Action Unlimited

MCC’s Summer Theatre Camp for Kids Returns to In-Person Format

LOWELL: Throughout the pandemic, Middlesex Community College’s Theatre department has provided students with performance opportunities – from online courses to socially distanced Zoom productions. As part of the College for Kids 2021 summer programming, Middlesex is bringing back the Summer Theatre Camp for Kids for an in-person experience.

Young performers ages 8 to 17 will have the opportunity to rehearse, stage and mount a full musical production with professional lights, sets and costumes at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell, under direction of Karen Oster, MCC’s Chair of Performing Arts.

This year’s production will be “James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” The program will run 9am through 4pm, Monday through Friday, starting on August 2. Final performances will take place on Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14.

The mission of the camp is to provide a fun and exciting environment for kids to explore theatre arts, and to encourage creative growth, teamwork and a “company” mentality. The camp believes children of all ages are capable of “magnificent” things and there are no limits to their creativity. Many of the young performers who participate in MCC’s Summer Theatre Camp remain with the program for years.

For information, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/collegeforkids/ or call 781-280-3663.

DONORS URGENTLY NEEDED: Red Cross Still Facing Severe Blood Shortage

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.

Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.

In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break − patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.

Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat by mail,* while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.

Friends of the Chelmsford Senior Center Re-open The Treasure Shop

CHELMSFORD: Treasure Shop Grand Re-Opening! On Friday, July 2, 2021, 9am, The Friends of the Chelmsford Senior Center will be re-opening The Treasure Shop for business and lots of fun shopping. The doors will open for you to come and browse and purchase; while, at the same time, supporting Senior Center activities. As a non-profit, all volunteer organization, 100% of the purchase amounts go to help the Senior Center. The Friends Treasure Shop “re-start” schedule for July will be Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays in the mornings from 9:00am to 11:00am. They are planning to expand these hours as senior activities and attendance grows.

The Friends are also looking to increase the number of Treasure Shop volunteers willing to help a few hours per week and/or substitute for others when they are unavailable. Please leave your name and phone number/email at the Senior Center office. They continue to accept donations of new and gently used, clean clothing for any season as well as small household items, jewelry, yarn, gift cards and other such gift items. Stop by, browse and find your treasures, all for a good cause!

Chelmsford's Pink Bag Recycling Program is Changing

CHELMSFORD: Rather than bags collected on the same week as recycling, residents should visit www.simplerecycling.com to schedule a pick up.Simple Recycling will now be conducting scheduled pickups!

Residents will be required to schedule their pickups by either going online to www.simplerecycling.com OR by calling 1.866.835.5068.
The pickups will now be a the front door instead of the curb
The pink bags will be eliminated from the program. Residents should provide their clean & dry recyclable material in self provided bags or boxes (feel free to use up existing bags!)

There are several factors that are used in determining pick up availability. Once the Zip Code is entered, a calendar will appear showing what days are available for scheduling.

These changes will allow for greater efficiency and convenience. Please feel free to contact Melissa Joyce, Sustainability Manager: 978.250.5203 or mjoyce@chelmsfordma.gov with questions or concerns.

Middlesex CC to Host Rasa Strings Quartet in Outdoor Concert

LOWELL: Middlesex Community College will hold a special summer “A World of Music” performance with an outdoor concert by the Rasa Strings Quartet. The concert will take place on the Lowell campus behind the Middlesex Cowan Center at noon on June 24. The rain date for the will be at noon on June 25.

Since the Spring of 2020, MCC’s Music department has held a number of online concert recordings featuring local artists – including the Rasa Strings Quartet and Lowell Chamber Orchestra – and Middlesex faculty and student performances. This summer’s outdoor concert will be the first held in-person since before the start of the pandemic.

“After so many months without live concerts, we are delighted to be able to offer the MCC community an outdoor concert performed by the wonderful Rasa Strings Quartet,” said Carmen Rodriguez-Peralta, MCC’s Chair of Music. “They will present a varied program which features diverse musical voices, both from long ago and today.”

Since winning first prize in the Chamber Music Yellow Springs 35th Annual Competition, Rasa Strings Quartet quickly emerged as one of New England’s finest young ensembles. The quartet consists of violinists Kiyoshi Hayashi and Maura Shawn Scanlin, violist Brianna Fischler, and cellist – and MCC faculty member – Eunghee Cho.

"Feeding off the energy of a live audience is an aspect of the performance experience that we have taken for granted in the past,” Cho said. “We are incredibly excited and feel privileged to have the opportunity once again to share our passion for and joy of music-making in-person for a live audience that can enhance the power and communicative potential of our musical voice."

The performance includes a colorful and varied program of Folksongs in Counterpoint by Florence Price, Romance by Amy Beach, Taiwanese Folk Songs by Wei-Chieh Lin, Estampas Mexicanas by José Elizondo, String Quartet No. 6 in F minor and I. Allegro vivace assai by Felix Mendelssohn, and traditional Danish folk music Sekstur from Vendsyssel/Peat Dance.

The concert is free and open to the public. Due to space constraints, the audience number will be limited. Contact Rodriguez-Peralta at peraltac@middlesex.mass.edu or call 781-280-3923 to register to attend the event. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldofmusic/ to watch previously recorded “A World of Music” performances.

