Thursday, September 16, 2021

Big Band to perform Friday on Derby Green


DERBY - Come join us for our 6th End of Summer Concert on the Derby Green featuring The Al Fenton Big Band.

The concert will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  

Beacon Falls Public Library to host annual pumpkin painting party


BEACON FALLS - Beacon Falls Public Library, 10 Maple Ave. will host its annual pumpkin painting party at 9 a.m. Oct. 19 with the Friends of Beacon Falls Library.
A $1/donation will go to the Friends of Beacon Falls Library. This event is ideal for younger children, Pre-K and up.
Registration is required by 10/9 so we can make sure we have enough pumpkins on hand!


This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Public Library offers access to financial ratings database


Protect Your Piggy Bank with Weiss Financial Ratings - 
Viewable as of 9 a.m. Sept 20

Paige Grillo provides a deep dive into the functionality of the database and how to create an account, set up a watchlist for your bank, insurance company, stocks and mutual funds, how to create research tools (screeners) and run a Medigap report.

Weiss Financial Ratings is the Library's newest online database.

It and other databases accessible on our website at www dot derbypubliclibrary dot org from anywhere free with your Derby Public Library card.


This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Survey finds benefits of medicinal marijuana to treat MS patients at Griffin Hospital


DERBY - According to results of a survey published this spring in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, individuals with multiple sclerosis who use medicinal marijuana to treat their symptoms reported several benefits from its use.

Despite increased interest in the role of marijuana in treating various medical conditions, questions have remained about its benefits in treating MS symptoms, and some clinicians have been reluctant to prescribe it. 

While prior surveys and clinical trials involving persons with MS have shown benefits of marijuana in treating certain symptoms, the findings have been inconsistent.  


More than 100 patients responded to the survey, developed by the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at Griffin Hospital.


All patients were enrolled in the Connecticut Medical Marijuana program and treated at the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital. 

The survey respondents reported on their use of medical marijuana, its effects on their symptoms, and changes in the use of prescription medicines as a result of their use.

Participants were predominantly women and more likely to have the relapsing-remitting form of the condition. Most had experienced MS symptoms for more than 10 years. 

Among the variety of forms of medical marijuana, the most method of consumption was inhalation by smoking or vaping, followed by oral and topical applications. 

Inhalation brought most relief of symptoms, followed by oral and topical methods.

Self-reported significant improvements in symptoms associated with marijuana use included mood disorder, insomnia, pain, and muscle cramps and spasms. 

Patients reporting the most benefit tended to have a milder form of MS with less disability. A small number of respondents felt that marijuana use led to a worsening of symptoms related to cognition, mood disorders, fatigue, headaches, nausea, insomnia, vertigo, numbness, pain, bowel or bladder issues, vision, balance, or muscle function.

Among those who completed the survey, 45 percent said they had reduced or stopped using prescription medicines as a result of medical marijuana use. These included opioid and non-opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxers.


“This survey helps to clarify medicinal cannabis use by a group of persons with MS. One of the goals of the study is to educate patients and physicians,” said Joseph B. Guarnaccia, MD, principal investigator, who directs the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital. “Physicians might be well-advised to familiarize themselves with the potential benefits and risk of medical marijuana use as part of a discussion on symptom management with their patients with multiple sclerosis.”

The study title is “Patterns of Medical Cannabis Use among Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.” 

Funding was provided by the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Biomedical Research Trust Fund and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.



The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center

was established in 1998 through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

One of 26 Prevention Research Centers nationwide representing academic-community partnerships, the PRC is engaged in interdisciplinary applied prevention research designed to develop innovative approaches to health promotion and disease prevention that will directly benefit the public’s health.  


The Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital offers a comprehensive program for the evaluation and treatment of multiple sclerosis and related conditions. The Center is operated by Joseph B. Guarnaccia, MD, in partnership with Griffin Hospital, which is known nationally and internationally for its patient-centered health care under the Planetree Model of Care.



This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.


Ansonia Animal Shelter to hold pet costume contest at harvest festival

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Animal Shelter is having a "Pet Costume Contest" at the Ansonia Harvest Festival. A picture of your pet needs to be dropped off at the PD by Sept. 22.

Tickets will be available to purchase to vote for your favorite costume. Ticket chosen and animal will win gift card.

Come down to the Harvest Festival and support us and your favorite pet!!


This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Recuperation journey: Interesting visitor

 

I returned home last night from a meeting with my prayer group friends and this praying mantis was hanging onto the front door. 

Was it a sign?


This is how the insect was hanging there. I rotated the photo to get a better look.