Key To Treating Autism
Autism occurs in approximately one in every 150 individuals. The member of diagnosed cases has increased dramatically in the past decade. Although there is no cure, early diagnosis and treatment have a significant impact on future progress.
“Studies at May Intitiute and other organizations show that children who start treatment at the earliest possible age require less intensive and restrictive services later,” explains Dennis Russo, Ph. D., ABPP, Chief Clinical Officer at May Institute. “It’s important for parents, pediatricians, preschool teachers, and other caretakers to understand the symptoms of developmental disabilities and to move quickly on diagnosis and treatment.”
The symptoms of autism include:
no babbling , pointing, or meaningful gestures by 1 year of age.
no one- word communications by 16 months.
no two word phrases by 2 years.
loss of language or social skills.
poor eye contact
inability to play appropriately with toys.
unusual attachment to one particular toy or object.
no smiling
apparent lack of response to sounds or voices and name being called.
Although the cause of autism has not been identified, current research links autism to biological or neurological differences in the brain.regardless of cause, autism is best treated by programs based on applied behavior analysis (ABA). As doctors make programs in diagnosis autism at an earlier age, more and more children are receiving this treatment at a young age when they are most receptive.
About May Institute
May Institute, a national organization, provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral health care services to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health care needs. The Institute also provides training and consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school systems.
Over the past 50 years, May Institute has evolved into an award winning national network that serves over 25,000 individuals and their families annually at more than 200 service locations in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, and on the West Coast.
May Institute shares its corporate headquarters with the National Autism Center and the May Center for Child Development. Together, the staff members from these organizations more than 60 doctoral and master’s level professionals- represent one of the country’s largest concentrations of onsite clinicians with expertise in autism, developmental disabilities, and applied behavior analysis.
For more information on autism, visit our web site at www.mayinstitute.org or call 800-778-7601
Middlesex Conservation District Spring Plant Sale
The Middlesex Conservation District will be holding its annual Spring Plant Sale on Fri., April 25 from 3-6 p.m. and Sat., April 26 from 8a.m. - 12 noon.
The Sale will be held at the 4H Fairgrounds, 51 South Chelmsford road, Westford,MA. Items for sale will include tree and shrub seedlings, perennials, herbs, fruits, groundcovers, and garden supplies such as compost bins, rain barrels,kitchen scrap buckets and fertilizers.
The Middlesex Conservation District is a not- for - profit environmental agency whose purpose is conservation of natural resources in Middlesex County. Proceeds from our biannual plant sales fund programs to improve water quality, preserve open space, establish erosion control and provide environmental education. For more information about our sale or programs please visit www.middlesexconservation.org or call 978-692-9395.
Parent Program on Anxiety in Children with Food Allergies
Psychologist Jennifer LeBovidge will present a talk for parents about how to understand and help their children manage the feelings and behaviors associated with having food allergies, at a program on Mon., April 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Nashoba Valley Asthma & Allergy Educational Support Group, which meets at the Rita Edwards Miller School, 1 Mitchell Way, Westford.
“Children may have different feelings about their food allergy at different developmental stages,” says LeBovidge, a clinical psychologist at Children’s Hospital, Boston. “Some children may become fearful about having a reaction, or sad if they feel isolated or different from their peers or family members.”
“Dr. LeBovidge has a lot of experience helping families cope with the emotional challenges of life with food allergies”, says Sharon Schumack, Director of Education for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter, which is sponsoring the program. It is free and open to the public. There will be time for questions and discussion.
AAFA New England organizes educational support group programs throughout the region, publishes a newsletter, and runs a telephone resource and referral line for people coping with allergies and asthma. For more information, or a free copy of the AAFA New England newsletter, call (781)444-7778 or see www.asthmaandallergies.org.
Ronan McElligott Memorial Playground
A barrier-free playground for all children
Fundraiser at
49 Powers Road, Westford
Wednesday, April 16th
1p.m. to 4p.m.
Come play in Gym Mania at One Stop Fun and help raise money for a barrier-free playground at Edwards Beach in Westford. Servicing children from Acton, Chelmsford, Littleton, Lunenburg, Westford and many other surrounding communities. For every child admitted to Gym Mania, One Stop Fun will donate a percentage of the cost directly to building this playground.
One in ten children cannot use a traditional playground due to a disability. For these children, a barrier-free playground will allow them to climb, swing, and play with their siblings and peers, as well as access all the fun that a playground has to offer.
Ronan McElligott Memorial Playground will be the first barrier-free playground in our area. For more information, visit our website at www.westford.com/ronansplayground.
