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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Week of April 27, 2014

Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the Wealth of Available Resources

and the Poverty Associated With People Not Knowing About Them ___________________________________________________________________

In an attempt to aid reader searches, new items added each week are highlighting in yellow. As always, we are interested in receiving feedback in regard to how we might improve our publications, content and convenience of use.

E-Update periodically reports ways in which subscribers use our publications to aid their families or organizations. If you have a short description that might be helpful to others and their uses, we would like to hear about them. Please forward two or three sentences that provide specific uses of benefit to bps461@msn.com. _________________________________________________________________________________

Activities are subject to change without notice; participants are encouraged

to use contact information to confirm times and dates.

To unsubscribe, please send a message to bps461@msn.com with the word Unsubcribe in the Subject line.

©2009-2014 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families. Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.

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Sections Available in the attached Calendar of Events:

• UPDATED THIS WEEK: Special Activities: Upcoming primarily free activities

listed by day over the next several months. • Special Ongoing Scheduled Activities: Primarily free activities held regularly

each week or month. • Area Ministries for Those Who are Struggling. GriefShare, DivorceCare,

Celebrate Recovery, Mending Hearts. • Day Trip Destination Sites: Free admission sites for individual and family outings. • E-Update ResourcesTM: Accompanying Information About Services, Including

Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Calendar of Events - Please Submit Additions Today

Upcoming Activities – The following items are detailed in the accompanying Calendar of Events and are in addition to those described within this E-Update. They will be occurring during the current two-week period or are newly listed as part of the longer term Calendar. These activities are provided for both personal use and printing out and sharing with others

through suggested posting on public and employee bulletin boards, hard copies or e-mail.

Updated: This Week’s Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)

• Congressional Art Show – New Holland. • ReSourced Art Exhibit – Pottstown. • Inspired by Nature’s Beauty Art Show – Devon.

• Art Exhibit in Wood – Malvern. • Student and Adult Art Classes – Coatesville. • Wood Works Exhibit – Malvern. • Look Good Feel Better for Women – Multiple Locations.

• Spring Reading and Children Programs – Area Libraries. • Pollinator-Friendly Gardens Workshop – Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner). • Medicare 101 Workshop – Oxford, Berwyn and Phoenixville.

• Breaking the Silence Mental Health Forum – Wynnewood. • Essential Workforce Skills Workshop – Exton. • Parent Special Education Workshop – West Grove. • Building Good Credit Workshop – Pottstown.

• Intergenerational Home Design Presentation – Kennett Square. • Illegal Drug Identification Forum for Parents – Pottstown. • IEP Special Education Transition Plan Workshop – West Chester.

• Journey with Parkinson’s Forum – New Holland. • Youth National Day of Prayer – Lancaster County. • Pardons and Expungements Workshop – Kennett Square. • Women and Money Workshop – Exton.

• Post Adoption and GrandFamilies Support – West Chester. • Drug Overdose Town Hall Meeting – Coatesville. • Twenty Feet from Stardom Film Screening – Malvern. • Videography Basics Workshop – Berwyn.

• Lancaster National Day of Prayer – Lancaster County. • Pray in Unity Service and Prayer Walks – Coatesville. • Youth Fishing Derby – Collegeville.

• Area Communities Shredding – Phoenixville. • Career and Business Development Seminar – Coatesville.

• Personal Shredding Day – Limerick. • Township-Wide Yard Sale – West Chester (East Goshen Township).

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• Comic Book Day – Birdsboro. • Veterans Appreciation – Atglen.

• Family Fun Fair – Chadds Ford. • Forty Niners Spring Chorus – West Chester. • Spring String Concert – Easttown.

Updated: Next Week’s Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)

• Congressional Art Show – New Holland. • Art Exhibit in Wood – Malvern.

• Student and Adult Art Classes – Coatesville. • Wood Works Exhibit – Malvern. • Look Good Feel Better for Women – Multiple Locations.

• Spring Reading and Children Programs – Area Libraries. • Malvern Bloom Festival – Malvern. • May Day Festival of the Arts – West Chester. • Cinco de Mayo – Kennett Square.

• Spring Band Concert – Souderton. • Heroin Overdose Town Hall Meeting – Coatesville. • Washington and Lafayette Enactment – King of Prussia (Valley Forge).

• Parent Special Education Workshop – West Grove and Phoenixville. • Model of Grief Support – New Holland. • Getting the Job You Want Workshop – Exton. • Medicare 101 Workshop – Paoli.

• Videography Lighting Workshops – Berwyn. • Dyslexia Presentation – Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner). • Special Mental Health Movie Night – Phoenixville. • Living Well After Cancer Presentation – Exton.

• Personal Shredding – Downingtown and Oaks. • Electronics Recycling – Chesterbrook. • Preserving Photographic Memories Workshop – Exton.

• Community Day – Chester Springs (West Vincent Township). • Disabilities Housing Options Workshop – Willow Grove.

New: Future Weeks Events and Activities (View in Calendar of Events)

• Nutritional Changes with Alzheimer’s Care Presentation – New Holland. • Planning for Future Living Presentation – Worcester. • Stop Smoking Now! Series – West Chester.

