All Posts in "Press Release"

Unwanted and unused prescription drugs can be harmful to people and the environment. You can safely dispose of these medicines – including controlled substances – during the nationwide drug “take back” day on Saturday April 28, 2012.

This one-day event will provide free, anonymous collection of unwanted or expired drugs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following locations:

•     Pierce County Sheriff’s Department South Hill Precinct, 271 John Bananola Way E., Puyallup

•     University Place Police Department, 3609 Market Place West Suite 201, University Place

•     Edgewood/Milton Police Department collection site, 2800 Milton Way, Milton in the Albertson’s parking lot.

•     Sprinker Rec Center Parking Lot, 14824 South C Street, Tacoma

There are 23 “take back” sites in Pierce County that operate year-round. Most are law enforcement agencies, but some pharmacies also participate. Only law enforcement agencies can accept controlled substances. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s directory featuring all 23 sites can be found here.

Take back programs are a good way to reduce the amount of medicines entering the environment. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Sept. 25, 2010 in coordination with 3,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. Citizens turned in more than 121 tons of pills, removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs and controlled substances from their medicine cabinets. Nearly 9,000 pounds were collected in the state of Washington.

Many Americans unknowingly create safety and health hazards by flushing unused medicines down the toilet or throwing them away. Drugs flushed down the toilet will eventually flow into water bodies like Puget Sound because most medicines are not removed by wastewater treatment processes or septic systems. Even medicines placed in the garbage could remain chemically active and escape into the environment when landfill liquids are sent to a wastewater treatment plant. Medicines in the garbage can present a risk to sanitation workers.

For more information:

DEA National Take Back Initiative: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

Programs in Washington state: http://takebackyourmeds.org/

Press Release by — April 5, 2012 in Everything Else

The McChord Retiree Activities Office (RAO), will honor military retirees and active duty military of all branches of the service, and their guests, with a Heritage Dinner on April 28.  This traditional event will be held at the McChord Collocated Club at 6 p.m. for social hour, and 6:30 p.m. for dinner.  This is a wonderful opportunity to greet old friends and make new friends.  Attendees are encouraged to wear their military uniform.  The menu features prime rib or salmon.  In addition to the meal, a special program is planned.For more information on this informal dinner, please call the McChord Retiree Activities Office, 253-982-3214, between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday.  For reservations, please call or stop by the McChord Collocated Club, 253-982-2795 or 982-5581.

Press Release by — March 21, 2012 in Everything Else

The Bonney Lake and Summit Libraries are hosting workshops on raised bed gardening during the month of April.  The classes will include instructions on how to locate, build and maintain a raised bed.

On Tuesday, April 3 at 6p.m., George Fry of the Washington State University Master Gardeners will instruct interested individuals in raised bed gardening at the Summit Library, 5107 112th St. E.

On Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m., Kelli Sugihara from the Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center will lead a raised bed gardening class at the Bonney Lake Library, 18501 90th St. E.

The Summit Library hosts the Summit Garden Club for children 6 years old and up and their parents and caregivers.  Young gardeners will learn about plants and nature while helping to complete an outdoor garden project with a Washington State University Master Gardener and a librarian.  The club will meet on the following Saturdays: April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8 from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Summit Library, 5107 112th St E.

 

Press Release by — March 20, 2012 in Everything Else
Women’s guide to financial security in a financially un-secure world

Financial Security WomenAt first glance, it may be difficult to believe that women’s financial needs are all that different from men’s. However, women face unique challenges that translate to different financial needs.

“Women’s Guide to Financial Security in a Financially Un-Secure World” is an eye-opening, fun, life changing workshop that will explore the special considerations that all women need to make for their own financial well-being.  Among the issues to be considered:
• Women live longer than men (approximately 7 years), so they need to save 20 percent more for retirement.
• On average, women earn 25 percent less than men.
• Over 40 percent of older women (but only about 30 percent of older men) depend on Social Security for more than 90 percent of their income.
The presenter is Glenn Leach, Senior Mortgage Banker at Cobalt Mortgage in Puyallup.  Leach has spoken widely about issues of financial planning.  The workshop is hosted by Pierce County Community Connections Aging and Disability Resources.
“Women’s Guide to Financial Security” will be repeated three times:
• March 26 – Pierce County Annex;
12:10 – 12:50 at 2401 35th Street, Tacoma–Main Conference Room
• March 28 – County City Building;
12:10 – 12:50 p.m. at 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma;  7th Floor Rainier Conference Room
• March 28 – Puyallup Library;
7 – 8 p.m. at 324 South Meridian, Puyallup

The workshop is free and open to the public.  No RSVP is required.  For more information contact the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.

Press Release by — February 22, 2012 in Everything Else