Health

June 21, 2011

Health The Examiner

• TRACEY SHAFFER

The upside of beer | Page 6

Have fun in the sun, but protect against melanoma – Page 5

• LARRY JONES

Grilling tips | Page 2

• WELLNESS 8 • NUTRITION 6 • CALENDAR 7

• Q5 – Woods family gives $120,000

to Alzheimer’s unit | Page 4

health

Page 2 Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Food service inspections l Independence The City of Independence Environmental Health Division conducts inspections anywhere food is handled, prepared and served to the public within city limits. Critical violations must be handled within 72 hours.

■ Jersey’s Sports Cafe, 17307 E. U.S. 24 – On June 8, no pump soap was found at the bar hand sink, corrected.

■ Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 20110 E. Jackson Drive – On June 13, inspectors found no paper towel dispenser present at the hand washing sink, located on the outside west end of the bar.

■ Cool Crest Family Fun Center, 10735 E. U.S. 40 – On June 14, inspectors observed a broken reach-in cooler in the kitchen; this cooler has not worked for several months. Mesh pizza pans were sitting on top of pizza oven encrusted with pizza crust and toppings; repeat violation. The ice scoop was missing from soda fountain on front counter; it was buried at the bottom of the bin. Ice was disposed of. Bins of food in prep cooler were unlabeled and undated; repeat violation.

■ McDonald’s, 11700 E. U.S. 24 – On June 14, the hand sink in the employee bathroom did not properly dispense paper towels.

■ Thirftway, 1000 W. U.S. 24 – On June 15, a cleaning bucket was found sitting in hand sink.

– Jillayne Ritchie

Food service inspections l Jackson County The Jackson County Public Works/Environmental Health Division conducts inspections anywhere food is handled, prepared and served to the public for cities other than Independence.

Raytown ■ Doughboy’s, 11559 E. 63rd St. – On May 27, inspectors found no sanitizer present in the wiping cloth bucket, corrected. The hand sink had a mixing valve with one foot pedal and water was 92 degrees, corrected.

– Jillayne Ritchie

Renew at Carmel Hills Renew also offers services to refresh your mind and rejuvenate your spirit with a facial or massage in our Spa. Renew is located in a separate area with a private entrance, and equipped with state of the art equipment and furnishings that are geared towards enhancing each step of your recovery.

Carmel Hills

Long Term Care

Our long term care services are designed for individuals who need 24 hour nursing care. These residents may be chronically ill, frail, or experiencing a very slow recovery from an illness or injury. Our long term care units offer private and semi-private rooms including room furnishings, multiple common areas and dining lounges. We offer respite care or vacation care that allows families an opportunity to take a brief break from the demands of round- the- clock care giving.

A truly innovative concept in post-acute care, designed especially for women, doesn’t just meet the needs of those recovering from an acute illness, injury or exacerbation of a disease process.

Sunset Place

at Carmel Hills The dedicated Alzheimer’s Unit offers dedicated, caring and compassionate staff well trained to assist residents in living their lives to the fullest. We offer structured activities designed to maximize interaction with each resident.

Personalized behavioral management designed to encourage participation in a calm environment.

We provide semi private and private rooms, complimentary cable television, nutritionally balanced meals and rehabilitation services.

For those seeking short term medical and or rehabilitative services, we focus our efforts on working closely with patient and family and strive to achieve the most successful functional outcomes.

Our nursing team is support by licensed therapists who provide physical, occupational, and speech therapies. This dedicated team works together to design individualized care plans tailored to each patients specific needs. We believe our best results are achieved when we work together 810 E. Walnut • Independence, MO 816.461.9600

Enjoy grilling, but keep safety in mind It’s that time of the year. Kids are outside playing, the sun is shining, the farmer’s market is in full swing… it must be grilling season!

This is a great time to enjoy the weather and some summertime favorites on the grill.

Whether you’re using a home grill or one at any of our public parks, it is important to practice food safety guidelines.

