Delco, Brrrr....It's so cold outside that It's actually snowing FREE events

First Ever Black History Parade In Chester Saturday

 The Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS) will present the first-ever Black History Parade in Chester Saturday (Jan. 26) to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King and kick-off Black History Month.
   Chester City and Delaware County are steeped in rich history and the event will be followed by the Grand Opening program for the Black History exhibit at the Museum of the History of Delaware County, 408 Avenue of the States, Chester.
   Participants for the parade and indoor program thus far include Grand Marshal and Korean War veteran William Hilton, who was awarded multiple Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Clusters; PA Buffalo Soldiers motorcylists; Revolutionary War soldier Ned Hector (re-enacted in full costume by Noah Lewis); members of the 3rd Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry; Delaware County Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women; the award-winning Kollective Talent Drill Team; the Gospel Disciples of Chester; singer Pam Gordon; Chester Chapter of the National Negro Professional and Business Women's Club; State Rep. Margo Davidson, first African-American to represent Upper Darby in the PA House; Nicole Whitaker, first African-American president of Upper Chichester Commissioners; Chester Clippers' coaches Fred Pickett, Larry Varbray, Cliff Wilson and Randy Legette.
   The parade will assemble at Noon and starts at 1p.m. from MLK Memorial Park, 620 Engle St., Chester and will end around 2p.m. at the Delaware county History Museum, 408 Avenue of the States. The parade will travel east on 7th St. to Fifth St., left on Fifth to Edgmont Ave. and right on Edgmont to 4th St.
   The exhibit’s grand opening program will be held from 2:30 to 4p.m. Music by the Gospel Disciples of Chester will be featured along with presentations from the Buffalo Soldiers, 3rd Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry; Chester Clippers; an African dance presentation by Monika Rhoades, and more.
    The Delaware County Historical Society (www.dchs-pa.org) is the county's oldest established historical society, founded in 1895. The Museum houses a research library and makes collections accessible. DCHS also operates the Passport to History program in elementary schools throughout the county's 15 school districts that exposes children to county history.
  The Black History exhibit opens continues until March.

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Health Seminars Slated At Boscov’s

  Dr. Fernando O’Loughlin, D.C. will present two free health seminars as part of Boscov’s Granite Run Mall campus courses.
 “The Three Secrets to a Healthy Life,”  will be presented 10:30 to 11:30a.m., Thursday (Jan. 24). Dr. O’Loughlin will discuss the three secrets to obtaining a healthier, happier, longer life naturally, without the use of medications or surgery.
   “Reaching and Maintaining Your Optimal Weight” is set for 11a.m. to noon, Saturday (Jan. 26), when the doctor will introduce a cutting edge technique to help those with weight challenges  to lose or gain weight naturally.
   Both lectures will be held at Boscov’s Granite Run Mall, Media. Those interested in attending must register through Boscov’s Granite Run Courtesy desk at 610-565-6009, ext.1278

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County Agency Offers Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Sites

 Edward Coleman, Chief Executive Officer recently announced that the Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC) is operating free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites for a seventh year.
   This year CAADC will host five sites serving low- and moderate-income families in Delaware County. All the sites will be staffed by IRS trained and certified community volunteers and will aim to serve families who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.
   The free sites will be at the Wesley House, 701 Madison St., Chester; the Toal Building, Second and Orange Sts., Media; Sharon Hill Commons, 401 Sharon Ave.; the Boothwyn Office, 1414 Meetinghouse Road, Boothwyn; and at the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County, 6310 Market Street, Upper Darby.
   The sites begin operation Jan. 30 and will continue through April 19. All sites are by appointment only with hours Monday through Saturday (days vary at each site). To schedule an appointment call 610-891-6327 or 610-891-5101.
   The CAADC. has been Delaware County’s designated anti-poverty agency since 1979.  The non-profit agency provides a wide range of services aimed at encouraging self-sufficiency for low-income individuals.  The Agency’s website is www.caadc.org.

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Free Soup At St. James
  St. James Episcopal Church, 11th and Lincoln Aves., Prospect Park holds  'Soup'er Lunch at 11 am Tuesdays (except Christmas and New Year's Day). The  lunch is free of charge (donations are gratefully accepted).Everyone in the community is welcome.

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Hospice Support Group (No Charge)

Delaware Hospice invites anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one to attend a once-a-week Grief Support Group, entitled “Healing After the Loss of a Loved One,”6:30-8 p.m., Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 22 through Feb. 26, at the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, 730 Halstead Rd, Brunner Chapel, Room 26 second floor.
Healing after the loss of a loved one can be very challenging for many people. The support group helps by allowing people to share their thoughts and feelings with others who are dealing with a similar loss.
There is no charge for this activity which is a community outreach program by Delaware Hospice; however, registration is required by contacting Carol Dobson, MSW, at 302-478-5707, ext. 1342, or cdobson@delawarehospice.org.

