Regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A Note from Damon Armitage, MD

Medical Director, Camas Swale Medical Clinic

Over the last couple of weeks, Coronavirus has caused a significant public health effort to be put in place, which has affected all members of our community. For some, this has resulted in minor inconveniences, such as not being able to find paper products at the store or standing in long lines. In other cases, there has been a substantial impact on lifestyle with businesses closed temporarily, or operations drastically altered for social distancing. For those of us with children in school, it has meant family dynamic planning as well. As with any unknown, there is a substantial amount of apprehension about the health, social, and economic impact of the new restrictions in place and the virus that led to these changes.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious virus belonging to a family of viruses responsible for a variety of (usually mild) respiratory illness (like a bad cold). Believed to spread primarily by respiratory droplets, it cannot survive on hard surfaces outside a living host for more than a few hours. Those most at risk are patients with already weakened immune systems (elderly, very young, immune-compromised, asthma or other existing lung disease, smokers, occupational lung disease). The seemingly drastic social measures in place are primarily to protect these members of society and their families. Because it spreads quickly, if everybody got it at the same time the pressure could overwhelm the capability of our health care system to absorb this surge.

At Camas Swale Medical Clinic, we are dedicated to the health and safety of our patients and the community. We will continue to see patients and will update our practices in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) guidelines. As Medical Director, I have 18 years of experience in expeditionary medicine and contingency medicine planning with the Air Force and Oregon Air National Guard. If you have an appointment, you can expect that additional measures may be in place at the clinic to minimize potential exposure. We may also be offering telemedicine as an alternative for select patients using videoconferencing or phone if necessary.

Change increases stress, and the stress we may be feeling due to mounting social, financial, and family pressures can lead to panic. We recommend using this time with family in small groups to build resilience and strength, and follow the recommended plan for social distancing. We also recommend going to official guidance sources for updates at the national, state, and county level including:

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

OHA: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pages/index.aspx

Lane County Public Health Non-Emergency COVID-19 Information Line: (541) 682-1380

Creswell Summer Events 2019

Creswell Summer Events 2019

Oregon is full of events and things to do over the summer, and the town of Creswell, Oregon and its surrounding region play host to many of those events and activities. Finding something to do during the summer months is not a difficult task. While everyone knows about The Scandinavian Festival out in Junction City, we wanted to specifically highlight what our little town in Creswell had to offer plus a few other lesser known Lane County events.

June 2019

Creswell Historical Museum Days

Every second and fourth Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, June through November, the Creswell Historical Museum invites visitors to take in the history of Creswell and the region surrounding it during its Creswell Historical Museum Days. Visitors can learn about the Kalapuya Native Americans and their culture, as well as the early Europeans who settled in the area. The museum plays host to several exhibits and displays, as well as areas where visitors can explore their genealogical files. The museum is located in the former Methodist-Episcopal Church.

June 21st

The 110th Sangerfest Grand Concert

The Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers Association will present their 110th Sangerfest Grand Concert. This event showcases traditional songs from Norway, Scandinavia, and America. The Grand Concert will be hosted by the Eugene Norsemen chorus and will continue the tradition of their ancestors who began the Sangerfest in the late 1800s. This year’s featured guest artist is accomplished Brazilian pianist Ednaldo Borbo. Jeffery Highland is the concert accompanist. Tickets are $20, and the event will take place at the First Baptist Church in Eugene.

creswell summer events

July 2019

July 4th

Creswell July 4th Celebration and Parade

July 4th brings in one of Creswell’s biggest events of the year – the Creswell July 4th Celebration and Parade. Every year, the Independence Day festivities begin with a community pancake breakfast before the parade and at 11:00 am, planes fly down to signal the start of the parade. The Creswell parade is full of fun entertainment, such as local marching bands, fire trucks, horses, and so much more.

The celebration continues immediately after the parade with a picnic, which includes hotdogs, hamburgers, various treats, a beer garden and several activities tailored to the kids. Kids ages 8 to 17 can head out to Hobby Field for the chance to fly in a small aircraft with their pilots. The afternoon also brings a vintage car show and performances by local bands. The day’s festivities end at dusk with a fireworks show.

July 18th – 20th

Bohemia Mining Days

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Cottage Grove’s Bohemia Mining Days, which celebrates the discovery of gold, and the history of Cottage Grove. The festival is full of various food and entertainment options such as a carnival, multiple parades, a costume contest, historical tours, live music performances, and a Gold Rush Run. There are options for the kids too, such as a treasure hunt, games, and rides. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Every Trail Tells a Tale,” and the festival will take place in Downtown Cottage Grove.