Start clean n Begin with a clean grill. Wash with hot, soapy water between uses and make sure any excess food particles are scraped off. n Wash or sanitize hands frequently: before, during, and after food preparation. Bacteria spread very easily between food, the body, surfaces and utensils. Whenever switching tasks, be sure to wash hands thoroughly before beginning something else. This is especially important after handling raw meat and/or poultry.

Thawing and marinating meat n Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, under COLD running water, or in the microwave.

Never thaw on the countertop or by the grill, this will cause the food to spoil. n Marinate meat in the refrigerator. If grilling at the park or campsite, make sure you marinate before you go! n Never use the same brush to baste raw and cooked meat. Either wash the brush with hot, soapy water between uses, or use two separate brushes. n If using leftover marinade for a sauce, always bring to a full boil to ensure it is safe to serve on cooked meat.

Use separate cookware n Use separate plates, serving dishes, cutting boards, and utensils for raw meat and ready-toeat foods to prevent cross-contamination.

Think temperature n Always use a meat thermometer to ensure

Larry Jones Larry Jones is director of the Independence Health Department. meat is at the right temperature to be safe and ready to eat. Judging by color of meat or meat juices is not foolproof and may cause foodborne illness. n Use this guide when grilling meat: – Steak: 145°F (medium rare) to 170°F (well done) – Hamburgers: 160°F – Chicken: 165°F Check the time n Don’t leave food out of the refrigerator for extended periods of time. Put all dishes back in the refrigerator within two hours of taking it out. In hot weather (90°F or warmer,) this time is reduced to one hour. n Make sure your refrigerator or cooler is cold enough to keep foods at a safe temperature below 40°F. Leftovers n Store in shallow, airtight containers that allow the food to be cooled quickly and write the date in a visible place. n Toss any grilled items after 3-4 days. n Bring reheated meats to an internal temperature of no less than 165°F read on a meat thermometer, and boil leftover sauces before reusing.

Therapeutic Riding Center Fundraiser Children and adults with special needs will celebrate their abilities and independence on horseback from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25 at the Helping Hands Therapeutic Riding Center in Greenwood.

Riders and horses dressed in red, white and blue will display their accomplishment of riding patterns in harmony to patriotic music. More than 70 individuals a week come to ride horses in order to improve their mental or physical ability.

The cost is $10. A champagne breakfast with a silent auction will be held at 9:30 a.m., with the auction closing at 11:30 a.m. The $30 cost for breakfast and the auction, includes admission to the event. For more information, visit www.hhtrc.org or call Vickie at 816-759-0111.

– Jill Ritchie

Page 4 Tuesday, June 21, 2011

health

‘Grandma’s family’ helps TMC-Lakewood

Q5

The Grandma’s Alzheimer Endowment uick Fund, established 11 years ago by Sugar Creek residents Kathleen and Joe Woods, made a $120,000 grant QUESTIONS donation on June 16 to the Truman Mediabout cal Center Charitable Alzheimer’s Foundation. Since 2010, grants from the fund have benefited the Alzheimer’s Unit at Truman Medical Center-Lakewood.

The Truman Heartland Community Foundation manages and maintains the Grandma’s Alzheimer Endowment Fund.

The majority of the fund’s money came from the proceeds of the annual “Grandma’s Dinners” that took place from 1999 through 2007. The fund began in memory of Kathleen’s mother, Caroline Rozgaj Kobe, who died of Alzheimer’s in 1997. The Woodses will continue to make grants available to facilities they select.

Truman Medical Center-Lakewood’s Dana Davis-Harris, Longterm Care Center administrator, Glenna Furrell, admissions and marketing director for Longterm Care, and Andrew Hawkins, director of intergenerational and recreational therapy for Longterm Care, discussed their professional knowledge about Alzheimer’s. The hospital’s Alzheimer’s Unit is within the hospital’s Longterm Care Center.

1

What advancements have you seen take place in Alzheimer’s disease research and education since your career began?

