Tuesday's Great FREEBIES!!!

 A Talk on Phillies Legend Richie Ashburn at Ridley Township Library

Richie Asburn was considered one of the best players in Phillies franchise history and was one of the most beloved people in Philadelphia. Just two seasons after breaking into the big leagues, he was part of the Phillies second-ever World Series team. But, Ashburn was passed over time and again for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. On Tuesday, May 8th at 6:15 pm, author Bruce Mowday will visit the library to discuss his new book, Richie Ashburn:  Why The Hall Not? And the Amazing Journey to Cooperstown, which tells the story of the drive led by a fan to have Major League Baseball reconsider Ashburn for the Hall of Fame. .When Ashburn was finally elected to the Hall of Fame, the once-young fan and friend was with him at Cooperstown for the induction ceremonies.  This free event will be held in Garling Hall. Register by emailing reference@ridley library.org, calling 610-583-0593, or by stopping in at the library, located at 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom. Walk-ins are also welcome!
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FREE Hearing Screenings!
Crozer-Keystone Heath System is holding free hearing screenings designed to identify hearing problems in adults over the age of 18 who are not currently under the care of a physician and do not wear a hearing aid:
May 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Audiology Dept., Ground Floor;
May 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Springfield Hospital, Audiology Dept., Ground Floor;
May 16, 9a.m.- 3 p.m. — Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Audiology Dept., Ground Floor;
May 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Taylor Hospital, Audiology Dept., Fourth Floor.
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FREE Asthma Screenings!   Riddle Hospital is offering free Asthma Screenings, 2:45 - 4:45 p.m., Friday, April 27, in the Main Lobby.
At the screening, participants answer questions about their symptoms, take a simple breathing tests, and meet with an allergist to discuss the results.
  No appointments are necessary.
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 The Notorious Johnston Gang Topic At May 10 Historical Society Meeting
   The Aston Township Historical Society will hear the story of the notorious Johnston Gang at the next general meeting 7p.m., Thursday (May 10) in the Aston Township Municipal Bld. 5021 Pennell Rd. (rear entrance next to the T D bank).
  The guest speaker will be Bruce Mowday author of “Jailing the Johnston Gang: Bringing Serial Murderers to Justice,” and many other books on local history.
  Bruce Johnston and two of his brothers, and several teenagers ran a very profitable burglary ring throughout southeastern Pennsylvania during the 1960’s and 70’s.
  Things changed in 1978 when Johnston felt that the younger members where going to the authorities with information about the gang. The brothers killed four teenagers, and nearly killed Bruce Sr.’s son.
  Mowday  authored the book based on his eyewitness reporting, and interviews with law enforcement members, and ex-gang members.
  Mowday is a former award-winning newspaper reporter and editor for more than 20 years. He has written more than a dozen books on history, business, true crime and sports. He started his own media relation company; hosts an internet radio show on publishing issues, and is a frequent contributor to publications.
 Copies of his books will be available for purchase. The program is free and open to the public.
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Bar Assn Offers Seminar Of Driver’s License Restoration
   Members of the community are invited to attend a free seminar sponsored by the District Justice and Outreach Committees of the Delaware County Bar Association, “How to Clean up your Driving Record and Restore Your License and Livelihood,” 6:30 to 8p.m., Wednesday (April 25) at the Delaware County Bar Association, 335 West Front Street, Media.
  It is difficult to get or maintain a good job without a driver’s license. In addition, many are precluded from jobs because of suspended licenses. Some of the licenses might be eligible for restoration.
  The program will feature noted driver’s license attorneys Charles Nistico and Wendy Roberts.  In addition, Magisterial District Judges Harry Karapalides, Esq., Walter Strohl, and Stephanie Klein, Esq., will explain district court procedures regarding traffic tickets.  Karen Friel, Esq. will moderate.
  The presentation will address the following: how to obtain a copy of your driving record, and how to read it; what to do about unpaid tickets, tickets that need a plea, suspensions; how to correspond with district courts and PennDOT.
  The seminar format will include short presentations and questions from the audience.
