Delco Deals: Dirt Cheap or FREE! by Peggy De


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Innovative FREE Program Helps Young People Facing Challenges

   A new youth leadership initiative called MY LIFE (Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment) is helping Delaware County teenagers who face mental health, substance abuse, foster care, and juvenile justice challenges to make positive changes in their lives.
  MY LIFE DelCo is sponsored by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) and Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania.
   Behavioral health issues impact people of all ages, but they are particularly difficult for teenagers making that tough transition to adulthood. Through monthly meetings, workshops and activities, a group of 25 to 30 youth, ages 13 to 23, are trying to come to terms with serious issues impacting their lives. At the same time, they are working to reduce the stigma associated with being a young person living with mental illness or substance abuse.
    MY LIFE was launched by Magellan in Arizona in 2008 and expanded to Southeast Pennsylvania this year, with four groups now meeting (Bucks, Delaware, Lehigh, and Montgomery Counties). Delaware County contracts with Magellan for the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services.
    MY LIFE DelCo, launched in March, meets the second Tuesday of each month, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit in Morton. The meetings are open to all interested youth and dinner is provided.
     The August MY LIFE meeting, which featured a presentation on cyber-bullying, was facilitated by Shannon Thomas, Delaware County Coordinator of Children's Mental Health at OBH, and Greg Dicharry, the national youth empowerment director for MY LIFE, who flew in from Arizona.
In addition to monthly meetings, MY LIFE features local and national workshops, leadership development, presentations and performances that focus on important issues affecting youth.
    The Southeast MY LIFE chapters will all gather Sept. 17 for a MY FEST event at Elmwood Park in Norristown. The daylong event will feature entertainment, youth involvement and resources on services for youth and families.
    MY LIFE also provides youth the opportunity to become leaders, to get involved in their communities and to share concerns and ideas about the issues affecting them.
   Dicharry described MY LIFE as a "free, community program with no strings attached. Any youth who hears about it can just show up. There's no paperwork needed."
    "MY LIFE DelCo is an exciting new initiative where young people can feel supported, where they can learn about topics important to them, and where they can develop positive social supports and leadership skills," said Jonna DiStefano, administrator for OBH. "One of the goals is for the MY LIFE members to advise OBH, Magellan and other providers of youth services on issues affecting young people."
    When MY LIFE DelCo members asked for more information about the potential dangers on the Internet, the facilitators invited Nathanial Evans, a computer forensic analyst with the Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, to present a program on "Online Safety." Evans told the young people how cyber dangers include everything from posting inappropriate messages on social networking sites to sending sexually explicit pictures over cell phones and computers.
Bullying "is no longer the big kid on the playground beating up the little kid for lunch money. It's anonymous, and kids know this," said Evans. "Young people need to confide in a trusted adult about anything that makes them feel scared or uncomfortable online."
  Future MY LIFE DelCo meetings are set for Tuesday, Sept. 13, and Tuesday, Oct. 11.
    For more information about MY LIFE, contact Shannon Thomas at Delaware County OBH, 610-713-2479, or Stephanie Lucas, Magellan certified peer specialist, at 215-504-3900, ext. 63854. People can also visit the Delaware County MY LIFE website at http://www.magellanofpa.com/ and go to the Delaware County section.
Caption:
MY LIFE DelCo, launched in March, meets the second Tuesday of each month, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit in Morton. The meetings are open to all interested youth and dinner is provided. MY LIFE facilitators and members prepare for a major MY FEST event on September 17. For information about MY LIDE DelCo call 215-504-3900, extension 63854.

FREE Family-Friendly Sculpture Saturdays


 The Fairmount Park Art Association
Hosts “Sculpture Saturdays Presented by PNC Arts Alive”
Five Saturdays of FREE family-friendly public art programming comes to
Kelly Drive
this Fall

PHILADELPHIA – The Fairmount Park Art Association will bring free hands-on programming, mobile technology and live music for the whole family to Kelly Drive this fall duringSculpture Saturdays Presented by PNC Arts Alive” starting on September 10 from 10 am to 2 pm. Kids can make their own sculptures, participants can learn about public art through audio tours, and passersby can enjoy live music, from African drumbeats, to Calypso to folk rock and Brazilian rhythms. The goal: to encourage visitors to stop, look, listen and experience the largest collection of public art in the country in a new way.

Kelly Drive is home to many of the city’s best-known outdoor sculptures, including Frederic Remington’s Cowboy, Carl Milles’ Playing Angels, and Philadelphia’s most famous rower, John B. Kelly. ‘Sculpture Saturdays Presented by PNC Arts Alive’ creates new and unexpected situations for audiences of all ages to engage with the artworks. Being able to meet audiences where they are – on the street – is an opportunity unique to public art,” says Fairmount Park Art Association Executive Director Penny Balkin Bach.

·         Kids’ Sculpture Workshops: Kids can stop by the PNC Arts Alive tent near Lloyd Hall (just south of Boathouse Row) for artist-led sculpture-making activities and will receive a professionally-illustrated kids sculpture booklet and art kit to take home.
·         Self-Guided iPod Tours: Participants can borrow an iPod Touch loaded with 35 audio programs about the Kelly Drive sculptures or download the MWW: AUDIO mobile app to their own device at the “Synch Station” located at Cosmic Café at Lloyd Hall.
·         Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO: Public Art Ambassadors (a trained “mobile docent squad”) will be on hand to distribute Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO maps and to help guide participants interested in experiencing the program on their cell phones, smart phones, or mp3 players.
·         Live Music Performances: For the first time ever, live music performances will take place at the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial Sculpture Garden. A diverse group of performers, including The Adam Monaco Band, Trinidelphia, KyoDaiko and more, will play each Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 

“Sculpture Saturdays Presented by PNC Arts Alive” is the programmatic component of Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO, the Fairmount Park Art Association’s interpretive outdoor sculpture audio program, which launched in June 2010. Developed by a team of professional audio producers, these 3-4 minute interpretive audio segments reveal the compelling histories of Philadelphia’s public art treasures at 35 stops along the
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
and
Kelly Drive
. The diverse narratives are told by over 100 authentic voices with personal connections to the artwork. Accessible through multiple platforms, Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO is available to the public for free on the street by cell phone, audio download, mobile app for iPhone or Android, or as streaming audio on the program website: http://www.museumwithoutwallsaudio.org/.