Or contact Stephanie McElligott at (978) 692-9065 or email ssmcelligott@comcast.net
Rockit Robot Robotics
A special workshop for ages 7-12 will be offered on Rocket Robot Robotics during spring vacation – Thurs., & Fri., -April 24 & 25 from 9a.m. – 4p.m. each day. Children will build and take home a real robot that works by the clap of their hands or the sound of their voice. They will also get to design and build other robots and learn to use the mini hand-held microcomputers. Children will be part of the Robotic technology and have fun investigating the future effects is will have on their lives. Please register by April 16. Cost $165 including materials.
Roudenbush Community Center 65 Main St. Westford MA. For more details or registration call 978 692-5511 ext 0 or visit web site www.roudenbush.org
Laughter Meditation & Laughter Yoga
How can you use humor and laughter to overcome obstacles? Learn about the psychological and spiritual benefits of laughter and difference between constructive and destructive humor. Learn some joy-making techniques, including Laughter Mediation and Laugher Yoga under coach, Lisa Wessan – Tues, April 15 7-9p.m. $25
Roudenbush Community Center 65 Main St. Westford MA. For more details or registration call 978 692-5511 ext 0 or visit web site www.roudenbush.org
Club Invention
The Club Invention program is a weeklong summer enrichment program that fosters creativity, teamwork, inventive-thinking skills, and science literacy for CHILDREN ENTERING GRS. 1 - 6. This program, created in 1990 by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, is taught by local educators. The IMAGINE program consists of the five modules listed below:. Saving Sludge Cityâ„¢: Itâ?™s up to the Club Invention team to rebuild a cleaner, more eco-friendly city: Art Parkâ„¢: Students design a sculpture garden: Red Rover: Moving to Marsâ„¢: From lift-off to Earthâ?™s re-entry members simulate colonization on Mars; I Can Inventâ„¢: Participants create an invention out of recycled machines: Recess Remixâ„¢: Members combine physical activity with creative problem solving. All five modules are aligned with national and state education standards to ensure educational quality and integrity.
Call 1 800-968-4332 to register Mon. Fri., July 14 18 9:00 3:30 p.m.
$265 | Location: Russell Street Elementary School
Please call Littleton Recreation & Community Education at 978 486-3120 if you have any questions.
\Sharon Martel
Program Coordinator
Littleton Community Education
P O Box 934
Littleton, MA 01460
Information and enrollment at: www.littletonrec.com
978 486-1400
New! - Certified Nursing Assistant/Home
Health Aid Training
Nashoba@Night is offering
C.N.A. training beginning June 23. This 100 hour course includes classroom and practical skills training at Nashoba, and
Clinical experience at a nursing facility. It meets State and Federal guidelines for C.N.A training and is approved by the
Department of Public Health. This program is designed to prepare students with entry-level
skills needed to work in a long-term care facility. Must have high school diploma or GED, recent physical exam and TB test are Required. Pre-registration is required. Call for
Details1-978-692-4711x4000. Cost: $800 – Includes textbook.
Summer is just around the
corner, and where will your
6th to 8th graders spend
their days? AtThe 2008
Nashoba Tech Summer
Experience Program, of course!
Enter the world of a CSI Crime Lab scientist!
See what it's like to be a chef in your own
restaurant! Create your own functioning
robot! Immerse yourself in a foreign language!
Learn what it's like to work as a health and
dental professional! Discover how to
manage a hair salon, spa or fitness center!
Hands on learning and activities designed
for the Middle School Student. Sports weeks
in Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball and Softball available too!
2008 Summer Program will begin the week of
July 14th and end the week of August 8th Program
day begins at 9am and ends at 2:00pm. Drop off at
8:45am and pick up by 2:15pm. After school program
available until 6pm with advanced pre-paid registration.
All programs run for one week, but students may attend
more than one. Students will brown bag their lunch.
Multi-week, sibling, and early-birddiscounts are available.
(Early bird deadline will be April 30).
Summer Experience Registration will begin on April 1st, 2008.
For questions call 1-978-692-4711 x4000 Cost: $200 per child
per week Non-refundable $100 deposit due with registration.
Online Summer Experience Catalog can be located at www.nashobatech.net
New England Rose Society
Please come and join the members of the New England Rose Society on Sat., April 19. We are located at 241 Beaver Street in Waltham at the Umass Field Station. For all of you who are afraid to grow roses, this will be an excellent way to allay your fears! We’ll have members available with information on pruning, feeding and watering; weed, pest and disease control; how to plant a rose bush; compost and soil amendment; choosing the right rose; and garden planning and design. We may even come up with some other tidbits to help you out by the time the 19th rolls around.
