Bug Fest is Back!

As far as 200th birthdays go, Lorenzo Langstroth doesn’t usually spring to mind like, say, Charles Darwin does. But come August 14th and 15th, the Philadelphia native’s name will be rolling off the tongues of 10-year-olds as easily as T. rex. That’s because Langstroth’s beloved bees will be the center of attention at the Academy of Natural Sciences’ third annual Bug Fest. “It’s such a fun weekend to celebrate all things ‘buggy.’ And, it’s a great opportunity for the kids and the parents to connect with the experts and our Academy scientists. Its always fun to see a world expert at Bug Fest nose-to-nose with a young child having a great conversation,” enthused Barbara Ceiga, the Academy’s vice president for public operations.

“Bees” is the theme of this year’s popular festival, which also celebrates insects of all kinds—yes, even roaches. Langstroth (1810-1895), a clergyman and teacher dubbed the father of American beekeeping, revolutionized the beekeeping industry by determining the amount of space a bee needs to survive and then inventing the movable frame beehive. The Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild is raising funds to place a historical marker at his birthplace at 106 South Front St.

With colony collapse disorder and new uses of bees as biodetectives regularly in the news, the Academy will be buzzing with experts and activities during Bug Fest weekend. The festival is free with museum admission. Visitors can:

• Watch Steve “The Beeman” grow a beard of bees and describe how bees are important pollinators.
• Discover more than 50 species of live insects and their relatives, including stick insects, tarantulas and vinegaroons. Touch them if you dare!
• Cheer on a favorite roach in the Roach Race 500.
• Talk with Academy scientists and members of the American Entomological Society, whose headquarters is the Academy.
• See rarely seen displays of the Academy’s world-renowned entomology specimen collection.
• Sample exotic foods made with insects and prepared by Cajun chef Zack Lemann.
• Learn how to properly collect and pin insects.

The third annual Bug Fest at the Academy of Natural Sciences allows visitors to get up close and personal with a bunch of creepy crawlers!

Bug Fest 2010
Saturday and Sunday, August 14 and 15, 10 am – 5 pm
Free with general admission

Returning Favorites

Spineless Wonders
Examine live stick insects, tarantulas, vinegaroons, and more. Touch them if you dare.

Bug Walk
Go outside with an entomologist and collect wild insects.

Meet Real Entomologists
Talk with scientists from the Academy’s Entomology Department and members of the American Entomological Society.

Roach Race 500
Cheer your favorite roach on to victory and learn what makes roaches run.

Got Bugs?
Learn how to collect and pin insects during this hands-on demonstration; insects, pins, and scientific labels are provided.

Museum Insects
Examine specimens from the collections from the Academy’s Entomology Department and the American
Entomological Society.

Anthropomorphic Arthropods of Henry McCook
The Academy Library is showcasing this classic by Henry McCook (1837-1911). Come see insects like you’ve never seen them before, alongside a few antique bug-collecting tools of trade.

Bug Ball
Join the activities, games, and fun for all at the Bug Ball.

Ask the Entomologist Booth
Ask an entomologist that question that’s been bugging you.

Creepy Crawly Crafts
Make a bug pooter (a bug collecting tool that vacuums) and a bug box to take home.

For more information, log on to www.ansp.org/bugfest.

People’s Light and Theatre Company presents The Emperor’s New Clothes, through July 11, 2010. A world premiere production, with a script by Richard Hellesen, it is based on the children’s classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

People’s Light & Theatre Company presents The Emperor’s New Clothes, from June 16 – July 11, 2010, on the Main Stage. A world premiere production, with a script by Richard Hellesen, it is based on the children’s classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Abigail Adams directs.

The Emperor’s New Clothes is a slapstick, mad cap, puppet-romp version of the classic tale of an Emperor with a passion for fashion. In the Empire of Abalonia, the bratty new Royal demands a trendy new wardrobe. Enter two scamming rogues who are only too happy to help while trying to loot the royal treasury.

Artistic Director Abigail Adams says, “This script pays homage to the Marx Brothers and Abbott and Costello—it is wacky and zany and we’ve assembled a very talented cast and artistic team to help tell this familiar tale in a fresh and funny way.”

People’s Light Mary Elizabeth Scallen plays the Policeman in the play and is a puppeteer. “This production is pulling from a lot of classic comedy traditions from the past and, combined with the puppets, it really offers a unique spin on a classic fairytale. Because it’s a slapstick comedy, the play is very fun and surprising. The characters in the play create a lot of mayhem-sort of like rambunctious kids getting in a lot of trouble so the kids will really love it. And the parents will appreciate the quirky tone of the Marx Brothers. The only person in the town who ‘sees the truth’ in the end is the youngest person in the play and there is a neat message in that,” explained Scallen.

The Emperor’s New Clothes, part of the TARGET Family Discovery Series, features Resident Company Members Kevin Bergen, Alda Cortese, Marcia Saunders, Mary Elizabeth Scallen and Tom Teti, who join guest artists Pete Pryor, Andrew Kane and Claire Inie-Richards, in addition to over 50 handmade puppets by Martina Plag. Before each show, children are invited to D.Y.O.B. (Decorate Your Own Boxers) for free. The crafts will begin one hour before each performance in the upstairs lobby. Go to www.peopleslight.org for details.

The play opened on Friday, June 18th at 7pm and runs through July 11th. Audiences are encouraged to join the artists after each performance to discuss the production. People’s Light & Theatre Company is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern. For tickets call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org. This project is supported in part by TARGET.

Single tickets start at $20 for youth and $29 for adults, with special discounts available for students and groups of 10 or more. 10am student group performances, discount meal packages, and talk-backs with the artists are also available. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610.647.1900, ext. 134 or email group@peopleslight.org. Actors, prices, performances dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges may apply.

About People’s Light

People’s Light, a professional theatre founded in 1974 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, makes plays drawn from many sources to entertain, inspire, and engage our community. We extend our mission of making and experiencing theatre through arts education programs that excite curiosity about, and deepen understanding of, the world around us. These plays and programs bring people together and provide opportunities for reflection, discovery, and celebration.

The Admiral Fell Inn is a renovated urban inn located on Baltimore’s celebrated waterfront.

AML sent the Berkenstock family of Lansdale for a fun three day summer vacation to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Thinking of taking the kiddos on the road? Don’t worry about figuring it all out—below is the perfect three day Baltimore family experience planned out for you. Want more information on planning a summer family vacation to Baltimore? Check out visitbaltimore.org for a complete guide and details for your Inner Harbor experience. Or, visit their new website—bmorehappy.com.