SCULPTURE SATURDAYS PROGRAM DETAILS:
Location:            Kelly Drive Philadelphia, PA
                        Sculpture-making Workshops take place near Lloyd Hall (#1 Boathouse Row at
                          Kelly Drive and Waterworks Drive)
                        iPod Tours begin and end at Cosmic Café at Lloyd Hall (#1 Boathouse Row at
                          Kelly Drive and Waterworks Drive)
                        Live Music Performances take place at the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial
                          Sculpture Garden (Kelly Drive south of the Girard Street Bridge)
    Dates:    Saturdays
                    September 10, 17, 24 and October 15 and 22 (no rain dates)
     Time:     10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (activities are ongoing throughout the day)
      Cost:    FREE
Sculpture Saturdays is presented in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and is made possible by a special grant from PNC Arts Alive. PNC Arts Alive is a five-year, $5 million investment from the PNC Foundation that supports visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement. For more information on PNC Arts Alive and the grant recipients visit http://www.pncartsalive.com/.

The Fairmount Park Art Association is the nation’s first private, nonprofit organization dedicated to integrating public art and urban planning. Founded in 1872, the Art Association works to promote the appreciation of public art through programs and advocacy efforts that commission, interpret, and preserve public art in Philadelphia. We serve hundreds of people directly through our commissioning and educational programs, and thousands indirectly, as they benefit from the accessibility of public art that is one of Philadelphia’s hallmarks and a key contributor to its quality of life.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

FREE Programs At Local Senior Center OPEN TO ALL

Taking Our Show on the Road at Schoolhouse Center


   Learn some of the tricks of the theater and public speakers.
On Tuesdays, September 20 to October 25, 2011, 2:30 PM, Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning will be offering Taking Our Show on the Road at Schoolhouse Center in Folsom, with Instructor Sayre Dixon.  We’ll be learning how to project your voice, perfect your comic timing and group singing with an emphasis on blending.  We’ll be learning special techniques to perform Reader’s Theater and rhythmic speaking.  No fee. Open to the public.  Registration required.  (no registrations by phone). To register, call (610) 237-8100.

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The Impact of the Titanic on Pop Culture

 at Schoolhouse Center

      No other great sea tragedy captured the hearts and imagination of the public like the Titanic.
On Wednesdays, September 21, 2011, 7:00 PM, Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning will be offering The Impact of the Titanic on Pop Culture with Dr. Joseph Edgette, at Schoolhouse Center in Folsom. The details of the tragic fate of Titanic were relayed worldwide through the mass media, primarily newspapers, worldwide in mid-April 1912. Almost immediately her short life was memorialized and preserved through popular culture in its various forms. This image-laden presentation will explore the impact this great ship had on Popular Culture as reflected in its literature, poetry, films, music and television programming topics in addition to puzzles and games.  No fee. Open to the public.  Registration required.  Call (610) 237-8100.
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Learn to Manage Your Diabetes at Schoolhouse Center


            Learn how to manage your Diabetes and enjoy a healthier life.
On Thursdays, September 22 to December 15, 2011 (No class on 11/24). 1:00 PM, Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning will be offering Have You Been Too Sweet? Learn to Manage Your Diabetes at Schoolhouse Center in Folsom.  If you are a diabetic and want to live a more healthy life, join us for a gourmet luncheon and make a commitment to follow the plan.  This 12-week journey will provide you with the tools and motivation to be the new healthy you.  Included will be presentations on nutrition, exercise, podiatry and cooking memos.  We’ll close our 12 weeks with a party to celebrate our successes. Twelve sessions led by certified specialists forming a Diabetes management team. Co-Sponsored by Bravo Health.  Opening luncheon 9/22,1:00 PM. Must be diabetic or pre diabetic-space limited to 50.  Free.  Open to the public.  Registration required.  Call (610) 237-8100.


Worried About Your Pet's Arthritis? FREE Lecture may help!

Penn Vet Hosts Free Lecture in Wyndmoor,

“Arthritis: A Common Debilitating Condition for Dogs and Cats”

Dr. Ann Caulfield slated to speak at Thursday, September 15 event

[August 30, 2011; Philadelphia, PA] – On Thursday, September 15 the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine will host a free, open-to-the-public lecture called “Arthritis: A Common Debilitating Condition for Dogs and Cats,” at the Y2K9’s Dog Sport Club in Wyndmoor, PA. Beginning at 7:00 PM, Dr. Ann Caulfield, Penn Vet’s rehabilitation medicine therapist, will discuss ways pet owners can manage the chronic pain arthritis produces in their pets and available medications and supplements.

Who: Penn Vet, interested members of the public.
What: Free lecture titled “Arthritis: A Common Debilitating Condition for Dogs and Cats” featuring Dr. Ann Caulfield of Penn Vet.
Where: Y2K9’s Dog Sport Club, located at 1000 E. Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038.
When: Lecture beginning at 7:00 PM, Thursday, September 15, 2011 and ending at 8:30 PM.
To register: Registration is required as seating is limited. This lecture is appropriate for all ages, but participants are asked to not bring their pets. To register, call 215-898-1480 or register online at:  https://www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/UPN/events/event_order.cgi?tmpl=events&event=2317099

About the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine is one of the world’s premier veterinary schools. Founded in 1884, the school was built on the concept of Many Species, One MedicineTM.

The School’s Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, located on Penn’s campus in Philadelphia, PA, houses classrooms, laboratories, medical care and one of the nation’s busiest urban veterinary emergency rooms. In addition, the school successfully integrates scholarship and scientific discovery with all aspects of veterinary medical education.

Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine is the only institution in the state of Pennsylvania graduating veterinarians accredited to care for food production animals. The large-animal facility, New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square, PA, encompasses hospital facilities for the care of horses and food animals as well as diagnostic laboratories serving the agriculture industry.

For more information about Penn Vet or its hospitals, visit http://www.vet.upenn.edu/.