So, throw away your fears of growing roses and drop by to see us. We’ll be happy to have you with us.
For further information, please call Cynthia Fraser at 978-369-3310, or e-mail saabsister91@yahoo.com.
Fun With Music - Ages 2-4 With Caregiver
All young children love to sing, play instruments and move to music! In this class children and caregivers together will explore simple percussion instruments in a variety of ways, play basic rhythms, sing songs, dance and get silly. Experience the joy of music in an active way and have fun! This class will run for six Tues. April 29th –June 3rd from 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. in the Park & Recreation playroom at Littleton Town Hall. The cost of this class is $60. (978)486-3120.
Sunshine And Rainbows - Ages 1 - 4
Come to the newly renovated Park and Recreation playroom for friends, enrichment and fun! This is a wonderful program for parents who would like their children to experience play in a small group with a cooperative or individual project offered each week by the coordinator. Activities include songs, group or individual games, arts and crafts activities, as well as imaginative play. Children will develop social skills, make new friends, and share a sense of community with the other participants. Instructors: Thurs., DEB ANDERSON is a former elementary school teacher and mother of three who has run
playgroups at Park and Recreation for 7 years. GOO NEWMAN has run playgroups and library story times locally for the past 7 years. A former preschool teacher and mother of
three, her background is in early childhood education. This class will run on either Mon., April 28th –June 9th from 9:15-10:45 a.m. or Thurs., May 1st –June 5th from 9:15 - 10:45 a.m. in the Park & Recreation playroom. The cost of this 6 week program is
$65. 9978)486-3120
Toddler Time With Goo-Ages Walking – 2.5 YRS
A class designed especially for children aged 10 months through 2 years old and their caregiver. Free play, snack and a story with songs appropriate for toddler age. A great beginning to learning cooperative play and group activities in a fun, relaxed setting. Enjoy meeting other parents and children from the community too! Instructor: GOO NEWMAN. This class will run for six Tues., April 29th –June 3rd from
9-10:15 a.m.in the Park & Recreation playroom. The cost of this class is $65. (978)486-3120.
Cleaning For a Reason Partners With The Maids
The Maids Home Services’ New England Marketing COOP Offers Cleaning Services to Help Cancer Patients Rest, Relax and Recuperate
The Cleaning For A Reason Foundation a Texas based, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing complimentary cleaning services to women undergoing cancer treatment – announces The Maids New England Marketing COOP (NEMC) has volunteered to donate cleaning services to cancer patients in eastern Massachusetts. The Maids NEMC will provide each patient with a rigorous housecleaning, once a month, inclusive of scrubbing, vacuuming, dusting and more. Each patient may receive up to four months of complimentary cleaning services.
“The Maids NEMC continually looks for ways to give back to the communities we serve and Cleaning For A Reason is a wonderful opportunity to directly impact the lives of so many community members in a positive way. Cancer treatment can dramatically alter a person’s quality of life. The Maids NEMC’s work with The Cleaning For A Reason Foundation allows people to convalesce in the comfort of their own home in a clean, familiar environment, restoring a bit of normalcy during an otherwise hectic time,” says Matt Donnelly, President of The Maids NEMC and Newton, MA.?based franchise owner.
The Maids NEMC understands that the immense physical and emotional impact of cancer treatment can be overwhelming to a person, making tasks such as cleaning one’s home an added stress. Many of The Maids NEMC members and staff have seen how cancer treatment has affected the quality of life of family members, community members and in some cases, themselves.
“It's inspiring to know that there are companies like The Maids NEMC who truly care about the communities they serve. You don’t need a medical background to brighten someone’s day and positively impact their life. The Maids NEMC prove this every time they leave the professionally cleaned home of a woman receiving treatment for cancer,” explains Debbie Sardone, Founder of The Cleaning For A Reason Foundation.
To apply for, or recommend someone for, The Maids NEMC’s free professional cleaning services for women undergoing cancer treatment please contact The Cleaning For A Reason Foundation at 877.337.3348 or visiting www.cleaningforareason.com.
The Maids NEMC was founded in 2002 by franchise owners of The Maids Home Services operating in the greater Boston area. The Maids NEMC was originally founded as a way to identify appropriate advertising opportunities, but has grown to serve as a peer group in which members share new ideas and best practices enabling the group’s entire membership to move their businesses to the next level. In addition, the Maids NEMC continually seeks new ways to make a positive impact on the communities they serve.
