ONCOLOGY

Southcoast® Centers for Cancer Care offer the following support groups free of charge to cancer patients and their caregivers. The staff at Southcoast wants you to know that you do not have to do this alone.

The following support groups will take place during the month of November and are offered at Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, 206 Mill Road in Fairhaven or Southcoast Centers for Cancer, 506 Prospect Street in Fall River. Please call for dates and times:

FALL RIVER, Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care

Breast Cancer Support Group West
For patients with a breast cancer diagnosis
Call Susan Domingue, LICSW at 508-973-7810 for details

Colorectal Support Group
For patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer
Call Susan Domingue at 508-973-7810 for details

Lung Cancer Support Group
A support group specifically for patients with a lung cancer diagnosis
Call Susan Domingue, LICSW at 508-973-7810 for details

Support for Supporters
A support group for caregivers of patients with cancer
Call Susan Domingue, LICSW at 508-973-7810 for details

FAIRHAVEN, Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care

Breast Cancer Support Group East
For patients with a breast cancer diagnosis
Call Linda Casey, LICSW at 508-973-3000 for details

Under 50 Cancer Support Group
A support group for patients with any cancer diagnosis.
Call Linda Casey at 508-973-3000 for details.

Lung Cancer Support Group
A support group specifically for patients with a lung cancer diagnosis
Call Susan Domingue, LICSW at 508-973-7810 for details

Support for Supporters
A support group for caregivers of patients with cancer
Call Susan Domingue, LICSW at 508-973-7810 for details

OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP

A support group for people with ostomies, their family members and friends. Meetings usually include an educational topic and provide time for questions, discussion, and sharing among group members in a confidential, non-threatening environment.

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, November 16, from 3 to 4 p.m.
St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street
New Bedford, MA
White Home Living Room
Call Lisa Cyr at 508-973-5550 for details.

FALL RIVER
Friday, November 25, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Charlton Memorial Hospital
506 Prospect Street
Fall River, MA
Mooney Room on the ground floor (enter through the Center for Cancer Care entrance)
Call Tina McDonald, at 508-679-3131 x 27509 for details.

PARENTS ENDURING GRIEF

Offering hope and encouragement to families that have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or other loss of a child. Experienced maternal/child nurses and a clinical social worker are available during the meeting.

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, November 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street
New Bedford, MA
White Home Living Room
Call Judy Graves, RN, at 508-679-3131, ext 27067 for details.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

Southcoast Visiting Nurse Association, known in the community as Southcoast VNA, offers free bereavement programs for grieving adults and children during the month of November. Registration is preferred for all groups. Please contact Bereavement Manager, Lindsay Coe, LCSW, at 508-973-3227 for more information.

General Bereavement Group

General Bereavement Groups are designed for adults grieving the loss of a loved one.

FALL RIVER
Tuesday, November 8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue, Fall River
Multi-purpose Conference Room. Use main entrance.

NEW BEDFORD
Tuesday, November 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street, New Bedford
Library Conference Room. Use main entrance from Page Street.

WAREHAM
Tuesday, November 15, from 1 to 2:15 p.m.
Tobey Hospital
43 High Street, Wareham
Stillman Library. Use main entrance.

Widows and Widowers Group

The Widows and Widowers group is designed specifically for adults grieving the loss of a partner.

SOMERSET
Tuesday, November 22, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Somerset Library
1464 County Street, Somerset
Shipyard Room

Children’s Bereavement Group

For children ages 6 to 13 who have suffered any type of loss.

NEW BEDFORD
Tuesday, November 1
Ages 6 to 13: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Ages 14 to 18: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Boys & Girls Club of Fall River
803 Bedford Street, Fall River
Second floor community room

ADDICTION AND RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP

Learn to Cope, a weekly support group offering peer-support, education, resources and HOPE for families dealing with addiction and recovery.

FALL RIVER
Every Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Mooney Conference Room
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care
506 Prospect Street, Fall River

Child Birth and Family Education classes

Southcoast® Health offers a wide range of child birth and family education classes on an ongoing basis. Please call the appropriate contact listed below for more information on each class.

Childbirth Classes

Birthing Bootcamp
Childbirth Classes for Young Parents (ages 12 to 17 years)
Refresher Childbirth Classes

Pre-registration is required for all classes. We recommend calling to register during the 16th week (10 to 12 weeks for multiples) of pregnancy to assure placement in the class you need. Not all classes are offered at all locations. Many health insurance companies will reimburse the cost of classes. Be sure to contact your insurance company to ask about coverage.

