The fourth-seeded Indians pinned four runs on Gael starter Ryan Testani in the bottom of the first inning, with Oestreicher’s fifth-inning solo home run accounting for the final margin.

North Haven (13-8) advances to face top-seeded Xavier High of Middletown on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Quigley Stadium in West Haven in the SCC semifinals. The earlier semifinal at 4 p.m. will see second-seeded Amity High of Woodbridge face third-seeded Fairfield Prep.

Zach Brown won the quarterfinal matchup for North Haven in relief of starter Chandler Andrewsen, while Mike Acampora nailed down the save with two scoreless innings. Testani pitched a complete-game six-hitter, but was tagged with the loss.

Vin Backert and Michael Ficano had run-scoring hits for the Gaels (14-7). Shelton will return to action next Tuesday in the Class LL state tournament. Pairings will be released on Friday.

For the full game story, check out next week’s Herald.

The tour will highlight the design, features and attractions of Yankee Stadium. The tour includes a visit to Monument Park and a look at the dugout, clubhouse and the batting cage. The trip then moves on to Arthur Avenue, the Little Italy of New York. Have lunch on your own at any of the restaurants.

The bus departs from the Adult Learning Center, 415 Howe Avenue at 9 a.m. and returns at approximately 5 p.m. Fee is $72 per person. To register, or for more information on this and other trips offered through Valley Regional Adult Education, visit www.vrae.org or call 203-924-6651.

VRAE provides educational services to the residents of Ansonia, Derby, Monroe, Seymour and Shelton.

Twenty-two junior and senior students from Shelton High School receive a first-hand look at the judicial system during a tour of the Waterbury courthouse. With them are their teachers Nancy Duffy (back row, third from left) and Fred Mulholland (back row, far right).

A group of 22 Shelton High School juniors and seniors received a first-hand look at the judicial system with a tour of the state courthouse in Waterbury.

The tour was part of the Connecticut Bar Association’s (CBA) Connecticut Court Visitation Program, which allows students in the 7th to 12th grades to visit a courtroom and witness real-life criminal court proceedings.

The goal is to acquaint students with the basic steps used in both civil and criminal court procedures and to demonstrate to them the responsibilities of citizens in the American legal system.

The students’ law studies teacher, Nancy Duffy, and social studies teacher, Fred Mulholland, accompanied them to the courthouse.

Met with marshal, prosecutor, attorney, judge

Marshal Joe Martin explained the roles of the court staff, and students were able to observe a small lock-up room. Students also met with David Gulick, assistant state’s attorney; David Smith, a public defender; and Judge Salvatore C. Agati, who all stressed the importance of making good decisions.

The students then observed an arraignment session with Judge Thomas D. Colin. According to the students, attending court was beneficial to understanding how the justice system operates.

Through the CBA program, more 80,000 students around the state have made similar visits to courthouse to learn more about the legal system.

Superior Court Judge Seymour L. Hendel, chairman of the Court Visitation Program, said, “Since its inception in 1980, the Connecticut Court Visitation Program has become a standard part of the curriculum in many schools in the state and more than 84,000 students from public and private middle schools and high schools throughout the state have participated in the program.”

The CBA is a professional association committed to the advancement of justice, the protection of liberty, and to safeguarding the dignity of the legal profession. Learn more at www.ctbar.org.

A view of the Metro-North accident scene on the Bridgepoprt-Fairfield line taken after two commuter trains collided. (Photo by Wayne E. Travers Jr.)

Metro-North was planning to resume limited service to and from New Haven starting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, the railroad announced earlier Tuesday. It had initially planned to resume service on the whole line on Wednesday morning.

This will be the first time trains have run to and from New Haven since the derailment and train collision on the evening of Friday, May 17. Since Friday, service was not running east of Westport.

To New Haven: Regular train service from Grand Central Terminal to South Norwalk station, with limited service to New Haven Station (representing 50% of regular service). The first train is the 3:07 p.m. train leaving Grand Central and arriving in New Haven at 5 p.m.

To Grand Central: Regular train service from New Haven Station to Grand Central Terminal. The first train is the 4:23 p.m. train leaving New Haven and arriving in New York City at 6:17 p.m.

Customers should expect delays. For train information and the Special New Haven Line schedule see http://bit.ly/eGUVR .

For Wednesday, May 22, regular train service will resume on the New Haven Line.

This bottle and can drive will raise funds for the troop’s trip to Colorado this summer. Direct questions to Scoutmaster Kevin Brown at 203-913-4258 or 203-225-0849.

Jim Cameron

No, “$1.5 million dollars a mile” would be the cost of building new sound barriers on that crowded highway, according to testimony by Connecticut’s Department of Transportation commissioner.

