health

December 21, 2010

Health The Examiner

• TRACEY SHAFFER

Add to holiday cheer with spritzers | Page 8

Welcome home!

Dr. Michael O’Dell wants to help TMC patients find their medical home | Page 4

WELLNESS 2 • CALENDAR 6-7 FITNESS 3 • NUTRITION 7-8 • LARRY JONES Now’s the time to quit smoking | Page 2

Page 2 Tuesday, December 21, 2010

wellness

Smoking cessation class starts in January Tobacco use takes a huge toll in health, lives and money on every state in the nation.

Tobacco-related health care bills cost the states and taxpayers billions of dollars each year under Medicaid and other state-funded health care programs. The good news is that state and local governments can reduce tobacco use, save lives and save money by implementing proven solutions to the problem.

According to Tobacco-Free Kids, in the last two years, the industry has launched its most aggressive marketing campaigns aimed at women and girls in over a decade. These campaigns are again putting the health of women and girls at risk.

In the latest report released by the Surgeon General, it states “that exposure to tobacco smoke, even secondhand smoke, causes immediate damage to your body that can lead to illness or death.” The report also concludes that changes to cigarettes have overtime, made them more addictive. Such changes include filter ventilation, flavoring agents, and added chemical ingredients. Today’s cigarettes have chemicals in them that deliver nicotine more efficiently to brain, addicting kids more quickly and makes quitting smoking harder than in the past.

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

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million have a serious illness caused by smoking. Despite these risks, approximately 46 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco, cigars, and pipes also have deadly consequences, including lung, larynx, esophageal, and oral cancers.

Over the past two years, Health and Human Services have stepped up their efforts to reduce tobacco use among youth and adults. Soon you

Today’s cigarettes have chemicals in them that deliver nicotine more efficiently to brain, addicting kids more quickly and makes quitting smoking harder than in the past. will be seeing new advertisements on packages. In addition, new legislation to regulate tobacco and access to insurance coverage for tobacco cessation will remain a high priority.

The Independence Health Department continues to offer smoking cessation classes to the public at no cost. The next scheduled session will begin Friday, Jan. 4. Start the New Year with a new resolve. Lower your healthcare cost and put money in your pocket. To register, call 816-325-7185 or register online at www. independencemo.org.

Briefly l Local

Blood drive later this week at Blue Springs blood center A blood drive will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday at 1124 W. U.S.40 at the Community Blood Center in Blue Springs.

Please bring a photo idenification.

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids before donating.

Cholesterol testing will be done on all units of blood. Donations will benefit local hospital patients.

All registered donors will be entered into a drawing for one of four free meals to Zarda BBQ. When checking in at the registration desk, ask that your donation be credited to code CL. Contact Paula Melton at 816 228-5704.

– Michael Glover

Delivery problem?

Call 350-6302 The Examiner

fitness

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Page 3

Coaches who inspire and foster growth are heroes to our young Americans

Follow Executive Editor Sheila Davis’ journey back into the land of chemotherapy in her blog “Fighting Lymphoma Round 2” at examiner.net

Lori Boyajian O'Neill Sports and wellness Dr. Lori Boyajian-O’Neill can be contacted at lori.boyajian-oneill@hcahealthcare.com. head to the gym or field to play catch, rebound, shag balls, whatever, just to hang out with their kids or other people’s kids. Who wipe tears, offer encouragement after a strike out and greet their young warriors with a smile and a hug, no matter the outcome of the game.

Sport teaches young athletes about trying and succeeding, about trying and failing and trying again. I celebrate athletes who sweat when others won’t, who try their best when they are tired and hurt and who are not afraid to try, fail and get back up.

I celebrate teenage referees and umpires who are just trying to make a little extra money and don’t deserve the wrath they get from some coaches and parents.

When I see my kids play games I see sport as pure, simple and fun. No contracts. No agents. No scouts. Not yet. Probably not ever.

And that’s OK. Years from now they will remember the fun and carry with them lessons for a lifetime about teamwork, goal setting and achievement. About caring coaches and supportive parents. Now that’s something to celebrate.

Happy Holidays!

Sheila Davis

HEALTH

Sport enriches our lives. Sport unites us across religions, political parties, race and nationalities.

Sport also divides us. From soccer hooligans to Oakland Raider fans, sports can bring out the worst in us and in our society. There is much about sport that disappoints us. But, in this season of joy and gratitude, I celebrate sport for the athletes that inspire and the teams I cheer.

Sport makes our communities stronger and brings us together. I celebrate the athletes, coaches and parents who sacrifice for the joy of achievement. The stuff of a successful life.