For more information, please contact the following:

Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue
Fall River, MA
Gina Kiser, RN, BSN, CCE
508-973-7308
kiserg@southcoast.org

St Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street
New Bedford, MA
Patty VanDenBerghe, RN, BSN, CCE
508-961-5445
vandenberghepa@southcoast.org

Center for Women’s Health
300B Faunce Corner Road
Dartmouth, MA
Patty VanDenBerghe, RN, BSN, CCE
508-961-5445
vandenberghepa@southcoast.org

FALL RIVER/NEW BEDFORD

Breast-Feeding Basics
Learn about the healthy option of breastfeeding, basic skills to provide a good foundation and how to avoid potential stumbling blocks. Expectant mothers and their partners are encouraged to attend. Please call to register.

Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue
Fall River, MA
Call Gina Kiser at 508-973-7308 for details.

St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street, New Bedford, MA
Call Patty VanDenBerghe at 508-961-5445 for details.

DARTMOUTH

Infant and Child CPR for Families and Friends
This pediatric CPR course covers techniques for newborns to 8 year olds. The class is $40 per person or $60 for two people. Pre-registration is required.

Center for Women’s Health
300B Faunce Corner Road
Dartmouth, MA
Call Patty VanDenBerghe at 508-961-5445 for details.

Breastfeeding Support Group

A place for breastfeeding mothers to come for physical, mental and emotional support. The class is facilitated by a lactation consultant/councilor. There is no charge and registration is not required. Drop-ins and their female support people are welcome.

Center for Women’s Health
300B Faunce Corner Road
Dartmouth, MA
Call Patty VanDenBerghe at 508-961-5445 for details.

WEIGHT LOSS SEMINARS

BARIATRIC INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS

Southcoast® Center for Weight Loss will offer free informational sessions on the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, during the month of November.

The free informational sessions will be held at:

HYANNIS
Wednesday, November 2, at 7 p.m.
The Cape Codder Resort
1225 Iyannough Road
Hyannis, MA

WAREHAM
Tuesday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Tobey Hospital
43 High Street
Wareham, MA
Operating room waiting area

FALL RIVER
Thursday, November 10, at 7 p.m.
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue
Fall River, MA

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, November 16, at 7 p.m.
St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street
New Bedford, MA
White Home conference room

PLYMOUTH
Wednesday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m.
John Carver Inn
25 Summer Street
Plymouth, MA

TAUNTON
Wednesday, November 23, at 7 p.m.
Holiday Inn – Taunton
700 Myles Standish Blvd
Taunton, MA

FALL RIVER
Thursday, November 24, at 7 p.m.
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue
Fall River, MA

Millions of Americans fall into the category of clinically severe obesity — more than 100 pounds overweight with a body mass index greater than 40. Body mass index is a calculation of weight in relation to height.

Weight loss surgery has been endorsed by a consensus panel convened by the National Institutes of Health as the only effective means of inducing significant long-term weight loss for the vast majority of patients with morbid obesity.

The Southcoast Center for Weight Loss’s community-based program is designed to incorporate a thorough approach to weight loss surgery utilizing a team comprised of dietitians, psychologists, nurses and surgeons to provide a safe and comprehensive surgical weight loss program.
For more information or to register for a free seminar call 508-273-4900. For more information on the Southcoast Center for Weight Loss visit www.southcoast.org/weightloss/.

WEIGHT MANAGAMENT INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS

Southcoast® Center for Weight Loss will offer a free weight management informational session during the month of November.

The informational session will review the different non-surgical weight loss options offered at the Southcoast Center for Weight Loss. The sessions will include information on Optifast, a weight loss program which combines lifestyle education, meal replacements, medical management and individual and group counseling. The sessions will also include information on a non-meal replacement option program called 3C’s for Success (Commit, Challenge, Change).

WAREHAM
Thursday, November 17 at 5 p.m.
Southcoast Health at Rosebrook
100 Rosebrook Way
Wareham, MA
Third floor conference room

For more information or to register for an informational session, call 508-525-3114.

MEDICAL FITNESS/REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

Southcoast® Health offers medical fitness and rehabilitation programs

Southcoast® Health will offer the following medical fitness and rehabilitation programs during the month of November.

FALL RIVER, NEW BEDFORD & WAREHAM

Medical Fitness Program
This individualized exercise program is designed for those with cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, cancer, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, high blood pressure, overweight and chronic orthopedic conditions. The program is offered for $60 per month at three classes a week or for $40 per month with two classes a week. A doctor’s prescription is required to participate.

