Page 8
The INDEPENDENT, September 1, 2005
Sept. is Nat’l Preparedness month
Health Notes
By Audeen Wagner
WALK FOR THE CURE. Providence Portland is joining up with the Susan
B. Komen Foundation to make this year’s “Walk for the Cure” a huge success.
They would love to recruit the largest team ever for the Race for the Cure; it
takes more than 3,750 people to surpass the record held by a St. Louis
turnout! Just think, we could make the Guinness Book of Records!
Donna Webb is the Team Captain for an energetic group of walkers known
as “Providence Vernonia Women Rock.” Call her at 503-429-5201 to sign up,
or for more information.
Marla at the clinic tells me that we can also join “Sleep in for the Cure”
which is a novel way that you can help even if you can’t attend. I believe it
costs the $25.00 entrance fee, and you still get the T-shirt. All of this supports cancer services
throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. For more information about the Walk for the Cure,
call the Cancer Center Resource Line at 503-215-6014 or log onto <www.providence.org/teamprov-
idence>.
SCHOOL SPORTS PHYSICAL. The “Sports Physical Day” at the high school was a big success.
If you were unable to take advantage of that program, and are interested in school sports, you MUST
have a physical examination if you are in the 7th, 9th or 11th grade. Also, if you are new to the dis-
trict this year and want to partake in a sports program, you must have a physical (or provide proof
that you have had one elsewhere). Cathy Rozinek reports that the clinic was pleased with the turnout
for the physicals, and thanks everyone who took part in making it run smoothly.
And, while we’re on the subject of school – and yes it’s that time again – parents should be re-
minded that this is a time to guard against diseases that are often picked up when children are gath-
ered together. Please make sure your child’s immunizations are up-to-date (check with your care-
giver if you are not sure), and take the normal precautions for the colds, flu, and all those other bugs
that kids seem to pick up. Happy Back-To-School!
KARMEL’S
FLOWER
PATCH
Now Relocated;
58176 Wilson Cut-off Rd.,
Vernonia
Come See us at our
New Location for
Floral, Garden Baskets,
House Plants, & Balloons
503-429-9273
OBESITY. Oregon is the only state in the union without an in-
crease in the number of overweight people over the past year, ac-
cording to a survey report from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. That’s good news! The fact that the percentage
of overweight adults in Oregon has not increased is heartening.
This may be the result of numerous efforts in recent years by
state, community and health groups to urge residents to eat right
and exercise more. Such things as developing more bike and
walking trails, (such as our Banks-Vernonia trail) and more aware-
ness campaigns seem to be making a difference in the fight
against obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions in the
U.S. Oregon’s new distinction is great, and a good start toward a
healthier lifestyle for adults and children alike. We just need to
keep up the good work!
Mammogram Schedule. The next visit will be September 21.
The van will be in Vernonia that day, parked in its usual spot in the
corner of the clinic parking lot. Call 503-429–9191 to schedule an
appointment.
VERNONIA INN
Enjoy a quiet weekend with us.
FULL SIZE, IN ROOM
HOT TUBS
Queen Beds • Private Bath • Separate Entrance
Cable TV • Phones • Handicapped Access
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL
1-800-354-9494 / 503-429-4006
Gift Certificates Available
900 MADISON AVE., VERNONIA, OR 97064
Just one block off scenic Nehalem River Hwy. (Oregon 47)
If you find it difficult to set
aside time to prepare for emer-
gencies, you’re not alone. Pub-
lic surveys list “lack of time” as
a primary reason people give
for not taking the steps neces-
sary to prepare themselves
and their families for emergen-
cies, even though they know
that emergencies have struck
and will strike again.
September has been pro-
claimed National Preparedness
Month by the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security. The De-
partment and the American
Red Cross are co-sponsoring a
campaign to encourage com-
munity readiness. In support of
National Preparedness Month
and in recognition of busy
lifestyles, the Washington
County Office of Consolidated
Emergency
Management
(OCEM) encourages citizens to
“Take “5” to Survive.”
Rather than viewing “emer-
gency preparedness” as an in-
surmountable
undertaking,
consider what you could ac-
complish in just five-minute in-
crements. During the month of
September, set yourself a goal
to complete “5” preparedness
recommendations from our “5-
minute” projects list. Make it a
team effort – involve your
whole family. Once you meet
your goal – celebrate! You’re
better prepared for the emer-
gencies ahead.
Fiver-Minute Projects List:
1. Discuss how your family
will re-unite if an emergency
separated you.
2. Practice your fire escape
plan.
3. Decide how your family
will stay warm and safe if you
lose power.
4. Choose who will be your
family’s “out-of-state” contact
person. Instruct family mem-
bers to call this person to relay
information on their welfare if
they’re separated from the rest
of the family and local phone
lines are not working.
5. Test your smoke alarms.
6. Store bottles water – one
gallon per person, per day for
at least three days.
7. Buy extra canned goods
and a manual can opener the
next time you’re at the store.
8. Work with your doctor to
make sure you and your family
members have at least a one-
week supply of necessary
drugs.
9. Verify that each person in
your home has a working flash-
light by their bed and extra bat-
teries handy.
10. Make sure all adults in
your home know how to use
your fire extinguisher(s).
For more information on
these recommendations and
others, visit the Washington
County OCEM web site
<www.ocem.org>.
Please don’t
drink & drive
this
Labor Day
weekend
Self-defense class for women will be free
The Columbia County Sher-
iff’s Office is hosting a self-de-
fense class for women on Fri-
day, September 23, at the
Sheriff’s Office Training/Confer-
ence Room, 901 Port Avenue,
St. Helens. Sign in will begin at
8:30 a.m., with class from 9:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for a
one-hour lunch period. The
class will be offered free to Co-
lumbia County residents. Atten-
dees are on their own for lunch.
Instructors will be three
deputies who are certified
through the Oregon Police
Academy as Defensive Tactics
Instructors. The course is de-
PLAN YOUR WEDDING WITH US
Dianna’s Formal Affair
New Arrivals – Great Selection
Best Prices & Don’t Forget
We Rent Tuxedos, too!
33555 E. Columbia Ave. Lorelei Village,
Suite 211 Scappoose 503-543-0291
Hrs: Tues-Fri 10-5:30 Sat 10-4
N o w
O f fe r i ng
W e dd i n g
I nv i t at io ns
& Mo re
www.diannasformalaffair.com
TUXEDO RENTAL, FORMAL & CASUAL DRESSES, JEWELRY & MORE
signed to teach participants
skills to protect themselves in
situations that could result in
serious assault or death. This
course will be taught in “hands
on” format during the six-hour
training.
All participants are asked to
bring a bottle of water and to
wear comfortable clothing,
socks and tennis shoes. Partic-
ipants under the age of 18 are
required to have a parent pres-
ent and sign a release form in
order to participate in the class.
Pre-registration is required.
To attend the course, contact
Cassy Miller, Victim Specialist
Program Coordinator, at 503-
366-4649.