Founded in 2006, Cleaning For A Reason is the only foundation in the United States currently offering complimentary cleaning services to women undergoing treatment for cancer. The foundation recruits professional, residential housecleaning businesses such as The Maids NEMC, to deliver cleaning services on a local level in an attempt to improve the quality of life for the people they serve. The Cleaning For A Reason Foundation currently consists of 260 partners in 38 states and Canada.
Westford Clean Energy Challenge
Exciting news! As a National Grid customer in Westford, you have the choice of purchasing your electricity from a clean, renewable energy supplier. By choosing clean energy, you help to reduce global warming, reduce our dependency on oil, and reduce our air pollution. The choice is called GreenUp, and if you enroll in GreenUp by April 30, 2008, you will also be helping Westford earn grant money to invest in clean energy projects, such as buying solar panels or hiring energy consultants.
Through National Grid’s GreenUp program, you support renewable energy right on your electric bill. You choose to have your electricity kilowatts generated by “clean” energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and small hydro instead of “dirty” sources such as coal or gas. You pay a little bit extra each month (approx. $7-$12/month), but you support a cleaner environment for us all. All you have to do is select one of three clean energy suppliers and National Grid will do the rest. National Grid will still service your electricity and bill you each month… and you can opt out at any time. Visit the Westford Clean Energy Committee’s website at www.westford.com/wcec/ to learn more and to download an enrollment form.
Because GreenUp partners with the Clean Energy Choice program, (a program of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative(MTC)) your support also generates clean energy grants for Westford. MTC will match up 80% of your payments to GreenUp into Westford’s Clean Energy Account. Currently, some towns, such as Acton, have earned over $30,000 and were able to install solar panels on public buildings. Now it is Westford’s turn!
In addition to the matching grants, Westford will receive an additional bonus of $10,000 if 126 additional households or businesses sign up by 4/30/2008. So don’t wait!
For more information on the matching grant program, visit www.westford.com/wcec/ or e-mail your questions to WestfordCleanEnergy@comcast.net.
Thank you for helping us GreenUp our town.
Kids Stuff Tag Sale
Sellers Wanted for the LPA Kids Stuff Tag Sale
Are you in the midst of sorting through your children's outgrown clothing? How about turning those gently-used baby/children's clothing (age's birth - 12 years), toys, baby equipment, sporting goods, maternity items, and books into cash?!
The LPA Kid's Stuff Tag & Bake Sale will be held on Sat., May 17th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Russell Street School in Littleton and we're looking for people to rent selling space at our sale. In case of rain, the sale will be held inside the school's gymnasium.
The space rental fee at the sale is $20 for LPA members and $30 for non-LPA members. 100% of these space rental fees after our advertising costs will be donated to the Shaker Lane School to purchase curriculum materials for the Kindergartners. A maximum of two families can share one space, if desired.
We'll do all the advertising for the tag sale, all you need to do is bring a table and items to sell. The items must be kid-related... no household items, please. All proceeds from your table are yours to keep. Unsold items are your responsibility and cannot be left at the school.
If you are interested in reserving a table or have any questions about the sale please email Diane at littletonparent@gmail.com.
We will also be having a donations table this year. All the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Shaker Lane School as this fall's incoming Kindergarten Class gift. If you would like to donate items for the tag sale please email Jamie at sept499@hotmail.com.
Are You Caring For An Elderly Family Member?
Cooperative Elder Services, Inc, an Adult Day Health and Alzheimer’s Day Program located at 7 Chamberlin Drive Concord provides respite care and a safe, structured environment for elders. The program serves elders from Acton, Boxborough, Concord, Hudson, Maynard, Carlisle, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, Littleton, Bedford, Bolton, Lincoln, and Stow. The Program is open Mon., through Fri., 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and door to door transportation can be arranged. Elders attend one to five days per week depending upon their needs. The program includes a light breakfast, full hot lunch and afternoon snack, daily nursing care, socialization and a full range of activities, and social service support. As one of our clients said “ The program has been a life saver. i get to spend the day with my friends and enjoy all sorts of activities”. Our goal is to help frail elders remain in their homes and the community. If you would like to visit the center or find out more information contact Pat Oliphant at 978-318-0046 or visit our web site at www.elderdayservices.com
April 5, 2008
Taxpayer Group to Conduct Candidate Interviews
The Westford Taxpayers Association(WTA) will conduct both written and in - person interviews with candidates who are competing for two open positions on Westford’s Board of Selectmen in the town’s annual election scheduled for May 6, 2008. In the written section, candidates will be asked about rules and procedures guiding municipal government. The in - person segment of the interview will use questions submitted by voters. In- person interviews will be recorded and an audiocast will be available at WTA’s web site( www.westfordtaxpayers.org) for easy access by Westford voters. The WTA interviews have been designed to complement other candidates- familiarity forums that already exist.
