OF THE Month Question

Compiled by Jan Weeks

Don Bell - Grand Junction

“I was in the Badlands of Wyoming when the driveshaft of my van fell out. I had to be at work in North Dakota the next morning. A fellow pulled over and took me to the nearest town, and found another fellow who went out and towed my van to a shop, where the owner refused payment. The van worked fine for years!”

Cynthia Zaits - Grand Junction

“I was hiking a mountain in Vermont with my husband and his gung-ho buddies, who were ahead of me. I slipped on wet leaves and broke my leg. They came back and were helping me down the trail when two young men arrived and took me the rest of the way to trailhead. I never knew their names but have never forgotten them.”

Janine Briscoe - Orchard Mesa

“A man once paid for my groceries at Walmart. I told him I have enough to buy my own, but he insisted. So, I paid it forward at City Market, when a man and his son didn’t have enough to get all of their order. I just couldn’t let a child go hungry.”

Vicki

Flanagan - Grand Junction

“I was going to lunch in Palisade with a friend when I hit something and put a hole in my tire. A man stopped and changed my tire, and refused to take any money for his help. People are really good.”

VA Western Colorado Health Care System earns prestigious award for quality care

VA Western Colorado Health Care System underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on January 10, 2023. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with Hospital, Behavioral Health and Home Care standards spanning several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, medication management, mental health programs, care of veterans in the home, and rights and responsibilities of the veteran. Out of 1,405 elements of performance, VA Western Colorado Health Care system scored a success rate of 97.5%, earning them the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital, Behavioral Health and Home Care re-accreditation. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

Canadian pharmaceuticals could provide big savings for Coloradans

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (DHCPF) is close to making it possible for Coloradans to access savings on drug costs by getting imported pharmaceuticals from Canada—as much as 65% on average. DHCPF estimates that the Colorado Importation Program may be operational by mid 2023. Drug manufacturers approved by the FDA will sell the eligible prescriptions to Colorado’s foreign seller, AdiraMedica, which is located in Canada. AdiraMedica will export the eligible prescription drugs to Colorado’s Importer, Premier Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. wholesaler based in Idaho who will test, relabel and distribute to Colo- rado pharmacies. Colorado’s list of 112 medications include those that treat conditions such as respiratory diseases, cancer, HIV and more. DHCPF projects savings as high as 91% for antipsychotics, 80% for smoking cessation, 78% for Type 2 diabetes, 73% for blood thinners and 60-70% for multiple sclerosis, respiratory and women’s health. Consumers, including Medicare beneficiaries, will want to check to see which pharmacies are participating in the program and whether their health plan covers imported drugs. Check for registered pharmacies in Colorado at dpo.colorado .gov/pharmacy.

AARP Driver Safety Classes in Grand Junction and Fruita

Take the AARP Driver Safety course and you could be eligible for a multi-year discount on your auto insurance. Plus, the course teaches proven driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers.

• Fruita class is from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on March 11. Register by calling 970-433-0384.

• Grand Junction class is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 30. Register by calling 970-243-2531.

Out West Books features local author events in March

Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., Come to Out West Books, 533 Main St. in Grand Junction, to meet with local authors and hear them speak about their books. Visit outwest books.co/events for details or call 970-986-8086.

Need resources for human services, but don’t know where to start? Call 211

National 211 day in February recognized and spread awareness about the free resource number helping locals across Western Colorado connect with essential resources in their communities. The free, confidential, easy to remember phone number and website (wc211.org) connects residents to essential community information and services including healthcare, housing, food, transportation, employment, childcare, veterans’ services, tax filing, COVID testing, substance abuse and much more. When you dial 211, the call is answered by a local trained information and referral specialist, who discerns your need, then searches a comprehensive database of relevant human ser-

Mike’s 2nd annual Breath Day Golf Tournament

Mike Spradlin, survivor of a double lung transplant, hosts his second annual charity golf tournament to benefit lung transplant recipients and research. The tournament will occur April 29, 2023, at Adobe Creek National Golf Course in Fruita. Mike, now fully recovered, is paving the way for others to find life-saving surgeries and you can help to. Go to NoMoO2golf. corsizio.com or call 970-985-0061 for more details or to sign up.

Plateau Valley Historical Preservation Society has historical books for sale

Plateau Valley Historical Preservation Society (PVHPS) has a large selection of historical books for sale. Many of them are by local authors and feature Plateau Valley, Grand Mesa, Mesa County, the Western Slope and Colorado in general. Books are available at Mesa Bloom Market in Mesa and at the PVHPS office, 218 High St., Collbran, or you can call 970-487-3116 and leave a message. If you would a book shipped to you, you can pay for the cost of the book plus postage.

vice referrals. The 211 specialists then explain how to access those services. The service is designed to be a one-call solution to help cut through the confusion of calling agency after agency to locate the appropriate assistance. Take advantage of this free resource today and call 211 to get connected to the help you need.

Bundle up against hypothermia

We are used to taking action if our temperature rises above 98.6°F, but a body temperature that is too low can also be harmful. Normal aging changes in your body can make it harder for you to be aware of feeling cold, and you could be experiencing hypothermia. For an older adult, a body temperature of 95°F or lower can cause health problems, such as heart attack, kidney problems, liver damage or worse. It’s even possible for older adults to experience hypothermia inside. Make sure the furnace is set at 68–70°F. Early hypothermia symptoms include pale skin, a swollen face, slower or slurred speech, sleepiness, anger or confusion. Later signs include clumsiness, stiff limb movements, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing or blacking out.

There are steps you can take to prevent hypothermia. Dress in layers even at home, and keep blinds and curtains closed so heat will not leak out. Keep your weight up, for body fat keeps you warm. Always drink in moderation, as alcohol can make you lose body heat.

First Baptist Church hamburger/ hot dog fundraiser on March 18 Feast on hamburgers and hot dogs and help First Baptist Church raise funds for Rainbow Acres, a ranch for developmentally handicapped adults, at Camp Verde, Arizona. All money raised will be used to help remodel their Glory Hill Gazebo.