Hawkins: In the 10 years that I’ve been working with our Alzheimer’s residents here at Truman, we worked with Montessori programs and techniques to gauge their memories and growth or maturation before and after we started using Montessori techniques. Montessori has techniques that work for children but also translate to Alzheimer’s patients. In all cases, it showed that they had more positive aspects and were more engaging. We’ve also approached our residents with a “use or lose it” in the context of their abilities and their memory.

Davis-Harris: I started in long-term care in 1995, and since I got into this field, I’ve seen a greater education of family mem-

bers. We knew nothing in 1995, and many of the families come in educated now. When I started, family members didn’t even know the process of the disease. Also since I began, I’ve seen advancements in medication in which residents have improved over the years.

2

How do you think the aging of the baby boomer generation will affect the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease cases and research of the disease?

Davis-Harris: I think the incidence rates will go up because your population is going to go up.

Hawkins: We’re experiencing a higher volume of those who are identifying the onset of the disease earlier. In the past, I think it was a myth or a stereotype that we age-bracketed Alzheimer’s disease.

Furrell: Families will often look back at incidents that happened a couple of years ago and will look over the changes that took place and they know what was taking place.

Davis-Harris: When I started, it was people who were 70 and 80 in the actual nursing home. We tended to get them as they were further progressed in the disease process. Now, I see a population that can be as young as 40. They can catch it sooner and earlier and when their physical bodies can still function. They are much younger – that’s been amazing in the past 16 years.

3

How will the donated money benefit the Alzheimer’s Unit, a separate 20-bed, all-female unit within the Longterm Care Center, at Truman Medical Center-Lakewood?

Davis-Harris: I think the family intends for it to go to different projects for the residents. We’ve even talked about different renovations, such as duller floors that will fit an Alzheimer’s patient rather than a shiny floor. We don’t have anything specifically earmarked yet.

Hawkins: In my interaction with the family, they are compassionate and are most interested that our facility becomes a place where the residents feel like it’s the most home-like environment and has the highest quality of life, such as access in and outside, a courtyard and making things a little more stimulating and appropriate to what a home life would be like. Kathleen

Submitted to The Examiner

From left, Joe and Kathleen Woods; Jim Dawson, Executive Director TMC Charitable Foundation and Charlie Shields, COO TMC-Lakewood as the Woods family contributes $120,000 to the hospital’s Alzheimer’s Unit. and Joe Woods have already purchased a bird aviary, and we’ll be able to add things like an Xbox so they can enjoy games and activities and movements hands-free.

4

What advancements still need to take place toward Alzheimer’s disease?

Davis-Harris: We need newer and better medications to slow the process. Alzheimer’s is very ebb and flow and every patient is different in their progression, definitely.

Hawkins: There are areas in terms of education and assistance to families that continue to be expanded and the research that is done.

5

What can people do to take better care of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, including their physical and emotional needs?

Davis-Harris: Take them to a doctor and

get a diagnosis so they can get on medication.

Furrell: When we get a new admission, we get a good social history on each resident. Wherever they are going in their mind can help us calm them down. It’s real important for us to do a social history on them so we can redirect them and guide them in the right direction.

Hawkins: About six months ago, I lost my grandmother to Alzheimer’s. My grandfather’s help was a key component. One of my first pieces of advice for the family or caregiver would be to find a support group and to take care of themselves. Keep active and keep their loved one active. That’s the use it or lose it component in terms of exercise and stimulating their brain and memory in terms of crossword puzzles and photo albums. On a regular basis, kids are involved with our Alzheimer’s patients, and that is also key.

– Adrianne DeWeese

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Page 5

wellness

Children’s Mercy East to begin construction Children’s Mercy East will break ground on its Independence facility on Thursday at Interstate 70 and Little Blue Parkway. The three-story, 55,000-squarefoot location will offer pediatric outpatient clinics: The Edward G. and Kathryn E. Mader Urgent Care Center for after-hours urgent care needs; and radiology and laboratory services for the children and families of Independence, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit and Eastern Jackson County.