• Can You Hear Me Now? Health Presentation – West Chester. • Caring for Aging Parents Presentation – Paoli. • Brandywine Battle Re-Enactments – West Chester. • OA-BEST (Agriculture, Business, Environmental Science & Technology) Expo –

Atglen. Activities Submission - Organizations are encouraged to submit information about ongo-ing services and activities, along with special events, as soon as possible after establishing a

date to maximize publicity and to help individuals and other organizations with planning processes for their own events.

Formats for submission should be similar to and include all information as that shown on the current, accompanying Calendar of Events. Further information about submissions appears at the end of this E-Update and the Calendar. Information should be submitted to bps461@msn.com. Don't let your important activity be left unknown.

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NEW THIS WEEK: PaCareerLink Closing Coatesville, Opening at Exton – Monday,

May 19 PA CareerLink-Chester County will be closing its long-time Coatesville office in less than three weeks and opening May 19 at 479 Thomas Jones Way in the Oaklands Corporate

Center at Exton. As reported here last month, PA CareerLink and other employment and family assistance programs, in a series of moves, will be co-locating at the new site with an expanding

Chester County Financial Stability Center. The Coatesville Area Senior Center, currently located at 22 North 5th Avenue, then will

move, following renovations, into the current PA CareerLink location at 250 Harmony Street, Coatesville. Under the re-location scenario, as previously reported, many different services will be

housed in the two adjacent Exton facilities to help create one-stop support for both job-seeker and other financial assistance programs.

Further information is available at our online Page at www.facebook.com/TransformationIni. NEW THIS WEEK: Heroin Epidemic Town Hall Information Meetings – Wednesday,

April 30 and Monday, May 5; Year-Around Prescription Drug Drop Boxes Taking

Hold for Those Who Missed Take Back Day Town Hall community education meetings have been scheduled during the next week in Coatesville and Berwyn to acquaint residents on what is being described as an epidemic of

youth switching from prescription drugs to heroin, resulting in drug overdose deaths. The sessions, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both April 30 in the 4th Floor Community Room,

Brandywine Center, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, and on May 5 at Keene Hall, Tredyffrin Township Building, 1100 DuPortail Road, Berwyn, are part of an ongoing Kaycie’s Cause campaign, named after 23-year-old Kaycie Rumford of Kennett Square who died last March of a heroin overdose.

In the meantime, for those who missed Saturday’s biannual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collections at dozens of sites through the region, results from year-around police

station drop boxes also are starting to produce results. Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan reports that over 350 pounds of unused medicines have been disposed of at Chester County locations to date, with the drive

attempting to keep unused prescription drugs out of the hands of youth and adults, along with water supplies. Prescription drugs are being described as the gateway to heroin and other illegal drugs, with

youth and adults of all ages taking pills from unlocked medicine cabinets and ingesting them indiscriminately. When prescription drugs no longer are available, users turn to heroin because it currently is cheaper than prescription drugs, officials report. Hogan says the

problem is particularly acute in white, middle and upper-income families.

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Traces of drugs also are turning up in municipal water supplies according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, presumably due to persons disposing of them in sinks and

toilets. The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Services provides an online list for local collection locations throughout the state at

www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1677241&mode=2&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2fportal%2fserver.pt%3fopen%3d514%26objID%3d1677241%26mode%3d2&utm_campaign=Happy+New+Year.

A downloadable brochure of 18 Chester County collection sites that can be printed out and posted or distributed is available at http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/17354.

Information on the Coatesville Town Hall meeting, hosted by Coatesville Police and the Coatesville Youth Initiative, is available at www.kaciescause.com/resources/coatesville-town-hall-flyer.pdf or (610) 384-2300.

Information on the Berwyn Town Hall meeting, hosted by Tredyffrin Township Police, is available at www.tredyffrin.org/residents/event-calendar/-item-1632, police@tredyffrin.org

or (610) 644-3221. NEW THIS WEEK: New Chesco Healthcare Discount Program Available

Chester County is making available a program to allow residents to obtain discounts on vision care, LASIK and PRK vision procedures, hearing aids and screenings, prepaid lab work, prepaid diagnostic imaging and diabetic supplies, along with prescriptions.and dental costs.

The initiative is provided through the National Association of Counties (NACo) in partnership with CVS Caremark, for savings on auxiliary healthcare services not included currently

under the Affordable Care Act. No annual limits are placed on use, with no waiting period or forms to fill out. The plan starts at $6.95 a month or $69 a year for individuals, and $8.95 monthly or $79 annually

for families. The initiative joins discount card programs already in place for prescriptions and dental

services, with the County reporting that residents have saved nearly 118,000 residents $600,000 through the prescription program in the past five years, with the dental program, which started in 2011, having saved participants between 20 to 50 percent on services.

Further information on the new Health Discount Card, along with existing prescription and dental programs, is available through the Chester County Health Department at www.chesco.org/health or (610) 344-6225.

NEW LAST WEEK: State Appeal Filed Over Chester County’s “Secret” Public

Information Procedures

Casey Jones, publisher of this E-Update newsletter, has filed an appeal with the State Office of Open Records after he was denied documents that apparently outline Chester County’s procedures for letting the public know when potential disasters are about to occur and how families should respond to them.

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Jones had filed a Right to Know Law request to inspect county plans on how the County will

“disseminate information to the public for guidance by such public during a period of general multi-community/county emergency.” He cited public information plans already provided online by Exelon Corporation for its nuclear power plant operation at Limerick and by West Chester University.