This won’t win me many friends among my neighbors in Darien, but I just don’t see that they should be asking the government to subsidize their peace and quiet. After all, most of them bought houses near the highway, benefiting from speedy access to the roadway, and should have known full well that being that close would subject them to noise.

Do you have sympathy for those who buy homes near airport runways, then complain about the jets? Neither do I.

The first sections of what became I-95 were built in Darien in 1954, long before most current residents came to town. Sure, traffic has increased on I-95 over the years. We are well over the planned capacity of this interstate highway.

But thinking the solution to highway noise is to create a walled concrete canyon through our coastal communities paid for by others is just selfish and shortsighted.

Think of the noise as surf at the beach

I live about 1,500 feet from I-95. On a quiet summer’s night I can hear the trucks as they whiz by at 70 mph, especially when they’re “Jake braking” (illegal in many states). And yes, there is a wooden sound barrier between me and the road, which helps a bit.

I try to think of the highway noise as being like surf at the beach. But when shopping for my current home, I knew that highway noise was the price I would pay for being so near an on-ramp.

Some neighbors in my town, and many others, want the state or Uncle Sam to build miles and miles of new sound barriers to cushion their karmic calm. But why should the few benefit at the expense of so many?

Can we really argue that someone in Tolland or Torrington should pay for sound barriers in Westport or Greenwich?

Limited benefits, and some alternatives

Sound barriers seem to me to be wasted money. They don’t reduce accidents, improve safety or solve congestion. Two miles of sound barriers would buy a new M8 rail car on Metro-North, taking 100 passengers off the road.

And sound barriers are often just sound-reflectors, not absorbers, only bouncing the sound off to bother others.

Consider these alternatives:

Sound-proof the homes: This has worked well for neighbors of big airports and probably is cheaper than sound-proofing entire neighborhoods. And insulation against noise also insulates against heat loss, saving energy.

Explore rubberized asphalt: Reduce the road noise at its source, literally where the “rubber meets the road.” Using this new road surface, some highways have seen a 12-decibel reduction in noise. Rubberized asphalt also reuses 12 million junked tires each year.

Pay for it yourself: Let neighborhood associations affected by road noise create special taxing zones to collect funds to build sound barriers they’ll benefit from, both with reduced noise and resulting increased home valuations.

I can think of any number of better places to spend federal tax dollars to improve mass transit than erecting sound barriers. Can’t you?

Jim Cameron of Darien is chairman of the Connecticut Metro-North/Shore Line East Rail Commuter Council, and a member of the Coastal Corridor Transportation Investment Area and the Darien Representative Town Meeting. The opinions expressed in this column are only his own. You can reach him at jim@mediatrainer.tv or trainweb.org/ct.

The 10th annual Bridgeport Hospital Home Run will take place, rain or shine, on Sunday, May 26, 9 a.m., beginning and ending at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard, 500 Main Street, Bridgeport.

Health Notes is a weekly feature that highlights health and wellness news in the area. Hospitals and other health related agencies may e-mail items to scappetta@hersamacorn.com.

Breast cancer risks

Dr. Denise Barajas, MD, FACS, breast surgeon and medical director of the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, will present “Breast Cancer: Know Your Risks. Know Your Options,” a discussion on the different risk levels for breast cancer and testing and treatment options Wednesday, May 22, 6:30, Cyrenius Booth Public Library, Newtown, 203-732-1511, griffinhealth.org.

Bridgeport Hospital Home Run 5k

The 10th annual Bridgeport Hospital Home Run will take place, rain or shine, on Sunday, May 26, 9 a.m., beginning and ending at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard, 500 Main Street, Bridgeport.

The event includes a 5K run, walk and wheelchair race, an alternate one-mile course and a Children’s Fun Run inside the ballpark.

Advance registration for adults is $20 until May 22 and $25 after May 22; $10 for students 18 and under through race day; and $5 for the Children’s Fun Run.

Proceeds benefit the Joel E. Smilow Heart Institute at Bridgeport Hospital. For information, call 203-384-3600 or email bhhomerun@bpthosp.org.

Hospice seeks volunteers

Connecticut Hospice, Inc., Branford seeks volunteers to assist in an administrative capacity, offer direct care as a friendly visitor, provide pastoral or bereavement care, help in the arts or meet transportation needs.

For more information, call Pat Corradino, 203-315-7510 or email pnowak@hospice.com.

Blood pressure screenings

Screenings offered by Bridgeport Hospital at Fairfield Senior Center, 100 Mona Terrace, Mondays, June 3 and 17, 9:30-11:30; Stratford Baldwin Center, 1000 West Broad St., Monday, June 10, 9:30-11:30; Shelton Senior Center, 81 Wheeler St., Tuesdays, May 28 & June 24, noon-2, 1-888-357-2396.

Also offered by the South End Community Center in collaboration with the Stratford Health Department, first and third Wednesdays of the month, 10-noon, South End Community Center; 203-385-4058; 203-377-0689.

