TGIF! It's finally Friday so here are some FREEBIES to celebrate!

Bring a bag, take a bag at Girl Scout freecycle event
  Ridley Girl Scout Troop 5512 will hold a “Freecycle” event 11 am to 3 pm Sat. (Nov. 15) at Princeton Presbyterian Church, 933 Baltimore Pike, Springfield.
  Everyone in the community is invited to bring  a bag of clean outgrown fall and winter clothing, outerwear, and gently used books.  The scouts will sort them according to age, gender, and size as appropriate.  Then donors can  take a fresh bag and shop for items their family needs.
There is no admission fee and no cost for anything.  This is not a sale, but rather a community event so neighbors can help neighbors. All left-over donations will be given to a homeless shelter.

Birding Club to Meet Nov. 12

The Birding Club of Delaware County will meet 7:30p.m., Wednesday (Nov. 12) in the lower of Marple Library, Springfield and Sproul Rds., Marple Township.
Bert Filemyer will give a free presentation on is wintering Rufous Hummingbirds.
All backyard birders are welcome.

Free fall fun at Prospect Park Library

A free “Harvest Celebration” will be held on Sat. (Oct. 25) at Prospect Park Library.Children of all ages may stop in anytime between 10 a.m. to 1pm for fall themed activities and crafts.
    For more information or to register for the children’s program, stop by the library, call 610-532-4643 or emailprospectpark@delcolibraries.org.  The library is at 720 Maryland Avenue, Prospect Park, across from the train station.

Free Infant Storytimes at Folcroft Library
  Folcroft Public Library in Folcroft will host Infant Storytimes Mondays, November 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 10 am. Storytimes will feature books, finger plays and puppets for children birth to 24 months and their caretakers.
  Everyone is welcome to attend and introduce their infant to the world of books. To register, call 610-586-1690.

FREE Power of Attorney workshop offered
 Pennsylvania’s law for almost any Power of Attorney dealing with finances, banking, real estate, and other assets will change in 2015. A free workshop on the topic will be presented by Robert and Dana Breslin, Esq. 1p.m., Thursday (Nov. 6) at the Brookhaven Municipal Building, 2 Cambridge Road.
They will review the changes, the new Power of Attorney form and will discuss options so that Power of Attorney documentation is crafted to meet specific needs.
Pre-registration is required; for more information or to register for the course, call Lori at 484-496-2138.

‘Hauntings and Witchcraft in Delco’ at Ridley Twp. Library
   Get into the Halloween spirit by joining local authors Matt Lake and Laurie Hull at Ridley Township Public Library 6 pm Wed. (Oct. 29) when they will present stories of Delaware County history with a paranormal focus.
  Area residents are invited to learn about the witch trial of Margaret Mattson, the haunting of the Heilbron Mansion, and other strange happenings from local history. Both authors’ books will be available for purchase and signing.
   Lake is the author of Weird Pennsylvania and other books in the Weird USA series, as well as books on how to use the Internet.
  Hull is a psychic medium and author. Among her books are Supernatural Pennsylvania,Brandywine Valley Ghosts and Philly's Main Line Haunts.
  This free program will be held in Garling Hall. Both presenters’ books will be available for purchase and signing. Register to guarantee a seat by calling610-583-0593, emailing reference@ridleylibrary.org, or stopping by the library, 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom.

Neighborhood children invited to Halloween party at St. John’s
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Glen and Folcroft Aves., Folcroft, will host a Halloween Spooktacular party for neighborhood children 2-4 pm Sun. (Oct. 26) at the church.  The party is for children in 5th grade and younger and they should wear their costumes.
  Featured activities will include a parade, games, snacks and candy.  For more information, call the church at 610-583-4977 or e-mail office.stjohns@verizon.net/.

Free bereavement support group available
 A new support group, Bereaved Parents of Delaware County, will meet 6:30 p.m., Nov. 3, in Riddle Hospital's Administrative Annex, Conference Room 1. There is no charge to attend. Riddle Hospital is at 1068 W Baltimore Pike, Media.

FREE blood pressure screenings
 Riddle Hospital will also conduct free Blood Pressure Screenings in November on the following dates and locations: Nov. 4, 10 a.m., Walmart in Boothwyn; Nov. 12, 9 a.m., at Rocky Run YMCA; Nov. 10, 10 a.m., Brookhaven Municipal Building; Nov. 19,  noon, Riddle Hospital Front Lobby and Nov. 22, 1 p.m., Dress Barn in Concordville.

