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Health Insurance Sign-Ups
Posted on May 7, 2008 by InfoNation
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For the 150,000+ Massachusetts residents who still need to sign up for health insurance, there is an easy way. By calling the HelpLine staffed by Health Care for All, individuals can inquire about the various plans and be walked through the application process. Staff members are trained in the components of the programs, health care reform. and can also offer guidance with coverage issues and refer to free legal resouces. Call 1-800-272-4232. Health Care for All is an organization dedicated to securing adequate health care for everyone in the state no matter what his or her income or employment status.
You can also ask your questions about health care online by visiting their website www.hcfa.org. Click on Quick Links
Area residents who need health insurance or who have questions about whether they are signed up for the right policy can also visit Tobey Hospital and speak with Cindy. Call 508-273-4027 for an appointment or visit at 43 High Street, Patient Financial Services.
Health insurance is now required for every man, woman and child in the Commonwealth. Don’t risk a penalty! Sign up today and get the best insurance available to you, no matter what your income.
School Vacation…Again?
Posted on April 16, 2008 by InfoNation
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Wow…here we go again, thinking of fun, renewing and inexpensive things to do with the kids if we aren’t lucky enough to be going to Disney. Children of all ages look forward to a break from school and routine, especially at the end of a long wet winter. And, let’s face it, who can blame them? Even working parents can enjoy the change in routine if vacation days are well planned in advance.
Can’t get the days off? First off, if you can only grab a day or two, why not coordinate with other working parents and you can take one day and all the kids to the zoo, and then they can take another and pile the gang in the car to the Cape. Older kids might roll their eyes at a trip to the zoo, but once they get there, it’s always fun. Let them pack the lunches and you will all be in for some surprises. Passes to Buttonwood Park and Roger Williams Zoo available at the Wareham Free Library 508-295-2343 extension 1011. Read more about museum passes at www.warehamfreelibrary.org
A road trip to the Cape might be a great last minute destination if the weather cooperates. Beach walking and looking for sea glass and other cool stuff can yield an afternoon of jewelry making and collages. The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Fine Arts have programs for children and adults of all ages. The grounds alone are worth the trip. If there are shoppers in your group, both museums have cool gift shops.
Why not give your digital camera a workout? There are plenty of locations to take tons of pictures and set the kids up with loading them into the computer and sharing with relatives and friends who live a distance away. Make some into cards and some into mugs…literally! Try www.zazzle.com
High school students in your tribe? Visit the library to look up potential colleges and plan a road trip to check them out. A well planned itinerary can get you to quite a few college campuses over vacation. Hint: they will NOT want to go. This has to be mandatory. (Experienced parents will tell you that even the best students often resist the college visit. This level of resistance will be topped only by the writing of the college admissions essay.)
Little ones? Sometimes a well appointed PB & J, a fun snack and a friend can buy you a couple of hours at the beach in your favorite hoodie. Bring a book, let the kids run, and call it a great mental health day. “Doctor’s” orders!
Free Dental Care for Students
Posted on March 25, 2008 by InfoNation
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The Massachusetts Dental Society Van is returning in April so that students can get FREE dental care! Anyone up to age 18 is eligible with parental permission, and parents or guardians do not have to be present with students for the appointment. Examinations, cleanings and emergency care will be offered in the state-of-the-art dental van by volunteer dentists and dental assistants.
The Dental Van will be on site at the Wareham Boys and Girls Club on Viking Drive on Friday, April 4th from 9 to 4. Students should pick up information and a permission slip at the Club and sign up for a time slot. Please call 508-295-5400 for more information.
Students may also visit the Dental Van at the Wareham Middle School on Friday, April 25th. Schools nurses in the Middle School and Wareham High School have permission slips for students to bring back signed by parents or guardians. Please call 291-3510 and speak to Sandy Schutt, the WHS nurse to sign up for a time on April 25th.
Younger students are also welcome to receive free dental care on the van on either of those two days. Please pick up a permission slip at the Wareham Free Library Reference Desk and register for an appointment.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get dental care for your child or older student. Minors may be on Mass Health and still receive care. All families are encouraged to take advantage of free dental care to help maintain their children’s health! Please call 508-295-2343 extension 1012 for more information.
School Vacation Week Tips and Trips
Posted on February 12, 2008 by InfoNation
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Here it comes again….school’s out! Weren’t they just home for the holidays? Regardless, there are a number of inexpensive ways to beat the mid-winter blahs, even if you can’t manage to get away skiing or to some warm weather locale.
