FREE Opportunities In Delco

Need A Home? Here’s A Chance To Get One
  Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County is building houses now, and families will be selected to move into them. Homes are built and sold to partner families for “sweat equity” hours with a no-interest loan and no down payment required.
  A Homeowner Information Workshop is set for 2 to 4p.m., Saturday (Jan. 28) for families to find out if they are qualified for a home. The workshop will be held at
J. Lewis Crozer Library, 620 Engle St., Chester (room to the right of entrance).
  To RSVP, call 610-872-5424 or e-mail  familyservices@habitatdelco.org


*********************************************************************************************
Family Addiction Education Program Set

  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.
  The next session runs Feb. 7, 14 and 21.
  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.
  Sessions are free and confidential, using first names only. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 800-221-6333, weekdays 9a.m. to 5p.m., or visit http://www.proact.org/ and click the Family Addiction Education Program link.

****************************************************************************************
Friends of Sharon Hill Library

 The new Friends of the Sharon Hill Public Library have provided new games, coloring books, crayons and calculators for patrons.
  February activities will include Thursday Night Family Time starting 6 pm with the following special events: Feb. 2,   Pretzel Night; Feb. 9, Valentine crafts; Feb. 16,  Mardi Gras; Feb. 23, Bingo.
  Story Time will be held every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 am.
   All programs are free and opened to the public. For more information, call 610-586-3993.
  Families are invited to Chuck E. Cheese in Springfield 3-9 pm Thurs. March 1 for a Library Fundraiser.
****************************************************************************************
Prospect Park Library Announces Winter Programs

  The Prospect Park Library recently announced its children storytimes. Winter session runs February 6-March 8.  Monday at 6:30pm is for ages 3-5; Tuesday at 11am, ages 2-5; and Thursday at 6:30pm for ages 6 and up.
    “Infant Storytime” for future readers from birth to 2 years and their caregivers will take place 11am Fridays, March 2, 9, 23, and 30
   For more information and to register, stop by the library, call 610-532-4643, visit http://www.prospectparklibrary.org/ or email prospectpark@delcolibraries.org.  The library is at 720 Maryland Avenue, Prospect Park.
*********************************************************************************************
  Local Artists Featured At Malvern Retreat Show
  Matiko Mamaladze, a renowned local artist originally from the Republic of Georgia in the former Soviet Union, and an instructor at Community Arts Center, will presents= a demonstration of her unique painting technique using only a palate knife, 1 to 3p.m., Thursday (Feb. 2) in the McShain-Hortsmann Family Life Center on the campus of Malvern Retreat House, 315 South Warren Ave., Malvern.
  The demonstration, “Peaches to Share,” is part of a series of special events planned in conjunction with Malvern Retreat House’s First Annual Art Show which runs Feb. 1 through 5 and features more than 85 professional artists.  It is free and open to the public.
  ********************************************************************************************
Free Tour Of Arboretum Set
  Area residents may join Andrew Bunting, curator of the Scott Arboretum, for a tour of arboretum, 2:30p.m., Wednesday (Feb. 8) and get an in-depth look at the collections, gardens, and plant selections through the eyes of the man responsible for the collection.
  The tour will begin at the Scott Arboretum Offices and is free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, the tour will be canceled. For more information,  call 610-328-8025.
******************************************************************************************
  Crozer-Keystone Continues to Offer Sleep Disorders Education and Support Group
  The Crozer-Keystone Sleep Centers continue to offer the Sleep Disorders Education and Support Group. These meetings are for people who have a suspected sleep disorder or have already been diagnosed. Participants have the opportunity to share experiences, new ideas and support with others who may be having the same issues. Attendees are given the chance to learn about new state-of-the-art treatment options and to ask questions about other sleep-related problems.
   The 2012 meetings will be held on Tuesday, April 24; Tuesday, July 24; and Tuesday, October 23. All meetings will be held from 6-7 p.m. in the Lower Level Conference Room at Springfield Hospital, located at 190 W. Sproul Rd., in Springfield.
  For information or to register, call 1-888-SLEEP-03 (1-888-753-3703) or visit the Classes and Events page of http://www.crozerkeystone.org/.
*******************************************************************************************
Free Dancing And Entertainment For Delco Residents