Cardiac Rehabilitation
An ongoing, structured exercise and education outpatient program for individuals recovering from heart attack, heart surgery, heart disease or are high risk for the same. A physician referral is required. The cost of this program is covered by most insurances.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation
This is a structured exercise and education program with oxygen saturation monitoring during exercise. It is designed for individuals with pulmonary diseases including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and COPD. The cost of the program is covered by most insurances. The program meets year-round. A physician referral is required.

These classes are being offered at Durfee Union in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Call 508-961-5435 for details.

PACE Health Access Program, in conjunction with the Fishing Partnership, is hosting an Open Enrollment Event at the PACE main office located at 166 William Street on Tuesday, November 1st from 9AM until 1:30PM. People who need to renew their health insurance plans or apply for the first time should plan on attending.

November 1 st is the first day a person can enroll, re-enroll or change a 2017 insurance plan through the Massachusetts Health Connector. The last day to enroll or change a 2017 health plan is January 31, 2017. After January 31 st a person can enroll or change plans only if they qualify for a “Special Enrollment Period”. A Special Enrollment Period is available if a change has happened in the person’s life since the last enrollment period….like a life event..like getting married, losing other coverage or having a baby, or other life changing events. People who want to apply for MassHealth or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can apply at any time during the year.

The SouthCoast Health Van will be in front of the building and will be giving wellness checks as well as Flu vaccine, Tetanus shots, and Pneumonia vaccines. Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Glucose checks will also be available. For more information call PACE 508-999- 9920.

When Averyl Andrade heard that 1 in 5 children in New Bedford and Fall River go to bed hungry every day, her life changed. She was a student at Bristol Community College studying English when she decided to take their Master Gardener’s Certificate Program on the side. Over the course of twelve weeks, she learned about farming, composting, pest management… but most importantly, the local food epidemic.

“Hearing that 1 in 5 kids go to bed hungry every day ate at me for weeks, like a stone in my stomach. It was making me nuts. I just kept thinking – 1 in 5? What are we going to do? How do we combat that?!”

Though she wasn’t quite aware of it yet, her entire life course was about to change. The very issue sparked a passion in her. “I had to do something. Change needed to happen,” she says. “There should never be a hungry child.”

Her response? Start a farm. “The only way to combat this is to grow good clean food and make it accessible to people.” And today, she and her husband Nathan are doing just that.

Healthy Futures Farm started in the spring of 2015 and today it is thriving, growing, and accomplishing exactly what they set out to do. In fact, their story is amazing. It’s incredible how much they’ve done in such short time. Perhaps it’s because Healthy Futures Farm was meant to serve the community.

Before she’d even finished her Master Gardener’s program, she went to Craigslist and posted an ad: Soon-to-be sustainable agg graduates looking for a farm. By her very next class, she’d already received a response. “A local landowner emailed us and said he had all this grass!,” she says, and today, that grass has become 2.75 acres of delicious, healthy produce.

With a plot of land, Averyl and her husband ventured out to work alongside other area farmers and learn more about the trade. They adopted best practices for clean farming and growing the healthiest produce they could. “Everything we do is clean and natural. We feel that all pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers are unnecessary and damage soil. Instead, we focus on soil nutrition so everything grows naturally into a healthy plant.”

Today, they reap what they’ve sowed. The farm is breathtakingly beautiful, and the produce delicious. But don’t forget their central mission – to make good clean food affordable and accessible.

Through Healthy Futures Farm, Averyl and her husband are committed to feeding those who need good clean food the most. In just one year, they’ve made a huge impact working with food pantries, selling at farmer’s markets in underserved areas, and even making donations.

“We try to go to farmer’s markets in economically oppressed areas. Usually, their lead pay is WIC vouchers and food stamps. We also do pop-up markets with other groups like NB Wellness every Sunday at the Boys and Girls Club, and pop-ups at DCYF and different wellness events.”

And when they’re not selling, they’re donating. They donate to local food pantries, and even donate a weekly share to the animals at Buttonwood Park Zoo. Though Averyl is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, she had family in New Bedford. “We’d come up for long weekends and always visit the zoo. I was a kid and I remember when Ruth and Emily came, and I loved that.” Now, she gives back to ensure that the animals are eating good clean healthy food too.

Even more, it is Averyl’s personal mission to educate and inspire others to effect even bigger change. The farm works with the NB Roots and Shoots program, donating seeds and transplants, and talking to kids about gardening. When she’s not speaking to kids, she’s speaking on behalf of the program at BCC and how it gave her both her career and her purpose.

When asked what she loves most about her work, Averyl said, “This gives me a chance to help people in a really good way. When you change people’s eating habits for the better, that’s pretty cool. I really like feeding people. That’s key. When people come back and they say to me, ‘it was so good,’ that’s so great.”

