Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 2016)
Polk County Living Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 29, 2016 9A Pet owners beware, flea season is heating up MILITARY HONORS Pet owners seeking remedies or prevention techniques have several good choices By Bruce Pokarney Oregon Dept. of Ag Summer has officially ar- rived and the Oregon De- partment of Agriculture is offering advice to pet owners who can take several steps themselves in providing re- lief from fleas. An array of pesticide products on the market are among the tools that can be used to effective- ly control fleas, but they come with the usual caution of needing to be handled properly. If occasional high temper- atures this spring are any in- dication, summer might be blazing hot, which often exacerbates the skin irrita- tion of pets that comes with flea bites. If that happens, pet owners will need to be ready for action. The first order of business is to verify the issue. “Make sure your pet has a flea problem,” says Rose Kachadoorian, entomologist with the Oregon Depart- ment of Agriculture’s Pesti- cides Program. “They may be scratching themselves, but it could be a food allergy or pollen. Work with your veterinarian to establish whether the problem is caused by fleas.” If the answer is yes, pet owners can improve the con- ditions that lead to flea infes- tations. Prevention tactics are usually best started in the spring. However, there is still plenty that pet owners can do now. A thorough cleaning and vacuuming of the house — especially where pets sleep — is a good start. “I would vacuum my house at least every other day, if not every day, to suck up fleas and their eggs,” says Kachadoorian. “Also wash the pet’s bedding once a week with hot, soapy water.” The most fastidious clean- ing job in the world might not be enough if your pet al- ready has fleas. Persistence in cleaning and early treat- m e n t i s t h e k e y. There are a number of adult flea control products avail- able on the market, includ- ing spot-on topical products that are usually applied monthly. Some of the spot- on products also contain growth regulators that inhib- it the development of imma- ture flea life stages. Pets can also be given tablets orally contain- ing these insect growth reg- ulators. Flea collars and ul- trasonic devices have had limited success, according to Kachadoorian. Again, a conversation with your veterinarian is an im- portant step to take. “Most of these products usually work very well,” says Kachadoorian. “They U.S. navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Susan C. Damman/ Released PHOTO FROM iCLIPART “Make sure your pet has a flea problem,” says Kachadoorian, entomologist with the ODA’s Pesticides Program. “...it could be a food allergy or pollen. are so much more effective than the old days of putting a dust or spray on the ani- mal or giving them a flea bath.” Remember — most of these products are consid- ered to be pesticides. Care and caution is required to use these flea control prod- ucts because, if used incor- rectly, the pet could have a bad reaction. For example, a product’s label may say that it is to be used only on dogs. Some ac- tive ingredients in products are not toxic to dogs but may be lethal to cats; an example would be permethrin. Product labels also pro- vide instructions on the ap- propriate age and weight of the animal being treated. If your pet experiences a bad reaction from a spot-on product, immediately bathe the pet with mild soap, r inse with large amounts of water, and call your veterinarian. Ask your vet to report the reaction through the National Pesti- cide Information Center’s Veterinary Pesticide Incident Reporting Portal at <http://npic.orst.edu>, or call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378. MI TOWN How quickly these sum- mer days fly by; the flowers are blooming everywhere and our backyard gardens are beginning to really put on a show, with the promise of fresh fruits and vegeta- bles just ready to be en- joyed. The birds compete with us daily to find the very best of the strawberries and raspberries, but we manage to get just enough for short- cake or to add something special to a dish of vanilla ice cream. Even the marion- berries are beginning to ap- pear, and although it seems a bit early in the season — there’s no complaining about our very favorite gar- den berry. — We’re all looking forward to all the Fourth of July ac- tivities, and it’s great to have all the information available in this week’s Itemizer-Ob- server. We certainly appreci- P ATTY T AYLOR D UTCHER Columnist ate all the hard work and dedication from so many