“It would have been great if all candidates could participate in these interviews,” said WTA president Diane Weir, “ however, I understand and respect the reasons given for not participating. In this important election, I’ll be looking at all information available to evaluate my choices and encourage others to do so as well.” Invitations to participate were extended to all four candidates and replies were received. Candidates Kelly Ross and Valerie Wormell have agreed to participate in both the written and the in- person interviews; candidate Robert McCusker will participate in the written interview, but declined the in- person interview; and canidiate Kirk Ware has declined to participate in both the written and in - person interviews.
Circle the date for shopping
April 11, 4-7 p.m. at Roche Brothers in Acton! Why? Roche Bros. is helping us raise money for Celebration 2008, the Harvard community’s alcohol and drug-free event held after the prom. Celebration 2008 is no-cost to students and our fundraising allows us to create a transformed environment at the high school. This is not like any high school dance you ever went to, and lucky for us over 93% of our students attend, have fun, enjoy entertainment, eat delicious Chef Paul food, win prizes and leave with lasting memories.
Generously, Roche Bros. will donate 5% of all the of the shopping done at their Acton store during the hours of 4-7 p.m. on April 11, 2008. It costs you NOTHING..just shop and hand over your receipt! Last year was our first time and it was a great help to the fund raising. This year we want all of Harvard to shop during these hours. Please circle the date and plan to shop during that time, bring a friend too! If you’d like to volunteer to help with the event (explaining to shoppers and collecting the register receipts) for an hour before you shop please email Terry Wilson-Malam at terry@wilsonmalam.com . We look forward to seeing all of you there!
Diana Gill & Terry Wilson-Malam, Celebration 2008 Fundraising Co-Chairs
VNA Care Network & Hospice part of inaugural National Healthcare Decisions
Goal to ensure adults have opportunity to communicate and document their future healthcare decisions
VNA Care Network & Hospice, a nonprofit home health care, hospice and wellness agency serving Eastern and Central Massachusetts, is part of a national, grassroots effort to ensure all adults with decision-making capacity have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their future health care decisions. National Healthcare Decisions Day will be celebrated on April 16.
With the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990, Congress affirmed the right of every citizen to set forth his or her future healthcare wishes in writing with an "advance directive." In Massachusetts, a free legal form known as a health care proxy allows you to designate a person to speak on your behalf should you be unable to make health care decisions for yourself.
Just complete the proxy, sign it in front of two witnesses, and give copies to your designee (the person you ask to make health care decisions) and health care providers. The form is only put into use if your doctor determines you are unable to make health care decisions. You can cancel the form anytime you wish. The form is available at no cost by calling VNA Care Network & Hospice at 800-728-1862.
Choosing an Agent
The person you choose to speak for you is called the agent. Although not necessary, you can also appoint an alternate agent who would be called upon if your agent were unable or unwilling at the time. VNA Care Network & Hospice's home health care and hospice staff advises choosing someone you trust to make decisions based on your personal preferences and values. Your agent and alternate should agree to take on this role and be able to make decisions under stressful situations.
Completing the Proxy
When completing the health care proxy, it is important that you and the two required witnesses properly sign the form. Your agent and alternate agent can be anyone of your choosing, except an employee or administrator of a health care facility where you receive care unless that person is a relative by blood, marriage, or adoption. The witnesses cannot be the agent or the alternate agent. There is an optional place on the form to have the agent and alternate agent sign statements. Although it is not required, the health care professionals of VNA Care Network & Hospice recommend having them sign to assure they understand their role in your future health care.
Making Your Wishes Known
A key step in this process is having a conversation with your agent and alternate agent about your personal preferences for health care should you not be able to communicate them for yourself. Tell them you do not want them to feel the burden of making decisions without knowing what you wish.
VNA Care Network & Hospice's health care professionals recommend starting this process by reflecting on what is important to you about care at the end of your life. Do you have certain cultural or religious beliefs which might influence your wishes? How do you feel about life-prolonging treatments, such as resuscitation or mechanical ventilation, if the expectation was that you would never be able to interact meaningfully with your family and friends again? How important do you view pain and symptom control in the management of your illness even if the medications make you drowsy?
You might want to discuss your thoughts with others who might help you sort through your values and options. Your physician or clergy member may be especially helpful.