She has fun with it too. “I like being able to get people to try new things, or even just willing to try it… It’s really nice to get to see kids try new foods, or to have a parent say, ‘my kid will not eat a tomato,’ and then they eat a tomato, or, ‘My husband will not eat a vegetable and you got him to eat lettuce,’ …and now, they’re willing to try other stuff.” Learning to love healthy food is at the core of her work. It is accomplishing her goal of changing people’s food habits, for the better.

Healthy Futures Farm has done so much already, but they’ve only just begun. “We’re working with a lot of other small local farms to get everyone to understand how important, good clean local food is.”

“This is the movement. People are going to start to recognize that their health is in their hands. It’s not in the hands of the doctors… Eating healthy, taking care of yourself, that’s the one all save all.”

Her hope for the future? “To get everyone to start gardening again. The guy next door might be growing cucumbers, this guy growing lettuce, all just working together, trading products, bringing people back together… Knowing who your neighbors are.”

For now, Healthy Futures Farm will be that neighbor, growing cucumbers and lettuce, garlic scapes, nutrient dense celery, hearty squash, watermelons – you name it. Averyl and her husband do essentially everything by hand. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. It’s their passion.

“It’s like that saying… you know you’re in love when you know the words of a love song. I feel like that about what I do. I’m living the dream in a country. Just getting to be out here…” she says as she looks all around and takes in what she’s built.

“Once you get the farming bug, you’ve got the farming bug. Just knowing how people grow things. It’s awesome… and my kids know this is where they’re gonna be. To know that my grandson is going to be here, growing food, changing how things happen. That’s pretty cool.”

____________________________________________________________

2018 Healthy Futures Artisan & Farmers Market Dates To Remember

June 6th: Opening Market

The Healthy Futures Artisan & Farmers Market is set to ring in the 2018 market season! This season’s line up is growing by the week. Come by and support local farmers and artisans while supplying your family with locally grown produce, meats, jams, honey, body care items and 1 of a kind home decor. Some confirmed vendors are…

Stony Creek Farm and Grass Fed Beef
Shoplittlesprouts – handmade items for the whole family
Sampson Farm
Off The Grid 4H
Healthy Futures Farm
The Enduring Gift

Also still accepting vendor applications!

August 8th: Farmers Market Week

Come celebrate FARMER’S MARKET WEEK at the Healthy Futures Artisan & Farmers Market! This season’s line up is growing by the week. Come by and support local farmers and artisans while supplying your family with locally grown produce, meats, jams, honey, body care items and 1 of a kind home decor. Some confirmed vendors are…
Stony Creek Farm and Grass Fed Beef
Shoplittlesprouts – handmade items for the whole family
Sampson Farm
Off The Grid 4H
Healthy Futures Farm
The Enduring Gift

Also still accepting vendor applications!

October 31st: Harvest Festival

______________________________________________________________________________

Learn more online or stop by and say hello. Healthy Futures Farm wants to see, meet, and feed you!

______________________________________________________________________________

Healthy Futures Farm

528 American Legion Highway
Westport, MA 02790

Hours:
Farm stand daily: Tuesday-Sunday – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday Farmer’s Market on-site at farm with six vendors
Sunday Pop-up Market at NB Boys and Girls Club 11:00am-3:00pm (166 Jenney Street)

Website: guide.farmfreshri.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/healthyfuturesfarm

_________________________________________________________

New Bedford Guide is a proud consumer of one of Healthy Futures Farm’s CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture). As a consumer, you pay a flat rate and pick up a weekly share. Broken down, the cost is about $15 per week…and get this – each week, one CSA share yields something similar to this one we received:

• 6 ears of corn
• 1 pattypan squash
• 1 summer squash
• 1 eggplant
• 1 bell pepper
• 6 hot peppers
• 1 cucumber
• 2 heirloom tomatoes
• 1 carton of small tomatoes
• 2 stalks of fennel
• 1 stalk of leeks
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 head of lettuce
• 1 delicious watermelon!

______________________________________________________________________________

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder

Southcoast Radiology and Imaging Services, a part of Southcoast Health, is offering free mammograms for uninsured individuals during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Screenings are offered at all 10 Southcoast Breast Imaging Centers across the region.

Statistics show that one in eight women over the age of 40 will develop breast cancer. Since patients are less likely to experience symptoms during the early stage of breast cancer, when tumors are small and most treatable, early detection and regular screenings are a necessity to reduce advanced stage diagnosis and often improve treatment outcome. The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that it is very important for women to follow the recommended screening guidelines for detecting breast cancer at an early stage, before symptoms develop. The ACS recommends that women receive a regular, annual mammogram beginning at age 40.