The County denied access to two plans, saying they are protected from disclosure because they would likely “jeopardize or threaten public safety or preparedness or public protection activity.”

Jones, a former municipal official who declared and coordinated several states of emergency and potential states of emergency during his tenure in office, has addressed County

Commissioners several times in the past year and a half, alleging that County practices are inconsistent, unreliable and create a potential hazard for the public when they fail to adequately advise residents of potential emergencies and coping and recovery processes. He also has testified about public information practices during recent State Public Utility

Commission (PUC) hearings in Berwyn and Jennersville as it relates to information voids by PECO Energy during the February ice storm.

Further information about the action is available at our online Page at www.facebook.com/TransformationIni.

NEW LAST WEEK: Red Cross Adds Pet First Aid Cell Phone App American Red Cross has added a pet first aid cell phone application to its list of free apps available for download.

The feature includes step-by-step instructions for first aid emergencies, a pet profile for storing a tag ID, photo and medical information, early warning signs for when to contact a veterinarian, an animal hospital locator, and how to include pets in emergency preparedness

plans. Additional apps are available for tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, first aid, shelters finder, swim and flood emergencies.

Further information and download links are available at www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/pet-first-aid-app.

NEW LAST WEEK: Rep. Kampf Starts New Job-Seeker Newsletter

Pennsylvania Representative Warren Kampf has started a new monthly e-mail Career

Connection newsletter as a source for job-seekers to think about new approaches to employment, obtain guidance through career obstacles or movements and learn more about local employers.

Further information and signup for the publication are available at http://www.repkampf.com/emailoptin.aspx?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.repkampf.com%2femailoptin.aspx&utm_campaign=Virtual+Jo

b+Fair+and+Career+News, DO157@pahousegop.com or (610) 251-2876.

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Federal Labor Department Issues Young People’s Self-Sufficiency Guidebook U.S. Department of Labor has issued a new publication, Mentoring Youth and Young

Parents: A Guidebook for Programs Helping Youth and Young Parents Navigate a Pathway to

Self-Sufficiency. It is available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=4681.

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Series of Healthcare Education Workshops –April and May Jenerations Health Education will conduct a series of workshops for healthcare workers at

various area locations during April and May. Establishing Boundaries With Family Caregivers: An Ethical Discussion will be held

from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, at Spring Mill Senior Living, 3000 Balfour Circle, Phoenixville, in partnership with Angel Companions and Holisticare Hospice. Case manager, nursing and social work credits also will be provided. Further information and required registration are available with Sue at (610) 933-7675.

Dealing With Difficult & Challenging Family Members will be presented from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Exton Senior Living, 600 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, in

partnership with Synergy Home Care. Case manager, nursing and social work credits also will be provided. Further information and required registration are available with Sue at SHaines@5sqc.com or (610) 933-7675.

Ethically Handling End of Life Issues With Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuesday May 13, at Maris Grove, 100 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills. Nursing, NHA, social work and case manager credits will be provided, with CLE credits pending. Further information and required registration are available with Susie at

(610) 387-4566. Dealing With Difficult & Challenging Family Members will be presented from 8 a.m. to

11:30 a.m., including breakfast, on Wednesday, May 14, at The Birches at Arbor Square, 695 Main Street, Harleysville. Nursing, NHA, social work and case manager credits will be provided, with CLE and PCA credits pending. Further information and required registration are available with Julie at (215) 541-3702.

UPDATED LAST WEEK: Chester County Schedules Community Mental Health

Conversations – Continues Monday, April 28

Chester County Department of Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MH/IDD) has scheduled a series of Community Conversations, an informal means for residents to learn and express concerns about mental health issues, as part of a National

Dialogue on Mental Health initiative. Two-part sessions are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, April 28 and May 5, at the Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton; from 10 a.m. to noon

Wednesdays, April 30 and May 5, at the Phoenixville Senior Center, 153 Church Street, Phoenixville; Thursdays, May 1 and May 8 at the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, 216 East State Street, Kennett Square; from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, May 12 and 19, at

the Tredyffrin Public Library, 582 Upper Gulph Road, Strafford. Required registration for the library events may be made at http://ereserve.ccls.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp?ln=ALL or at the libraries.

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An individual session, with dinner provided, will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the 9-10 Grade Center, 1445 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville,

with registration at http://casdconversations.eventbrite.com. Creating Inclusionary Zoning Workshop – Tuesday, April 29

Chester County Department of Community Development will host a workshop on inclusionary zoning from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Chester County Public Safety Training Center, 137 Modena Road, South Coatesville.

The session, for municipal officials, developers, contractors and others, will discuss strengthening communities by analyzing impediments to fair housing, design and construction of accessible housing and creating inclusive zoning ordinances.

Katie McCabe, director of enforcement for the Fair Housing Rights Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania will present the workshop, part of National Fair Housing Month activities. Further information and requested reservations are available at

www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/16617, ccdcd@chesco.org or (610) 344-6900.

Free Elder Care Training – Tuesday, April 29 Elder Law Attorney Robert Slutsky will describe the Anatomy of an Elder Care Crisis Part II during an 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. presentation on April 29 at Columbia Cottage, 901 East Main Street, Collegeville.