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Ridley Park Library Announces FREE Winter Programs

  “Stars on the Move” returns to Ridley Park Library on Friday, January 25 at 7 p.m. in a planetarium show for grades 1 to 5. Tickets are required and can be obtained at the library. Everyone is welcome to come out and see what is happening in the night sky during the winter months.
  Bingo for children in grades 1 to 5 will be held on Saturday, February 2 at 2 p.m. Kids can play bingo, win prizes and check out books.
  Saturday Make & Take will focus on snow stories with an accompanying snowman craft on Saturday, January 26. Call for a time slot from 11 to 3 and bring along a grown-up friend.
  A knitting class for adults and children in grades 3 and up will start on Thursday, February 7 at 3:45 until 4:30.
  Bedtime stories will be held starting Tuesday, February 12 at 6:45 p.m. for ages 3 to 6. Preschool storytime begins Wednesday, February 6 at 10:30 am or 1 pm.
  The popular Pals - Read to the Animals is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. for grades 1 to 5. Reluctant readers choose a book and read to animals.
  Hatha Yoga for adults will be held on Fridays starting February 8 at 10 a.m.  This program will be taught by Gloria Durning at Ridley Park Borough Hall. Participants must bring a yoga mat and towel.
   For a complete list of programs, inquire at the circulation desk at the library for a Winter/Spring program brochure.
   All programs require registration. Call the Ridley Park Library to register, (610) 583-7207.
   Ridley Park Library is at 107 E Ward Street in Ridley Park.

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Motown Sound Program Presented At Ridley Township Library

  Celebrate Black History Month by moving to the irresistible sounds of Motown when singer and dancer Jon Turk performs 6 pm Wed. (Feb. 6) in Garling Hall at the Ridley Township Library. Sing and dance along and celebrate 50 years of Motown sound. This special event will be part performance and part lecture, as host Jon Turk entertains guests with his expertise on the history of Motown, its artists and its contribution to American music.
  All ages are welcome. Library programs are  funded by the Friends of the Ridley Township Library. Register by calling 610-583-0593, emailing reference@ridleylibrary.org, or stopping at the library, 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom.

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Celebrate New Year With Ten Free Trees
 Residents of Pennsylvania can celebrate the New Year with ten free flowering trees by joining the Arbor Day Foundation any time during January.
   By becoming a part of the non-profit Arbor Day Foundation, new members will receive two white flowering dogwoods, two flowering crabapples, two Washington hawthorns, two American redbuds and two golden raintrees.
   "These beautiful trees will give homes in Pennsylvania lovely flowers with pink, yellow and white colors,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These trees are perfect for large and small spaces, and they will provide food and habitat for songbirds.”
   The free trees are part of the Foundation's Trees for America campaign. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between Feb. 1 and May 31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch tall trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge.
   Members will also receive a subscription to the Foundation's bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, which includes information about tree planting and care.
   To become a member of the Foundation and to receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to Ten Free Flowering Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, by Jan. 31. Residents can also join online at arborday.org/january.

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FREE 'Reflux Disease' Health Seminar

Brian Karp, M.D., Crozer-Keystone gastroenterologist, presents “Beyond Heartburn: Understanding Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.”
Karp will present two informative seminars and answer questions. The first seminar is 7p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29 in the first-floor community room at Haverford Township Free Library, 1601 Darby Road, Havertown. The second seminar is 7 p.m., Wednesday in the downstairs meeting room of Helen Kate Furness Library, 100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford. 
For more information or to register, call 1-800-CK-HEALTH (1-800-254-3258) or visit the “Classes and Events” page of www.crozerkeystone. org. 

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Free Program, ‘The Science Of Snowflakes,’ At Media-U.P. Library

 Area children can see what snowflakes look like close up at a program set for 4:30p.m., Monday (Jan. 28) at Media Upper Providence Library. The program will feature the beautiful photography of Snowflake Bentley and science of snow.
   The event is for children ages 5-10. Registration is required; call 610-566-1918 or email mecsd@delcolibraries.org by an. 25. The library is at 1 E Front St, Media; visit online at mediauplibrary.org.
 
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Winter Is Here And So Are FREE New Books For Book Clubs

 Many area book discussion groups are tired of trying to decide what to read next and then not finding enough copies. Area groups can check out the hundred-plus Book Club-in-a-Bag available from select libraries around the county.
   There are over 175 sets, each focusing on a popular title for book discussion groups. Each bag contains everything discussion groups need: discussion questions, an author biography and much more -- all in one easy to carry bag.
   New titles include Gold, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Time Keeper, The Light between Oceans and many more popular titles.
   The bags are available from the Delaware County Library System, the Haverford Township Free Library, the Rachel Kohl Community Library, the Marple  Library, and the Prospect Park Library. To reserve a bags for a book club contact the local librarian. For a complete list of titles check the DCLS web page, www.delcolibraries.org, and click the book club link.  The titles are also listed in the DCLS on-line catalog (search the subject Book Club Bag) or call Susan Purcell at 610-891-8622.
  The Delaware County Library System is the department of county government responsible for providing support services for 26 independent member public libraries.
 
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FREE ADHD Support Meeting For Local Teens

Teens with ADHD often have challenges that family, friends and peers don’t understand.  Chester County/ Main Line CHADD (CCML CHADD) organizes and supports an interactive group for teens that meets once a month in Exton and is facilitated by a professional with expertise in dealing with the issues that arise when a diagnosis of ADHD is present.
If your teen is struggling with ADHD related issues and would benefit from talking with other teens who understand those struggles, consider bringing them to this group designed specifically for them.  Parents must stay on the premises while their child is in the group.  A CCML CHADD board member will also be on site to answer questions and to facilitate networking and resource sharing for the parents.
Meetings are held at Exton Baptist Church, 141 E. Swedesford Road in Exton on the third Thursday of the month from 7:30-8:30 p.m.   The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 20.
   For more information about the teen group or any of our other groups that help families dealing with ADHD, visit www.chadd.net/222  or call 610-429-4060.
 
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Penn State Brandywine Offers a FREE Speaker Series...Check it out!!
RSVP to dyb5@psu.edu

		RSVP Due to limited space, an RSVP is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.