Therapeutic riding classes start in January

MIDDLETOWN — Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center located in Middletown, begins its winter session in January.

New participant applications are being accepted for riding and unmounted activities for children and adults with physical, developmental or emotional challenges, in a heated indoor arena.

Volunteers over 14 years of age are also needed. Call 8606850008 or visit hfsc.org under sports and recreation.

Residents encouraged to test for radon

DURHAM — The Connecticut Public Health Department, in conjunction with the United States Environmental Protection agency, has proclaimed January as Radon Action Month and urges all Connecticut residents to test their homes for radon and, if necessary, to mitigate high concentrations.

The Town of Durham Health Department has a supply of radon test kits containing instructions and additional information that were obtained through a promotion by the Connecticut Department of Public Health Radon Program (www.ct.gov/ dph/radon). If you are a Durham resident and would like to test your home for radon,contact Bill Milardo at 8603498253 ext. 2 or at email address wmilardo@townofdurhamct.org to obtain a free kit.

Also, test kits are available through the American Lung Association, which offers the kits for $14.50. The price includes the sampling device, instructions, laboratory analysis, tax, postage and handling. To purchase a test kit you may call 1800LUNGUSA (5864872) or visit the website at www.lung.org and search for radon.

Radon is naturally occurring colorless and odorless radioactive gas that is often found in soil and bedrock. Since radon is a gas, it moves easily through rock and soil and into the air. Outdoors, radon levels are low, but in an enclosed space like a house, radon can increase to a high level.

Radon can enter a home through a dirt cellar floor, cracks in the foundation, joints between a concrete floor and walls, through sump pump drains and other openings. Also, it can be released into the home by running water from showers, faucets and washing machines. The source of the water can be groundwater within a rock formation that contains a high concentration of radon.

Longterm exposure to high levels can increase one's risk of developing lung cancer. Public health officials have determined that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. When exposure to radon is combined with smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke, the risk may increase dramatically. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon causes 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year in this country.

The only way to know if your home has a high radon level (greater than 4 picocuries per liter) is to test for it. A picocurie is a measure of the rate of radioactive decay of radon. Radon levels tend to be higher during the winter months when homes are closed to the outside air and when the heating systems that require combustion of fuel are in use.

The combustion sometimes creates a negative pressure within the basement and results in the infiltration of outside air through the openings previously discussed. The operation of bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans and the use of clothes dryers contribute to the negative pressure. Testing for radon during the months of January and February is recommended.

For information, contact Bill Milardo, Durham Health Department, 30 Town House Road, Durham, CT 06422, at 8603498253, wmilardo@townofdurhamct.org, or visit www.townofdurhamct.org

Commission on the Arts accepting grant applications

MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Commission on the Arts welcomes grant applications for programs and/or projects that enrich the lives of Middletown residents through the arts and culture. It shall be the policy of the MCA to encourage and stimulate artistic and cultural creativity within the community through a matching funds program. The intent of the matching funds program is to provide eligible applicants support for artistic/cultural projects and events that benefit Middletown residents.

The commission considers applications from organizations, businesses, artsrelated groups, and from individuals two times a year. Commissionfunded programs and projects include, but are not limited to, performances, exhibitions, children’s arts programs, arts education, public art, and other arts activities. The commission is particularly interested in programs that reach and benefit Middletown residents in all of the community’s diversity.

General Operating Support grants: Funding support greater than $8,000 toward the general operations of nonprofit arts organizations, or of an organization’s major project. An organization may apply for a GOS and Project Grant within the same 12 month period. Applications deadline is Jan. 15.

Project Support Grant: Funding support up to $7,999 toward a specific art project presentation by either an organization, business, or an individual. Limited to one (1) award per 12 month period. Application deadlines: Sept. 15.

Applications must be received by the MCA office staff by 4 p.m. on the day of the deadline.

Forms and more information are available at http://www.middletownct.gov/297/GrantInformation For information, contact the City of Middletown Arts & Culture Office at 8606384510, or email arts@mddletownct.gov