The workshop, to assist elder care professionals in identifying elder care and disability crises, guide families through personal and financial problems that arise, and discovering resources available to assist, will be hosted by Mercy Home Health and Optum Palliative &

Hospice care. Further information and registration, which includes breakfast and Continuing Education

Unit credits for some disciplines, are available at http://www.net-care.net/files/3213/9628/4096/CEUColumbiaCottageApr29-2014.pdf or ceursvp@gmail.com.

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Faith-Based Organizations Ice Storm Conversation

Breakfast – Tuesday, April 29

Chester County Department of Community Development is hosting a breakfast for faith-based organizations from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 29 to discuss how they weathered the February ice storm.

The session, Community Conversation: Ice Storm 2014 – The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Disasters, will be held in the Third Floor Cafeteria, Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester.

Purpose of the event, part of an ongoing breakfast series, is to share successes and challenges, learn about the experiences of others, and help determine whether an organization’s disaster plan matches its vision.

Further information and required registration by Wednesday, April 23, are available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/April29Breakfast, jzeis@chesco.org or (610) 344-5014.

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NEW LAST WEEK: Free Montgomery County Job Fair – Wednesday, April 30

Over two dozen employers will be represented at this year’s Montgomery County Job Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 301 West DeKalb Pike, King of Prussia.

Attendees who have enrolled and posted a resume at www.jobgateway.pa.gov are eligible to participate in this event, hosted by Pennsylvania CareerLink, the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board and the Midatlantic Employers’ Association.

Further information is available at www.montcopa.org/documentcenter/view/7011 or (610) 270-3429.

Rotating Homeless Shelter Open – Through Wednesday, April 30 Ministries at Main Street has opened its homeless shelter that rotates among Pottstown churches for the winter.

Daily intake starts at noon weekdays at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Parish House basement at 75 East Main Street.

During November, the homeless will stay at Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 60 North Hanover Street. The host in December is Christ Episcopal Church, 316 East High Street; in January Zion’s United Church of Christ, 209 Chestnut Street; in February St.

Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 North Franklin Street; in March St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 South Price Street; with April to be determined. Further information is available at www.ministriesatmainstreet.org/calendar.html,

info@ministriesatmainstreet.org or (610) 970-2444.

NEW THIS WEEK: Free Disabilities Advocacy Workshop – Thursday, May 1 Freedom Valley Disability Center will hold its Spring Community Organizing Workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 1 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 260 Mall Boulevard, King of Prussia.

Megan Bolin, outreach and communication coordinator of the Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia, along with a grassroots, legislative and legal advocacy panel, will make presentations.

Further information and required registration for the activity, which includes lunch, is available at (610) 353-6640.

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Youth Law Enforcement Forum – Friday, May 2

The Lancaster Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Working Group will host its 8th Annual DMC Youth Law Enforcement Forum from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 at the Student

Memorial Center, 101 Shenks Lane, Millersville. A theme of Educate, Empower, Support is designed to help encourage youth to build a

strong relationship with local law enforcement. Further information and required registration are available at dsmith@cacc-lancaster.org or (717) 394-6604 x126.

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NEW THIS WEEK: Free Career and Business Development Seminar – Saturday,

May 3 Lincoln University, 351 Kersey Street, Coatesville, will host a Career and Business Development Seminar from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., May 3.

Various organizations will present workshops on employment and training services within Coatesville and the surrounding area, with additional resources on how to run a successful business.

Further information and required registration are available at www.coatesville.org/coatesville-career-business-development-seminar or

coatesvilleseminarinfo@gmail.com. NEW LAST WEEK: Free Citizen Emergency Response Training – Starts Monday,

May 5

Chester County Department of Emergency Services will offer a new class, starting May 5, to train participants in how to help oneself and others in the event of a catastrophic disaster.

The sessions, open to individuals 16 years and older, with 16 to 18-year-olds having to be accompanied by a parent, will be held on Monday and Thursday nights through June, with a full day Saturday class on June 7.

The certificate course is designed to help individuals make a difference in saving lives and protecting properties when emergency services personnel are unable to help everyone immediately in event of a disaster.

Further information and required registration are available at http://destraining.chesco.org/ema/CERTMAY2014, hmorgan@chesco.org or (610) 344-

5540. UPDATED LAST WEEK: Great American Cleanup Pennsylvania Free Beautification

Disposal –Through Tuesday, May 5; Free Cleanup Supplies – Now Through

Saturday, May 31 Community and civic associations, school and youth groups, families and friends, business

employees, hunting and fishing clubs, conservation organizations, sports teams, and others are organizing Great American Cleanup Pennsylvania events at various areas throughout the region.

Through May 31 organizations can receive free cleanup supplies, such as bags, gloves and vests, from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Keep America Beautiful.

In addition, during Pick It Up PA Days from April 12 to May 5, registered events have access to free disposal through a Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association and participating landfills partnership.

Further information is available at www.gacofpa.org. Information also is available about Pennsylvania’s Highway Beautification Program at http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdHwyBeau.nsf/AAHHome?OpenFrameset.

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Many local cleanup activities are listed at

www.gacofpa.org/greatpacleanup/GPCMainSearch.asp. NEW THIS WEEK: Turnpike Commission to Display Total Reconstruction and

Widening Plans for Route 29 Interchange – Thursday, May 8 Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will hold an open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 8 at the Great Valley Middle School, 255 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, to discuss proposed final engineering plans for improvements to the Turnpike's Total Reconstruction and Widening

project located on I-76 between the Downingtown and Route 29 E-ZPass Only interchanges. Further information for the project corridor, to include total reconstructing and widening,

covers Upper Uwchlan, Uwchlan, West Pikeland, and Charlestown townships in Chester County, is available at www.paturnpike.com/constructionprojects/mp312to319.

