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Page 26 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 Artists and poets sought for “Lines Connecting Lines” exhibit W e are seeking visual artists and poets for an exhibit of poetry and art that will highlight local poets, provide artistic stimulation and inspiration for artists in the area and further enhance the enjoyment and understanding of both art forms for the general public. Poems and artworks will hang side by side at UMA Gallery in Malden during National Poetry Month in April DIDOMENICO | FROM PAGE 18 in-person for a presidential or state primary and any municipal elections held on the same day. • Allows municipalities to optin to early voting in-person for any municipal election not held concurrently with another election. Permanent no-excuse mailin voting • Requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to send out mail-in ballot applications to all registered voters on July 15 of every even-numbered year; the Secretary of the Commonwealth would have the option to include these applications as part of mailings already required to be sent by the Secretary. • As in 2020, postage would be guaranteed for mail-in ballot applications and ballots. • As in 2020, mail-in ballots would be accepted for a biennial state election if mailed on or by Election Day and received by 5 p.m. on the third day after the election. SCHOOL | FROM PAGE 4 as they involve students who are under 18. However, Tahiliani said she is aware of three fi ghts at the high school that were recorded and posted on social media. School Committee Member-at-Large Samantha Lambert agreed that social media has played a signifi cant role in sparking physical altercations. “Twenty-second video clips can go viral in minutes and can certainly be shocking and upsetting,” she said. “We will continue to listen and provide the resources to the professionals in our buildings who have the experience and expertise to respond and prevent these unfortunate incidents.” Ward 4 School Committee Member Dana Murray described the unrest as “very disturbing and distressing.” “Obvi2022. Participants must be 18 years old or older and from Malden, Medford, Melrose, Everett, Saugus, Stoneham or Revere. No fee. For poetry submission guidelines, please contact Lisa L. Sears at lisa_l_sears@yahoo. com with “Lines Connecting Lines: Poems” in the email subject line. Submission deadline: Wednesday, November 10. Additional fl exibility for local offi cials • Gives municipalities the option to set up secure drop boxes for mail-in ballots. • Allows election officials to preprocess mail-in and early voting ballots in advance of Election Day. • Gives municipalities discretion as to the use of a check-out list at a polling location. Accommodations for people with disabilities • Allows a voter with disabilities to request accommodations from the Secretary of the Commonwealth to vote by mail for state elections. • Accommodations would include the following: electronic and accessible instructions, ballot application and ballot and a voter affi davit that can be submitted electronically. Jail-based voting reforms • Helps ensure that individuals who are incarcerated who are currently eligible to vote are provided with voting information and materials to exercise ously, kids are struggling with reacclimating, and they are still suffering from the fallout of the pandemic,” she said. “Our children aren’t bouncing back the way many of us in education had hoped. This should be an all-hands-on-deck situation.” Yet, Murray said she is confi - dent that Tahiliani will restore order. “I trust that the increased presence of the superintendent and the new, more appropriate structures will help very much,” she said. “We are actively seeking and implementing solutions as quickly as possible, and we will continue to do so.” She also spoke about the merit of having school resource offi cers. “Their relationships with many of our most at risk kids is an essential piece,” said Murray, adding that supplemental training would be benefi cial. “None SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 29 lines, please contact Sears at lisa_l_sears@yahoo.com with “Lines Connecting Lines: Art” in the email subject line. Selected artists will choose a poem from the pool of accepted works and then have over three months to create a complementary work of art for pairing. Consideration deadline for artists is Friday, November 5. their right to vote in every state primary and election. • Through inclusion of an amendment, the bill ensures that individuals who are incarcerated are properly notifi ed of their right to vote upon release and given the opportunity fi ll out a voter registration form Joining the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) • Requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to enter into an agreement with ERIC no later than July 1, 2022 (30 other states have already joined ERIC, which helps states keep more updated and accurate voting registrations to ensure voting integrity) • The Senate unanimously approved an amendment to the VOTES Act targeting vote-bymail ballot access by U.S. service members residing overseas and allowing for them to cast their vote electronically. • The bill also instructs the Secretary of State to conduct a comprehensive public awareness campaign to highlight the new voting and registration options. Say nir Sa y Senior Seni BY JIM MILLER For art submission guide- H t Fid Fiil Ai t sistance programs that can help seniors with home improvement projects? I would like to help my grandparents make a few modifi - cations to their house so they can continue living there safely, but money is tight. Searching Grandson Dear Searching, Yes! There are a number of fi - nancial aid programs available that can help seniors with home modifi cations and improvement projects for aging-in-place, but what’s available to your grandparents will depend on their fi - nancial situation and where they live. Here are some diff erent options to explore. Medicare Advantage benefits: While original Medicare does not typically pay for home improvements, if your grandparents are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, it may off er some aid for modifi cations based on need. Contact their Medicare Advantage provider to see if this is available. Medicaid waivers: If your grandparents are low-income and eligible for Medicaid, most states have Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waivers that provide fi nancial assistance to help seniors avoid nursing homes and remain living at home. Each state has diff erent waivers, eligibility requirements and benefi ts. Contact your Medicaid offi ce (see Medicaid.gov) for information. Non-Medicaid government assistance: Many state governments and several agencies within the federal government have programs that help low to moderate income seniors, who aren’t eligible for Medicaid with home modifi cations. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development offers HUD Home Improvement Loans by private lenders. Contact a HUD approved counseling agency (call 800-569-4287) to learn more. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a Rural Development program that provides grants and loans to rural homeowners. Your local USDA service center (see offi ces.sc.egov.usda.gov) can give you more for information. Many states also have fi nancial assistance programs known as nursing home diversion programs. These programs, which may include grants or loans or a combination, helps pay for modifi cations that enable the elderly and disabled to remain living at home. Modifi cations covered typically include accessibiliHow to Find Financial Assistance for Aging-in-Place Improvements Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any fi nancial asty improvements like wheelchair ramps, handrails and grab bars. To find out if there are programs in your grandparent’s area, contact the city or county housing authority, the local Area Aging Agency (800-677-1116) or the state housing fi nance agency – see NCSHA.org/housing-help. Veteran benefi ts: If your either of your grandparents is a veteran with a disability, the VA provides grants like the SAH, SHA and HISA grants that will pay for home modifi cations. See Benefits.va.gov/benefits/factsheets/ homeloans/sahfactsheet.pdf for details and eligibility requirements. Some other VA programs to inquire about are the “Veteran-Directed Care” program and “Aid and Attendance or Housebound Benefi ts.” Both programs provide monthly fi nancial benefi ts to eligible veterans that can help pay for home modifi cations. To learn more, visit VA.gov/geriatrics or call 800-827-1000. Nonprofit organizations: Depending on where your grandparent’s live, they may also be able to get assistance in the form of fi nancial aid or volunteer labor to help with modifi cations. One of the most noteworthy is the organization Rebuilding Together (RebuildingTogether.org, 800-473-4229), which off ers three programs: Safe at Home, Heroes at Home, and National Rebuilding Day. Another option is community building projects, which provide seniors with volunteer labor to help them make home improvements. To search for projects in your grandparent’s area, do web search containing the phrase “community building project” followed by their “city and state.” Reverse mortgage: Available to seniors 62 and older who own their own home and are currently living there, a reverse mortgage will let your grandparents convert part of the equity in their home into cash – which can be used for home improvements – that doesn’t have to be paid back as long as they live there. But reverse mortgages are expensive loans, so this should be a last resort. For more information on these and other financial assistance programs, go to PayingForSeniorCare.com and click on “Senior Care” followed by “Home Modifi - cations.” Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior

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