Safe travels!

Day 1

The Admiral Fell in What?
Admiral Fell Inn
www.admiral-fell-inn.com
888 South Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 522-7377

Located in Baltimore’s historic Fell’s Point, the Admiral Fell Inn is a renovated urban inn located on Baltimore’s celebrated waterfront. The Fell’s Point section of Baltimore is a jaunty water taxi ride across from the more famous section of Inner Harbor, but it’s not to be missed, especially if you prefer your lodging a little subdued. Fell’s Point itself is worth a trip, as its cobblestone streets are brimming with charming shops, boutiques, galleries, pubs, and restaurants.

With its spectacular setting on the Baltimore Harbor, the Inn is convenient to all of Baltimore’s major attractions. The lively and colorful district, founded in 1726 as the oldest waterfront community in Baltimore, is known for its old world charm and retains the feel of a European village with brick sidewalks and Belgian block streets. The historic Admiral Fell Inn has old world character and modern conveniences. The Admiral himself would surely have approved of air conditioning!

The kid in all of us will appreciate a pirate adventure aboard a real-looking pirate ship! Search for treasures and blast enemies with water cannons as you sail around the Inner Harbor!

Baltimore’s Booty
Urban Pirates
www.urbanpirates.com
410-327-8378

Johnny Depp and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies appear to have driven pirate popularity right off the big screen and into real life with the Urban Pirates. A pirate adventure aboard a real-looking pirate ship. Search for treasures and blast enemies with water cannons as you sail around Inner Harbor.

The crew of four salty dogs stays in character for the one-hour tour. All landlubbers are outfitted with pirate vests and waist sashes. The pirate crew then trains the new recruits in the ways of being pirate-y. And, the crew leads visitors in song and dance. When the ship comes under attack from a rival pirate, the new pirate recruits defend their ship with water cannons, soaking the attacking pirate and driving him off.

And if you think life at sea without toothpaste and teachers could rot a pirate’s teeth and brain, this crew will happily prove you wrong. They get all visitors involved in a challenging competition to build a boat out of a square of tinfoil, 4 popsicle sticks and a strip of duct tape. Teams have five minutes to build their best seafaring vessel. To win, it must not only float, but also hold cargo. The team with the boat that holds the most fishing weights before sinking is named champion (the record was an impressive 18 on this trip). Even better, Urban Pirates host adult only cruises in the evenings, which are BYOG (Bring Your Own Grog).

Dinner in a Ship-Shaped Restaurant
Captain James Landing
www.captainjameslanding.com

A ship-shaped restaurant, Captain James offers steamed crabs on the dock (in season) Baltimore-style, breakfast all day and every variety of food you can think of. Walk East on Boston Street or along the promenade to view new, urban redevelopment, The Can Company shops and eateries, boats and gorgeous views.

Monkey Bread at Miss Shirley’s is a must! www.misshirleys.com

Day 2

Breakfast in Wild Style
Miss Shirley’s
750 E. Pratt Street
www.missshirleys.com

Miss Shirley’s is a signature breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Baltimore—walkable from the Inner Harbor. You must try the Funky Monkey Bread! Located one block from the Port Discovery Children’s Museum.

Big Fins, Small Fish and a Missing Flipper
The National Aquarium
www.aqua.org

The National Aquarium venues together hold living collections that include more than 16,000 animals from more than 660 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and marine mammals living in award-winning, naturalistic habitats.

The Baltimore Aquarium in the centerpiece of any visit to Inner Harbor. Home to more than 16,000 animals, the aquarium features the all-new 4-D Immersion Theater. Sharks, rays, clownfish (like Nemo!) and the giant sea turtle Calypso (pictured right) are just some of the wonders. Don’t miss the dolphin show. And jellyfish fans—you know who you are—must see the new exhibit.

Parents’ Choice
Maryland Science Center
www.mdsci.org

Named by Parents magazine as one of the country’s top 10 science museums, this is one of Baltimore’s premier locations. Enjoy three floors of hands-on exhibits, IMAX films, planetarium shows, kids’ room, observatory and more. Walkable from the National Aquarium—or take a water taxi to rest any weary legs.

Dinner with a View
The Rusty Scupper
www.selectrestaurants.com/rusty

Harborside Dining and Drink at Its Best...
The Rusty Skupper

The Rusty Scupper is an Inner Harbor institution and just a short stroll from the Maryland Science Center. Repeat visitors could no more skip the “skup” than avoid the aquarium. Renowned for their delicious Chesapeake Bay cuisine, The Scupper has been a popular dining experience since 1982—with romantic views of the Inner Harbor. If you’ve never had Baltimore crab cakes, this is the place to have your first.

Day 3

Funky French Toast
Blue Moon Café
1621 Aliceanna Street

Blue Moon is one of Fells Point’s most popular brunch spots. They say the captain crunch French toast tastes as unique as it sounds. You will enjoy fresh, flavorful food in a funky atmosphere at the Moon.

Stand in a Bubble
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
www.portdiscovery.org

Kids who groan at the sound of the word “museum” will love this place. You can touch everything. You can get wet. (Or stay dry, parents, with a little help.) The little ones will love the world of Curious George. The bigger kids can climb and slide. The museum offers three floors of educational and interactive exhibits, programs and activities for children ages 2 to 10 years old. And, everyone must try the bubble maker. Stand inside the circle, slowly raise the rope, and watch as a bubble rises up around you—amazing!

Inner Harbor Dragon Boats

Peddle Your Own Dragon Boat
Inner Harbor Dragon Boats

Take these dragon-inspired “Chessie” paddleboats out on the picturesque Inner Harbor, located just west of the Top Of The World building.

Top of the World Observation Level, World Trade Center
401 E. Pratt Street
www.baltimore.to/TopOfWorld/index.html

Baltimore’s World Trade Center is a must-see for anyone visiting Charm City. That’s because the 27th-floor observation deck—”Top of the World”—offers panoramic views of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and Downtown Baltimore. It is a great place to get a sense of the city. The observation level also contains exhibits about Baltimore and its economic renaissance. The World Trade Center is the tallest pentagonal building in the world offering breathtaking views of Baltimore from an elevation of 423 feet. It may be the best view of the Inner Harbor. It is certainly the highest!

Best friends and business owners Heather Esposito and Allison Lubert opened Sweet Freedom this past January.

Let freedom ring for local celiacs and vegans as Philadelphia now has a successful bakery that caters to a myriad of food allergies, intolerances and dietary restrictions. This past January, friends Allison Lubert and Heather Esposito opened Sweet Freedom (1424 South Street, 215-545-1899), one of the country’s only vegan and gluten-, soy-, egg-, dairy- and refined sugar-free bakery, the first of its kind in Philadelphia.