Monday, August 29, 2011

FREE Day At National Constitution Center

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR TO JOIN IN
CONSTITUTION DAY FESTIVITIES ON SEPTEMBER 16
AT THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER

Constitution Day activities sponsored by Amway

Free admission to the museum, courtesy of Beneficial Bank

Philadelphia, PA (August 29, 2011) – Two hundred and twenty four years after its signing, the U.S. Constitution continues to make headlines.  Signed on September 17, 1787, the document established the many inherent rights and freedoms "We the People" enjoy today.  This year, the National Constitution Center’s Constitution Day celebration will take place on Friday, September 16, 2011, featuring a wide array of inspiring and educational activities, and the unveiling of a rare constitutional document.  Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will join the Center to participate in several engaging events, including a reading of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and a naturalization ceremony.  Amway is the national presenting sponsor of Constitution Day at the National Constitution Center and lead underwriter of Constitution Hall Pass: Freedom of Expression, a free, educational webcast broadcast to classrooms around the country.  Admission to the Center is FREE on Friday, September 16, courtesy of Beneficial Bank, the local presenting sponsor of Constitution Day. 

“The U.S. Constitution continues to spark discussion, challenge thought, and inspire action as much today as 224 years ago,” said National Constitution Center President and CEO David Eisner.  “When it comes to American politics, policy and justice, every day is Constitution Day.  Still, it is great to have one day set aside for ‘We the People’ to remember how central the Constitution remains in our lives.”

“The Constitution articulates our democratic system and our fundamental rights," said Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, “but it is ‘We the People’ who guarantee their survival.  Today, in schools all around our nation, young people are learning to become tomorrow's citizens.  As my colleague David Eisner suggests, however, every day should be Constitution Day - especially in our schools.”

"Amway is proud to present National Constitution Day," says Jori Hartwig, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of Amway.  "Through our partnership with the National Constitution Center, students across the country will learn how the signing of the Constitution by our Founding Fathers directly impacts their lives and their freedoms today.  Amway joined in this celebration because everyday we champion the freedom of America's citizens by empowering people to live better lives through our products and business opportunity."

“As the oldest and largest bank headquartered in Philadelphia, we are proud to partner with the National Constitution Center to mark this historic event in our nation’s history and provide free admission to the Center to everyone who wishes to celebrate with us,” said Gerard P. Cuddy, President & CEO of Beneficial Bank.  “We are a company that is passionate about education.  We are inspired by the National Constitution Center’s mission of educating citizens about our nation’s history and how our Founding Fathers’ ideals continue to shape who we are as a country today.  I encourage everyone to visit the National Constitution Center, free of charge, on September 16 and partake in the wide range of educational events planned for Constitution Day.” 

Beginning on Constitution Day, visitors to the Center will have the opportunity to view the 'Birth Certificate of the Constitution', an original John Dunlop copy of a resolution stating that the United States Congress had 'Resolved Unanimously' September 28, 1787, to transmit the Convention Committee report (Constitution) to the several Legislatures.  “Without this compromise resolution the Constitution’s eventual ratification would not have been set in motion,” says Tom Lingenfelter, historian and president of Heritage Collectors’ Society in Doylestown, PA.  This rare artifact will be on view in the Center’s main exhibition, The Story of We the People, through October 7, 2011.  There are only three other known copies in existence, one of which resides at the National Archives in Washington, DC.  Lingenfelter will provide context and historical insight for visitors to the Center during gallery talks on Constitution Day.

The kick off the Center’s Constitution Day festivities, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will lead 224 students from Constitution High School in a rousing reading of the Preamble at 8:45 a.m. on the Center’s Outdoor Terrace to honor the 224th anniversary of the Constitution’s signing. 

Following the reading, the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) will unveil the findings of the 2011 Civic Life in America report during a press conference at 9:30 a.m. in the John C. Bogle Chairman’s Room.  The Civic Life in America report is produced through a partnership between NCoC and the Corporation for National and Community Service, and tracks and measures the civic habits of Americans in an effort to strengthen civic participation in communities across the country.  Additionally, a new report on civic learning entitled “Guardian of Democracy: The Civic Mission of Schools” will be released by NCoC, the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, Annenberg Foundation, and the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).  Justice O’Connor also will participate in the event to discuss the release of the “Guardian of Democracy” report and her web-based civic education project, iCivics, designed to provide young people with the right tools to become active participants in our democracy.  Guests can learn more about iCivics during day-long demonstrations in the Center’s Grand Hall Lobby.

At 10:00 a.m., the late Abel Meeropol, a Jewish high-school teacher from the Bronx who penned the hauntingly powerful, pre-Civil Rights movement poem “Strange Fruit,” will be added to the American National Tree, a popular exhibit inside The Story of We the People that tells the stories of 100 Americans whose actions have helped write the story of the Constitution.  A response to the racist brutality against African Americans, Meeropol set the words of his poem to music, with the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday serving as vocalist.  Meeropol also is known for adopting the two sons of accused spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg after their 1953 execution.  The National Constitution Center, in collaboration with the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the nonprofit that administers the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, selected high school student Ruthie Prillaman of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, as the winner of the 2011 M.R. Robinson National Constitution Center American National Tree Award.  Prillaman wrote the biography of Meeropol that will be featured in the exhibit. 

At 10:30 a.m., a public Naturalization Ceremony will take place in the Center’s F.M. Kirby Auditorium, during which immigrants from across the globe will take the Oath of Citizenship to officially become citizens of the United States.  The Honorable Cynthia M. Rufe, District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will administer the oath and introduce special guest speakers Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Gerda Weissmann Klein, a Holocaust survivor and proud naturalized citizen who founded Citizenship Counts.

At 12:00 p.m., the Center’s summer-long George Washington Twitter campaign (@GeorgeInPhilly) will conclude with an appearance by Washington himself (portrayed by historical interpreter Dean Malissa) on the Center’s Grand Hall Overlook.  In connection with the Center’s Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon exhibition, America’s first president spent the summer tweeting from locations throughout the Philadelphia region where he spent time during the summer of 1787 as chair of the Constitutional Convention.   

National Constitution Center President & CEO David Eisner, Beneficial Bank President Gerry Cuddy, Amway Vice President of Marketing Jori Hartwig, and President George Washington will then serve as hosts for a patriotic Birthday Party at 12:15 p.m. on the Center’s Grand Hall Overlook.  Visitors can enjoy a slice of cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to the U.S. Constitution!

