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Community Corner

Outdoor Ice, an Author Talk and a Community Lecture

DPW build two ice rinks, Dr. James Chu reads from his book at the library, and Dr. Edward Hallowell talks to the community.

 

It’s another Monday, and it looks like January 2013 has decided to step up and be the best January it can be: Cold. Not like January 2012, so I guess this really IS a new year.

Before I forget, I want to add something to last week’s information on places to ice skate around town. I totally forgot to mention the two outdoor rinks being created at Rideout Playground in West Concord and Emerson Playground near Concord Center. Our very wonderful and hard-working Public Works department has diligently banked up the snow to create outer boundaries, and is making us our very own winter wonderland.

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Of course, being outdoors means that the condition of the ice is completely weather-dependent, but at least it’s a safer place to skate than a pond, while still being breathtaking. And best of all, it’s free! You do need to bring your own skates, but that’s a small price to pay for this kind of convenience. Check them out. 

Ok, back to business…

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And this is serious business: Dealing with the after effects of traumatic childhood experiences. James A. Chu, consulting psychiatrist at McLean Hospital and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, has written a new edition of his “Rebuilding Shattered Lives: Treating Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorders,” a book which highlights understanding and treating adult victims of unbearable childhood experiences.

Chu is a Concord resident, and he’ll be reading from his book and answering questions at this Thursday’s Author Talk at the Main Library.

Internationally recognized for his work as a clinician, researcher, and educator, Chu has a litany of awards and honors related to his pragmatic approach to understanding and treating adult victims of child abuse. His book is written for professionals as well as adults still suffering from severe childhood trauma; it guides patients and clinicians through the complexity of post-traumatic stress and dissociative disorders.

Chu has also been tapped to testify in such high-profile court cases as the Christian Gerhartsreiter kidnapping case and the Amy Bishop murder case.

We are fortunate to have such a well-regarded professional here in town, and even more fortunate that he’s willing to share his knowledge with us. The reading is this Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Periodicals room, and as always, is free and open to the public.

On a lighter note…

So much to do, so little time! Doesn’t it feel that way? The Concord-Carlisle Community Chest knows it, which is why they’re sponsoring a talk by Edward M. Hallowell titled “Promoting Learning and Lifelong Joy in this CRAZYBUSY World.” It takes place next Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m. over at the Fenn School at 42 Carr Road.

Hallowell has a slew of credits to his name, notably as an expert on ADHD, as well as being a New York Times best-selling author and world-renowned speaker. His talk will focus on taking control of our time, attention and mental energy in order to get to healthy self-esteem, moral awareness, and community connectedness. Who doesn’t want that?

Thanks to the Community Chest, you can hear this talk for free, but since there are only so many seats, you do need to preregister. Just call 978-369-5250 or email info@cccommunitychest.org.

Wow, three free things: outdoor skating, an author talk, and a lecture. We do live in a community rich in opportunities for self-improvement.

Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at stefanieac@comcast.net and I will be happy to help you spread the good news. And follow me on Twitter: @stefanie3131

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