Memorial Day Driving Advice from Dr. Russell Caram
Memorial Day Driving Advice from Dr. Russell Caram
Editor’s Note: Dr. Russell D. Caram is one of our local sponsors who shares weekly articles on Bethel Buzz. Material in this article is meant to provide information about Chiropractic but is not a substitute for professional health care. The opinions represented in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Bethel Buzz or its editor.
Lumbar Sprain/Strain
Preparing for a long drive this weekend?? Well, I’m thinking of you, too. Sitting in the car for long periods of time can cause stress on the lower back. Please read the following article on how you can avoid unnecessary pain this Memorial Day weekend.
Symptoms
Stiffness or decrease in range of motion, pain in the back that worsens with movement, pain that often peaks immediately, most often from stretched ligaments and muscle spasms. Patients quite often express an inability to get out of bed or out of the position they’re in due to the pain. However the restrictions usually let up a bit, but not without pain.
General Overview
A sprain is a stretch or tear in the ligament resulting from a sudden movement that causes the back to move into an extreme position. For example, in the rapid deceleration of a car crash, shoveling snow that’s heavier than expected, etc. all cause translational shift of one vertebrae on another coupled with muscle spasms.
The lumbar sprain seems to feel as if the pain is also at times difficult to localize. It seems to be present in the back, but at other times seems to pierce thru the body…into the ribcage or into the buttocks. Sprains of this type also make the patient aware of postures that are incorrect as well as how poor their lifting/bending techniques were prior to the sprain. Often times the most comfortable position is with the best upright posture.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of lumbar sprain is not difficult, but is most often derived from the mechanism of injury as described above. The examination of a patient with a severe lumbar sprain is difficult simply because the positions required for testing cannot always be assumed by the patient. When there is a typical C-shaped curve of the back when viewed from the side, that curve can become reduced, straightened or reversed. The subsequent subluxations of the vertebrae, stretching of the ligaments and protective contraction of the muscles generate a tremendous amount of pain.
Chiropractic Treatment
One of the most common reasons for seeing a chiropractor is for this exact kind of injury. (Much research has proven that chiropractic care is the most effective form of treatment when compared to allopathic(medical doctor) methods of anti-inflammatory meds and pain killers.) X-rays should be taken to help rule out any other underlying cause of the sprain/strain or for other contributory factors. Lumbar spine adjustments are the best remedy for removing these subluxations of the spine while helping reduce pain while restoring nerve function and range-of-motion. Physical therapy modalities are often utilized in conjunction with care in order to help facilitate the healing process, either by reducing inflammation or calming muscle spasms. Depending on the condition, treatment and recovery times vary, ranging from 6 weeks to 6 months. Considering the involvement of the spine and nervous system, if the sprain is significant enough to cause a permanent problem, follow-up treatments may be recommended in order to help stabilize the affected area.
Bethel Artists Participate in Greater Danbury Art, Culture, and History Day on June 9
Bethel Artists Participate in Greater Danbury Art, Culture, and History Day on June 9
Photo above of artwork by Jim Felice
The following is a press release sent into Bethel Buzz regarding the Greater Danbury Open House Day Art, Culture, and History on June 9, 2012–
June 9, 2012– Arts Network of Danbury invites the public to Greater Danbury Open House Day (GDOHD), a celebration of art, culture and history in association with Connecticut’s statewide Open House Day. Eleven venues around Danbury, Bethel, and New Fairfield will be open to the public with art and museum exhibits, dance classes, music, artist demonstrations, and sporting events.
Many of the venues and activities are free to the public and others are offered at reduced admission. A kids passport with questions and quizzes about each exhibit or activity will be available at the venues. Children can then have their passports stamped at each location after completing the challenge associated with it.