Sweet Freedom was conceived as a destination for those struggling with dietary restrictions that typically prevent them from enjoying baked goods, but the bakery’s commitment to top-quality, all-natural ingredients makes it a hit among even those without allergies and intolerances. “Both Heather and I have struggled with our eating habits and with troubling food allergies,” said Lubert, “and we both found ourselves striving to prepare our favorite treats in ways that were both delicious and appropriate for our diets. It’s a challenge to omit animal products, soy, gluten and corn and still create flavorful, crave-able baked goods, but we love to rise to that challenge every day.”

Lubert is the owner of a private nutritional counseling practice, where she combines her deep understanding of nutrition with her several masters’ degrees in counseling and psychology. She is an avid cook and baker who was always looking to find new ways to satisfy her cravings while being mindful of her allergies to dairy and wheat. Esposito, a masters level counselor and chef, worked as a private chef, cooking instructor and nutritional counselor. In culinary school, she decided she wanted to open a gluten-free bakery.

Let Freedom Ring!

In May 2009, the two connected via family friends and decided to move forward with the concept of opening Sweet Freedom. Nine months later, they launched the bakery. “Within ten days of opening this winter, we received an email from (actress) Alicia Silverstone’s assistant who was interested in trying our product line. She is a vegan and was working on a play on Broadway. That was really exciting for us-so I jumped in the car and drove up to New York to drop off samples. The business has been great and really taken off,” said Esposito.

According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and their website, celiaccentral.org, Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. What does this mean? Essentially the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac consumes gluten. Celiac disease is triggered by consumption of the protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye.

Birthday cakes and wedding cakes are part of a growing area of the dual’s booming bakery business-customer favorites include a chocolate chip cookie sandwich and a banana chocolate chip loaf. A local bride recently enthused on Sweet Freedom’s Facebook fan page—that boasts over 2,000 followers-about her gluten-free wedding cake: “Thanks for the awesome wedding cake!! It was a huge success! Not only were our vegan friends and our super allergic nephew extremely happy, but all the “normal” people loved it too.”

Sweet Freedom relies heavily on coconut milk, in lieu of dairy, and coconut sugar, in addition to agave nectar and pure maple syrup, for sweetening.

Sweet Freedom offers a host of tasty sweet treats, personally tested, prepared and baked by both Lubert and Esposito. The menu includes an assortment of cupcakes, muffins, cookies, brownies, loafs, cakes and pies. And, besides serving the Philadelphia region, they can ship their baked goods nationwide.

Sweet Freedom relies heavily on coconut milk, in lieu of dairy, and coconut sugar, in addition to agave nectar and pure maple syrup, for sweetening. Flours vary from brown and white rice flour to those manufactured from sorghum, garbanzo beans and even fava beans. All products are peanut-free, as well, and no corn products are used. “We really want Sweet Freedom Bakery to be a safe haven for people who suffer from celiac disease, people who suffer from food allergies or intolerances, or people who follow a vegan lifestyle. We are excited to be catering to a bunch of different populations and we believe in the nutritional quality of what we are offering,” enthused Lubert.

According to celiaccentral.org, the gluten-free marketplace is expected to reach $1.7 billion in 2010 thanks to new vendors manufacturing better tasting and more affordable products.

CELIAC DISEASE FACTS AND FIGURES COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CELIAC AWARENESS (NFCA)

• One in 133 Americans has celiac disease.
• Three million Americans across all races, ages and genders suffer from celiac
• 95% of celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.
• 10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed.
• A 100% gluten-free diet is the only existing treatment for celiac today.
• 500,000 new celiac diagnoses are expected to occur in the next 5 years thanks to efforts to raise public awareness of celiac disease.
• The gluten-free marketplace is expected to reach $1.7 billion in 2010 thanks to new vendors manufacturing better tasting and more affordable products.

Sweet Freedom is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and on Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information about Sweet Freedom, or to place an order, please visit www.sweetfreedombakery.com, email: sweetfreedombakery@gmail.com or call (215) 545-1899.
Join Sweet Freedom on Facebook and on Twitter: sfbakery

The perfect pony party!

Like any busy mom, Linda H. was late getting started on the logistics of her daughter Lily’s third birthday party. So, in a time crunch, she went to the best source of inspiration: her child. “I asked Lily one afternoon what type of birthday party she would like and she did not hesitate for a second. She turned to me and said, ‘A pony party Mommy!’ Then of course that set the stage and that is really all I needed for my creative juices to start flowing,” recalled Linda. “I think she picked ponies because we are zoo addicts, and she loves to ride the ponies there. Lily picked the color too…I showed her three horses to choose from and she picked the brown pony. Alas, pink and brown became her colors for the day!”

Linda, a Penn Valley native and Notre Dame Academy grad, moved back to the area after over two years in Montana with husband Kevin-whom she met there. Lily was born in Big Sky, a gorgeous albeit less populated place Linda and Kevin, a Mississippi native, were accustomed too. “Montana was amazingly beautiful, but we had to drive baby Lily an hour each way just to go to the pediatrician…we knew it was time to come back to the east coast,” she explained.

Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys…

Returning to her roots with her young family and reconnecting with friends and local family made Lily’s third birthday party into one kick butt country chic corral. A former creative director for a major publishing house, Linda sourced the internet for all of her party contacts, including finding AML photographer Heather Berkenstock of Belle Vie Photography. Berkenstock’s impressive online portfolio and blog sold Linda that this was the perfect photographer for the occasion. And, Berkenstock embraced the opportunity to showcase her creativity. “For Lily’s party I wanted to capture the events as they unfolded and put them together so the images could tell the story and feelings of the day. The detail shots help with the story. Lily’s mom also put so much time and effort into the ‘details’ that I wanted to capture her hard work! Afterwards, I created a fun custom coffee table album to put the whole story together for the family to treasure,” explained Berkenstock.

Mom’s Pony Party Details

Photography
Heather Berkenstock, Belle Vie Photography
www.belleviephotography.com
It all starts with Google. I Googled ‘photography + Philadelphia’ and then I just cruise, bookmarking pages that catch my eye. These days, everyone has a blog along with their portfolio, so you can also get a feel for someone’s personality, which is so important, especially with kids. Heather had a shot of her own daughter in a stable holding the reins of a horse, and I knew she was the one. I was so overwhelmed with the final photos that I actually cried watching the online slideshow and Heather got a teary voice message overflowing with gratitude!

