Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 17, 2026 ~ Everett Public Libraries Calendar of Events ~ Sa Sa a July 20–July 26 Around Everett Books and Brews: Short Path Distillery (71 Kelvin St), Saturday, July 25, at 1 p.m. The Everett Public Libraries is partnering with Night Shift Brewing and Short Path Distillery to discuss good books over good brews with great company! This month we’re reading “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. Pick up a copy at the Parlin or Shute Memorial Libraries and we’ll see you at Short Path Distillery to discuss the book. Parlin Adult and Teens Yarn Club: Parlin Fresco Room, Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Come chit-chat and stitch! Bring your crocheting, knitting or any other yarn craft and sit and socialize with other members of the crafting community. Recommended for ages 14-109! Parlin Book Group: Parlin Meeting Room, Monday, July 20, at 6:00 p.m. Discuss Pamela Kelley’s “The Nantucket Inn.” Books are available at the Parlin Circulation Desk. Murder/Mystery Book Group: Connolly Center Meeting Room; discuss “Whose Body?” by Dorothy L. Sayers. See Kathleen for copies on her twice monthly visits or call the Parlin (617-394-2300) or Shute (617-394-2308) Library. Stationery Café: Parlin YA Room, Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. Join us every Thursday afternoon in the summertime at our stationery station in the YA Room! BYO stationery or borrow some of the library supplies as we work on scrapbooking, letters, card-making and other paper crafts. Suggested for ages 14+. DIDOMENICO | FROM PAGE 12 tecting children ages 16 and 17 from sexual interactions with mandated reporters and others responsible for their care and oversight, including teachers, coaches, police offi cers and social workers. In response to the tragic fi re at Gabriel House in Fall River, the budget provides $500,000 to implement recommendations from the Assisted Shute Adult and Teens Ready Player One Games: Parlin Children’s Lego Club: Parlin Children’s Room, Mondays at 3 p.m., come some free Lego building fun. Open to all ages; children under six years old must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Creative Drama Class: Parlin Children’s Room, Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Do you have a drama queen or king at home? Explore, create and get dramatic with this fun interpretive program for kids ages six to 14. Story Time Adventures with Mrs. McAuliffe: Parlin Craft Room, Fridays at 11 a.m. Join Mrs. McAuliff e for our enchanting Story Time! You will be whisked away on magical adventures through the pages of your favorite books. Bring a friend or make a new one in our circle of friends. Friday Family Movies: Parlin Meeting Room, Friday, July 24, at 3 p.m. Join us for “Paddington in Peru” (rated PG). Fresh hot popcorn will be served. Mixed-Media Art: Parlin Craft Room, Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. Try out a new art medium every week with our guest art instructor. For children ages fi ve to 12; registration required; see website for details. Origami Club: Parlin Children’s Room, Saturday, July 25, at 12 p.m. Learn how to fold paper animals of all kinds! Open to all ages and abilities. Paper and instruction will be provided. Living Residences (ALR) Commission to improve safety standards, emergency preparedness and oversight at assisted living facilities statewide. The budget also establishes a commission to study transitional youth services for individuals with disabilities whose access to special education services will end due to high school graduation or turning 22, as the Legislature works to preserve comShute Meeting Room, Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. Level up your Wednesdays with our ultimate gaming hangout! Grab your friends and dive into fun Nintendo Switch and PlayStation games; whether you’re racing, battling or teaming up for co-op fun, there’s something for everyone. No registration required; recommended for ages 11 and up. This program will run every Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted on our online calendar. Shute Children’s Miss Val’s Storytime Pals: Shute Children’s Room, Mondays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 12 p.m. What’s better than a good story? Sharing it with friends! Join Miss Val at the Shute Library for Fairytale Fun! Story to Screen: Family Movies: Shute Meeting Room, Thursday, July 23, at 12 p.m. It’s time for fi lms and fun! Munch on popcorn and watch movies that were once stories on the page. Can you answer the question “What was better, the book or the movie?” Join us this week for the 2008 animated fi lm “The Tale of Despereaux,” which is based on the book by Kate DiCamillo. Master Builders: Lego Free-play: Shute Children’s Room, Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. Free-play session with Legos and other building blocks. Bring a buddy, or make a new one, as you explore your imagination brick by brick! We provide the space and the materials to let your vision take shape. What will you create? munity-based care options amid federal challenges to the Olmstead decision. • Sports Wagering Revenue: adjusts the distribution of sports wagering revenue, directing 5.5 percent to the Sports and Entertainment Fund and 2 percent to the Economic Development Trust Fund, dedicating new resources to support the Commonwealth’s economic growth. Sa y Senior enior Sen by Jim Miller Should You Get a Heart Calcium Scan? Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 58 and heart disease runs in my family. My cholesterol has been creeping up, and I’ve been hearing about a scan that can show your actual heart risk. Is that something I should look into? --Heart Worried Dear Worried, You’re smart to think about this now. For years, cholesterol numbers have been the main way to estimate heart disease risk. But there’s another tool gaining attention that can off er a more direct look: a coronary artery calcium scan, or CAC scan. This quick, noninvasive test looks for actual plaque buildup in your heart’s arteries, not just the risk of developing it. Here’s why that matters. High cholesterol suggests you might develop heart disease someday. But calcium in your arteries means some disease is already present. The higher your calcium score, the greater your risk of a future heart attack or stroke. That makes this test especially useful for people like you with a family history and borderline numbers. How it works A CAC scan is a specialized CT scan that takes about 10 minutes and doesn’t require needles or dyes. You simply lie on a table while the scanner takes images of your heart. It uses a small amount of radiation, similar to a mammogram. The result is a calcium score that refl ects how much plaque is in your arteries: A score of zero means no detectable plaque. A score from 1 to 100 indicates mild plaque. A score from 100 to 299 suggests moderate buildup. A score of 300 or higher points to more serious disease. This number gives you and your doctor something concrete to work with. Instead of guessing about your risk, you can make more confident decisions about whether to start a statin or focus on lifestyle changes alone. Who needs it Not everyone needs a CAC scan. It’s most helpful for adults over 40 who have some risk factors, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease, but aren’t clearly high or low risk. If your risk level is uncertain or you’re hesitant about taking a statin, the scan can help break the tie. It can also be a strong wake-up call. Many people who see plaque on their scan are more motivated to take medication, improve their diet, lose weight, and stay active. Getting one CAC scans are widely available at hospitals and imaging centers that off er CT services. You’ll usually need a doctor’s order, but some centers off er self-pay screenings you can schedule yourself. The scan typically costs about $75 to $200 out of pocket and usually isn’t something you need to repeat very often. Results are often available quickly, sometimes within a day or two. A couple of caveats: A score of zero doesn’t mean you have no risk, and the test isn’t meant for diagnosing symptoms like chest pain. It’s just one piece of the puzzle and should be considered along with your overall health picture. Given your age, family history, and slightly elevated cholesterol, a CAC scan could be a very useful next step. It’s worth having a conversation with your doctor to see if it makes sense for you. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nir ior
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