From 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Christopher Phillips, author of Constitution Café, will lead students from Philadelphia’s Constitution High School in a dialogue inspired by the idea that the Constitution should be updated to reflect the current times.  Students will discuss what they would (and wouldn’t) change about the Constitution, if they had the opportunity to rewrite it today.  This program is presented in partnership with the Philadelphia Federal Executive Board and the National Archives at Philadelphia.
  
At 2:00 p.m., renowned George Washington interpreter Dean Malissa will recount the creation of the Constitution through the eyes of the nation’s first president during George Washington: The Story of a Man and Nation in the F.M. Kirby Auditorium.  As presider of the Constitutional Convention, Washington’s leadership and guidance proved invaluable in creating the greatest expression of statesmanship and compromise ever written.

In addition, a variety of hands-on activities will take place throughout the day in the Center’s Grand Hall Lobby.  Guests can visit the Center’s old-fashioned print shop, complete with a replica printing press from the 1700s, to print a copy of the Preamble in the same way Claypool and Dunlap did when they printed the Constitution, or join in calligraphy demonstrations and learn about the Copperplate technique used to pen the official, handwritten Constitution.  Then, using their newly acquired calligraphy skills, guests can try their hand at signing a giant version of the U.S. Constitution, adding their own signature next to those of our Founding Fathers.  A special keepsake, visitors also can take home an authentic silhouette portrait of themselves made by a silhouette artist.

During special, interactive programs, guests can put their knowledge of the Constitution to the test with the fast-paced Bill of Rights game show and the Separation of Powers show, which includes an educational tug-of-war game among the three branches of government.

The Center’s Constitution Day celebration will extend outside the building as well, when local artist and teacher Robert Krauss creates a larger-than-life chalk rendering of the Constitution on the Center’s front walkway.  Visitors can join in the fun by signing their names!

Also participating in the day’s activities, the Daughters of the American Revolution will engage visitors in the “I Will Read the Constitution” proclamation, which states that participants agree to read the Constitution on Constitution Day and reaffirm the ideals of the Framers.   American Institute for History Education (AIHE) will serve as a resource for educators and students visiting the Center on Constitution Day.  AIHE’s mission is to provide substantive, engaging historical content and activities for teachers to use in their classrooms that will dramatically increase students' comprehension of historical events, personalities, issues, and trends.  In addition, the following organizations will be onsite throughout the day: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Progressive Business Publications, and the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Students who cannot visit the Center on Constitution Day can still participate in the celebration with the Center’s free webcast, Constitution Hall Pass – viewed by over one million students on Constitution Day last year!  Classrooms around the country can meet their Constitution Day education requirement by tuning in at www.constitutioncenter.org/constitutionday.  This year’s episode, Constitution Hall Pass: Freedom of Expression brings the story of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights to life and celebrates artists, writers and musicians throughout history who have exercised their right to free expression, and is made possible by Amway.  Beginning at 7:00 a.m. EST, a member of the Center’s education staff will be available online to provide additional content and to answer questions. 

Additionally, Channel One News, the leading television news network for teens, will provide a 15-minute version of the webcast for classroom use via Channel One Connection, a commercial-free educational programming resource available to member schools.  Information about Constitution Hall Pass, along with supplementary educational resources focused on Constitution Day, also will be available on Channel One’s award-winning website at http://www.channelone.com/.

A handy personal and interactive pocket Constitution App for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch also is available for download by visiting iTunes.    

On Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m., the winners of the “We the People 9.17” contest, hosted by Constituting America, a non-profit organization dedicated to education about the U.S. Constitution, will be honored in a ceremony in the F.M. Kirby Auditorium.  Actress Janine Turner and Cathy Gillespie, co-chairs of Constituting America, will award scholarships and prizes to students from across the country who submitted essays, short films, public service announcements, and original songs on the U.S. Constitution.  Throughout the weekend, the Center will feature the winning entries in the Grand Hall Lobby and the Grand Hall Overlook.  The Constituting America website http://www.constitutingamerica.org/ features such innovative resources as kids talking to kids about the U.S. Constitution in a fun-filled documentary, Patriot Clubs, archived essays for adults and kids on the U.S. Constitution and Federalist Papers, a youth blog, and signup and contest rules for the 2012 “We The People 9.17” contest.

The Center continues to serve as the nation’s central resource for education on the Constitution through its Constitution Day website at www.constitutioncenter.org/constitutionday.  This interactive site provides a variety of resources to help educators, students, community leaders, and government officials fulfill the national mandate sponsored by the late Senator Robert Byrd, requiring all schools receiving federal funding and all federal agencies to provide constitutional education on or around September 17The website includes educational resources and lesson
plans, online versions of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ naturalization test, video clips of Constitution Day events at the Center and previous Constitution Hall Pass episodes, and the “Which Founder Are You?” quiz, which allows users to compare their personality traits with those of the men who wrote the Constitution. 

Additionally, educators can purchase the Center’s Constitution Day Kit, which includes a 31” x 55” laminated copy of the Constitution, 35 folding pocket Constitutions, a “Creating the Constitution” DVD, the “To Sign or Not To Sign” lesson plan (differentiated for elementary, middle and high school grade levels), and a dry erase marker for signing the Constitution.  The kit costs $35 and is available at www.constitutioncenter.org/constitutionday.

Located on Independence Mall in Historic Philadelphia, the National Constitution Center is America’s first and only nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to the U.S. Constitution.  As a cutting-edge museum, national town hall and educational facility, the Center illuminates constitutional ideals and inspires acts of citizenship through must-see multimedia exhibitions, live performances, timely public programs and dynamic educational resources.  The museum dramatically tells the story of “We the People” through more than 100 interactive exhibits, films, photographs and rare artifacts; the stirring theatrical performance Freedom Rising; and the iconic attraction Signers’ Hall, featuring 42 life-sized bronze statues of the Founding Fathers.  As America’s town hall for constitutional dialogue, the Center regularly engages political leaders, scholars, pundits and journalists of diverse viewpoints.  The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education and provides exceptional civic learning resources both onsite and online.  For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit http://www.constitutioncenter.org/

Friday, August 26, 2011

To Attend a 9/11 Observance....

