Delaware County News in Brief

Bikers (and walkers, too)

will benefit Bike 4 Sight

Riders will pedal through scenic parts of Delaware, Chester and New Castle Counties as part of the 2008 Bike 4 Sight fund-raiser next Sunday.

Proceeds will support the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a Chester-based nonprofit organization that provides rehabilitation and training programs for people with vision loss throughout the region.

All rides will begin in front of the Delaware County Courthouse, 201 W. Front St., Media.

Riders can choose from five routes: the 62-mile Metric Century Route, starting at 7:30 a.m.; the 50-mile Long Route, also at 7:30; the 35-mile Medium Route, at 8:30; the 13-mile Short Route, at 10; and the two-mile Family Route, at 11.

The 62- and 50-mile routes include a rest stop at the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, the 60-acre naturalistic garden in Delaware.

Walkers also can travel the two-mile Family Route.

The family ride and walk-a-long costs $25 per person, with children younger than 12 riding for free. All other rides cost $35 per rider, except for tandems with a blind or visually impaired person. Each tandem ride costs $35.

The day also will include a complimentary continental breakfast for riders. All rest stops along the routes will be stocked with beverages, fruits and snacks. An after-ride expo will feature a free food court for riders and walkers, music, massages, and an award ceremony.

For more information, call the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired at 610-874-1476, Ext. 130; e-mail

» READ MORE: bike4sight@cbvi.net

; or visit

» READ MORE: www.bike4sight.org

.

Heinz Wildlife Refuge

to honor late staff member

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum will honor a staff member who died this month when it holds the annual "Passport to Fishing" program from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Sunday.

Bill Thomas, who worked at the refuge for six years, used to coordinate the annual free day of fishing programs and instruction, in which students learn how to use equipment, identify fish and cast and bait a hook. There also is a special lesson on the ethics of fishing.

After Thomas died last Sunday, his coworkers decided to rename the event the "Bill Thomas Passport to Fishing" program.

The event is free, and no fishing license is required. Participants are asked to bring fishing gear, but a limited number of lender rods, reels and tackle boxes will be available.

The wildlife refuge is at 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia. For more information, call 215-365-3118.

David S. McCloskey heads

Delco surgery department

David S. McCloskey of Wynnewood recently was named chairman of the Department of Surgery at Delaware County Memorial Hospital, succeeding Seth Malin.

McCloskey is entering his 17th year as a surgeon at the Drexel Hill hospital, and is part of the Crozer-Keystone Health Network's Delaware Valley Surgical Associates practice.

The Penn State University graduate completed his medical residency and education at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He teaches medical students as a preceptor at Philadelphia University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and other institutions.

He specializes in general and vascular surgeries.

Sheriff Joseph McGinn

chosen for leaders program

Delaware County Sheriff Joseph McGinn was one of 35 individuals chosen to participate in the Center for Homeland Defense and Security's Executive Leaders Program.

Several thousand people from across the nation applied for the program. McGinn will attend four one-week sessions over a nine-month period at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security facilities in Monterey, Calif.

The training will focus on the foundational aspects of homeland security, the nature of threats, and legal and cultural aspects of preventing and preparing for threats.

The curriculum also will highlight necessary collaborations to manage information sharing, threat recognition, protection measures and action plans.

Officials from all levels of government and the private sector will attend the program. All costs, including lodging and travel, are paid for by the Department of Homeland Security.

McGinn was appointed sheriff of Delaware County in 2003, and was elected to a full term in 2005. He manages 60 uniformed officers and more than 15 support personnel.

The retired Delaware County Community College teacher lives in Lower Chichester with his wife, Judie.

- Ed Mahon