Children's Mercy East is expected to open in 2013, in the Trinity Woods Business Park at the southeast corner of I-70 and Little Blue Parkway (east of Blue Ridge Bank and Trust and the Corner Cafe). Children’s Mercy purchased the nine acres of land in 2007 for $2.9 million.

The J.E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma has issued a $1,000,000 challenge grant to Children’s Mercy toward the construction of Children’s Mercy East. Once Children’s Mercy has $5.5 million in new gifts and multi-year pledges from other donors, the Mabee Foundation will award the $1 million challenge grant. In order to count toward the challenge amount, the new pledges must be secured by April 13, 2012. Donations are being accepted for Children’s Mercy East at ChildrensMercy.org/HealthierAfter.

Children’s Mercy has five other locations throughout the Kansas City area that provide pediatric specialty care, urgent care, and support services. Our main campus, Children’s Mercy Hospital and the Hall Family Outpatient Center, nationally ranked pediatric specialists and surgeons, the only advanced Level IIIc neonatal intensive care unit in the region, and the region's only level I pediatric trauma center. Children’s Mercy on Broadway provides primary care in our Pediatric Care Center and Teen Clinic. Children’s Mercy Northland providing specialty clinics and urgent care. Children’s Mercy South provides inpatient care, urgent care, specialty clinics and surgery, and Children’s Mercy West/The Cordell Meeks Jr. Clinic is a primary care clinic for children from birth to age 18.

– Submitted to The Examiner

Tips for keeping yourself safe in the sun

By GateHouse News Service

A

s the weather warms, people will head to lakes, swimming pools, golf courses, walking trails and other outdoor spots in droves.

Have a good time, but protect your skin, urges Dr. Leland Smith, a board-certified dermatologist on the staff of Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

“Avoiding excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, sun lamps and tanning beds may decrease your risk of developing melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer,” Smith said. “Melanoma makes up a small percentage of all skin cancers, but it kills the largest number of people.”

Melanoma can grow anywhere on your body, but people with light skin tones are more likely to develop this form of skin cancer on the back, arms, legs, face and other exposed areas, Smith said.

People with dark skin tones may find melanoma in areas that receive little or no exposure to the sun.

Melanoma has been found under fingernails and toenails, between the toes, on the palms of the hands, on the soles of the feet and in the scalp, among other places.

“The first sign of a problem may be changes in an existing mole or the growth of new or unusual-looking tissue on otherwise normal-looking skin,” Smith said. “Normal moles are typically oval or round in shape, usually uniform in color and have a distinct border. If you discover a suspicious growth, contact your doctor.”

The ‘ABCDE’ rule

Self-examination

The American Academy of Dermatology has developed the “ABCDE” rule to help people remember the signs of melanoma: n Asymmetry: One half of a mole or darkened area on the skin is different than the other half. n Border irregularity: The edges of the mole or growth are notched, uneven or blurred. n Color: The mole’s color is uneven and may include shades of brown, tan or black. n Diameter: The diameter of the mole or other growth is more than 6 millimeters, the size of a pencil eraser.

• Evolving: A mole or lesion is changing in size, shape or color.

If you have symptoms of melanoma, your doctor may perform a biopsy to examine the suspicious tissue, Smith said. The type of biopsy will depend on the size and location of the suspected melanoma.

The best time to perform a self-examination for melanoma is after you bathe or shower, according to the National Cancer Institute. Check your skin in a room that has plenty of light, and use a full-length mirror as well as a hand-held mirror to see hard-to-reach places.

Begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles and other skin markings are, how they normally look and how they usually feel. You may want to write down the dates of your self-examinations and describe the appearance of your skin.

It is important to look for the following on a regular basis: n New moles that look different than your other moles. n New flesh-colored bumps that are firm. n Sores that have not healed. n Changes in the size, shape, color or feel of existing moles. n New patches that are flaky, somewhat raised, or are red or darker in color.