volunteers in our communi- ties to make America’s Birthday a very special time for everyone. — Many families in MI Town are grateful for the school breakfast and lunch pro- grams that are administered through their local schools. Students are provided with healthy and wellbalanced meals, at free or reduced prices, depending on par- ents’ income. During the summer months, this pro- gram does continue. Lunch- es are available weekdays at noon, at no cost for all chil- dren up to the age of 18 at the following areas: Tal- madge, Ash Creek, Park West apartments, Henry Hill and Independence elementary. This special summer pro- gram runs through Aug. 24. — After looking at commu- nities all over Oregon for a couple of years, we decided to make the move from Tu- alatin — a suburb of Port- land — to Monmouth. We liked the community, espe- cially the library and senior center, and the opportunity to live in a college town, where there would be lots of activities and interesting things to do. It’s now been 16 years that we’ve lived in this dear old house and have never regretted for a moment leaving the city/suburban environment for a community where (al- most) everybody knows your name. — I recently had the oppor- tunity to ride along with a Polk County Deputy Sheriff — and it was a really good experience. The coopera- tion and communication between officers and other state and local agencies is caring and considerate and very positive, and helps me to understand more about how vital and necessary these officers are to all of us. — My son, Geoff Lukinbeal is participating in an REI- sponsored hike to the sum- mit of Mt. Shasta in north- ern California. He’s been training for many months now, while working hard and being involved with community activities with his wife, Tammy and their children (two in college and one in high school). PEDEE NEWS “Deep Sea Discovery — God is With Me Wherever I Go!” is the theme of this summer’s Vacation Bible School ( VBS) at Pedee Church. VBS is the week of July 11-15 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for kids from age 3 through grade six, although coordinator Allison Barn- hart would love to have the older kids help. You can reg- ister now at the church or during that week (any day) at 9 a.m. — Steve and Audrey Cameron’s granddaughter Caitlin Kelley, her husband Zach, and their two kids Nic and Addi came from Texas to visit last week, as well as Caitlin’s brother Chris, their mom Donna Lankford and her two children, Isabelle and Jackson. Everyone had fun up at Aunt Stephanie’s farm, horseback riding and seeing all the animals. They also connected with A RLENE K OVASH Columnist Caitlin’s uncles: Clayton Cameron, his wife Jenny and son Noah, and James and wife Eliana from Mil- waukie while here. Clayton was on his way to Bristol Bay to fish the salmon sea- son there. — The Camerons also spent a few days at the beach be- fore Caitlin and family flew back to Texas. Nic and Addi are anxious to fly Great- Grandpa Steve down to Dal- las to build a “dolly house” for them like the one he built for Stephanie in the Cameron backyard over 40 years ago. — Bill Chertudi was happy to have son John down from Camas, Wash., to watch the U.S. Open golf tournament with him on Father’s Day. They are both golfers and try to get together to play as often as they can. Our Father’s Day was cel- ebrated at Dave and Suzanne Burbank’s with grandson Derek, his fiancée Ashley Grucza, her father, Scotty Grucza, and our daughter, Lorraine Odell. We barbecued mooseburg- ers, a surprisingly delicious substitute for beef. That was a big moose, though, so we’ll be eating them for a long time to come! — Eight of the Kings Valley Charter School seniors and two guests took the trip of a lifetime to Moab, Utah, where they white-water rafted on the Colorado River and hiked the trails of Canyonlands and Arches national parks. On the way there they stopped at the Bonneville Speedway near Salt Lake City and, going home, they stopped at Bear Lake and went through Minnetonka Cave nearby. They took an RV and car, driven by Tim and Diana Barnhart, and stayed in campgrounds along the way, for an economical trip. Pedee senior Levi Bault was on the trip with Pedee friend Glenn Mott, but managed to squeeze in a graduation party for friends and family at the Women’s Club on ,June 11. — Save the date: The Pedee Women’s Club is planning a quilt show for Sept. 9 to 10. If you’re from Pedee and have quilts you’d like to show (old or new), please contact LaVerne Bennett at 503-838-0751. The group would like to show around 50 quilts. Early Deadlines! Our office will be closed Monday, July 4 th 2016 in observance of Independence Day. Deadlines: 147 SE Court Street, Dallas, Oregon 97338 503-623-2373 • FAX 503-623-2395 Paul Disney Community Events . . .Thursday Noon Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thursday Noon Display Ads . . . . . . . . .Thursday 2 pm Letters to Editor . . . . . . .Friday 10 am Classified Display . . . . . .Friday 11 am Classified Line Ads . . . . .Friday Noon Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . .Friday Noon PHILIPPINE SEA — Seaman Paul Disney, of Dallas, re- ceived the Sailor of the Day award from Capt. Greg Huff- man, USS John C. Stennis’ (CVN 74) commanding officer, and Command Master Chief Trenton Schmidt. Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo- Asia-Pacific, John C. Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet de- ployment. WEDDINGS Jensen-Wilfahrt Carsten Jensen, of Portland, and Sarah Wilfahrt, of Gre- sham, were married on May 29 at World Forestry Center, in Portland. Sarah is the daughter of Pam and Jim Wilfahrt, of Salt Lake City. She went to school at Park City High School in Utah, and studied EMS Wilderness Rescue at the Univer- sity of Utah. Carsten is the son of Kathy and Chris Jensen, of Inde- pendence. He graduated from Central High School, and earned a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Arizona. Sarah works as an apprentice guide dog mobility in- structor at Guide Dogs for the Blind, in Boring. Carsten works as an information analyst at Kaiser Permanente, in Portland. The couple honeymooned on a raft trip in the Grand Canyon. They make their home in Happy Valley. BIRTHS Pittman Wesley David Pittman was born at 3:58 p.m. on June 19 to Andrea and Randy Pittman, of Monmouth, at his home in Monmouth. He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 21 inches long. He joins Miyanna, 8, and Madeline, 5. Grandparents are Jim and Anne Simila, of Monmouth, and Nate and Debbie Pittman, of Cazenovia, N.Y. Great-grandparents are Barbara Fleming, of West St. Paul, Minn., and Margaret Pittman, of Fayetteville, N.Y. Wellong Eric Russell Wellong was born on June 19 to Rebekah and Stephen Wellong, both of Salem, at Salem Family Birth Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Grandparents are Susan and Scott Roberts, and Kellie Walker and Russell Walker. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Continued from page 8A — WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 • Monmouth Business Association — 7:30 a.m., Monmouth Main Street Park Amphitheater. A meeting of business people, the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce director, and city officials. 503-751-0147. • Indoor Play Park — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, First Presbyterian Church, 879 SW Levens St., Dallas. Drop-ins welcome. For ages infant through pre-K with parent. Free, but donations accepted. 503-623-3397. • Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank — 10 a.m. to noon, Monmouth Christian Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth. For eligible community members; available every Wednesday. 541-404-6517. • Senior meals, Dallas — 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, LaCreole Manor, 204 SW Walnut St., Dallas. Free, but $3 dona- tion suggested. Reservations required. 503-623-6232. • Senior meals, Monmouth — 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. Free, but $3 donation suggested. Reservations required. 503- 838-2084. • Scrabble with Betty — 1 p.m., Independence Public Li- brary, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. Scrabble games first Wednesday of every month. Free; refreshments and prizes available. 503-551-7687 or 503-838-1811. • Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank — 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutoff Road, Building E, Dallas. Weekly distribution for eligible community members. 503-831-5634. • Gentle Tai Chi Stand or Sit — 2 to 3 p.m., Dallas yoga and Balance Studio, 115 Court Street, Dallas. Free. Slow body move- ments for improved balance, agility, flexibility and meditation. 503-999-8016. • Yarning for Others — 3 to 5 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. Knitters and crocheters gather to make clothing and accessories for those in need on the first Wednesday of every month. 503-689-7222. • Music in the Park — 6:30 p.m., Main Street Park, Mon- mouth. Ben Rice Blues Band. Free. www.ci.monmouth.or.us. • Brew and BS: The Old Testament — 7 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. A lecture series on the Old Testament. Bring brew of choice — coffee, tea, chai, beer, wine, cider. 435-503-4304. Recycle this newspaper.