   Delaware County residents age 50 and older can enjoy a free evening with live bands performing favorite tunes to dance to, which include ballroom dancing, line dancing, swing and much more at the Redwood Community Playhouse 1 to 3p.m., Tuesdays and 6:30 to 9:30p.m., Thursdays.
  The events are sponsored by Delaware County Council and Parks and Recreation Department. For information go to http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/, click on Park and Recreation Dept., Upland Park for the bands and schedule or call 610-891-6061.
  Redwood Community Playhouse is on Sixth Street in Upland.
*******************************************************************************************
  Special MLK Program At DCCC
 Delaware County Community College's Diversity Committee and Campus Life Office will present “Martin Luther King Jr.: His Legacy and the Systematic Destabilization of Black Manhood” 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thurs. (Jan. 26) in the STEM Center, Room 1407 at the Marple Campus (901 S. Media Line Road, Media. The event is free and open to the public.
   This interactive, multimedia presentation will analyze how the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. has been refashioned, reframed and redirected in a manner that does not honor his life's work. The presentation will also focus on the systematic redefining and reimaging of Black manhood toward a less threatening and less assertive posture as directed and influenced through philanthropic, social service and media framing, as well as events like the Million Man March and the election of Barack Obama. A correlation will be made between the current fashioning, framing and directing of contemporary personalities and the potential negative impact a co-opted "legacy" can have on black populations if not properly understood.
   For more information, contact the Campus Life Office at 610-359-5341.
*****************************************************************************************
  Local Task Force On Right To Education To Meet At IU In March 
  The Local Task Force on the Right To Education, Delaware County, will meet 6:30-8:30 pm Mon. (March 12) in Room 102 of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, 200 Yale Avenue, Morton, for a panel discussion.  All are welcome.
  The Local Task Force on the Right to Education, Delaware County meets once a month either by General Meeting or Presentation/Workshop, during the school year, September through June. This is a group of parents, professionals and community members working together to ensure appropriate delivery of Special Education services within Delaware County.  This group continues to work to monitor the Special Education services provided by schools and to ensure that interested parties are made aware of the rights of eligible students as sent forth by state and federal laws.
  The group encourages  every parent, professional and community member to join and give input. This organization is for the children of Delaware County.
   The following meeting on  April 16 will include general meeting/open mic and top 10 things about your IEP at 6:30pm.
********************************************************************************************
  PA Veterans Museum Offers Free Admission
   The Pennsylvania Veterans Museum, which opened to the public on Veterans Day 2005, is open noon to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. PA Veterans Museum is in the Media Armory, 12 East State Street, Media. The entrance is behind Trader Joes.
  Call 610-566-0788 for more information. It's also free admission for families  which can be a big help to those on a shoestring budget.
  Check out the video on http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/ under the entertainment tabs and you'll get just a glimpse of what's inside.
*************************************************************************************************
Bereavement Support Group Meets
  Life Changes is a bereavement support group available to any grieving person suffering from the loss of a loved one.
  Life Changes’ mission is to help the bereaved better understand and cope with their loss. The loss can be current or from years ago.
  The group is free and meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 927 S. Providence Road, Wallingford (just south of Routes 252 and 320) in the Main Office.  For more information or directions, call the facilitator, Pollie Lang at 610-876-1599.

**********************************************************************************************
Abruzzese Delco Offers Free Italian Language Classes
    L’Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco will again be offering Italian Language classes for the Spring session of 2012. Classes will be held as a community service at Neumann University on Wednesday evenings.
  For information, contact Anna Rapagnani at 610-874-4149 or at annainter@yahoo.com. Cost is $25 for the book; the classes are FREE!
******************************************************************************************

Groundhog Day pre-party

Punxsutawney Phil may be the most well known groundhog in Pennsylvania but we have a whole family of the furry and friendly critters right here at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge,

8601 Lindbergh Blvd.

in Tinicum.  “Tinicum Tim and Tina” and their “Tinicum Twins,” representing the many actual groundhogs now hibernating at the refuge under the protection of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are gearing up for their own take on Groundhog Day. It will be a few days earlier than that “other” Groundhog Day on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., so the entire family can join in the fun.