A printable version of the passport will be available on the GDOHD website as the event date approaches.GDOHD is the inaugural event coordinated by the Arts Network of Danbury (AND), a grassroots group devoted to promoting arts and culture in Danbury. AND’s members are artists, arts businesses, teachers, and historical organizations. The organization formed in early 2012 with assistance from Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance and City Center Danbury.In brainstorming about creating an arts and culture-based event in Danbury, members decided to sign up as a group for Connecticut’s Open House Day, an event sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Tourism, now in its eighth year.
“It’s great to have Danbury area artists and cultural institutions working together to make something happen on the same day,” said Mark Savoia, photographer and co-owner of The Gallery at Still River Editions.
“Last year we participated and had a great turnout–we saw a lot of new faces.”Stan Madyda, Vice President of the Danbury Railway Museum, said “Each year, thousands of visitors tour our vintage rail equipment and view our exhibits. Open House Day is an excellent way to get the word out to more people in Connecticut and surrounding states.
“The venues participating are listed below:YMCA ESCAPE to the Arts, Danbury, CT.
See below for venue details and complete listing of events. The event’s website is http://greaterdanburyopenhouseday.wordpress.comArts Network of Danbury’s website: http://www.artsnetworkofdanbury.orgFor more information please contact Lys Guillorn at 203-791-1474, Amanda Bloom at 203-417-2215, or email info@artsnetworkofdanbury.org.
A Common Ground Arts Center
33 Crosby Street, Danbury, CT 06810
203.791.9850 / www.acommonground.net/
Free classes all day. All ages welcome! On display, art by Danbury High School students. Classes starting at 8:30am through 7pm. See website for complete schedule.
The Gallery at Art & Frame of Danbury
60 Newtown Road, Danbury, CT 06810
203.748.0197 / www.artandframeofdanbury.com
“Wild!” original mixed media paintings by Nancy Moore & ceramic pottery by Marcia Taylor. Custom framing demos all day. Open 10am-6pm
Danbury Museum & Historical Society
43 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810
203.743.5200 / www.danburymuseum.org
Exhibit opening “Covering All the Bases: A History of Danbury Baseball” Open 10am-4pm
Danbury Railway Museum
120 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810
203.778.8337 / www.danbury.org/drm
Large display of American historical rail cars and artifacts. Bring this brochure for a free train ride with paid museum admission. Also on display “Urban Totem” series by Brian Walters. Open 10am-5pm
The Gallery at Still River Editions
128 East Liberty Street, Danbury, CT 06810
203.791.1474 / www.stillrivereditions.com
Print exhibit “Intellectual Property” by Gene Gort. Have your portrait taken for “Faces of Danbury” by photographer Catherine Vanaria. Receive a free 8×10 after the event. Open 10am-5pm
Jim Felice Studios
15 Great Pasture Rd, Danbury, CT 06810
203.797.0230 / www.jimfelice.com
Artists Jim Felice, Katie Bassett, Kenny Hess, Dave Gesualdi, Eric Camiel and various graffiti artists. Sculpture and painting demonstrations throughout the day. Open 10am-4pm
The Mercurial Gallery
11 Library Place, Danbury, CT 06810
203.417.2215 / www.themercurial.com
Opening reception for “Body of Work” tattoo show. Artist meet and greet. Open noon-5pm
Molten Java
213 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, Connecticut
203.739.0313 / www.moltenjavaevents.com
Free local art gallery upstairs. Live musical performance by Seth Lefferts at 8pm. Open 7am-10pm
David Boyajian Studio
3 Milltown Road, New Fairfield, CT 06812
203.241.8204 / www.davidboyajian.com/
Group show on display. Bronze casting demos all day by sculptor David Boyajian. Open 10am-5pm
Rogers Park (hosted by Danbury Museum & Historical Society)
21 Memorial Drive, Danbury, CT 06810
www.danburymuseum.org
Home of the Danbury Westerners. Vintage baseball game at Westerners Field @ 1pm
Danbury Westerners Game @ 6:30pm. Please see Danbury Museum website for admission prices and participation details.
