FRAMINGHAM, MA – CALLAHAN CENTER HAPPENINGS FOR APRIL:

Cancer Prevention & Awareness – Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 10:00 am Callahan Center, Union Ave. The big “C” is probably the most dreaded word that any of us could ever hear. These are some steps you could take to make yourself more aware of the causes of cancer, and possible methods of prevention. Screening tools are very helpful in the discovery of cancer. Screening tools currently available are: Mammogram for breast cancer, PSA for prostate cancer, Stool for guaiac and Colonoscopy for colon cancer, CA126, a blood test, just to name a few. Please come and join us and become more educated about your risk, and new treatments for this dreaded disease.

Framingham State College (FSC), the Center for Lifelong Learners, in partnership with and at the Callahan Center Presents: Avocados to Walking: Ways to Enhance Your Heart Health, Instructor: Jessica Hodge, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Food and Nutrition, FSC,Date: Monday, April 3, 2006,Time: 6:30 – 7:45 pm, Cost: $6.00 (In order to pay the presenter’s fee, we require a donation of $6.00), To register: Please call the Callahan Center at 508-532-5980.

We will explore the benefits of chocolate, wine, yogurt and yoga as components to reduce cholesterol and enjoy a long, healthy life. Recent government guidelines highlight diet and lifestyle changes as the first line of defense against heart disease and cholesterol. Be prepared to sample some delicious foods that can be a part of your “plaque attack”.

Dr. Jessica Hodge, a nutritional biochemist, received her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Home Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University and her Ph.D. from Tufts University in Nutritional Biochemistry. She is an Assistant Professor of Food and Nutrition at Framingham State College where she teaches courses in Human Nutrition Science, Food, Culture and Society, Sports Nutrition and Current Issues in Nutrition and Health.

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The Irish Music Guy – Instructor: Kevin Farley, Date: April 5, 2006 Time: 10:00 am, Cost: $6.00 (In order to pay the presenter’s fee, we require a donation of $6.00), To register: Please call the Callahan Center at 508-532-5980.

Mr. Kevin Farley remembers that his grandmother told him, “When God makes you , he puts an invisible thread in your hands and all that you have to do is follow it”. Mr. Farley’s invisible thread runs through his rich and varied fabric of Irish music and lore. He explains “there are threads in story and song; threads of history, culture and family. These threads weave us together into one nation, one world.” As part of his repertoire, he plays ten different instruments including the fiddle, accordion, Celtic harp, penny whistle, guitar, banjo, bodhran, harmonica, bouzouki and the piano. Mr. Farley received his bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from St. Frances College in Biddeford, ME. He studied classical guitar with Rey dela Torre in California. For the past 25 years, Mr. Farley has been connecting with people through his music.

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Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center: Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, April 3, 10, 17 & 24 at 10:00 am. Diabetic Support Group: Tuesday, April 11 at 1:30 pm. Grandparent Support Group: Tuesday, April 11 at 1:00 pm and Tuesday, April 25 at 6:45 pm. Low Vision Group: Friday, April 21 at 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Massage Therapy: Thursday, April 6. Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, April 18 at 1:30 pm. Podiatry: Monday, April10 from 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm, by appt. only. Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, April 3 at 1:00 pm.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR APRIL – Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26 From 9:30 am—11:00 and 12:00 pm—1:00 pm

CARDIOVASCULAR CLINIC IN APRIL – The Cardiovascular Clinic will be on Tuesday, April 4th at 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM. A doctor from the MetroWest Medical Center and nurse Kitty Mahoney from the Framingham Board of Health will be at the Senior Center to check your blood pressure, answer any questions and address individual concerns. For further information, please contact Kitty Mahoney at 508-532-5472.

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Make Choices NOW! – Not sure if you should be taking a Medicare Part D Prescription Plan? Are you wondering if Prescription Advantage is right for you? Don’t wonder too long! Deadlines are coming up soon for both programs.

Not sure what to do? Help is available from a number of sources. Remember, though, that phone lines can get jammed and appointments will book quickly. Wait too long, and you may not get the help you need.

Prescription Advantage is holding an open enrollment period now. Your completed application is due no later than April 28. Medicare Part D drug plan open enrollment ends May 15th. For more information, or to request an application, call 1-800-243-4636 (1-800-AGE-INFO) and press or say 1.

Applications are also available at the Council on Aging. The best place to get information on the different Part D plans is on the web at www.medicare.gov. For information by phone, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Please have at hand a list of your drugs and their dosages. You will also need information about any health insurance you have. MassMedline, a service of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy is also available to help. Call 1-866-633-1617.

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SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) offers free, health insurance counseling. Call the Senior Center for a SHINE appointment. To reach a SHINE counselor by telephone, call 1-800-243-4636 and press or say 2. Leave a message with your name, telephone number, and a brief description of your questions. A counselor will call you back.

Do you want to save money on your prescription drugs? Is your annual income less than $29,400 (single) or $39,600 (couple)? Assets do not count. Prescription Advantage will pay all or part of your Medicare Part D premium, your total annual deductible and give you coverage in the gap (donut hole). It will also limit your total out of pocket spending significantly. What a great deal!! This is available to everyone, including those with Medicare Advantage plans, the VA, and Retiree plans. All you have to do is enroll by April 28. There is no cost to joining. Drop in to the Callahan Center on Thursday, April 6, between 9:30AM and 3PM and get help with filling out the application. Remember to bring documents to verify your income. No cost to join! Savings to be had! What have you got to lose?