Data also shows that individuals without health insurance are less likely to have regular breast cancer screenings, significantly reducing their chances of early detection. That is why Southcoast Health is offering this important screening, at no cost, to any uninsured individual during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Appointments are required. To schedule a free mammogram during the month of October call central scheduling at 800-276-0103. Massachusetts residents will also have the opportunity to speak with Patient Financial Services for guidance on how to apply for health insurance. Rhode Island residents without insurance are welcome to take advantage of the free screenings, but will not qualify for financial assistance.

Southcoast Health is a primary provider of breast health services in the region. Southcoast Breast Imaging Center is designated as Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, is certified by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers by the American College of Surgeons, and offer 100 percent digital mammography services at all of their sites throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

The Southcoast Breast Imaging Centers are located at:

DARTMOUTH
Southcoast Center for Women’s Health
300B Faunce Corner Road

FALL RIVER
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue

Borden Medical Building
300 Hanover Street

HealthFirst Family Care Center
387 Quarry Street, Suite 104

New Boston Medical Center
373 New Boston Road

Truesdale Clinic
263 Stanley Street

NEW BEDFORD
St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center
874 Purchase Street

WAREHAM
Tobey Hospital
43 High Street

Southcoast Health at Rosebrook
100 Rosebrook Way

About Southcoast Health

Southcoast Health is a community-based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. Southcoast Health’s mission is to promote the optimal health and well-being of individuals in the communities it serves. To achieve this aim Southcoast Health has built an integrated “Community of Care” that delivers safety, quality, convenience and an exceptional patient experience in an environment that offers the greatest opportunity for improved health.

Southcoast Health is comprised of four hospitals — Charlton Memorial in Fall River, St. Luke’s in New Bedford, Tobey in Wareham and Southcoast Behavioral Health in Dartmouth — two Centers for Cancer Care, two Urgent Care Centers, a physician’s network, an employed physicians group, a visiting nurse association and numerous additional ambulatory facilities and serves more than 719,000 residents in 33 communities covering over 900 square miles.

Southcoast Health is the largest provider of primary and specialty care in the region with more than 600 physicians, hospitalists and mid-level practitioners in the Southcoast Physicians Network — 450 of whom are employed by Southcoast Physicians Group (SPG). SPG unites Southcoast Health’s primary care, surgical, and specialty services into one seamless, region-wide provider. SPG is comprised of a wide-range of specialties and offers advanced care locally. Physician practices are located throughout the South Coast region and parts of Rhode Island.

Southcoast Health is the largest employer south of Quincy, Mass., and the 17th largest employer in the Commonwealth according to the Boston Business Journal, with over 7,400 employees.

Southcoast Health is a not-for-profit charitable organization that depends on the support of the community to provide services. More information is available online at www.southcoast.org. Connect to Southcoast Health through social media at www.southcoast.org/connect/.

Southcoast® is a registered trademark of Southcoast Health System.

Southcoast Health announced today that Madeleine Sampson, MD, has joined the radiation oncology team at the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care.

Dr. Sampson is a graduate of Yale University and received her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., and her residency in Radiation Oncology at Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester. She is board certified in radiation oncology.

Prior to joining Southcoast Health, Dr. Sampson worked as a Radiation Oncologist at Brigham and Women’s/Sturdy Radiation Oncology Center in Mansfield, Mass. She also volunteers for the Yale Alumni School Committee interviewing Yale applicants. She currently resides in Duxbury, Mass., and is active in the Boy Scouts of America.

The Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care are located at 534 Prospect Street in Fall River and 206 Mill Road in Fairhaven. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sampson, call 508-973-3055.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the New Bedford Health Department of the finding of West Nile Virus in a mosquito sample obtained from the Washburn Street area of New Bedford. The mosquito is of the culex pipiens restuans complex species and is mainly bird-biting. In response to these findings, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct two rounds of targeted ground sprayings.

The first round of targeted ground spraying will occur in the early morning of Friday, September 9, 2016. This round of spraying will target areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Tabor, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, Custom House Square and Washburn Street area. Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Friday morning, weather permitting. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows this evening prior to the spraying.

The second round of targeted ground spraying will occur on the morning of Monday, September 12, 2016 in the Washburn area, weather permitting. ( If weather presents a conflict, this round of spraying will occur on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.) Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise, weather permitting. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows this evening prior to the spraying.

There have been no positive pools for EEE found in New Bedford this season. Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will continue trapping mosquitoes as part of its monitoring program for two more weeks. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will continue its monitoring program until mid-October.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Program will complete its spraying program for the season early next week. With cooler overnight temperatures, mosquito surveillance is less effective and the small numbers of mosquitoes trapped are not indicative of actual risk. While spraying is no longer an effective tool in reducing the threat under current temperature conditions, other precautionary measures remain effective.