YMCA ESCAPE to the Arts
293 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810
203.794.1413 / www.regionalymca.org/escape_about.html
Join in designing a square for a community art project to be on display for the month of June. Exhibition of artwork by ESCAPE staff on display.
All ages welcomed. Open noon-4pm
Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut announces the appointment of Maura Keenan as Vice President of Advancement
Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut announces the appointment of
Maura Keenan as Vice President of Advancement
Brookfield, CT: Marie B. Miszewski, President/CEO of Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, has announced the appointment of Maura P. Keenan as the Regional YMCA’s Vice President of Advancement. Ms. Keenan, a life-long Danbury resident, has a long and distinguished career in development where she has overseen fundraising for numerous endeavors and capital campaigns. She was instrumental in development efforts including the construction of the Police Athletic Center in Danbury and a $15 million fitness center at Pace University. She has also worked in concert with an Advancement Team that successfully completed a $145 million comprehensive campaign at Ithaca College. President/CEO Marie Miszewski says “Maura brings a wealth of experience to our organization that will move our Y to the next level so that we can do more to strengthen our community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”
Most recently, Maura served as the Senior Director of Constituent Relations at Fairfield University where she was responsible for oversight of campaign communications, donor stewardship and advancement related events. Maura is a graduate of Ithaca College, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, and also graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Masters in Business Administration. She has coached locally in Western Connecticut in various capacities, including her most recent coaching position as the Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach at Brookfield High School. Maura is on the board of the Housatonic Valley Sports Organizing Committee, and is a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
Keenan says “I am very excited to be working for the YMCA. It is an opportunity to make an impact with an organization that does so much in my hometown.” For more information regarding the Regional YMCA visit our website at www.regionalymca.org.
—About the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut
The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut is a charitable, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community service organization dedicated to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities through the development of spirit, mind, and body. The Regional YMCA strives to serve all. It operates two full service facilities in Danbury and Brookfield, and 2 program sites providing a wide variety of programs and services to the residents in the 22 towns in Greater Danbury and Eastern Putnam County, NY:
- Quality all-day, pre and after-school childcare.
- Summer day camps at 3 locations.
- Wellness and aquatic programs for youth, teens and adults.
- Painting, drama, dance, sculpture, pottery, computer graphics, photography and more at The Center for the Arts and Humanities, home to ESCAPE to the Arts, Danbury.
Bethel Honors Veterans at Memorial Day Parade
Bethel Honors Veterans at Memorial Day Parade
Hundreds of families came out on a sunny Sunday to honor hometown heroes for Bethel’s annual Memorial Day parade. Todd Angell led the procession with hundreds cheering him on as he waved to parade-goers. The twenty-two year old was recently awarded the Silver Star for valor, one of the nation’s highest military awards, for his heroism in Afghanistan as a corpsman with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was deployed in Afghanistan with the Marines and recently returned home from Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. Click here to read more.
The Bethel High School Navy Junior ROTC displayed their skills and training for the crowd as they stopped along Greenwood Ave. Bethel band students from Johnson, Bethel Middle and Bethel High Schools also performed for cheering onlookers as they played patriotic standards.
War veterans held flags high as Bethel honored them this Memorial Day with cheers and salutes.
To see more parade photos click here.
Owner of New Youth Arts Center to Greet Future Students at Sunday’s Memorial Day Parade
Owner of New Youth Arts Center to Greet Future Students at Sunday’s Memorial Day Parade ~ By Wendy Mitchell
The buzz around town is that there is a brand new center for the arts studio coming soon for Bethel youth, and this time the rumor is TRUE! As some of our Buzz readers know, I am the owner/editor of Bethel Buzz AND I also have been performing for children and hosting youth events and karaoke for the past year-and-a half with my other company, Ultra Violet Productions. I have been searching for space in Bethel for the past year and have finally found the perfect spot, with plenty of parking for moms, dads and caregivers to bring their children to the many classes we will offer. Paved entrance for strollers and easy ground-level access.
