Last year, the Power Squadron graduated more than 220 students for the second consecutive year, and has been recognized by the United States Power Squadrons for its service to the community. Education Officer Bob Yannacci of the LNSPS expects, as a result of a tragic injury last year involving a rental boat operated by an inexperienced boater, that all Lake Norman law enforcement will be taking a closer look at all vessel operators in 2012 to make sure that they are in compliance with current state boating laws.
Yannacci also expects more students referred to the program as a result of citations handed out by officers last year, along with a requirement that anyone younger than 26 is required to take a boating safety course.
Although fewer class sessions will be held in 2012, they will be held in larger venues. Pre-registration is required for all classes.
Class sessions hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a cost of $45, which includes student manual and lunch, along with a free UPSP six-month trial membership for graduates. Register online at www.usps.org/lakenorman.In addition to the four boater safety classes, the Power Squadron will also hold a free navigation class on Saturday, Sept. 15, for 2012 graduates who wish to continue learning boating skills.
The 2012 class schedule includes:
• Saturday, March 24, at Huntersville United Methodist Church, 14005 Stumptown Road in Huntersville.
• Saturday, June 2, at Mount Mourne Volunteer Fire Department, 1577 Mecklenburg Highway in Mooresville.
• Saturday, July 14, at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion St. in Cornelius.
• Saturday, Aug. 18, at Duke Energy Environmental Center, McGuire Nuclear Station Road in Huntersville.
For more information, call Yannacci at 704-660-5568 or send him an a-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
St. Albans goes to the movies
Music at St. Alban's presents "A Night at the Movies" Sunday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Experience the Roaring 20s at its finest when Charlotte pianist Ethan Uslan returns to St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Davidson with a program of syncopated music from the jazz age, followed by a live accompaniment to Buster Keaton's 1924 silent classic, Sherlock, Jr. In this film, Keaton plays an outlandish detective whose adventures culminate in one of cinema's most elaborate and unforgettable chase scenes.
General admission is $15, $10 for seniors and free for children younger than 12. Tickets are available for pickup at the door by calling 704-941-0650. St Alban's Episcopal Church is at 301 Caldwell Lane.
SNAP Fitness, TNT old fitness challenge
SNAP Fitness, Total Nutrition Technology and the Davidson Parks and Recreation Department, will offer a community weight loss and fitness challenge Feb. 20-April 15. All participants will receive a free comprehensive fitness consultation, a nutrition health assessment, 24/7 access to both SNAP Fitness locations in Davidson, and weekly weigh-ins.
Each participant will be assigned a coach that will guide with informational and motivational e-mails or phone calls. The program includes four free nutrition and fitness workshops, and two group training sessions. There will be customized personal training and nutrition packages available for an additional fee.
Prizes for the top three winners will include a six-month SNAP Fitness membership, a five-week Total Nutrition Technology nutrition plan, and grocery store tour, one-hour massage and more, with a total prize package valued at more than $750. Weigh-ins will be held at SNAP Fitness at 130 Harbour Place in Davidson. Workshop and group training information will be announced at a later date. Cost is $85 for Davidson residents, $94 for all others, with 25 percent of all proceeds donated to the Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center in Davidson.
Leukemia, lymphoma program at PHH
Dr. David Shope, a medical oncologist at Southern Oncology Specialists, will speak about lymphoma and leukemia Thursday, Jan. 26, in the Community Room at Presbyterian Hospital-Huntersville. The event begins at 6 p.m. with registration and a light dinner. The program begins at 6:30.
Topics will include steps to take to make treatment decisions, risks and benefits of standard treatments and treatments under study in clinical trials, how new blood cancer treatments are developed and approved, how to sort myths from facts about clinical trials, locating clinical trials, and how the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society can help.
The event is free, but registration is suggested by calling Shanelle Ebanks at 919-367-4100,
Volunteers needed for new hospice home
The Carolina Comfort Coalition is preparing to open a new end-of-life care home, Davidson House, this year, and is seeking to prepare volunteers needed for bedside and upkeep assistance. The Coalition needs at least 50 volunteers each week.
"I feel that Davidson is a generous community (of people) who would care about having this wonderful opportunity for its residents" says Cheryl Pletcher, executive director of the nonprofit organization.
Volunteers are trained to provide care that is very much like what a family provides at home for a sick person. The first training session will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, beginning at 10 a.m. at Serenity House in Mooresville. Topics will include personal care, oxygen therapy, bed making, use of electric bed and resident safety issues.
The second training session, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4, includes the use of medical equipment, turning and positioning for comfort, and a class on helping families. Both men and women are needed as evening, weekend or weekday helpers.
Davidson House will allow residents to have a neighborhood option for care at the end of life. The Carolina Comfort Coalition is seeking a suitable house or business location with ambulance access and available parking. Grants for "seed" money are also essential to establish the social or family model of a hospice house.
The Davidson House will provide housing for two hospice patients who are unable to remain at home for end of life care. A comfort care home is a sanctuary of peace and love, a haven for those seeking a dignified death in a family atmosphere. For more information about the Carolina Comfort Coalition, visit www.carolinacomfortcoalition.org.
Serenity House in Mooresville, where the training will be held, is at 110 Centre Church Road. To register for the classes, call Joanne Durham at 704 664-2004 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
