As a nation we have just marked the passing of the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Patriot Day ceremonies on Tuesday remembered citizens and rescue workers who died at the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon and on a lonely farm field in Pennsylvania. Since that fateful day, America has worked to build a strong system of homeland security. If a 9/11 disaster struck Madera County, would we be ready? Yes.

Madera County agencies have been proactive in developing coordinated disaster plans. Emergency response drills that mimic natural and terrorist disasters are conducted periodically. These mock disasters to allow personnel and volunteers from multiple services to come together to practice emergency skills, assess facilities and fine tune response systems.

For example, should Madera County be threatened by an act of bioterrorism or a pandemic influenza, the Madera County Public Health Department is prepared to initiate emergency drive-through flu clinics in addition to point of dispensing clinics to provide medications to the entire population of the county. Not long ago, the county health department, area hospitals, local schools, EMS, fire and police worked together to successfully control a mock chemical contamination of students at John Adams Elementary School.

If you would like to volunteer to serve as a Public Health Disaster Responder, click here to access a volunteer form. To learn more about Madera County’s bioterrorism preparedness program, click here to visit the county website. The Madera County Public Health Department also offers an Emergency Preparedness Pocket Guide in both English and Spanish. Contact the health department at 559-675-7893 or email bernie.smith@madera-county.com for your free copy.

The latest buzz in teen and adult birthday parties is the Giving Party. Instead of gathering to shower the celebrant with gifts and chow down on birthday cake, people are meeting to honor their friends by donating blood, working in a soup kitchen or taking a shift at the food pantry. In shared camaraderie, they honor their friend’s birthday by volunteering together at a favorite charity.

• In the Midwest, Joyce Guenther, a 10-gallon blood donor, celebrated her birthday at the local blood bank. She and friends gathered early to donate a pint of blood each in Joyce’s honor. They toasted the birthday girl with orange juice, complements of the Red Cross.
• A Chicago sixth grader asked friends to bring a stuffed animal gift to her 12th birthday party. The children celebrated with traditional cake and ice cream, then took the toys to the local children’s hospital and played board games with patients.
• In Georgia, an avid Habitat for Humanities volunteer, invited friends to celebrate his birthday on a worksite. His wife brought cake and lemonade for the whole crew who belted out a lusty, if off-key, version of the Happy Birthday song.

Giving Parties leave you with the best gift of all, the satisfaction of helping others. If you have something to celebrate, gather your friends and head for one of the two blood drives being held in Madera County this week. Of course, you can give blood even if it’s not your birthday!

• Wednesday, September 5, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.- Madera County Employee Blood Drive
• Thursday, September 6, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.- Madera Community College  

According to the Central California Blood Center, all blood types are needed, especially O-negative and O-positive. For additional information, please contact the Blood Center at 800-404-BLOOD (2566) or visit their website for a list of additional donation sites. Save a life; donate today.

Face it. Americans are fat and getting fatter. Obesity rates rose in 31 of our 50 states last year and decreased in none. With a 30.6% obesity rate, Mississippi weighed in as the heaviest state with West Virginia (29.8%) and Alabama (29.4%) panting close behind. The annual rankings were compiled by the Trust for America’s Health, a research group devoted to disease prevention.

Colorado hiked in as America’s leanest state with an obesity rate of 17.6%. California didn’t fare too badly, weighing in at 22.7%. Still, that means that one out of every 4 to 5 California adults is morbidly overweight. Health officials warn that obesity is quickly becoming America’s most threatening public health crisis. Obesity increases the risk for diabetes, heart problems and other chronic diseases that significantly decrease quality of life and raise health care costs.

While many argue that weight is a personal choice and responsibility, Trust for America’s Health believes the government should play a larger role in combating obesity. “If we want kids to eat healthier food, we have to invest the money for school nutrition programs so that school lunches are healthier,” said the organization’s executive director, Jeffrey Levi. “If we want people to be more physically active, then there have to be safe places to be active.”

Schools are particularly concerned about growing child obesity rates. Many schools now offer more nutritious lunches and have replaced soda and candy bars with healthy snacks and beverages in school vending machines.

The University of California Cooperative Extension service offers a unique program that uses school gardens to teach children about healthy eating. Funded by a $100,000 grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, UC Davis will start holding trainers’ workshops for the Children’s Garden Program in September and October. Click here for more information on classes how to bring the program to your Madera County school.

Despite the continuing heat, summer is slowly coming to a close. School is starting and today’s lazy days will soon be a wistful memory. There are still a few days left to indulge in your favorite summer activities. Here are some of the things we’ll miss until next summer.

• Berenda Reservoir. There are just a few days left to cool off. The Berenda Reservoir will close for the season on Thursday, August 16. Located 3 miles outside Chowchilla, the beautiful 6-acre Berenda Reservoir Park is a mecca for Madera County families seeking to relax and have fun in the water. The reservoir offers swimming, sandy beach areas, a boat launch and picnic facilities. Before the gates are locked, there’s still time to take one last swim, build one last sand castle, take the boat out one last time and delight in one final picnic.
• Madera Farmers’ Market. Succulent fruits, fabulous veggies, just picked sweet corn — summer eating is good when you shop at the Madera Farmers’ Market. The market is held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday in Court House Park at the corner of Yosemite Ave. and Gateway Dr. in Madera. Better hurry, though, there are only three market days left. The Farmers’ Market ends August 30.

The start of a new school year in Madera County is just around the corner. That means it’s time for school and sports physicals and immunizations. Immunizations provide lifetime protection from a host of virulent diseases that used to kill or cripple our children. Protect your children by getting them immunized.

If your child is entering a new school, a list of required immunizations will be provided when you register. The Madera County Public Health Department website lists recommended immunizations at various ages from birth to age 5. Click the link to see which vaccinations your child needs. 

If you see a family doctor regularly, your children are most likely already on an immunization schedule. If you don’t have a regular family doctor or are new to Madera County, the Public Health Department holds regular clinic hours in Madera, Chowchilla and Oakhurst. Click here for clinic locations and hours or call the Public Health Department at 800-427-6897 for more information. If you cannot afford the cost of immunizations, your child’s school can also refer you to free clinics.