Friday March 25, 2011

In Bellows Falls…

LEAD SAFE: A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Renovation, Repair, and Painting course will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Brattleboro. this certification is required for all contractors or landlords disturbing more than six square feet of paint in properties built before 1978. The cost for federal certification is $150 per person.

During the course, participants will learn about the requirements of state and federal regulations governing lead, the health effects of lead in children and adults, lead-safe work practices, and how to protect themselves from liability. most contractors and landlords will need to take both courses to be in compliance with the law.

Registration is strongly suggested due to limited space, and is required for the federal RRP classes. Contact Michelle Pong or Allyson Wendt at 802-463-9927 or e-mail to register.

In Brattleboro…

RED CROSS TRAININGS: The American Red Cross at 81 High St. is hosting a Babysitter’s Training for youth 11 to 15 years old on Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The course includes first Aid training and resumé building skills. The cost of the course is $45.

On Tuesday, March 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. the Red Cross will offer a CPR/AED for Adult, Child and Infant Recertification course. this is a refresher course to keep yearly certifications current. Participants are eligible for a recertification if they are within 12 months of their certificate’s expiration date. The cost for the course is $40.

To register for either of these courses, call 802-254-2377 or sign up at redcrossvtnhuv.org.

DRIVING COURSE: A classroom refresher driving course for people 55 and older, will be held in the Brew Barry Conference Center at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital on Saturday, March 26, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The class, formerly called “55-Alive,” will help elders improve their skills and prevent traffic accidents. It covers the normal changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time associated with aging and provides practical techniques to compensate for these changes. Class size is limited to 25 participants. The fee for the course is $14, which covers the cost of materials. (The rate for AARP members with membership card is $12.)

To register for the class, or for further information about the date of the next class, call the BMH Education Department at 802-251-8425. Or visit the BMH website at bmhvt.org for dates of future AARP Driver Safety Programs at BMH.

HEALTHY DIGESTION: The free talk titled “Heal Your Digestion,” which was rescheduled due to inclement weather earlier this year, will take place Monday, March 28, in the Community Room at Brattleboro Savings & Loan beginning at 5:30 p.m.

It will offer a variety of natural solutions for the digestive system. this is Part 3 of the Post Oil Solutions Health and Wellness series “Aging Gracefully.” Participants will learn how to use foods and nutritional products to help repair the digestive tract for issues associated with chronic acid reflux, occasional indigestion, constipation, IBS, bowel disease and more.

Digestive problems can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Long-term poor digestion often leads to worsening health and chronic disease. Medications can hide the symptoms, but when they do, it can stop the digestive processes of getting nutrients in and eliminating toxins from the body and mind.

Learn how to heal your digestion using nourishing, wholesome foods and safe, effective herbal remedies. Participants can find practical solutions to see results and begin to feel better soon.

Brattleboro Savings & Loan is located at 221 Main St. in Brattleboro across from the library (entrance is around back). Space is limited, so pre-register by calling toll-free: 866-755-9290 or write: .

“Aging Gracefully” is a six-part program for people of all ages, with a special focus on seniors, and is supported by the Brattleboro Food Co-op Community Education and Outreach.

Cindy Hebbard, Certified Herbalist and Wellness Educator, is the director of the Wisdom of Healing School of Herbalism.

SERIES ON DEMENTIA: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Grace Cottage Hospital will present the last program in the dementia series on Monday, March 28, “Living With Memory Loss: Maximizing Independence.” It will be presented by Claire Markey, BMH Speech/Language Pathologist, MSCCC, who works with both inpatients and outpatients with speech issues.

The presentation is appropriate for people with memory deficits as well as their family, caregivers and friends. Register for this free session which starts at 7 p.m. in the new BMH Brew Barry Conference Center, by calling 802-257-8877.

In Putney…

NATURE YOGA: Transition Putney and mark Morey of the Institute of Natural Living, explore the Putney Central School Forest on Saturday, March 26, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Those attending should meet at the parking lot kiosk.

Experienced nature-based mentors will guide participants in safe, fun learning experiences that build connection with all the aspects of the natural world — the plants, animals, water, soil, weather, ecology, and seasonal cycles.

The program, “Nature Yoga: Restorative Practice,” will be a connection to how the earth is naturally restorative and will create increased health, well-being, aliveness, and mental and spiritual clarity.

Morey is a visionary educator and international mentoring consultant, now lives in Putney. Visit the Institute for Natural Learning at ifnaturallearning.com for more information. to register, email . Walk-ins are welcome. The cost is on a sliding scale of $30 to $50. no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

In Keene, N.H. …

BONE MARROW DRIVE: The Monadnock Women Foundation and Cheshire Medical Center are hosting a bone marrow drive on Saturday, March 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help find a donor for 1-month-old Oliver Williams, of Spofford, who was born with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. The baby’s only hope for survival is a marrow transplant. Those who can’t attend the drive can request a marrow test kit at dkmsamericas.org.

In Townshend…

HEALTH WORKSHOPS: Healthier Living Workshops will be held at Grace Cottage Hospital beginning on Monday, April 4, and continuing on consecutive Mondays through may 9. The sessions are held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the Holt Conference Center at GCH. to register, e-mail or call 802-251-8459 before the start of the six-week workshop. A course textbook and CD will be provided. The workshops are sponsored by Brattleboro Memorial and Grace Cottage hospitals.

Participants need to attend all six sessions and stay the full time of each class.

Call Wendy Cornwell, education coordinator at BMH at 802-251-8459 for future program dates, waiting list information, and/or for fee information for those outside of Vermont.