Read to Luna the Dog Live! at the Concord Free Public Library

CONCORD: The Concord Free Public Library invites children to Read to Luna the Dog on the Main Library lawn the second Friday of each month beginning in June between 11:30am-12:30pm. Luna is a certified therapy dog through Pets & People Foundation, Inc. Did you know that reading to dogs boosts reading skills and emotional and social skills for children? This event is for children ages 5+. Children are invited to register for their own individual 15 minute session with Luna. Register in advance by visiting the library's events calendar online at www.concordlibrary.org.

June is PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Though most often associated with veterans who experienced atrocities of war, anyone, including children and teens, can suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children typically recover quickly from stressful events, but when it comes to severe stress, especially serious injuries, the death of a close family member or friend, sexual assault, living through a disaster, or witnessing a violent act such as a school shooting, children can often suffer the long-term effects of PTSD.

The National Center for PTSD estimates that 7-8% of people will experience PTSD during their lives. Worse yet, over 65% of children who are exposed to a traumatic event will, at some point, attempt to take their own lives. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the symptoms of PTSD are different for young children than those of older teens and adults. Children younger than 6 will often wet the bed, forget how or refuse to talk, act out the traumatic event during routine play, or become unusually clingy with a parent or other adult.

Research shows that depression rates increase after a trauma and tend to be especially high among children with PTSD. If your child or someone you love is struggling with depression or thinking about suicide, get help now. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is a free resource, available 24 hours a day for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 text line where trained crisis counselors support individuals in crisis. Text “Jason” to 741741 to speak with a compassionate, trained Crisis Counselor. Confidential support 24/7, for free.

The Jason Foundation is another available resource. The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide through educational programs that equip youth, parents, educators, and the community with the tools and resources to identify and assist at-risk youth. Many times, a young person will exhibit clear warnings signs prior to an attempt. By knowing the warning signs, and knowing how to help, you could save a life. Visit The Jason Foundation’s website to learn more about youth suicide, the warning signs, and how you can help make a difference. The Jason Foundation has never charged a school, community, or individual for the use of their programs or resources. http://www.jasonfoundation.com

CCC Chelmsford Invites You to Make a Difference Week

CHELMSFORD: If you have children who like to help others and are looking for projects to do, Make a Difference Week is a chance to meet new friends while helping others in the community. Possible projects include Bruce Freeman rail trail cleanup, Chelmsford Land Trust projects, cooking and baking for meals ministries, or harvesting fresh produce from the Chelmsford community garden for the Open Pantry.

Central Congregational Church in Chelmsford, United Church of Christ is now enrolling young people, rising third graders through eighth graders, for its third annual Make a Difference Week, July 26-30, 2021, 9am – noon. Monday through Thursday will be spent on projects while Friday will be a family fun day at Kimball Farms. The fee is $30 per child payable by check to Central Congregational Church with Make a Difference in the memo line or through the Donate button on the church Website. High Schoolers are welcome as volunteers and crew leaders. Register online at www.cccchelmsford.org, Click on Make a Difference and Make a Difference Week. Covid 19 Protocols will be in place.

Central Congregational Church is located at One Worthen Street. For more info, call 978-256-5931.

Emerson Hospital & IMPACT Melanoma Team Up to Protect the Public

CONCORD: Emerson Hospital and IMPACT Melanoma, a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the incidence of melanoma, have teamed for the third consecutive year to protect residents from skin cancer. The organizations have deployed touchless, automatic sunscreen dispensers at 16 high-traffic locations, including parks and recreation facilities, beaches, rail trails, and athletic fields throughout Concord and the greater area. The dispensers provide complementary sunscreen throughout Acton (at The Discovery Museum), Bedford, Chelmsford, Concord, Harvard, Hudson, Maynard and Westford.

Jen Melanson, Community Service Coordinator for the town of Chelmsford, reported after the 2020 season, “The program was so well received, we had positive feedback on social media and from citizens who were very excited and appreciative. We are grateful to Emerson Hospital for providing the dispensers and are excited to support the program again this year.”

“We are pleased to work with Emerson Hospital on this invaluable initiative for the third year,” said Deb Girard, IMPACT’s Executive Director. “It is imperative to educate communities at all levels – residents, government, employees, and visitors – to create a broad sense of sun-safe practices aimed at healthier lifestyle choices for our skin. With this initiative in motion, we can achieve exactly that with the fleet of free sunscreen dispensers, and educational messaging. We are excited and hope that neighboring towns take notice. Together we can make a great IMPACT and practice of safe skin.”

Emerson Hospital is sponsoring bright yellow sunscreen dispensers that are filled with SPF 30 sunscreen. The dispensers are monitored regularly and replenished as needed, ensuring that everyone in the area who needs sunscreen has easy access to it. SPF 30 or higher sunscreen is rated and recommended for use by children ages six-months and up, and adults. All sunscreen ingredients are safe and approved by the FDA.

“Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in our service area, according to our latest Community Health Assessment,” notes Christine Gallery, Senior Vice President, Planning and Chief Strategy Officer, Emerson Hospital. “We are proud to support IMPACT Melanoma again this year, so that people throughout our towns can have fun this summer, while easily protecting themselves from skin cancer. We anticipate the community will use the sunscreen often and it will become a routine part of their summer safety regimen. We encourage the community to be in touch with a physician with any questions or concerns about their skin.”

To learn more about the importance of sunscreen and where the complimentary sunscreen dispensers are located, please visit www.emersonhospital.org/sunscreen.