Health

July 5, 2011

Health Sunscreen The Examiner

• TRACEY SHAFFER

Get a healthy glow from within | Page 4

savvy

• LARRY JONES Buzz kill | Page 2

– page 7

• NUTRITION 4 • WELLNESS 6 • CALENDAR 5-6

health

Page 2 Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Keep mosquitoes at bay When it’s been raining, water is standing in ditches, containers and everywhere else. Did you know that mosquitoes can lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still water? These eggs typically hatch in seven to 10 days.

Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting such viruses as Malaria and West Nile virus.

Therefore, the use of personal insect repellents is necessary when coexisting with the pesky mosquito.

While more than 50 mosquito species can be found in the Midwest, only a few are a public health threat.

Homeowners can purchase mosquito repellant at most local home improvement or lawn and garden stores. When buying topical products with N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) or Picaridin, for casual use, public health officials recommend using products that contain a 10 to 30 percent concentration of DEET. It is important to note that increasing the concentration of DEET does not provide better protection, but it does provide longer protection. Apply DEET lightly on the skin. You can put it on clothing to keep mosquitoes away.

Larry Jones Larry Jones is director of the Independence Health Department.

Avoid using DEET on the hands for risk of getting into your eyes or mouth especially in young children since children put their hands in their mouths.

Homeowners can reduce mosquito populations by following these simple rules.

■ Reduce the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding.

■ Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property.

Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.

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

■ Do not allow water to accumulate at the base of flower pots or in pet dishes.

■ Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country.

■ Keep recycling containers dry.

■ Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains.

Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.

■ Do not store children’s plastic wading pools outside when not in use.

■ Do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths. This can provide breeding habitat for domestic mosquitoes.

■ Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.

Spend some extra time avoiding standing water to keep the mosquitoes away. It will make your outdoor activities more enjoyable and healthier.

Briefly l Local

Barbershop benefit this week Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics patients will benefit from the Barbershop Harmony Society Convention, which is in town through Saturday for its 73rd annual International Barbershop Convention.

Barbershoppers from all over the world will donate “Harmony Teddy Bears” to help relieve the stress, anxiety and boredom of Mercy patients, and, hopefully, help them recover faster.

Area residents will be able to donate a bear as well when they attend any of the events, all open to the public. The week is a one-of-a-kind a cappella extravaganza that has elements of “Glee,” “American Idol,” Broadway and “Saturday Night Live” all rolled into one.

The “Harmony Foundation Presents” show is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Sprint Center, which features the well-known a cappella pop group Rockapella, the current Champion Quartet Storm Front and the Gold Medalist Chorus Ambassadors of Harmony from St. Louis. For more information, visit www.barbershop.org. Passes available at the Marriott Downtown Hotel.

– Submitted

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 Page 3

Page 4 Tuesday, July 5, 2011

nutrition

Healthy skin comes from within Slathering on the SPF sunscreen before heading outside is not the only way to protect your skin from the sun’s damage this summer.

Reach for nutritious foods, loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to help protect and improve the appearance of your skin.

Did you know? n The sun can cause up to 90 percent of visible skin changes often credited to aging. n Prolonged skin exposure to ultraviolet rays can damage cell membranes, leading to skin cancer. n UV rays may also damage the connective tissues of the skin, reducing firmness and causing it to sag. n Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in foods can keep skin looking young while protecting it from the sun.

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. Email her at 1033dietitian@hy-vee.com.

Eat to protect, firm and glow Antioxidants: Antioxidants such as lycopene have been found to act as a natural sunscreen by filtering out the damaging sunlight which can lead to premature aging or skin cancer. Good sources of lycopene include watermelon, tomatoes and pink grapefruit.

be found in whole-grain cereals, whole-grain pasta and eggs.

Fluids: Keep hydrated with pure beverages to keep looking young. Think of hydrated cells as full and plump cells, and dehydrated cells as empty and saggy. Keep hydrated with natural water or try naturally flavored zero-calorie sparkling ice water.

Omega-3s: Skin cells cannot stay firm if they are not strong. Load up on omega-3s, which strengthen the cell walls of skin cells helping to keep them firm. Add omega-3s to your diet with salmon, walnuts and chia seeds.

