Area News Digest: Adoption information

Adoption information

LISBON — Northeast Ohio Adoption Services will hold an informal community adoption information session from 5 to 7 p.m. April 16 at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center, 9364 state Route 45, a mile south of Lisbon. For reservations and/or to receive an information packet by mail, call (800) 686-6627 ext. 126.

First aid training

YOUNGSTOWN — The National Safety Council, Northern Ohio Chapter, 25 E. Boardman St., is offering a first aid course and CPR/AED (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator) courses on April 16. The fee for each is $32. Call one week prior to the class to register at (330) 747-8657.

Ohioan gets heart implant

COLUMBUS — A central Ohio man has become the first person in the United States, and only the 16th worldwide, to receive a heart implant designed to improve the heart’s pumping action and help manage congestive heart failure symptoms, according to the Ohio State University Medical Center.

Congestive heart failure occurs when a patient’s heart is not pumping blood efficiently, most often due to a weak heart muscle damaged by a prior heart attack. As part of a multi-center trial, the study device, which looks like a parachute turned inside out, is placed in the damaged portion of the pumping chamber of the heart and essentially partitions off the inefficient portion of the weakened heart chamber.

An advantage of the device is that it can be implanted via a small incision in the patient’s leg artery without the need for general anesthesia or open heart surgery, allowing for faster recovery time. Most patients, including the patient implanted at the OSU Medical Center, are discharged the day after the procedure, said Dr. Ernest Mazzaferri Jr., an interventional cardiologist at Ohio State’s Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, who implanted the device March 11.

Larlham lecture in April

KENT — The Hattie Larlham Research Institute offers a lecture by Dr. Al Condeluci of Pittsburgh on April 23, at Kent State University’s White Hall from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $35. The presentation defines and delineates the concept of social capital and offers a community building perspective designed to shift the culture to be more inclusive and supportive. Following his lecture, Dr. Condeluci will join a panel discussion entitled “Problems and Solutions in Employing People with Disabilities.” To register, call Phylliss L. Steiner at (800) 233-8611 ext. 3013.

Pinwheels for Prevention

YOUNGSTOWN — In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Akron Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center of Youngstown is offering three separate displays of Pinwheels for Prevention in Columbiana, Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Pinwheels for Prevention is Prevent Child Abuse Ohio’s month-long campaign o enhance community awareness about child abuse and neglect, and encourage support for prevention. Each pinwheel planted represents one case of child abuse or neglect in the county.

In Columbiana County, 597 pinwheels will be on display in front of the courthouse, 105 S. Market St., Lisbon, at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The event, co-sponsored by the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services, will include a performance by the children from Cherished Children Daycare.

In Trumbull County, 2,054 pinwheels will be on display at 10 a.m. April 3 at Warren G. Harding High School, 860 Elm Road, Warren. State Rep. Thomas Letson will speak, Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien and county commissioners will present resolutions and proclamations, and the high school choir will perform. The event is co-sponsored by Trumbull County Children Services, the Trumbull County Correctional Institution, and the Trumbull County Family and Children First Council.

In Mahoning County, 768 pinwheels will be on display in front of the Beeghly Medical Park, (Building C), 6505 Market St., Boardman, on April 14. At 9 a.m., U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan will speak and Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and county commissioners will issue proclamations and resolutions. The Boardman High School Jazz Band and Hitchcock Woods Day Care will perform. The event is co-sponsored by the Mahoning County Children Services Board.

For more information about these events and child abuse prevention, call (330) 743-2539 or (330) 941-8888.

Life Line screenings

YOUNGSTOWN — Park Vista Retirement Community, 1216 Fifth Ave., is offering health screenings conducted by Life Line Screening on April 15, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Gathering Room. Call (800) 324-1851 for tests available, and their costs, and to make an appointment.

Caregiver workshops

YOUNGSTOWN — The Alzheimer’s Assistance and Referral Network is offering the spring session of The Caregiver Series, a set of three educational workshops designed to help family members better understand the changes that they and their loved ones are experiencing due to Alzheimer’s disease.

The series is offered March 30 and April 6 and 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Hickory United Methodist Church, 240 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, Pa.; April 5, 12 and 19 at 10 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 490 N. High St., Cortland; and May 3, 10 and 17 at 10 a.m. at 10 a.m. in Lawrence County, Pa., at a location to be named.

There is no charge to participate. However, the people are asked to make reservations by calling (330) 788-9755 or (866) 822-2102.

Downsizing seminar

NORTH LIMA — Glenellen Senior Living Community is offering a free seminar on downsizing, presented by Next Step Senior Movers, at 10 a.m. Saturday at 9661 Market St. The seminar, open to the public, is for seniors who are relocating and family members who may be faced with relocating decisions for their loved ones. There will be door prizes and refreshments. Call (330) 549-9661 for more information.

MS walk slated for April

YOUNGSTOWN — The 17th annual Multiple Sclerosis Super Walk is at Mill Creek Park on April 27, beginning at the Wick Recreation Area off McCollum Road and Belle Vista at 10 a.m. Walkers of the four-mile course will secure donations on either a per-mile basis or flat amount. For more information and to register, call (330) 792-8900.

Open house planned

Copeland Oaks Retirement Community, 800 S. 15th St., Sebring, will have an open house at its Lakeshore apartment complex and aquatics center from 1 to 4 p.m March 30. For more information, call (880) 222-4640.