Then talk with your chosen agent and others who are close to you. VNA Care Network & Hospice's home health care and hospice providers recommend including family members in the conversation so everyone is clear about your choices. Don't assume they know your wishes.
Be clear about your wishes, giving examples of when you would want life-prolonging treatments started, when you would not want them started, and when you would want them withdrawn.
Personal Wishes Statement
Consider putting your wishes and choices into writing. Currently, there is no legally binding form for this in Massachusetts, but written statements can be used as a guide by your agent and your health care providers in making decisions for you if you are unable.
VNA Care Network & Hospice offers their own patients and the community a form called a personal wishes statement. It includes a list of various life sustaining treatments that you may or may not want your health care agent to pursue on your behalf as well as space to write additional considerations.
In all cases, be sure to communicate with everyone who might be involved in decisions for you, especially your agent(s) listed in the health care proxy and your physician.
Resources
VNA Care Network & Hospice provides free health care proxies and personal wishes statements by mail. Information and health care proxy forms are also available in Spanish and Vietnamese. Call VNA Care Network & Hospice at 800-728-1862.
VNA Care Network & Hospice has provided health care in patients' homes for more than 100 years. Services include nursing, rehabilitation therapy, home care aide support, social work, nutrition, disease management, and private duty care. Hospice for the terminally ill is available in patients homes and at three hospice residences, Chilton House in Cambridge, the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, and the Tippett Home in Needham. For information about services, call 800-728-1862 or visit www.vnacarenetwork.org.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! The 9th Annual Westford Road Race Is Coming May 4
The Westford Charitable Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce the ninth-annual Westford Road Race, scheduled for Sun., May 4, 2008. This enjoyable and entertaining community event brings families together while raising funds to address Westford’s charitable needs. The event, which features a one-mile Family Fun Run, a USATF sanctioned and certified 5K and a USATF sanctioned and certified 10K race, will begin at the Abbot School at 2:00 p.m. Participants may register online on www.westford.com/roadrace. Fliers with more details will be sent home with Westford students, and can also be found at the Roudenbush Community Center as well as the library. The fun begins at Abbot and ends on the Westford Town Common with free food, raffles, trophies, and entertainment by a DJ. Please join this worthy cause. Want to become more involved in the workings of the race? Volunteers are always welcome. Interested? Contact Lori Cogliano at lcogliano@lycos.
com for more information.
The Westford Charitable Foundation, Inc. typically raises up to $15,000 through sponsorships every year, and gives that money back to the community. To date, they have raised over $110,000. Beneficiaries of funds include individuals battling cancer, victims of fires and other tragedies, handicapped individuals, memorial funds and those whose challenging medical circumstances find themselves with few other resources. Money raised has also gone to fund a wide range of programs for the J.V. Fletcher Library, The Parish Center for the Arts, Westford Education Foundation, Westford Public Schools, Nashoba Technical High School, Westford Recreation Department, Westford Senior Center, Westford Food Pantry, Westford Chorus, Nashoba Valley Special Olympics, Roudenbush Community Center and many more. This year’s race sponsors at the Platinum Level include: Sullivan & Cogliano, Ideal Concrete Block, Comcast, Welch Welding, and Puma. At the Gold Level - Reichheld Ting Orthodontics, Primrose Touch Free Car Wash, Middlesex Bank, Concord Oil, Saro Chiropractic Health Center, Corporate Coach and Limousine, and Nashoba Valley Auto School. At the Silver Level – J.A. Healy & Sons Oil, Dressing Rooms, Lowell Sun, Ron Levenbaum DMD, Stantec Consulting, Greenwood Sewer, and Edward M. Connolly Insurance Agency. Anyone interested in making a tax deductible donation, please send your check to: The Westford Charitable Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 848, Westford, MA 01886. For more information, contact Lori at lcogliano@lycos.com.
World-Renowned Naturalist Peter Alden
Ecotourism guide and prolific author Peter Alden will come to Volunteers Hall in the Harvard Public Library Fri., April 11 at 8 p.m. to talk about the dangers of invasive plant species and the importance of biodiversity. Alden, the author of 15 books and a highly entertaining lecturer, has traveled the earth from pole to pole researching issues of biodiversity, conservation, climate change, and how the invasive plant crisis is affecting all of us today. Alden’s presentation will be followed by a short lecture by Harvard’s Rick Dickson, who will briefly talk about the Water Chestnut problem in Bare Hill Pond.