Carotenoids: A recent study has shown that people who eat more portions of fruits and vegetables containing carotenoids per day have a more golden skin color. Eat tomatoes and carrots to help get that summer glow.

Couscous & fruit salad Serves 4 (3/4 cup each).

Minerals: Studies have shown that when levels of the mineral selenium are high, consequences from sun damage, such as sunburn and skin cancer, seem to be low. Selenium can

Try this fruit-and-nut-studded couscous salad alongside grilled salmon or chicken for supper or on its own for a fresh lunchbox treat.

All you need: 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 tbsp orange juice 1 tbsp cider vinegar 2 tsp finely chopped shallots 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper 2 cups cooked whole-wheat couscous 1 cup chopped nectarine 1 cup mixed fresh berries, such as blueberries and raspberries 2 tbsp toasted sliced almonds* All you do: 1. Whisk oil, orange juice, vinegar, shallots, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add cooked couscous, nectarines, berries and almonds; gently toss to combine. *Test kitchen tip: To toast chopped or sliced nuts, heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add nuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.

Source: adapted from Eating Well, Inc. Nutrition facts per serving: 204 calories, 9g fat, 1g saturated fat, 6g monounsaturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 4g protein, 187mg potassium.

A holiday perfect for hot dogs July is National Hot Dog Month, homage to that great American, er, German delectable.

Mom, apple pie and hot dogs. More hot dogs are consumed in July than any other month.

Hot dogs and the Fourth of July, what do you know, T or F? 1. Americans eat 10 billion hot dogs annually.

2. FDR served hot dogs to Britain’s King George VI in 1939.

3. There is a betting line for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest.

The earliest reference to sausages, according to Linda Stradley of What’s Cooking America, is found in the ninth century in Homer’s “Odyssey,” “As when a man besides a great fire has filled a sausage with fat and blood and turns it this way and that and is very eager to get it quickly roasted. . .” My, how 21st century man has not evolved.

But a sausage is not a hot dog until it is

Lori Boyajian O'Neill Sports and wellness Dr. Lori Boyajian-O’Neill can be contacted at lori.boyajian-oneill@hcahealthcare.com. placed into a bun. For that we can thank German immigrant butcher, Charles Feltman, who assembled this for his Coney Island customers in the 1860s.

According to the National Hot Dog and Sau-

sage Council, there are 20 billion hot dogs consumed annually, an average of 70 per person, and who knows how many per family dog. On July 4 alone, we consume 155 million hot dogs.

Pass the Tums.

Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, held annually since 1916, is an invitation-only event sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. For years, this was a Brooklyn spectacle but now is televised nationwide on ESPN with 40,000 fans viewing on a Jumbo-Tron and another 1.5 million at home.

Last year’s winner, Joey Chestnut, downed 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes and picked up $20,000 and braggin’ rights.

This year, a women’s division has been added with Sonya, “The Black Widow” Thomas (I’m afraid to ask) the favorite to win. I guess that glass ceiling has been shattered. Take it off of the list, girls.

As with most professional sporting events (OK, go with me on this), it is not without controversy. Japan’s Takeru “The Tsunami” Kobayashi, 5 feet, 8 inches, weighing 168 pounds, and six-time Nathan’s champion, has been accused of using muscle relaxants to allow for more efficient swallowing – a competitive advantage. This has sparked debate about whether there should be drug testing of competitors.

In sports, the drug tester directly observes urination during the collection process. Personally, I would not want to get between a toilet and these competitors after an eating contest.

For those who would like to emulate their eating contest heroes, consider that 68 Nathan’s hot dogs have a total of 20,196 calories, 1,238 g of fat and 47,056 mg of sodium, and we haven’t gotten to the potato salad and baked beans.

Happy July 4.

Answers: 1.F, 2.T, 3.T

health

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 Page 5

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 July 6 through 12, unless otherwise stated.

Spotlights

Blue Springs BLUE SPRINGS PARKS AND RECREATION SPONSORED FITNESS CLASSES, Club 7 Fitness, 1241 S. Missouri 7. All classes cost $40. To register for the following classes, call 816-228-0137.