Neumann Concert Chorale to Recognize Tenth Anniversary of September 11th
   The Neumann University Concert Chorale will perform a September 11 memorial concert 4 p.m. Sun., Sept. 11  in the Fred P. Meagher Theatre in the Thomas A. Bruder Jr. Life Center.
            The concert will feature many favorites including America the Beautiful by Samuel A. Ward, Pace e Bene by Yukiko Ishida with the text written by Neumann president Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, and God Bless America by Irving Berlin.
           For 35 years, the Neumann University Concert Chorale has celebrated the joy of singing by uniting community and students in the experience of group and ensemble singing. Under the direction of Yukiko Ishida, D.M.A., and accompanist Robert Nester, the Chorale performs in Neumann University’s Meagher Theatre for their annual Holiday and Spring Concerts. The Chorale members performed in Tokyo and Hakodate, Japan for the 155th Japan America Relations Anniversary in 2009. The Chorale has performed with numerous guest conductors including; David Lofton and Roman Pawlowski. The Chorale performs actively and shares Franciscan spirit with the audience.
            There is no charge for admission, but free will donations will be accepted. For more information, contact the Office of Cultural Programming at 610-558-5626.

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   As the nation commemorates the 10th anniversary of the horrific attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Delaware County Council and the District Attorney will mark the tragic day by calling for a Moment of Remembrance at 1 p.m. on Sept. 11, plus participate in several events to honor all those who have sacrificed their lives, and the troops who continue to fight for American freedoms.
   District Attorney G. Michael Green joined County Council to pass a resolution at the Aug. 30 Council meeting this week, urging residents to join a nationwide Moment of Remembrance at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. In unison with a call by the United States Senate, Council is issuing a resolution encouraging residents to memorialize the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with one minute of reflection, marked by the ringing of bells, sounding of sirens and other actions to recognize the victims of the attacks, including the first responders and survivors. The Moment is to express deep condolences for the lives lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pa.
   The following additional events are planned.
   The employees of the County of Delaware are holding "A Day to Remember and A Time to Give Thanks" on Sept. 8 in the courtyard of the Government Center and Courthouse complex. Delaware County President Judge Joseph P. Cronin, Jr., Council Chairman Whelan and District Attorney Green are guest speakers at the employee event.
 Residents of Delaware County are invited to the Delaware County Law Enforcement and Fire/EMS September 11th Memorial Ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Rose Tree Park, Route 252, Upper Providence. Delaware County will honor its first responders with the laying of wreaths at the Public Safety and Victims of Sept. 11 memorials in Rose Tree Park. Master of Ceremony will be District Attorney Green who will be joined by Council Chairman Whelan and State Rep. Nick Miccarelli, an Iraq veteran. Members of the public are invited to join elected leaders, clergy, firefighters, law enforcement members and emergency medical service providers at the ceremony.
   "It is a solemn honor for me to remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, in the worst terrorist attacks inflicted on our nation, and to honor all firefighters, police and other first responders who put their lives on the line every day, just as they did during the three attacks on Sept. 11," said Council Chairman Whelan. "It is also a great honor to recognize the members of our Armed Services who continue to fight for our freedom today. Our freedom and our safety come at a cost and we can never forget the men and women who pay that price for each of us."
   "It is our hope that this Commemoration Ceremony serves as a reminder of the brave sacrifices made by those who lost their lives during the September 11 tragedy, as well as the daily sacrifices made by so many people every day to keep us safe, not only here, but overseas," District Attorney Green said. "Don't forget to thank your police, firefighters and emergency responders on the homefront, and to support our troops away from home."
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St. Madeline Invites Delco’s First Responders To Patriot’s Day Mass
   Delco's first responders to be honored at special Mass
St. Madeline Roman Catholic Church, Penn St. and Morton Ave. in Ridley Park, invites all First Responders in Delaware County to a special Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11 that will honor them for their dedicated service to the community.
A special feature of the Mass will be the St. James Catholic High School for Boys Alumni Choir.
  All Delaware County police officers, firefighters, EMT providers, paramedics, and 911 operators will be recognized for their bravery and dedicated service.
  Following Mass, there will be light refreshments at a reception in the Church Hall. First Responders are asked to wear their respective uniforms.  For further information, contact Sue Eubanks at 610-532-6880.
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9-11 Service At Friends Meeting
  On Sept. 11, 2011, Springfield Friends Meeting invites the community to join in an hour of quiet reflection and worship to ponder the continuing impact of the attacks ten years ago and seek God’s direction moving forward.
  Gathering will be at 11a.m. for Meeting for Worship, followed by a coffee hour and fellowship.
  First Day (Sunday) School will be provided for children.
  Springfield Friends Meeting is at 1001 Old Sproul Road (behind the Mr. Car Wash at corner of Old Marple and South Sproul Roads.) For more information, contact Chris Schanno at 610-308-3698 or SpringfieldPAMnthlyMtg-owner@yahoogroups.com.


FREE Fall Garden Fest

Salsa and Season Celebrated at
PHS Fall Garden Festival
Saturday, September 24, Philadelphia Navy Yard

