Long-awaited plans for Granity Run Mall

The Horsham-based company BET Investments have finally unveiled their plans for Granite Run Mall. They are going to model it after their other mall, Hunt Valley Towne Center in Maryland. The new mall will have an outdoor courtyard with a walkable mall, green spaces and benches. The three anchor stores right now Sears, JC Penney and Boscov’s are staying due to long-term leases. The present stores have been notified that they have to leave by December 31st. The idea is that the new mall wants to cater to entertainment, restaurants and medium to higher end retailers. 

Residentail apartments are also part of the project. Avalon Bay is expected to develop the apartments which are expected to rent for $1,500-1,800 per month.

Media 5 Mile Race

On Friday June 20th, Media will holds it 35th annual 5 mile race. Unfortunately, the registration to run is closed due to full capacity of 1600. If you are not running, you can at least go and cheer the runners who have registered. They start on State St (downtown Media) and the  2.5 mile course loops twice through residential and business areas of Media. Their website is www.media5milerace.com

Strawberry Festival 

Rose Tree Elementary School in Media

Saturday May 31st

3-7 pm

Games, food and lots of strawberries!!!!!

5th Annual Italian American Heritage Festival

Rose Tree Park 

Sunday June 1st

11 am - 5 pm

Italian food, music, games and entertainment

Media's capital projects survey

Media Borough officials are asking residents for their input on the town’s first long-term capital projects. They are planning for projects that cost more than $5,000 and has a life expectancy of more than 5 years and would like residents to rank what projects they think are important. Among the projects are purchasing land for open space and parks, creating bike lanes,  building a new parking garage etc. A long-term capital project plan will allow the borough to set aside money or to apply for grants to finish the projects that are needed.

You can find the survey on www.mediaborough.com under Latest News (Media Borough Citizen Survey).

Mother’s Day Brunch

If you want to spoil your mom on this mother’s day why not take her to one of the best brunch places in Delaware County, Generations Restaurant in Media. They are located at 9 State Rd (by the 5-points). Readers of Delaware County Daily Times and members of Open Table have voted it to be the best brunch in Delaware County. They have a big buffet with fruits, fish, cheese, a roast beef carving station and much more. You can end your brunch with something from their very impressive dessert table, it is over 20 feet long!!!!!

Brunch is served from 10 am to 3 pm.

To all mothers, have a great Mother’s Day!

Dining Under the Stars in Media

It is time again for Dining Under the Stars in Media. It has become very popular for people from all over to come to this weekly event. 

The premiere is next Wednesday May 7th (and this is the 7th year) at 5 pm and it will run every Wednesday through September. State street will be closed from Jackson street to Orange street downtown and the restaurants are setting up their tables outside for dining and it is a great atmosphere. Many times you have to arrive early to get a table at one of the restaurants!!

It is a great evening will lots of people, live entertainment and the stores are open late so you can stroll, shop and dine. Hope to see you there!

You can read more on their Facebook page “7th Annual Dining Under the Stars”

Tyler Arboretum Plant Sale, May 2-3

Spring has sprung and now is the time to prepare your garden for the summer season and beyond. If you are not an expert and don’t have a green thumb, it can be a daunting task to pick out the best plants, trees and shrubs. The good news is at that Tyler Arboretum has their plant sale the first weekend of May. Plant experts will be there to help you pick out the perfect plants or shrubs for your garden. They will have trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and herbs for sale.

Members preview is Friday May 2, open 11 am - 7 pm

General public Saturday May 3, open 9 am - 3 pm

Tyler Arboretum is a great place to visit. and has a lot to offer. Between 1681-1944, Tyler Arboretum was a working farm run by one family (the Tyler/Minshall/Painter family). Two brothers, Jacob and Minshall Painter was interested in natural history and started collecting plants. rocks and other specimen. In 1825, they started planting over 1,000 varieties of trees and shrubs. It has grown over time and today a non-profit organization running Tyler Arboretum. Their goal is “to preserve, develop and share their horticultural, historic and natural site resources” (www.tylerarboretum.org)

They have educational programs, events, exhibits, summer camps and 17 miles of hiking trails.

There are many activities for kids and families. 

• Totally Terrific Tree houses
• Crooked Goblin Shack
• Magical Path
• Kids’ Nature Play Area
• Vegetable Demonstration Garden
• Fragrant Garden
• Butterfly House
• Meadow Maze and more…

If you are member, admission is free for everyone else the admission ranges from $5-$9 (kids under 3, free).

Americana Roots Ramble this Saturday April 12th, 6 pm - 1 am.

On Saturday night Americana Roots Ramble is happening in downtown Media. This is the 12th year, participating restaurants are playing music to all its patrons, everything from early rock n’ roll to alternative country and even swing and folk music. 

If you buy your tickets in advance they cost $15, just visit the website www.statestreetblues.com

Media Theatre announces their 2014-15 Broadway Series
Media Theatre has announced their productions for the upcoming theatre year. The five productions are:

The Addams Family: A new musical comedy (Sept 24-Nov 2)
Les Misérables (Nov 19-Jan 11)
The Miracle Worker (Jan 28-Feb 15)
Ghost: The musical (Mar 4-Mar 29)
Hello Dolly (Apr 15-May 17)

Tickets are on sale now!

