5 Things March 30: Music Together Demonstration, Police Test and More

Things You Need to Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section.

1. Free Music Together demonstration

Join Music Together for a free demonstration class 10:30 a.m. at On the Barre.  Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners and the adults who love them. First offered to the public in 1987, it pioneered the concept of a research based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement. Take $20 off when you register for the spring session in this new class which starts the first week of April using the coupon code "newclass" at www.oldcolonymusictogether.com. Register at www.oldcolonymusictogether.com/demos.aspx or call 508-838-9815. 

2. Massachusetts Civil Service Police Test

The Norton Police Department is a Civil Service Department. Full time police officers are hired from a civil service police eligibility list. The Massachusetts Civil Service Police Test is scheduled for April 20. The absolute last day to sign up for the test is April 1, 2013. The fee is $150. To sign up click here.

3. Olde Irish Pub Run 5k/10k

The Olde Irish Pub Run 5k/10k will start 9 a.m. at 303 Sheers St., Wrentham. Choose either a 5k or 10k flat loop around scenic country roads. Registration is $30.

4. National Doctor's Day

National Doctor's Day, observed March 30, is a great time to learn more about the role of ophthalmologists in helping you maintain a lifetime of healthy vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology encourages you to make eye care a part of your overall health-maintenance strategy. For example:

• Have Your Eyes Checked: At age 40 all adults should have a baseline eye disease screening, even if your vision seems perfect. If you’re age 65 or older, schedule an eye exam every 1-2 years, or as recommended by your ophthalmologist. Seniors in this age group may qualify for a free eye exam at www.eyecareamerica.org.

• Get Plenty of Exercise: Our eyes need good blood circulation and oxygen intake, and both are stimulated by regular exercise. Being physically active also helps in maintaining weight in a normal range, which reduces the risk of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, which is a serious eye complication related to that disease.

• Don’t smoke: Avoiding smoking or quitting altogether is one of the best investments a person can make in their long-term health. Smoking increases the risks of a variety of diseases, including those that affect the eye such as cataracts and diabetic-related conditions.

• Understand the impact of other diseases on the eyes: The eyes are a complex organ. They contain pigmented cells, a rich network of blood vessels, connective tissue, and the eye’s retina is actually a part of the brain. Diseases like diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, sickle cell disease, lupus, and many others can affect the eyes and threaten vision.  Your primary care physician may call upon your ophthalmologist to detect and manage these problems.

For more information visit www.geteyesmart.org.

5. High near 55, low around 30

Today will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind will be 6 to 10 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 30 and calm wind.