Pony
Sandy Hill Farms; Cindy Cooper
610-275-7551
$335 for an hour (plus I tipped the young ‘guides’ who helped out with Cindy), and she usually brings a pony, bunnies and chickens. I opted out of the chickens to make things a bit less chaotic. Cindy makes things easy and even handles kids hogging the horse rides with ease. I also had a horse stamp and ink pad so that each child got a hand stamp with each ride, so we could see that things were fair. Kids love stamps!

A yummy yellow cake with chocolate butter cream icing, courtesy of Philly’s Whipped Bakeshop, was the perfect accent to the pony-themed party.

Invitations
Gladwyne Pharmacy’s Invitation Shoppe
Lynn & Naomi; 610-642-2950

Cake
Whipped Bakeshop
Fishtown
www.whippedbakeshop.com
Click here to read our full article on Whipped Bakeshop on AML!

Food & Drink
Simple. Lily loves hummus and brie and crackers and cornichon with fruit and salami and cheese, so we had a little spread, and then hot dogs and hamburgers. Mostly local, organic foods. Drinks: Pink lemonade for the kids, and beer/wine for adults.

Activities
I purchased plain organic bandanas (www.bandanaman.com), and then had a lot of fun choosing a wide range of patches (www.laughinglizards.com). I already had a huge selection of fabric pens from the past shower I threw. Kids were able to create, decorate and then take home their own beautiful, personalized bandana. This all stems from the fact that Lily’s ‘lovey’ is a simple paisley bandana (she was born in Montana, what can I say?).

“For Lily's party I wanted to capture the events as they unfolded and put them together so the images could tell the story and feelings of the day. The detail shots help with the story,” explained photographer Heather Berkenstock of Belle Vie Photography.

Details

Nametags: I found little wooden ponies at AC Moore, as well as pin backings. We wrote the children’s names on them.

Cups: Losing my drink is my party pet peeve. Wasting cups and beverages is frustrating, so I found little camping tin mugs, and we tied little nametags on them. We printed out little meal tickets as well to put in each cup so food was ‘cooked to order.’

Hats: Everyone got them upon arriving (adults, too!). These were the most expensive element to the party. But after seeing these, how could you NOT have them?

Flowers: Lily and I love Trillium in Gladwyne (www.trillium-flowers.com). We never have to spend a lot and we always walk away with something beautiful. Plus, everyone in there makes us smile. Pink peonies were perfect.

Favors
This is my favorite part of any and every event/party. I remember my mother giving away party bags at my childhood birthday events, and to me it’s really what it’s all about: “I’m happy I’m alive and celebrating another year, and I’m happy you’re here to share in celebrating.” We asked people not to bring gifts for Lily, and instead, we found pretty white pails, lined them with pink or brown bandanas, and filled them with:

• Horse ‘toob’ (tube filled with a bunch of miniature horses
• Horse stickers
• Harmonica
• Horse finger puppet
• Horse bouncing ball
• A coordinating little cupcake in its own cupcake saver (www.cupacake.com). I always want more cake after a party, don’t you?
• The kids also took home their hats and bandanas, too.

Silverspoon Café in Wayne is hosting their first Mother’s Day at their new locale in the Eagle Village Shops. Photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

Silverspoon Café
Eagle Village Shops
Wayne, PA
www.silverspoonwayne.com
Twitter: silvrspoonwayne
610-688-7646

Wayne’s popular Silverspoon Café will be hosting their first Mother’s Day brunch at their new spacious location in Eagle Village Shops-complete with a cozy outdoor patio. The casual country bistro, headed by husband and wife team Ron and Ruth Silverberg, offers contemporary American favorites. In addition to a lovely brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Silverspoon will be treating all Moms to chocolate dipped strawberries, a fresh cut flower and a $10 return gift card.

Menu highlights include: huevos rancheros; crispy braised pork belly with potato hash, poached eggs, hollandaise, and spinach; pancetta benedict, homemade english muffins, caramelized onions, aged cheddar, hollandaise; and a Cape May panini sandwich complete with sliced turkey breast, fennel cabbage slaw, strawberry mustard and cheddar. Silverspoon also prides itself on a number of gluten-free menu options.

Valley Forge Radisson
1160 First Avenue
King of Prussia, PA
www.radissonbrunch.com
610-354-8000

This Mother’s Day, show your love and affection for your mom by treating her to one of the most delectable Mother’s Day brunch in town at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge, from 11:00am until 3:00pm. The menu includes extravagant spreads of the finest breakfast foods, sides, entrees and desserts served in the Radisson Valley Forge’s elegant Grand Ballroom. Guests will be enticed by delicious brunch selections including omelets cooked-to-order with a variety of toppings to choose from. The Radisson’s Chefs will also be making waffles to order.

Everyone’s favorite classic breakfast foods will be available: eggs Benedict, chocolate bread pudding, apple stuffed pancakes and more. Chefs will be carving slow roasted prime rib au jus and an apple roasted steamship round of pork right in the Grand Ballroom. Additional entrees include Jail Island salmon with a maple-mustard glaze, wild mushroom risotto stuffed chicken breast and a delectable broccoli rabe ravioli!

The showcase is the chocolate fountain that you’ll be able to smell the minute you walk into the hotel. The Radisson also features a Kids Station, just two feet high, so the little ones can be part of the action too. They will be delighted to find their favorites: macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly pinwheels, grilled cheese and pancakes.

Children Under 5 are FREE, Children under 12 years old $9.95, and Adults $29.95, Seniors $27.95. Taxes and gratuity are not included. Call 610-354-8000 for details or visit www.RadissonBrunch.com

Bar Savona in Gulph Mills is a popular posh dining spot for Main Liners on Mother's Day. The restaurant will be open, serving their dinner menu, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Photo courtesy of Jason Varney.

Bar Savona
100 Old Gulph Road
Gulph Mills, PA
savonarestaurant.com
Twitter: BarSavona
610-520-1200

This will be Bar Savona’s first Mother’s Day since the restaurant’s extensive renovation last summer—which included adding on the now popular outdoor patio. Executive Chef Andrew Masciangelo’s world class cooking is backed by the largest wine cellar in the state of Pennsylvania offering guests over 1,000 selections. The restaurant currently offers two menus to their clientele—a casual bar menu (with entrees hovering around $20) and a more formal selection which includes their popular Sautéed Dover Sole with Lemon-Pine Nut Butter Sauce for $55.