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Free Voice Lessons Offered
  The Delaware Valley Show Chorus offers free voice lessons for motivated women who love to sing and perform, 7:30 to 8:15p.m., Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 7 at Swarthmore United Methodist Church, 129 Park Ave.
  Lessons are taught by Master Director Gene Bender who has extensive experience in directing choruses and musical productions throughout the region for over 40 years.
  Bender has been Music director for the Mask and Wig Club of the University of Pennsylvania for 18 seasons and has also served as a faculty member at the Walnut Street Theatre. 
  Those interested may attend any Wednesday night. For more information, call Paula at 610-293-0505 or e-mail DVSCPaula@aol.com.
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  Learn Reiki At Local Senior Center
   Senior Community Services' Center for Life Long Learning is offering Reiki 1 pm  Monday (May 21) at Friendship Circle Senior Center with instructor Janet Merrell, Reiki Master. 
  Reiki is a system of natural healing which evolved in Japan from the experience and dedication of Dr. Mikao Usui. There is no belief system attached to Reiki, so anyone can receive or learn to give a Reiki treatment. The only prerequisite is the desire to be healed.
   For further information on the free class which is open to the public, call (610) 237-6222 Ext. 126.
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  FREE Reading With Pets Program at Ridley Park Library
  The Ridley Park Library invites children in grades one to four into the library this spring to read books to the Pals for Life pets.
 Pals for Life is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for reluctant readers to practice reading to animals. The program will be held 7 to 8 p.m Wednesday, May 2 in the children's library. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, call the library at (610) 583-7207. 
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     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.
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Abruzzese Delco Offers Free Italian Language Classes
    L’Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco will again be offering FREE Italian Language classes at Neumann University in Aston for the Fall session of 2012. Classes will be held as a community service at Neumann University on Wednesday evenings beginning in November and running weekly to end of May.
  For information, contact Anna Rapagnani at 610-874-4149 or at annainter@yahoo.com. Cost is $25 for the book, but the class is free.
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FREE Widow/Widower Group In Springfield
   The Widow and Widower Support Group, To Live Again, meets the third Thursday of each month 7:30 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, W. Sprinfield and Hillcrest Roads, Springfield. The next meeting will be Thursday (May 17). All are welcome.
   For information, call 610-534-0681.
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  Free Brandywine Sundays
 The Brandywine River Museum will offer free admission on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon, through Nov. 18 (except Sunday, May 27, during the 41st Annual Antiques Show).
 Visitors can also enjoy "Breakfast on the Brandywine" in the Museum's cafeteria-style restaurant, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sunday mornings. The revolving menu, which changes weekly, costs $6 per person and includes juice and coffee, tea or milk. A child's breakfast is also available for $3.75.
 Among the exhibitions on view this year is "Comic Catharsis: A Gift of Cartoons" by William Steig (through March 11). 
  The museum is on Rte. 1 in Chadds Ford. For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit http://www.brandywinemuseum.org/.
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Holcomb Offers Free ‘Teen Intervene’ To County Residents
  Thanks to funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems is offering the intervention program, Teen Intervene, free of charge.
  Teen Intervene is an evidence-based intervention program for teenagers, ages 12 through 19, who are experiencing mild to moderate problems associated with alcohol or drug use. The program is completed in three, 60 to 75-minute sessions, including a family meeting at the last session.
  The ultimate goal of Teen Intervene is to increase participants’ motivation to make positive healthy lifestyle changes. The program is not appropriate for youth who have a substance dependence disorder or those who have an untreated psychiatric disorder. The program is free to Delaware County residents. To schedule an appointment with a trained Intervention Specialist, call at 484-444-0412.
  Holcomb Prevention and Education Services is funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, Division of Drug & Alcohol Services. For more information, visit http://www.holcombprevention.org/.
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Welcome Home Veterans Parade & Outreach Fair Saturday In Media
    Media Borough is home to many parades, festivals and street events. None are as close to the heart of many as those which celebrate the service and sacrifice of the nation’s men and women in military service.