BODYPUMP, 6:35-7:35 p.m. Thursdays July 7Aug. 25; 8-9 a.m. Saturdays July 9-Aug. 27; 9-10 a.m.

Sundays July 10-Aug. 28.

BODYVIVE, 8-9 p.m. Wednesdays July 6-Aug. 24; 9:05-10 a.m. Sundays July 10-Aug. 28.

YOGA FLOW, 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays July 6-Aug. 24; 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sundays July 10-Aug. 28; 6:35-7:35 p.m. Mondays July 11-Aug. 29.

ZUMBA DANCE, 5:50-6:45 p.m. Wednesdays July 6-Aug. 24; 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays July 11-29.

STRETCH-N-GROW – for ages 2 to 5, 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays July 13-Aug. 17, Vesper Hall. Cost, $38. Call 816-228-0181 to register.

FREE HYPNOSIS SEMINARS – Stop Smoking from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 12; Weight Loss Management from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 13, A Healthy Change Hypnotherapy, 1133 W. Main St., Suite 203. These are informational seminars, not group hypnosis sessions.

To register, call Mike at 816-560-6903.

Independence TAI CHI CHUAN, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. beginners; 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. intermediate, Wednesdays July 6-27, Sermon Center, Truman and Noland roads. Cost, $20.

To register, call 816-325-7370.

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE, 3 to 6 p.m. July 12, Westminster Hall, 417 W. Lexington Ave. Call Joy Young at 816-358-6133 for an appointment, walk-ins are also welcome, or online at www.esavealifenow. org. For questions, call Ruby Smith, 816-373-5381 or David Wade, 816-252-6101.

Kansas City SEVEN LEVELS OF HEALING, for patients and loved ones navigating the cancer journey, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Kansas City Cancer Center-South, 1000 E. 101st Terrace. Free to the public. Contact Betsy at 816-584-4832 or Betsy.Bennett@usoncology.com.

Addiction groups

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

Narcotics Anonymous Help Line: 816-531-2250.

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

Wednesday, 1723 Appleton Ave. 816-461-0039.

Community Substance Abuse Committee, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Independence Police Building.

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 816-228-7921.

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

Raytown NEW DAY AL-ANON, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Blue

Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church. 816-353-5446.

Bereavement groups

Blue Springs Widowed Persons support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Annex A. 816-224-0677 or 816-229-8093.

Independents Singles Ministry grief support group, 7 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church. 816-228-3788.

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, 816-655-5490.

Other Infant loss group, sponsored by Carondelet Health. 816-655-5582.

Fitness

Independence Gentle Tai Chi for those 50 and older, 6 p.m.

Monday, The Palmer Center. Free. 816-325-6200.

LOW IMPACT EXERCISE, 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Fairmount Community Center.

816-254-8334.

Wake Up Workout, 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. 325-6200.

Walk to the Beat, 8 a.m., Monday-Friday, Fairmount Community Center. 816-254-8334.

PEPPI exercise classes, 10:15 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. Free. To

register, 816-325-6200.

PAVEMENT POUNDERS 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.

Tuesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. 816-325-6200.

SITTIN’ FIT chair exercises class, 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, The Palmer Center. Free. 816-3256200.

STRETCH AND TONE, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, The Palmer Center. Cost, $1. 816-325-6200.

ZUMBA GOLD, dynamic workout to Latin and international rhythms, 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Palmer Center. Cost, $2. 816-325-6200.

TAI CHI by the Three Dragons Way, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sermon Center. Cost, $35 for a four-week session; $40 for a 5-week session. 816325-7370.

WALK TO THE BEAT, 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, The Palmer Center. Free. 816-325-6200.

Blue Springs Swimnastics, 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 8 to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Centennial Pool-Plex. Cost, $3.75 per visit. 816-2280137.

Therapeutic swim, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Centennial Pool-Plex.

Cost, $3.75 per visit. 816-228-0137.

Crosstrainer aerobics, 9 to 10 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Vesper Hall. 816-228-0181.

Prenatal and postnatal exercise classes, 9:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 300 N.W. Mock Ave. 816-655-5400.