PHILADELPHIA – The family-friendly PHS Fall Garden Festival will inspire everyone with music, food, displays of the harvest, gardening workshops, and entertaining activities for kids, adults, and pets!  
The festival will celebrate all aspects of the growing season on Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. 
Competitions will feature homemade salsas and edible arrangements. Entries in the “Salsa Contest” will be judged on quality of ingredients, flavor and appearance. “Bounty by the Basket” entries will receive scores based on the most creative, colorful displays of homegrown vegetables, arranged for aesthetic effect in a basket.
The PHS Fall Garden Festival is a great place to get first dibs on garden plants for the fall and plan your next gardening project. The Festival Marketplace features plants, produce, tools, garden accessories, home décor, fine crafts, and keepsakes from the PHS/Philadelphia International Flower Show collections. 
Local experts will conduct presentations on a variety of topics and include members of the American Rhododendron Society, Delaware Valley Daylily Society, Delaware Valley Hosta Society, Hardy Plant Society, Herb Society of America, Liberty Bell Gesneriad Society, Philadelphia Cactus & Succulent Society, Indoor Plant Society of the Delaware Valley, Delaware Valley Water Garden Society, and African Violent Society of Philadelphia.
Anyone planning landscape improvements should check out the PHS Gold Medal award-winning plants display. These exceptional trees, shrubs and vines have received the Gold Medal designation for their beauty and hardy nature and undergone rigorous testing by a team of experts. Visitors can shop at the Meadowbrook “pop-up” store for unusual varieties of succulents and tropical indoor plants, and a colorful selection of cabbages, kale, peppers, pansies and plants for fall. Meadowbrook is PHS’s acclaimed garden center in Abington Township. In addition to an extraordinary variety of fine garden plants and products, Meadowbrook Farm is surrounded by acres of inspirational gardens.
Gardeners can recycle their nursery containers and horticultural plastics at the “Green Stop,” where vendors and organizations will answer questions on the many ways to create a more sustainable lifestyle, business, home and community.
The Fall Garden Festival is a multi-sensory experience for people of all ages.  Kids and their parents will create race cars out of vegetables to compete in the high intensity Veggie Races. Eco-games, face-painting, and a large play area for kids are planned, as well as  an obstacle course and play zone for pets sponsored by Subaru. The festival features double-decker bus tours of the Navy Yard, an area rich in local and military history; local foods for sale and a Bier Garden featuring beers from the Yards Brewing Company.
PHS is offering everyone an opportunity to join as a member and receive a free gift, discounts, plants and other benefits, in addition to tickets to the 2012 Philadelphia International Flower Show.
A special announcement of winners of the PHS City Gardens Contest is planned.  This popular, annual competition is open to anyone who lives in Philadelphia, and honors more than 100 local gardeners.
The 2011 Fall Garden Festival is sponsored by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. For more information about the festival and the benefits of PHS membership, please visit PHSonline.org. Directions: The Navy Yard is located at the south end of Broad Street and is accessible from I-95 (Exit 17, Broad Street). Enter through the main gate; the event is held on the Parade Grounds. SEPTA users can take the No. 17 bus (marked Navy Yard).
PHS motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Its programs and events inspire, transform, build and sustain communities throughout the nation.

Singing Group Taking Requests Now For FREE Holiday Performances



  The William Penn Community Chorus is kicking off their 39th Holiday season with their first rehearsal 7 pm Sept. 1. The group meets at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, 654 Church Lane in Yeadon on Thursdays, 7-9 pm for 12 weeks.    Following the 12 week rehearsal time, the group performs at various assisted living facilities and retirement centers.  
   Members come from all over the Delaware County and outlying areas and have various levels of musical experience, but no experience is necessary to join this "sing for fun" group. All participants will learn some basic concepts of singing and musical styles.
   Members should be at least 16 years of age and have their own transportation. All music and a practice tape will be provided to each member.
   Dues for the season are $10 which covers the cost of the music and rehearsal tape. Approximately 5 concerts are held during the first two weeks of December  in the evening.
   Everyone is welcome; the group is looking for all voice parts.
  For more information on the choir, to join or to request a complimentary performance, contact Sue DeMonde, Choir Director, at 610-304-8310 or email WPCC30@aol.com.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Delco News Network Photographer Opens Exhibit At Tyme Gallery

Delco News Network Photographer Opens Exhibit At Tyme Gallery
   Tyme Gallery will present “Coming Home,” a photographic experience with award winning photojournalist Anne Neborak and award winning photographer Matt Willis. The opening reception is 5-9 pm Fri. (Sept. 9).
   Neborak is an award winning photojournalist living and working in Delaware County. She hails from Upper Darby and graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1970.  She earned a degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1982. She found her love for the camera while taking a course at the Graduate School of Fine Arts and has been taking photographs ever since.
   Neborak has recently published a book A Tree Grows in Lansdowne, featuring her last exhibit   Copies of the book will be available at the exhibition.
   With her new exhibit, Neborak has tried to capture the spirit of the Vietnam Veteran, his struggle coming home and a desire to keep alive the memory of those who died during the war.  Neborak’s exhibit has been called both “inspiring” and “illuminating.”
   She presently works with the Delco News Network where she is a photo editor and writes a blog called “Styling in Delco”.
   Award winning photographer Matt Willis is originally form Atlanta, GA and now calls Havertown his home.  He also has a career in Finance. With an interest in photography since his youth, he has fully immersed himself in it as a creative outlet, embracing its technical and artistic aspects. The intent of his photography is to convey an atmosphere of solitude and tranquility and states of being that are increasingly absent from modern lifestyles. He creates scenes that a typical passer-by would not notice, or perhaps not even recognize as seen in their natural environment.  .
   According to Willis, “I consider the photographs I’ve chosen for “Coming Home” to be celebrations of the places I have come to admire in my time here. The majority of my land based photographs were captured in Valley Forge National Historical Park, and most of the others within a short drive. All, part of this realm I am fortunate to call home.”
    The reception is catered with hors d' oeuvres from Antonella's Italian Kitchen in Rosemont and is FREE to the public. The artwork is on sale and exhibit from September 9 through October 11. Tyme Gallery is at 17 W. Eagle Road in Havertown. For additional information about the exhibition, or for directions, call 610-853-1215 or visit  http://www.tymegallery.com/.



Local Senior Centers Offer FREE Programs To All Ages

Local Hiking Club Forms
   Senior Community Services' Center for Life Long Learning and Schoolhouse Center in Folsom is offering a Hiking Club with Group Leader Kim McDaniel.  Join us in the great outdoors to take a walk for fitness and enjoy nature along the way.  The group will carpool to hiking sites.
    The following trips are offered (all on Mondays): 9/19- Ridley Creek State Park; 10/17- Edgmont Walking Trail and 11/14 Tinicum. The FREE club is open to the public.
    To reserve a space call Schoolhouse at (610) 237-8100.