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Trauma Impact on Education Workshop – Saturday, May 10 A workshop on trauma’s impact on children and education will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon on May 10 at Greater Deliverance Church, 800 South 1st Avenue, South Coatesville.

Participants will learn the relationship between trauma symptoms and school function, including poor academic performance and school behavior.

The session, hosted by the Chester County Coalition for Public Education Trauma Committee in partnership with the Coateville Area NAACP and One Voice for the Coatesville Area School District, will include breakfast and Act 48 education and social work credits.

Further information and required registration is available at www.surveymonkey.com/s/3L9J58X or (484) 378-0950.

NEW THIS WEEK: Chesco Public Transportation Plan Comment Period Open –

Through Wednesday, May 28; Public Information Meeting - Wednesday, May 14 The Chester County Planning Commission will hold a May 14 public information meeting on

its draft of a new Chester County Public Transportation Plan, with public comment being received through May 28.

The public session will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. May 28 in the Struble Room of the Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, with public comments able to be made by e-mail to Brian Styche, project manager, at bstyche@chesco.org or to the Commission at the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester.

The plan was developed as a 25-year vision of public transportation for Chester County to “provide an affordable, reliable, and accessible public transportation network to offer mobility, encourage favorable land use patterns, sustain the environment, and alleviate

congestion within designated growth areas.” Created over a two-year period in coordination with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning

Commission, public transportation agencies that serve Chester County, chambers of commerce, and municipal representatives, it is designed to become an element amendment to the County’s Landscapes2 comprehensive plan. Two interim public meetings were held during the development period in April 2013 and February 2014.

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The document is available at www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/17264.

NEW THIS WEEK: Chester County Library Undertaking Impact Survey – Through

Sunday, May 18

Chester County Library System is conducting an online survey to help determine how patrons use the library’s computers and Internet connection and how this service has made a positive impact on their lives.

Information gathered will be used to help the library improve technology services and communicate the value of providing free access to computers and the Internet within the community.

The survey, available in English and Spanish, is available at www.ccls.org/cwo/Home/More_Info/Impact.

Free Elder Justice Day Workshop Set – Wednesday, May 21 Chester County Elder Abuse Taskforce will host a workshop for the public and human

services agencies from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 21 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 19 West Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester. Presentations will include guardianships, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, scams,

powers of attorney, understanding the court system, and the Chester County Department of Aging Services Further information and requested registration are available at http://pa-

chestercounty.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/370 or (610) 344-6035.

NEW THIS WEEK: PennDOT Seeks Public Input on Transportation Priorities –

Through Friday, May 30 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking online public comment in regard to transportation priorities and investments to help update the state’s long range

transportation plan and develop its first comprehensive freight movement plan. The survey is available through May 30 at http://paontrack.metroquest.com.

Free Healing Arts for Veterans and Cancer Patients – Through Mid-June

ArtFusion 19464 is offering weekly classes in pottery or printmaking for veterans and those

whose lives have been touched by cancer at its facility at 254 East High Street, Pottstown, along with five general tuition art class scholarships for veterans. Printmaking classes are being held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or from 10:30 p.m. to

12:30 p.m. Thursdays into June A five-week pottery workshop will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., starting

Wednesday, May 7. Further information and required registration are available at www.artfusion19464.org, info@artfusion19464.org or (610) 326-2506.

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NEW LAST WEEK: More Individuals to Be Mandated Reporters of Suspected Child

Abuse – Effective Monday, June 16 and Wednesday, December 31 Governor Corbett has signed four laws that expand and further define mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse and the reporting process, increase penalties for those failing to

report suspected abuse, and provide protections from employment discrimination for filing a good faith report of child abuse. Mandatory reporters now will include anyone who comes in contact with a child, or is

directly responsible for the care, supervision, guidance, or training of a child. Several of the new laws follow recommendations from a November 2012 report of the

Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection. One of the laws takes effect June 16, with the remainder on December 31.

Further information is available at www.pa.gov/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?agency=PAGovNews&item=15508#.U026PFdTaO4.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings

(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)

Community Nurse Network meets from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the

month to exchange information on promotion of holistic health within faith congregations and communities and to develop additional faith community nurses, also known as parish nurses. On May 1, the group will meet at the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square. Further information is available from Joan Holliday at

dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Kennett Area Each and All Dialogue Group meets from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the first

Wednesday of the month at the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square, to promote a living philosophy of being and becoming a peaceful, progressive and inclusive community. Further information is available from Joan Holliday at

dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. COSECHA (Harvest) meets from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month from September through June at various Southern Chester County locations. Paid

and volunteer individuals who work with Chester County children, youth and families share information and build partnerships for after-school, out-of-school and summer programs. Further information is available from Laurie Szoke at las7@psu.edu or (610) 696-3500.

Kennett Area Bridging the Community meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays of January, March, May, July, September and November at various community locations with any interested individual or organization welcome to attend and share information on

resources and needs that can build "bridges" toward a more integrated Kennett area community. On May 14, the group will meet at The Garage Community and Youth Center, 115 South Union Street, Kennett Square. Additional information is available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Minutes from prior meetings are

available at www.bridgingcommunity.com/bridging.php. Chester County Family and Community Partnership meets from 10 a.m. to noon on

the first Friday of February, April, June, August, October and December at various locations.