FREE Laughter Yoga classes offered
Laughter Yoga Club of Delaware County will meet Mondays, Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24, from 7-8 p.m. in November at the Media Borough Community Center's Parlor Room, 301 N. Jackson Street, Media.
The group will also meet Sundays, Nov. 2, 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. at the Swarthmore Public Library, 121 Park Ave, Swarthmore.
No experience necessary. Bring a bottle of water, yoga mat and a blanket. Newcomers are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to register. There is no charge to attend.
Alexa Drubay will guide attendees through a series of easy-to-follow laughter exercises where she combines movements with yogic breaths. This is not a regular type yoga class, although yoga breathing is incorporated with exercises that bring up the heart rate, so it is considered aerobic exercise. Laughter Yoga is non-political and non-religious; it is the creation of a medical doctor, Dr. Madan Kataria, who studied the positive effects of Laughter and created a world-wide laughter wellness movement, soon to celebrate its 20th Anniversary.
Media Senior Citizens Luncheon Set

Free lunch for Media residents
The Media Recreation Board will host its annual Senior Appreciation Luncheon for Media Borough residents noon to 3p.m., Saturday (Nov. 1) at the Towne House Restaurant.
Senior borough residents will enjoy cocktails, lunch and entertainment.
For complimentary tickets and reservations, call the Recreation office at 610-566-5210, ext. 255.   Proper ID will be required at the door; tickets are limited.

Pa Forward Speak Up for Libraries Author to Visit Media
Pennsylvania authors and illustrators are speaking up for libraries.
Dianne Salerni, Chester County resident and author for young adults and children, will visit the Media-Upper Providence Library for the PA Forward Speak Up! for Libraries event 5p.m., Thursday (Nov. 6).
Salerni will talk about research techniques for her books, from climbing pyramids in Mexico to breaking into the snow leopard's cage at the Central Park Zoo. She will also talk about her writing process. She is the author of The Eighth Day, The Caged Graves, We Hear the Dead, and the upcoming The Inquisitor's Mark (book two of The Eighth Day).
This free program is recommended for ages 8 and older. call 610-566-1918 or email mecsd@delcolibraries.org for more information. The library is at 1 E. Front St., Media.

DCIU Offers Free Workshops for Parents 

The Delaware County Intermediate Unit is offering the following free workshops to help parents to better navigate the often challenging roadmap of educating their children with disabilities:
--Parents and Schools Working Together, 6 to 8p.m., Wednesday (Nov. 5) at the Intermediate Unit, 200 Yale Ave., Morton: This session will explore strategies for improving the connection between home and school for students who have special needs. Parents will learn how to ask the right questions to learn how a child is doing at school. Tools and strategies will be shared to help parents increase collaboration with the educational team. Presenter will be Nora Connell, DCIU Professional Development Specialist.
--Help with IEPs, 6 to 8p.m., Thursday (Nov. 20) at Drexel Hill Middle School, 3001 State Road: This workshop will review the IEP process and the IEP document from the parent perspective. Topics to be discussed include components of the IEP, the evaluation report (ER) and positive behavior support plan (PBSP). Related topics may include the IEP meeting, time lines, confidentiality, and procedural safeguards. This workshop will address the general IEP process and will not be an opportunity to discuss specific student or program decisions. Presenter will be Cathy Osborne, DCIU Professional Development Specialist.
To register for these sessions, call 610-938-9000, ext. 2263 or email nconnell@dciu.org.

Free Fair Trade Event at Media-U.P. Library
  Bill Wiedmann, a Pennsylvania resident and co-founder of Singing Dog Vanilla, a Fair Trade company, will talk about his recent trip to Indonesia where he trades directly with vanilla farmers.
The event will take place 7 to 8.m., Thursday (Nov. 6) at Media Upper Providence Library, 1 E. Front St., Media.
He will share photos, talk about the vanilla, and tell why trading fairly makes sense for his business.
The father of four, he will gear his presentation to families, so children are welcome.
Fair Trade refreshments will be shared.

Lung Cancer Presentation Nov. 13
 Lung cancer awareness, risk factors, treatment options, Crozer Keystone Health Systems lung cancer screening information and smoking cessation will be discussed at a free session by Patti Hollenback, oncology nurse navigator; Kerry Clay, P.A. and Melissa Maier, CKHS tobacco treatment specialist, 2p.m., Thursday (Nov. 13)  at the Brookhaven Municipal Building, 2 Cambridge Road in Brookhaven.
Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, call Lori at 484-496-2138.

Free Halloween Party for kids
  VFW 928 in Folsom will host a free Halloween party for children under ten years of age at the post, Sutton Ave. and MacDade Blvd., Folsom, this Sunday, Oct. 26. Everyone is welcome.
  Children's costumes will be judged on best, most frightening and most original.