I love basketball in March when the tension is so great the hushed arena dares not draw a breath. The world stops. You feel it in your bones. Then a 19-year-old pours in a buzzer beater dissolving fans into cheers and tears.

I celebrate every single Special Olympian, their coaches and parents. They exemplify the essence of sport and embody that to which we all should aspire captured so beautifully in their athlete oath, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

I celebrate coaches who recognize that their primary role is to teach and inspire. These are coaches for whom the development of young men and women is primary and the scoreboard is secondary. Do you really remember the score of a middle school anything? How about high school? Probably not. But, you remember your coach, for good or ill.

I celebrate coaches who notice a kid whose shoes are a little too small or whose ball glove is a little too worn. Those who reach into their own wallets and do what the kid’s parents may not be able to do. Father and mother figures when a kid needs one.

Heroes.

I celebrate parents who, after a long day of work, change their clothes, forego dinner and

Page 4 Tuesday, December 21, 2010

cover

TMC launches Medical Home to keep patients healthier

By Michael Glover michael.glover@examiner.net

Truman Medical Centers is working on adding a sweeping program that provides comprehensive health care for children and adults.

The man who is leading the implementation is Dr. Michael O’Dell, the new professor and chair of the Department of Community and Family Medicine for TMC and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

His responsibilities are just as long as his title.

Judging by O’Dell’s professional experience and all 22 pages of his resume, O’Dell can handle it.

O’Dell, who started at TMC-Lakewood in August, has the task of creating a Medical Home to TMC. Medical Home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care for children and adults. Medical Home, which very few hospitals have, will include customized, evidencebased practices for each person. Preventative screenings would be routine. “Let’s screen you for the things we know you are at risk for,” O’Dell said. “Detect those early and keep you healthy longer.”

It’s keeping a record on patients and being

“Once we get to know you better and know what your health needs are we can look at your records and let you know that you could benefit from a service.”

Dr. Michael O’Dell

leading the Medical Home program atTruman Medical Centers

proactive with their health.

“Once we get to know you better and know what your health needs are, we can look at your records and let you know that you could benefit from a service.”

That could be a diet or exercise program.

The care could benefit people who suffer from chronic diseases.

A goal of Medical Home is keeping people out of the hospital.

That, in turn, reduces costs of care by as much as 28 to 40 percent.

O’Dell would like the majority of Medical Home be in place over the next couple of years.

Medical Home would reside around a medical clinic, but some of the services would provide an occasional doctor visit with no actual face-to-face interaction.

“You can call us and get telemedicine interaction where you can send in an e-mail to us,” he said. “It’s centered around patients.

“The Medical Home is designed to coordinate care better, to manage patients through transitions of care.”

Medical Homes was cited throughout the federal health care reform act.

O’Dell’s days are typically a mixture of meetings and observing patient care in the hospital.

“I’m in the hospital and clinic more and more as time goes on and that’s gratifying to me,” O’Dell said. With his extensive background as a physician, O’Dell has given recommendations to better improve patient care.

O’Dell’s job is also to oversee education of resident physicians and research activities of the department.

FYI

About O’Dell

Michael O’Dell has been a physician since earning a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Kansas in 1977. He also holds a master’s degree in health care administration and a bachelor of science degree. O’Dell joined the U.S. Navy in June 1973, serving as a staff physician and officer in charge of clinics. He retired in September 1998 as the rank of captain.

O’Dell previously was the chief quality officer and residency program director at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss.

In his professional career, O’Dell has won numerous awards, served on national and state councils, written multiple medical articles and spoke at numerous workshops and meetings.

healthSHORTS Comfort Dental offering free dental care on Christmas Eve

more than 6,000 locations in the United States.

Hy-Vee customers who sign up for Pharmacy Saver can get the $2 price on 366 of the most commonly prescribed Medicare-eligible generic Comfort Dental will once again provide free drugs. dental care to the public on Dec. 24.

To take advantage, customers must sign The dental offices will offer people either a up for one of UnitedHealthcare’s Part D prefree cleaning, a filling or an extraction. scription drug plans or one of the company’s The offices in Independence are at 3908 S. Medicare Advantage plans that includes drug Noland Road and 651 E. U.S. 24. Raytown’s office coverage during the annual enrollment period is at 9600 E. Missouri 350, and the Kansas City the runs from now until Dec. 31. Once enrolled, office is at 3315 Gillham Plaza. members show their UnitedHealthcare identifiThe free services will be on a first-come, first- cation cards at any Hy-Vee or Hy-Vee Drugstore served basis from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. pharmacy.