Weight room for ages 50 and older, 8 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $10 per month; $2 per visit; $96 for a year. 816-228-0181.

Yoga — For beginners and beyond, 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50 per class. 816-228-0181.

YOGA-GENTLE FLOW, 6:45 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $8 per visit, $48 for six classes. 816228-0181.

Tai Chi, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Vesper Hall.

Cost, $2.50. 816-228-0181.

Stretching exercise, 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $1.50. 816-228-0181.

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM for older adults, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday and Friday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $1 per session. 228-0181. weight room orientation, 6 p.m. Thursday, Vesper Hall. Free. 816-228-0181.

Stretch AND TONE, 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50. 816-228-0181.

AQUA-AEROBICS, noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Centennial Pool-Plex. Cost, $3.75 per visit. 816-2280137.

Raytown Tai Chi, 11 a.m. Thursday, Elliott Place Retirement Community. Free. 816-313-6800.

Kansas City WALK AND TALK, 7 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday, Ascension Lutheran Church, 4900 Blue Ridge Blvd.

816-358-1919.

PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Truman Medical Center-Lakewood. 816-373-4415, ext. 1175.

Miscellaneous

Independence MATERNITY UNIT TOURS, Centerpoint Medical Center. Call 816-751-3000 for dates and to register.

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, 9 a.m. Monday. There is a fee. To register, 816-325-7803.

Blue Springs EMOTIONAL WELLNESS SUPPORT GROUP, sponsored by Mental Health America of the Heartland, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, First Christian Church, 701 N.W. 15th St. Call 816-229-8400 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. 816-228-5300.

Prenatal/Infant/Child programs

Independence WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 816-404-6460 or 816-257-2335.

Blue Springs WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 816-220-1007.

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.

CONINTUED ON PAGE 6

Page 6 Tuesday, July 5, 2011

wellness

Shaking a bad habit It’s no surprise that too much salt is bad for you. We’ve been hearing for years that Americans eat too much of it, but many of us just can’t seem to shake our salt habits.

People are advised to consume less than 2,300 milligrams (about one teaspoon) of sodium a day. Those with high blood pressure, or at risk for high blood pressure, should limit sodium to no more than 1,500 milligram a day.

A study released last month from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that overall, only one in 10 adults meet the standard for limiting consumption to a teaspoon, and the rate is even worse for people who should limit it the most-only one in 18 actually do it.

The main source of sodium in the American diet is salt. Surprisingly, the biggest factor is not the salt shaker on your table – it’s the salt in processed or restaurant food. It is most commonly found in cold cuts and other meats, but salt is hidden in soups, salad dressings, even breakfast cereal.

While it is not the only factor, consuming too much salt is linked to high blood pressure, which leads to cardiovascular disease and stroke. High blood pressure is the most com-

cans would cut their sodium intake to the level recommended by health and nutrition experts, the country would save about $18 billion a year in health care costs and quality of life would improve for millions of people. The government and other public health organizations have started to put pressure on manufacturers to cut the salt content in foods.

But you don’t have to wait for the manuGUEST COLUMN facturers to make their move. You can cut the Daniel Dunker, M.D., is a cardiologist at St. amount of sodium you consume by making a few easy changes in your diet. Try cooking Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs. with salt-free spice blends. Add flavor to food by adding herbs-dill, basil, chives and cilantro are delicious and readily available. You can also add flavor with a splash of lemon juice mon disorder in the United States, affecting more than 50 million people. Because there are or vinegar. Choose fresh foods over processed foods so you control what’s added. And when no symptoms, about a third of those with the condition are not aware of it. And, as the popu- you must used canned foods, rinse them to remove some of the salt. When shopping, read lation ages, the number of people developing high blood pressure will grow because the risk the food label. We’ve gotten used to looking at the fat content on food labels; make a habit of increases with age. In fact, the government estimates that nine in 10 will develop it in their checking the sodium content, too.

Breaking a bad salt habit can be done. Over lifetime. time, you can retrain your tastes so that lower Treating this national epidemic is expensalt foods will be better than ever. sive. Another recent study said that if Ameri-

Daniel Dunker M.D.

