In Brief

Project Homeless Connect today

LAPEER — The second annual Project Homeless Connect event takes place today, Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Lapeer Center Building, 425 County Center St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, are invited to attend the free event, which this year is funded in part by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Lapeer Kiwanis. A total of 17 local agencies helped to plan this year’s event.

Free services at the event include haircuts, dental exams, job training and more. Lunch, clothing, food to take home and personal care items also will be handed out.

All services are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free PAD sceenings

LAPEER — Lapeer Regional Medical Center is offering free PAD (peripheral arterial disease) screenings to raise awareness of the disease — a dangerous but often overlooked condition that occurs when fatty deposits build up inside vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys.

Vascular disease is associated with high mortality rates. It most often strikes people over age 50, especially those who are diabetics, have a history of high cholesterol or blood pressure or who have smoked for 10 years or more.

Candidates for testing must have at least two of the four risk factors to be eligible for the free screening — offered by appointment only from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 4, 19, 25, and March 11 at LRMC’s main campus, 1375 N. Main St.

The screening takes a few minutes and is simple and painless. It can detect such things as decreased circulation in lower extremities, the presence of aneurysms that could rupture and be fatal, and blockages in your carotid arteries that could lead to stroke.

To see if you’re eligible for this free screening, call toll free 1-800-453-5151.

Zumba-A-Thon

LAPEER — Check out an introduction to Zumba Gold, an exercise routine including dance moves set to dance music, during a Zumba-A-Thon at the American Legion, 1701 W. Genesee St. at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. The class is $5 and normally held on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for one hour. Details: 810-664-9312.