The Mario and Irma D’Addario Hypertension Program at St. Vincent’s Medical Center provides free blood pressure screenings and information to the public every Tuesday, 11:30-3:30, main lobby of St. V’s Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport; 1-877-255-7847.

First aid/safety class

Bridgeport Hospital’s Emergency Care Institute offers the following self-care classes in the duPont Board Room at Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St. To register, call 203-384-4497.

Adult, child and infant CPR/AED two-year certification, Wednesday, June 5, 6-9, $65; Pediatric first aid & safety and adult, child and infant CPR/defibrillator training two-year certification, Saturdays, May 25, June 15, 8:30-5:30, $100 full class or $70 first aid portion only; Administration of Medicine Class, Tuesdays, June 11 and 18, 6:30-9:30, $50 full program (three-year certification) or $25 for injectable medications only; Basic life support for healthcare providers Saturday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 25, 6-10, $90 ($65 with unexpired American Heart Association certification card).

Mammography screenings

SWIM Women’s Imaging Center will offer free and low-cost digital mammography screenings for women age 35 and older from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Tuesday, May 28, Carriage Green at Milford, 77 Plains Road, Milford; Thursday, May 30, Baldwin Plaza, 77 Canon Street, Bridgeport, 203-576-5505.

Healthy summer eating

Medical experts at Medi-Weightloss Clinics in Shelton will present “Set a Good Example This Summer,” a discussion about healthy summer eating Tuesday, May 28, 6:30, Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division Street, Derby, 203-732-1511, griffinhealth.org.

Clinical pastoral education course

Bridgeport Hospital’s Department of Spiritual Care & Education is offering a new clinical pastoral education course for community clergy, laypersons and others interested in developing their pastoral care skills.

The 11-week, part-time program runs from Tuesday, May 28 through Friday, Aug. 9. It includes six hours of educational seminars, four hours of direct patient care and one on-call experience per month. Classroom sessions will take place weekly. Schedules for clinical training will be arranged with participants.

For more information, call 203-384-3948.

Medical terminology course

The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, at 300 Seymour Avenue, Suite 206 in Derby, offers a new Medical Terminology course starting May 28.

The course will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-12:30 for four-and-a-half weeks for a total of 30 hours. Cost is $500 including a $25 nonrefundable application fee. Tuition includes cost of textbook.

For more information or to apply, call at 203-732-1276 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

Cancer survivor support

A free patient and caregiver support program also offered the last Tuesday of the month, 6-7:30, St. Vincent’s Medical Oncology Conference Room, Level 3 of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care. Next: May 28. Open to all cancer patients and survivors along with their caregivers, family, friends, 203-576-6158.

Dementia lecture

The second annual Joel and Lois Coleman Lecture Series presents “Dementia: The Challenges of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms” Wednesday, May 29, 7:30, The Jewish Home, 175 Jefferson Street, Fairfield. Dr. Rajesh Tampi, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and attending psychiatrist at the Dorothy Adler Geriatric Center at Yale New Haven Hospital will speak. RSVP to Kim Gintoli, 203-365-6463 or KGintoli@jhe.org.

Cancer nutrition and cooking

Free cooking course designed to help attendees prevent and survive cancer through proper diet and nutrition offered monthly 6-7:45 on May 29, June 26, July 23, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 22, Nov. 20, SWIM Center for Cancer Care, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, 203-576-6158, stvincents.org.

Better Breathing Club

Meets Fridays, May 31 and June 28, 1:30, Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St. Open to anyone with chronic respiratory disease. To register, call 203-336-7375.

Women’s cardiac screening fair

The Women at Heart Program at St. Vincent’s Regina L. Cozza Center will sponsor a free women’s cardiac screening fair Saturday, June 1, 8-noon, Hawley Conference Center at St. Vincent’s, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport.

Space is limited; appointments required, 203-576-6119, stvincents.org/takeheart.

Smoking cessation classes

Bridgeport Hospital will offer its next series of Quit Smart smoking cessation classes June 3, 17, 24 and July 1, all Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m., in the hospital’s first-floor Administration Conference Room, 267 Grant St., Bridgeport. Tuition of $75 covers all four classes and the Quit Smart stop-smoking kit. Free parking in the Agnes and Ernie Kaulbach Parking Pavilion outside the main entrance. For information or to register, call toll free 1-888-357-2396.

Stroke support

Bridgeport Hospital’s Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers will host a free Stroke Support Group meeting for recovering stroke patients and their caregivers Tuesday, June 4, 6-7, Shelton outreach site, 4 Corporate Drive, 203-925-4201.

Also offered third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-7, Seton Room, Level C, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, 203-576-5361.

Breast cancer survivor support

Meets first and third Tuesdays of the month, 5:30-7, Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, 203-576-6158. Next: June 4, tmclaugh@st.vincentss.org.

