Free Tax Guide for Parents
The parent of a child with a disability is entitled to many income tax deductions as Medical Expenses, provided the expenses are made to alleviate their child’s mental or physical condition. Information on allowable deductions is available in the 2007 edition of Tax Guide for Parents. This guide can assist parents in understanding how expenses such as tutoring, medical treatments, evaluations, transportation, equipment and supplies can be deducted.
The Tax Guide for Parents is available on the Connecticut Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities’ (CACLD) website under Info and Resources. It can also be obtained by sending a 39-cent stamped, self-addressed #10 envelope to: CACLD/ Tax Guide, 25 Van Zant Street, Suite 15-5, E. Norwalk, CT 06855.
Organized in 1963, the Connecticut Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities is a non-profit organization whose programs and services create awareness and promote understanding about learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. We dedicate ourselves to helping these children and adults reach their full potential and lead productive, satisfying lives.
CURVES SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE WITH 9th ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE
Curves of Meriden will be participating in the Curves Food Drive to benefit local food banks.
Last year, the Curves Food Drive collected 11 million pounds of food for local communities all over the world.
To celebrate the generosity of the community, Curves is waiving its normal service fee* for any new member who brings in a bag of non-perishable groceries and joins between March 1st and March 10th. Last year more than 247,940 new members joined Curves during the Food Drive.
Others wishing to donate may drop off non-perishable food items at Curves Monday through Saturday during business hours through the month of March.
“The Curves Food Drive promotion is always exciting,” said Cathy Chagnon , the owner of the Meriden Curves Gym. “We have a chance to help so many people at a time when the food banks are lowest, while we assist more women in reaching their fitness and weight loss goals. It’s a win-win situation for everyone, and we’re very proud to participate.”
With over 10,000 locations worldwide, Curves is the largest fitness franchise and the fastest growing franchise company in history. More than four million women belong to the Curves community.
THE LOCAL CURVES ADDRESS IS: 477 South Broad Street Meriden 235-3648
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
Dear Parents of School Aged Children,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is now accepting applications for Full Day or Half Day 4-year old Preschool Program and Full Day Kindergarten. We also have limited openings in grades 1-8. OLMC is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
The mission of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School is to educate students from Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade in a faith-forming academic setting. The family atmosphere of our school flows from the parish and provides a nurturing learning environment. Our school emphasizes respect and responsibility for one’s words, actions, and God’s creation while encouraging all to feel the love of God.
We offer, tuition assistance, Before and After school programs, impressive computer lab, foreign language (Spanish) for Grs. 1-8, updated library, fully equipped science lab, busing for all Meriden residents, student council, coed soccer, girls and boys basketball, a ski club, theater productions and many extra curricular activities.
We welcome students from all parishes, nationalities and faiths. Please consider visiting Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and arrange a tour of our Learning center and classrooms or visit our web site at: www.olmc-mer.ct.campusgrid.net.
Sincerely,
Norine McDermott - Principal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef Dinner
They say that "When Irish eyes are smiling ... you can hear the angels sing". Come find out for yourself and meet the tallest leprechauns in the state of CT!!
On Friday March 16th the First United Methodist Church of Wallingford will host a corned beef dinner in the Fellowship Hall. Time: 6pm
Menu:
Irish Beef Stew
Green Salad
Assorted Bread (Irish Soda, Rye, White)
Assorted Cookies
Beverage
Optional Hotdog and chips for children
Ticket Prices:
Adults - $10
Children - $5
Family - $30
You may purchase tickets by calling the church secretary (269-9100) Monday – Friday between 9am and noon to reserve tickets. Payment before Friday, March 10th is requested.
These are entries to a Washington Post competition asking for a two-line rhyme with the most romantic first line, but the least romantic second line: My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife: Marrying you screwed up my life.
I see your face when I am dreaming.
That's why I always wake up screaming.
Kind, intelligent, loving and hot;This describes everything you're not.
I thought that I could love no other --that is until I met your brother.
Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you. But the roses are wilting, the violets aredead, the sugar bowl's empty and so is your head.
I want to feel your sweet embrace;But don't take that paper bag off your face.
I love your smile, your face, and your eyes --Damn, I'm good at telling lies!
My love, you take my breath away.What have you stepped in to smell this way?
My feelings for you no words can tell, Except for maybe "Go to hxxx."
