Re-Turning Roots
There've been a lot of causes to celebrate already this young season. First we had opening day, then we had Earth Saturday, and now we have Turning Roots Farm coming to Market for the first time this year. A little farm in Chester County run by CJ and Chris, who both show up most weeks (CJ is the one with a beard), Turning Roots quickly became a crowd favorite last season with its prettily displayed variety of organic vegetables, herbs, and greens and its friendly growers. One might suspect that they've missed a few weeks because they've been so busy being interviewed for magazine and newspaper articles like these or most recently this, but in fact they've just been waiting to have enough produce that's ready. They do now, and we're delighted to welcome them back and eager to see what they'll have for us. We think they're probably pretty pleased to be returning too, since look how they sent in their application for 2011.

Goodies
Big ol' Schober Orchards will be back this week (felt empty without them, didn't it? They'll be touched to know how many of you inquired worriedly about them last Saturday), as will MyHouse with their boffo pies and quiches. This should be the first week for sweet cherries at Fruitwood Farms. Provisions is out to feed you lunch this week, with a roasted portabella sandwich with chipotle-lime mayo, lettuce, and tomato on multigrain, plus sweet congee, a rice porridge, topped with fresh fruit or nuts and coconut for dessert. As always, the best idea is to stop by and see what's available, since it changes week by week and even hour by hour.In case you're high on Market shopping but low on fresh ideas, here are a few recipes from the New York Times that combine two Market favorites -- asparagus and eggs.

Not a single soul sent in an email about their new favorite thing available at the Market, so we'll have to tell you ours - the drunken raisins from The Lansdowne Table (which, BTW, is now offering ideas for using its products on that website). We can never get enough of these on the farmer's plate at Sycamore, and now that we have our own mass quantity, we're eating them with cheese and bread (naturally), in salads, and quite often straight out of the container. Chef Sam would probably grimace at our plan to add them to a peanut butter sandwich soon, but we think it's gonna be fab. (We promise to use quality bread, Sam, cut thick, and to smear the PB faux sloppily over the edges for that alluringly overfilled magazine-y look.)

Little Boxes
So, did you love the LFM birdhouses? Some of you must have, since more than 40 sold in one day (and we didn't even tell you that they came with their own custom carrying bag!). We'll have them again this week and next (right before Father's Day!), and then we'll take a break for a while. That is, if there are even any left, since we started with only 100 and the supply is quickly dwindling. Know that we have no plans to order more, so if you snooze on this opportunity, you will likely lose. These things would look great decorated with paint, wood burning, mosaic, bottle caps, whatever you can think of, and if you do that, please send us a photo or put it on the LFM Facebook wall. Also, we failed to give most of you purchasers the informational handout that went with the birdhouse, but you can access it here.

Corrections
We expected Wentworth Dairies last week, but they decided very late in the game to opt out of our Market as well as all others they were doing (so we won't take it personally). The good news is that you can still get fine local cheese at several spots at the LFM, including a good selection at Harvest Local Foods, the odd chunk or three at The Lansdowne Table, and truly wonderful goat milk cheese the third Saturday of each month from Yellow Springs Farm. And we vow to continue to search for a cheesemaker eager to drop by the Market on occasion and sell his or her wares.

We also announced here previously that a baby goat would be putting in an appearance last Saturday, but that kid, Lolly from Spotted Hill Farm, had an upset tummy, so her visit has been postponed until June 18 when Donna returns to the Market with her soaps. Feel better, little Lolly!

Finally, Phil Minissale really was supposed to be the first musician last week, but he had car trouble, so beloved Lansdowners Bob Beach and Jim Klingler filled in at the very last minute. From the Oriental rug they laid out on the parking lot macadam to the selection of amusing, stirring, and just plain enjoyable songs they played, those two really know how to win over a crowd.

CD Apps
Community Day is coming and there is an app for that. Get your Community Day application here or at the Market Manager tent and then get it in fast to secure your space for the June 25 event. Deadline for submitting applications is next Saturday, June 18.