Trained as an ornithologist, Alden spent many years in the American southwest as Vice President of the Tucson Audubon Society. He is also the author the National Audubon Society’s Regional Field Guide series. Alden is a native of Concord, Massachusetts.
The lecture is co-sponsored by the Warner Free Lecture series and the Garden Club of Harvard.
Ring In The Spring
Ring in the Spring at the Congregational Church of Littleton. The United Ringers and the handbell duet team of Janet Anderson and Debra LeBrun will be presenting a concert of sacred and secular handbell music on Sat., April 12th at 7:30 p.m. This is a chance to see the art of handbell ringing at its best! The United Ringers is the church’s most advanced handbell ensemble and it is made up of highly experienced ringers from Littleton, Westford, Sudbury, Worcester, and Nashua, NH. Janet and Debra will be playing a four movement suite, “Songs of Faith”, for unaccompanied handbell duet and the United Ringers’ selections will include “Gypsy Dance”, “Fantasy on Southern Folk Hymns”, “Danza Festivo”, “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross”, and many others. Refreshments will be served by the Music Committee following the concert. Donations will be accepted at the door to support the handbell ministry.
The Congregational Church of Littleton is located at 330 King Street, Littleton, MA. For more information on this event and others like it, visit www.ccol.org or contact the church office at 978-486-3245. The Congregational Church of Littleton is handicapped accessible.
Treble Choir Concert at Westborough High School
The Treble Choir Concert will be held at Westborough High School on Fri., April 11th at 7:30p.m. Westborough High School’s Women’s Chorale and the Girls Acapella Groups will be performing and they will be hosting the Women’s Chorale and Acapella Groups from Acton-Boxborough High School.
This promises to be a wonderful evening. Please join us and support our female performers. Tickets are $ 5.00 and available at the door.
Coldwell Banker Residential Blood Drive
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Acton office hosted a Blood Drive on March 13, taking in 11 units of blood in the 5 hour period. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage opened several conference rooms for the Blood Drive, and offered both a bagel breakfast and a light lunch, which made for a relaxing, comfortable experience for the donors. Everyone who donated was entered into a drawing to win a massage certificate from Karen Wright, of Wrightouch Massage for health in Stow. Regina Buckley of Scheier & Katin Law Office won the massage. MetroWest Medical Center’s blood technicians ( phlebotomists) are engaging, talented, gentle and kind, making the blood donation experience easy.
The process of giving blood is easy and only takes an hour. Most people can donate blood,although few people do, which is why the Blood Drives are so important. A person can donate blood every 56 days, must be over 17, and must weight over 110 pounds. With restrictions on blood donation raising all the time, the more willing and able donors who do give is crucial especially the universal types 0 and 0 negative.
Coldwell Banker will be hosting another Blood Drive on Oct., 23, 2008. Please watch and plan on donating then. Or call Nancy Claire Evens of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 978-697-1391 for more details on blood donation
19th Annual Meeting of the Members
The Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce (serving the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Westford) will hold its 19th Annual Meeting of the Members on Fri., April 18, 2008 from 11:30-1:30 at Concord’s Colonial Inn, 48 Monument Square, Concord. Keynote speaker for the event is Ken Lizotte, Chief Imaginative Officer of Emerson Consulting Group of Concord, who transforms companies, consultants, attorneys, executives and other specialists into “experts with an edge” also known as “thoughtleaders.” Ken is a popular professional speaker at national conferences, including seminars for Harvard University, author of four books, co-founder of the National Writers Union and has been interviewed by BusinessWeek, Fortune, Newsweek, Writer’s Digest, CBS News, and National Public Radio. His latest book, The Expert’s Edge: Become the Go-To Authority People Turn To Every Time, published by McGraw-Hill, explains exactly how to become the leader in your field and industry, bar none.
The Board of Directors will thank its current president, Kenneth Sundberg of Realty Executives of Eastern Massachusetts, and welcome new President, Shawn Linehan of Workers’ Credit Union; as well as say good-bye to retiring Board members. The Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce’s corporate sponsors are: Emerson Hospital, Concord Health Care Center and Middlesex Savings Bank. The Nominating Committee will present the nominees for the 2008-2009 Board of Directors: Lou Genovese of Smudged Graphics, Paul Hutchinson of Hutchinson Consulting, John Lawlor of Practical Decisions, and Christopher Anderton of Real-E Marketing. The members will vote for approval of the nominations.
Members who are celebrating their 5, 10 and 15 year anniversaries with the Chamber will also be recognized. Tickets are $32; or $225 for a table of 8. For more information, please call the Chamber office at 978-263-0010 or visit our website at: www.mwcoc.com to reserve your seat today! Reservations must be made by April 11, 2008.