Our new space is called “Studio 10 Center for the Arts.” Come to our booth on Sunday, May 20 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in front of Greenwood’s Grille, 186 Greenwood Ave. We will have face painting, balloons for the kids and more! The owners of Greenwood’s, Nancy and Matt Stein, as well as their manager Barbara, have been big supporters of bringing a youth arts enter to town and allowed me to host my first fundraiser there this past November. Click here to see a full list of other local supporters who contributed to the November fundraiser.
Greenwood’s recently added their new monthly kid’s karaoke nights. Every first Sunday of the month Greenwood’s hosts kids karaoke from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The next one is on Sunday, June 3rd.
The Location:
Our space will be located at 10 Nashville Ave. in Bethel in the former location of Whaley’s Flower Bowl. The new owners have completely renovated the upstairs and are currently working on the parking lot. The studio should be completed by the end of June or mid-July.
The Classes:
A wide variety of classes will be held for children and youth of all ages. Weekly classes will include beginner, intermediate and advanced theater for Preschool through 8th grade. High school students will enjoy participating in improvisation, flash mobs, karaoke nights, open mic nights and seeing live bands.
The Instructors:
Wendy Mitchell – Theater, Music & Movement, Puppetry, Story Hour, Special Events, DJ, Karaoke
Suzan Black – Art
Michelle Moran – Theater
Lindsey Howard Edwards – Face Painting and temporary tattoos for birthday parties & special events.
Music instructors coming soon!
Click here to read more about our instructors and class offerings on Studio 10′s website. Click here to like Studio 10 on Facebook.
Red Cross Kicks Off Disaster Volunteer Recruitment Campaign
Red Cross Kicks Off Disaster Volunteer Recruitment Campaign
Information Session Planned for June 2 in Bethel
FARMINGTON, CONN., May 18, 2012 — The American Red Cross is kicking off a month-long disaster volunteer recruitment campaign in Western Connecticut. An information session is planned in Bethel on June 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. “Our goal is to recruit and train 25 new disaster volunteers by the end of June.” said Natalie Dos Santos, senior director of emergency services. “We are looking for all types of disaster volunteers – individuals, young adults, retirees – anyone with the interest and a little bit of time.” As the largest humanitarian organization in the United States, the Red Cross depends on volunteers to accomplish the organization’s mission: providing relief to disaster clients and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Dos Santos said no special skills are required to volunteer. “The Red Cross will train you and you will have opportunities to build your skills with additional training and exercises.” Dos Santos added that there are many roles for disaster volunteers. “Roles include working with families to provide Red Cross assistance, as well as activities in damage assessment, communications, shelter operations, staffing, preparedness, Mental Health, Health Services and more. There are a range of time and skill levels available to accommodate almost any calendar or interest.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Red Cross disaster volunteer is invited to attend a special workshop on June 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Bethel. The free workshop will provide new volunteers information on the impact of disasters, how communities respond, the role of the Red Cross and how the local Disaster Action Team assists disaster client. There is no charge for the training but pre-registration is required.
To register, call (203) 683-4264 or email Theresa.Addison@CTredcross.org. In the subject line of your email, type “June 2” Disaster Workshop Registration.” Be sure to provide your complete name, street address and phone number in the message. If you are not available for this session but are interested in volunteering, you can request information on future volunteer orientation sessions.
Each year Red Cross volunteers respond to more than 70,000 disasters — fires, floods, winter storms, hurricanes, hazardous material spills or transportation accidents. Some are large in scale, but most are single family residential fires. In Connecticut the Red Cross responds to approximately 500 disasters each year.
“All this takes a great number of trained volunteers,” Dos Santos said. “It takes approximately 15 volunteers per day just to run a single shelter. After a large disaster like a hurricane we might be supporting several shelters at the same time.” Regardless of the size of the disaster, Dos Santos said, “when neighbors are in need, American Red Cross volunteers are there.”
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
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