Though populations are declining as we move away from mosquito season and into colder weather, it remains important to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. Residents are urged to apply mosquito repellent and use clothing to reduce exposed skin.

The risk of mosquito-borne illness typically extends until an area has experienced a hard frost. A hard, or killing frost is defined meteorologically as two consecutive hours of temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. This will occur at different times for different communities, and there may even be variation within communities based on local geography. Although mosquitoes are not killed until a hard frost occurs, they are extremely unlikely to be active when temperatures fall below 50 degrees in the evening. These conditions are expected in the days and weeks ahead throughout the region, as well as a significant reduction in outdoor activity with the end of the summer season.

Like EEE and West Nile, the New Bedford Health Department works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to track other emerging mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus. While Zika-carrying mosquitoes have not been identified the New Bedford area, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that the likelihood of becoming infected with Zika virus from a mosquito bite in Massachusetts is very low, residents are urged to take the general precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites. In addition, travelers to areas where the Zika virus has been detected in mosquitoes or humans should take extra precaution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes during their trip. This includes both females and males who travel to areas where the Zika virus is occurring. If you or your partner is planning on traveling, you should check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information about where Zika virus is occurring: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information.

The same precautionary measures are advised for EEE, WNV, and the Zika virus. These include the following:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.
• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

In May, we shared the fascinating story behind Healthy Bites located at 804 Belleville Avenue. Dynamic duo Crystal and Jeff Lister opened their business venture in August of 2015 with the intention of bringing healthy prepared meals to those who were trying to lose weight, or perhaps gain weight for weight lifting. They were also trying to reach those interested in neither of those, just wanted to save time in their busy lives, but didn’t want that to mean heading to a fast food chain.

To say they succeeded at this would be an understatement. In a very short period of time, they have experienced significant success.

This can be attributed to hard work, passion, above and beyond customer service, and of course, mouth-watering drool inducing dishes like Cheddar & Apple Stuffed Chicken, Turkey Sliders /w Mango and Pineapple Salsa, Creole Style Salmon, or Lemon Coconut Granola bars. That’s a small sample of an ever-changing menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts.

Both Jeff and Crystal absolutely love what they are doing and if you spend one minute with either, their passion and knowledge will be immediately evident. This is something they take rather seriously. Something they are always trying to improve upon. Always trying to bring what they offer to the next level.

It’s in this vein that they have added new certifications to their credentials: Personal Training Certification and Fitness Nutrition Specialist Certifications. The biggest news of all that they are excited to share? They are complimenting their prepared food service with a full service juice bar! That translates into healthy, nutritious pressed juice drinks prepared each morning meaning you don’t have to wait upwards of 10 minutes for your drink. No waiting, no preservatives, all delicious. In addition, you can get your favorite snacks and sit, sip, and enjoy right at the counter or table.

The benefits of pressed juice drinks for those living a healthy lifestyle or trying to lose or gain weight are manifold. You get all the nutrients, anti-oxidants, and vitamins that come from the juices very quickly, which means you get energy almost straight away.

Your immune system gets a boost from all the vitamin C, and since juices are lower in sodium, cholesterol and fat that means they are heart healthy! You can keep that high cholesterol in check, lower that blood pressure, and the hydration is great for your kidneys and skin health.

Here’s the kicker you don’t need to drink pressed juices because you are trying to change your weight or live a specific lifestyle: these are so delicious that you can drink them for that reason alone!

Sound like something you may be interested in? Don’t believe me about how good these are? Well, on September 10th from 1:00pm-3:00pm Healthy Bites will have their grand opening of the juice bar and you can try FREE samples of the juices and food that made them so popular.

You’ll become a believer.

In addition to the juice bar, Healthy Bites is now open every day to better service their customers with restricted or limited schedules. You asked, you shall receive. And since many of you are living a healthy and fit lifestyle or have taken losing weight seriously, you’ll be ecstatic to know that Healthy Bites has connected with “Keeping It Moving Fitness” headed by fitness instructor Marlene Gomes.

How will this benefit you? Bundles and package deals always means discounted prices. The convenience of being able to get everything set up in one place instead of going to several.

You save on the drop in rate which is typically $10: all weekly Healthy Bite customers get HALF off and only pay $5. Motivated and plan on going to lots of classes? Grab yourself a class punch card: get 10 classes for $50 as a weekly Healthy Bites customer – the regular price is $70!