Look Good …. Feel Better

Free American Cancer Society program helps women with cancer improve their appearance and self-image through hands-on beauty techniques Tuesday, June 25, 2-4 p.m., Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, 111 Beach Road, Fairfield. To register, call 203-255-5300.

Also offered June 6, Aug. 8, Oct. 10 and Dec. 5, 1-3 p.m., Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care adjacent St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport. Reservations required: 203-576-6158. Lunch provided.

Also offered third Thursday of the month, 5-7, Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, Derby. Register in advance by calling Laura Howell, 203-732-1280 or email lhowell@griffinhealth.org.

Caregiver support

Group for family members and others responsible for the day-to-day care of elderly relatives meets first Friday of month, 10-11, Operations Conference Room, Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St., June 7; and 5:30-6:30, second Tuesday of the month, Center’s offices, 95 Armory Road, Stratford, June 11, 1-888-357-2396.

Also, hosted by Maefair Health Care second Tuesday of the month 2:30-3:30, 21 Maefair Court, Trumbull. Meetings are open to all caregivers in the community. Light refreshments, 203-459-5152.

AARP driver safety

Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program Saturday, June 8, 8:45-1:15, in the hospital’s dining room meeting rooms.

While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to all interested persons.

Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Make checks payable to AARP. Call 203-732-7584 to register.

Senior driving course

AARP’s Senior Driver Safety Program Saturday, June 8, 9-1, first-floor Administration Conference Room at Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St., $12 AARP members, $14 non-members, covers handouts and instructional materials, 1-888-357-2396.

Ostomy support

Sunday, June 9, 2 p.m., Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut, 40 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull. Open to anyone who has had or will have an ostomy operation, such as colostomy, urostomy or ileostomy. Spouses welcome. Meetings held third Sunday of month except July and August, Sharon Tilley, 203-384-3209.

Help with hip or knee pain

A panel of Bridgeport Hospital experts will discuss the causes of and treatments for hip and knee pain Wednesday, June 12, 1-3 p.m., Wesley Heights, 580 Long Hill Avenue, Shelton. Doors open at 12:30. Light refreshments. Reservations required. Call 1-888-357-2396.

Genetic counseling

Bridgeport Hospital’s Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute and Yale Cancer Center provide genetic counseling services by appointment Wednesday, June 12, 5520 Park Ave., Trumbull, 203-764-8400.

Breastfeeding support

Free breastfeeding support group for new and expectant mothers, first and third Wednesday of the month, 10-noon, 5520 Park Ave., Trumbull. Next: June 19, 1-888-357-2396.

Perinatal grief support

St. Vincent’s “We Care” Perinatal Grief Support Group for those grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillborn, or newborn death will meet on Wednesday, June 19, 7-8:15, Ambulatory Infusion Center waiting area located on level 3 of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, adjacent to the Medical Center, 203-576-5110, 203-576-5716.

Soft touch workshop

Griffin Hospital will offer a free basic level Soft Touch workshop Saturday, June 29, noon-3.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing and gentle rub that can be given to an individual’s hands, feet, or back. Griffin Hospital offers the therapy to patients and their caregivers as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain and stress.

Early registration is required. Workshop participants my register by contacting Tricia Brister at 203-732-7555 or at tbrister@griffinhealth.org.

Family support group

For adult patients, family members and friends who are coping with a diagnose of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin’s Disease, first Tuesday of every month, 4-5:30, St. V’s Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, Level 3 Medical Oncology Conference Room, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, 203-576-6158; tmclaugh@stvincent.org.

Nutrition for cancer survivors

Class provides information and resources for healthy eating during and after treatment in addition with dietary tips and modifications to help improve overall wellness and health, the second Wednesday of every month. 5-6 p.m. St. Vincent’s Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care adjacent to the hospital. To register, call 203-576-6158.

Griffin Greetings

“Griffin Greetings” enables individuals to send a message to a patient via the hospital website, griffinhealth.org. There are several card options, including baby congratulations, get well soon and birthday wishes. The card is printed at the hospital and delivered to the patient’s room. The card will be delivered to the patient’s address if he or she is discharged before delivery.

To send a Griffin Greeting, visit griffinhealth.org and click on the “Patient Greetings” link on the left-hand side of the home page.

Addiction support

Are you dealing with an addiction in your life or the life of a family member? Higher Ground Ministry is non-denominational offering help that is permanent through biblical truths. Weekly meetings are held where one receives support, encouragement and spiritual guidance. Meetings are Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church, 300 North Benson Road, Fairfield. Also, Sundays 6-7:30 p.m., Stepney Baptist Chruch, 423 Main St., Monroe; Mondays, 7:30-9 p.m., Huntington Chapel, 177 Ripton Road, Huntington; Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m., Christ the King Church at American Legion Hall, 21 Cedar St., Naugatuck; Fridays, 7-8:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 235 Prindle Ave., Ansonia; Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. and Fridays, 7-8:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Shelton, 178 Leavenworth Road, Shelton; and Tuesdays, 7:30-9 p.m., Grace Baptist Church, 400 Burnt Plains Road, Milford. Information: 203-888-9974; highergroundministry.org.