Get there early. Last year, people were lining To view a list of the generic drugs, go to www. up in the early morning hours at the Noland unitedpharmacysaver.com. For more informaRoad office. tion on the program, call 877 488-5587.

– Michael Glover

Some generic prescription drugs will cost $2 at Hy-Vee pharmacies

Hy-Vee is offering generic prescription drugs for as little as $2.

The grocer and its 228 pharmacies in eight states have joined Pharmacy Saver, a program started last month by UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest Medicare Part D insurer.

Through Pharmacy Saver, Medicare recipiants enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare plans have access to low-cost prescriptions at

number to know

24

A recent study revealed that 24 percent of tobacco smokers who called into the California Somers' Helpline suffered from major depression, and 17 percent had mild depression.

— American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Page 5

Page 6 Tuesday, December 21, 2010

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 Dec. 22 through 28, unless other wise stated.

Spotlights

Independence DIABETES STORE TOURS Wednesday, 10 to 11 a.m. at 23rd Street Hy-Vee; or 4 to 5 p.m. at Noland Road Hy-Vee. Take a trip through the aisles to learn which foods you should choose to control your blood sugar. Free. Tour starts at the Customer Service desk.

Blue Springs BLUE SPRINGS BLOOD DRIVE, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30, Community Blood Center, 1124 W. U.S. 40. Bring photo ID, eat well, drink plenty of fluids. Donations will benefit local hospital patients. When checking in, ask that your donation be credited to code CL. For information, call Paula Melton at 228-5704.

Addiction groups

Independence Straight Talk, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, 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, 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.

Bereavement groups

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.

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-Thursday, Family YMCA. 224-9620.

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.

Lee’s Summit

Yourtake What’s one piece of advice you can give to a young person for overall healthy aging?

Thelma Haralson Independence “A sense of humor.”

MORE ON PAGE 7

Norm Hansen Independence “No smoking. No drinking. And good looking women.”

Miscellaneous

Independence MATERNITY UNIT TOURS, Centerpoint Medical Center. Call 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, 1 p.m. Monday. There is a fee. To register, 325-7803.

Blue Springs

Margie Barron Independence “Eat healthy and get lots of sleep.”

– Michael Glover

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Page 7

nutrition

What do the new vitamin D recommendations mean to me?

The Institute of Medicine has come out with updated recommendations for how much calcium and vitamin D one should have in their diet. Amy Kassebaum, clinical dietitian at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Ill., provides the answers for what you need to know when it comes to getting your calcium and vitamin D, and what foods provide you this benefit.

Q. How much vitamin D should a person incorporate in their diet?

A.The Institute of Medicine recommends that Americans between the ages of 1 and 70, who are not pregnant, should have a vitamin D intake of 600 international units per day to maintain good health. People over 70 may need as much as 800 IU. This is an increase since the old recommendations were 200 international units of Vitamin D for those between 1 and 70 years of age and 600 for those over 70.

The agency's calcium recommendations vary based on age and pregnancy, and they range from 700 to 1,300 milligrams per

day. For example, one cup of whole milk has around 300 milligrams of calcium.

Q. How much is too much and what would be the danger?

A. The tolerable amount of vitamin D, according to the Institute of Medicine, is 4,000 IU for those 1 year and older. It used to be 2,000.

Most toxic levels come from people taking mega doses of vitamin D supplements.

Signs of toxicity include nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation or weakness.

Also, if you consume too much vitamin D, you could potentially raise calcium levels in the blood. This could cause a heart arrhythmia or confusion.

Q. How does vitamin D help?

A. Vitamin D can help in bone growth and bone density. If you have low vitamin D levels, this could lead to osteoporosis, which is the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density. Your bones could become brittle and this could lead to more fractures. Vitamin D also can help in muscle movement and carrying messages

from the brain to other parts of the body.

Q. Does vitamin D help in protecting the body against cancer, heart disease, autoimmune diseases and diabetes?

A. Yes, some studies suggest that vitamin D can do more for the body. Some studies have shown that vitamin D can protect against colon cancer and prostate cancer; however, it is still early to know the true benefits of vitamin D. Q. What foods provide vitamin D? A. Here are some foods that can supply you vitamin D: Milk that is fortified with vitamin D has 125 IU. Orange juice that is fortified with vitamin D has 100 IU. Some yogurts fortified with vitamin D have 60-100 IU. Cereal fortified with vitamin D can have anywhere between 40-100 IU. Fatty fish is the best source. Fish, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna, can have anywhere between 400 to over 700 IU, depending on how the fish is prepared.

healthCALENDAR FROM PAGE 6

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. 347-2845.

Weight management

Independence TOPS Mo. 291, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Monday, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. 461-0811.

