiencing pelvic health challenges. My patients commonly seek help for issues such as urinary incontinence, constipation, pelvic pain, and discomfort during intercourse. I also offer specialized support for individuals preparing for or recovering from gender-affirming surgery, as well as those navigating pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

What sets my care apart is my holistic approach to persistent issues like low back pain. If you’ve tried physical therapy or chiropractic care without success and also experience symptoms like leakage or constipation, your pelvic floor might be the root cause. My comprehensive, whole-body approach ensures every contributing factor is addressed to achieve lasting relief and improved quality of life.

. How does your treatment approach differ from that of traditional physical therapy practices?  My  treatment approach goes beyond traditional physical therapy practices by offering fully personalized, one-on-one care in a private, comfortable setting. Each session is customized to your unique presentation and needs—there’s no generic exercise plan here. I emphasize hands-on techniques to address underlying causes and restore proper function, rather than just watching you perform exercises. My process begins with a thorough evaluation to identify contributing factors, followed by targeted interventions to resolve issues and empower you with tools for long-term self-management.

Could you walk us through what a first consultation might look like for someone who’s never sought pelvic health therapy before? I like to refer to the first session as a “get to know you” session. We start by sitting down in my office for an in-depth conversation about your pelvic health and overall wellness. I encourage open communication and always reassure clients that if any question feels too personal, they can simply say “next question,” and we’ll move on without judgment.

During this discussion, I use a  model of the pelvic floor to help you visualize the muscles and structures we’re addressing. This educational component ensures you feel informed and empowered throughout the process. Based on our conversation, I’ll share my initial impressions of what might be contributing to your symptoms.

Next, we move into the treatment space, where I conduct a physical assessment. Since the first visit involves a lot of discussion, we typically assess one or two key areas to start. Understanding that pelvic health is complex, we take the time to piece together all the contributing factors over multiple sessions.

Before you leave, you’ll receive a personalized home-care strategy. This might include a gentle stretch, a breathing technique, or even tips on improving toilet posture for easier bowel movements. The goal is to provide you with tools you can immediately apply while we continue working on your long-term pelvic health.

What innovative techniques or tools do you use in your practice to help patients achieve better outcomes? With a background as a former biology teacher, I utilize my education skills to assess not only physical symptoms but also ensure patients truly understand their treatment plan. This teaching-oriented approach helps patients stay engaged and confident throughout their recovery process. I emphasize hands-on techniques and individualized exercise programs tailored to each person's needs. Above all, I prioritize compassionate care, ensuring every patient feels heard, understood, and supported. If you talk to my patients they will tell you they have finally felt seen and heard. This is one of the biggest reasons why I love what I do. 

 How do you tailor treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each patient? I tailor treatment plans by conducting comprehensive assessments to understand individual needs, symptoms, and goals. You come to my clinic for a pelvic health issue but we look at things from head to toe to figure out what can be contributing. You aren’t just your diagnosis :) 

What common misconceptions about pelvic health do you often encounter, and how do you address them? One of the most common misconceptions I encounter is the belief that it’s normal to leak urine when you sneeze, cough, or laugh—especially after childbirth. While this is a common occurrence, it is not normal and can be effectively treated with pelvic floor physical therapy. Another widespread myth is that discomfort during sexual activity is something individuals just have to live with, regardless of gender. This couldn't be further from the truth. My goal is to help every patient achieve the pain-free, fulfilling sex life they desire by addressing underlying pelvic floor dysfunctions with care and expertise.

Can you share a success story that illustrates the transformative impact of your work on a patient’s quality of life? Check out my google reviews :) I think they say it much better than I can! 

Looking ahead, how do you see the field of pelvic health evolving, and what role do you hope Just Breathe will play in that future? I hope that people start to recognize that pelvic health matters and that pelvic wellness is important. Being able to go to a pelvic health provider for a tune up or check in vs going in for a problem is the future I dream about. Wouldn't it be fabulous if everyone peed and pooped like a champion and had the sex life they want!?!

Where can residents find you online?

