Well-known newscaster Connie Thompson will headline the 2012 Alzheimer’s Caregiver Conference for Pierce County.  Thompson has been a long-time news anchor and currently produces and presents daily consumer segments for KOMO 4 NEWS at 6 p.m.

No stranger to the challenges faced by caregivers, for the past several years, Connie and her sisters have been providing the emotional, social and physical support for their mother in her daily struggle with dementia.

The free conference will include a presentation by Dr. Doug Wornell on “Challenging Behaviors,” a panel of geriatric care managers, and reflections by other family caregivers.  Service providers from throughout Pierce County will be on hand to offer information about a wide variety of community resources.

The 2012 Alzheimer’s Caregiver Conference will be held at the University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 27th Street West, University Place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Participants must register in advance by calling (253) 798-8787.  Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served.  There is no charge to attend.

This event is sponsored by the Health Care Providers Council and the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center.

For more information about the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Conference, call the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.

It’s not just baseball going down at the old ball field.  At least not if the old ball field you’re talking about is Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.  Aug. 26, families are invited to come to Cheney Stadium to watch “Up” on the big screen for free.  Cheney Stadium boasts the largest big screen in Minor League Baseball.  No lawn chairs are allowed but feel free to bring a blanket and sit in the outfield grass watching an animated comedy adventure about a 78-year-old man who ties balloons to his house and flies away in pursuit of his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America.  Kids of all ages will enjoy it.  While the event is free, attendees are asked to bring an emergency supply item to support Lutheran Community Services Northwest.  Gate for the movie opens at 5 p.m. and the movie begins at 6 p.m.  This event is made possible by Thrivent Financial.  Contact Audrey Berglund at aberglund@tacomarainiers.com for more information.

The Korean War Memorial, designed by Montana artist Deborah Copenhaver Fellows is located at East Campus Plaza next to the Capitol Way skybridge in Olympia.

Washington residents are invited to pay tribute to veterans of the Korean War on Saturday, July 28, as veterans groups gather in Olympia to remember the 59th anniversary of the armistice signing that ended the Korean War.

A special wreathlaying ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the East Capitol Campus, as well as the unveiling of the name of Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard L. Harris of Spokane. Harris was serving with the 2nd Infantry Division in North Korea and was captured during the Battle of the Chongchon in November 1950. During Operation Big Switch in 1953, captured American soldiers were returned and fellow servicemen reported that Harris had died of malnutrition on Jan 22, 1951 while in captivity. In 2005, remains found in a mass burial site in North Korea were identified as Sgt. Harris. Harris was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent April 10 of this year.

All organizations and individuals are welcome to bring flowers and/or wreaths to place during the ceremony. This event marks the 19th anniversary of the dedication of the Washington State Korean War Veterans Memorial.

For information and directions to the memorial, visit http://www.ga.wa.gov/Visitor/korean/koreanwar.htm  or call 1-800-562-0132 option 1.

The Korean War lasted three years, from June 25, 1950, until a cease-fire was signed on July 27, 1953.  535 Washington residents lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during this conflict.

heart beatThere’s no more dangerous health condition for women than a heart issue. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and a leading cause of disability among women.

The most important thing to do if you think you are having heart attack symptoms is to call 911 and tell them you are experiencing heart attack symptoms. Unfortunately, most general information on heart attacks is designed with men’s symptoms in mind and women’s symptoms are considerably different. As a result, women fail to call because their symptoms are so unlike those usually described.

A workshop, “Call 911: Don’t Miss A Beat” presents a close-up look at the most important heart attack symptoms women are likely to experience. Often times, those symptoms surface a month or more before the attack. Recognizing them can prevent a crisis. The workshop is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. The presentation will be given two times:

July 9: 12:10–12:50 p.m., Pierce County Annex–Main Conference Room, 2401 S. 35th Street, Tacoma
July 12: 12:10–12:50 p.m., County-City Building – Rainier Conference Room – 7th Fl.  930 Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma
For more information, call the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center at (253) 798- 4600 or (800) 562-0332.