Re-Signed
The new yard signs for the LFM did in fact come in a few weeks ago but they were a putrid shade of yuck, so we sent em back (with a politely worded note asking the supplier to please fix the problem at their earliest convenience, of course), and the new new signs should be available at the Market this week. We're happy that so many of you have stopped by the Market Manager tent to ask about them, so please ask again because this time we should be able to send you home with one.

Tapped Out
Philadelphia was recently named by Esquire magazine as one of the seven best beer cities in the U.S. and by Frommer's travel guides as one of the 14 best beer cites in the whole world, and some of that credit has to go to the brewing and tapping that's happening in the nearby suburbs. The gastropub 2312 Garrett will finish off Philadelphia Beer Week (now they tell us!) tomorrow evening, Friday, June 10, by serving two special brews from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, for the first time, starting at 7:00 pm -- Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale. The Mirror Pond is an English-style ale that was a gold medal winner at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival. The brews at 2312 are always changing, so listen for the cowbell that signals they've tapped a new keg. In just over a week, 2312 again has beer on the brain for its Fathers Day brunch on Sunday, June 19, at 11:00 am, featuring a four course suds-themed meal prepared by guest chef Paul Pulver of Beer Appetit. Follow that link to check out the menu and RSVP. Though the bar's technically in Drexel Hill at its locale on 2312 Garrett Road, Lansdowne likes to lay claim to this chummy and comfy nightspot, which is a great place to have a drink, grab a bite, and watch the game, all while waving to (or ducking from) folks you know from the neighborhood.

Cleaning Day
Animal Friends of Lansdowne has been a Market buddy since the start, coming a few times a season with whatever local critters need good homes. (Did you see those kitties last week? So sweet.) AFL has such a good mission statement that it bears quoting. They are "committed to such issues as animal rescue and adoption, population control, health and sanitation, education and awareness, and, always, the humane treatment of all animals," and we should all be supporting this effort. One way to do that is to attend their Doggie Day Spa between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm this Saturday on the corner of Essex and Wayne Avenues (that's in the vicinity of the high school). They'll be offering cleaning and grooming for your dog as well as chair massages and refreshments for you, all for reasonable fees. They'll also take donations of unopened, unexpired dog and cat food and other new, unused pet products.

Trashed
There's more emphasis on and dedication to reducing, recycling, and reusing materials these days than ever before it seems. With good reason -- we are practically burying ourselves in trash. Wasteland is an Oscar-nominated documentary about the unlikely interaction of a renowned artist and trash pickers at the world's largest garbage dump, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, and the transformation that results. The film is being screened at Cinema 16:9 for two shows on Saturday, June 11, in an event hosted by the theater and the Brasil Cultural Center in Philly. The 2:00 pm screening is preceded at 1:00 with a talk by Wanner Oliveira, who makes jewelry and other accessories from recycled material, and a coffee tasting, and a second show is happening at 4:00. Tickets are $12.

Before the Fourth
The Union Athletic Association of Lansdowne is asking Farmers Market shoppers to throw a few extra dollars in their wallet this week so they can donate to the 4th of July festivities coming up soon. Look for collectors at the next few Markets. And watch for posters around town with all the details about the parade and other family fun activities. The UAA has kept this all-American tradition alive since 1904, solely from the generosity of residents and businesses. This year a new fireworks company promises Lansdowne the quality they give to their prestigious clients, including professional sports teams and Atlantic City casinos. Tickets for the fireworks are $6 adults, $4 kids, or $20 for a family.

Walk Back
After a 2-year hiatus, the Lansdowne Photo Walk is happening again on Saturday June 25. We'll gather under the Lansdowne Theater marquee at 8:00 AM sharp and finish at about 10:00 AM. All are welcome! Bring your camera -- digital, film, SLR, point and shoot, or even your phone camera. The emphasis will be on what you see and photograph and not what gear you use. The Photo Walk is being organized by John Kelly Green, a local professional photographer and teacher, and will have at least two other pros along, Bill Patterson and Owen Biddle, who will be happy to answer all your photographic questions along the walk. Everyone's best photos will be collected into a full-length digital slide show with music, captions, and credits to be shown on the big screen at Cinema 16:9 on a future date. Please send an email to johnkellygreen@me.com to preregister. It's free and those who register in advance will get additional info about the event.