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July 4th is a time when Americans celebrate their freedom with NOISE, NOISE, NOISE. Noise exposure is a serious-yet preventable-problem. Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is caused by exposure to loud sounds and usually occurs painlessly over a period of time, but may occur from one exposure to an extremely loud noise. It is also permanent.

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Audiologists are hearing health care professionals who specialize in preventing, identifying and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids and other assistive listening devices. call us TODAY!

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health

Page 6 Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The health benefits of drinking beer While red wine is often touted for its hearthealthy benefits, more evidence is showing that when consumed in moderation, beer contains several health-promoting qualities as well, according to an article published in the Winter 2011 issue of the American Dietetic Association's member publication, ADA Times.

Beer delivers essential nutrients with health benefits.

Interest in artisan brewing is gaining momentum. There are currently more than 100 different categories of beer. A recent report from the global research group Mintel showed that nearly 60 percent of beer drinkers say they like to try craft or microbrew beers, and 51 percent would try more if they knew more about them.

Because beer is made using the plant sources barley and hops, it contains a considerable amount of nutrition; however, the brewing process, ingredients and proportions used can all influence the nutritional content of each beverage. n Calories and Macronutrients – Beer provides fewer calories per ounce than wine and contains both protein and carbohydrates (protein – 4 percent of total calories; carbohydrates

Tracey Shaffer Food for Thought Tracey Shaffer, RD, LD, is a Hy-Vee dietitian at the Blue Springs location The information provided should not be construed as professional medical advice. E-mail her at 1033dietitian@hy-vee.com.

– one-third of total calories). n Dietary fiber – Research published in the 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, found that lager contains 2 grams of soluble fiber per liter,

while dark beer has 3.5 grams of soluble fiber per liter. n Vitamins and Minerals – One 12-ounce regular beer contributes a line-up of B-vitamins. The mineral composition of beer (potassium, magnesium and phosphorus) is equal to that of wine; however, beer is the winner when it comes to selenium and silicon content. Selenium aids in the protection against cancer and heart disease. Silicon works to strengthen the connective tissue between bones. n Antioxidants – Like wine, beer also provides health protective phytonutrients called polyphenols, which help defend against cancer.

Moderate intake of any alcoholic beverage (defined as one 12-ounce alcoholic beverage for women; two for men) has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clotting.

Moderate drinking is also linked with a lowered incidence of gallstones, decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and improved cognitive function in older adults. Beer has been associated with lowering the risk of kidney stones in men, possibly due to beer’s high water content and diuretic effect. In addition, substances in hops

may also slow the release of calcium from bone that is implicated in kidney stones.

If you want to choose the most nutritious beer, consider these points from the American Dietetic Association: the more malt in the brew, the more B-vitamins; the more hops, the more phytonutrients; and darker beers may have more dietary fiber than their lighter counterparts.

Beer-boiled shrimp Serves 8 2 cups beer 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 celery stalk, chopped 2 teaspoons salt 1 bay leaf 1/2 lemon, quartered 2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp Bring beer, garlic, celery, salt and bay leaf to a boil; simmer 10 minutes. Add lemon and shrimp. Boil 5-6 minutes until shrimp turn pink. Drain and cool.

Reaching out, and saving young lives Submitted to The Examiner St. Mary’s Medical Center

“Love and desire are the spirit’s wings to great deeds.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Like many nurses, Amber Trayford RN, BSN, NNP/BC showed interest in her profession early in life, but it was a personal and heartrending experience that led her to become the neonatal nurse practitioner she is today.

During her senior year in high school, Trayford’s cousin delivered twins with Zellweger syndrome.

Zellweger syndrome is the most severe of a group of four related diseases called peroxisome biogenesis disorders. These inherited conditions damage the white matter of the brain and affect how the body metabolizes certain substances in the blood and organs.

The prognosis for infants with Zellweger syndrome is poor. Most don’t survive the first six months, and typically succumb to respiratory distress, gastrointestinal bleeding or liver failure. Of her cousin’s babies, one died at four months and the second lasted eight.

