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First Friday a Major Chocolate Event in Downtown Camas!

This Friday, visit Downtown Camas businesses for chocolate delights and wine tastings (at select locations) and a chance to win the Valentine gift basket.

The City of Camas has also just given consent to closing one block downtown for S’More roasting in front of Navidi’s.

The events begin at 5 pm and last until 8 pm.

Special First Friday Features include:

  • Navidi’s hosting S’More roasting in the street in front of their shop at 322 NE Cedar St. We are hoping for a special visit from a Camas Fire Truck for kids to climb on.
  • Caffe Piccolo, 309 NE Birch, is hosting Truly Scrumptious treats and selling Choffey, which is distinctively flavorful ground cocoa beans prepared in a French Press. Stop in to try some! You can pick up a complete February First participation list here at Caffe Piccolo. 
  • Camas Antiques is having a Vintage Fastion show at 7pm.
  • Enjoy “Have a Heart” mini concert by special guest GraceLyricMusic, sidewalk music by a songbird to benefit the awareness of child abuse.

Some locations will also have a container of candy for you to guess the amount to win the candy! Guesses will also be entered for a Valentine themed basket. (Need not be present to win.) Begin your stroll at Caffe Piccolo, 309 NE Birch St, to pick up a participation list.

Downtown businesses will also be selling wonderful chocolate delights and other romantic gifts so you can take care of your Valentine’s Day shopping early.

First Friday Camas
 
 

 

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Mmmmm … Seared Prawns a Must at Hearth Bistro

The Seared Prawns speciality plate is one of many exquisite meals offered at the Hearth Wood Oven Bistro in downtown Washougal. The two-year-old restaurant is one of Clark County’s restaurant treasures and is a must-stop for foodies.

Stay tuned for an upcoming video feature and article about the Hearth. It’ll be an experience.
The restaurant is located at 1700 Main Street, Washougal. 360.210.7028.

Prawns

 

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Events: First Friday Tonight in Downtown Camas

Tonight is First Friday in Downtown Camas. Be sure to visit vendors, see new artwork and have a night out with your significant other. First Friday begins at 5 pm tonight.

First Friday
First Friday is a fun social event that happens on the First Friday of
every month. Be sure to see new artwork on display.

 

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Parkinson’s Disease: Can It Be Prevented?

Presented by Dr. Marc Davis, Wellness Expert

Marc+Davis.jpg

Dr. Marc Davis

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard a lot about Parkinson’s disease (PD) lately.  In recent years, this formerly obscure disorder has captured the media spotlight.  Much of this attention is due to high-profile personalities with the disorder, including actor Michael J Fox, United State’s Attorney Genera Janet Reno and boxing legend Mohammed Ali.

Parkinson’s disease involves the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain region that control muscle movement (substanita nigra).  Destruction of these cells causes a drop in levels of dopamine, a brain chemical that transmits information between nerve cells.  Insufficient coordination problems, frozen facial expression, speech impediments and tremors.  Rigidity, memory loss and depression are also associated with this condition.

Although scientists have yet to discover the exact cause of PD – two out of 1,000 people are afflicted with the disease – genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors all appear to play a role.

Parkinson’s, like many others, affects members of every race and walk of life.  Although PD is more common in people over the age of 50, its afflicting younger adults at a rapidly escalating rate (as highlighted by Fox’s highly publicized struggle with the disease, which struck when he was 30 years old).

Despite the recent high profile cases, there is little published material on how to ward off the disease.  In contrast, most people remain unaware of research revealing that PD may be preventable.  As a wellness specialist, Dr Davis constantly strives to share information about disease prevention with patients.  One way that Dr Davis accomplishes this is by presenting weekly research based Optimal Health University handouts on various wellness topics, including this one on PD.  Read on to learn about how specific lifestyle changes may slash your odds of developing Parkinson’s disease.

New Research Suggests that Chiropractic Care May Quell Parkinson’s

Although additional studies are needed before a firm link is established, preliminary research supports what many patients report: chiropractic care alleviates the symptoms of PD – and may help to prevent the disease altogether.  For instance, a just published scientific case study followed a 60 year old man with PD who underwent chiropractic care.  Physical examination revealed that the patient had a common condition of the spine called vertebral subluxations (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:573-7).  These dysfunctional spinal segments result when movement is restricted or bones (vertebrae) are out of alignment.  Dr Davis corrects vertebral subluxations by applying a gentle, specific, force of the spine – a procedure called a chiropractic adjustment.

After nine months of receiving chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck, the patient in the study experienced a dramatic reduction in rigidity, tremor and speech difficulties.  These findings were confirmed by improved scores in the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, a standard test used to measure PD progression (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:573-7).