TOPS Mo. 251, 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Maywood Baptist Church. 478-0723 or 252-2392.

TOPS Mo. 331, 5 p.m. Tuesday, College Park Community of Christ. 254-7075.

TOPS Mo. 24, 9 a.m. Thursday, New Walnut Park Church. 373-6146 or 650-5262.

TOPS Mo. 100, 9 a.m. Thursday, Farview Restoration Branch. 356-5278.

TOPS MO 0062, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Northeast Baptist Church. 254-9455.

Healthy Reflections, 10 a.m. Thursday, Sermon Center. 325-7370.

Overeaters Anonymous, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Maywood Baptist Church. Handicap accessible. Call Wanda G., 833-2632.

Love Me Slender, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Van Horn Health Source. 418-4070.

CEA-HOW (Compulsive Eaters AnonymousH.O.W.), 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Unity Church of Independence, 14304 E. 39th St. 1-800-672-6715.

Blue Springs

TOPS Mo. 772, 10 a.m. Tuesday, First Baptist Church West Annex. 228-3741.

SOS (Save-Our-Selves) Weight Management, 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Vesper Hall. Participate in this weight management program and supportive group discussion. Cost, $1 per meeting. 228-0181.

Lee’s Summit Overeaters Anonymous, 7 p.m. Monday, Unity Village, Administrative Building, Room 221. Call Lisa, 833-2636.

CEA-HOW (Compulsive Eaters AnonymousHOW Concept), 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, First Presbyterian Church. Lisa at 679-7009 or visit www.ceahow.org.

Other Overeaters Anonymous, a 12-step program for compulsive eaters. 913-383-5933 or www. overeatersanonymous.org.

WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

Tuesdays, or 7 to 7:45 p.m. Thursdays. Cost, $35 for 12-week class, with $25 going in the pot for top three losers. To register, 800-262-2152.

Women’s issues

Independence Women’s Empowerment Groups, sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), 6:30 to 8:30 Monday. For locations, call Karen Costa, 252-8388, Ext. 16.

Other Hope House Inc. weekly support groups, open to any female who has been or is now involved in an abusive relationship. For times and location, call the hotline at 461-4673.

– Jillayne Ritchie

Q. How much calcium should a person try to incorporate in their daily diet?

A. The new recommendations are: Adult men and women 19-50 years of age need 1,000 milligrams.

Adult men and women older than 51 need 1,200 milligrams.

Boys and girls between ages 9 and 18 need 1,300 milligrams.

Kids between 4 and 8 need 800 milligrams.

Children between 1 and 3 need 500 Q. What is the importance of calcium?

A. Calcium helps maintain healthy teeth milligrams.

Babies between 7 months and 12 and bones, along with preventing osteomonths need 270 milligrams. porosis. It also helps with blood clotting, Newborn babies and those up to 6 nerve signaling, muscle movement and months old need 210 milligrams. normal heartbeat.

Women who are pregnant and lactating who are older than 18 need 1,000 milQ. What food products have calcium?

A. The best source of calcium is calcium ligrams. fortified milk, fortified orange juice, soy More information: milk and cheese. Other sources include Institute of Medicine: http://www. salmon, sardines, calcium fortified cereals, iom.edu/ cottage cheese, almonds, cooked greens, Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic. soybeans, broccoli, tofu made with calcium com/health/vitamin-d/MY01608 and calcium fortified bread.

Q. Can you get vitamin D from the sun?

A.Yes. If you want vitamin D from sun exposure, you would need to have 5-30 minutes worth for those who have fairer skin. People with darker skin would need closer to 30 minutes. Those who live above 42 degrees latitude do not have as much UVB rays penetrating the atmosphere, so they would need to supplement the amount of vitamin D they receive from the sun.

Page 8 Tuesday, December 21, 2010

nutrition

Spritz up your holiday get-together Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00

Alexandria J. Strong, M.D. Alexandria J. Strong obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

She then went on to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, where she finished an internship in general surgery. Dr. Strong’s special interests lie in treatment of the shoulder and knee with an emphasis in sports medicine.

816.303.2400

Centerpoint Medical Center Campus 19550 E. 39th Street, Suite 410 Independence, MO 64057

816.561.3003

North Kansas City Hospital Campus 2790 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 600 Kansas City, MO 64116

Good friends and family, good cheer! It’s that time of year. Holiday spritzers are a festive way to celebrate the season.

Spritzers come in many forms and are perfect to have with any meal occasion: brunch, dinner or a cocktail party. Typically, a spritzer was wine diluted with some type of water and was used in order to consume larger amounts to help quench thirst. Now, anything goes, and the combinations are endless. Serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages so everyone, including the kids, can enjoy the holiday season with a fizzy beverage.