Restaurant Week in Media

Just a reminder that restaurant week is going on in Media this week until Thursday March 13. Many restaurants downtown are offering 3-5 courses for $30. You don't want to miss out. For a full list of participating restaurants, go to www.visitmediapa.com

Oscar Night

Tomorrow night is the biggest night in Hollywood where the Oscars will be handed out to the best performances of the year. Most of us won’t be able to attend the party but why not have your own party at home. I’ve got some suggestions for drinks that are inspired by movies that are nominated this year. Go to the website below to find the recipes

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/02/28/what-to-drink-during-this-years-academy-awards/

Another fun thing is to have a competition where your guests have to guess who the winners are in all the categories. Below there is a website where you can print pages with all the nominees (right above Best Picture Nominees).

http://oscar.go.com/nominees/

And the oscar goes to...

First Annual Restaurant Week

For the first time Media will have a restaurant week. It will run from Sunday March 9 through Thursday March 13. Many restaurants downtown are featured  such as Azie, Margaret Kuo’s, Picasso and House (for a complete list visit www.visitmediapa.com). There will be 3-5 courses for only $30. This is a good week to either visit your favorite restaurant or try a new one. So take an evening off from cooking and go out and eat a great meal for a good price.

Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s day is coming up and my favorite treat to get is chocolate. In Media, there is Bevan’s Candy store which makes their own candy. They have been in business since 1954 and is family owned. 

I went there the other day and they had many great treats for Valentine’s day. Beautiful boxes with assorted chocolate pieces, chocolate hearts and my family’s favorite was the chocolate covered Oreo cookies. Their chocolate is well worth the visit and it is always nice to shop locally and support our local stores.

Happy Valentine's Day!

13th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration

This Saturday February 1, Media will celebrate the Year of the Horse with a parade at 11.30 am. The parade will feature the “Lion Dancers” from Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy. The parade starts in front of Margaret Kuo’s Restaurant downtown Media and will continue on State St. It is a family-friendly event and afterwards you go shopping or eat a great lunch at one of the many restaurants downtown.

Today is National Pie Day

January 23 is national pie day.  A warm pie is great in this cold, snowy weather. Buy or bake your favorite pie and cut up a slice with some whipped cream or ice cream, whichever is your favorite. At Linvilla Orchards in Media, they are celebrating this day with a special offer. If you buy two pies you get one for free and they have many varieties to pick from, such as 7 different kinds of apple pie. This special offer runs from January 23-27.

Rose Tree Park and Sledding

The snow is here and many people are looking for sledding spots for the kids. One great spot is Rose Tree Park, you’ll always find kids and adults sledding there in the snow. So if you are looking for some fun head to Rose Tree Park and meet old friends, make some new friends or just have fun with your family.

Rose Tree Park is a 120 acre park situated in Upper Providence Township. This is a nice oasis, even after the snow has melted, for picnics, kite flying, jogging or just relaxing. In the park you’ll find Rose Tree Tavern built in 1809 and now housing the Delaware County Visitor’s bureau. Across from the tavern is the Community Garden where members can rent garden plots seasonally for a nominal fee.

Rose Tree Park hosts many events throughout the year such as 5k races, arts and craft shows. Two annual big events are the Summer Festival concert series, which runs from June-August on Wednesdays through Sundays, the performances are at the amphitheater and it is free to the public, just bring chairs and blankets. During the holiday season, they have the Festival of Lights where many trees are decorated and there are many other festive decorations. The lights are on nightly and it is free to the public.

Hedgerow Theatre

Hedgerow Theatre was founded in 1933 and has been a repertory theatre ever since. In the early days many national actors featured at this theatre such as Ann Harding, Richard Basehart and Susan Glaspell. The goal with this theatre was to create a place with a more artistic approach rather than a commercial one. They produces plays with both residents, local and visiting artists.

They also offer acting classes for children and adults.

At 2001 National Theatre Communications Group conference, The Hedgerow Theatre was named the Mother of all Philadelphia theatres. It has been nominated several times and won one Barrymore award and has been chosen in Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly.

Right now you can see the comedy-drama hit “Vanities” by Jack Heifner about the lives of three female friends through different stages of their lives. The play will continue through February 9.

Please visit their website to find out more about their productions and classes offered www.hedgerowtheatre.org

Media Everybody's Hometown

Media was formed in 1848 on 48 acres and incorporated in 1850. It was designed around the courthouse and Media became the new county seat for Delaware county. In the first couple of decades after being incorporated, Media grew into a thriving town.

In 1854, Media was connected to Philadelphia by rail and it became a stop on the Philadelphia-Baltimore-Washington railroad. At the busiest time, up to 50 trains went through Media daily. The trolley lines were added in 1890’s and 1900’s. Trolley route 101, which runs on State Street through Media to 69th Street Terminal, began in 1913. The 101 Trolley is still active today and celebrated 100 years of service last year.

In the end of 19th century, Media became a popular summer resort for wealthy Philadelphians who wanted to get out of the city when it got hot. Many resort hotels were built here such as Idlewild Hotel, Chestnut Grove House and Brooke Hall.

Media has a connection to the Underground Railroad in the 1850’s and 1860’s. The famous Abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor Thomas Garrett lived in Wilmington, Delaware, not too far from Media. One of the pathways for the ex-slaves inside Pennsylvania is thought to have been through the Media area. The reason for choosing these pathways was that there were many supportive congregations along these ways. Two of them were Providence Friends Meeting on Providence Road in Media (founded in late 1700’s and still there today) and Honeycomb UAME church (founded in 1852).

Welcome to Media! from EveryHome Realtors on Vimeo. 

In 2006, Media became the first Fair Trade Town in the US. Now there are thirty-two towns in the USA that have earned this distinction. Being the first fair trade town in the USA is something Media is very proud of. Being a Fair Trade Town, Media is raising awareness of how the simple purchase of Fair Trade products can help address poverty in the developing world and helps support local Media businesses. For more information on Fair Trade in Media, please go to www.firstfairtradetownusa.org