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Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning is offering Healthy You on Wednesdays, September 14 (Opening Session), with Lectures on  9/28, 10/12, 10/26, November 9, 16 and (Closing Session) November 30, 2011, 11:30 PM, at Good Neighbor Center, 1085 Hook Rd in Sharon Hill.  Participate in the 10 week health education program presented by Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital Staff.  Lecture tops to be determined.  No fee. To register or for further information, call (610) 586-8170.   
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Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning is offering a presentation on Fire and Burn Prevention, on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 10:30 AM, with a presenter by Burn Foundation, at Good Neighbor Center, 1085 Hook Rd in Sharon Hill. (Supported through a grant from State Farm Insurance.) As Americans live longer and healthier lives, there are special strategies they can use to ensure their burn prevention and fire safety.  This FREE program will show you these proper tactics in case of a fire in your home.  Don’t become a statistic, know how to react in these tragic situations.  No Fee.  To register or for further information, call (610) 586-8170.   
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Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning and Schoolhouse Center in Folsom is offering a continuation of the Positive Aging Book Club the Second Thursday of each month. Upcoming dates are September 8, October 13 and November 10, 9:30 AM.  9/8 book is “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff- and It’s All Small Stuff” is a simple yet wise guide to discovering what’s really important in life, especially your own.  Written by Richard Carlson, Ph.D., this small but wise book is easy to read and offers book club participants invaluable information with the added benefit of discussion from other group members. Copies of the book, including large print editions, may be obtained through the Delaware County Library System or on line from Amazon.com. Facilitators are Marian Mullahy, M.S.S., L.C.S.W., and Schoolhouse Center Peer Counselor Lou Criden, both of NHS Human Services of Delaware County. This is FREE and  open to the public. To reserve your space call Schoolhouse at (610) 237-8100.

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Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning and Schoolhouse Center in Folsom is offering Lincoln and the Widow Bixby, on Thursday, September 8, 2011, 12:15 PM.  Professor Judith Giesberg discusses the most famous condolence letter ever written.  The letter, written by President Lincoln to a mother  (Mrs. Bixby) who lost five sons to the Civil War (like Saving Private Ryan in the WW II). Through the life of Lydia Bixby you will consider how ordinary women experienced the war in their lives and explore the mystery surrounding Lincoln’s letter. Presenter, Dr. Judith Geisberg, Villanova University. NO FEE. Open to the public. To reserve your space call Schoolhouse at (610) 237-8100.

                                       #######################################################On Monday, September 26, 2011, 2:00 PM, Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning will offer a FREE Introduction to Understanding Diabetes, with an instructor from the Mercy Fitzgerald Staff.  This introductory program will introduce you to a full series of classes being offered at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.  Learn about the disease and ways to manage it. No fee.  For further information, call (610) 237-6222 Ext. 126   
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Learn how you can protect yourself from disease—no matter what your age.
On Thursday, September 29, 2011, 1:00 PM, Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning will offer Immunizations- You’re Never to Old to Immunize with Instructor: Joyce Rasin, PhD, RN, Widener University.  Shingles, flu and you!  What should you do to protect yourself, and those around you.  No fee.  For further information, call (610) 237-6222 Ext. 126   
The center is on the Mercy Fitzgerald Medical Campus, conveniently located opposite Holy Cross Cemetery on
Wycombe Avenue
in Darby.
 
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Attention History Buffs! FREE Lecture At Aston Historical Society Meeting

Aston Historical Society To Present Guest Speaker
  The Aston Township Historical Society will meet 7 pm Thurs. (Sept. 8)in the Municipal Building, 5021 Pennell Rd. (next to TD Bank). The Society will host a presentation by Samuel Ricks entitled “The Battalion of Lads,” about the Virginia Military Institute’s cadets at the Battle Of New Market. A description of the battle and the personal histories of two cadets will be the main focus, why the cadets were in Pennsylvania and how their graves were found.
  Ricks is a great great grandson of a confederate soldier. He is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, JEB Stuart Camp #1506 in Phila. He was appointed to the position of Division Graves Registrar by the SCV and received their National Graves Award twice. He is also a tour guide at the Laurel Hill Cemetery, leading a tour called “Buried In The Land Of Strangers.”
  The meeting is free and open to the public. If anyone is attending and has photos of Aston, the Society asks that you bring them to be scanned and returned that evening.

FREE Birding Festival At Heinz Refuge

 The "Cradle of Birding" Wildlife and Conservation Festival on September 17 is the largest event offered at the refuge for the entire year.  It features dozens of exhibitors, workshops on birding, fly tying, and nature photography, and live animal demonstrations including the always popular "Raptor Show" featuring hawks, owls, and eagles. There's live music provided by Tinicum's own "Environmental Troubadour, Glen Waldek and free hot dogs and soft drinks for all present.  Visitors can take a trackless trolley tour of the refuge and learn about the different habitats and wildlife or watch how water retrieving dogs are trained.  Area carvers will be on hand creating amazing pieces of art from blank pieces of wood and several of the Refuge’s volunteer naturalists will lead three early morning birding walks starting a 7am. 
  The keynote speaker for this year's festival will be John Rogers of Bird Town Pennsylvania with a presentation of how to create bird and butterfly habitats in yards.
   The "Cradle of Birding" Festival is sponsored by the Friends of the Heinz Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is a FREE event. 
   For more information on the "Cradle of Birding" Festival or the photo contest, visit www.fws.gov/heinz or call 215-365-3118.

FREE Info session to save residents big bucks on energy

Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning is offering a presentation on the Free Home Weatherization Program, on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, 10:30 AM,  with Instructor Janine Lee, at Good Neighbor Center, 1085 Hook Rd in Sharon Hill.  Are you spending too much money on your energy bills? Weatherization can help you reduce your energy costs by 20-30%! Weatherization will not only make your home warmer this winter, but will also make your home cooler in the summer!  No Fee.  To register or for further information, call (610) 586-8170.   

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

FREE Curio Theatre Performance

  Curio Theatre Company is staging a 90-minute performance of William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” adapted by Nigel Williams, directed by former long-time Media resident Paul Kuhn, in West Philadelphia’s Clark Park, 7pm (Sept. 2, 7, 8 and 9). Delco actors in the cast include Danny Gallagher of Wallingford, Will Holefelder and Sammy Holfelder, both of Brookhaven, and Ken Opdenaker of Glen Mills.
    The performance is free. Clark Park is at 43rd Street & Baltimore Ave., Phila.