Classes are at 9:00am starting September 3rd and take place at 79 Brook Street 4th. There is a 10:30am partners class which is $10 to drop in and you can get a punch card for 10 classes for $70. Lastly, if you don’t care much for group classes and/or need some individual attention, you can get 1 on 1 personal training – call Crystal or Jeff to get a package deal for both training and food.

Healthy Bites has become the one stop place for the active lifestyle. Whether that activity is for fun, health, fitness, losing weight, or bulking up, you have a team on your side with the knowledge and passion to nudge, push and encourage you to reach your goals. Goals which can be incredibly difficult when you are trying to nail them alone.

There’s no need to go solo when experienced, dedicated, experts are right around the corner.

_______________________________________________

Healthy Bites Meal Prep

804 Belleville Avenue
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Phone: (774) 305-4172
Website: healthybitesmealprep.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/healthybitesmealprep
Instagram: instagram.com/healthybitesmealprep/

ngg_shortcode_1_placeholder

The Southcoast Wellness Van announces its September schedule for community screenings and vaccinations.

The Southcoast Wellness Van upholds Southcoast Health’s mission to promote the optimal health and well-being of individuals in the communities it serves. Southcoast Health focuses its attention on increasing access to services and caring for the entire population through wellness initiatives and disease management that are designed to limit — and preferably prevent — the patient’s need for acute care.

The Southcoast Wellness Van travels across the region bringing health screenings into the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts. Free mobile health services available by the staff include:

•Cancer screenings and education.
•Blood pressure screening.
•Cholesterol screening
•Teen resource information
•Glucose (diabetes) screenings.
•Nutritional information and education.
•Health education services.
•Medical physician referral.
•Vaccinations.

Please note that screenings sponsored by the Southcoast Wellness Van are sometimes held at community locations and not always on the van. Look for signs when arriving at a location if you do not see the van outside.

For more information and to schedule free screenings, please call Susan Oliveira, RN, at 508-973-8740 or email oliveiras@southcoast.org. You can also check the schedule online or subscribe to daily notices on Twitter, Facebook and RSS feeds.

NEW BEDFORD
Thursday, September 1
Gomes School Family Fun Day
286 South Second Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Friday, September 2
Stop & Shop
438 Dartmouth St., New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Tuesday, September 6
Bay Village/ Boa Vista Housing
134 South Second St., New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

ROCHESTER. MASS.
Wednesday, September 7
Rochester Plumb Corner
Plumb Corner, Rochester. Mass.
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WAREHAM
Thursday, September 8
The Good Shepherd Church
74 High St, Wareham
Health Screenings
3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Thursday, September 8
AHA!
Times Square Building, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Friday, September 9
CVS
550 Pleasant St., Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SEEKONK
Saturday, September 10
Southcoast Smiles Dental Event
185 Highland Ave., Seekonk
Health Screenings & Vaccines
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Sunday, September 11
Seventh Day Adventis Church
2695 North Main St, Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SWANSEA
Tuesday, September 13
Big Lots
207 Swansea Mall Dr., Swansea
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ONSET
Wednesday, September 14
Onset Pier
184 Onset Ave., Onset
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Thursday, September 15
CSAC
10 Kilburn St., New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Friday, September 16
Temple Landing
370 Middle Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WAREHAM
Sunday, September 18
Dudley Brown Post #2846
4 Gibbs Ball Park Rd., Wareham
Health Screenings & Vaccines
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Tuesday, September 20
Brickenwood
Harvard St, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, September 21
Fort Taber
1000 Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Thursday, September 22
Presidential Heights
Community Room Filmore Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BOURNE
Saturday, September 24
Cape Cod Canal Head Injury Prevention Walk
110 Main Street, Bourne
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN
Sunday, September 25
Cancer Survivor Day
206 Mill Road, Fairhaven
Health Screenings & Vaccines
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

LAKEVILLE
Tuesday, September 27
Lakeville Senior Center
1 Dear Crossing Road, Lakeville
Vaccines
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Wednesday, September 28
Seabra Supermarket
440 Stafford Rd, Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Thursday, September 29
Market Basket
122 Sawyer Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Friday, September 30
YMCA
25 South Water Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Southcoast Wellness Van announces its July schedule for community screenings and vaccinations.

The Southcoast Wellness Van upholds Southcoast Health’s mission to promote the optimal health and well-being of individuals in the communities it serves. Southcoast Health focuses its attention on increasing access to services and caring for the entire population through wellness initiatives and disease management that are designed to limit — and preferably prevent — the patient’s need for acute care.