How may chiropractic adjustments avert PD? The spine houses the spinal cord, the lifetime of the central nervous system.  Experts speculate that vertebral subluxations may disrupt spinal cord activity, in turn restricting nerve flow back and forth from the brain to the limbs.  In PD, inhibited nerve flow may aggravate symptoms like tremor and rigidity.

Watch the Waistline

A trim physic isn’t the only reward of calorie counting, say scientists.  According to recent studies, watching you’re far and calorie intake may keep PD at bay.  Mice that consumed 24 percent fewer calories, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, were less likely to experience the brain destruction associated with PD – compared to mice that are a higher calorie diet.  Specifically, the restricted diet inhibited genes that encode for brain degeneration.   Because the brain chemistry of mice resembles that of humans, scientists speculate that people who follow low calorie diets also slash their risk of PD.

Go Organic!

For decades, researchers studying PD have noted that the disease is more rampant in agricultural regions.  What accounts for this phenomenon?  Exposure to pesticides, say scientists.

Research with animals supports what geographic trends indicate: pesticide exposure is one cause of PD.  For instance, investigators in one experiment injected 25 rats with rotenone, a widely used pesticide.  Half of the rats exhibited Parkinson like symptoms immediately.  Scientists also observed the gradual degeneration of dopamine producing cells and the formation of brain proteins associated with disease (Nature Neuroscience 2000;3:1227).

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And, if you think that the pesticides used for home gardening are too mild to trigger PD, think again.  Even the common pesticides found at neighborhood garden supply stores increase a green thumb’s risk of PD, according to a report presented in May 2000 at the American Academy of Neurology’s 52nd annual meeting in San Diego.  The study, which compared 541 healthy people with 496 PD patients, found that people with Parkinson’s were twice as likely to have use pesticides for home gardening or pest control compared with healthy individuals.

“Certain chemicals that an individual is exposed to in the environment may cause selective heath of brain cells or neurons,” explained chief investigator Lorene Nelson, PhD, a neoroepidemiologist at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif.

In addition to pesticides, many workplace solvents are linked with PD.  In one study of 990 Parkinson’s patients, Italian researchers discovered that subjects exposed to solvents found in common petroleum based products, such as paints and flues, were an average of three years younger at the first sign of PD.

Curl up with a Cuppa Joe

Here’s a good excuse to sneak an extra coffee break into your daily routine: drinking java may prevent PD.  A small, but swiftly mounting, body of research reveals that people who curl up with a daily ‘cuppa Joe’ are significantly less likely to develop PD, compared with their peers who avoid coffee.

One article in the Journal of the American Medical Association compiled data on the 8,004 Japanese American men between ages of 45 and 68.  Over thirty years of follow up, 102 subjects developed PD.  Coffee drinkers enjoyed a 3 to 6 fold reduced risk of the disease, compared with non coffee drinkers.  Caffeine intake from non coffee sources was also associated with a reduced risk (JAMA 2000;283:2674-9).

Another study, conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., enrolled 196 patients with PD and an equal number of healthy control subjects.  Findings showed that java drinkers were considerably less likely to have PD that non coffee drinkers (Neurology 2000;55:1350-8).

As with most things, moderation is key when it comes to coffee consumption.  Although coffee may avert PD, too much java is linked with an increased risk of other disorders, including esophageal cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Antioxidant Attack Helps Prevent Parkinson’s

Scientists theorize that exposure to chemicals called free radicals may spark the deterioration of brain cells in Parkinson’s patients.  Free radicals have also been shown to initiate the cellular reactions associated with cancer and heart disease.

Free radicals are produced as byproducts of chemical reactions in the brain.  They are also associated with fried foods and high in saturated fat.  The good news is that specific “antioxidant” nutrients have been shown to quench free radicals, before they have the opportunity to wreak havoc.  Antioxidants include vitamins A, E and C, selenium, green tea, grape seed extract, coenzyme Q10 and plethora of nutrients in fresh fruits and vegetables.  Interested in giving some of these supplements a try? Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about what antioxidant combination is right for you.

(One note of caution: patients taking medication for PD should avoid supplements containing B vitamins, as they interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications.)

Take Charge of your Health Today!

Find out more about preventing PD and other conditions by visiting your doctor of chiropractic for regular checkups.  Don’t wait to take charge of your health – schedule an appointment for a chiropractic evaluation today!

Optimal Health University™ is a professional service of PreventiCare Publishing®. The information and recommendations are appropriate in most instances. They are not, however, a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider such as Dr. Davis. Copyright, 2013.

Dr. Marc Davis adjusts patients at Davis Family Chiropractic, a thriving wellness-oriented office located next to Fred Meyer in Fisher’s Landing. For FREE monthly tips and community events subscribe to Dr. Davis’ blog “Life Naturally” by going to www.davisfamilychiro.com and clicking on “Blog”. To schedule a time to meet with Dr. Davis, or to get information about having him speak at your club, church group or workplace, call (360) 823-2225. Mention “LacamasMagazine” and “Free Scan” to get your Computerized Back and Neck Scan (regularly $210) for FREE (limited time offer).

