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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2003)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, October 16, 2003 Volunteers make a difference by Audeen Wagner Community Forums Successful Aging: The first of these free fo- rums is set to begin Octo ber 22, with a presentation by Cathy Rozinek, Clinic Manager at Providence Family Medicine-Vernonia. This program is designed for men and women between the ages of 25 and 100! (George Burns once said, “ If you live to be 100, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.”) Cathy will put to rest many of the myths about aging, talk about what are the expected and nor mal changes with aging, and when you should seek medical assistance. “Bring a friend and some suggestions for future topics you would like to hear about,” Cathy said. “Join us on Wednesday, October 22, from 10:30 til 11:30 a.m., at the Senior Center.” Correction: Speaking of Cathy, her office number was wrong in my last article. Her correct number is the same as the clinic: 503-429-9191. Sorry. Flu Vaccine: Flu vaccine is now available at Providence Family Medicine Clinic for $15.00. Established patients need to call for an appoint ment (503-429-9191) and the clinic will get you right in. For those in the community who are not Providence patients, the clinic will be offering two dates for you to get your flu shots. All non- established Medicare patients must pre-register before getting their shots. This may be done by dropping by the clinic with your Medicare card (they will make a copy of it), and giving the clin ic your information for billing. All other non-es- tablished patients may drop in during the hours listed below and pay $15.00 cash (no credit cards or checks accepted): Tuesday, Oct. 28, 12:00 noon til 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct 30, 9:00 til 4:00 p.m. Mammogram: The next visit of the Mam- movan will be Wednesday, Oct. 22. Call the clin ic to schedule an appointment. Can you pass this quiz on childhood dental health? With the school year well under way, it’s time for adults to try this short quiz. Question 1 : What is the most common chronic childhood dis ease? (This will surprise you.) Question 2: What adds more sugar to a typical two year old’s diet than cookies, candies and ice cream combined? (Hint: it isn’t bubble gum.) Question 3: What is an im portant reason Oregon preg nant women and parents of ba bies and toddlers should pay even more attention to child hood dental health than resi dents of most states? Now, let’s look at the an swers. The most common chronic childhood disease is tooth decay, affecting five to eight times more children than asthma. It’s a disturbing fact, yet the problem is largely preventable, in cluding the condition also known as “baby bottle tooth decay.” Prevention is important be cause early childhood cavities have been linked to other con ditions such as ear and sinus infections, delayed growth and development, speech problems and low self-esteem. In the crib, don’t leave baby nursing on a bottle. Introduce oral hygiene at the first sign of a tooth. During the first three years, a dentist may paint fluo ride on the teeth. Don’t permit the child to graze on sugary high-carbohydrate foods and drinks such as juices, candy and cereals. Regularly check the child’s gum line for white spots on front teeth that signal the start of decay. The answer to the second question is soda pop. Soda ac counts for a fourth of all bever ages consumed in the United States, or a 12-ounce can, dai ly, for every American. More than half of teenage boys drink three or more cans a day. Failure to follow some sim ple rules of good dental health are among the reasons 57 per cent of Oregon children in grades 1 to 3 have had cavi ties, 24 percent have untreated decay and 16 percent (almost one in six) have rampant decay. As a result, Oregon is paying increasing attention to dental health and recently won federal grants to establish a statewide oral health program and to start dental sealant programs in Oregon schools. This relates to the third questions: Oregonians should pay special attention to good dental health because so few Oregonians live in communities with fluoridated water. Only 25 percent of Oregon’s population has fluoridated water, compared with 62 percent, nationally. Like the tests Oregon stu dents will take in school this year, this is serious business with long-term consequences. But, good oral health also can be won by a healthy dose of prevention. Whether it’s a thinner waistline or a healthier lifestyle... ‘Hfc Can 9{e[p! sugarfree - bow carb - diabetic jnendfy Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 51606 Columbia River Hwy. Scappoose (503) 543-2227 dlova dad ^Wodi. ------- *------- M A R K E T Volunteers Make All The Dif ference! A new, collaborative approach in meeting victims’ needs is being offered by the Columbia County District Attor ney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Community Corrections, Co lumbia County Child Abuse As sessment Center and Colum bia County Women’s Resource Center. To address current volunteer services, trainings and budget cuts, the five agencies have come together to ensure that victims’ service providers con tinue to deliver quality services to victims and their families in Columbia County. The new program combines efforts from all five agencies. The Columbia County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance program provides legal advo cates working within the District Attorney’s office to serve vic tims of crime with restraining or der assistance, CVCP referrals for counseling, medical, lost wages, and funeral expenses. The Columbia County Sher iff’s Domestic Violence Reduc tion Unit (DVRU) provides on scene response to victims of do mestic violence and sexual as sault. The DVRU advocates offer immediate crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional sup port, resources and referrals to victims at the scene of the crime. DVRU is an important part of law enforcement’s goal to make a dif ference in the quality of lives of victims and their children. Community Corrections pro vides a restitution advocate to facilitate the process to assist victims of crime collect financial compensation from offenders through the court system. The advocate also assists victims with direct victim services and restitution issues after sentenc ing. The facilitation includes in formation and referrals, helping the victim present a request to the District Attorney’s office, in vestigating offenders' assets, reporting findings to the court and monitoring restitution pay ments. The Child Abuse Assessment Center serves alleged child vic tims of abuse and/or domestic vio lence up to 17 years of age. Ser vices include assessments, foren sic interviews, child therapy, edu cational program presentations, information and referrals, crisis counseling, assistance with filing Crime Victims Compensation, and support services for caregivers. Columbia County Women’s Resource Center provides cri sis intervention, counseling and advocacy. Services include community education, informa tion and referral services to ad dress the needs of women and children in crisis as a result of domestic violence and/or sexu al assault. The Women’s Re source Center also operates the only 24-hour crisis hotline and shelter in the county. The Starting Place shelter is de signed to comfortably house 26 individuals. It is a safe and se cure facility where women and children can stay while other living arrangements are being addressed. On O ctober 27, the five agency volunteer training pro gram will begin. Volunteers come from all backgrounds but they all care about children and families. Some can give only a few hours a month, others give on a weekly basis. Interested volunteers should call 503-366-3914 for an appli cation. In order to attend the October 27 volunteer training program, applications must be received by October 17. The Health Habit - Terry’s Gym # # NOTICE TO ALL ACES * # Tired? Depressed? No Strength? No Energy? Overweight? Frequently III? Aches & Pains? If any or all of the above fits you, you need help. Poor nutrition and lack of exercise may jeopardize your very life. High cholesterol, hardening of arteries, stiff joints, arthritis, heart disease, and many other health concerns may result from poor living and eating habits. Add years to your life and life to your years! Do s o m e th in g good fo r y o u rs e lf - jo in a h e a lth clu b! Y our h e a lth should m a tte r m o st! Call Today: 503-429-0501