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Audiologists Charles E. Hare, M.S. CCC/A Roberta M. Beile, M.A. CCC/A

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healthCALENDAR CONINTUED FROM PAGE 5 Moms & Moms-to-be prenatal and postnatal class, 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, Family YMCA. 816-224-9620.

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

Screenings/Immunizations

Independence HEALTH SCREENINGS for those 50 years and older, 10 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Palmer Center.

Screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure and diabetic foot screenings. Free. 816-325-6200.

Blue Springs SCREENINGS, 11 a.m. to noon Thursday. St. Mary’s Medical Center is sponsoring free glucose, blood pressure and diabetic foot screenings.

Grain Valley IMMUNIZATION AND BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC, sponsored by the Jackson County Health Department, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Grain Valley Community Center. Blood pressure checks and childhood immunizations are free. TB tests and payable vaccines by appointment only. 816-404-6443.

Support groups

Independence Domestic violence group for men, 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Family Conservancy of Eastern Jackson County. 816-373-7577.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, Villages of Jackson Creek-Memory Care.

Free and open to the public. Call Monica Benson, 816-478-5689.

Multiple Sclerosis, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Red Lobster. 833-4151.

Moms Off Meth, 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, First Christian Church, Room 206. Free. Terri, 816-2109574.

CARETAKER’S OF PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S, 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Comprehensive Mental Health Services. Call Pat Aldridge, 816-254-3652, ext. 222.

SARCOIDOSIS support group, 7 p.m. Thursday, Trinity Episcopal Church. Jon Egger, 816-309-0381.

VOID (Victims Of Impaired Drivers), 6 to 7 p.m. business meeting; 7 to 9 p.m. support meeting, second Friday, Walnut Gardens Community of Christ, 19201 R.D. Mize Road. Call 816-536-2853.

Caring Communities Divorce and Step Family, 6:30 p.m. once a month, days vary, Blue Hills Elementary School. 816-796-6290.

Blue Springs Overcomer’s Outreach 12-step, 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Blue Springs Assembly. 816-229-3298.

Arthritis lecture series, 10 a.m. Thursday, Family YMCA. Topics: Fibromyalgia, living with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and more. 816-2249620.

Diabetes, 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center Birthing Center Conference Room.

816-655-5244.

CHADD (Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Disorder), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Care Net Clinic.

Call Jessie Roggenbach, 816-228-6222.

CANCER support group, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, First United Methodist Church, Room 100. Call 816229-8108.

– Jillayne Ritchie

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 Page 7

cover story

Awareness, new labeling keeps more people safe in the sun

By Julie Sherwood GateHouse News Service

A

few decades ago, nobody thought much about the dangers of the sun. Even parents in their 20s and 30s remember slathering on baby oil or balancing a reflector to tan their necks and chins. Today, many of those folks are taking a very different approach with their children.

“I used to be a sailing instructor,” said Amy Turner of Canandaigua, N.Y.. She spent hours in the sun. “Now I have kids.”

As she got her children, Luna, 3, and Ruby, 1, ready to leave, she displayed the one-piece outfits she had for the kids, made of lightweight cotton but able to fully cover their arms and legs.

The publicity about the dangers of the sun and skin cancer have raised awareness, and that’s a good thing, said Krysten Glore of Canandaigua, mother of Karter, 1, and Kian, 4.

“We do the sunscreen,” she said. “I am more aware now.”

She’s particularly aware of the dangers of children getting burned because experts say burns when you are young raise the risk of skin cancer later in life.

Glore said she wants her kids to get some

In a recent Consumer Reports test, the cheapest sunscreen also ranked best at protecting against the sun’s rays.

The findings: It didn’t seem to matter how expensive the sunscreen was, what form it was in or how high the SPF was, as long as it was more than 30.

The magazine’s testers found that nine of the 22 sunscreens surveyed provided excellent protection against UVB rays and very good protection against UVA rays.