Diabetes education

Fourth Thursday of the month, 6-7:30, St. Vincent’s Level 4 Seton Conference Room, 203-576-6168.

Al-Anon meetings

Al-Anon is a resource for family members and friends affected by alcoholism.

Al-Anon meets Sundays, 6:30 and Wednesdays, 7:30, St. Ann’s, old convent behind church, Brewster Street, Black Rock; Sundays, 7, St. Charles Church, (Spanish meeting), 391 Ogden Street, Bridgeport; Fridays, 8, Bridgeport Mental Health Center, 1635 Central Avenue, first floor (park & enter from parking deck off Mead Street).

For information about groups in Connecticut, call 1-888-825-2666. For more information about Al-Anon, visit ct-al-anon.org. A free publication is available at Al-AnonFamilyGroups.org.

Free HIV/HCV tests

The Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program and the Stratford Health Department will offer rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing with results in 20 minutes every first and third Tuesday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Stratford Health Dept., 468 Birdseye St., Stratford.

To schedule an appointment call 203-385-4058.

Healthcare and Medicare information

St. Vincent’s Medical Center is offering a free program of health insurance and Medicare information and counseling to the public every week. Individuals can meet with the health insurance specialist by appointment in the privacy of the Banks Library located on the third level of St. Vincent’s.

To schedule an appointment or for more information call St. Vincent’s Volunteer Office at 203-576-5111.

Bereavement support

Eight-week support group facilitated by Ximena Varas, certified lay minister and chaplain meets Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m at First United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Road. Registration required: ximenavaras@umcshelton.org or 203-278-1568.

Breast cancer survivor support

St. Vincent’s free Breast Cancer Survivor support group meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month 5:30-7 p.m., Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. No reservations are required. Information: 203-576-6158; tmclaugh@st.vincentss.org.

Yoga classes

“New ‘Mindful Flow’ yoga class series offered Fridays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at 2505 Main St., Suite 224, Stationhouse Square, Stratford.

This class provides a foundation in learning yoga postures while incorporating mindfulness — ‘meditation in motion’. Instruction will be given on both inner and outer practices of yoga (postures, breathing, meditation) and is appropriate for beginner and intermediate level students.

Information is available at naturesourcecare.com/yoga; 203-895-5534 or info@naturesourcecare.com.

Weight loss support

Interested in losing weight? Concerned about your weight? First Congregational Church, 44 South Cliff St., Ansonia hosts a night of mutual support Mondays, weigh in from 5:45-6:50 p.m.; meeting 7-8 p.m. First meeting is free. Call Tom, 203-308-3355 and leave a message.

Cancer support group

Ongoing monthly group is focused on giving support to patients and families who have been diagnosed with lung, colon, head and neck, esophageal, GI cancers and other solid tumors. One-hour dialogue and discussion on medical issues and stress related issues regarding the medical, physical, and emotional effects concerning the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Meetings are the third Wednesday of the month, 9-10 a.m., Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, third floor conference room, St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. Call 203-576-6158.

Nursing moms support

Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby hosts a monthly Nursing Moms Support Group, facilitated by a board-certified lactation consultant the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. Contact JMatranga@griffinhealth.org for more information.

Massage therapy

Massage is offered for oncology patients undergoing definitive active treatment and for survivors who have completed treatment. Call 203-576-6158 for an appointments. Program takes place on third floor of Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport.

Ring for Your Rhythm

Bridgeport Hospital’s “Ring for Your Rhythm” line provides recorded, step-by-step instructions for taking a pulse reading, to help detect atrial fibrillation (a-fib) and possibly prevent a stroke. Call toll free, 24/7, at 1-855-247-8573. A-fib, the most common type of heart rhythm disorder, causes blood to pool in the heart’s chambers, which can lead to blood clots that may travel to the brain and trigger a stroke.

Yoga for cancer patients

Restorative yoga, chair yoga with breathing and meditation for patients in active treatment or post-surgery, Tuesdays, 10 a.m., The Watermark, 303 Park Ave., Bridgeport; Thursdays, 10 a.m., Yoga Room on Level 3 of St. Vincent’s Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, adjacent to the Medical Center. Gentle Yoga, for patients in treatment or recently finished, Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Yoga for Everybody, 27 Unquowa Road, Fairfield. Formal Yoga, for cancer survivors of five years or less, Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m., The Watermark, 3030 Park Ave., Bridgeport. To register call 203-576-6158.