If Walls Could Talk
A New Season on HGTV
“If Walls Could Talk” the weekly series, Sundays on HGTV, is coming to Connecticut to film homes with intriguing pasts, unusual stories and valuable objects found inside. Now in production on its 8th season, the series kicks off with new homeowners who make surprising historical discoveries about their homes as they explore and restore them. A lucky few will be amazed to learn that the historic artifacts they’ve discovered are worth a fortune when the “If Walls Could Talk” appraiser drops by for a look.
Each half-hour episode features homeowners from across the country who shares their amazing discoveries. Recent stories include:
A Connecticut family moves into a neglected 1800’s Victorian only to find antiques and a mysterious locked cabinet. What they find inside tells the touching story of their home’s original owner. Then, in the attic they discover original paintings and the “If Walls Could Talk” appraiser pays them a visit. The expert reveals their discoveries are worth thousands of dollars.
A Michigan couple inherits the husband’s family home. While cleaning up the place, they find out it once belonged to a Civil War General AND he left art and furniture behind that could be worth a fortune. Our appraiser drops by and tells them what its all worth.
A husband and wife in Colorado find books, clothing and jewelry in their new home. The clues add up to the story of a best-selling author who lived in the house until she disappeared.
A New York bachelor buys a hundred year old mansion and makes a chilling discovery in the basement— his home sweet home used to be a funeral home!
The series, which premiered in September of 1998, has aired over 200 episodes –each filmed in historic neighborhoods throughout the country.
If Walls Could Talk is produced for HGTV by High Noon Entertainment in Denver, CO.
Homeowners who would like to be considered for the program should contact Jenna Friederich at (303) 712-3146 or email at jfriederich@highnoonentertainment.com
HEROES SOUGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN HEADSHAVING EVENTS NATIONWIDE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH
What would you look like bald? Like a hero to kids with cancer, says the St. Baldrick's Foundation.
Meriden, CT March 10, 2007 – The St. Baldrick's Foundation has issued a lofty challenge to everyone who wants to help raise money for childhood cancer research: Be a hero for children with cancer by participating in any of the 300+ head-shaving fundraisers that will be held nationwide this year.
Event will be held locally at Quality Time Food and Spirits 999 Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450 – (203) 238-1915 - the Meriden Firefighters, in conjunction with Quality Time Café, will be sponsoring a this unique event founded by St. Baldrick's Foundation which "shaves the way" to conquer kids' cancer. In order to raise money for this great cause, we have participants who will be shaving their heads and accepting donations from family and friends for doing so.
Since its inception in 2000, St. Baldrick's has raised more than $20 million for the cause! Worldwide, 160,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer each year and despite tremendous progress, cancer remains the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada.
St. Baldrick's begun as a challenge among friends and has grown into the world's largest fundraising event for childhood cancer. Because treatment typically given to youngsters causes their hair to fall out, volunteers are recruited to have their heads shaved in public in return for pledges of financial support.
Participants find that shaving their head is a small sacrifice in comparison to what these children endure, and want to raise money to help find a cure for children with cancer now and in the future.
HOWSMYNANNY.COM, LLC ANNOUNCES WEBSITE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ABUSIVE NANNIES
Parents Can Now Receive Feedback Regarding the Care Their Nannies Are Providing
An Assistant District Attorney in New York City, who works in the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Bureau, has developed a method whereby parents can receive feedback on the care their nannies are giving their children.
Wouldn’t you want to know if your nanny was being inattentive or abusive toward your child? Until now, there was no way a good Samaritan could reliably track down the unsuspecting parents to notify them. HowsMyNanny.com is an innovative and simple to use service that gives parents who employ nannies the ability to ensure quality care even when they are not there. “It’s so difficult as a parent to leave your child in the care of another. Any reassurance that your nanny is doing a good job will give parents the extra peace of mind they deserve.” said Jill Starishevsky, the Assistant District Attorney and mother of two, who developed the website.
A small “license plate” with the HowsMyNanny.com website and a unique identifying number is attached to a child’s stroller. The license plate enables a concerned citizen to report abuse to the parent through the website. In order to report an “event” to the child’s parents, a concerned citizen visits HowsMyNanny.com, inputs that child’s unique license plate number, describes the incident they observed and the parent is notified via email. The good Samaritan could even choose to remain anonymous.
For additional information, contact: Jill Starishevsky at 646-262-7418 email at info@HowsMyNanny.com or http://HowsMyNanny.com
Local Family Central Connecticut Family Responds to Snow Forecast
Here's our family's reaction...