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The group is a diverse partnership of individuals, families, community organizations, service agencies, businesses and funders committed to empowering individuals and families in

living self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling lives. Additional information is available from Kathy Brauner at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262. Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN) meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the third

Wednesday of the month, except August and December, in the fourth floor conference room at Brandywine Health Center at 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Representatives of community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and

hear presentations from various services providers. Further information is available from Kathryn Spurlock at ccch@comcast.net or at (610) 380-7111 x16. Lancaster County LINK to Aging and Disability Resources meets from 1 p.m. to

2:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at various Lancaster area locations for services cross-trainings and exchange of information on creating a one-stop, no-wrong-door resource for older adults and adults with disabilities, including consumers, family members

and others, seeking information about local resources. On May 15, Brian Duke, Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary, will address a combined meeting of the Lancaster, Berks and Lebanon County LINKs, followed by Angela Smoyer, regional housing coordinator with the Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania (SDHP). On

June 19, Zachary Landes and Kevin Murphy of HGSK Law Firm will present Legal Perspectives on Social Security Disability at Congregation Shaarai Shomayim, 75 East James Street, Lancaster. Further information is available from Brian Long, coordinator, at

http://linktest2.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/march-meeting-notice.pdf, LancasterCountyLINK@mail.com or (717) 380-9714. Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the

fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from various services providers. On May 27, Surrey Services and Highgate

Village will present. On June 24, Tel Hai Retirement Community and Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County will provide information. Additional information about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 792-9282

x201 or at debbie.openhearth@verizon.net. Communities That Care (CTC) groups in several Chester County school districts provide

networking opportunities for community organizations and individuals that use a planning and mobilization model to promote healthy youth development and prevent and reduce negative youth health and behavior issues that may include substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence.

• West Chester CTC meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the second Thursday of

each month of the school year at the West Chester Area School District Spellman

Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. Lunch is provided by reserving at rsvp@wcctc.org or (610) 359-5817.

• Downingtown Area CTC meets from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the

month from September through May at the Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton. On May 20, Sarah Marion of Holcomb Behavioral Health will discuss gambling addictions and prevention. Further information is available at dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 458-9090 x2827.

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• Coatesville CTC Community Prevention Board, a body coterminous with the Coatesville Youth Initiative Steering Committee, meets from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the

third Thursday of every other month in the fourth floor meeting room of the Brandywine Health Foundation, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Further information is available from Jarvis Berry, CTC community mobilizer, at jberry@brandywinefoundation.org or (610) 380-9080 x105.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Support Groups for Unemployed and Underemployed -

Ongoing

Several networking/support groups (open to everyone) are available at area churches for persons who are unemployed or unemployed, with each providing its own variety of specific services in support of those who attend:

• Downingtown (Lionville/Exton) -- Barnabas Group, at Calvary Fellowship Church, 95 West Devon Drive (rear entrance) at Route 113 in Exton (Lionville) is named after the Biblical disciple known as the Son of Encouragement. Weekly sessions are part of the church’s Care Monday, that includes a prayer group that meets at the same

time in the Prayer Lobby (Portico Entrance), with intercession for those attending the Barnabas Group and the church’s other Care Ministries, including DivorceCare for those coping with separation or divorce, even years later; Mending Hearts for those

with prodigal children and other family members; and various offerings focused on assistance in healing and coping. Further information for Barnabas Group activities is available at barnabasgroup@cfdownington.com or (610) 363-7171.

• Malvern – Penn State Great Valley’s Alumni Association and MyCareer Transitions (MCT), an all-volunteer job counseling group, meets from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. the second Saturday of the month, except August and December, in 130 Main Building, Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, preceded by a

new member orientation at 8:30 a.m. On May 10, Amy Thul-Sigler, assistant director for Penn State Alumni Career Services Department, will discuss Writing Effective Resumes. Further information and required registration are available at

http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings.

• Wayne – A one-on-one Employment Guidance Ministry, along with periodic special employment related events to aid jobseekers is available at St. David’s Episcopal

Church, 763 South Valley Forge Road, Malvern. Further information is available from George Vosburgh at gbvosburgh@aol.com or (610) 688-7947.

• West Chester – Unemployment support group meets bi-weekly from 5:45 p.m. to

7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner Street, West Chester, to learn tips and techniques related to job searches. Further information is available

from Elisabeth Hartwell at ehartwell@firstpreswc.com, at (610) 696-0554.

• West Chester – A new BarnabasWC group meets from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Mondays, except holidays, in the Community Room, Providence Church, 430 Hannum Avenue, West Chester. Further information is available at www.barnabaswc.org or info@barnabaswc.org.

• Six Area Affiliates of Joseph's People meet during the month: • Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, at

St. Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor Avenue (Route 322), in the parish meeting room behind the school at the back of the property. On May 13, job coach Bob

Rosania will review the third segment from the organization’s free, updated

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Journey of Life career assistance book. Information about the affiliate is available by leaving a message at (610) 873-7117.

• Berwyn/Main Line - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at the Hagenbach Room, St. Monica’s Church, 601 First Avenue. Further information is available from Bob Schubert at bobschubertjr@aim.com or (610) 755-2398.