• instagram: @justbreathept 

• www.justbreathept.com

If you’d like to see your business in the spotlight, e-mail us at [email protected] for details.

Join the 2nd Annual Autism Fathers Conference

Celebrate Black History Month at "Shades of Black"

Experience "Les Chemins de l’Amour" – A Vocal Recital by Cristina Nassif

Meet Your State Representative: Mary Jo Daley

Spring Programs Registration Now Open

Your Guide to Summer Camps is Here

Celebrate Black History Month with Montco’s Virtual Programs

Have a community story or event to share? Email us at [email protected] to get featured in our Community Spotlight! It’s your newsletter after all 🙂

SPECIAL EVENTS

Tuesday 2/18
AMARCORD (7:15 AM) - A coming-of-age film by Fellini, following adolescent Titta in his coastal Italian town.
Pop-up Balance & Strength with Danielle Illfelder (11:00 AM) - Strength and balance class for all fitness levels taught by Danielle Illfelder.
I Am Nobody’s Slave: An Author Talk with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Hawkins (2:00 PM) - Journalist Lee Hawkins discusses his memoir about family history and systemic racism.
That Touch of Mink: Kanopy Tuesdays: February - Classic Cinema In ACR Room (6:00 PM) - A classic Cary Grant and Doris Day romantic comedy screening.

Wednesday 2/19
TODAS LAS FLORES (7:00 AM) - A documentary about a trans sex worker refuge in Bogotá’s red-light district.
Tai Chi (2/19 - 3/12) (9:30 AM) - A Tai Chi class promoting balance, flexibility, and strength, running through 3/12.
ARDMORE - Music Playgroup (11:30 AM) - A music program with songs and instruments for preschoolers and younger.
Gems at the J | Funny Jewish Men (1:00 PM) - A class exploring famous Jewish comedians from history.
ARDMORE - Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club (5:00 PM) - Weekly D&D campaign for teens aged 13 and up.

Thursday 2/20
Gems at the J | The Constitution & Current Events (11:00 AM) - Discussion on the Constitution's history and relevance to current events.
LUDINGTON: Story Time with Miss Melody (11:00 AM) - Story time and songs for all ages with Miss Melody.
Gems at the J | Introduction to Chess (3:00 PM) - Beginner chess class covering strategies, tactics, and checkmates.
February Writers Open Mic (7:00 PM) - Share your writing in a creative and supportive environment.
REBIRTH BRASS BAND (7:15 PM) - NOLA’s Grammy-winning brass band performance.

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

• Purim Fest ‘25
  📍 Kaiserman JCC, Wynnewood | 🗓️ Sunday, March 9, 2025 |🕒 11 AM - 3 PM

• Belmont Hills Library Bingo Night Fundraiser
  📍 BH Fire Company Hall | 📅 May 3rd | 🕒 7 - 10 PM

RECURRING EVENTS and CLASSES

• Main Line Art Center

  • Adult and Youth classes start soon

    🔍 Search catalog

• Playin’ Time Productions
  📍Kelly Music Center | 🔍 Search classes

• 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

LOOKING FOR A BIGGER ADVENTURE?

CLICK BELOW to have your event, activity, deal, or restaurant added to The Main Line Guide

👇👇👇👇

Market Activity Report – Lower Merion (Last 30 Days)

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

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?

LOWER MERION LIBRARY SYSTEM

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

BALA CYNWYD: Story Time
📍 Bala Cynwyd Library | 🕒 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Kids, Families, Babies & Toddlers

BELMONT: Story Time
📍 Belmont Hills Library | 🕒 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Kids, Families, Babies & Toddlers

LUDINGTON: Story Time with Miss Jackie
📍 Large Auditorium, Ludington Library | 🕒 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

Ludington: Basics of Digital Coupons & Grocery Store Apps
📍 Large Meeting Room, Ludington Library | 🕒 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📚 Categories: Computers
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

I Am Nobody’s Slave: An Author Talk with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Hawkins
📍 N/A | 🕒 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📚 Categories: Author Event
👥 Audience: Adults