Dr. Marc Davis

DAVIS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC, PLLC

“For a Lifetime of Standing Tall!”

2415 SE 165TH Avenue, Suite 103

Vancouver, WA 98683

(360) 823-2225

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Started with a Dream … and a Cocoa Bean

By Seth Sjostrom

Choffy.

Jason Vanderhoven awoke one morning following a vivid dream. He wasn’t being chased by a serial killer, he hadn’t inserted himself into a spy thriller, he wasn’t even waking in a start from that horrible falling kind of dream. Nope. He dreamt of cocoa beans. Roasted cocoa beans. At the time, he wasn’t entirely sure why.

Perhaps his subconscious had worked its way through the complex networks of his REM state brain. As an athlete training for the Olympics (Jason was highly competitive in the luge), he and his compatriots were well-versed and disciplined in nutrition. Yet, he was taken aback by how many of his fellow athletes downed caffeine-laden drinks before an event. This flew in the face what they had been taught of performance nutrition.

Coffey

 

As he mused about his dream, Jason couldn’t help but wonder if the concoction would actually work. His initial attempts, sheet pans of cocoa beans roasted in his oven, produced less than ideal results. Handing a cup of his brew to his father-in-law, he waited eagerly for a response. After a few sips, a glance across a mug was followed with, “Hmmm. You’ve made a bad cup of coffee.” Undaunted, Jason forged ahead with tweaks and trials. Three years later, he arrived at the selection, roast and grind of a delicious cup of Choffy. While the Aztecs and Samoans have Jason beat by a millennia, Choffy is certainly a ground-breaking invention as the modern roasted coffee bean drink.

What does Choffy taste like? When you have your first sip, you need to exorcise any pre-conceptions of what you think it might taste like in your head. It is not hot cocoa, it is not coffee. It is a slightly bitter, slightly creamy, genuinely satisfying flavor that hits upon a unique combination of taste buds. It satisfies the bit of sweet-tooth as well as the warm, invigorating yearn for coffee.

Why Choffy at all? First, the cocoa bean (correctly cacoa) has tremendous potential health benefits with very few of coffee’s detriments. Let’s start with what it does have. The cocoa bean has been revered for its high antioxidant content. In fact, a serving of Choffy has nearly the antioxidant power of two cups of superfood blueberries. Cocoa is packed with theobromine (similar, yet different than chemical cousin caffeine), a mild stimulant that increases heartbeat while acting as a vasodilator, actually reducing blood pressure. This buys you a boost without the crash.

Almost as important as what cocoa beans have in them is what they don’t. A cup of Choffy has less caffeine than a cup of decaf coffee. Courtesy of its other properties, you get the lift without the addiction and jitters of coffee. Choffy comes with only 20 calories and 3 carbs, with the reduced need for creamer (if you are so inclined), your diet is going to mind less too. In fact, Choffy is safe for children to drink, pregnant women and diabetics alike.

I love a cup of coffee, but I have been perplexed with the split reports on the praises and evils of my beloved cup of joe. For every positive article, I read a negative. With Choffy, there aren’t the confounding  reservations. Choffy is 100% premium cocoa bean. That’s it. Have yours straight up or with a splash of vanilla creamer (a little goes along way here, not like your old latte!)

How do you make this yummy (is it a stretch to call it health food) drink? The folks at Choffy recommend French press style. This simple process extracts the perfect amount of cacoa goodness in your drink. No press in your cabinet, no worries. You can use a regular drip coffee maker too. Serve it cold or hot, on its own or with a splash of cream.

Choffy is based right here in Vancouver. Inventer Jason Vanderhoven called up longtime friend Jason Sherwood to help develop and market Choffy, while Jason S’s wife, Andi, implemented the distribution strategy. A direct selling guru, Andi has enlisted a small army of Choffy lovers to not only distribute Choffy to consumers and independent businesses, but to create a viable business for their families. As Jason S. says, “Choffy’s purpose is to champion healthy living – beyond the product, but to impact life overall for families.” Utilizing independent distributors allows them to nurture a Choffy family that likes to share “Try this great tasting, healthy drink” to the world.

While a local phenomenon, Choffy has found success nationwide, being highlighted on the Dr. Oz show and in several food and health publications. Haven’t tried Choffy yet? It is worth finding. I am nearly a coffee to Choffy convert myself. Love it already? Become a distributor and make an extra few bucks a month for your family.

