FRAMINGHAM, MA — Here’s what’s happening in January at the Callahan Senior Center this month!
Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center

• Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, January 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 10:00 am.

• ‘Better Breathers’ Support Group: Wednesday, January 13 at 1:00 pm.

• Diabetes Support Group: Tuesday, January 26 at 10:00 am.

• Grandparent Support Group: Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00 pm. Please call the Center to confirm in the event of a change.

• Low Vision Group: No meetings in January & February. Meeting will resume in March.

• Massage Therapy: Thursday, January 7 (by appt. only).

• Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, January 19 at 1:30 pm.

• Podiatry: Wed., January 13 with Dr. John 1:00 – 4:00 pm & Wed., January 27, with Dr. Lukoff from 1:00 – 3:30 pm (by appt. only).

• Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, January 4 at 1:00 pm.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR JANUARY – Wednesdays, January 6,13,20 & 27 from 9:30am—12:30pm

FRIENDS OF CALLAHAN UPDATE – The Friends of Callahan will hold their next general meeting on Monday, January 11, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Callahan Center. Entertainment will be provided by Franc Karpo, Magician(comedy/magic). Refreshments will be served. Please join us and bring a friend!

Heritage Gallery –  January, the beginning of a new year, also means new beginnings at the Heritage Gallery! Consignors – remember that checks will be written at the end of the quarter and that checks are not mailed. Checks may be picked up in the Gallery on 1/6 and 1/7. If you are not able to pick up your check on either of the days listed you will be able to pick up your check after 1/27. Consignors – also remember to review your inventory list for date of picking up any items that have not been sold. Please bring a carton and/or bags to hold your items as we do not always have these available. As stated on your Consignor Form, uncollected items become the property of the Gallery to be disposed of as the Gallery feels appropriate. Lastly, the Heritage Gallery will be CLOSED January 8th through January 26th. The Gallery will reopen on the regular Wednesday – Friday schedule January 27th.

Computer Literacy Center Offerings For Seniors – The Callahan Center offers a number of courses including Introduction to the PC, Intermediate PC, Internet and Email, MS Word, and Photoshop. All are 4-day a month courses and the donation is $20.00. Come and learn how to email your long-distance family and friends, check out something on the internet, or learn how to view photos sent to you and take photos and store them on your PC! If you don’t have a home computer, use one of the Center’s computers when the room is open for public use. Please call the Computer Center as this time changes each month. If interested, please call Robert Kyriakakis, Computer Center Coordinator, at 508-532-5983. If he is not available, please leave your name, phone number and a brief message and he will return your call as soon as possible.

NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICE – Janice McIntyre, our Customer Service Manager, is also a Notary Public and is available by appointment, free-of-charge. If you need something notarized, please contact Janice at 508-532-5980, ext. 4106.

You Can Still Change Your Medicare Plans! Between January 1 and March 31, you can make one change in your Medicare health plan. If you have Original Medicare, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as a Medicare HMO, Medicare PPO, or Medicare PFFS) or switch between Medicare Advantage Plans. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can return to Original Medicare. You cannot add or drop prescription drug coverage during this period. After March 31, most of you will not be able to make any changes until the next Medicare Open Enrollment Period (November 15 – December 31, 2010), effective January 2011. However, if you have a special situation, like you first become eligible for Medicare, or you lose your current health insurance, then you do not have to wait. If you are a member of Prescription Advantage, you have one extra chance to change your Medicare prescription drug plan at any time during the year.

In 2010, Prescription Advantage will not help with the cost of your premiums, but will still help with the cost of your drugs if you get into the “donut hole”. If you have MassHealth or if you qualify for “Extra Help” with your drugs, you can change your Medicare prescription drug plan at any time during the year. If you need help with your Medicare health insurance, SHINE offers free counseling at your Senior Center. Call your local COA and ask for a SHINE appointment. You can reach a SHINE volunteer by phone at 1-800-AGE-INFO. Once you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number. A volunteer will call you back, as soon as possible.

The Shining Stars of Union Avenue – This NEW group, led by our Line Dance and Choral Group Instructor, David Sickles, will start up in February. The original group, was a Social Club of talented individuals, who met once a month at the Center. In addition to the singing and dancing, the group will enjoy games, hot topics and music. Please look for more details in the February Courier!

POKER PLAYERS WANTED – We are looking for more Poker players for Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00 am. If you are interested, please join us and bring a friend!

Wanted Bridge Players – A fun group of contract Bridge players meet each Tuesday year-round. Check-in time is 8:45 am. Play from 9:00 until 11:30 am. Come alone or bring a friend.

TAX SEASON IS UPON US! AARP will have volunteer aides here at the Center this year to assist Framingham seniors with preparing their taxes. AARP has not given us a start date, so we will not be taking appointments in January. Please see the February Courier for details and when to call for an appointment.

AARP Chapter #3557 – The next general meeting of AARP Chapter #3557 will take place on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 1:30 pm at the Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue, Framingham. Mr. Rick Breault, an avid beekeeper and instructor, will give a talk on beekeeping: finding enjoyment and fulfillment in keeping bees, maintenance of beekeeping, beekeeping businesses including hive placements of honey bee colonies. A question and answer period will follow. The meeting is open to all, and refreshments will be served. Members and guests are reminded to bring non-perishable food and other items as part of the community service project. The Callahan Center is handicap-accessible.

Home Energy & Fuel Assistance Program 2010 – Consider applying for fuel assistance if you meet the below income criteria. The best way to expedite the application process is to call (508) 620-2318) and leave your name and phone number. A staff person from SMOC will contact you and schedule an appointment. SMOC will instruct you on the needed financial documentation. If you are home bound, a phone interview may be possible. This year’s maximum income levels are listed below: 1 person household – $29,126, 2 person household – $38,087, 3 person household – $47,049, and 4 person household – $56,011.

Town of Framingham & Callahan Center Snowstorm Policy Notice:
If the schools close due to snowstorms or other inclement weather days, there will be no activities at the Center. On these days, the Town of Framingham Staff will be available to you at the Center, unless the Town of Framingham declares an emergency closing.

YOU’RE INVITED TO A VALENTINE PARTY!! On Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 12:00 PM at the Wayside Inn, featuring a sumptuous lunch of Yankee Pot Roast or Baked Scrod with all the fixings, dessert and coffee AND WONDERFUL entertainment provided by Bobby Darling and Dr. Devine, two great musicians and vocalists! All for $35.00 per person. Snow date: Next day, Friday, February 12, 2010.