Fitness classes

Bridgeport Hospital’s Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers offers weekly fitness classes in Bridgeport and Stratford:

Boot Camp, Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45 a.m., 226 Mill Hill Ave., Bridgeport; Saturdays, 10-11 a.m., 3585 Main St., Stratford.

Women’s Strength Training, Tuesdays, 11-noon; Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., 226 Mill Hill, Bridgeport; Saturdays, 8-9 a.m., 3585 Main St., Stratford.

Zumba, Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., 226 Mill Hill, Bridgeport; Saturdays, 8-9 a.m., 3585 Main St., Stratford.

All classes are conducted by certified fitness trainers. Cost is $8 per class or $75 for 10 classes. Tickets are available at all Ahlbin Centers locations, or before or after classes. For information or to register, call 203-336-7301 (Bridgeport) or 203-380-4672 (Stratford).

In addition to Bridgeport and Stratford, Ahlbin Centers has outpatient facilities at 4 Corporate Drive, Shelton; 2600 Post Road, Southport; and 2750 Reservoir Ave., Trumbull.

Diabetes education

St. Vincent’s Medical Center and the Merck Co., are co-sponsoring The Journey for Control, a monthly Diabetes Education Workshop, held the fourth Thursday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. in St. Vincent’s Level 4 Seton Conference Room. To register, call 203-576-6168.

Gamblers Anonymous

Meets Saturdays, 7 p.m., 100 Bank St., Seymour. For more information, call Steve, 203-362-5234.

Overeaters group

Compulsive overeaters group meets Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Rimmon Pond Counseling, LLC, 100 Bank St., Seymour. Group will address underlying attitudes and beliefs which affect eating behaviors. For more information or to register, call 203-888-0462.

Acupuncture

Led by licensed acupuncturist Gregor Wei, Mondays, 10-2, Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, 111 Beach Road, Fairfield. Call 203-255-5300 to register. Advance registration requested. Private appointments available.

Genetic counseling

The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital offers cancer genetic counseling services to individuals and families as part of the Center’s comprehensive model of patient-centered care.

Cancer genetic counseling is the process of collecting a patient’s detailed personal and family history, assessing their personal risk, and discussing their genetic testing options. Genetic tests are tests on blood and other tissue used to identify genetic disorders.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 203-732-1260.

Diabetes support

Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September -June, second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., Griffin Hospital, Derby. Open to diabetics and their families; 203-732-1137.

Weight-loss surgery support

Griffin Bariatrics, a new program of Griffin Hospital, will host weight loss surgery support group meetings the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Griffin Imaging & Diagnostics Center at Ivy Brook, 2 Ivy Brook Road, Shelton. Advance registration requested; griffinhealth.org; 888-657-9252.

To help bariatric patients bridge the gap between the time of surgery and reaching their healthy weight, Griffin Bariatrics has assembled a Clothes Closet with men’s and women’s clothing in barely worn or new condition, which has been donated by bariatric patients and hospital staff and family members. The Clothes Closet is open the second Wednesday of each month, 4:30-6:30 p.m., prior to monthly “On Track” support group meetings; 203-732-7108; kfisher@griffinhealth.org.

Fibromyalgia support

Fibromyalgia Support Group meets the last Tuesday of the month, 2 p.m., Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby. Information: Daun Barrett, 203-732-7584.

Health and wellness classes

St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport offers a variety of health and wellness classes. Most sessions run for 10 weeks with the exception of pilates, which is six weeks; and Y Diabetes Prevention Program and Weight Watchers program, 16 and 17-week sessions respectively. 10-week sessions: $90. Information/registration: 203-576-6267; scollins@stvincents.org.

Free exercise video program

A new online video program called A-B-E (Activity Bursts Everywhere) for Fitness, designed specifically to help adults meet those recommendations for daily physical activity, is available at abeforfitness.com.

The program offers a library of more than 50 videos of guided physical activity routines, each of which may be done in 3 to 5 minutes. It offers a variety of options based on users’ time, interests, needs, and fitness levels.

Kripalu yoga

Beginner and intermediate level, runs weekly, Fridays, 9:15 a.m., Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, 111 Beach Road, Fairfield. Class size limited to six students. Advance registration requested; 203-255-5300; bridgeporthospital.org. Yoga, restorative yoga and teen yoga classes also available. Call for full class schedule.

Pilates

Weekly, Mondays, 5:30 p.m., Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, 111 Beach Road, Fairfield. Class size limited to six students. Advance registration requested; 203-255-5300.

OCD support

Yale Obsessive Compulsive (OCD) Support Group meets first and third Thursday of the month, 3-4 p.m., CHMC, 34 Park St., 3rd floor conference room, New Haven. Information: psychiatry.yale.edu/ocd/patients; Suzanne Wasylink, 203-974-7523.

