By K. Kittles/Main Line Meow columnist
Photos by BUP Photography

AML staffer K. Kittles is spearheading Main Line Meow, a new column bringing all the latest suburban business and people news to local desktops. Have a compelling tip for Kittles? Email him at: kittles@aroundmainline.com.

They say curiosity killed the cat. Well, not in my case. Let me introduce myself to the few of you (Main Liners most especially) who do not know me. My name is Kittles, K. Kittles, and I’ve been around these parts for the better half of eleven years. I’m a lucky little feline if you ask me. Besides my brilliant owners being hard core Villanova basketball fans (thus my clever moniker), they are pretty terrific people. Over a decade ago, I was hanging out at a local SPCA shelter waiting for someone to fall head over heels in love with me. At the time, I was still developing my looks and this handsome mug of mine—but I was pretty darn cute at five-months-old. So, a little coercing on my part behind the bars of my cage and a few coy little poses, and before I knew it I was whisked up, kissed an inordinate amount of times and on my way to my new forever and fabulous Main Line home.

Fast forward to today, May of 2009, and I guess you could say I’m a local celeb. There aren’t many people who don’t know me, or recognize my gorgeous green eyes, soft gray and black striped fur or sensational, confident strut. And, after ten years of hitting the streets (and I mean the streets), I pretty much have my paw on the pulse of what’s going on around these suburban Main Line parts.

A few weeks ago I humbly accepted my new position as a guest columnist for what I think is an ingenious new business. Since you’re here reading this column, it’s suffice to say you’ve heard about these guys. AroundMainLine.com, Inc. is an innovative, e-publishing company that’s been redefining the way the region celebrates its people, places and events. Let’s face it; nobody is reading newspapers or magazines anymore. Everyone is online ALL THE TIME, including yours truly. And, with the print industry (newspapers and magazines) becoming obsolete because of the exponential reach of the internet, these guys from AML saw an opportunity to celebrate, highlight and discuss the Main Line exclusively online. They say timing is everything and I think it’s a super cool…and timely idea.

With their company’s exciting growth, AML put a tweet out the other day looking for some new online contributors. Last Tuesday I was sunning on the back porch with my new Catberry by my side (eyeing up a fine-looking baby robin) when I got the news. So, I decided to shift my focus and send over my resume for consideration. I thought to myself ‘what the heck’? And, as luck would have it, the AML publisher emailed me back saying she was specifically seeking a male feline with stunning good looks and a lot of ‘street smarts.’ I nailed the interview despite my new boss having some hard feelings towards my peeps (she’s a UConn alum, has a thing for huskies I guess).

And, so here I am with my first column. If you are wondering what Main Line Meow will be all about–I’ve decided to keep a positive, timely and intriguing spin on what’s happening in and around the suburbs and even the city. We are not talking about parent meetings at the local library (which would bring on several catnaps and be uber-boring!) But, I will be pounding the pavement to find out what new businesses are opening, what events are coming up and what’s the hottest buzz that’s got everybody curious. (There’s that curious thing again-I guess it’s just natural for me.)

So, here I am–your personal go to Main Line man or feline, however you would prefer to perceive my gorgeous self. If you want to send me some hot info for consideration in my next column shoot me an email at: kittles@aroundmainline.com. That way my nosy boss can’t see what I am working on! As luck would have it, I’ve got some purr-fectly private scoop on Jay Wright to start out. There’s nothing like being a part of the Nova Nation.

Splish Splash!

Looks like the dog days of summer won’t be so darn hot for steamy Wildcat head hoopster Jay Wright and his family. The Wrights (wife Pat, their two teenage sons and ten-year-old daughter) will be breaking ground on a luxury pool soon at their Villanova mansion. A good feline friend of mine reported surveyors were at the property last week getting the project going. I have word that a major privacy fence will keep some pet-parazzi at a distance—who can blame them snooping for a snapshot of the fiercely good looking head Nova coach in his bathing suit!

I was curious to know what the bill might be on a ‘Final Four’ financed project of this scale. So, Main Line Meow consulted with a local pool company and was told you can’t break ground on a ‘backyard pond’ on the Main Line these days for under $50k. My pool buddies assured me that kind of dough is just a basic cost–a no thrills approach. Have a feeling the Wrights will be putting on the full court press on their new luxury investment. I’m not a big fan of water, but I’m sure it will be one lovely place to sun for a few of my furry Nova neighbors…poolside.

Bottoms up to a successful Main Line Jazz Fest 2009! Pictured are Teresa’s Next Door bartenders Katie Jones and Ryan Bloome, both of Wayne.

Main Line Beer Fest…I Mean ‘Jazz Fest’

I was prowling around North Wayne Avenue a few weeks ago and noticed all the restaurants (Teresa’s Next Door, Boathouse, Christopher’s and Great American Pub) had posted one day outdoor alcohol permits for Saturday June 13th. Hmm?? Then I put two-and-two together and realized this year’s Main Line Jazz Fest was setting the stage for every Wayne restaurant to serve brewskies outside. YUM!!! Even an eleven-year-old tee-totaling feline can appreciate that appeal and party atmosphere.

Organizers of the Main Line Jazz and Food Festival, now in its sixth year and traditionally held on a Sunday afternoon on a closed-off North Wayne Avenue (I refer to it as restaurant row), decided to shake it up this year. The 2009 Jazz Fest will start in the late afternoon (4 p.m.) and last into the early evening (9 p.m.) with great local performances (including Wayne’s Larry McKenna) slated throughout the night. North Wayne will be closed off starting at 7am that morning and there will be other activities and vendors exhibiting throughout the entire afternoon starting at 11am. A full schedule and vendor details are available on their website, mainlinejazz.com.

The Main Line Jazz and Food Festival is Saturday June 13th with performances slated from 4-9pm.

And, as I mentioned, most appealing to the five thousand attendees expected, all participating restaurants who reside on North Wayne will be serving alcohol outdoors, all day long. So, instead of the traditional beer tent offered the previous five years, Jazz Fest ’09 is looking more like a North Wayne Beer Garden. Main Line Meow, well I should say AroundMainLine.com, is the online media sponsor of the festivities. So stop by and visit my boss at our booth and say hi—cold beer or two in hand-on Saturday June 13th. And, make sure you mention you are a fan of Main Line Meow (I’m working on as many ‘brownie’ points as possible)!

Main Line Meow wants to hear from you! Have a great tip for our columnist K. Kittles? -We’d love to know–restaurant openings, hot chit chat, celebrity sightings, festivals, promotions and more. Send us an email with full details to: kittles@aroundmainline.com. Editorial tips and sources will remain strictly confidential.