Choffy is located in Hazel Dell. You can get more information at www.drinkchoffy.com

About the contributor: Seth Sjostrom is  local resident and author of the thriller Blood in the Snow and holiday title Finding Christmas. Seth is also co-producer of children’s magazine Kids Ink NW. For more information on Seth or his books, visit www.wolfprintpublishing.com.
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Why do I Need Chiropractic Care if I am Not in Pain?

Presented by Marc Davis, DC

Many people consider visiting a chiropractor only after suffering years of unnecessary pain.  However, Dr. Davis knows that focusing on prevention is key to long- term well-being.  That means adopting a proactive approach to health.  Just as you schedule regular dental cleanings to prevent tooth and gum decay, it’s essential to arrange consistent chiropractic checkups to stave off spinal decay and related ailments.

What is chiropractic preventive wellness care?

Referred to as proactive care, spinal hygiene, maintenance care, preventive care, wellness or preventive wellness care, this revolutionary chiropractic program rests on the philosophy that long-term well-being stems from eradicating underlying causes of future conditions- stopping them before they start.

Who tries Chiropractic preventive care?

Dr. Davis finds that patients embark on wellness care programs in one of two circumstances. 

Today’s savvy health-care consumers are enlightened about the benefits of preventive care and the dangers of painkillers and other medication.  The health-care tide is turning as many individuals shift their attitude about health care from one of “damage control” to one centering on prevention.  This renaissance in the way we regard health care has sparked a growing number of forward-thinking, pain-free people to seek out chiropractic wellness care.

A second group of people discover the benefits of wellness care after receiving chiropractic care for pain relief.  When their pain subsides, they transition into a wellness care plan.

Why should I continue chiropractic care after my injury is resolved?

Not only is spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) effective, but ongoing maintenance care results in better long-term outcomes.  These findings are from a new study published in the journal Spine.

The prospective, blinded, placebo-controlled study tracked 60 patients, with chronic, nonspecific low-back pain lasting at least six months.

According to the article, patients “were randomized to receive either (1) 12 treatments of sham SMT over a 1 month period, (2) 12 treatments, consisting of SMT over a 1 month period, but no treatments for the subsequent 9 months, or (3) 12 treatments over a 1 month period, along with “maintenance spinal manipulation” every 2 weeks for the following 9 months.  To determine any difference among therapies, we measured pain and disability scores, generic health status, and back-specific patient satisfaction at baseline and at 1-, 4-, 7-, and 10-month intervals.”

Results revealed that “patients in second and third groups experienced significantly lower pain and disability scores than first group at the end of 1 month period.  However, only the third group that was given spinal manipulations (SM) during the follow up period showed more improvement in pain and disability scores at the 10 month evaluation.”

The study’s authors conclude: “SMT is effective for the treatment of chronic nonspecific LBP.  To obtain long-term benefit, this study suggests maintenance SM after the initial intensive manipulative therapy.” (Spine 2011;36:1427-37.)

What happens during a wellness care visit?

A preventive chiropractic checkup typically includes a posture analysis and a spinal examination to detect areas in the spine where movement is restricted or spinal bones (vertebrae) are slightly out of place.

These dysfunctional spinal segments are called vertebral subluxations.  Dr.  Davis corrects these areas with gentle and effective maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments (also known as spinal manipulative therapy or SMT).

Because wellness visits are focused on prevention rather than pain relief, the doctor takes time to educate patients about factors influencing long-term disease prevention, with a holistic-whole person-emphasis.  Therefore, this visit incorporates late-breaking research information on topics like ergonomics, nutrition, stress reduction, the side effects of medication, environmental toxins, exercise and how emotional outlook affects the body.  The goal is to identify and remove any risk factors before they trigger disease.

Why should I schedule a chiropractic checkup when I’m not in pain?

Symptoms are not the “early warning signs” many individuals consider them to be.

Symptoms like pain or restricted movement usually do not appear until late in a disease process – often when it is too late for the malady to be reversed.

By maintaining a subluxation free spine, preventive checkups correct the underlying trigger of conditions like back pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and jaw pain.

Chiropractic wellness care also hold more sinister maladies at bay.  For instance, scientific studies show that unrestricted joints have better range of motion – making them less likely to be depleted of joint fluid and cartilage.  By keeping joints mobile, chiropractic helps prevent conditions like osteoarthritis before the advent of joint degeneration – and long before symptoms emerge.

It’s especially important to ward off arthritis before pain appears, because the severity of degeneration to the spine is not necessarily associated with pain.  In one study, 180 patients with neck pain completed questionnaires and a disability assessment.  They also underwent X-ray imaging to determine the extent of degeneration in the spine of their necks (cervical spines).

Results revealed no statistically significant difference in pain severity or disability between the patients with–and without—cervical degeneration.

“According to the findings, the number of levels of cervical degeneration and the severity of degeneration in the discs [and joint of the spine] are not related to the levels of pain and disability.” (Spine 2003;27:129-33.)