Kids - wahoooooooo! Snow day! Snow to play in! Let's build a snow man! Let's go sledding! (Of course, they'll be up at 6:30 ready to put on their snow suits and go out.)
Mom's reaction...Snow day? Good, I won't have to rush to get the kids to school. Sounds like fun to play in the snow.
Mom's reaction by 3 p.m. on that snow day - Help! When is this weather going to change?! Someone rescue me! My kids won't stop fighting! When do they go back to school? I love my kids. I really do. Call Dave on the phone - When you get home, I'm going out. Where? To CVS, the grocery store…anywhere will do!
Dad's reaction...Snow day? For who? I have to drive through New Haven with all those idiots who have no clue how to drive in the snow. They act like they have never even seen snow before. And we live in New England! Why can't I have a snow day and go skiing?
St. Patrick's Day Dance and Irish Step Dancing Show
The Meriden Turner Society “A German-American Singing Club" located at 800 Old Colony Road Rt. 71 in Meriden Connecticut will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day dance and Irish Step Dancing Show on Sunday March 18th from 1-6 pm. A corned beef dinner will be served at 1pm, followed by Dance Music of Joe O'Unger Band from the Catskills in Upstate New York. As an added attraction the children's group of Irish Step Dancers will entertain you with their learned talent. To ensure proper seating: Reservations Are Required and can be made by calling Leo Manville at 203.440.0028 or on Thursday Evenings at 203.440.9624 after 7:00pm.The Admission Donation for this event is $20.00 per person. The Meriden Turners Rehearses Singing every Thursday Evening (weather permitting) at 7:30pm with Ms. Nancy Stewart Conducting. If you are interested in joining us please contact Mrs. Dorothy Sturmer 203.237.7813 for information.
Visit The Children’s Museum For Free On the First Sunday of Each Month, a Public Service Sponsored by AETNA
The Children’s Museum (formerly Science Center of Connecticut) will be open free of charge to the general public on the first Sunday of every month for one year, as a result of a $25,000 grant provided to the museum by Aetna.
“We feel that this program will be an educational asset to the greater Hartford community. It gives us great pleasure to provide this opportunity to families and children so they can take advantage of all the exciting things The Children’s Museum has to offer, without worrying about the cost,” said Marilda Gándara, President of the Aetna Foundation.
“How wonderful it is that Aetna is enabling the museum to open it doors free of charge to the community we serve. The first Sunday of the month for free program will make it possible for more children and families than ever to experience the wonders of science and nature through our exhibits, live animals, and floor programs,” said President and CEO Edward J. Forand Jr.
The next free exhibit admission day will be Sunday, April 1. The program will continue through February of next year.
The Children’s Museum is committed to igniting the curiosity of young people through science and nature. In addition to the museum and the Gengras Planetarium, the organization includes the United Technologies Wildlife Sanctuary, Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton, and The Children’s Museum Preschool, one of the oldest preschools in the country. The Children’s Museum serves close to 200,000 people annually, and is the fifth oldest children’s museum in the country, and Connecticut’s largest museum. Located at 950 Trout Brook Drive in West Hartford, the museum is accessible from I-84 Exit 43 and offers free parking. For more information, visit the website at www.TheChildrensMuseumCT.org .
Family Shabbat Services and The Rabbi’s Toy Box at Temple B’nai Abraham
At Temple B’nai Abraham at 127 East Main Street in Meriden, families are always welcome to attend Friday night and Saturday morning Shabbat (Sabbath) services. The Rabbis Toy Box is available to help entertain little ones. On Shabbat morning, services begin at 9:30 a.m. Children can help carry the Torah silver and march with the Torah. Special Family Shabbat evening services will be held on March 16th and April 20th beginning at 6:30 p.m. On other Friday evenings services begin at 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call (203) 235-2581.
About Temple B’nai Abraham
Temple B'nai Abraham is a Conservative synagogue which provides religious, educational and social programming for all age groups in a warm, extended family atmosphere. Shabbat services are egalitarian, and feature congregational singing. All are welcome.
Military Whist Card Party at Temple B’nai Abraham!
Come and learn the easy game of Military Whist and enjoy a night out with friends at Temple B’nai Abraham’s Military Whist Card Party on Saturday March 17th at 8:00 p.m. Play cards, win prizes, and enjoy refreshments. Bring a partner or a group (4 people to a table.) Temple B’nai Abraham is located at 127 East Main Street in Meriden. Admission is $10 per person. Raffle tickets are $5.00 for 10 tickets. Please call 235-2581 by March 12th to reserve a table.
