Ridley HS alumna, young adult author, holds book signing Saturday
SPRINGFIELD » Ridley High School graduate and author Diana Rodriguez Wallach hosts a book signing and reading at Books-AMillion in the Springfield Mall Saturday, April 14, from 3-5 p.m. for her latest young adult novel, “Lies That Bind,” the sequel to last year’s “Proof of Lies.”
The first book in the Anastasia Phoenix trilogy, “Proof of Lies,” was named by Paste Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Best Young Adult Books for March 2017.” Bustle also listed her as one of the “Top Nine Latinx Authors to Read for Women’s History Month 2017.”
“Lies that Bind,” the second book in her series of young adult spy thrillers, follows 17-year-old Anastasia as she searches for the truth about her criminal parents, a journey that takes her from fiery festival in Lewes, England all the way to a lavish wedding in Rio de Janeiro.
“I love to travel,” said Rodriguez Wallach, back from a research trip to Poland and Prague for next year’s conclusion to the series, “End of the Lie.” “All of the experiences I give go my characters are based on my own travels.”
“Lies that Bind” begins at Bonfire Night in England. “People parade through the streets in costumes carrying torches that they drop to the ground when they get too hot, all on cobblestone streets in a village smaller than Swarthmore. It was like nothing we would ever allow to happen in the states,” said Rodriguez Wallach, who grew up in Folsom and Swarthmore.
The end of “Lies that Bind” takes Anastasia to Rio de Janeiro, where Rodriguez Wallach attended a wedding a few years ago with friends from her alma mater Boston University. “When you think of spies, you think of international locations, and traveling has to be the best form of book research.”
Though for research, Rodriguez Wallach also spent a lot of time diving into real-life conspiracy series. Like the first book in the series, “Lies That Bind” twists true historical events to imagine alternate theories for how they really happened.
“Disinformation is in the news all the time now, with good reason. It happens,” said Rodriguez Wallach, a former journalist. “When I write about recent crimes being committed by the Turkish government, it’s based on an interview with a Harvard professor whose father-in-law was unjustly imprisoned there, along with hundreds of others. These are true events, I just insert my characters in the stories.”
Rodriguez Wallach, a 1996 graduate from Ridley High School, is looking forward to seeing her former classmates and teachers at her event. “My kindergarten teacher from Edgewood Elementary surprised me by coming to one of my signings. And I have high school teachers who’ve come to several events. It really means a lot,” she said.
Rodriguez Wallach is a teacher herself, a creative writing instructor for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth. “I have a newfound appreciation for all of the teachers I’ve had in my life and how much they’ve impacted me.”
Books-A- Million April 14.
Designer Bag Bingo in Eddystone
EDDYSTONE » The Eddystone Ladies’ Auxiliary hosts a Designer Bag Bingo at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 14, in Joe Hughes Hall, 1112 E. Seventh St. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Doors open at 6.
The event is BYOB/food. Raffles and 50/50 chances are available for sale. Guests must be 18 to attend; there are no exceptions. For tickets and information, call 610-872-5674 or borough hall at 610-876-3106.
Dog license checks next week
HARRISBURG » In an effort to ensure that both pets and people are kept safe across Pennsylvania, state dog wardens will conduct dog license and rabies vaccination checks in 26 counties in April. Dates for Delaware County are April 16-20.
This outreach program helps educate Pennsylvanians about the need to keep dog licenses and rabies vaccinations – for both cats and dogs – up to date. Pennsylvania law requires all dogs three months or older to be licensed by January 1 of each year. The fee is $6.50 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.50 for other dogs. Older adults and persons with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.50 for spayed or neutered dogs and $6.50 for others.
Additionally, all dogs and non-feral cats three months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies. Booster vaccinations must be administered periodically to maintain lifelong immunity.
Violators may be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per violation plus court costs. For information, visit www.licenseyourdogPA.com, or call 717787-3062.
Dog licenses can be purchased in Delaware County at the Delaware County Treasurer’s Office, ground floor, Delaware County Government Center, 201 W. Front St., Media, or the Delaware County Department of Parks and Recreation, Leedom House, Rose Tree Park, 1621 N. Providence Road, Upper Providence (yearly license only). For information, call the treasurer’s office at 610-891-4276.
Additional locations are: Arts Animals, 212 MacDade Blvd., Holmes; Brookhaven Borough Hall, 2 Cambridge Road; Chester Pike Animal Hospital, 304 N. Chester Pike, Glenolden; Community Animal Hospital, 2625 West Chester Pike, Broomall; Delco Veterinary Hospital, 1301 Hook Road, Sharon Hill; Glencroft Veterinary Hospital, 6 E. Glenolden Ave.; Glenolden Veterinary Hospital, 405 MacDade Blvd.; Middletown Township, 27 N. Pennell Road, Lima; Old Marple Veterinary Clinic, 820 W. Springfield Road, Springfield; Prince’s Pet Goodies, 511 State Road, Springfield; Radnor Vet, 107 N. Aberdeen Ave, Wayne; Upland Borough, Main Street and Castle Ave.; Upper Darby Township Building, 100 Garrett Road.
New music fest in Chadds Ford
CHADDS FORD » The Chadds Ford Historical Society (CFHS) introduces a new music festival this year, Music in the Meadow, from noon-7 p.m. Saturday, May 19. Come out to hear a day of music from four local bands, food from area restaurants and games for all ages.
Music in the Meadow is held on the grounds of Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 N. Creek Road. Free parking is available adjacent to the festival grounds. Advance tickets are $15 for adults 18 and older, and free for children 17 and under. CFHS members are free with membership card.
The music lineup includes West Chester indie rock trio WaveRadio at 12:30 p.m.; Kennett Square’s Rolling Thunder Blues Review at 2; classic rock band the Sin Brothers Band at 3:45 p.m.; and Special Delivery Band at 5:30 with a mix of soul, funk and rock.
Food is available from local restaurants and wine and beer from local brewers and wineries. Lawn games on site include giant Jenga, Kan Jam, horseshoes and more. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcomed to attend.
For tickets and information, visit www.chaddsfordhistory.org. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, May 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. The entertainment
is sponsored in part by Taylor’s Music and TribeSound Studio of West Chester.
‘Dining Days’ back in 164th
State Rep. Margo Davidson, D-Delaware, invites area residents to celebrate “International Dining Days” from April 13-22 at restaurants in the 164th Legislative District.
For the eighth straight year, Davidson and Destination Delco have sponsored the event that “celebrates diversity through food” and features restaurants serving cuisines from around the world in the district’s five municipalities — East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, Millbourne, Upper Darby and Yeadon.
“I have sponsored this celebration as a result of the ‘Eat 4Peace’ concept, inspired by the unique experiences of Anthony Lucidonio Jr., known as ‘Tony Luke,’ who has restaurants in Delaware County and all over the world,” Davidson said. “I’m excited to continue this tradition that harvests healthy and positive relationships among the diverse people that I serve, where over 83 languages are spoken in our schools and cuisines from all over the globe can be found here locally.”
Participation is open to all restaurants in the 164th District, and this year more than 30 restaurants are taking part in the celebration.
“In the spirit of inclusion in the most diverse district in the commonwealth, this year, all the municipalities where restaurants are located are co-sponsors, along with the Bureau of Tourism, which will provide prizes at a drawing at the end of the International Dining Days event. Folks who visit three or more restaurants will be eligible for the drawing.”
For information about Davidson’s International Dining Days event or a “passport” with the complete list of participating restaurants, contact sponsoring municipalities in the 164th Legislative District, call Davidson’s district office at 610-259-7016 or email arice@pahouse.net