I have heard that chiropractic care may prevent problems not directly related to the spine.  Is that true?

Yes.  Exciting new scientific evidence indicates that people who follow a chiropractic wellness plan enjoy a better overall quality of life.  Wellness care patients often report a reduced occurrence of colds, allergies and other ailments.  Many professional athletes adhere to a chiropractic preventive care program because they say it enhances their performance.  Bolstered energy, sharpened mental functioning, decreased fatigue, more restful sleep and diminished stress are other benefits mentioned by preventive care patients.

And, research indicates that chiropractic wellness care may prevent a myriad of diseases not typically related to the spine.  These include breathing problems, hypertension, and multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, hearing problems, infertility, intestinal disorders, asthma, ear infections and infantile colic.  And that’s just for starters!

Is wellness care expensive?

As with all aspects of health, the old adage that “a stitch in time saves nine” applies to chiropractic care.  Savvy health-care consumers know that recurring chiropractic checkups ward off expensive and disabling conditions down the road.

By keeping you free of pain and disability, wellness care eliminates the need for costly medication and surgery, saving you money in the long run.

While health is priceless, we understand that cost is a concern for some.  This chiropractic office works with patients to develop creative, affordable individual and family payment plans to fit any budget.  Before assuming that your family cannot manage the expense of wellness care, please ask us about these opportunities – you’ll be surprised how reasonable they are!

How frequent are regular wellness checkups?

The frequency of preventative checkups depends on a host of factors.  Only your doctor of chiropractic can determine the optimal incidence for your wellness care visits.

At what point should I talk to the doctor about wellness care options?

It is never too early to start planning for preventive care.  Even if you are still under a pain management care plan, ask the doctor today about when you can transition to a wellness care plan, and what types of programs are available.

Optimal Health University™ is a professional service of PreventiCare Publishing®. The information and recommendations are appropriate in most instances. They are not, however, a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider such as Dr. Davis. Copyright, 2012.

Dr. Marc Davis adjusts patients at Davis Family Chiropractic, a thriving wellness-oriented office located next to Fred Meyer in Fisher’s Landing. For FREE monthly tips and community events subscribe to Dr. Davis’ blog “Health Naturally” by going to www.davisfamilychiro.com and clicking on “Blog”.  To schedule a time to meet with Dr. Davis call (360) 823-2225. Mention “LacamasMagazine” and “Free Scan” to get your free computerized Back and Neck Scan (regularly $210).

 

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How Do You Change the Face of an Icon? Maryhill Museum of Art Answers: With Extreme Prudence

By Seth Sjostrom

If you have ever driven along Interstate 84 through the Columbia River Gorge and looked north, you have likely seen the enormous concrete mansion towering above. A sentinel among the hills along the river’s cleft; Maryhill looms above, a mysterious and intriguing landmark for travelers along the mighty Columbia.

For over 70 years, Maryhill Museum of Art has stood vigil high on the northern bank of the Columbia River Gorge. Built in 1918 by pioneer and transportation visionary, Sam Hill, it was to be a residence for he and his wife, Mary. Presiding over his planned ranch in Washington, the mansion was never settled into as a home. Instead, years later, it was transformed into a museum which opened to the public in 1940.

Despite its majestic size and architecture, Maryhill’s Executive Director Colleen Schafroth comments, “It has always been 5 inches too small.” Designed to be a house, carved into many smaller spaces, presents challenges for a museum. Utilization of space itself was the primary issue. Collections had to be stored in countless rooms and closets scattered throughout the structure. Viewing, cataloguing and utilizing those works was an unnecessary challenge. With no large space appropriate for bigger groups, educational programs took place among the gallery. This meant during a program, that area would have to be shut down for visitors. It also meant, the wonderful hands-on programs for young artists were also in the midst of the gallery. A dozen children with paint brushes in range of priceless art (not that their efforts weren’t priceless themselves) was cause for concern.

 Maryhill
 
Enter the decision to add on to the building for the first time in its architectural existence. No easy task when you are talking about a building which has stood as such a geographic icon for the better part of a century, one that has been on the National Register of Historic Places for more than three decades and is perched on the edge of national scenic area.
 
Situated on the cliff in the Gorge presented additional issues. How do you not take away from the natural beauties which you are afforded but rather take advantage of that wonder? For the building itself, how do your respect the integrity of the original architecture while adding on to it? Those questions set forth the design goals. Delineate new from old, make the new structure complementary but not try to match or detract. Preserve the views which the property is graced with- from the east, west and south. Easy right?
 
Museum
 
Roughly $10 million and two years later, I walk around the updated facility and feel confident that they have succeeded with all over their goals. GBD Architects and Contractor Schommer and Sons Construction, both of Portland, combined to create over 25,000 total feet of new space. Gene Callan of GBD, also a Goldendale, WA native was excited to be a part of the renovations. The introduction of which leads you through 1700 square foot passage that links the new wing with the existing structure.
 
