Stockton, NJ's PERFECT PAIR

Okay, so I'm predisposed to love the Stockton Farm Market - one of the first times we checked it out (on a Sat, the best of the three days to go), I overheard someone raving to a friend, the cheese monger, about cupcakes he'd just savored at a Lambertville gallery ~ ~ and realized with a shock he was talking about MINE.  

Have to love a place associated with such a WOW! memory.

HOWEVER - the Stockton Farm Market can totally stand on its own when it comes to raves.  Its website blurb says it all:  A unique indoor marketplace brimming with locally sourced fresh food, located in the beautiful riverside town of Stockton, NJ.  Shop local purveyors and artisans, find farm fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, savory fresh breads and pastries, organic beef, free-range chicken,  fish and seafood, organic coffee and teas, smokin’ good BBQ, a chocolatier, hand crafted jewlery and much more!   Stop in and meet the people who are passionate about what they do.

It’s not huge - its original space was seriously tiny - but that's part of the charm.  It's indoors, which makes it wonderful year 'round & open three (count 'em, 3) days a week - Friday thru Sunday! (caveat - limited vendors on Fridays)

Even with local produce as rare as hen’s teeth (organically raised, naturally) at this time of year, there’s plenty to lure me to cross the Delaware  – local meats, cheeses, breads, seafood, other delectables & budget-decimating crafts (as well as the almost-lost art of chair recaning!!) beckon. 

Beware the French macaroons at  The Painted Truffle                                                                           and                                                                                                                                                                  Half-Pint Kitchen’s full-fat temptations!!

A recent addition is a coffee bar serving La Colombe coffee. (Where else are you going to be able to shop for locally-produced food stuffs AND get a cuppa La Colombe??)

But, wait – before you order that cup of fabulous coffee, pause & look across the street.  There, on the corner, where the well-loved Meil’s once stood (until the owners broke countless locals’ hearts by retiring) is Lilly’s Meals - Farm to Table!.   

The first time I saw the sign, my heart almost stopped with sheer joy.  Another Lilly’s!!  I’ve loved the luscious sandwiches & awesome salads at Lilly’s Gourmet in the heart of Doylestown since it first opened – was it 13 years ago??  - and the Cuban pressed sandwiches & cinnamon-dusted sweet plantains at its through-the-door neighbor, Café America.   And Lilly’s on the Canal, in Lambertville, right next door to Artists’ Gallery (where my mini cupcakes are frequently featured at opening receptions), is a decadent - I mean excellent choice for byob dining.   

But I wondered – could two rights make a wrong?                                                                                                        In trying to satisfy Meil's loyal clientele,                                                                                                               would Lilly somehow be cast adrift?

How foolish of me to have worried.  Not only is the food, service & vibe everything I’ve come to expect at a restaurant run by Lilly Salvatore, she nabbed Meil’s recipes along with its location, so now I blissfully enjoy the best of both. 

The Stockton Farm Market & Lily’s Meals...                                                                                                                  a perfect pair, nestled in Stockton, NJ!

Stockton Farm Market – in the heart of Stockton, NJ  (19 BRIDGE STREET);  hours – Fridays (limited vendors) 3 – 7 p.m.,  Sats  9a.m. – 4 p.m.,  Suns 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Lilly's Meals - Farm to Table! ~ closed Tuesday; check website for hours

Winter Festival 2013

 This year's Lambertville-New Hope WinterFestival is at the top of  my "must do" list  -  for over a week, my two favorite river towns will rollick with frolic, family fun & awesomely great food!  

It all kicks off this Saturday, Jan. 19 & runs through Sunday, Jan. 27.

Saturday, Jan. 19 --  The Winter Festival makes its entrance with the Fire & Ice Ball, 7-11 p.m. at the New Hope Boro Community Room. Tickets $20 in advance/ $25 at the door.

Thursday, Jan. 24 -- Taste of WinterFest, 7 p.m., at Lambertville Station. An evening of fine food, wine and beer. Sample the finest from local area restaurants, breweries, farms & vineyards. Tickets $40

Friday, Jan. 26 -- National Act, Pure Prairie League with special guest Craig Bickhardt, 8 p.m., Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theatre at the high school. Tickets for Country Rock at its best are $45 in advance / $50 at the door.

Saturday, Jan. 25  puts the focus on family.  It's a sure thing you'll find me at....

