3rd annual Moving Images Film Festival - "Using the power of film to combat powerful stigmas and stereotypes about people living with disabilities"
The festival, which is free and open to the public, is set for Saturday, March 27, at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School located at 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur in Cambridge. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The first film will be screened at 11 a.m. Free parking at the venue will be provided.
Actor Joey Pantoliano, pictured left, best known for his role as Ralphie on the hit HBO Series, "The Sopranos," will screen his documentary No Kidding, Me Too!, amoving look at the devastating affects of depression. A portion of the documentary was filmed at McLean Hospital in Belmont. Friends of the Marlborough Seniors runs a Friendly Visitor Program. Volunteers are matched with seniors in the community who may be frail/isolated and who appreciate someone to chat, play games, or go for walks with. The Friends are currently looking for volunteers to meet with a man in his 90’s who enjoys playing cribbage and another gentleman, also in his 90’s, who is home-bound and would appreciate some company. If you are interested in becoming a Friendly Visitor or volunteering to help set up or clean up for Senior Center events, help with transportation to appointments or do grocery shopping for home-bound Marlborough residents – Call Susan Maki, Social Service Coordinator 508-485-6492.
My mother’s life was saved by a stubborn friend. As luck would have it, on Leap Day 2000 my mother had a lunch planned with a long-time friend, Marge. Mom left a meeting early that morning; she was having a crushing headache and just wanted to go home. She called Marge to tell her she had to cancel their lunch plans. Mom explained she had a terrible headache and she mentioned she was having trouble finding her words. Marge was immediately alarmed and wanted my mother to go to the hospital. My mother of course, insisted she did not need to go. Marge was no wilting lily, and advised my mother that she would drive her to the hospital or call an ambulance, but they were going to the hospital to get her checked out.
That week, my mother had two cerebral vascular events. Our lives were never the same, but we had more seven years with Mom. If my mother’s friend had not recognized the signs of a stroke and insisted she get to the hospital, we would have lost her that day.
Know the Signs
Because stroke injures the brain, you may not realize that you are having a stroke. To a bystander, someone having a stroke may just look unaware or confused. Stroke victims have the best chance if someone around them recognizes the symptoms and acts quickly.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
What should a bystander do?
If you believe someone is having a stroke – if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or move an arm or leg on one side, or experiences facial paralysis on one side – call 911 immediately.
The Family Success Partnership presents "Recognizing Risk Behavior: Prevention, signs and resources for gang activity" on Thursday March 4th from 6-8 pm. Guests from the MA State police and Framingham police will give an informational presentation on who is most vulnerable to gang involvement, the signs to look for, and what to do if you suspect someone is becoming involved in a gang. The workshop will take place at the Assabet Valley Collaborative at 57 Orchard Street in Marlboro. The fee is $5, which includes dinner.
Please RSVP to Nicki Logan at nlogan@assabet.org or 508-481-3611.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced that its National Resource Directory (NRD) Web site recently received a comprehensive system upgrade to provide users with easier access. This Web site compiles federal, state, local and non-profit resources for Wounded Warriors, Veterans, family members and caregivers in a single, searchable site.
The website has a wealth of information for national and local resources available - from emergency housing, to volunteering, to how to get help with legal matters, funding education, to obtaining a service animal, to locating service records. If you know someone who serves in military or cares for someone who has a history of military services, this website is a great resource! http://www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/
The Marlborough Community Preservation Act is having an informational presentation on Tues. Mar. 2 at the Marlborough Public Library at 7 pm (coffee and cookies start at 6:30 pm).
From their website:
The Marlborough Community Preservation Act Committee (MCPAC) is a group of residents who are concerned about conservation, historic preservation, affordable housing, and outdoor recreational opportunities in the city of Marlborough. Our goal is to provide the residents with information about the Community Preservation Act and how it can benefit our city. We are leading the effort to place the Community Preservation Act onto the November 2010 ballot which would, if approved, raise funds both locally and through a state matching program to be used exclusively to address these concerns. To date, 142 communities in Massachusetts have voted yes to CPA and have completed very successful projects. We invite you to learn more about CPA and what it can do for our city.
Learn more at www.marlboroughcpa.org