  Memorial Day always has a respectful and somewhat brief parade and observance. The Veterans Day Parade has become a keystone of annual events, attracting high profile speakers and visitors which, in 2011, included Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden.
  This Saturday, April 28, the US Veterans Legacy Project in combination with the Veterans National Education Program, will hold the Welcome Home 2012 Parade and Outreach Program. The event, while honoring all veterans, is meant to pay special recognition to all those who have served from 9/11/2001 onward.
  “Keep in mind that those who serve our country sign up not knowing when, where or how their service will be used. They offer their lives to our country, and when they serve, their families symbolically go with them. Please help us show a true and meaningful thank you by joining us in support of all who have served and their families,” said Veterans Legacy spokespersons.
  The event includes a flag passing ceremony which has also become tradition at the Veterans Day parade where one generation passes on their legacy to another. The parade and flag passing are scheduled to start at 3p.m. on State Street and take the traditional route to Orange Street, then onto Front Street. (An example of the flag passing ceremony can be seen at http://v-nep.org/flag-passing.html. )
  Among the most important components of this event is the Outreach and Awareness Fair which takes place noon to 5p.m. on the lawn of the court house at Front Street and Veterans Square. The Outreach Committee will connect veterans, their dependents and/or their survivors with county, state and federal benefits, services and programs to address employment, education and health issues for returning veterans.
  Organizers stress they hope all post 9/11 veterans will come to be honored, and that the community will attend to recognize and support these individuals.
  For more information and updates, visit http://www.welcomehome2012.org/.
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Backyard Birds And Butterflies Topic At Conservancy Meeting  
  The annual members’ meeting of the Middletown Township Land Conservancy (MTLC) will take place 7:30p.m., Tuesday (May 1) at the township building, 27 N. Pennell Road.
  All area residents are invited.
  The evening will begin with a brief business meeting for the annual election of Board of Directors members. Anyone interested in serving on the board may contact Susan Graham at scgraham4@verizon.net.
   The featured presentation will be “Nature on the Wing: Birds and Butterflies in Your Back Yard,” by environmentalist Tom Reeves. He will talk about the birds and butterflies that are seen in local neighborhoods and suggest flowers and shrubs to plant to attract birds and butterflies.
  Reeves is an avid birder who regularly leads birding and related programs on the natural environment for Tyler Arboretum, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum and the Valley Forge Audubon Society, of which he is the past-president.
  He is a Fellow in the Delaware Valley Ornithology Club and a long-time member of the Bird Club of Delaware County.
  He is a graduate of the Barnes Foundation Arboretum Horticulture School and an Eagle Scout who has been active with the Boy Scouts for over 40 years as a Merit Badge Counselor in Bird Study, Forestry, Nature and Fish & Wildlife.
  Following the presentation, refreshments will be served.  The FREE program is open to public. Native plants, provided by Red Bud Nursery, will be available for purchase.
  
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 FREE 'Hand' Presentation
   David Zelouf, MD, Taylor Hospital hand surgeon, offers a presentation, “Does Your Hand Hurt? Common hand and wrist problems from carpal tunnel to arthritis,” at 6:30 p.m., May 2, in the Community  Room at Crozer Medical Plaza at Brinton Lake, 300 Evergreen Drive Glen Mills.
Free gifts and information will be available.
Learn more about common hand and wrist problems -- carpal tunnel, arthritis, trigger finger and  wrist tendonitis; when you should see a doctor for your problems and what to expect at your visit.
Call 1-877-CK-MOTION to register.
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Learn Tips To Help You Sleep Better In FREE Program!

  Kelly Brown, MD, Crozer-Keystone neurologist and physician for the Crozer-Keystone Sleep Center at Taylor Hospital, will present a free seminar, “Common Causes of Poor Sleep,” at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 2, at the Helen Kate Furness Library, 100  N. Providence Road, Wallingford.
She will discuss common sleep disorders that cause poor sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements and treatment options. After the program she will be available to answer questions.
To register, call 1-800-CK-HEALTH.