Along with the Tim, Tina, and the Twins, the celebration will include family oriented fun and hands-on activities highlighting the history of Groundhog Day as well as refuge critters, groundhog walks, indoor craft activities for children, weather presentations from the NOAA’s National Weather Service, shadow activities by the Franklin Institute, and live animals from the Philadelphia Zoo! All of this plus live music from local troubadour, Glen Waldek, will culminate in a burrow-side celebration.  Will Tim see his shadow?  Will he predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter?  Be on hand to find out and have a great time.

Schedule of events: 9-9:45 Guided Groundhog nature walk; 10-10:25      Welcome/Groundhog Day History; 10:25-11 weather show by NOAA's National Weather Service; 11-11:45 animal adaptations by the Philadelphia Zoo; 11:45-12         Groundhog shadows by the Franklin Institute; 12:20-12:30 parade to the Groundhog Burrow; 12:30-1 Groundhog Day ceremony! Will Tinicum Tim see his shadow?

Plus see the ongoing crafts and activities in the John Heinz NWR Visitor Center.  The “Early Groundhog Day” at the refuge is free and sponsored by the Friends of the Heinz Refuge in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  

***************************************************************************************

   

St. James offers scholarships

The St. James High School Alumni Association will again award scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year to students who plan to attend an archdiocesan high school.

Applications may be obtained by calling the “Doghouse” at 610-876-2006 or by writing the Alumni Association,

1499 E. 9th Street, Eddystone, Pa. 19022

.

There will be a scholarship information meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the “Doghouse” in Eddystone.

***************************************************************************************

FREE LOCAL ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS AVAILABLE

ADULT BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS Young Widow/Widower’s Support Group 6:30 to 8 p.m., for those under 55 years of age, meets 2nd Tuesday of every month; Adult Bereavement Support Group, 6:30 to 8 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of every month, loss of a parent, spouse, sibling or friend;
Spouse Support Group, 6:30 to 8 p.m., participants who have lost spouses, last Tuesday of every month; all groups at Taylor Hospice Residence; call 610-521-5822, http://www.taylorhospice.org/.

  AL-ANON Tuesdays, Riverview Presbyterian Church, Riverview and Garrett roads, Drexel Hill, 215-222-5244. Sundays BVM Church, 2^nd floor, school, Lansdowne and

MacDade Blvd.

, Darby; 215-222-5244.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP 2nd Tuesday, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, 501 N. Lansdowne Ave., Medical Office Building, Room 3, Drexel Hill; 800-272-3900. 2nd Wednesday, White Horse Village,

535 Gradyville Road, Newtown

Square; 800-272-3900, 3rd Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. Lawrence Park Adult Day Services, MLH Center Building, Lawrence Park Shopping Center, Broomall; 610-325-1497.
ARTHRITIS CLUB last Thursday of each month, The Quadrangle,

3300 Darby Road

, Haverford; call Marian Beems, 610-642-3000.
ASCEND GROUP Asperger’s Syndrome Alliance of PA resumes 9/06, second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Grace Chapel, Eagle and Darby Roads, Havertown; 610-789-7360.
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN 2nd Wednesday, St. Mark's United Methodist Church,

2220 S. Sproul Road

, Broomall; call 610-325-8622.
DELCO FAMILY PASS (PDD/Autism Spectrum Support), formerly the Delaware County PDD/Autism Family Network, meets at 7 p.m., on the 1st Monday of each month (2nd Monday if first Monday is a holiday). Hanby Masonic Hall, Route 420, Springfield; for information, call 610-626-9511.
DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE 7 to 9 p.m., every Monday except holidays, Springfield High School, room 281, 49 W. Leamy Ave., Springfield; 877-687-9552.
DOMESTIC ABUSE PROJECT Free support groups and individual counseling for adult victims/survivors of domestic violence. Call the 24-hour Hotline for details; 610-565-4590.
DOWN SYNDROME SIBLING SUPPORT GROUP ages 5 to 12, 2nd Wednesday, Divine Providence Village,