About Temple B’nai Abraham
Temple B'nai Abraham is a Conservative synagogue which provides religious, educational and social programming for all age groups in a warm, extended family atmosphere. Shabbat services are egalitarian, and feature congregational singing. All are welcome.
Wallingford Public Library News and Events
Please note that while construction is being completed at the Library – limited programs are being held.
Bookfriends
Bookfriends, the Library’s popular winter book club, is back! Join Reference Assistant Sue Ryczek to explore three unique and interesting books:
Sunday, April 15th at 2:00 p.m.Crow Lake, by Mary Lawson ~ Canadian writer Mary Lawson’s debut novel is a beautifully crafted and shimmering tale of love, death, and redemption. The story, narrated by 26-year-old Kate Morrison, is set in Crow Lake, an isolated rural community where time has stood still. The reader dives in and out of a year’s worth of Kate’s childhood memories - when she was 7 and her parents were killed in an automobile accident that left Kate, her younger sister Bo, and two older brothers, Matt and Luke, orphaned. Lawson’s narrative flows effortlessly in ever-increasing circles, swirling impressions in the reader’s mind until form takes shape and the reader is left to reflect on the whole. Crow Lake is a wonderful achievement that will ripple in and out of the reader’s consciousness long after the last page is turned.
Refreshments will be served at these free programs which will be held in the Library (in what used to be the front foyer).
Business EXPO
Join the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce for our annual Business EXPO- April 18th, at the Holiday Inn, 201 Washington Ave., in North Haven. EXPO 2007 will start at 11:30am with a Vendor lunch, open to the public at 12:30pm to 6:30pm and culminate with a Business after Hours from 5-6:30pm. This is a great opportunity for area businesses to promote their products and services to more that 1,000 attendees. Sponsors to date: Comcast Spotlight, Business New Haven, Fastsigns, Myrecordjournal.com and MidState Medical Center. Vendor space is limited and filling up fast. Please contact Maribel at 269-9891 or email maribel@Quinncham.com for more information.
New Member Reception
The Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce will hold a New Member Reception at the Chamber, 100 South Turnpike Rd., Wallingford. This St. Patrick's Day themed Breakfast will take place Friday, March 16th, from 8:30-9:30am. Wearing Green is optional! Please RSVP to Dee@quinncham.com or call 69-9891.
Community Film Festival in Wallingford
The congregation of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Wallingford is pleased to announce the Community Film Festival. We are offering free movies and refreshments and an opportunity for open discussion after the show. The Community Film Festival takes place at the FUMC Old Rock Hill Road, Wallingford. This showing will include free pizza, popcorn, and drinks.
The film Festival will be resuming on Monday April 9th we will begin a series on The Economic and World Community beginning with a screening of The Corporation (2004) and including A Civil Action (1998) with John Travolta, and Walmart:The High Cost of Low Price (2005) for example.
Several themes will be discussed in the coming weeks, all are about the community whether local or global. Please contact the church for additional comment about what the purpose of this series is and what is hoped to be gained by this discussion.
More information is available at the church office by contacting Pastor Karen Cook at: 941 Old Rock Hill Road, phone 269-9100. You may also call 203-269-6902
Wanted: WLT Board Members
The Wallingford Land Trust is looking for a Wallingford resident interested in the outdoors, walking, hiking, birding, building and maintaining trails. The WLT board meets 7:99 pm on the 3rd Thursday at the Southwest Conservation District. If interested please contact WLT President Joe Palazzi at 284-0116. For more information on the Land Trust, please check out the website at www.wallingfordlandtrust.org.
The Wallingford Land Trust will have the annual meeting held Wednesday, March 21st 7:00 pm at the Wallingford Senior Center on 238 Washington Street. The program will feature Julie Collier and live North American Birds of Prey from Wingmasters of Springfield, Mass. The live raptors will include eagle, hawk, falcon and owl.
WLT Trail Opening
The Wallingford Land Trust will have a special trail opening for West Dayton Ridge Trail on Saturday, March 17th 10:00am. This trail was developed by Eagle Scout Gram Page. The trail is a loop trail starting by the existing Martin’s Trail off of Fox Run Drive. The trail follows along the top of a trap rock ridge and then descends to a cedar swamp and exits at West Dayton Hill. For more information about the event, please call Joe Palazzi at 284-0116 or Scout Leader David Ellis at 269-9779.
For more information about Wallingford Land Trust, please check out the website at : wallingfordlandtrust.org.