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Callahan Center Policy for Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program – The Callahan Center will accept donations of durable medical equipment to be used to loan to other seniors in need. All equipment must be in good working order with parts and directions (where applicable).

The following is a list of equipment that is acceptable. *Arrangements will be made for large items such as an electric bed, electric scooter, etc. to go directly to interested parties. We do not accept crutches of any kind. If you have any questions about donated items, please direct inquiries to Ann Steacie at 508-532-5980.

Acceptable items are as follows:

– Bed protector pads

– Incontinence products (new)

– Bed board with handle

– Over the bed table

– Blood glucose machine

– Over the bed trapeze

– Blood pressure machine

– Ramps

– Canes and quad canes

– Raised toilet seats

– Commodes (we do not take the potty, you must dispose of that item)

– Elastic stockings (new)

– Reachers and grabbers

– Electric bed or scooter *

– Extended shoehorn

– Geriatric chair

– Tub seats, tub bars

– Gauze materials (unopened)

– Walkers

– Hoyer lift

– Wheelchairs

Please bring your donated items to Ann Steacie in the Outreach Department at the Callahan Center. In her absence, the receptionist at the front desk will help you. Thank you, in advance, for your generous donation that will assist someone else during their time of need.

The Callahan Center reserves the right to not accept items that are not on this list above, are not in proper working order or are not clean.

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The MetroWest Radio Reading Service – On Friday, May 19, 2006, The MetroWest Radio Reading Service, an affiliate of the Talking Information Center Massachusetts Reading Network under the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, and a community Outreach program of the Disability Service Office at Framingham State College will hold its annual Radio Reading Appreciation Day at the Callahan Senior Center as part of the May Meeting of the Framingham Low Vision Group.

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Some thirty volunteers will be honored, including special honors to Barry Bograd, author of the book, “Get Off Your Rocker Before You Go Off Your Rocker” and Doctor Daniel Levy, author of the book, “A Change of Heart: How the Framingham Heart Study helped Unravel the Mysteries of Cardiovascular Disease.” Both books have been broadcast as part of our service, with Barry Bograd recording his book and Doctor Levy donating the book for our recording of it.

Light Refreshments will be provided through Lunch Express. The program will be from 1-00 p.m. until 3-00 p.m. It promises to be s very special day to honor our volunteers. Awards will be presented by officials at F.S.C. and the Talking Information Center. Dennis Polselli Disability Services Coordinator/director Metro-West Radio Reading Service at Framingham State College.

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WANTED – We are in need of yarn for lap robes for Veterans and Baby Afghans for the H.I.V. Babies. Please call Evelyn Langley, Project Coordinator at 508-532-4105. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity and support of this valuable project!

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Friends’ General Meeting – The next Friends’ meeting will be on Monday, April 10th at 1:30 pm. The entertainment will be with Billy Bruso. Refreshments will be served. Come and bring a friend!

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Just in time for all the upcoming spring and summer weddings! – Win a beautiful Lladro Bride & Groom figurine. It would make an excellent gift! Donation $2.00 or – chances for a $5.00 donation. Chances may be purchased at Heritage Gallery at Callahan Center. Drawing will be on Monday, May 8th. You need not be present to win. Proceeds will go to the Friends of Callahan Building Fund.

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Notice from Heritage Gallery – Heritage Gallery is a quality, consignment shop for home furnishings, collectibles, crafts and antiques. Bring us your unwanted articles and turn them into cash! If you have items to donate or be sold in the Gallery, please call Evelyn Langley for an appointment at 508-532-4105. Please do not drop off your items at the front desk or in any other area of the Center.

We cannot accept broken items, chipped china or glassware or used electrical appliances, since we can offer NO safety guarantees. All articles are subject to approval by the examining committee. All merchandise must be received and returned at the consignor’s expense. The consignment fee is 25% to Heritage Gallery and 75% to the consignor. Non-seniors pay a $5.00 entry fee. We do not guarantee the sale of any article. Gallery Hours are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 am to 2:15 pm.

Heritage Gallery reserves the right to regulate the displays, advertising, etc. We do assure you of fair treatment. All reasonable care will be accorded your merchandise, but we cannot be responsible for reasonable wear and tear. Thank you for your interest in Heritage Gallery!

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COMING UP THE MONTH OF MAY! Callahan Center’s Senior Week Festivities – May 8 – 12, 2006

Monday, May 8th – New Members Open House at Callahan Center from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Coffee and Danish will be available. Wednesday, May 10th – Cameron Middle School Jazz Band at Callahan Center from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. If you plan to attend the jazz concert, a pizza lunch will be available. $1.00 donation is requested. Please call the Center at 508-532-5980 to reserve a seat. Limited to the first 75 people. Thursday, May 11th – Haircuts and Manicures compliments of Keefe Technical Cosmetology Students from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Please call the Center at 508-532-5980 to make an appt. Friday, May 12th – Volunteer Luncheon at Keefe Technical High School Dining Room at 11:30 am. (By invitation only)

STROKE SUPPORT SERVICES – May 8th from 1:00-2:15 pm – The Stroke Support Services would like to invite you to attend our meeting on May 8th. We will show a video, and several of our Stroke Survivors will be speaking about their experiences dealing with their illness and their healing. Volunteer nurses, Irene Jones and Jody Mahan, will be available for your questions.

ARTHRITIS PRESENTATION – May 18th at 10:00 am – Please join us for this informative presentation.

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