Ludington: Open Tech Help
📍 Large Meeting Room, Ludington Library | 🕒 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
📚 Categories: Computers
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

PENN WYNNE: Middle School Meetup (Grades 5-8)
📍 PW Meeting Room, Penn Wynne Library | 🕒 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📚 Categories: Social Activities
👥 Audience: Teens, Tweens

BELMONT: Tales to Tails
📍 Belmont Hills Library | 🕒 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📚 Categories: Basic Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults, Teens, Kids, Older Adults, Tweens

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

ARDMORE: ESL Classes
📍 ARD Small Conference Room, Ardmore Library | 🕒 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📚 Categories: Basic Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

Ludington: Virtual Chair Yoga with Sinclair Brown
📍 Ludington Library | 🕒 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📚 Categories: Health Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

Penn Wynne - Conversational ESL Class
📍 Penn Wynne Library | 🕒 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
📚 Categories: Basic Literacy, Information Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

LUDINGTON: Story Time with Miss Ashley
📍 Large Auditorium, Ludington Library | 🕒 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

ARDMORE - Music Playgroup
📍 Processing Center Meeting Room, Ardmore Library | 🕒 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📚 Categories: Music
👥 Audience: Kids, Families, Babies & Toddlers

Ludington: Dementia Caregiver Support Group
📍 Large Meeting Room, Ludington Library | 🕒 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
📚 Categories: Health Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

BELMONT: Epicurious Take-Home Kits
📍 Belmont Hills Library | 🕒 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📚 Categories: Basic Literacy, Health Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults, Teens, Kids, Families, Older Adults, Tweens

BALA CYNWYD: Crochet Club with Miss Ashley
📍 Bala Cynwyd Library | 🕒 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📚 Categories: Arts & Crafts
👥 Audience: Teens, Tweens

Gladwyne - Comic Book Club
📍 Gladwyne Meeting Room, Gladwyne Library | 🕒 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📚 Categories: Arts & Crafts, Basic Literacy, Writing
👥 Audience: Kids

PENN WYNNE: Lego Club
📍 PW Meeting Room, Penn Wynne Library | 🕒 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
📚 Categories: STEM/STEAM
👥 Audience: Kids

ARDMORE - Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club
📍 ARD Program Room, Ardmore Library | 🕒 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📚 Categories: Gaming
👥 Audience: Teens

Thursday, February 20, 2025

BELMONT: Rhythm Storytime with Mr. Keith
📍 Belmont Hills Library | 🕒 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
📚 Categories: Dance, Music
👥 Audience: Kids, Babies & Toddlers

Gladwyne - Toddler Story Time with Ms. Heather
📍 Gladwyne Meeting Room, Gladwyne Library | 🕒 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

LUDINGTON: Story Time with Miss Melody
📍 Large Auditorium, Ludington Library | 🕒 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

ARDMORE - Ms. Dawnita's Story Time
📍 Ardmore Library | 🕒 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

Gladwyne - Queer Book Club
📍 Gladwyne Meeting Room, Gladwyne Library | 🕒 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📚 Categories: Book Discussion, Civic and Social Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

💡Check the full calendar of events by clicking here.💡

PARKS AND RECREATION

PARK AND REC NEWS

• All activities calendar

• Spring Registration now open HERE

MUNICIPAL RESOURCES

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP

Click HERE for township events and meetings.

Click HERE for community resources

NARBERTH BOROUGH

Click HERE for borough events and meetings

Click HERE for community resources

Weekly Weather Forecast For Lower Merion Township

• Tuesday: ⛅ Partly Cloudy | High: 25°F | Low: 14°F

• Wednesday: ☁️ Cloudy | High: 28°F | Low: 18°F

• Thursday: 🌨️ Snow Showers | High: 27°F | Low: 20°F

• Friday: ☀️ Sunny | High: 35°F | Low: 20°F

• Saturday: ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | High: 40°F | Low: 27°F

• Sunday: ⛅ Partly Cloudy | High: 43°F | Low: 30°F

• Monday: ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | High: 45°F | Low: 34°F