Tidbit
19th Annual Meeting of the Members
The Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce’s 19th Annual Meeting of the Members will be held on Fri, April 18, 2008 from 11:30-1:30 at Concord’s Colonial Inn, 48 Monument Square, Concord. Keynote speaker for the event is Ken Lizotte, Chief Imaginative Officer of Emerson Consulting Group of Concord. Ken is a Certified Management Consultant, popular national speaker, including seminars for Harvard, author of four books, and co-founder of the National Writers Union. His latest book, The Expert’s Edge: Become the Go-To Authority People Turn To Every Time, explains exactly how to achieve an “expert’s edge” to become the leader in your field and industry, bar none.
The Members will thank its current Board president, Kenneth Sundberg, welcome new President, Shawn Linehan, and say good-bye to retiring Board members. The MWCoC’s corporate sponsors are: Emerson Hospital, Concord Health Care Center and Middlesex Savings Bank. The Nominating Committee will present the nominees for the 2008-2009 Board of Directors: Lou Genovese, Paul Hutchinson, John Lawlor, and Christopher Anderton; members will vote for approval of the nominations.
Chamber members who are celebrating their 5, 10 and 15 year anniversaries will also be recognized. Tickets are $32; or $225 for a table of 8. For more information, please call the Chamber office at 978-263-0010 or visit our website at: www.mwcoc.com to reserve your seat! Reservations must be made by April 11, 2008.
Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce
77 Great Road, Suite 214
Acton, MA 01720
978-263-0010
www.mwcoc.com
Premier Sponsor:
Emerson Hospital
www.emersonhospital.org
Diamond Sponsor
Concord Health Care Center
Platinum Sponsor
Middlesex Savings Bank
April 15 is Not Just Tax Date-it is Also the Deadline to Submit Your Nominations
Any New England-based firm or individual specializing in landscape design with a long-term commitment to the use of native plants in exceptional or distinctive landscape compositions is eligible for consideration for this honor from America’s oldest plant conservation organization. The Society launched this award in 2007, to mark the 75th anniversary of its botanical garden and living museum, Garden in the Woods. Renowned Landscape Architect Patrick Chassé was the Society’s first Landscape Design Award recipient.
The award is not just for an individual project but rather, recognizes a body of work over time. It honors naturalistic or creative use and interpretation of native plants in plantings designed, built, and maintained in New England and will be given as exceptional candidates are identified and not necessarily on an annual basis.
You are invited to submit a 2008 New England Wild Flower Society Landscape Design Award Application or Nomination, which is available at the Society’s website: www.newenglandWILD.org.
If you have questions, please contact Karen Pierce at kpierce@newenglandwild.org or 508-877-7630 x 3801.
A Celebration of Earth Day!
An experience for all ages, ” Missa Gaia”, a Mass for the Earth Sun., April 20th at 4 p.m.
HarvardUnitarian Universalist Church Top of the Harvard Common (110/111)
The whale, symbolizing the Great Mother, along with seal pups, wolves and loons, join voices with the varied instruments and choir in this exciting folk/gospel mass. Paul Winter dedicated the earth Mass to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. Commissioned in 1981 by the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the work was composed by Paul winter, Jim Scott, Paul Halley, Oscar Castro Neves, and Kim Oler.
Ted Johnson directs the Harvard UU Choir and guests, with instrumentalists
Free will Offering
For more information contact Eleanor Toth 978-779-2876
344th Military Police Send-Off at Holiday Inn Boxborough
Soldiers give emotional good-bye to friends and family at Farewell Ceremony.
The 344 Military personnel met at the Holiday Inn Boxborough for a Farewell Ceremony on Saturday, March 29, 2008. With a standing ovation and tear-filled eyes they prepared to bid farewell, 90 members of the 344th Military Police company deploying to Iraq for one year, to train Iraqi police.
But the soldiers also have another task...keeping watch over loved ones from a distance.
Among the troops, too there was acknowledgement of the personal toll. Many of those going have already been deployed over the last several years. First Sergeant Brian Jackson served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Staff Sergeant Marc Gagnon completed a tour of duty in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Lorie Collishaw has the unusual reality that her husband and daughter are deploying together. Approximately 500 people attended the farewell ceremony on Saturday afternoon that was held in the Holiday Inn Parade Room.
The Holiday Inn donated meeting space, audio visual equipment and various food & beverage items to help support the local military community. Dunkin’ Donuts and the local VFW also donated time and items to support the troops.
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