As you walk from the old to the new, you see the transition, stripped to its stone and concrete core, visitors pass through the seam that unites the past and present. The new wing leads you through a corridor of glass which provides visitors with amazing views in nearly every direction. Some of the corridor affords the museum with additional gallery space. At the end of the passage, you are delighted with a massive outdoor plaza which serves as a jaw-dropping overlook, a competition to the human art housed inside the museum itself. Mt.Hood, the Columbia and the sweeping lines of the Gorge. A new café, Loie’s, is nestled just inside the patio, offering more efficient and upgraded services than previously available. On the opposite end of the wing is a large educational hall equipped with state of the art audio/visual tools.
 
Most of the new wing is buried underground- a safe, practical haven for the Museum’s many collections. The new part of the building, named the Mary and Bruce Stevenson Wing, is being evaluated for LEED Gold rating status. Much of the new structure was created from recycling the natural resources pulled from the excavation of the site. The concrete floors provide thermal efficiency and utilizing spring water from the property acts as a source of energy, reducing the need for electricity and natural gas.
 
Perhaps even more amazing, the project was completed with zero debt. A major gift from Mary Hoyt Stevenson and award granted by the Washington State Building for the Arts fund launched the campaign. Pledges from the Cannon Power group and the Mary Hoyt Stevenson Foundation powered with donations from a variety of supporters funded the expansion in its entirety. Compromises such as Gold versus Platinum LEED certification and a few items tossed from the wish list kept the project in budget.
 
Art
 
 
Aesthetically, the new wing fits in with the original structure like a younger sibling. It is distinct, yet related. It is beautiful in its own right, but heeds to the status of its senior. Cantilevered into the hillside, the Stevenson Wing yields to the original structure. Almost all of the original southern façade is retained, preserving the icon view from travelers to the south. The main entrance was kept original; assuring the nostalgia of past visits would be maintained.
 
The next time you are faced with the question of how to transform an icon, how to create new while respecting the original, look to Maryhill Museum of Art. As many museums are, Maryhill is a work of art in and of itself.
 

About the contributor: Seth Sjostrom is a local resident and author. His thriller Blood in the Snow, is currently available and Seth releases his holiday title Finding Christmas in September. For more information on Seth or his books, visit www.wolfprintpublishing.com. 

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Locally Owned: Lacamas Medical Group Talks Primary Care

Locally Owned will highlight local businesses in the Camas, Washougal/East County area. Many of us prefer to support our friends and neighbors; these articles will help you get to know them a little bit better.

In this edition, we visit a Camas stalwart for nearly a decade – Lacamas Medical Group. Nestled on the corner of 3rd Street and 2nd Street, Lacamas Medical Group or LMG has been treating small emergencies and been a family doctor to many of us. I was able to sit down and have a conversation with founder and clinician, Scott Jonason, PA-C.

SS: Where do you see Primary Care today?
Jonason: I have been a clinician for over 18 years now. For the first time, there is a focus on primary care. As a medical society, we have come to realize that we can save lives…and money through preventive medicine. By understanding our patients and uncovering problems early and by intervening early, we are able to lessen the effects of chronic disease. Chronic disease is such a large component of illness and cost in our healthcare challenges.

SS: Tell me a little about Lacamas Medical Group.
Jonason: We started from the ground up in 2003. We began right out of the gate with EMR (electronic medical records) which was unusual for new clinics at the time. We started with and have maintained an Open Access model to scheduling. That means we don’t fill our time slots solid, we force gaps so that we have room to see patients when they need to be seen. That is better for them and better for continuity of care so that they are having to seek treatment elsewhere. This model works for helping patients with Same Day or Urgent Care needs.

SS: What sets Lacamas Medical Group apart from other clinics?
Jonason: We are small enough to provide more personable care and service than larger clinics, yet large enough to offer extended hours, onsite lab and X-ray, as well as having enough varied provider personalities to match patient needs.

SS: LMG has implemented many innovations to improve your patients’ health care experience, tell me about some of those.
Jonason: We are always looking for ways to be more efficient and effective for our patients, always making their care better and not diminished by those changes. One such addition is our in-clinic pharmacy. We are now able to offer several generic medications right in our office, saving them the trip to another location. We have a HIPAA compliant patient portal that offers secure communication between LMG staff and patients – covering everything from lab results to appointment reminders. We recently upgraded to a digital X-ray machine offering a dramatic improvement to the quality of images. This allows us to see things that might have been missed or more difficult to see.