Helping her cousin through this sorrowful time, Trayford was impressed by the staff at Children’s Mercy Hospital, where the babies were being treated. They took great care in preparing the family for the all too brief time TRAYFORD they would have together. “I just thought, how awesome and compassionate they were,” remarked Trayford, adding, “They were a family down there.”

Trayford went on to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Central Missouri State University with the solitary goal of taking her passion to the Children’s Mercy neonatal intensive care unit. On the advice of staff, she opted to gain some experience prior to working in an intensive care setting by completing a year of work on a medical/surgical floor prior to joining the NICU. With her sights set on a master’s

degree, she worked for two and a half years before tackling the classroom again.

“They like you to have some time in the NICU before gaining a master’s and I decided to do that up front,” says Trayford.

A special work-study program helped pay for the heavy class load she would be involved in for the next three years, followed by a fivemonth, 40-hour-per-week clinical stint and finally the board exams.

For several years, neonatal nurse practitioners at Children’s Mercy have rotated through a number of area hospitals to provide neonatal expertise to the greater Kansas City area in order that babies requiring specialized care can remain in the same hospitals as their mothers. Prior to this rotation, newborns needing specialized neonatal care were typically transferred to Children’s Mercy.

St. Mary’s Medical Center NICU is the primary home away from home for Trayford, who again found that “family” situation that impressed her so during her cousin’s crisis. She spends nearly half her working hours there.

“At St. Mary’s, they’re very accepting,”

says Trayford, adding “They enjoy having us around to help them in a stressful situation.”

“They are also skilled in what they do and together we make the best team,”Trayford said.

Nurse practitioners provide neonatal experience that many pediatricians do not have. Not only do nurse practitioners allow many babies to stay close to their mothers, who might otherwise be transferred to Children’s Mercy for more specialized care, but more importantly, make it possible for more babies to live.

“Technology has allowed us to save many babies that in the past we couldn’t,” says Trayford.

But, even today, some outcomes are not good.

“Because of that, I turn my focus to compassion toward the families, to be there for them, as well as the baby to ease what they’re going through,” added Trayford.

People often ask her how she can do this day in and day out.

“So many blessings and good things can happen if we are there,” she maintains. There has never been a day that she wished to be in another job.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Page 7

health

healthCALENDAR Items for the Health Calendar may be e-mailed to jill.ritchie@examiner.net or mailed to: The Examiner, P.O. Box 459, Independence, Mo. 64051, attention Jill Ritchie. The following items are for June 22 through 28, unless otherwise stated.

1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

Raytown NEW DAY AL-ANON, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church. 353-5446.

Spotlights

Blue Springs Widowed Persons support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Annex A. 224-0677 or 229-8093.

Independents Singles Ministry grief support group, 7 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church. 228-3788.

Adult Bereavement support group, sponsored by St. Mary’s Medical Center, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. several times throughout the year, Vesper Hall.

To register, 655-5490.

Grief support group for children, 7 p.m.

Thursday, St. Mary’s Home Care Services office.

Other Infant loss group, sponsored by Carondelet Health. 655-5582.

Blue Springs FREE HYPNOSIS SEMINARS – Stop Smoking from 6:30 to 8 p.m. tonight; Weight Loss Management from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, A Healthy Change Hypnotherapy, 1133 W. Main St., Suite 203. These are informational seminars, not group hypnosis sessions. To register, call Mike at 816560-6903.

YOGA, MEDITATION & RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, sponsored by Mental Health America of the Heartland, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. tonight, First Christian Church of Blue Springs, 701 N.W. 15th St. Persons with depression and related mental health conditions are encouraged to attend, as well as caregivers and healthcare professionals. Free. To register, call 913-281-2221.

Independence DIABETES STORE TOUR, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Wednesday or 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Noland Road Hy-Vee. A registered dietitian will show you foods to help keep your blood sugar in check. Free. Meet at the customer service desk.

KID’S COOKING CLUB, 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday or 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, 23rd Street Hy-Vee dining area. Cost, $3. Registration and payment deadline is today. Register at the customer service.