Convenient to the Blue Route and 76 in Gulph Mills, the posh Main Line staple is sure to be a popular pick for Mother’s Day for both city slickers and suburbanites. Chef Masciangelo continues to employ his “farm to table” approach with a soulful regional Italian menu inspired by his Abruzesse heritage. The bar menu features hand cut pasta, perfectly blistered Pizza Margherita, natural creamy risotto and “farrotto”, and wood grilled meats, fish and poultry. All selections are prepared with the same simplicity, consistency and attention to detail Savona has provided for over a decade. The restaurant will be open, serving their dinner menu, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Meridith’s American Bistro
575 Lancaster Avenue
Berwyn, PA
www.meridiths.com
610-251-9600

Meridith’s in Berwyn, a much beloved BYO for years, now offers diners the option of a corkage charge ($7) or their full service bar at their still relatively new locale on Route 30 in Berwyn. The casual dining room, home of the former Murray’s bistro M, is cozy with its distressed brick walls and low lighting—which makes for great ambience for dinner.

Meridith’s will be serving a brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday-$24.99 for adults and $12.50 for children. The restaurant will be serving their regular dinner menus from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Brunch highlights include: California Omelet with Gulf shrimp, avocado, vine-ripened tomato and cheddar-jack; Quesadilla consisting of scrambled eggs, smoked applewood bacon, guacamole and cheddar-jack in a flour tortilla served with sour cream and salsa; poached Atlantic salmon and lavender dusted breast of chicken.

Tournedos Baltimore at Chesapeake City’s Bayard House restaurant is a star of the menu. Photo courtesy of Jubilee Photography

Bayard House
11 Bohemia Avenue
Chesapeake City, MD
www.bayardhouse.com
410-885-5040

With over 300 guests expected to delight in this Cecil County treasure, many hailing from the Philly burbs, Chesapeake City’s Bayard House is a fantastic choice for mom. The restaurant is open Sunday, May 9th from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The elegant Bayard House restaurant is located along the waterfront on the banks of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in historic South Chesapeake City, MD. Dating back to the 1780’s, the historic Bayard House Restaurant is considered to be the oldest building in South Chesapeake City. The Bayard House offers dining on two levels in addition to the outdoor patio. The patio is adjacent to the C&D canal and offers an unparalleled view of commercial shipping and pleasure boating in this recreational Canal town. Waterfront dining is available on the patio, weather permitting, in the two enclosed porches or in one of several interior rooms.

One of the restaurants most requested entrees is the Tournedos Baltimore. The Twin petite filets are grilled medium rare-paired with a crab cake finished with a Madeira cream sauce and a lobster cake finished with a seafood champagne sauce for $29. Other gems on the Mother’s Day Menu include: Oysters Chesapeake appetizer with lump crabmeat and finished with Hollandaise sauce-$14; their award-winning Maryland Crab Soup; Maryland Crab Cake drizzled with lemon buerre blanc-$29 and Scottish Salmon $24.

Derek’s
4411 Main Street
Manayunk
www.dereksrestaurant.com
215-483-9400

Derek’s in Manayunk will be serving a delicious Mother’s Day buffet from 10:30 to 3:30 on Sunday. The cost is $26.95 for adults and children under 10 are $9.95. This includes fresh juices, all soft drinks, and a fresh fruit and bakery basket on the table upon arrival. Menu highlights include: Seafood Salad (crabs, mussels, salmon, scallops, lemon evoo and herbs); Whole Wheat Pancakes with Fresh Strawberry Sauce; Scrambled Organic Eggs with Organic Asparagus, Cheddar and Roasted Peppers; Honey Lavender Roasted Salmon and Chicken Wings with 3 Olives Vodka Barbecue Sauce.

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes at Bridget Foy’s. Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Bridget Foy’s
200 South Street
Philadelphia
www.bridgetfoys.com
Twitter: bridgetfoys
215-922-1813

If you are in the South Street neighborhood of Philly on Mom’s Day and need a no-brainer for brunch—head on over to Bridget Foy’s. A Philly staple since 1978, the restaurant will begin serving brunch at 10am and continue until 3 p.m. Bridget Foy’s will be offering their regular brunch menu plus the following additions: blueberry ricotta pancakes and asparagus & lobster strata. Their three course dinner menu is $30—with seating starting at 3pm. Some of those delectable dinner options which will be served in addition to Bridget’s regular dinner menu include: mushroom flatbread, Chimmicurri Hanger Steak with mashed yams and jicama slaw, and a seven layer carrot cake. Visit their website for full menu details.

Chesapeake City, Maryland oozes with old world charm, quaint shops, gorgeous gardens and great dining. It’s a great daycation spot with mom and less than a 90 minute drive from the heart of the Main Line. Photo courtesy of Jubilee Photography

1) Chesapeake City, Maryland
www.chesapeakecity.com
Read our full story on Chesapeake City

Quaint, historic and charming Chesapeake City, Maryland-located in Cecil County-is a short and beautiful drive from Philly’s western suburbs. It is one wonderful daycation for a very deserving mom in your life! Chesapeake City’s historic area is on the National Historic Registry, as well as Maryland’s Historic Registry. The town has many restored historic homes, shops and galleries, featuring hand-painted originals and prints, antiques, collectibles, clothing, gifts and crafts.

Boasting a bevy of B&Bs, it’s a perfect getaway for mom and daughters or sisters for the holiday weekend. The town’s holiday dining spot for Mom’s Day is, without doubt, the Bayard House.The restaurant serves award-winning crab soup, tournedos Baltimore, and a breathtaking tableside view of the famous Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D Canal), one of only two vital sea-level canals in the United States.

Additional sites include the Canal Museum, art galleries, summer concerts, boat tours, and tours of the nearby horse country. Convenient to several large cities on the east coast, this historic village on the banks of the C&D Canal is a favorite spot for those seeking a weekend getaway or a vacation retreat.

The Michener Museum’s exhibit ‘Icons of Costume: Hollywood’s Golden Era and Beyond’ is sure to delight mom. In the spirit of the exhibition, the museum is holding a fashion and accessories trunk show spotlighting regional artisans and their work on Saturday, May 8. Photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

2) The Michener Museum
Fashion and Accessories Trunk Show
Saturday, May 8th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Doylestown, PA
michenerartmuseum.org

Mother’s Day in Doylestown will not disappoint! In addition to the dozens of fantastic shops and dining spots downtown, the Michener Museum boasts an exciting new exhibit that opened on April 17th—Icons of Costume: Hollywood’s Golden Era and Beyond. Icons presents over 50 items selected from one of the most extensive collections of movie memorabilia ranging from Marlene Dietrich’s black velvet evening gown from Shanghai Express (1932) to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s black leather jacket from Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).