The age of your children will determine which of the following museum passes will fit the bill. At the Wareham Free Library, Wareham residents can check out passes for a variety of museums and zoos that offer a full day of family fun and education. The Museum of Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, The New England Aquarium, among others, will get you to Boston for the day. Why not take the train and make it an adventure?
More locally, the library offers passes to Heritage Plantation, The New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Cape Cad Museum of Natural History, Buttonwood Park Zoo, and the Roger Williams Zoo. Combined with some side trips like a free tour of the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory, a visit to the cape can be a relaxing and nostalgic day trip for the whole family. The beach in winter is an education in itself so bundle up and bring the hot cocoa!
The local movie theatre is always great, but maybe a trip to one out of town is more fun. If you are on a budget ( and who isn’t?), rent a DVD or video from the library (no charge) and spend the money on snacks instead. (While you’re at the library, don’t forget to pick out a book or magazine, and pick up your tax forms!)
Wish you could visit the relatives but can’t get away? While you are busy at work or putting away those last few lingering holiday decorations, why not have the kids write letters and organize some photos to send to grandparents or other relatives? The library has free forms for creating your family tree, and older relatives might enjoy helping out with names and dates. It won’t take all afternoon, but it will certainly make somebody’s day!
Vacation is just that….a break from routine. While you wait for the big snowstorm, enjoy the company of your children and their friends, and chill. You will all be better for it!
Fun Fall Opportunities
Posted on September 14, 2007 by admin
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Fall in New England….what could be better for family outings and recreation? Upcoming festivals show the region at its best. Hopefully, make time to stop by, enjoy some seafood, some music, pick a pumpkin, and enjoy friends, family and neighbors!
Bourne Scallop Fest
September 21, 22, 23 10 AM to 9:30 PM
Buzzards Bay Park near the Railroad Bridge
Great events and shopping under the big tent, delicious food, 125 crafters, and a midway of games and rides, all near the beautiful canal. General Admission $5, Children under 12 admitted FREE
Rain or Shine, sponsored by the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds benefit the Chamber’s Scholarship fund serving area schools.
For more information, visit www.capecodcanalchamber.org or call 508-759-6000
Cranberry Harvest Festival at Tihonet Village
Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7 10 AM to 4 PM
158 Tihonet Road, off Cranberry Highway (Route 28) in Wareham
General Admission $2 Children under 12 FREE
Helicopter rides, wonderful food, crafts and other vendors, cranberry harvest tours, wagon and pony rides, music, games and crafts for children. Rain or Shine.
Good Times!!
Last Ditch To-Do List of Summer
Posted on August 30, 2007 by admin
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There goes summer…and school days are upon us. As parents, we think of the family plans that maybe we didn’t get to: the trip to The Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory, the Roger Williams Zoo, Story Land. But that’s okay, because the kids were busy all summer anyway.
Still, there are only a few days left, and we can’t believe we didn’t find time to…..Enjoy the kids more.
We still have time to:
Go get ice cream one more time. Maybe two times. Ask for the large sundae, with nuts and a cherry this time. [Perry's, Kool Kone, Nana's, Tina Marie's, Erickson's, Pine View Dairy]
Put a fishing pole in at Besse Park, Parker Mills Pond, or a pond near home. (Yes, you can borrow poles from the library, thanks to M&D Bait Shop, Josie Thoms, and the Abbott Family.)
Have a sleepover in the living room, watch movies, and read books late into the night with flashlights.
Take the Viking Canal Cruise wearing sweatshirts that say TESNO bought in Onset Village.
Play stoop games, like Red Light, Green Light. How many others can you remember, Mom and Dad?
Stick our feet in the sand one more time.
Eat fried clams.
Walk or bike along the Cape Cod Canal.
Roast marshmallows. S’more’s, s’mores, and more s’mores!
Fill the backpacks up Friday night, and then enjoy the Labor Day Weekend!
Legal Resources–Free and Clear!
Posted on August 14, 2007 by admin
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From time to time, most folks need the advice of an attorney or access to legal information. Since it can be expensive to venture into this domain, here are some free resources to help you on your way:
Trial Court Law Libraries: Each trial court library is a free public library open Monday through Friday 8:30 to 4:30. Wareham residents may want to use the Plymouth Law Library since it is also in Plymouth County court system. Library staff there, and in all the law libraries, are professional and helpful with all types of legal research. They are trained in using legal databases and are familiar with the ins and outs of using these and other resources, which can be daunting.