The Southcoast Wellness Van travels across the region bringing health screenings into the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts. Free mobile health services available by the staff include:

•Cancer screenings and education.
•Blood pressure screening.
•Cholesterol screening
•Teen resource information
•Glucose (diabetes) screenings.
•Nutritional information and education.
•Health education services.
•Medical physician referral.
•Vaccinations.

Please note that screenings sponsored by the Southcoast Wellness Van are sometimes held at community locations and not always on the van. Look for signs when arriving at a location if you do not see the van outside.

For more information and to schedule free screenings, please call Susan Oliveira, RN, at 508-973-8740 or email oliveiras@southcoast.org. You can also check the schedule online at www.southcoast.org or subscribe to daily notices on Twitter, Facebook and RSS feeds.

NEW BEDFORD
Tuesday, July 5
Bay Village/ Boa Vista Housing
134 South Second St., New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, July 6
Stop & Shop
1001 Kings Highway, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SOMERSET
Thursday, July 7
Stop & Shop
887 Grand Army Highway, Somerset
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WAREHAM
Friday, July 8
Wareham Depot
125 Minot Ave., Wareham
Health Screenings & Vaccines
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Saturday, July 9
Rise in Christ Church
227 Morgan Street, Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Sunday, July 10
Boys And Girls Club of New Bedford
166 Jenny Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Wednesday, July 13
Benny Costa Plaza
506 Amity St., Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Thursday, July 14
Maple Gardens
Aetna St., Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Friday, July 15
Temple Landing
370 Middle Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Monday, July 18
Heritage Heights
100 Green St, Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Tuesday, July 19
Brickenwood
Harvard St, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Wednesday, July 20
Pleasant View
Herman St., Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Thursday, July 21
Presidential Heights
Community Room Filmore Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Friday, July 22
Sunset Hill Housing
151 Charles St., Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Saturday, July 23
Verdean Gardens
68 South Street, New Bedford
Health Screenings & Vaccines
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WAREHAM
Tuesday, July 26
Cranberry Manor
2222 Cranberry Highway, Wareham
Health Screenings & Vaccines
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Thursday, July 28
Father Diaferio Village
249 Johnson St., Fall River
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ONSET
Friday, July 29
Onset Pier
184 Onset Ave., Onset
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Outdoor fitness is thriving at Cushman Park, Fairhaven, Massachusetts this summer! The South Coast community can keep fit and stay healthy with free exercise classes taught by two of the top fitness instructors in the area. 
Twenty free classes in all —Yoga in the Park with Kripalu Certified Yoga Instructor, Jeff Costa and Summer Bootcamp with Certified Functional Trainer, Wayne Goulart are held through the summer in Cushman Park on Green Street.

Yoga in the Park will take place starting June 21, 2016 and continues for 10 weeks through August 23 every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This is a gentle yoga series for all levels, designed to introduce newcomers to the basics of stretching and mindfulness and challenge yoga enthusiasts with a focus on compassion for the body. Summer Bootcamp, begins June 23 and continues each Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. through August 25. The Bootcamp class consists of various exercises that build functional strength and core stability with circuits utilizing light dumbbells and body weight exercises.

Yoga in Cushman Park’s instructor, Jeff Costa, E-RYT 200 is a Yoga Alliance Nationally Certified Instructor and a graduate of the Kripalu School of Yoga and Health. Jeff is the Fitness Director at Carabiner’s Climbing and Fitness in New Bedford. With over 25 years experience in the fitness industry and a BA in Liberal Arts from Boston University, the strength of Jeff’s teaching lies in his attention to detail and his compassionate approach to students’ needs. Jeff’s authentic voice and classical approach to alignment create a class environment which engenders happiness, personal power, and peace of mind.

Summer Bootcamp instructor Wayne Goulart’s career in health and wellness began as a hobby when he started lifting weights with his brother in the basement of his family home. That hobby grew into a lifestyle and eventually a passion. Wayne is a certified personal trainer (A.F.P.A.) and has been working for ten years as lead trainer at the New Bedford YMCA. A certified group exercise instructor, Wayne’s specialty is functional training and his clients are from all walks of life, ages and fitness levels.

Attendees to the classes should bring a mat for Yoga and a mat plus set of weights for Bootcamp. Classes take place weather permitting — cancellations are posted on the FaceBook page: HYPERLINK “http://www.facebook.com/fitnessincushmanpark” www.facebook.com/fitnessincushmanpark .

Fitness in Cushman Park is once again presented free to the public, for the 5th year in a row, because of generous support from community contributions. Last summer’s classes were a resounding success with over one hundred fifty fitness enthusiasts attending sessions.

For more information about the fitness program or to sponsor Fitness in Cushman Park call 508-287-2482. Submitted by Susan Grace 508-993-1999