Who says learning can’t be fun? According to Blount Memorial Senior Services and its presenters for today’s noon to 1 p.m. Senior Health Circle program, it is.
Join Mary Pom Claiborne, Knox County Library Communications Administration director, and Bonny Millard, the Blount Education Initiative executive director, as they present “The Big Read.” Participants can expect to hear readings from John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” and enjoy a discussion about surviving during the Great Depression. The free program happens in the Blount Memorial Hospital auditorium, and more information is available by calling 865-977-5744.
After this eye-opening experience, make plans to bring your ears to hear about bariatric surgery from Blount Memorial Hospital surgeons Dr. Mark Colquitt and Dr. Jonathan Ray on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. The two present information about surgical and laparoscopic treatments of obesity -- including gastric sleeve, banding and bypass procedures -- in the Blount Memorial Hospital auditorium. Register by calling 866-300-8644.
In emergency situations, you often don’t think to recognize the specially trained emergency room nurses you encounter, but luckily, you can express your appreciation during this week, deemed Emergency Nurses Week by the Emergency Nurses Association. Emergency nurses work in areas such as critical care, research technology, pediatrics, geriatrics, flight and ground transport, and injury prevention. At Blount Memorial, nearly 70 emergency nursing personnel will be honored for their dedication and work.
You may not have to “stop, drop and roll” if you take certain fire prevention measures during this week’s Fire Prevention Week. They’re things that are as simple as making sure the batteries in smoke detectors work, checking electrical cords for frayed areas and ensuring all escape routes are clear of clutter. A home-safety checklist is available by visiting www.nfpa.org, along with instructions for holding your own home fire drill. In 2007, fire departments responded to more than 1.5 million fires in the U.S., and the organization says while that’s a decline from previous years, it needs to go down even more.
This week’s observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week focuses on mental illnesses, their human cost, the underlying causes, new medical advances and the availability of treatments. And, on Thursday, Oct. 9 – National Depression Screening Day -- free and confidential depression screenings, as well as screenings for bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, will be offered at the Blount Memorial Emotional Health & Recovery Center from 12:30-7 p.m. in the center’s group room A. Schedule an appointment by calling 865-981-2300 and speaking with a care manager.
Learn – and teach kids – that feelings are important by attending a free puppet show by Kids on the Block during Saturday’s Foothills Fall Festival events. The event happens at 10 and 11 a.m. at the Palace Theatre in downtown Maryville where free community resources will be available. The Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Alliance and the Blount Memorial Foundation and Community Outreach are sponsoring the community event.
907 East Lamar Alexander Parkway | Maryville,
Tenn. 37804
