Zabel presents Medicare update at senior breakfast
ALDAN » State Rep. Mike Zabel, D-163 of Upper Darby, will host a Senior Breakfast that will also include a presentation on new and updated information for Medicare in 2020, from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Aldan Memorial Post 1000, 106 Bonsall Ave.
Zabel and members of his staff will also be available to assist attendees with any government-related problems. More information about the breakfast and presentation is available by calling Zabel’s office at 484-200-8262.
Yusef Salaam speaks at Cheyney University
The public is invited to hear Yusef Salaam, one of wrongfully convicted Central Park Five, speak 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Cheyney University, 1837 University Circle, Cheyney.
His story was the subject of the Netflix Emmy nominated miniseries “Now They See Us,” which tells his dramatic, and compelling story of his arrest, conviction, exoneration and his continued fight for justice for all.
Attorney Michael Malloy of Media, who is representing Leroy Evans, who has been in jail 39 years for a murder that he claims he did not commit, is also speaking at the symposium. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to delco black caucus. com. Tickets must be purchased by Oct. 12. Lunch will be provided for all attendees.
Wallingford Presbyterian Church holds panel discussion on prison reform
“Turning Towards Justice: Prison Reform and Personal Action” will be the topic of a panel discussion, 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at Wallingford Presbyterian Church, 110 East Brookhaven Road, Wallingford. The presentation will focus on keeping kids out of prison, helping those in prison prepare for re-entry into society and changing the overall system to lessen the number of incarcerated individuals.
The speakers will be prison reform activist Angela Bandy; Jerry Newell of Thresholds, which provides a six-step decisionmaking program to interested inmates in Delaware County’s prisons; Nelson Vecchione, of Delaware County Coalition for Prison Reform and Keith Reeves, director of the Urban Inequality and Incarceration program at Swarthmore College’s Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility
Guests are invited to stay for a reception where they can talk to the speakers, learn about various organizations involved in making changes and the ways they can get involved.
The event is sponsored by the church’s Peacemaking and Social Justice Committee. For more information, visit http:// wallingfordpres.org.
Widow and widowers support group meets Thursday
The To Live Again widow and widowers support group will meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at The Church of The Redeemer, Hillcrest and Springfield roads, Springfield. After the meeting, there will be regular bingo, with money prizes.
Lansdowne Folk Club presents Gathering Time and Mara Levine
Lansdowne Folk Club will present Mara Levine and Gathering Time 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 when purchased online or with a phone reservation and
$20 without an advance reservation. Parking is available on the street and at the SEPTA train station approximately one block away. For reservations, parking information, advance ticket sales and more information visit www.folkclub.org or call
484-466-6213. Cash only is accepted at the door.
International touring artist Mara Levine is known as an exceptional song-finder, selecting and then creating beautiful interpretations of fine traditional and contemporary songs. Her latest CD “Facets of Folk” was the #1 album, with the #1 song and #1 artist positions on the International Folk DJ Chart for January 2019. On “Facets of Folk”, Levine presents a number of songs of social conscience with themes of taking a stand, making a difference and considering the treatment of others. Those tunes, written by popular contemporary songwriters as well as emerging talents, are all carefully set among folk favorites and lesser known songs. The singer will be supported by Gathering Time, who will have their own set at well. Learn more about her and her music at https://maralevine.com.
The folk/rock harmony trio Gathering Time is a mixture of the 1960’s folk tradition of Peter, Paul and Mary, along with the vocal complexity and electric energy of Crosby, Stills & Nash, with a dash of The Byrds and a jot of Joni Mitchell. To find out more about them, visit at www.gathering-time.com.
Other upcoming concerts include Deb Callahan on Nov. 21 and Stephen DiJoseph on Dec. 5.
Founded in 1993, the Lansdowne Folk Club is a 501(c) (3) all volunteer nonprofit corporation dedicated to presenting folk, acoustic and blues music.
Bereavement group begins at OLP parish
A series of seven sessions, conducted by members of the Our Lady of Peace Bereavement Support Group, will begin 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the parish’s Spirituality Room in the former OLP Convent, 501 Belmont Ave., Milmont Park. The series is intended to assist those grieving the death of a loved one by providing an opportunity to share thoughts and emotions and receive support from others going through the same experience and learn about the grief process.
Everyone is welcome to come to any or all the sessions. Although sponsored by the parish, non-Catholics are most welcome. If interested, contact Deacon Jim Basilio at 484431-8689.
Charity focused on opioid crisis hosts fundraiser concert
The Opioid Crisis Action Network will host a fundraiser concert 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Ardmore Music Hall. The concert will feature blues master, George Kilby Jr. and the Road Dogs and local favorite Dad band, The Unskunkables. All proceeds enable grants for those in recovery who are seeking treatment or residence in a sober-living home, but cannot afford it.
OCAN was co-founded by Heather and Larry Arata of Havertown after the heroin overdose death of their son, Brendan, 23, in December 2017. The couple advocates for the provision of best practices medical care for those suffering from substance use disorder and publishes a policy platform on its website, opioid crisis action network. com. Over 100 candidates from all political parties running for office in 2018 endorsed the OCAN platform.
On the first anniversary of their son’s death last December, the Aratas held a “Bowl for Brendan” fundraiser that enabled two major grants, one for
$1,000 to a sober-living home now called “Serenity in Recovery” in Chester, run by Shonette Dixon Purilla, on behalf of one of her financially needy residents. The other grant,
$1,800, helped pay some pressing bills for a neighbor in recovery who is responsible for caring for his disabled mother and brother. Helping those in recovery is what the Aratas call “mourning with a mission,” one they will continue for the rest of their lives in Brendan’s honor.
Larry Arata has been a big fan of George Kilby’s music since their days as classmates at Princeton University 40 years ago. Since then, Kilby has played all over the world and been called a master of the blues, Southern rock, rockabilly, and country rock.
John Woodman grew up a few doors away from Larry Arata in Havertown and their homes today are directly across the street from each other. “The opioid crisis manifested itself literally right next door the day Brendan died,” Woodman explained. “This disease has effected almost every American family and so many need treatment but cannot afford it.”
The Unskunkables are a local favorite classic rock cover band who makes sure their audience has a good time.
Tickets can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com/event/4354624 or opioidcrisisactionnetwork.com/donate.