Tucker's Tales Puppet Theater takes the stage at St. John's auditorium (44 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ) from 10:00 a.m. - 11 a.m. and it's a sure bet that I'll be in the audience, enjoying the tales of Mr. Wolf as he recalls his encounters with those Three Little Pigs, Brer Rabbit, Little Red Riding Hood & the Billy Goats Gruff.  I've been proud to count Tom & Marianne - wondrously gifted puppeteers - among my friends for almost 30 years.  Their shows are always well-produced & filled with whimsical fun.

Ballet Time takes over after the Tuckers take their well-deserved bows, students from the Mill Ballet & select dancers from the Roxey Ballet will perform "winter" inspired pieces, working with children from the audience to choreograph a "winter" dance.  At St. John's, from 11 - 11:45 a.m.

WinterFest Spectacular Parade ~ ~ After the ballet, everyone will pirouette out to Bridge Street for the WinterFest Spectacular Parade, which starts on the other side of the river, up the hill at New Hope-Solebury High (where I took my SATS back in ancient times!), and works its way down through New Hope - fond as I am of New Hope, the New Jersey side will provide the most dramatic experience.  

GleePAC ~ ~ Once the parade passes by, it's BACK to St. John's for me, for a concert by GleePAC from 1:45 - 2:15 p.m.  If you & yours like GLEE, you'll love this concert featuring the Glee choir from Downtown Performing Arts Center, performing a variety of show stoppers.

Theatre Arts Center (TAC) ~ ~ Following GleePAC's last song, it's time for the final special performance, by the Theatre Arts Center's Kidz, Junior and Senior Performance Companies perform a Broadway medley.   (TAC offers classes in musical theatre, dance, acting & vocal performance).  

All performances at St. John's are FREE!

While all this happens inside, outside ice sculptures will be created live at Lambertville House  (11:00 a.m.), Lambertville Station (1:30 p.m.), and the New Hope Visitors Center (3:00 p.m.).  

Rotary Beef ‘n Brew event, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., at Triumph Brewery. Tickets $40.  The Rotary Club of Lambertville/New Hope will be serving up hot roast beef sandwiches, Triumph brews & live music.  Eat, dance & be merry!

Tribute to Dora Kerr ~ ~  The marquis event of the festival finds New Hope honoring one of its most outstanding citizens, Doro Kerr.  Where does the woman get the energy?  She has served on the board & as treasurer of the Free Library of New Hope & Solebury and on the Borough Police Review Committee; helped raise funds for the Michener Museum; was an early supporter of the Riverside Symphonia, New Hope Performing Arts Festival, and the New Hope Arts;  serves on the New Hope Borough Conciliation Committee; and is a staunch supporter of the Eagle Fire Company, Lambertville Rescue Squad, and Planned Parenthood of Bucks County.  Phew!  Open bar, dinner, program & silent auction - $85.

On Sunday, the focus shifts to New Hope...

Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. sponsored by New Hope High School Girls Soccer, at the NHS Cafeteria. Tickets $6.50 adults; $5 seniors $3.50 children 3 to 12.

River Horse Brewery Presents the 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., at Memorable Affairs-Occasions in New Hope. The festival’s most popular event, this year's competition will find 13 of the area’s finest restaurants vying to be champion.  To offsetting the heat from the chilis, quaff a beer from Lambertville’s award-winning River Horse Brewery.  Sample all, then vote for your favorite.  Trophy presentations will begin promptly at 3:45. 

Weekend Festival Tours will be available at the Marshall House Museum/Perry Mansion; Lambertville-New Hope Historic Walking Tour; and take a history and nature walk along the D&R Canal.

Food Drive throughout the weekend.  Fisherman’s Mark will collect non-perishable food items at locations throughout Lambertville and New Hope.

For a complete list of events, check  http://www.winterfestival.net/schedule.html.

Turtle Time at Adventure Aquarium!

Like so many humans, I have an inexplicable weakness for turtles.   Especially sea turtles (my favorite Finding Nemo character?  Dudes, it's Crush, of course!).   

Delighted to hear that a new exhibit is coming to Camden’s  Adventure Aquarium ~  Turtles:Journey of Survival, January 14-March 24.   The  limited-time (just over two months, then it's gone)  exhibit explores the astonishing survival of turtles & tortoises over millions & millions of years – outliving dinosaurs & cataclysmic natural disasters!

Attendees can view a range of land & aquatic turtles, from no bigger than a postage stamp to one weighing in at 450 pounds,  more than 20 in all.  Live shows & special appearances help guests learn how to help conserve vulnerable species of turtles.  

Guests will also learn about the more peculiar habits of certain species of turtles.  Who knew that one species uses a high-pitched screech to scare off predators & why the Painted Wood turtle dances for its food!