In the spirit of the exhibition, which runs through September 5th, the James A. Michener Art Museum’s Denoon Shop presents a Fashion and Accessories Trunk Show spotlighting regional artisans and their work on Saturday, May 8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Locally made jewelry, scarves, coats, hats and more are available for purchase with proceeds supporting the Museum and its community programs.

3) Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Saturday May 8th, Sunday May 9th
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
www.longwoodgardens.org
Twitter: longwoodgardens

Give Mom the gift of a gorgeous tour of Longwood Gardens and a special fragrance to mark the day. Always in Bloom is the first signature fragrance for Longwood, debuting in conjunction with their exhibit Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance. The exhibit, which opened on April 10th and runs through November 21st, is the first major exhibition for one of the world’s leading horticultural centers.

More than 260 different Genera of aromatic plants and flowers have been added specifically for the exhibition, joining more than 5,500 types of plants from around the world already housed in the historic conservatory. The exhibition will trace key moments in the history of perfume, beginning with the earliest recorded Egyptian scent around 1800 B.C.E. and culminating with Coco Chanel’s release of No. 5 in 1921, the first perfume for the modern woman.

Longwood Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mother’s Day weekend offering special events throughout. In addition to acres of fragrant and colorful spring blossoms, Longwood offers mom a host of delights including music, fine dining and unique gifts in The Gardens Shop. Visit longwoodgardens.org for full details.

4) The Junior League of Philadelphia’s Main Line Shopping Event
Suburban Square, Ardmore
Wednesday, May 5th 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
www.suburbansquare.com
www.jlphiladelphia.org

Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo and shop for mom with The Junior League of Philadelphia! The JLP will be hosting a shopping benefit at Suburban Square in Ardmore on May 5 from 5-9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit Junior League of Philadelphia and its Project GREEN: Using Nature to Nurture community programs. Tickets are $20 each and entitle the holder to a discount pass valid at participating Suburban Square stores. Tickets may be purchased on the JLP website or at the registration desk on the night of the event.

Pick up Mother’s Day gifts or shop for a fabulous new summer wardrobe. To view a complete list of participating stores or to learn more about membership in the Junior League, please visit jlphiladelphia.org.

Nannygoat Antiques is part of the stores participating in the sidewalk sale in downtown Narberth. Photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

5) Narberth Sidewalk Sale and Circus
May 6th, 7th and 8th
narberthonline.com

Narberth has a full weekend of fun activities planned this Mother’s Day weekend, with three days of Spring Sidewalk Sale, and three Saturday circus performances! The action kicks off with music and street food, 6pm Thursday, May 6, at Forrest and Haverford Ave. Right around the corner, the Narberth Avenue shops “On the Hill” are giving away free dessert.

The shops of Narberth take to the sidewalks all day Friday and Saturday, and many have crafts, specials, and fun, family activities planned for Saturday afternoon. There will be music all day Saturday, and an 11:30 AM performance by the DanceXpress dancers at the train station circle. From Noon to 4pm Saturday, you can catch a ride on the “Narberth Local”, two trackless trains running between Downtown Narberth and the Circus at Narberth Park. Circus performances are Saturday, May 8, at 1pm, 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are available for $8 at the tent or in advance at the Library and the Borough Office. Call 610-664-2840.

Take mom to Manayunk for dining and shopping!Be sure to stop in Molly Cygan’s popular The Little Apple store on Main Street, across from La Colombe coffee, for free champagne and adorable gift ideas. Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple

6) Manayunk Loves Mom!
May 8th and May 9th
www.manayunk.com

‘Manayunk loves Mom!’ is the special weekend of activities, discounts and complimentary gifts retail owners will be offering shoppers and diners May 8th and May 9th. Among the cool kudos in store for moms dining over the weekend in Manayunk: Kildare’s will offer mom a complimentary pint and Mango Moon will serve mom complimentary champagne and a chef’s specialty appetizer. Over a dozen retailers will offer discounts and gifts with purchase. Speaking of gifts, Manayunk’s hot new retail space The Little Apple is the must-stop in the Yunk to grab a great, affordable gift for mom. For a full list of the specials and participating stores, visit Manayunk.com.

7) Please Touch Museum’s Spring Strings
May 7th to 10th
Mother’s Day Hours: 11.am. to 5 p.m.
Moms get free general admission for Mother’s Day Weekend
www.pleasetouch.org

The Please Touch Museum will be tuning its strings in anticipation for the Spring String celebration! Come and enjoy the musical styles of Ann Goering and Brian Rafter while they play a number of different stringed instruments around the museum, including upright bass, bowed psaltery, autoharp, guitar, violin, and viola. Little maestros can also try their hands at a ukulele, hammerete, melody harp, and child-sized upright harp and guitar in our Program Room. Mom will get free general admission for Mother’s Day Weekend.

Adventure Aquarium has a fantastic week of activities planned. On Saturday, meet your favorite NBC10 personalities up close and in person at Adventure Aquarium! Photo courtesy of Off the Leash Portraits

8) Adventure Aquarium and NBC10 Day
Saturday May 8th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
adventureaquarium.com
Twitter: AdventureAqua

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Adventure Aquarium and NBC 10 invite you to celebrate the women in your lives by giving the gift of adventure. On Saturday, May 8, meet your favorite NBC 10 personalities up close and in person at Adventure Aquarium! All moms will receive a complimentary flower (while supplies last) and, from 10 am to 2pm, guests can meet renowned members of the NBC 10 team, who will be on-hand to greet guests, sign autographs, and perform in Adventure Aquariums live shows.

Hip cats can learn to appreciate jazz as the museum’s 18th annual junior jazz festival winds down this weekend.

The 18th Annual Junior Jazz Festival

Hip young cats across the Delaware Valley take note! It’s time for Please Touch Museum’s jazziest festival of the year! The 18th Annual Junior Jazz Festival, the only area event to introduce young children to the wonderful world of jazz, is winding down this week at Memorial Hall. The fun family event transforms the museum into the biggest and hippest jazz club around! Live music, theater performances, and educational activities will fill the museum for five weeks focusing on musical expression and the history of jazz. “Jazz is a genre for everyone to enjoy,” explained Francis Coates, the museum’s music coordinator. “Music and embracing the creative arts is so important to the development of children and their education. It encourages creativity and discipline that translates into many areas of life-science, math, and improvement of speech patterns. And, jazz is fun! Every performance we have had this month has been filled, so parents should come at least thirty minutes early to make sure they can get in,” enthused Coates.

