Good Morning, Upper Merion!

The weekend is right around the corner. If you’re looking to plan for it, you came to the right place.

In the Spotlight:

💡The MLK Day of Service Series: Daily Ways to Give Back

💡Calling All Teen Volunteers: The Library Needs You

💡Upper Merion Police Department is Hiring

These are just happenings we spotlight. To be in the know with everything else going on in the area this week, keep reading. We’re certain you’ll find something helpful.

Ciao for now!

Corey | Chief Spotlighter 💡

P.S. Got some local news or events we should know about? Click the button below and let us know—it’s your newsletter, after all! 😊

In This Issue of the Upper Merion Area Spotlight:

🏘️ Real Estate and Housing Insights

📅 Lifestyle and Local Happenings

📝 Community Services and Resources

📰 Local News and Community Updates

☀️ Upper Merion Weather

🔍 Find Local Job Opportunities Through the King Of Prussia District Job Board

Thoughtful Thursday - Real Estate FAQ’s 

🏡 Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval is essential when preparing to buy a home. Here’s a quick guide to help:

 Pre-Qualification

What It Is:
An initial, informal assessment of your financial situation based on the details you provide.

📋 Process:

• You provide basic info about your income, assets, debts, and credit.

• Usually done online or over the phone with no detailed financial review.

📊 Outcome:

• You receive an estimate of the loan amount you might qualify for.

• It’s not a guarantee of loan approval, and there’s no lender commitment.

💡 Purpose:

• Helps you understand your budget and narrow your home search.

✅ Pre-Approval

What It Is:
A formal, more detailed evaluation of your financial situation by a lender.

📋 Process:

• Submit official documents like pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements.

• The lender verifies your finances and performs a hard credit check.

📊 Outcome:

• You receive a pre-approval letter specifying the exact loan amount you’re approved for.

• Shows sellers you’re a serious buyer with financial backing.

💡 Purpose:

• Required when making an offer on a home.

• Streamlines the mortgage process once you’re under contract.

⚖️ Key Differences

🤔 Which One Should You Get?

• Pre-Qualification:
  Useful early in your home search to determine a general price range.

• Pre-Approval:
  Necessary when you’re ready to make offers and want to show financial credibility to sellers.

Are You:

• 🤔 Curious about real-time market activity in your neighborhood?

• 💰 Looking to find out your home’s value in minutes?

• 📋 Interested in viewing all active and coming soon listings?

• 🏠 Looking to help someone buy or sell a home in Upper Merion?

SPECIAL EVENTS

THURSDAY

• Live Music: Danny Lynch
  📍 Southern Cross Kitchen | 🕒 January 9 | 6:00 PM

• Live Music: Dan Rendine
  📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 January 9 | 6:30 PM

• Live Music: Shakedown Citi (Grateful Dead Tribute)
  📍 118 North | 🕒 January 9 | 8:00 PM

• Rum Tasting (Complimentary)
  📍 Paladar | 🕒 January 9 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM

• Live Music: Roz, Rich & Brian Trio
  📍 Pepper's | 🕒 January 9 | 6:30 - 9:00 PM

• Live Music: Shot of Southern Trio
  📍 Screwballs | 🕒 January 9 | 8:30 - 11:30 PM

FRIDAY

• Live Music: Connor Kaufman
  📍 118 North | 🕒 January 10 | 4:00 PM

• Live Music: Jess Forget
  📍 Southern Cross Kitchen | 🕒 January 10 | 6:30 PM

• Live Music: Jared Biddy
  📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 January 10 | 7:30 PM

• Live Music: Shaman: The Santana Experience
  📍 118 North | 🕒 January 10 | 9:00 PM

• Live Music: Jack Kidd
  📍 Taphouse 23 | 🕒 January 10 | 7:00 - 10:00 PM

• Live Music: The Zings
  📍 Pepper's | 🕒 January 10 | 8:30 - 11:30 PM

SATURDAY

• Live Music: Miss Mandy
  📍 118 North | 🕒 January 11 | 4:00 PM

• Live Music: Scott Brimmer
  📍 Southern Cross Kitchen | 🕒 January 11 | 6:30 PM

• Live Music: Jeff & Shay
  📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 January 11 | 7:30 PM