Wellness booth

St. Vincent’s Wellness Booth has relocated to the main lobby of the Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. The Wellness Booth, a project of the Mario and Irma D’Addario Hypertension Fund, formerly was located at Westfield Shoppingtown, Trumbull. The booth offers a variety of health screenings and services to the public every Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30-3:30. No appointment required for any of the screenings.

Free blood pressure screenings are performed every Tuesday. On Wednesdays, Cholesterol/HDL ratio/glucose screening, $18; a lipid panel requiring a four-hour fast, $25; blood sugar screening alone requiring a two-hour fast, $1.

For more information call St. Vincent’s toll-free Care Line at 1-877-255-SVHS (7847).

Help for new movers

Bridgeport Hospital’s free Newcomer Concierge Service helps new residents of Bridgeport and surrounding towns locate physicians to meet personal and family health needs. Service also provides information on health-related events and activities. To reach the Newcomer Concierge Service, call 203-330-7462, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, 9-3.

Heart-disease risk quiz

Bridgeport Hospital offers “Take 10 for Your Ticker,” a free online heart-disease risk quiz. Quiz is available at bridgeporthospital.org, by clicking on the link in the “Take 10 for Your Ticker” box.

For those without access to the Internet, a free printed copy of the quiz, with an explanation of results, is available by calling 1-888-357-2396.

Breast cancer support

Woman to Woman of the Valley group meets second and fourth Thursday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m., Griffin Hospital Cancer Center, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby.

Information: Midge Johnson, breast care coordinator at Griffin Hospital, 203-732-7566 or e-mail mjohnson@griffinhealth.org; or Joyce Grohe, co-facilitator, 203-888-3993.

MS support

Derby MS support group meets third Wednesday of the month, 4:30-5:30, Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby; Lisa, 203-231-4716; ctfightsMS.org.

The Shelton MS support group meets second Monday of the month, 2-3:30, Plumb Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton; 1-800-344-4867; ctfightsMS.org.

Overeaters anonymous

Free 12-step program for compulsive eaters, meets Mondays, Fridays, noon-1, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 25 Church St., Shelton; 203-454-6607.

Caregiver support

Atria Stratford Assisted Living, 6911 Main St., offers a support group for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease, or related dementia, living at home or in an extended care facility. Group meets first Wednesday of the month, 6-7; 203-380-0006.

Grasmere Eldercare Center: 240 Colony St., Fairfield, offers open discussion about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, last Friday of month, 1-2. RSVP Courtney: 203-259-6699 or cluttrell@jhe.org.

Jewish Family Service, 2370 Park Ave., Bridgeport, offers support group for family members or friends helping with the care of adults over 60, meets first Wednesday of month, 6-7:30 p.m. RSVP: 203-366-5438, Ext. 219.

Sunset Shores Adult Day Health Center, 720 Barnum Avenue Cut Off, Stratford, offers a support group for people caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Meetings are the second Wednesday of the month, 4-5; 203-380-1228.

St. Vincent’s SWIM family support group meets first Tuesday of each month, 4-5:30 p.m., Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. No reservations required; 203-576-6158; tmclaugh@st.vincents.org.

Prostate cancer survivors

St. Vincent’s SWIM Prostate Cancer Survivors Educational Lecture Series and Support Group meets at Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. Call 203-576-6158 or e-mail tmlaugh@stvincents.org for dates and times of lectures. No reservations required.

Breast cancer wellness

St. Vincent’s Breast Cancer Survivor Wellness program, intended for women who have recently undergone breast cancer surgery and those further along in their recovery, 4:30-5:30, Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. No reservations required. For dates, call 203-576-6158.

Breast cancer stories

Bizymoms.com has helped many women with whatever information it is they may be seeking about breast cancer. A panel of cancer experts, women, wives, and mothers are waiting to share their expertise and stories while learning about yours. Visit bizymoms.com/cares/breastcancer.

Cancer boutique

St. Vincent’s partners with Saxon-Kent Lingerie of Orange to provide special products for women battling cancer. Boutique hours: Monday-Friday, 10-4. Fitting hours for wigs, prosthesis, mastectomy bras, lymphedema sleeves etc: Tuesdays, 2-4; Wednesdays, 10-noon; or by appointment; 203-576-6158; tmclaugh@stvincents.org.

Breast cancer support

Woman-to-Woman, an American Cancer Society sponsored support group for women who have had breast cancer or who have been newly diagnosed, meets monthly, 2-4 p.m., Cambridge Manor, 2428 Easton Tpke., Fairfield; 1-800-889-3340.

The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital offers a breast cancer survivor group “Circle of Friends” which meets the second Thursday of every month, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby. New topics and guest speakers monthly; 203-732-1300; tkochiss@griffinhealth.org.