The Adventure Aquarium has paired up with Stone Harbor, NJ’s  Wetlands Institute  to help raise money & awareness for the Northern Diamondback Terrapins, a local turtle species that is at risk. And while you're at the aquarium be sure to check out two of the aquarium’s newest residents - two recently rescued Loggerhead Sea turtle.

The exhibit is only there until mid-March, so don't be a slow poke - get to the Adventure Aquarium quick like a bunny.  And tell 'em Crush sent you!

Turtles: Journey of Survival at Adventure Aquarium
When: January 14-March 24
Where: Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden
Cost: Adults $24.95, Children $17.95
More info: www.adventureaquarium.com

Joan Shep's Famous Annual "Basement" Sale

Sigh...  So many pounds, so few weeks (months)....

Femmes with a smaller physique than mine can find some treasures at Joan Shep's Annual Basement Sale, Jan 16-19.  Gather up some gal pals for a trendy trip down to Walnut Street for shopping that will bring out your inner Carrie Bradshaw followed by lunch or whatever at any one of the happening restaurants on Walnut Street or bordering Rittenhouse Square.  

(You can wait until the 16th for mega bargains, but the savviest shoppers head to Joan Shep's now for seriously substantial 40% off savings.)

Although "NYC fashion" naturally pair with "NYC prices,"  were I even semi-svelte, would head down in a heartbeat, if only for a fab outing with my BFFs.  

01/14/13 - Sciemce On Tap: 3D Printing for the Sweet Tooth

Science on Tap  ~ A Philadelphia Science Café    

eat. drink. science.

01/14/13 ~ ~  What's On Tap?

 “3D Printing for the Sweet Tooth: Are Sugar Glass Vascular Networks the Future of Organ Regeneration”    Jordan Miller, PhD

The field of regenerative medicine attempts to replace organ donation with engineered tissues made from a patient’s own cells. Jordan Miller will talk about the development and details for 3D printing temporary templates of blood vessels made from sugar for this field, and how this technology impacts the future of organ regeneration research.

Jordan is a post-doctoral researcher in the Tissue Microfabrication Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, a founding member of Hive 76 inPhiladelphia, and a RepRap coredeveloper. His research in the department of Bioengineering combines chemistry and rapid prototyping to direct cultured human cells to form more complex organizations of living vessels and tissues. Jordan has been in the 3D maker community since the beginning. He developed the first MakerBot heated build platform at Hive76 and is delighted to use his RepRap 3D printer every day in the lab for biomedical research and regenerative medicine.

Monday, January 14, 2013    6:00 p.m.

National Mechanics (a former bank now restaurant bar at 22 S. 3^rd Street Phila – Old City;  caution - it usually starts promptly at 6:00 p.m. ~and~ the room fills up FAST; I've bagged on-street parking several times <take quarters unless you're there after 6> or there's a parking lot directly opposite Nat'l Mechanics)

This month’s Science on Tap is presented by the AmericanPhilosophical Society Museum.

01/17/13 ~ PAFA After Dark -- ACTIVATE

PAFA After Dark (Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts) is baaaaack!  

First up in 2013, on January 17,  is ACTIVATE, an evening centered around the current exhibit, The Female Gaze:  Women Artists Making Their World. 

The event, which runs from 6-9 p.m., incorporates multiple activities: auditory ~ the  all-female group, DisBand, will be reuniting & performing just for this event; visual ~ check out the screenings of short films on the artists of The Female Gaze; and emotional ~ savor a discussion with local artist Sarah McEneaney.  

Throw in a "The Personal is Political" scavenger hunt, cocktails & a campaign button creation station and you're set for a mighty fine evening!

PAFA After Dark: Activate
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Where: Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 N. Broad Street
When: Thursday, January 17,  6-9 p.m.More info: www.pafa.org

Next PAFA Afta - Thursday, February 21, 6-9 p.m.

last two days - Bucks County TREEFEST 01/08-09/13

Less than 48 hours to see the Bucks County Visitor Center's (Bensalem, at the entrance to Parx Casino) TREEFEST, including one resplendent faux evergreen sponsored & decorated by the Bryn Athyn Historic District (hands down the classiest there).  

Awards are handed out tomorrow ~ 01/09/13 for the top three trees, determined by visitor votes.  Totally well worth the gas to nip up there last week with two of my grans.  

Among Street Road's many dining options (snack or a full meal) you'll find The Clubhouse diner, where we had a yum dinner, and Nifty Fifties , the eatery of choice for kids (both are a bit further east).