Top kid-friendly musicians will take the stage of the museum’s Playhouse through February 28th. And, kids will also learn a bit of jazz history by taking in a Please Touch Playhouse performance of “Scat Cat’s Junior Jazz Jamboree.” This interactive show tells the “tail” of an everyday alley cat who happens upon “Max Roach,” who teaches her the history of jazz. Max also introduces her to some of the well known artists who made it popular—Stingray Charles, Bunny Goodman, Louie Arm and Hammerstrong and Piggy Lee. “Scat Cat’s Junior Jazz Jamboree” will be on the Please Touch Playhouse stage weekdays February 1-26, with performances Mondays-Fridays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Main Line and Philly-area families can escape the winter chill and head indoors to the Museum for a unique environmental education exhibit-‘Exploring Trees Inside and Out.’

Special Performance Schedule

Performances take place Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and are free with museum admission. Schedule is subject to change. Free with museum admission.

Saturday, Feb. 27
Francis Coates Ensemble

Making its debut at the 2010 Jazz Festival, this young ensemble adapts jazz standards for both parents and children to enjoy.

Sunday, Feb. 28
Putumayo

Making its debut at the 2010 Jazz Festival, Putumayo Kids is sure to entertain with fun music that educates, while inspiring cultural curiosity.

Big Band Swing Dance Party
Noon & 2 p.m.
Under the direction of Matthew Schwartz, the St. Joe’s Prep Jazz Band will have all our little jazz cats swingin’ to the music as we hold a Big Band Swing Dance Party in Hamilton Hall to end our Junior Jazz Festival in style! Four swing dancers will also take the floor and demonstrate their moves to all the junior dolls and daddy-os.

Everyone enjoys a carousel!

Exploring Trees Inside and Out

Main Line and Philly-area families can escape the winter chill and head indoors to the Museum for a unique environmental education exhibit-“Exploring Trees Inside and Out.” Presented by Doubletree Hotels and the Arbor Day Foundation, “Exploring” is a national traveling exhibit that opened at the museum on Saturday, January 23. At a time when Philadelphia and its 63 parks are experiencing the traditional winter chill, spring will be in full swing at the museum as children and families warm up to the sounds of woodland creatures beneath colorful green tree canopies.

This three-year touring environmental education project encourages family members of all ages to explore the beauty of the great outdoors through the wonders of trees. The spacious, 2,500-square-foot exhibit, developed by Arbor Day and the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, is designed to create a better understanding among children age two to 10 about the significant role trees play in the environment. A variety of interactive activities encourage children to explore trees in a multi-sensory way through its fun-packed and educational components. For example, children will be able to:

• Crawl through a log and experience it as a habitat for other living things
• Help a seed “grow” into a young oak inside a huge acorn
• Explore the “heart” of a tree trunk and move the “blood” of the tree up and down its “veins”
• Smell scents from various trees, then discover just a few of the many products we get from trees
• Hear the sounds of animals that live in trees, and even become a forest creature in a “green screen” experience that allows children to fly like a bird and soar over the treetops

Please Touch Museum's Autism Access Program with Holly Robinson Peete is scheduled for Saturday, March 27th from 6 to 9 p.m.

Exploring Trees Inside and Out will be on display at Please Touch Museum through May 1, 2010.

Autism Access Program with Holly Robinson Peete

Please Touch Museum’s Autism Access Program with Holly Robinson Peete is scheduled for Saturday, March 27th from 6 to 9 p.m. The Museum is teaming up with Variety, the Children’s Charity of Greater Philadelphia, for its first evening event for families of children with autism. The evening of hands-on, interactive, sensory-filled activities will take place at Please Touch on Saturday, March 27 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Children of all ages are welcome. The event is a partnership between Variety’s Autism Initiative, which provides support for families and caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Please Touch Museum’s Autism Access Program, which aims to provide families of children with ASD with innovative tools to make a museum visit more comfortable and enjoyable.

Families can connect with caregivers and other professionals while exploring and playing in the museum’s exhibits, where accommodations have been made to provide a sensory-friendly experience for all. A highlight of the event will be a reading in the Museum’s Story Castle by actress Holly Robinson Peete and her twelve-year-old daughter, Ryan Elizabeth Peete. Their new Scholastic picture book, “My Brother Charlie,” will be published on March 16 to coincide with Autism Awareness Month in April.

Tickets are required to attend the event and are available at a cost of a $20 donation per family. One hundred percent of the $20 donation will go towards the growth of Variety’s Autism Initiative. Families must register for the event at www.varietyphila.org. Organizations interested in sponsoring a resource table at the event may contact Marissa Tabak, Variety’s Autism Resource Center Director, at marissatabak@varietyphila.org.

Please Touch Museum® at Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park is dedicated to enriching the lives of children by providing learning opportunities through play. Recognized locally and nationally as one of the best children’s museums, Please Touch is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and children age one and over. Children under one are free. For more information, please call 215-581-3181, or visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.

Whipped Bakeshop’s Valentine designs are almost too pretty to eat!

Pastry chef and owner Zoë Lukas is an artist by trade. And one glance at her elegant creations of cupcakes, cookies and cakes on her website, whippedbakeshop.com, and its clear this is no ordinary bakery. Her intricate, custom designs-from Yoda cupcakes to elegant wedding cakes to oh-so-Martha vintage Valentine replicas-and attention to detail are part of her booming business and soaring city reputation. “Baking and art are my two loves so my cookies and cakes are really my canvases…in essence. I love looking at patterns and fabrics and I enjoy knitting and sewing. If I go to a museum, it reignites my creativity. I can see a vintage plate or a piece of beautiful stationery and get a concept for a wedding cake or a new cookie pattern; it’s a constant process for me. I really love and appreciate anything that is designed well and I try to transform that to my work,” explained Lukas.

Lukas started Whipped Bakeshop in 2007 and this past October opened the doors to her Fishtown storefront to much aplomb, with the support of her husband, Brennen. “We started getting a ton of momentum with the business the first year through our Flickr site. My husband encouraged me to take pictures constantly and upload them on a regular basis and that really kept people engaged. Then the website followed, and Twitter took off. Now, we are here and business is very, very good,” said Lukas.

Cake Boss Zoe Lukas credits social media, a strong following on Twitter most notably, with her shop’s speedy notoriety in just three months of business. Follow Lukas on Twitter: WhippedBakeshop

Zoë credits social media, most notably a strong following on Twitter, for her shop’s speedy growth in just three months of business. “Networking with my Twitter followers is huge for my business—its incredible how one blog post or retweet can ignite orders and notoriety,” said Zoë. Her Twitter followers number over 1,000 and she keeps them entertained and engaged with clever and comical daily posts. A recent tweet begged for someone to “…order a Bruce Springsteen cake.”