• Media -- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays for GetWorks, at

Hassler Chapel, Media Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike, or in the St. Francis Room at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 North Providence Road. On

April 29, an added date at the Presbyterian Church, a presentation will be made on Behavioral Interviewing. Further information is available at (610) 566-3944.

• Upper Uwchlan Township – 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at the School Education Center, St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester Springs. Further information is available at (610) 321-1200 or at

david.bolz@verizon.net. • Reading – 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm. on the first and third Wednesdays at St

Catharine's of Siena Parish Center. 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Further information is available from John Senick, facilitator, at (610) 779-4005.

• West Grove – 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the new Parish Life Center, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 300 State Road, West Grove. Further information is available from John Colgan at

johnfcolgan@gmail.com.

Additional information on all St. Joseph’s People chapters is available at www.josephspeople.org.

Many New Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job Openings Report –April

Unemployed and underemployed persons seeking education and training in career planning, along with employment assistance for veterans, ex-offenders and persons with disabilities,

can take advantage of a broad series of monthly workshops offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor CareerLink at its Chester County office in Coatesville. These trainings include a new Resume Re-Invention Workshop for Professionals,

Overcoming the Age Barrier, Job Search and Networking Online, along with an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer.

Job fair opportunities also posted to the Calendar A full calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops is available at www.pacareerlinkchesco.org/calendar. Persons interested in seminars may register at

(610) 384-9393. A several-page monthly consolidated Job Openings Report and statistical information on the local labor market are available http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/17068. Daily

position openings updates are available through www.cwds.state.pa.us. Websites for additional county PA CareerLink offices in the area, at which many services are

available to out-of-county residents, include:

Berks: www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/CareerLink/Pages/default.aspx Delaware: www.delcoworks.org

Lancaster: www.jobs4lancaster.com Montgomery: www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1024

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Chester County Register of Wills Making Free “House Calls” Chester County Register of Wills Terri Clark is making pre-scheduled appointments to hospices, nursing facilities, hospitals, and private homes to execute legal documents pertaining to marriage licenses and notarizing power-of-attorneys for those who are non-

ambulatory or in last stages of life. There is no cost for the on-site visit but standard service fees will apply.

Further information and scheduling is available at (610) 344-6335.

Summer Youth Camps Signups Underway Registrations are underway for both the summer State Police Camp Cadet, and Camp Dreamcatcher for HIV/AIDS infected and/or affected youth.

• Camp Cadet, for youth ages 12 to 15, or 11 to 13 in Chester County, is designed to introduce participants to the diverse criminal justice system and establish a positive relationship between youth and law enforcement personnel. It is structured similar

to training at the police academy and focuses on discipline, self-esteem, teamwork, drug and alcohol education, violence prevention and many other issues facing today’s youth.

Further information about locations throughout the state and registration information for limited enrollment are available at www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4451&&PageID=461143&mode=2.

• Camp Dreamcatcher, held the week of August 17-23 at Camp Saginaw at Oxford,

provides therapeutic and educational programs for HIV/AIDS infected and/or affected

youth from ages five to 17 in age-appropriate groups. Further information is available at www.campdreamcatcher.org, campdreamcatcher@kennett.net or (610) 925-2998.

Coatesville Farmer’s Market Leaving City

Coatesville Farmer's Market, which has been operating Saturdays during the summer at Gateway Park at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and South 1st Avenue in Coatesville, is moving to the Brandywine Hospital, 201 Reeceville Road.

The market now will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Further information is available at www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleFarmersMarket or coatesvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Chester County Starts Public Access Mapping with Mental Health

Chester County Department of Human Services has started a process to map client services to assist the public and services providers in understanding how to access them.

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The first System of Care initiatives include Child Early Intervention and Mental Health Services, along with Adult Mental Health Services. Supplemental guides provide additional

information about various aspects of such services, including terminology. Additional agencies currently are developing similar documents.

The single-page maps and the supplemental guides are available at www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=617.

Alianzas Moves in Phoenixville; Orion Communities in Transition Alizanzas, a community collaboration to help improve Latino/Hispanic community access to local resources and promote intercultural communication and understanding between the

Latino/Hispanic and the broader communities, has moved from under the auspices of Orion Communities in Phoenixville. The organization has relocated to 148 Church Street, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

weekdays with telephone (610) 933-9200. Further information about the organization is available at www.facebook.com/pages/Alianzas-de-Phoenixville/190616354296398.

In the meantime, Orion Communities, at 174 Bridge Street, a 35-year-old organization focused on assisting individuals experiencing poverty, disability, or illness whose needs are unmet by other resources, reports that it is in a state of transition through the end of May. It also will be passing on its employment assistance initiatives to other entities.

The office will be staffed by volunteers for limited hours weekdays, with individuals able to connect for services by leaving a message at (610) 415-1140. Further information about the organization is available at www.orioncommunities.org.

Chester County Joins Phone App Community

Chester County has released both iPhone and Android apps to assist individuals with obtaining information on some county services. Current links include County government news, a calendar of meetings, events and health

clinics, County parks and trails, courts information, emergency alerts through ReadyNotify PA, a directory of social services, land use planning, details and locations of all Chester County government department offices, available County jobs, inspection reports for all

restaurants and food handling operations, and links to Chester County’s social media communication and YouTube channel. Seasonal functions, such as election results, will be added during the year.

