Get Out: An Embarrassment of Riches This Weekend

Good morning. The weather is forecast as beautiful this weekend (high in the upper 60s and low 70s), as April—a month that the late author John Updike once called, in a poem, a “pastel fool”—glides into May. More charitably, Pennsylvania’s own Updike penned that April “steals all shows with his harlequinade of things renewed.”

In that spirit, here’s the weekly rundown of weekend things to do. (Unless otherwise noted, more information can be had by clicking on the header links to start each Get Out item.)

—Things Renewed—

Free Spring Cleanup Weekend. Lower Merion Township’s annual open house dates at the dump, so to speak, culminate Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. The Township’s Transfer Station is at 1300 N. Woodbine Ave. in Penn Valley, where you can unload refuse and recycling—gratis. For more information, contact the Refuse and Recycling Division at (610) 667-1952.

Sensory Garden Work Day. “Spruce up for Spring!” is the theme at tomorrow, where the Sensory Garden of Lower Merion is undergoing an overhaul. Co-sponsored by the Lower Merion Conservancy and the Ardmore Rotary Club, volunteers will be mulching, weeding and tidying the garden for the growing season. No gardening experience is necessary, and tools will be provided. Adults and children ages 6 and up. When: Saturday, 9-11 a.m. Where: 1505 Remington Road, Wynnewood. Cost: Free.

Clover Market Day. The second Clover Market Day of the spring is Sunday in downtown Ardmore, with more than 50 confirmed sellers of art, antiques, vintage and handmade good stuff. The first Clover Day this year, held April 10, was a success; check out Patch’s coverage and . When: Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.—rain or shine. Where: 12 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. Cost: Free admission.

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day.  Local teachers and students of the ancient arts of Tai Chi, Qigong and Tslagi take part in what is billed as a worldwide event by no less than the United Nations World Health Organization. People in more than 60 nations wll be gathering in parks and other  public spaces to learn and practice these disciplines. When: Saturday, April 30; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Short Ridge Memorial Park, Short Ridge Drive, Wynnewood. Cost: Free.

. A “Recipe for Renovation” is the theme of this self-guided tour of nine recently renovated kitchens around the lower Main Line, including an eco-friendly “green kitchen,” a kosher kitchen and a “complete do-it-yourself cottage kitchen.” Participants get to eat, of course—there will be a tasting or two courtesy of the Viking Culinary Center in Bryn Mawr. When: Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Where: Ardmore Library, 108 Ardmore Ave. Cost: $25; Pre-registration at the library during operating hours (10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Saturday), or download a registration form at www.lmls.org. Walk-up registrations on Sunday begin 11 a.m. at the library. (Proceeds benefit the library’s collections and community programs.)

NarbEARTH Day & Book Sale. Rescheduled from last week due to rain, this week the events are happening tomorrow rain or shine. At the playground in Narberth, the environmental fair is sponsored by the Narberth Civic Association and Narberth Greens. The long-running event will feature environmental exhibitors, a plant swap, a book swap and sale at the Narberth Library (adjacent to the playground), live music and a petting zoo. When: Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Cost: free.

—Events—

“The Mason Jar.” This reading, to be held at Merion Friends, is based on a play written by Mona Washington, a member of the Harlem Arts Alliance Dramatic Writing Academy Workshops (and a Resident Underground Artist of the Freedom Train Theater Co. of Harlem and Brooklyn). The play, which explores issues of race within a wealthy Main Line family, is currently under negotiation for a possible New York City production in 2012. A panel discussion follows the reading. When: Sunday, 4 p.m. Where: Merion Friends Meeting’s Activities Building, 615 Montgomery Ave., Merion Station. Cost: free.  

“Time Flies!” This series of one-act plays by the debuted Thursday evening and continues tonight and Saturday. Look for of the one-act plays here on Patch this weekend. When: Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m. Where: Lower Merion High School Auditorium, 245 E. Montgomery Ave., Ardmore.

. On Saturday, 54 high school lacrosse teams (an all-time high) will be converging on Radnor High School, scheduled to play in games beginning at 9 a.m. and running through 4 p.m. The highlight of the day comes at 1:30, when the No. 1 team in the country, Haverford School, squares off against the No. 2 squad in the nation, Conestoga, the defending PIAA state champions. All for a great cause, inspired 11 years ago by Ardmore resident Katie Samson. Read the Patch preview story of the festival . Where: Radnor High School, 130 king of Prussia Rd., Radnor.