Lukas earned her stripes as an apprentice at a petit four bakery in Olde City and worked in an administrative role at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in between other pastry gigs. The sweet creations at Whipped Bakeshop certainly look appealing but Lukas is quick to explain her creations are also delicious. Her team works tirelessly editing recipes to perfect their taste. They will also customize and incorporate logos for corporate catering and events.

Lukas, 33, is a native of Red Bank, New Jersey who grew up in Bel Air, Maryland and earned a degree in painting from The Maryland Institute of Art. This December in the heat of the holiday rush the phone rang in her shop and a certain name beginning with the letter “O” appeared on the screen. A flustered Lukas, knee deep in chocolate ganache and cream cheese frosting, took a deep breath before saying hello. “The phone was upside down but I could still read the caller i.d. It said the name Oprah Winfrey. I had no idea what was going on,” recalled Lukas.

The call was indeed from Harpo Studios-a staff member was placing a holiday order for their local ABC affiliates and, after a review of the bakery’s website, they choose to send WPVI four dozen sets of Zoë’s cupcakes. “They googled around and found my website and checked out our style. Business is so different these days with the power of the internet and the possibilities are endless. We are getting noticed and utilizing these tools, like Twitter and Facebook, to generate business and its working and is just an exciting time for me. We are really having a lot of fun!”

Whipped Bakeshop will be delivering Valentine’s Day weekend. Pricing for delivery to Center City is $20, pickup is free.

Whipped Bakeshop’s Valentine’s Menu
www.whippedbakeshop.com

Cookies ($22.50 & up for 1 dozen)

Gift-wrapped Valentine cookie collections come in all shapes and sizes, from lovebirds and personalized heart tattoos to X & O cookies and big scalloped Vintage Valentine hearts.

Cupcake Box Sets ($21.50)

These specially decorated Valentine cupcakes come in sets of 6, nestled in a cute eco-friendly tote box and all tied up with a festive bow. Choices are as follows:

Red Velvet: 6 moist red velvet cupcakes iced with our old-fashioned vanilla buttercream and topped with pretty handmade fondant St. Valentine decorations.

Über Chocolate: 6 rich chocolate fudge cupcakes—2 Chocolate-Peanut Butter, 2 Triple Chocolate, and 2 Chocolate with Vanilla Buttercream. Decadent!

Valentine Cakes ($45)

The Whipped Bakeshop Chocolate Waterfall Cake is a 6” chocolate fudge cake iced with chocolate Italian meringue buttercream and topped with a bittersweet ganache waterfall and pretty handmade sugar flowers. Choose your filling: yummy peanut butter buttercream or decadent whipped chambord ganache. We’ll even add a fun inscription of your choice. The cake will serve 4-8 guests.

The Whipped Bakeshop Store is located at 636 Belgrade Street at the corner of Berks and Belgrade Streets in Fishtown. Visit their website, whippedbakeshop.com, for more information. Also, follow Whipped on Twitter @WhippedBakeshop. They are open Saturdays only from 10-6pm. Sunday through Fridays Whipped accepts appointments and pick-ups. Call 215-598 5449 or email owner Zoe Lukas at zoe@whippedbakeshop.com.

Dr. Catherine Foote, a Lower Merion high school grad who boasts an undergraduate and medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, is a third generation dentist.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. So, there is no better time to catch up with one of the Main Line’s most beloved orthodontists—Bryn Mawr’s Dr. Catherine Foote. Foote, an Ardmore native, Lower Merion grad and third generation dentist holds an undergraduate degree from The University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Foote dedicated ten years to higher education at the University of Pennsylvania where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology followed by a DMD degree and Certificate of Orthodontics. In her state of the art, newly renovated office across from Bryn Mawr Hospital, Dr. Foote treats both children and adults, offering traditional braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign, and take-home whitening.

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country. According to the ADA, developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

Foote Orthodontics’ mission is to provide the highest quality orthodontic care in a comfortable and welcoming environment where patients are treated with excellence personally and clinically. Dr. Foote deals with some of the most common issues parents and prepubescent children face and she advises that the earlier a patient is seen, the better a plan can be put in place for proper care. “Interceptive orthodontics helps to take advantage of growth. By evaluating the bite when there are still baby teeth, we can deal with any issues and plan accordingly from there.”

AroundMainLine.com: What is the common age or scenario where a parent would bring a child into your practice for the first time?

Dr. Foote: The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children be screened at the age of seven to evaluate for issues such as thumb sucking, cross bites, spacing, or crowding. Generally, between the ages of 8-10 years old is an ideal time to begin interceptive orthodontics, if necessary. This is often referred to as Phase I treatment.

AML: Thumb sucking with an older child, I would assume, is a sensitive issue. How do you approach the parent and child to deal with the habit?

Dr. Foote with her friendly staff at their renovated, state-of-the-art Bryn Mawr office. You can follow Dr. Foote on Twitter: FooteOrtho

DF: I find that thumb sucking is a very pacifying behavior for young children. I don’t think parents have to be too worried about it until it starts to affect permanent dental structure. With time, consistent thumb sucking will affect the shape of the palate and can flare the upper teeth. School age children should not be sucking their thumb all day. If that is the case, there should be an evaluation for some type of orthodontic intervention, which is typically around 7-8 years old.

AML: You are a female in a medical field primarily dominated by men. But, considering your background it’s not so surprising since you come from a big dental family and are the oldest of seven!

DF: My grandfather was a dentist, my father is an oral surgeon, as is my uncle, and two other uncles are orthodontists. That is all on my mother’s side of the family. My father’s brother is a general dentist. I was lucky enough to attend dental school at Penn with two of my cousins, and one of my brothers is in dental school now. Dentistry is a great profession, especially for women, and I am beyond lucky and blessed to be fortunate enough to do what I do!

AML: I’ve mentioned you to a few people lately, and it was evident to me you have a stellar reputation across the Main Line. What makes your practice such a success?

DF: I treat my patients as I would want to be treated. I feel like we are a very comfortable, caring office that is genuinely concerned with the best interests of the patient and giving them the attention that they need.

Dr. Foote’s office is located in the heart of Bryn Mawr on South Bryn Mawr Avenue between Lancaster Avenue and Haverford Avenue across from Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Address: 101 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 320, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

For office hours and additional information, call 610-525-6142. Visit their website at www.footeorthodontics.com or follow them on Twitter. Dr. Foote can also be reached via email at: footeorthodontics@yahoo.com.