Green Energy Event hosted by: State Representative Paul J. Drucker. At Delaware Valley Friends School, 19 E. Central Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301. To be held on Thursday, February 25 from 3 P.M. to 7 P. M. Come visit and see how you can “Go Green” this year by talking with experts and seeing products that will help you conserve your home energy and save your money.

My name is Betty Cauler and I am a graduate student in the English and Publishing program at Rosemont College. I also worked for 23 years as a newspaper photographer and videographer in Allentown, Pa.
I'm currently working on an educational video documentary called “The Pennhurst Project.” The goal of the project is to record and archive first-person narratives from the staff, administrators and residents of Pennhurst State School and Hospital. I grew up not far from Pennhurst and I have always had an interest in the controversy that seems to surround this institution. Now that the campus has been deserted for over twenty years and has recently been bought by a private developer, I feel it is extremely important to document people’s memories about what life was like there.
Like it or not, Pennhurst was in the national spotlight for many years, thanks to the NBC 10 exposé by Bill Baldini in 1968 and the ensuing class-action lawsuit in 1974 that finally shut it down. This was an important time in history for the civil rights movement as public opinion was shifting away from “warehousing” of those with developmental disabilities into large, isolated institutions and towards more community-based group homes.
The results of the project will be included in an interactive history-based Web site and video documentary that will show the sights and sounds of Pennhurst through the stories and experiences of those who were connected with the institution in some way.
I am looking for men and women in the Spring-Ford, Pottstown and Phoenixville areas who were residents or employees of Pennhurst and who would like to be interviewed for this project. I realize that Pennhurst is a controversial subject to a lot of people and that there may be some hesitation in talking about it on-camera. Therefore, those of you who respond may remain anonymous if you wish, and I will only record your voice but not use your name.
Please feel free to contact me at: betty@bettycauler.com or by phone at 484-866-1540 or 610-435-3501 if you have any questions or concerns. Your story is very important in documenting this era in our national history.
Thank you.

Jerry Wheaton (pictured above), 61, poses in his Spring City apartment. Wheaton was sent to Pennhurst State School and Hospital when he was 3 years old and lived there until age 21.

The Chester County Orphans’ Court appoints guardians for people who need help in making decisions about their daily lives. The guardian is responsible for protecting the person under guardianship (called a Ward), to manage any funds the person may have, and to arrange for care which will adequately provide for the Ward’s well being. The purpose of the Court Volunteer Program is to give the Court a way to obtain current information about Wards and to verify that each is receiving good care.
The Court Visitor goes to the Ward's residence, observes conditions and talks with the Ward about his or her needs.
The Court Visitor will also speak to the guardian and to any other caregivers. Visitors need good communication skill, friendliness and common sense, objectivity and an ability to maintain confidentiality.
Training covers the guardianship process, wards' rights, communicating with wards that may have communication difficulties and what to look for on visits.
A volunteer should be able to give about a half a day per week. Volunteers are also needed to update information from Court files.
Training for new volunteers will be held on March 22. Please call Jean Gardner at 610-344-6074 for an application and more information.

Bryan Exley, a senior at the public cyber school Commonwealth Connections Academy, is using his musical talents and connections with local musicians to give back to the community for his senior project.

Exley has organized 4 concerts with his band and other local musicians, with all proceeds being donated to The Clinic in his hometown of Phoenixville – a free medical center for the uninsured. The last concert of the series will be this Friday, February 5 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Epiphany Church, 209 South 3rd Ave, Royersford.

With his first three concerts, Exley has raised about $500 and hopes to hit the $800 mark with his last show on Friday.

There will be 6 local acoustic acts in Friday’s show, including Exley’s Indy rock/jazz band The Charlotte Hotel. Tickets will be $7.00 at the door. Other local acts playing are The Rescue, Hillary Wallace, Boog, Pelley, and Nicole Vell

PHOENIXVILLE – JBW Enterprises of Phoenixville, PA hosts its debut CAREER CURE event, PHARMA CAREER CURE, to address the issues individuals are facing from local industries in transition. This debut event in the CAREER CURE series offers pharmaceutical professionals of all levels an empowering evening that features industry experts offering counsel on resume development, social networking, financial rollover, benefits, positive thinking, and more. PHARMA CAREER CURE takes place WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, PA.
“Pharma Career Cure is designed to place, resolve and secure local pharmaceutical professionals in career transition due to recent mergers, acquisitions and downsizing in the area’s major pharmaceutical companies,” said Julia Brufke Wenger, renowned area job transition expert, JBW Enterprises, LLC. “This event will feature industry experts leading essential panels and break-out sessions offering counsel in the areas of resume development, social networking, financial rollover, benefits and positive thinking.”
Special on-site offerings available at the premiere PHARMA CAREER CURE include: motivational workshops; financial planning; tax consulting; LinkedIn counsel; relocation advice; on-site resume review; head shots; recruiter networking; and dinner. To kick-off the night, Lynn Doyle, host/executive producer “It’s Your Call” on The Comcast Network, www.lynndoyle.net, will serve as keynote speaker to inspire and motivate event attendees, sharing her personal career journey and ongoing transitioning in the professional world.
Featured break-out sessions and industry expert presenters include: “Your Retirement Plan…Now What,” Jason Brown, Vice President, Prudential Annuities, www.prudentialannuities.com; “Overcoming Age Bias in the Job Search,” Charlene Holsendorff, Right Management, www.rightmanagement.com; “Staying LinkedIn to Mobilize and Socialize Online,” Kristen Kane, Senior Consultant & Social Media Expert, Kane Partners, LLC , www.kanepartners.net; “Continuity of Protection Insurance,” Anthony Nicolai, Investment Advisor Representative, Bala Financial Group; “Starting your own Firm,” Julia Brufke Wenger, JBW Enterprises; “Manage Stress with a Journey to Fitness,” Linda Jassmond, Certified Personal Trainer & Author, Linda S. Jassmond, LLC, www.FitnessLinda.com; “Surviving the Volitile Real Estate Market,” Nancy Haas, Real Estate Transition and Relocation Expert, Keller Williams Main Line Realty, Bryn Mawr, PA, www.nancyhaas.com; “Saying YES to Who You are Meant to Be in 2010,” Reverend Dr. Lorraine Cohen, Spiritual Life Coach & Advisor, Inspirational Speaker, Broadcaster, Powerfull Living, www.powerfull-living.biz; and “Health Insurance Options for the Individual,” Mark Hogan, Vice President, TRION, www.triongroup.com.
The empowerment entrance fee to Pharma Career Cure is $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Please call 610-933-3507 or email your contact information to careercure@gmail.com and we will respond within 24 hours to register you directly. A delicious dinner is included. More information is available at www.careercure.net.
ABOUT JBW ENTERPRISES, LLC:
JBW Enterprises is a comprehensive financial planning, career transition, tax service, real estate investment/development, and new-business practice based in Phoenixville, PA. Founded by Julia Brufke Wenger, who also serves as principal, Phoenix Tax Consultants and Bala Financial Group, Inc., Phoenixville Branch, JBW offers individuals the personal expertise of a registered investment advisor, insurance agent and certified retirement counselor. JBW serves as an active leader of the Phoenixville business community and the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
As founder and president of JBW Enterprises, Julia Brufke Wenger offers personal experience in the areas of divorce, elder care, parenting, and business ownership. She is sensitive to the concerns of individuals making financial decisions and considers the clients’ complete situations when planning for them. Her vision for JBW, Enterprises has evolved into a one-stop source for taxes and financial services. This expanded role is convenient for clients and assists in developing tax-efficient investment strategies aimed at maximum results.