Spritzer bars are fun and interactive, allowing guests to prepare their beverage of choice.

Even the kids can be a part of the festive cheer when “mocktails” are a part of the spritzer bar.

Start with these spritzer bar essentials and let guests create a glass of holiday cheer: ■ Cocktails – Sparkling wine and champagne are great mixers with juices and wine.

■ Mocktails – Great choices for mocktails include fruit juices such as orange or cranberry juice, sparkling juices or waters. Add a healthy twist and use coconut water. And don’t forget dessert; sorbets with sparkling beverages make a great dessert drink.

■ Glassware – There are dozens of glass-

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.

ware choices that will add a definite festive touch to your spritzer bar. Choose a glass that fits your drink and your guests. Plastic beverage containers are a great unbreakable option for kids’ mocktails.

■ Garnish – Accent with a swizzle stick threaded with colorful fruit or simply add small fruit pieces to the beverage.

The recipes below feature World Classics sparkling blood orange soda. This naturally flavored sparkling soda has a refreshing citrus taste with a beautiful rosy color. Serve in a champagne flute and garnish with a blood orange slice or pomegranate seeds.

––– Sparkling Blood Orange-Coconut Spritzer Combine 2 parts World Classics blood orange sparkling soda with 1 part Vita Coco coconut water.

Sparkling Blood Orange-Champagne Spritzer Combine 2 parts World Classics blood orange sparkling soda with 1 part Brut champagne or sparkling wine.

Sparkling Blood Orange-Raspberry Dessert Sipper Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons softened raspberry sorbet into bottom of champagne flute. Slowly pour World Classics blood orange sparkling soda into glass.

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.

Blue Springs

■ Edge of Town Cafe, 960 S.W. 37th St. – On Dec. 6, inspectors noted the dishwasher was not sanitizing.

■ McDonalds, 3116 S.W. Missouri 7 – On Dec. 6, inspectors found liquid egg product on counter with a temperature of 48 degrees, and reach-in cooler on line was 55 degrees. All product discarded.

■ Americas Best Value Inn, 1110 N. Missouri 7 – On Dec. 7, inspectors found sausage gravy at 110 degrees; was allowed to be reheated to 165 degrees.

Mouse droppings were found inside several cabinets.

Have pest control company out to assess the situation.

Rat poison purchased over the counter was placed in cabinets where food is stored.

■ St. Mary’s Medical Center, 201 W. R.D. Mize Road – On Dec. 7, inspectors observed potentially hazardous foods in the tall reach-in refrigerator in the hot food serving area at 46-54 degrees. Since these food items were in this location for less than two hours, they were moved to the walk-in cooler.

Lee’s Summit

■ Price Chopper, 300 S.W. Blue Parkway – On Dec. 7, inspectors found packages of sliced ham at 5154 degrees, discarded.

■ Sonic, 1901 S.E. Langsford – On Dec. 7, inspectors observed a pipe under the right sink at the three compartment sink was broken.

■ Neighbors Cafe, 104 S.E. Third St. – On Dec. 9, an employee was observed handling ready-to-

eat food with bare hands. Gravy, chili, and mashed potatoes in the left-side steam table were 82-124 degrees. They were in the steam table for less than 2 hours and the establishment was allowed to reheat them up to 165 F and serve.

■ Pappi’s Pizza, 405 N. Blue Parkway – On Dec. 9, inspectors found no hand sink by the front pizza prep area.

■ Y-Leave Cafe and Vending North, 777 N. Blue Parkway – On Dec. 10, inspectors found various cheese and sliced deli meats were 47-61 degrees in the ice bath next to the fryer. They were there for less than 2 hours, so they were allowed to be place them in a walk-in freezer to rapidly cool them down.

Various potentially hazardous foods on the salad bar were 49-53 degrees, items were discarded.

Oak Grove

■ Broadway Grill, 1207 S. Broadway – On Dec. 6, ground beef and meat balls in the kitchen steam table were found to be between 115-125 degrees.

Since these foods were in this location for less than 2 hours, they were reheated to 165 degrees.

Raytown

■ Shanghai Express, 6340 Raytown Road – On Dec. 8, when asked, the person in charge did not accurately describe the times allowed to properly cool potentially hazardous foods. There were large plastic tubs of breaded chicken products at 96 and 125 degrees, respectively, cooling on a table. Operator reported that they had been there for only a few minutes, and, thus were allowed to be salvaged by placing into smaller containers and refrigerating them.

– Jillayne Ritchie