• Live Music: Dale Rhose
  📍 Screwballs | 🕒 January 11 | 8:30 PM

• Live Music: Lilly Moss w/ Olivia Love
  📍 118 North | 🕒 January 11 | 9:00 PM

• Live Music: Alright Junior
  📍 Arnold's | 🕒 January 11 | 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM

• Live Music: Rusty Snow
  📍 Taphouse 23 | 🕒 January 11 | 7:00 - 10:00 PM

• Live Music: Soul Purpose
  📍 Pepper's | 🕒 January 11 | 8:30 - 11:30 PM

• Live Sports Cards and Memorabilia Auction
  📍 Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks | 🕒 January 11 | 9:00 - 2:00 PM

SUNDAY

• Live Music: Jerry Watkins
  📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 January 12 | 6:00 PM

• Live Music: Socks in the Frying Pan
  📍 118 North | 🕒 January 12 | 7:30 PM

• Live Music: Main Street Band
  📍 Pepper's | 🕒 January 12 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM

• Tommy's Open Mic
  📍 Ribhouse | 🕒 January 12 | 9:00 - 11:00 PM

RECURRING EVENTS

• Upper Merion Camera Club
  📍Upper Merion Baptist Church (Room 25) | 📅 Wednesdays | 🕒 7 PM

• ONLINE cooking class: Italian Winter Favorites
  📍 Sur La Table | 📅 View Available Classes

• ADULT Climbing and Fitness
  📍 Reach Climbing and Fitness | 📅 View Calendar

• Classroom Instruction
  📍 Kings Shooters Supply | 📅 View Classes

• Range Instruction
  📍 Kings Shooters Supply | 📅 View Classes

• In Store Cooking Classes
  📍 Sur La Table | 📅 View Available Classes

• Daily Orientation Film
  📍The Theatre at Valley Forge | 🕒 9:30 - 4:00 p.m. | every ½ hour | watch online

• Bird Watching
  📍 John James Audubon Center | 🕒 Trail and Museum Hours

• Art Exhibitions

  📍Jenkins Arboretum | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  📍 Upper Merion Community Center | Business hours

• KID Climbing and Fitness
  📍 Reach Climbing and Fitness | 📅 View Calendar

• Bluey CAMP Experience

  📍 King of Prussia Mall | 📅 Check Schedule

LOOKING FOR A BIGGER ADVENTURE?

👇Don’t see your event listed? Click here to add your event(s). 👇

The MLK Day of Service Series: Daily Ways to Give Back

Cradles to Crayons Donation Drive: Helping Kids Thrive

Upper Merion Police Department is Hiring

Calling All Teen Volunteers:

The Library Needs You

UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

Thursday, January 9, 2025

• Baby Storytime - Winter Wonderland
  📍 Little Theatre | 🕒 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
  👥 Audience: PreK

• Baby Storytime - Winter Wonderland
  📍 Little Theatre | 🕒 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
  👥 Audience: PreK

• Art, Games, and Chit Chat for Adults with Disabilities
  📍 Freedom Hall | 🕒 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
  👥 Audience: Adult

• Mahjong Meetup Mania
  📍 Valley Forge Room | 🕒 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  👥 Audience: Adult

For event details and a full look at the event calendar, click here.

PARKS AND RECREATION

• Group Exercise
  📍Upper Merion Community Center | 📅 Today’s classes

• Open Gym
  📍Upper Merion Community Center | 🕒 Today’s Open Gym Times

• Programming for Seniors
  📍Upper Merion Senior Center | 📅 View Calendar

• Winter/Spring Programming Guide

MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS

UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP

📅 Upcoming Meeting Calendar

January 7

• 🕒 5:30 PM | Board of Auditors Reorganization

• 🕒 6:30 PM | Environmental Advisory Council Reorganization

Click HERE for community resources

BRIDGEPORT BOROUGH

Click HERE for community resources

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN BOROUGH

January 13

• 🕒 7:00 PM | Zoning Hearing

January 14

• 🕒 7:00 PM | Council Meeting

Click HERE for community resources 

PUT IT ON YOUR RADAR

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | 📅 January 20th | All municipal officess closed.

• Miss the message from Dr. Smith regarding the process for inclement weather communication? You can see it HERE.

HOW DID WE DO?