The link for the Law Libraries is http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us or call 1-800-445-8989 to reach a Reference Librarian at one of the Trial Court Libraries.
Plymouth Law Library
County Commissioners’ Bldg.
11 South Russell St.
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 747-4796
Fax: (508) 746-9788
plymouthlawlibrary@hotmail.com
Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30
Dial-a-Lawyer: The first Wednesday of each month, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, the Massachusetts Bar Association offers free legal advice and referral by a licensed attorney. Call 617-338-0610 to speak with a lawyer and ask your question—FREE!
Massachuetts Bar Assocation Referral: The Mass Bar Association will make referrals to an attorney in the appropriate specialty area. Call Mass. Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service (617) 654-0400, (800) 392-6164, (866) 627-7577 or TDD: (617) 338-0585. Plymouth County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service, 144 Main St, 4th Floor, Brockton, MA 02301. (508) 584-6600
Need a law document and know the citation? You can have it emailed, faxed or mailed to you! Call 1-800-445-8989 or visit this link and request it online anytime: www.lawlib.state.ma.us/docdelivery.html
The Massachusetts General Laws and its index as well as other law resources, and the librarians at the Wareham Free Library would be happy to assist you with your research. 508-295-2343 extension 1012.
Legal Aid: Assistance for low to no cost for the southcoast area, including Wareham:
South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. 231 Main Street, Suite 201, Brockton, MA 02301 508-586-2110 or 1-800-244-8393
Fun and Sun Await You!
Posted on August 6, 2007 by admin
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This weekend promises to be a great time in Onset so stop by the Onset Bay Association office on Union Avenue if you’d like to find out more about the Cape Verdean Festival and what is planned from noon to 6 PM in the Bandshell. Fabulous music, wonderful food, shopping and general celebration will bring hundreds of folks to Onset Village to participate. 508-295-7072
Don’t forget the beautiful beach and local merchants ready to make any weekend a vacation in Onset….
Also scheduled for this Saturday, August 11th is some fun fundraising for WomenAde of Wareham, Inc. at Cup of the Bay gourmet coffee shop. Dunk your favorite Cup of the Bay employee in the dunk tank from 9 to 3 PM at 3 West Central Ave. Then later, enjoy shopping from a dozen or so vendors at the Cup, also to benefit WomenAde. Jewelry, art, photography, home gifts,. crafts etc will be for sale from 4 to 7 PM in and around the restaurant. Cudos to owner and WomenAde Board member Cathy Leary for offering assistance to WomenAde, a local nonprofit that helps Wareham’s neediest. Donations may be sent to WomenAde Inc. at P. O. Box 803, Onset, MA 02558. Call 508-759-6954 for more information the organization or call the Cup of the Bay for info about the events 508-295-3527.
Health Insurance and Information
Posted on July 29, 2007 by admin
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The recent health insurance requirement program at the Wareham Free Library was very informative, but if you missed it, not to worry! Kelly Nevin from BMC Health Care Plan will be back at the library in September to present the information again. In the meantime, important and useful handouts are available in the Reference Department at the library. You are also encouraged to visit the previous blog and check out the links posted that will provide helpful info about signing up for health insurance.
Remember: the deadline is December 2007!
And, Take Care!
Health Insurance Matters
Posted on July 6, 2007 by admin
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The Commonwealth of Masschusetts requires all citizens to have a health insurance plan by the end of the grace period, December 2007. Commonwealth Care offers subsidized plans. Commonwealth Choice are the plans such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Harvard Pilgrim that now offer additional affordable choices. Some adults and children will still be covered by Mass Health.
If you are eligible for a health plan, and you don’t sign up, it could impact your future income tax return. It is the state’s goal to have everyone insured to provide for a healthier Massachusetts citizenry.
But it is a bit confusing! A program to help explain the implications of the new health insurance law is being held at the Wareham Free Library on Wednesday, July 25 at 7 PM. How to sign up for a health insurance plan, what it costs, and what you need to do will be explained.
In the meantime, visit this blog again for updates and links to helpful information.
For now, here are some links that help explain the basics:
Commonwealth Care http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=hichomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Qhic
Commonwealth Choice http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=hictopic&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Commonwealth+Choice&sid=Qhic
keep looking »
