February Happenings at Callahan Senior Center

FRAMINGHAM, MA -- FEBRUARY 2007 HAPPENINGS AT CALLAHAN CENTER

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.

Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center - Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, February 5, 12 & 26 at 10:00 am. Center closed Monday, February 19. Grandparent Support Group: Please call Center for date and time. Low Vision Group: No meeting in January & February. Massage Therapy: Thursday, February 1 (by appt. only). Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, February 20 at 1:30 pm. Podiatry: Thursday, February 8 from 12:30 pm to 4:15 pm, by appt. only. Restricted to Framingham residents only. Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, February 5 at 1:00 pm.

The Diabetic Support Group is discontinued until further notice. Please call the Center at 508-532-5980 and leave your name and telephone number if you are interested in a Diabetic Support Group at the Callahan Center.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC AT CALLAHAN CENTER - Wednesdays, February 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 9:30—11am & 12—1 pm

CARDIOVASCULAR CLINIC IN FEBRUARY - The Cardiovascular Clinic will be on Tuesday, February 6 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.

The Framingham Garden Club meets with the Callahan Botannical Group - Ladies from the Framingham Garden Club will be here on Monday, February 12tH at 10:00 am to assist seniors with a special arrangement for Valentine’s Day. If you would like to participate, please call the Callahan Center at 508-532-5980 and reserve a seat. No admittance without pre-registration. A donation of $3.00 per person is requested to cover the cost of materials used to make the arrangements. Please bring your own scissors as the Garden Club does not provide them.

The Friends of Callahan Monthly Update - The Friends of Callahan General Meeting will be on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 1:30 pm. Special entertainment to celebrate Valentine’s Day will be by Hal Katzman, vocalist and pianist, Larry Nelson. Bring a Valentine card and go home with one! Refreshments will be served. Come and bring a friend!

Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 10:00 am - Presentation on “Nicole’s Law” By Framingham Fire Department - In November 2005, Gov. Mitt Romney signed “Nicole’s Law” which places certain requirements on owners of all residential properties to install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Generally speaking, anyone who owns residential property regardless of size that contain fossil burning fuel equipment (i.e. oil, gas, wood, coal, etc.) or contains enclosed parking (i.e., attached or enclosed garage) in Massachusetts, is required to install CO alarms as of March 31, 2006.

CO detectors shall be installed on every level of your home except for basement and attics that do not have habitable living spaces (i.e., family rooms, dens etc.). On levels with sleeping areas the alarm must be placed within ten (10’) feet of the bedroom doors.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can seep into living areas unnoticed because it lacks color, odor and taste. It can kill quickly and cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, confusion and heart flutters.

The Framingham Fire Department is providing a combination Smoke/Carbon monoxide detector free-of-charge to the first 100 senior citizens of Framingham who apply at the presentation. These detectors were purchased through the Community Block Grant Program. Chris Ross from Housing for All can provide free service to install the detectors if needed. The Framingham Fire Department will inspect the detectors once installed.

The Callahan Center Minor Home Repair Program’s handyman will also install these detectors for those who qualify. Please call Janice at 508-532-5980 for details.

Friday, February 16, 2007 at 10:00 am - Special Needs Students from the Fuller Middle School will be at the Callahan Center to fill 40 bags for the Foster Children’s Program. The children receive items that they can all make use of and a few items to cuddle and enjoy! Please join us and see the enthusiasm the Fuller students have in helping other children in need.

Community Projects - We are in need of help to knit or crochet hats for the students, baby afghans for the HIV babies and lap robes for the Veterans. Yarn will be provided, and also pattern directions to all who would like to help. For more information, call Evelyn Langley, Project Coordinator, at the Callahan Center at 508-532-5980, extension 4105.


Framingham State College with Callahan Center, Presents Lifelong Learners’ Programs for 2007

Course title: “World Religions: Buddhism and Hinduism” Instructor: Professor Jason Giannetti
Dates: Thursdays, Feb. 22, Mar. 1 & 8 Time: 6:30 pm
Cost: $18.00 (Must be paid in advance - non-refundable)

Description: Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the greatest traditions of the Orient. To make an analogy, Buddhism is to Hinduism what Christianity is to Judaism. The former grew out of the latter, but, for a variety of reasons, Buddhism did not flourish in its native land of India, but rather, migrated and gained firm footing in China, where it developed and prospered. From China Buddhism spread to neighboring east Asian countries including Korea, Tibet, and Japan. Since the nineteenth century, these exotic and mysterious religions have had a hold on the western imagination and have caused us to view our own systems of philosophy, religions, and traditions in a new light. In this three-part mini-series, we shall explore the myths, art, theology, and philosophy of Hinduism and Buddhism in order to discover and appreciate the contributions these religions can make to our culture, our understanding of ourselves, and our view of the meaning of life. In the first lecture, the focus will be on Hinduism, the second will focus on Buddhism, and the final lecture will examine practical implications of the theoretical theology.