The free app is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and can be found by Chesco or ChescoCONNECT key word search.

Chester joins Montgomery County which unveiled its government app, Go Montco, last August that includes News, Calendar, Parks & Trails, Staff Directory, Frequently Asked Questions, Requests for Proposals and Bids, Jobs and more.

A Lancaster County Exploration Guide also is available through the Pennsylvania Dutch Country tourism program.

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(800) FIX-ROAD Pothole Reports

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) receives information on needed pothole repair by telephone or e-mail. The service, that also includes reporting of stormwater and drainage concerns and traffic-

related concerns, or property damage incurred by PennDOToperations, is available at (800) FIX-ROAD, (800) 349-7623 or www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/web.nsf/HomepageWithFooter?OpenFrameSet&Frame=main&Src=%2FInternet%2Fweb.nsf%2FContactUsCCC%3FOpenForm%26AutoFramed.

Municipal road issues should be reported to local governments.

Services Expansion of Free Southern Chester County Ride For Health Initiative The Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) and the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation have expanded their Ride for Health Initiative

(RFHI) in Southern Chester County to include trips for human and social services needs in addition to the earlier healthcare focus.

The service provides taxi or public transit trips for eligible residents of Avon Grove, Kennett, Oxford and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts to health and human and social services sites, including those in Kennett Square, West Chester and Coatesville.

Scheduled transportation is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays from Kennett Area Community Service, 136 West Cedar Street, Kennett Square. Earlier information is available at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-1463/FREE+Medical+Transportation.pdf or (610) 925-3556. Information also is available

from partner agencies at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-1419/RFHI+Flyer+%28English%29_8+23+13.pdf.

Information on a similar Phoenixville area initiative that has been in existence since 2000 is available at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102570574404-1464/ride+for+health+brochure.pdf.

Lead-Based Paint Mitigation Funding Program Starts

Chester County Department of Health has initiated a funding initiative for eligible homeowners and landlords to receive at least 90% of the costs for removing lead hazards in homes with children.

Home occupants meeting 80% of federal Area Median Income guidelines (up to $44,150 annually for an individual or $63,050 for a family of four, as examples) may be eligible if a property is in Chester County, constructed before 1978, and a child under the age of six lives in the home, is expected to live in the home, or visits more than six hours per week.

Further information is available at http://pa-chestercounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/16098 or from Kevin Zeeger, lead

hazard control program coordinator, at kzeeger@chesco.org or (610) 344-6725.

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Fishing and Boating Reports Available Pennsylvania State Fish and Boat Commission provides regional fishing, boating and

waterway reports for areas throughout the state at www.fish.state.pa.us/splashes.htm. Please Note: New and Updated tags refer only to the time of appearance of information in these E-Updates. Some on-going activities may have been in existence for some time and are being listed for aware-ness.

Letting People Know/Making a Difference - Ongoing Feedback indicates that a lack of communications tools is a primary deficiency in bringing community services providers and those needing information together. If you know of an activity designed to have a real impact on families (this includes individuals and youth) that we should be aware of or might be interested in reporting in these periodic e-mail updates, please let me know, either with details or a web site link. In order to maintain its value, this forum currently is a subjective, selective distribution so all information submitted may not be used. Also, if you know someone who might be helped by these periodic updates, please forward all or selected portions as you feel appropriate. If you would like to be added to or removed from this list, please hit reply and advise by typing "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" or something similar in the Subject line. Events listed are based on subject matter related to activities impacting families and is based on information reported to us. No endorsement is made or implied. Suggestions for improvements are encouraged. We currently are developing a more advanced electronic communications method for this type of material that will have more expansive yet less obtrusive characteristics. Please stay tuned. To submit materials for publication, please refer to the guidelines that follow.

Blessings Casey

Casey Jones Transformation Initiative Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families (610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com

General Guidelines for Information Submission: Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure for new subscribers, persons who don't read the list every week, and for other organizations that want to avoid scheduling opposite an event or might want to collaborate with another in the area. For annual events, longer lead times may be appropriate. Our deadline generally is the Friday before the week of publication. A general idea of the information needed (many submit too little for the consumer to understand what actually is occurring and why they might like to attend) can be obtained by perusing the publications or using the following guide:

Please use full names followed, if appropriate, by acronyms in parenthesis.

• Name of Event:

• Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates:

• Times (Starting and ending):

• Location (Including any applicable room number, particularly in a large facility, and a Mapquest or Google

Maps searchable address:

• Sponsoring Organization(s), if not part of the location address:

• Participant Eligibility (Ages, gender, etc.):

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• Description of Activities and, as applicable, the presenter and the purpose of the event (Two to three

descriptive sentences with the most appealing information; please avoid superfluous words such as "wonderful", "great", etc.):

• Any Fees, including free-will offerings:

• Contact name, e-mail, telephone, along with any web page that is focused primarily on the specific activity:

• Any registration requirements:

We generally use only free activities of a non-commercial nature or those in which a very small materials fee is charged.

• Fund-raising activities generally are not published unless there is a good mixture of free activities also

available, including free admission, and a participant has the choice of purchasing incidental items, such as food or crafts.

• Church events generally are published only if they are separate from normal weekly worship services.

Due to the wide variety of activities available, decisions on publication ultimately are determined on a case-by-case basis in context with focus of the publications.