The top-scoring sunscreen, SPF 45 No-Ad with Aloe and Vitamin E, earned an overall 89 points out of 100; it was also the cheapest, at just 59 cents an ounce. Compare that with SPF 40 La Roche-Posay Anthelios, which cost $18.82 an ounce, but whose score was 10 points below No-Ad.

sun, both for its feel-good benefits and for getting vitamin D. When she buys sunscreen, “I try to look for the organic, natural ones,” she said.

New labeling rules

Comparing sunscreens According to a Consumer Reports test that sized up 22 creams, sprays and lotions, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get an effective sunscreen.

The sunscreens were put into three categories: SPF 30, SPF 40-50 and SPF 50 or more.

The report noted cost per ounce and what form the sunscreen came in. The products were ranked according to how effectively they guarded against UVB rays (rays that cause sunburn) and UVA rays (rays that go deeper into the skin and cause tanning and aging).

They also looked at how well that UV protection held up after the sunscreen was applied to volunteers’ backs and submerged in water for 80 minutes.

In mid-June the FDA announced new regulations for sunscreen labels.

If products offer some protection against UVA and UVB radiation, they will carry a “broad spectrum” label.

If products only protect against UVB, the type of rays responsible for sunburn and skin cancer, they will carry the same “SPF” label as now.

However, the highest SPF level a product now will be able to claim is “50+.” The FDA will allow product labels to say a product prevents skin cancer, but only if they protect against UVA and have an SPF of 15 or higher.

UVA rays are less intense but are linked to skin aging and cancer, as well.

Further, sunscreens that say they’re water- and sweatproof now will have to list how many minutes the protection lasts.

Expect to see the new labels in about a year.

Food service inspections | 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.

■ Carrabba’s, 19900 Valley View Parkway – On June 21, inspectors found the pizza/dessert cooler on the front line near the pizza oven not working properly; it had a temperature of 60°F. All potentially hazardous

foods were removed, and a repairman was called.

■ The Rib Crib, 19801 E. Valley View Parkway – On June 21, inspectors observed the hand washing sink in the prep cooking kitchen had a large piece of a cleaning pad in it; nothing should be stored in the hand sink at any time.

– Jillayne Ritchie

Food service inspections 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.

Blue Springs ■ Nite Shades, 1325 W. U.S. 40 – On June 20, inspectors observed numerous ants and fruit flies behind the bar, mainly by the bag in box soda/ beverage dispensing area.

■ Zarda Bar-B-Q & Catering, 214 N. Missouri 7 – On June 21, eight large pans of beef brisket in walk-in cooler were found to be between 89 and 118 degrees at 2:30 p.m. Manager stated that these items were pulled from the smoker and placed in the walk-in cooler around 8 a.m. They were discarded in the trash bin and the manager poured bleach over the top of the product.

Buckner ■ Thriftway, 012 Monroe – On June 14, inspectors found whole chickens with an internal temperature of 115-125 degrees. Chickens were out for less than two hours and were reheated to 165 degrees.

■ Hawg Shed, 8 N. Central – On June 14, inspectors observed the chlorine concentration was below 50 ppm in three compartment sink.

Independence ■ Road Kill BBQ, 909 Dickenson Road – On June 24, inspectors found rusted sausage gravy cans, discarded. Establishment does not have a plumbed hand washing sink.

Lake Lotawana ■ Gibson General Store (Retail), 12416 S. Missouri 7 – On June 22, inspectors found various potentially hazardous foods in the landshire display cooler between 51° to 60°F, discarded.

■ Gibson General Store (Restaurant), 12416 S. Missouri 7 – On June 22, medicines were observed on a wire rack above the food prep table in the pizza station; corrected.

Lee’s Summit ■ El Maguey, 547 Melody Lane – On June 20, an employee beverage (open can) was observed in the large prep cooler on the cook’s line, corrected.

Several live cockroaches were observed under the kitchen hand sink and in the hallway behind the kitchen hand sink.

■ Jose Peppers, 1663 N.E. Douglas St. – On June 20, inspectors observed debris in the ice in the soda fountain ice bin by the bar. The ice was discarded and bin was washed, rinsed and sanitized.

A pan of enchiladas and a pan of cooked onions on the cook’s line were not labeled with four-hour discard times; discard times were added to the onions and enchiladas.

– Jillayne Ritchie