For questions, call Amanda at 816-500-6778.

FRANK AND DAISIE WHITE COLON CANCER AWARENESS PROGRAM, presented by Truman Medical Centers, 11:30 a.m. Friday, Fairmount Community Center, 217 S. Cedar Ave. Featuring Frank White, Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer and announcer. Call 816-404-4079 for reservations.

SERMON CENTER CLASSES, Truman and Noland roads. To register, call 816-325-7370.

KAEROBOX, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday/ Wednesday June 27-Aug. 3 (no class July 4). Cost, $40.

STEP AEROBICS, 6 to 7 p.m. Monday/ Wednesday June 27-Aug. 3. (no class July 4). Cost, $20.

INTERVAL STEP CLASS, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Monday/Wednesday June 27-Aug. 3 (no class July 4).

Cost, $25.

YOGA, 5:55 to 6:55 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday June 28-Aug. 4. Cost, $30.

Addiction groups

Independence Straight Talk, Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, First Baptist Church.

Narcotics Anonymous Help Line: 531-2250.

Living Free – Al Anon meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 1723 Appleton Ave. 461-0039.

Blue Springs ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, meetings available daily, most sessions are closed, and there are beginner meetings also, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner). There is a total of 29 meetings per week. For times, call 228-7921.

CHAPEL HILL AL-ANON, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; 9 a.m. Saturday, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

BLUE SPRINGS ALATEEN, 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday,

Bereavement groups

Miscellaneous

Independence MATERNITY UNIT TOURS, Centerpoint Medical Center. Call 751-3000 for dates and to register.

VISITING NURSE, Friday, Fairmount Community Center. They will check blood pressure, glucose levels and answer general health questions for seniors.

254-8334.

Food handler/manager permit training classes, food handler classes, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at Truman Memorial Building, 1 and 3:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Independence Health Department; manager class, 1 p.m. Monday. There is a fee. To register, 325-7803.

Blue Springs EMOTIONAL WELLNESS SERIES, sponsored

by Mental Health America of the Heartland, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. support group Tuesday, First Christian Church, 701 N.W. 15th St. Call 229-8400 or info@ fccbsmo.org.

Break Time Club, sponsored by Shepherd Center of Blue Springs, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Timothy Lutheran Church. For older adults with some physical and/or mental limitations.

A donation of $10 to the cost of the program is suggested. 228-5300.

Free legal advice for seniors, 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Vesper Hall. Legal advice provided

by Cochran, Oswald & Roam, LLC. To set up an appointment, 228-0181.

Prenatal/Infant/Child programs

Independence Natural family planning session, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nativity of Mary Parish. Fee. For reservations, 913-384-1000.

WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who

are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 404-6460 or 257-2335.

Blue Springs WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 220-1007.

Blue Springs/Lee’s Summit Tough Love support group, for families dealing with unacceptable adolescent behavior, 7:30 to 9:40 p.m.

Tuesday, First Christian Church. 913-492-1200.

Moms & Moms-to-be prenatal and postnatal class, 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, Family YMCA. 224-9620.

Kansas City WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 404-9740 or 923-5800.

Support groups

Independence Domestic violence group for men, 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Family Conservancy of Eastern Jackson County. 373-7577.

Caring Communities Kinship, 7 p.m.

Monday, Cler-Mont Community School. LiLi Moe, 796-6041.

Parkinson’s Recovery information group, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, The Salvation Army Center.

Caring Communities Divorce and Step Family, 6:30 p.m. once a month, days vary, Blue Hills Elementary School. 796-6290.

Blue Springs Overcomer’s Outreach 12-step, 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Blue Springs Assembly. 229-3298.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SELF-HELP GROUP, 6:30 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Annex B building. Call Dixie Bozarth, 229-2851.

CANCER support group, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, First United Methodist Church, Room 100. Call 2298108.

Eastern Jackson County Lupus, 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, St. Mary’s Medical Center. Call Maureen Flanagan at 350-0913.