SS: How does Lacamas Medical Group connect with the local community?
Jonason: We are really excited to announce that LMG is going to be a major sponsor of Camas Days this year. Annually, we offer the Camas School District sports physical scholarships to assist young athletes in each of our local schools. LMG is one of the only independent groups that offers free immunization clinics in Clark County, whether they are our patients or not. We have also enjoyed manning First Aid Tents at a variety of area events and schools functions and I have had the honor of being the Camas Football Team Doc for the past three years.

My take: Lacamas Medical Group sets itself apart from much of today’s blurred and sterile turnstile healthcare by offering personable, personalized health care. In my opinion, a bit of a rare find today. Having a more personal relationship between the clinician and the patient allows more access, better knowledge of the patient. This makes it easier to identify and manage both acute and chronic illnesses. In my conversation with Scott, he admitted, “That personal insight has many times helped me catch something early… that might have otherwise easily been missed.” Imagine, a medical provider that knows you well enough to spot subtle changes in you that they recognize something warrants a closer look. Small enough to be personable, large enough be technologically advanced.

Lacamas Medical Group is open Monday through Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturdays 9am to 2pm. Visit www.LacamasMedicalGroup.com or call 360-838-2440.

About the contributor: Seth Sjostrom is a local resident and author. His first release, Blood in the Snow, is now available. For more information on Seth or his books, visit www.wolfprintpublishing.com.
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Fever is our friend, acetaminophen is not

By Cynthia Bye, ND
Lacamas Magazine Contributor

For those that have been with me for a while, you know that I am an advocate of letting yourself or your children have a fever. Remember the body does things for a reason. When we get an invader in the body, the body in its infinite wisdom raises our body temperature to a level that is inhospitable to the invader. The only danger is if the temperature goes too high, or in children it raises too fast. In the case of children where a fever comes on quickly they can have a seizure and the first thing to do is put them in a cold bath and call 911. They will usually come out of it quickly as the cold bath brings down their temperature. My brother used to have these when we were growing up. A good immune response is a fever in the 101-103 range. Most bacteria and virus can not live at that temperature.

There have been many studies showing the side effects of all the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS). We know that aspirin is hard on the gut, and acetaminophen and ibuprophen are toxic to the liver and kidneys.

Now a study about acetaminophen adding to asthma. We have known that there has been a significant increase in childhood asthma since the 1980′s. Many things contribute to this increase, change in diet, more sugar, dyes and preservatives in food, and now we are making the connection to the use of acetaminophen. The most recent studies show that acetaminophen decreases glutathione in the lungs. Glutathione is an enzyme that helps repair oxidative damage that causes inflammation in the lung tissue.

I know I sound like a broken record, but if you have enough pain or inflammation to need a NSAID, you need to treat the cause of the inflammation. The longer I am a physician the more I see that all disease is caused by inflammation. I see this in all my cancer patients. What is inflammation except the immune system reacting to some irritant. So let’s figure out what is irritating the body instead of taking a NSAID to reduce the symptom of inflammation, treat what is causing it. If you have a fever the irritant is a invader, if you have joint pain or allergies you most likely have a food allergy or bad digestion. Treat cause not symptoms.

Take medication only when you have to, and then work on why you have to take the medication so you can get off of it.

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Answering Myths, Misconceptions About Chiropractic

By Dr. Marc Davis

Do you know somebody with misconceptions about chiropractic?  As is usually the case with misleading information, confusion about chiropractic is based on rumors, not on facts.  

Marc+Davis.jpgHelp dispel the myths by sharing the following facts with friends, family and co-workers.

Myth:  Chiropractic is only good for back problems.

Although doctors of chiropractic, such as Dr. Davis, excel at providing swift, all-natural relief from back pain, chiropractors are much, much more than mere “back doctors.”

Doctors of chiropractic are prevention specialists.   Chiropractors focus on warding off disease and injury, rather than masking symptoms with medication.  By caring for the whole person, chiropractors help patients create winning wellness plans that combine regular chiropractic checkups with exercise recommendations, nutritional counseling, stress reduction programs and other lifestyle adjustments.

Spinal health is the cornerstone of the chiropractic approach to prevention.  Specifically, Dr. Davis works to keep patients’ spines free of vertebral subluxation, areas where movement is restricted or bones (vertebrae) are out of alignment.  This condition is linked with a myriad of ailments such as carpel tunnel syndrome, ear infection, back pain, vertigo, neck pain, headaches, high blood pressure and epilepsy.  Preliminary scientific evidence also suggests that vertebral subluxations may have a negative effect on the immune system (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1992; 15:83-9).

Chiropractors correct vertebral subluxations with gentle maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments.

Myth: Chiropractic adjustments hurt.

New patients are often apprehensive about receiving their first chiropractic adjustment.  Much of this fear comes from knowing that a “cracking” sound results from some adjustments.  However, this sound (known as cavitation) is simply a drop in air pressure within a joint, which occurs when a “stuck” joint becomes “unstuck.”  Cavitation is NOT the sound of bones cracking or rubbing against each other.

