FRAMINGHAM, MA - What's happening at the new Callahan Senior Center on Union Avenue in November:

FLU SHOT CLINIC: For Framingham residents who are 65 years and older or are at medical high risk Wednesday, November 2nd and Wednesday, November 9th From 10:00 am until 2:00 pm Callahan Senior Center, 535 Union Avenue, Framingham. Proof of Framingham residence is required. (If you are 65 years of age or over, please have your Medicare B / HMO insurance information).

Asian South Pacific Islanders Program - Coordinated by Maya, The Callahan Center is offering Medical Health Insurance Information on Friday, November 4th 2005 at 10:00 am for all Asian and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) Seniors. Counselor Wendy Wong, of SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) will present this information.

HARVEST MOON SENIORS’ DANCE - Come with a partner or come alone! Something for everyone! Even at the old center when participants were polled, D.J. Bob Fisher, got exceptional reviews for his music and his variety of tunes for both couples and singles. Friday, November 4th from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue,Light beverages & snacks - Coffee & Dessert - Door Prizes, $4.00 pp donation requested to cover expenses. Please call and let us know if you plan to attend - donation taken at the door. Participants thought they should pay a larger fee to cover our expenses for food and entertainment, and we appreciate your generosity, however we hope to continue to keep the dances affordable for all. Looking forward to our first dance at our new location - hope you are, too! Come and enjoy!

The Framingham Garden Club and the Callahan Botannical Group - will meet on Monday, November 14th at 9:30 am at the Callahan Center 535 Union Avenue, Framingham. Please call to reserve your floral materials at 508-532-5980, extension 4977. A $3.00 donation is requested to cover the expenses. Come and join the Garden Club and make something festive for your Thanksgiving table!

FRIENDS OF CALLAHAN, Ernie Hayes, President, The Friends general meeting will be on Monday, November 14th at 1:30 with entertainment by Dina Rancourt. Refreshments will be served. Come join us and bring a friend!

ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR - Thursday, November 17th, 2005 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue, Framingham, It’s that time of year again. The Callahan Center in partnership with the MetroWest Medical Center is pleased to sponsor our annual Health Fair. In the past, we have offered the following screenings: Blood Pressure, Total Cholesterol, Blood Glucose (blood sugar), Hearing and Bone Density. In addition to these, we will also offer Body Mass Index (BMI) and massage therapy. Remember that the results from a screening may mean that you need to see your Health Care Provider for further testing. Screenings do not diagnose disease.

All the above screenings with the exception of BP will require an appointment, so please call the Center at 508-532-5980, extension 4977. If you sign up for the Bone Density (Osteoporosis) Screening, please remember to wear shoes and socks that are easily removed. You also will need to bring your list of prescription drugs and supplements. Bring your name and address of your physician, as your results will be mailed to him/her. Although the screenings are free, however a small donation to the Center is most appreciated.

Saturday, November 19th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm - Senator Karen E. Spilka will be presenting the First Annual 2nd Middlesex & Norfolk SENIOR HEALTH FAIR! The Senior Health Fair will take place at the Joseph P. Keefe Technical School, located at 750 Winter Street in Framingham. This event will feature an in-depth discussion of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit with information provided to help you navigate the system. Lunch will be provided; more details to come. Questions? Please contact Pat Vinter at 617-722-1640.

Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center:

Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, November 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 10:00 am. Diabetic Support Group: Tuesday, November 8 at 1:30 pm. Low Vision Group: Friday, November 18 at 1:00 pm. Massage Therapy: Thursday, November 3 by appt. only. Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, November 15 at 1:30 pm. Podiatry: Monday, November 14 from 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm, by appt. only. Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, November 7 at 1:00 pm.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR NOVEMBER - WEDNESDAYS –November 16, 23 & 30From 9:30 - 11:00 am & 12:00 - 1:00 pm (No blood pressure clinic on November 2 & 9 due to the flu shot clinic at the Center on these two days.)

CARDIOVASCULAR CLINIC IN NOVEMBER - The Cardiovascular Clinic will be on Tuesday, November 1 at 10:00 am. A doctor from the MetroWest Medical Center and the public health nurses from the Framingham Board of Health will be at the Callahan Senior Center to check your blood pressure as well as to address your individual concerns. For further information, please call Charlotte, at the Board of Health, at 508-620-4828.

SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) - Get help selecting the “Part D” plan that meets your needs - Sign up for a help session in the Computer Learning Center at Callahan Center. Please call 508-532-5983 to reserve a space. Please bring:

-a list of your prescription drugs from your pharmacy

- your Medicare card

- any letter (s) from your current insurer, Prescription Advantage or Social Security.

FREE Bridge Lessons - Weekly contract bridge lessons starting Friday, November 18th from 1:00-3:00 pm. Beginner and refresher instructions by Ed Carr. Please call the Callahan Center and leave our name and telephone number, and someone will get back to you.

A New Learning Opportunity with Framingham State College, The Center for Lifelong Learners, and The Callahan Center at 535 Union Avenue in Framingham

Attend one or all sessions at The Callahan Center

Principles of World Religions: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism - Tuesdays, November 1, 8, 15, 2005 from 6:30-7:45pm - Instructor: Jason Giannetti, Professor of Philosophy. In this 3-part seminar, we will examine the foundations and major tenets of some of the world’s predominant religious faiths. Through lecture, examination of passages from religious texts, and discussion, we will deepen our understanding of some of the similarities and differences in the faith traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism.

Franklin D. Roosevelt and The Social Security Act - Tuesdays, November 29, December 6, and 13, 2005 from 10:00am- 11:15am - Instructor: Dr. Gloria Barron, Professor of History Emerita, Cost: $18.00 per person for each mini-series. Please call the Center at 508-532-5980, extension 4977 to reserve a seat. Please make your check payable to the Friends of Callahan. Advance payment is recommended. Come participate in this learning opportunity!

HERITAGE GALLERY OPENS ITS DOORS ! Heritage Gallery is a unique consignment shop and an ongoing Friends of Callahan fundraising project for the Callahan Center. The Gallery has served the senior citizens and others as a market place for articles that they wish to sell or purchase. All monies accrued are used to benefit the Callahan Center. The Gallery has been serving the community for thirty years. It’s a great place to visit - bring your Birthday, Wedding and any special occasion gift list and find beautiful gifts and make someone happy. It is manned solely by a volunteer staff. The Gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am - 2:15 pm.

When you stop by the Gallery take a chance on our raffle of two original Cabbage Patch Dolls, a boy and girl, dressed in red velvet, ready for the coming holiday! Donation is $1.00 or 6 chances for $5.00. Profit will be given to the Friends of Callahan Building Fund. Drawing will be held at the Friends Holiday Party—December 12th, 2005. All are welcome-bring a friend and browse!

Ongoing Community Service Projects - Items Needed!!!

- Pennies for the homeless and less fortunate, provided with the help of the students of McCarthy School.

- Baby Afghans for the H.I.V. Babies.

- Lap robes for the veterans. To date, we have about 40.

- Small articles for the bags for the Foster Childrens’ Program. Some examples are small packages of toothpaste, toothbrushes, small pads of paper, combs and brushes, etc.

- Knitted or crocheted squares for afghans for the Foster Childrens’ Program.

- Knitted or crocheted hats for our Framingham School students.

- Calendars for the Resident Care Home, as well as button-down sweaters and jackets, etc., and birthday, valentines and holiday greeting cards.

- Canned foods, etc. for the various Food Pantries. Items collected during October and November will be for the McCarthy School holiday baskets.

Please contact Evelyn Langley for any of the above items at 508-532-4105. Thanks for your help!

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