BreathEasy, Respiratory Disease, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, St. Mary’s Medical Center. 228-5900.

PARENTS OF NICU BABIES, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, St. Mary’s Birthing Center. Moms delivering at other facilities are welcome. 655-5574, option 5.

Breastfeeding, offered by St. Mary’s Medical Center, 10 a.m. Thursday, 206 Mock Ave., Suite 101.

655-5574.

CHRISTIAN 12-STEP RECOVERY PROGRAM, 7 p.m. Friday, Blue Springs Christian Church. Call Steve, 229-7311, Ext. 243.

Lee’s Summit ALZHEIMER’S, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, The Arbor Room. Call Jeanne Reader or Jan Horn at 913-831-3888.

Cancer, 3 p.m. Wednesday, Lee’s Summit Hospital meeting room. 751-2929.

Parkinson’s Disease, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Places Restaurant and Cafe Banquet Room. 3472845.

WOMENHEART meeting, 3:20 p.m. Thursday meet at the customer service counter at the Rice Road Hy-Vee. A dietitian will take you on a tour of the HealthMarket, emphasizing heart-healthy foods.

Petro Branson, 524-5076 or Nancy Payne, 550-5552.

Kansas City – Jill Ritchie

Page 6 Tuesday, June 21, 2011

wellness

Put some TNT into your exercise routine So you thought when your high school running career ended you were done with organized track and field meets? Maybe you know a kid who would just love to get to the starting line and run. Or maybe your treadmill group at the YMCA or your little after-work running group would like to spice it up a little bit – see what you’re made of.

Heartland Athletic Services may just have the event for you. If you are between the ages of 5 and 75 (yes 75!) you are not too young or too old for an official track and field meet. Not very fast? No matter.

The Heartland Thursday Night Track Series at Van Horn High School, what do you know?

T or F? 1. Groups are separated by age AND skill.

2. The goal is to have fun.

3. It costs $5 per event.

The Heartland Thursday Night Track Summer Series (TNT) is the brainchild of the

Lori Boyajian O'Neill Sports and wellness Dr. Lori Boyajian-O’Neill can be contacted at lori.boyajian-oneill@hcahealthcare.com.

Heartland Athletic Services and the Heartland Youth Track Club. On June 30, Van Horn High School will be the site for next stop on the TNT series circuit. This is an all-comers meet designed to attract all ages and abilities with

a couple of goals in mind.First, to have fun.

Second, to introduce folks to track and field.

There are five to seven track or running events and two to three field events. Shot put, anyone?

You select your event or events at registration.

Cost for each event is $5.

Gilbert Castillo and Dr. Jack Nelson, founder and directors of Athletics at Heartland Athletic Services (www.heartlandathleticservices.com) are the masterminds behind the TNT Series.

On June 16 Van Horn was the site for the kick off of this summer’s Series. The Kansas City Police Academy will host this week, back to Van Horn on June 30 and then to Johnson County Community College for the remaining two meets.

Heartland Athletic Services has a history of running first rate meets. The TNT Series may open the doors to running for your kid, or you. For kids, this may be their first introduction to a real track and field meet. Officials are

certified by USA Track and Field. Races are hand timed and medals are awarded to the top three finishers in each group.

No, your 49-year-old-and-holding self will not be competing against an 18 year-old. In fact, you do not even have to look at the 18s. You will be placed by age and ability. Simple. Fun. This may be just what you might need to jump start your exercise plan or prepare for the Show-Me State Games (www.smsg.org). Or, just simply have fun on a Thursday night and gain some water cooler bragging rights for Friday.

The Heartland TNT Series is a terrific idea, which promotes fitness and fun. Midwest Sports Medicine Physicians is sponsoring a fund for those who may not be able to afford the $5 per event registration fee.

For more information about Heartland TNT, contact Gilbert Castillo, 816-916-6379 or gscast@kc.rr.com. On your mark. Get set. Go! 1. T 2. T 3. T