Course title: “A Decade of Presidential Elections: The 1960’s” Instructor: Professor Gary Hylander
Date: Thursdays, Apr. 12 & 19 Time: 10:30 am And Tuesdays, Apr. 24 & May 1 Time: 6:30 pm
This is a 4-part series. Cost: $24.00 (Must be paid in advance - non-refundable)

Description: The election of 1960 was a cliffhanger that witnessed a record voter turnout. Kennedy called for a New Frontier while Nixon spoke of his Vice-Presidential experience and the need to maintain the policies and continuity of the Eisenhower years. The election campaign of 1968 brought into the open many of the hopes and fears of the American people. The campaign would see the short blazing political career of Robert Kennedy cut short by assassination, rioting in the streets of Chicago during the Democratic National Convention and the rise of George Wallace’s American Independent Party. Election day would find Richard M. Nixon narrowly achieving his consuming ambition to be President of the United States.

All payments must be received in advance of the program. No admittance without pre-payment. Please see the receptionist at Callahan Center with your payment, or you may send your check, payable to the Friends of Callahan, to Attention: Shirley Pease, Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702. Both of the above programs take place at the Callahan Center. Additional programs will be listed in February Courier.

Interested in joining a craft group? The Latino Group at the Callahan Center is pleased to invite you to participate in a craft class. The group meets every Friday morning from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm and welcomes all who would like to join this fun program.

Writing Workshop - Professor Marc Widershien will be starting another Writing Workshop at the Callahan Center in early 2007. If you are interested in leaving a special memory for your children and grandchildren, come and learn how to get it started. To sign up please call the Callahan Center at 508-532-5980. This is a free workshop.

Interested in Playing Pinochle? We are looking for additional players, novice or advanced! Instruction is available. Pinochle starts at 9:30 am on Tuesday mornings at the Callahan Center. This is an entertaining and stimulating pastime which is similar to bridge but can be much more challenging. For further information, please call the Center at 508-532-5980.

Wanted - Bridge Players - A fun group of intermediate level contract Bridge players meet each Tuesday, year round at the Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue in Framingham. Check in time is 8:45 am and we play from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Come alone or bring a friend!

When can I change my Medicare health plan in 2007? Between January 1 and March 31, the Open Enrollment Period, you can make one change in your Medicare health plan. People with Medicare can join a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as a Medicare HMO, Medicare PPO, or Medicare PFFS) or switch between plans. Your new coverage starts the first of the month after you make your selection. You cannot add nor drop Medicare drug coverage (Part D) during this time. After March 31, your next chance to make a change will be . . .

November 15 through December 31, the Annual Coordinated Election Period. Your new coverage will start January 1, 2008. During this period you can change your choice of health coverage, and add, drop or change Medicare drug coverage. (You can make as many changes as you need during this period, but only your last coverage choice will take effect January 1. However, to avoid enrollment problems, it is best to make as few changes as possible).

If you are in Prescription Advantage, the state program that helps with the costs of Part D plans, you have one additional chance in 2007 to change prescription drug plans. If you are on MassHealth, you can change drug plans every month. If you are just becoming eligible for Medicare, or if you lose your current health insurance, special rules apply.

If you need help on any aspect of your 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. Please be patient. Due to the large volume of calls, you may not hear from us for several days. SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) is coordinated by the Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with the Needham Council on Aging and other local agencies.

Computer Learning Center Notice - Please call the Computer Learning Center at 508-532-5983 for hours of operation and information on computer courses or check the schedule on the Computer Learning Center door.

Come and see what unique articles you can purchase at Heritage Gallery for your loved one for Valentine’s Day! We are located at the Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue, Framingham. We are open for business Wednesdays through Fridays from 10:00 am until 2:15 pm.