Scholarship Offered
The Greater Meriden branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) or College Club is proud to announce that it is offering scholarships of up to $1000 to mature women who are returning to school. To be eligible for this scholarship a woman must have been out of high school for at least five years and be a resident of Meriden, Southington, Wallingford or Cheshire. She must be, or will be, matriculated in an accredited higher education program.
Funds for this program are furnished by the proceeds of the annual Book Author Luncheon sponsored by this club and by the generosity of the Cuno Foundation.
Application for the scholarship can be downloaded from gm-aauw.org or may be requested in writing to Sue Burchsted, 16 Spice Apple Lane, Meriden, CT 06450. Completed applications should be postmarked no later than April 20, 2007 or e-mailed to AAUW_mature_women_scholarship@cox.net no later than April 20, 2007. Any questions should be directed to the above e-mail address.
Cabaret Dance
The Meriden Arts Council is holding a cabaret style dance featuring the band Boxxcutter on 03/31/07 from 7-11 pm at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center (ACCC), 175 East Main Street, Meriden. Boxxcutter is a 3-piece Connecticut based Rock cover band dedicated to having fun, that plays a wide variety of rock and pop music. All proceeds go to the Meriden Arts Council (MAC). MAC seeks to promote interest in all forms of artistic and cultural expression. We believe the arts are essential to a vibrant and thriving community – a necessary part of Meriden’s present and future success. Here's your chance to help promote the numerous artists and arts groups in the Meriden Community. This fund raiser should be a great evening for all while helping a worthwhile cause. 18 and older, BYOB. Tickets are $15.00 ea and are available at the ACCC or at Fischer's Fine Foods. For info call 639-2856 or e-mail: info@meridenartscouncil.org.
CONNECTICUT PASTEL SOCIETY MEMBERS SHOW AT GALLERY 53
Gallery 53 of the Arts and Crafts Association of Meriden is hosting the 21st annual Connecticut Pastel Society members show March 3-24. The exhibit includes approximately 100 pastel paintings including landscapes, still lifes, portraits, etc. A reception will be held on Saturday, March 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. Prizes will be awarded at approximately 3 p.m. Louis Romao, well-known classical guitarist, will provide music for the reception. Admission is free, and all are welcome. The exhibit ends on Saturday, March 24 with a demonstration by Dick McEvoy, 1-3 p.m. All events are free.
The Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, 12-4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Located at 53 Colony Street, with free and ample parking space across the street, the Gallery is easy to reach from I-91 and I-84. Call (203) 235-5347 for directions.
2007 MERIDEN PROJECT GRADUATION
needs parents of all Platt, Maloney and Wilcox students to share your thoughts and ideas for the all night drug and alcohol free party that is thrown for our graduates at the end of the school year. This event is supported by the entire community but cannot go on without parental support! Mark your calendars for the following upcoming meetings and plan to join us. All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.
March 7, 2007 @ Platt
April 11, 2007 @ Maloney
May 2, 2007 @ Wilcox
Any questions, please contact the following Project Graduation Committee members: Ray Moncevicius 235-4256 romaldasm@aol.com or Ginnie Patsos 235-1514 ginnie211@cox.net.
Thank you for your continued support in making our yearly Project Graduation party a success!
Please come to La Leche League of Connecticut’s 28th Area Conference
“Family: Celebrating Our Past, Present, and Future”
April 13-15, 2007
Crowne Plaza Hotel-Southbury –Stay overnight for only $89.00!!!
Southbury, CT
(203) 598-7600
Friday, April 13, 2007 is La Leche League of Connecticut's Health Care Provider Seminar. If you are a healthcare provider who works with breastfeeding mothers and babies, this outstanding seminar will help you gain vital information to make a difference in the lives of your patients.
On Saturday, April 14, 2007 is LLL of CT's Area Conference, which is a day of Family-Friendly sessions for Moms, Dads, Children, LLL Leaders and Leader Applicants. Session topics include but are not limited to: Breastfeeding, Loving Guidance, Living on One Budget, Car Seat and Home Safety, Fatherhood, Healthy Eating, Internet Safety, Working and Breastfeeding, Food Allergies, Tweens and Teens and more. Our featured speakers are: Donald Buckley, PhD, LLLI Board of Directors. Don is a Professor of Biology and Director of Learning Technology for the School of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University. Mary Beth Rumpf, Regional Administrator of LLL - Eastern United States Division and a LLL Leader for 24 years. Sandra Phillips of California, Home Specialist and inventor. Sandra's business can be found on live-right.com. Dr. Brian K. Applebee of Danbury, CT, Family Chiropractor and Clinical Nutritionist. Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC of Massachusetts is a registered nurse and international board certified lactation consultant. Diana West, BA, IBCLC of New Jersey is an international board certified lactation consultant in private practice and an author.
