Hear FBI profiler on Unabomber case at Neumann Nov. 8
ASTON » James Fitzgerald, the FBI profiler who played a pivotal role in the capture of the Unabomber, speaks at Neumann University at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the Bruder Life Center. His presentation is free and open to the public.
In May of 1978, a package exploded at Northwestern University, injuring a security guard. It was the first of a series of 16 bombings that would occur over the next 17 years, killing three people and injuring many others. The suspect in the case, a shadowy figure who frequently used the U.S. mail to send his homemade explosives, became known as the “Unabomber.”
Fitzgerald had already spent 11 years as a police officer and nine years as an FBI agent when he received the Unabomber case as his first assignment as a young criminal profiler. In 1995, the Unabomber had mailed a 35,000-word, anti-technology manifesto to the Washington Post and New York Times, threatening to blow up a plane if they didn’t publish it and promising to stop his attacks if they did. Fitzgerald urged the FBI and attorney general to convince both newspapers to publish the document. “A few bosses were against it,” Fitzgerald said. “We didn’t want to cede to the demands of a terrorist ... there’s so much in the way of idiosyncratic language features, someone will recognize it – a teacher, a professor, a friend, a family member.” He was right. Soon after the Washington Post published the unedited manifesto in 1995, a man told the police that the writing sounded just like his brother, Theodore Kaczynski, an ideologically motivated hermit living in a cabin in Montana. Fitzgerald’s 50-page probable cause affidavit, the first of its kind in federal court using text analysis, was the primary factor behind the judge signing the search warrant for Kaczynski’s cabin. Fitzgerald also worked on two other high-profile crimes: The Jon Benet Ramsey and D.C. Sniper cases. Today, he is a technical adviser to two TV shows, “Criminal Minds” and “Sleepy Hollow,” and the Discovery Channel recently aired an eight-part miniseries on the Unabomber case. In addition to his television consulting, he is the author of a three-part book series, A Journey to the Center of the Mind.
Media VFW breakfast Sunday
MEDIA » The Media VFW, 11 Hill Top Ave., hosts it’s monthly breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 8-11 a.m. Items served include omelets to order, eggs, French toast, breakfast meats, potatoes, pastry and beverages. Cost is $9 for adults; $3 for children under 12. Proceeds benefit local veterans.
Religious diversity talk at Swarthmore
SWARTHMORE » Swarthmore College welcomes author, speaker, educator, and interfaith leader Eboo Patel at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Lang Performing Arts Center, Cinema, to be followed by a book signing hosted by the Swarthmore Campus and Community Store.
The United States is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world. How does it respond to such diversity is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. In particular, how does it identify and pursue a common civic good without ignoring or erasing different worldviews? Building bridges across such differences is critical, Patel argues, but bridges do not build themselves, people do.
Eboo Patel is the president and founder of Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), created on the idea that religion should be a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. For over 15 years he has worked with governments, social sector organizations, and college and university campuses to help make interfaith cooperation a social norm. Named by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Leaders of 2009, Eboo served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council and is the author of Acts of Faith, Sacred Ground and Interfaith Leadership: A Primer. He holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship.
Hear choristers Nov. 27
HAVERFORD » The Havertown Choristers, directed by Jennifer Cox, presents its Winter Concert on Monday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. in the Haverford High School auditorium, 200 Mill Road, Havertown. The Choristers present a varied program including “Glory to God” from The Messiah by Handel, “Give Thanks Unto Our God” by Pachelbel, “O Holy Night” by Adam/Seymour, and “The Christmas Song” by Tormé/Wells/Ehret. In addition, the audience is invited to join in singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah as well as a group of Christmas Carols. The Havertown Choristers is affiliated with the Haverford Township Adult School. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. For information, call 610-446-1595.
Tax, rent rebate help in 191st
YEADON » State Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) holds a Property Tax/Rent Rebate session at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Yeadon Public Library, 809 Longacre Blvd., to assist constituents with completing their 2016 Property Tax/ Rent Rebate applications.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is administered by the state Department of Revenue and funded by proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery. Individuals who are 65 or older, at least 50 and widowed, or are permanently disabled and 18 or older are eligible to receive a rebate if their income falls below a certain threshold. The annual household income for property owners must be $35,000 or less, and the annual household income for renters must be $15,000 or less. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but some homeowners can qualify for a $975 rebate.
Constituents need to bring proof of identification, income and paid taxes for 2016. Information on the Yeadon Borough Homestead Exemption program is also offered. This event is open to the community.
Eat soup, fight hunger Oct. 29
NETHER PROVIDENCE » Community Arts Center and the Potters Guild host their annual Empty Bowls luncheon fundraiser, a nationwide project dedicated to the aid of hunger fighting organizations, on Sunday, Oct. 29. The event is held from noon-2 p.m. at the arts center, 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford.
For a minimum donation of $10 per bowl, attendees are invited to enjoy soup and bread donated by area chefs served in a handcrafted bowl of their choice, donated by artists affiliated with the Potters Guild and the CAC. One hundred percent of proceeds from the fundraiser go to local organizations supporting food security in Philadelphia, Chester and other locations in Delaware County. For the sixth year in a row, Clark “Chic” Bach entertains attendees with mellow piano music.
For information, call the center at 610-566- 1713 or visit www.communityartscenter.org