Chiropractors are extensively trained to perform adjustments gently and to custom tailor these maneuvers for each individual’s unique body type.  The vast majority of patients experience no discomfort whatsoever from adjustments.  Rather, most patients report that they enjoy the procedure and find it relaxing.

Myth: Once you begin chiropractic care, you must continue it for the rest of your life.

The idea that chiropractic is “addictive” — or that patients must continue care forever to maintain relief from a specific injury — is a common misconception.   This myth is perpetuated by some factions of the health-insurance industry and other groups that focus on “quick fix” approaches like drugs and surgery, which often fail to provide lasting results and have potentially hazardous side effects.  In contrast, doctors of chiropractic concentrate on prevention.

The truth is, most chiropractic patients who seek care for pain relief recover from their symptoms within a short period of time.  In 1994, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed this claim after intensive investigation.  The AHCPR states that: “For patients with acute low-back symptoms without radiculopathy, the scientific evidence suggests spinal manipulation is effective in reducing pain and perhaps speeding recovery within the first month of symptoms.”

True, popping a pill is faster than phoning your chiropractor for an appointment.  But unlike medication, chiropractic produces permanent relief — often in patients who have suffered from chronic pain for years.  That’s why many patients choose to continue periodic checkups, after their symptoms have subsided, to ward off other future ailments.

Focusing on prevention means averting disease before the onset of symptoms.  For example, prevention-oriented individuals visit their dentist regularly to remove plaque before it triggers tooth decay.  Concentrating on prevention also means exercising on a daily basis to prevent the buildup of fat on artery walls, which leads to cardiovascular disease.  In much the same way, patients who seek preventive chiropractic care don’t wait until vertebral subluxations multiply before taking steps to correct them.  These patients aren’t addicted to chiropractic any more than individuals who see their dentist regularly —  or who work out a few hours a week — are addicted to teeth cleanings or exercise.

Myth: Chiropractic is unsafe.

According to a wealth of scientific evidence, chiropractic is an extremely safe health-care option — especially when the alternative (medication or surgery) is considered.  Medication and surgery have staggeringly dismal safety records.  Even the seemingly benign class of over-the-counter medication called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has disastrous side effects.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76,000 people are hospitalized each year due to adverse reactions to NSAIDs.  And, an estimated 7,600 will die this year alone as a direct result of NSAIDs.

Myth: Chiropractors are poorly educated.

Think doctors of chiropractic aren’t well educated?  Think again.  Here are the facts:

Prior to applying to chiropractic school, college students must complete the identical “pre-med” curriculum that medical students follow.  This includes courses in physics, chemistry, biology, psychology and liberal arts.  These prerequisite courses take at least two years to complete.

Chiropractic school consists of another four years of full-time study.  The average number of basic science hours is 1,420, including approximately 570 hours of anatomy, 305 hours of physiology, 205 hours of pathology, 150 hours of biochemistry, 120 hours of microbiology and 70 hours of public health (Chiropractic in the United States:  Training, Practice and Research, 1997).

And that’s just the beginning.  Merely completing six years of intense study isn’t enough to become a doctor of chiropractic.  He or she must pass a series of four comprehensive national board examinations and a local jurisprudence examination before obtaining a license to practice.

Myth: Massage therapy produces the same results as chiropractic.

Massage therapy is a highly effective, drug-free approach to relieving strained muscles, increasing circulation, easing stress and inducing deep relaxation.  Preliminary research also suggests that massage therapy boosts the immune system.  Because of these benefits, doctors of chiropractic frequently recommend massage as an adjunctive to chiropractic care.  Many chiropractors even invite massage therapists to join their staff.

Despite its benefits, however, massage therapy is not a substitute for chiropractic care because it does not correct vertebral subluxations.  Unlike chiropractors, massage therapists are not doctors:  They do not have the same extensive training and are not qualified to perform spinal adjustments or diagnose medical disorders.

Myth:  Chiropractic is expensive.

Industry studies reveal that chiropractic costs less than traditional medical care when chiropractors are the first doctors visited (Med Care 1996; 34:191-204).

Researchers at Oakland University focused on patients suffering from one or more of 493 conditions.  Roughly one quarter of the 395,641 patients studied were cared for by doctors of chiropractic.  Findings revealed “patients receiving chiropractic care experienced significantly lower health-care costs.”  Specifically, chiropractic patients saved approximately $1,000 each over a two-year period (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1993; 16:291-9).

Another study looked at 3,062 workers’ compensation claims for low-back pain.  The analysis found that the compensation costs of claims for injuries treated by medical practitioners were 10 times the costs of those handled by chiropractors (J Occup Med 1991; 33:847-52).

Dr. Marc Davis can be reached at 360.823.2225 or at www.davisfamilychiro.com

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