FREE Music, Art And More At Arden Fair Sunday

Arden Fair Slated For Sunday
    The 104th annual Arden Fair will take place, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 3 in Arden, Del. The rain date is  Sunday, Sept. 4 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Labor Day weekend tradition will feature children’s games, handmade crafts, an antiques market, used books, plants, live music, food and drink, an art exhibit and more.
    Presented by the Arden Club, a non-profit organization, proceeds fromthe Arden Fair help to maintain the Arden Gild Hall throughout the year to house public concerts, musicals, and other programs throughout the year.
    Most of the event is outdoors, and friendly pets are welcome, though must be on a leash at all times. The Shady Grove will host live music throughout the day, including Diamond State Concert Band, Mule Train, Pearl Street Trio, Local Chaos, Kalai King and the Fractured Hearts, Hippocampus, JD Malone and The Experts  and Mad-Sweet Pangs.
   Fair food including meatball sanwiches, grilled corn, and a food court with pizza, hot dogs, funnel cake and more will be available, along with soft drinks, bottled water, and beer and wine by the glass.
Parking is free at the YMCA Hanby Outdoor Center, with shuttle buses arriving frequently. The Arden Club is at 2126 The Highway, Arden Del.
   For more information visit www.ardenclub.org/ardenfair.htm.

FREE 'Holistic Medicine For Pets' Speaker At Kennel Club; All Are Welcome

Kennel Club  Meeting To Feature Guest Speaker
   The Delaware County Kennel Club invites the public to attend their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Aston Twp Meeting Room, 5021 Pennell Road, Aston.
    Dr. Judith Shoemaker, VMD will be giving a free lecture on complementary medicine and holistic therapy stressing on acupuncture and “feeding raw.” Dr. Shoemaker is licensed to practice in seventeen states, has lectured around the world and has taught at the University of Pennsylvania Vetrinary School of Medicine.
    Space at the meeting is limited, so be there on time for a first come, first served seat. For more information call 609-361-0146.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Band Entertains For FREE (But Donations Are Appreciated)

  The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), has a unique entertainment option available for any special event.  The RSVP Legends Band is made up of a group of 22 volunteers, age 55 plus, that play a range of instruments from the saxophone, banjo, accordion, piano, trumpet, clarinet, and drums that are sure to charm any audience.
    The RSVP Legends Band recorded a CD in 2007, directed by Paul Graefe.  Some of the tunes the band plays are the Pennsylvania Polka, Five Foot Two, Misty, Fools Fall in love and a multitude of others, they even take special requests and perform at holiday luncheons.
    To reserve the band for the next special event or to volunteer, contact Lynn Shelton at 610-565-5563.  Any bass, piano or saxophone player who would like to perform,  can join.  Donations for the band’s performance are greatly appreciated.
    The band can  be requested for an event online at http://www.rsvpdelco.org/.

FREE Friday Night Film Series

 The Peace Center of Delaware County continues its First Friday Free Film series, 7p.m. Sept. 2 with “Phil Ochs, There But For Fortune.”
  The 2010 documentary runs 96 minutes, and is not rated. Doors open at 6:30p.m. for light refreshments before the screening.
 The film tells the story of musician Phil Ochs, who lived and wrote music during the  civil rights and anti-war movements of the 60s and 70s. The American radical’s songs such as “I Ain’t A Marchin’ Anymore”  and “There But For Fortune”  remain gripping today. The documentary shows how Ochs’ life, decline into depression and tragic death were tied with the history that defined a generation.
  For more information and directions to the center, visit http://www.delcopeacecenter.org/ or call 610-544-1818.

FREE Summer Of Peace Cookout

Williams Invites Community to Labor Day Weekend Summer of Peace Cookout

   As summer unofficially draws to an end Labor Day weekend, state Sen. Anthony H. Williams invites the community out for one last peaceful, family-friendly gathering of the Neighborhood to Neighborhood (N2N) 2011 Summer of Peace with a closing cookout.

The free event, co-sponsored by Wawa, Penrose Area Civic Association and Eastwick Bike Patrol, takes place on Saturday, Sept. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Eastwick Park, located at 74th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard.

“I am so proud of what we as a community have accomplished over the past few months through the N2N Summer of Peace,” Williams said. “I think it’s only appropriate that we come together to celebrate the end of a successful summer with a community gathering.”

There will be FREE popcorn, cotton candy, soft pretzels, water ice and fruit for folks to enjoy at the upcoming cookout.

Children’s activities include a Moon Bounce, rides, games, face painting, character appearances, clowns, balloon art, water games and an arts-and-crafts table. For adults, there will be a DJ spinning music, line dancing and on-site constituent services with the senator’s staff.

The annual Lifeguard on Duty award recipients will also be honored at this event.

The cookout culminates Williams’ Neighborhood to Neighborhood 2011 Summer of Peace initiative. He introduced this initiative in lieu of his N2N Street Festival, which was suspended this year after a 20 plus-year run along Baltimore Avenue.

Williams instead opted to re-direct resources that normally went to the festival's operation to community-based efforts that help promote youth development and curb violence.

The initiative has funded some 50 mini-grants to various local organizations that promote peace, gun buybacks that took 83 weapons off the streets, a youth basketball tournament that brought together teenagers with local police officers, and community cookouts throughout the 8th District, among the highlights.

Area police have reported positive trends as well. Homicides and aggravated assaults with weapons decreased in the past year in the 12th, 17th and 18th police districts in Philadelphia.

For more information, call 215-492-2980 or visit www.senatoranthonyhwilliams.com

Friday, August 19, 2011

FREE Help For Families Facing Addiction

 Each month PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization–Achieving Community Together) hosts a Family Addiction Education Program to help individuals and family recognize and address an addiction problem in a spouse, parent, child or other loved one.
  Led by trained volunteers who have been in the same situation, the information and support programs begin on the first Tuesday of each month and run for three consecutive Tuesday evenings, from 7 to 9p.m. at Holcomb Behavioral Health Services in Media.
   The next session is set for Sept. 6, 13 and 20.
  Sessions are FREE and confidential – only first first names are used. Pre-registration is required; call 800-221-6333, weekdays 9a.m. to 5p.m., or visit http://www.proact.org/ and click the Family Addiction Education Program link.

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