Sproul Road, Springfield

; 610-544-4025.
LARYNGECTOMY RESOURCE AND SUPPORT GROUP 3rd Tuesday of each month, Sister Marie Lenahan Wellness Center Community Room, Mercy Fitzgerald Campus, 1500 Lansdowne Ave., Darby; for information, call Mary Warner at 610-237-4984.
MEN IN A CAREGIVER ROLE support group, 7 to 8 a.m., Mondays, at Media Presbyterian Church, in the Kesel House at the church, located at 30 East Baltimore Pike in Media, coffee and bagels will be provided; for information, call (610) 566-3994, ext. 12 or ext. 30.
NAR-ANON Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., for family and friends of drug addicts, Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, 500 Midvale and Fairfield roads, Upper Darby; 610-626-1668.
NEUROPATHY SUPPORT GROUP Never Feel Alone Again (NFAA), 7 p.m. second Wednesday of each month, in the Clothier Hall Building on the Bryn Mawr Hospital Complex, for Delaware and Montgomery County residents who suffer from Neuropathy, a debilitating condition which causes chronic pain; for information, call Jean Bascome at 610-527-3051, or Donna Elberson at 610-446-0792.

  ALANON The Focus on Recovery Alanon Family Group meets at noon, Tuesdays at Lima United Methodist Church,

209 N. Middletown Rd., Lima

. The group is open to those who have someone whose drinking is bothering them.  For more information call Sue at 484-574-8468. For on-line information and a local meeting list, go to www.aisdv.org.

     Rose Tree Media Al-Anon is a free support group that meets weekly and is open to anyone suffering  from the effects of alcoholism or addiction in a friend or loved one. Meetings are held 8p.m. Mondays (beginners meeting 7p.m.) at Reformation Lutheran Church,

102 W. Rose Tree Road

, Media. For more information, call 610-328-6370.

  GRIEF SUPPORT Saint Madeline Parish in Ridley Park offers a grief support group where people can share their grief with others who will offer understanding, a non-judgmental ear and compassion 1:30 p.m. on the 4th Wed. of every month in the Spiritual Life Center. For more information, call Antoinette at 610-534-0681.

  FOOR ADDICTION  Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) holds free meetings for those having trouble controlling the way they eat. The group meets 7p.m., Thursdays at Riddle Memorial Hospital, Room 306, 1068 West Baltimore Pike, Media.  For more information or a list of regular, weekly meetings in the area, visit www.foodaddicts.org or call Kathy (610-329-2812).

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS 12 step support group, meets weekly on Saturdays, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital, Lansdowne Avenue, Darby, classroom F, across from the library; for information, call Catherine Stock at 610-352-9919.
PARENT TO PARENT from Marple Newtown, 7:30 to 9 p.m., usually 3rd Wednesday of each month, Marple Newtown High School Library, for information, Cathy Petrillo at 610-325-0637 or Diane Reott at 610-353-3699.
PARENTS EMPOWERED FOR PROGRESS IN SCHOOLS (PEPS) Haverford School District has a parents group for children whom learn differently, once a month on the 2nd Thursday, 7:30 p.m., meetings at Haverford Friends School and Meetings House,

Buck Lane

, Haverford, e-mail bclynch@yahoo.com.
RECOVERY INC. Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Bryn Mawr 610-325-3129; Fridays 7:30 p.m., Ridley Park 610-521-0990, fear or anger issues? Depressed? Self help support group.

SEPARATED & DIVORCED CATHOLICS Catholic Social Services Building located behind Holy Cross School, Springfield; contact Alice Boppell at 610-259-9336, group coordinator.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Christ Lutheran Community Church, 7240 Walnut St., Upper Darby, offered by the Parish Nurse Ministry, meet and discuss topics of interest; 610-352-7008.
SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP AT CROZER third Tuesday of each month, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, 1 Northeast Conference Room 1, Upland; 215-545-2242.
TO LIVE AGAIN meets 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, W. Springfield & Hillcrest roads, Springfield; 610-644-1210.

WIDOW AND WIDOWER SUPPORT GROUP 6:30 p.m., several Wednesdays a month at the Kaiserman Branch of the JCC, 45 Haverford Road, Wynnewood; for information, call 610-896-7770.
WOMEN’S RESOURCE     CENTER free drop-in options counseling, Monday and Wednesday, confidential consultation, 113 West Wayne Ave., Wayne; 610-687-6391.