Cancer resource library

St. Vincent’s SWIM Cancer Resource Library is open Monday-Friday, 9-5, Maureen Ringel Cancer Resource Library, Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, St. V’s. Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. A representative is available to assist visitors with navigation of web-based searches, cancer clinical trial searches and direct patient referrals to a variety of free resources Monday-Friday, 9-1.

Free hearing tests

Offered in the office or at home, by Affordable Hearing Solutions, LLC, Orange Medical Center, 380 Boston Post Road #107, Orange, Monday-Friday, 9-5; free. Call 799-7775, for an appointment. Tests also offered at Waterbury office, 2457 East Main St.; call 203-574-5377.

Scleroderma support

The American Society For Scleroderma Research has formed a support group for all afflicted by this disease. Group meets every second Thursday, 6:30-7:30 p.m., St. Vincent Medical Center, Main Street, Bridgeport; Aimee Turiano or Joy LoSchiavo, 203-273-2034.

Donate vehicles

RedcrossMotors converts donated vehicles into dollars to help support the local chapter. Most motorized vehicles including boats, trailers, trucks, motorcycles and motor homes are accepted, running or not. Information: 1-877-RCDONOR (732-6667).

More than 70 exhibitors are expected, covering dozens of categories of arts and crafts. Organizers said the free event, held on the first Sunday in June each year, has become “a community tradition.”

This is a judged show, with prizes awarded to the top artist and top crafter.

Exhibitor space is available and pre-registration costs $69. Contact Kate at 203-623-6698 for details or visit www.sheltonjaycees.org for an application.

A volunteer service organization

The nonprofit Shelton Jaycees, also known as the Junior Chamber, are a group of volunteers from ages 21 to 40 who organize dozens of community events each year. Members can volunteer as much or as little as they like, based on their interest in the event.

Members receive hands-on leadership experience and training, over and above what’s available through employers and other organizations.

In addition to the Arts & Crafts Fair, the Jaycees sponsor a car show at Riverwalk Park and support charities such as the American Cancer Society and Valley Food Bank. Learn more about the organization at www.sheltonjaycees.org.

In the “understanding” model of conflict resolution, the mediator helps disputing parties to make informed decisions together, based on a deeper understanding of what is important and meaningful to them. The parties control the outcome.

Traditional mediations are conducted with the parties in separate rooms. The understanding-based model of mediation believes that people in conflict should remain in the same room, with or without their attorneys. The mediator doesn’t favor one party over the other.

Understanding-based mediation is suitable for both business disputes and family disputes, including employer versus employee, manufacturer vs. vendor, buyer vs. seller, dissolution of a business partnership, termination of employment, inheritance disputes, school vs. parent, homeowner vs. contractor and more.

If successful, the parties avoid the financial and emotional expense of the court system, and the parties fashion an outcome that satisfies both. If the parties don’t reach a resolution during mediation, they can still sue each other or continue to do battle in court, until a judge declares one of them to be the winner.

Reisman’s office is at 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 234. For further information, contact him at 203-944-0401, glennreisman1@gmail.com or glenn@ReismanLaw.com.

As very recent retirees (me after 29 years teaching high school science and 14 years as a business owner, and my wife Karen after 32 years as a social service program administrator), we thought we would take a trip to see family, the Florida Keys, the Smoky Mountains, and a former student in Georgia.

Though I have voted Republican several times in my life (not sure if my wife has), we are both strong, thoughtful Democratic voters.

A car covered with bumper stickers

Now, to set the stage for these trip encounters, you must visualize the rear of our Prius Hybrid with numerous political and informational Democratic bumper stickers:

— “Obama Cares”

— “Got Science?”

— “I Am the 99%, and I Vote”

— “Carol Shea-Porter for Congress” (she’s a Democrat)

— “Got Medicare? Thank Democrats”

— “Got Vet’s Benefits? Thank Democrats”

— “Got Social Security? Thank Democrats”

— “Got Pell Grants? Thank Democrats”

— “Got Pot Holes? Thank Republicans”

From compliments to rude behavior

At numerous stops, and occasionally from drivers passing us, we would get very complimentary comments about our signs or an emphatic “thumbs-up” to signify support.

To our dismay, while driving through Connecticut, we received very emphatic and pronounced finger signals from two different drivers with Connecticut license plates — both within about an hour of each other.

We do not conclude from this that Connecticut has more rude and tasteless drivers than any of the other states we passed through.

A sign of intolerance?

However, these encounters did provoke us to consider how intolerant or closed-minded those two male drivers might be and how they would act when considering other issues in their communities that they might disagree with, such as gun control, environmental protection, gay marriage, privacy rights, and war vs. peace, to name a few.

We can only hope they read this letter to understand how disturbed and surprised we were about their rude and insensitive actions.

Herb Moyer and his wife Karen Moyer live in Exeter, N.H.