Norwood Public Library to hold free T’ai Chi Chih lessons
The Norwood Public Library, 513 Welcome Ave, Norwood, will host a free four week series of introductory T’ai Chi Chih.  These sessions will be held on Tuesday mornings, beginning November 18 to December 9 at 10 am.
   T’ai Chi Chih is a series of soft, flowing movements that circulate and balance the internal energy (Chi).  T’ai Chi Chih is a healing art rather than a martial art.  The Movements are slow and gentle, making them accessible to anyone regardless of age, weight or physical ability.  The movements may be performed while seated.  T’ai Chi Chih is an easy and effective way to optimize health and well being.  Practicing T’ai Chi Chih can lead to increased energy and flexibility, decreased tension and stress and decreased pain from chronic conditions such as arthritis.
Space is limited, so register by calling 610 534-0693 or visit the Library to register or for more information.

Kids eat free at Applebees, Krispy Kreme
  Kids can eat free on Halloween, Oct. 31, at area Applebees restaurants. Kids 12 and under can order for free from the children's menu all day.
  Kids can also get a free Krispy Kreme donut when they wear a costume and visit any area Krispy Kreme location on Oct. 31.

Open House and Health Fair at the C-K Community Health Center at Barclay Square
  Local residents are  invited to an open house celebration at the Community Health Center at Barclay Square. The Honorable Senator Edwin “Ted” Erickson will be at the event to greet visitors 3-6 pm Wed., Oct. 29.  At 1560 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby.
Meet the staff of the Crozer-Keystone Community Health Center at Barclay Square. Raffles, giveaways and refreshments will be available in the reception area, and guided tours will be offered.
The health fair will include the following free activities: Blood Pressure Screenings, Osteoporosis Heel Scans and Signups for Your Annual Mammogram
 R.S.V.P. for this special event by calling (610) 638-1076 or sending an email to ckhspublicrelations@crozer.org (put “10/29 Open House” in the subject line).

Widener to host screening of documentary ‘1971’

In 1971, Media, Pa. became the focus of an intense FBI manhunt to discover who broke into the bureau’s office there and stole all of the files, leaving only questions that remained unanswered for more than 40 years. Earlier this year, former Washington Post reporter Betty Medsger answered many of the questions in her book “The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover’s Secret FBI.” Now, the story is also being told in the documentary film “1971” which debuted at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival.

Widener University will host a screening of “1971” followed by a discussion including Medsger and Chester Mayor John Linder at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Founders Hall Room 109. Copies of Medsger’s book will be available for purchase at the event, and she will hold a book signing following the panel discussion.

A group calling themselves the “Citizens’ Commission to Investigate the FBI” took responsibility for the 1971 burglary and mailed copies of the stolen files to members of the news media, including Medsger, and to the organizations being investigated by the FBI. Among the documents stolen from the FBI office was a file on the bureau’s investigation of the Black Student Union at Widener, then known as PMC Colleges. Linder, a 1976 graduate of Widener, was a member of the Black Student Union at the time of the burglary.

The film screening is free and open to the public.

Free Family Addiction Program Offered

 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 are held 7 to 9p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month and run for three consecutive Tuesdays at Holcomb Behavioral Health Services in Media.

Next session in Media runs Nov. 4, 11 and 18

Sessions are free and confidential, using first names only. Pre-registration is required; call 800-221-6333, weekdays 9a.m. through 5p.m., or visit www.proact.org and click the Family Addiction Education Program link.

Talk on Lobbying and Politics in 20th Century America

Hagley Museum and Library will welcome Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse for an author Talk, “Lobbying: The Business of Politics and the Politics of Business in America,” on Thursday, Nov. 20. Dr. Waterhouse will describe the important changes in how lobbyists—particularly corporate lobbyists—got their way (and sometimes didn’t) in Washington, D.C., in the mid and late 20th century. The talk begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Reservations are requested; call 302-658-2400, ext. 243, or e-mail clockman@hagley.org. The lecture will be held in the Soda House auditorium.

Use Hagley’s Buck Road East entrance off Route 100 in Wilmington, Del.

Swarthmore Harvest Festival Saturday

   The Swarthmore’s Harvest Festival will be held 10a.m. to 2p.m., Saturday (Oct. 25) in and around Swarthmore Borough parking lot.

Sponsored by the Bryn Mawr Trust Company, the family friendly event will include live music and fun activities for all ages. Lots of free activities will be available and food will be available for purchase. 

There will be a “Pumpkin Carving Palooza” starting with a pumpkin carving demonstration by local artist Chip Stockman, followed by a public pumpkin-carving event. Participants should bring pumpkins and carving tools and enter their creations to win prizes.

There will be “Make your own Scarecrow” with straw and instructions provided; bring clothes to stuff.  Other activities including a Moonbounce, face painting, and more.

For more information, visit www.SwarthmoreTownCenter.org.