Community Health Fair to Feature Seminars on Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment, Diabetes Awareness and Identification Theft and Telemarketing Fraud
Free informational seminars are being offered at the Community Health Fair: The Way to Wellness on Friday, October 24 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center.
Jeff Karberg, Identity Theft Administrator for the Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office, will discuss identification theft and telemarketing fraud. His presentation will focus on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft and what to do if you think you have been victimized. He will also explain common ID theft scams and recent developments in Maryland's ID theft laws.
Seri Wilpone, Chief Attorney for the Legal Aid Bureau, Inc., will hold a presentation on Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST). Doctors and nurse practitioners of health care facilities must involve patients, their health care agents or their decision makers to create a medical order for life-sustaining procedures, use of medical tests, transfers from a hospital setting and other treatments. The seminar will focus on which patients are subject to MOLST, what treatment preferences are included and how patients and their caregivers can use MOLST to better advocate for treatment consistent with the patients' values and wishes.
Representatives from MedStar St. Mary's Hospital will discuss Diabetes prevention awareness, signs and symptoms and living with Diabetes.
Seminar times are as follows:
11:00 a.m. - Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
12:00 noon - Diabetes Information
1:00 p.m. - Identification Theft & Telemarketing Fraud
The free seminars are being offered during the Community Health Fair: The Way to Wellness. The Health Fair will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. Expired prescription and over-the-counter medication collection by the Sheriff's Office, over 70 exhibitors, flu shots and health screenings will be available.
The goal of the Health Fair is to promote health and wellness-for all ages. No pre-registration is required and admission is free.
A free commercial shredder truck will be available from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Health Fair attendees are encouraged to bring any unwanted paperwork to the shredder truck where they can witness the destruction of the documents. A certificate of destruction will be provided. There will be no need to remove paper clips, binder clips or staples.
The Annual Community Health Fair: The Way to Wellness takes place at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, 44219 Airport Road in Hollywood from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Jennifer Stone at 301-475-4200, ext. 1073, or visit our website at http://www.stmarysmd.com/aging.
Commissioners Celebrate Our Lady of the Wayside Church's Centennial
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County paid tribute to Our Lady of the Wayside Church of Chaptico during a proclamation ceremony. The occasion is one of a number of celebrations marking the church's 100th anniversary.
The church, formally known as the Jesuit Mission of Chaptico, first opened its doors on October 6, 1914. The church was later re-dedicated on May 24, 1938 on the same site.
During the ceremony Commissioner President Jack Russell made special note of the church's architectural significance. "Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church of Chaptico is one of the first Catholic churches designed by architect Philip Frohman, a national figure in American architecture," said Commissioner Russell.
Donald Cardinal Wuerl plans to recognize Our Lady of the Wayside Church of Chaptico's centennial by celebrating a special mass on October 25.
The proclamation also made mention of the church's plans to celebrate the special anniversary, noting it will hold a 100th anniversary gala dinner on November 1.
Heightened Awareness of Deer Needed
As the fall breeding "rutting" season ramps up, citizens are reminded to heighten their awareness of deer. Collisions between deer and automobiles result in a substantial cost, including damage to vehicles, the loss of a valuable wildlife resource and human injuries or fatalities. As the county's population continues to grow, this danger becomes greater.
Most of these accidents occur between dusk and dawn. Watch for deer where roads pass through wooded or rural areas. The most important thing drivers can do to reduce the chances of an accident with a deer is to drive the speed limit. At night, reduce speeds below the limit, especially in rain, snow, or fog. Here are some other tips to keep in mind as a driver:
-- Never "VEER" for DEER. Slow down and avoid hitting deer, but do not swerve. This can cause you to lose control and strike another vehicle, or to leave the highway and strike a tree or other object. Injuries to drivers and passengers increase when the vehicle swerves.
-- Deer usually travel in groups and generally maintain a home range of about one (1) square mile. If you see a deer cross the road, slow down and use caution. Additional deer may be out of view and more are likely to follow.
-- A deer standing calmly in a field may suddenly jump into the road. Anticipate the potential for this rapid change in posture.
-- Elevate your deer awareness at locations with deer crossing signs. Deer crossing signs indicate areas where heavily used deer trails cross roadways. Slow down and watch for the eye-shine of deer near the roadway edges.
-- Be especially aware during the morning and afternoon. Deer tend to be more active during the early morning and late afternoon hours year round. They are moving between evening feeding areas and daytime bedding sites.
-- If you should strike a deer, never approach an injured animal. Pull to a safe location with hazard lights on and call the police. Make it a safe season for you and the deer!
If you notice an animal carcass lying along or in the roadside, please report it by using the County Highways online Maintenance Request Form at http://www.stmarysmd.com/dpw/ or simply call the Department of Public Works & Transportation at 301-863-8400.