Come see what’s new in the bookstore. Try to win one of the creative Theme Baskets. Bid on a new treasure at the Silent Auction. Join your friends at Saturday night’s dinner, where your children will be entertained by Amy Rogell. Amy Rogell of Weston, had performed in musical theater, recorded vocal tracks for films and produced two children's albums, "Come to the Playground" and "Balloons".
To Advertise: mikidale@cox.net
To request a registration brochure, please forward 63 cents postage to Mary Beth Rumpf, 127 Lovely Street, Unionville, CT 06085.
Deadline for special room rate & registration is 03-13-07. Late registration with meals is 03-27-07. No meals after 03-27-07
About La Leche League
La Leche league is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing support, encouragement, information, and education to women who choose to breastfeed.
Our mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
World Friendship Day
The Friendship Force of Connecticut will celebrate World Friendship Day on Sunday, March 11th at the Noah Webster House in West Hartford. The program will feature food, music, stories and a slide presentation from the club's recent exchange to Costa Rica. New and potential members are invited to join the party. For more information contact Susan Reiter at smreiter@mindspring.com (860 873-8468). Friendship Force of Connecticut will fly to Morocco in September to make new friends in several cities, visiting families and "breaking bread" with them around their kitchen tables. Because there are no Friendship Force clubs yet in Morocco, the group will stay in hotels. For more information, contact Rroseanne_austin@comcast.com (860 236-4492) Friendship Force International was founded in 1977 by Dr. Wayne Smith and President Jimmy Carter, then governor of Georgia. It is a nonprofit international cultural exchange organization, headquartered in Atlanta, with a single mission: to create an environment in which personal friendships are established across the barriers that separate people. It provides an environment for people from different countries, different backgrounds and different languages to build friendships through homestay programs, conducted through local clubs in 350 communities in more than 60 countries around the globe.
Family Diversity Day in Wallingford
The Wallingford Coalition for Unity and the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club are presenting a Family Diversity Day on Saturday, March 24th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Macguire Gymnasium on the Choate Rosemary Hall campus. The afternoon will include dance performances and salsa lessons by Alisa’s House of Salsa, an introduction to the story and music of Passover, with Cantor Dorothy Goldberg of Temple Beth Tikvah of Madison, and a tribute to African Americans with Jolyn Walker. The afternoon will also include interactive geography, drumming sessions, African art, signing, games, an anti-bullying table, and various ethnic displays. Numerous area restaurants have generously provided food of many ethnic varieties for the afternoon festivities. The concept and initial planning for the program was done by the students of Dag United, a diversity group at Dag Hammarskjold Middle School. The program is funded by a grant from the Wallingford Foundation. The program and food are free, and all families, in whatever form, are invited to attend.
National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week March 19-24, 2007
Often overlooked as a danger, common household products can be deadly not just to very small children, but to older children “who should know better than do that!”
There are approximately 1,000 ordinary household products (ex. glues/adhesives, nail polisher remover, marking pens, paint thinner, spray paint, butane lighter fluid, gasoline, propane gas, household cleaners, air conditioning coolants) that are deliberately inhaled or sniffed by children to get high. Sniffing can severely damage many parts of the body, including the brain, heart, liver and kidneys. “Sudden Sniffing Death” can occur during or right after sniffing. Even first time users can die from sniffing inhalants. The heart begins to overwork; beating rapidly but unevenly and can lead to cardiac arrest.
Initial use of inhalants often starts in elementary school. One in five 8th grade students have used inhalants.
Tips for Parents:
Educate yourself. Participate in a free, anonymous online training for parents on the internet at www.inhalantabusetraining.org.
Talk early and often. Communicate with your child about harmful behaviors whether that is using alcohol, drugs or risky internet behavior.
Remember when talking with your child that inhalants are not drugs; they are poisons and toxins and should be discussed as such.
Model safe behavior at home. When using volatile substance follow the directions on ventilation and safety and make sure that your child knows the dangers and safeguards.
Get involved and stay involved in your children’s lives.
For more information for your family or school contact the CT Inhalant Task Force at the Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse Council (MAWSAC) at 203-294-3591 or email ctinhalantinfo@aol.com.
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