August 2019

August 23rd – 25th

Market Fest

Market Fest at The Fifth Street Public Market in Eugene returns this year to showcase local art, food, drinks, music, competitions and more. The inaugural 2018 Market Fest brought together over 25,000 area residents and visitors to enjoy craft beverages, local food, a classic car show, local vendors, an Iron Chef-style competition, as well as multiple activities for the kids to enjoy. While this isn’t in Creswell, it’s sure to feature some locals so go and show your support.

July 12th – 14th

McKenzie River Lavender Festival

Enjoy the calming scent of lavender while the bee’s work hard at the McKenzie River Lavender Festival. There will be booths of crafts, blankets, and food and drinks. Pack a picnic blanket and enjoy the afternoon snapping beautiful pictures with your phone.

Enjoy Your Summer

These are just a few of the area’s summer events, but with so many events nearby, it will be easy to keep your families busy all summer long. Remember to use plenty of sunscreen to protect you and your families skin, and stay hydrated!

 

A Complete Guide to Holiday Events in Lane County

A Complete Guide to Holiday Events in Lane County

Does it ever feel like holiday season passes in a flash? For the most part, people spend their holiday season under the stress of providing a great experience for their family, friends, and/or loved ones. So much so that some people begin to declare they “hate the holidays.” Lies. Nobody hates the holidays. But, if you forget to slow down and simply enjoy the time with good company, it makes sense why it might just feel like a whirlwind of consumerism. Setting aside time to enjoy some of the local offerings during the holiday season is a great way to spend a few special moments with each other. Here’s a look at some fun holiday events in Lane County.

Holiday Market

December 15, 16, 22, 23, 10:00am to 6:00pm | December 24, 10:00am to 4:00pm
796 W. 13th Ave., Eugene, OR

The Saturday Market’s Holiday Market is vintage Eugene. If you have a friend or family member coming to town this holiday season and you want to fully immerse them into Eugene, Oregon, take them to the Holiday Market. Aside from the endearing and sometimes comical atmosphere, it really is something to behold. There is an incredibly wide range of handmade arts and gifts ranging from fun and goofy, to practical and useful, to accessible trinkets and crafts, to enigmatic works of art. When you grow tired of walking about, the market offers an international food court made up of only local vendors and provides seating to enjoy local musical artists while they fill the room with original arrangements.

Gingerbread House Night

December 21, 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Adventure! Children’s Museum, 490 Valley River Center, Eugene, OR

Gingerbread House Night is a tradition in many households; as is the mess left behind. Adventure! Children’s Museum is graciously opening their doors so that your dwelling may remain mess free. They ask that you RSVP by December 17th so that they can prepare enough gingerbread, but there is no limit for how many can come to enjoy the workshop! House building materials cost $12 each, with hot cocoa or tea included to enjoy while you construct your ginger abode.

Winter Solstice Celebration

December 14, 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 1680 E. 15th Ave., Eugene, OR

Come celebrate the winter solstice celebration by journeying back into Oregon’s ice age past! The Museum of Natural and Cultural History will be hosting a meet and greet with prehistoric sloths, mammoths, and other thought-to-be-extinct freezing friends. In addition to your icy expedition will be live music and dance performances, crafts, face painting, and a gift shop stocked with locally made holiday gifts. General Admission costs $5 or is free with a non-perishable food donation (per person) to FOOD For Lane County.

Live Nativity

December 22, 23, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Friendly Street Church of God, 2290 Friendly St., Eugene, OR

A Eugene tradition unlike any other, the live nativity is put on by the Friendly Street Church of God. The event is open to all and serves complimentary hot beverages and cookies. With animals in tow, the Friendly Street Church spares no details in their portrayal of the birth of Christ. The live nativity is a rare opportunity for you and your family to experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Nutcracker at the Hult

December 21, 22, 7:30pm | December 22, 23, 2:00pm
The Hult Center, 1 Eugene Center, Eugene, OR

Everybody should see a live performance of The Nutcracker at least once. Fortunately for us, we have the added benefit of being home to the renowned Eugene Ballet, who has been performing The Nutcracker annually since 1981. This year’s performance will be accompanied by Orchestra Next. Have an enchanted evening out with a partner or friends, or bring the whole family to watch Clara and the Nutcracker in their battle to break the Mouse King’s curse. Either way, the seasonal spectacle is a great excuse to attend the ballet in your Sunday’s. Performing arts enthrallment starts at $34.00 for both evening and matinee showings.

Dickens of a Christmas

December 16, 2:30pm
The Hult Center, 1 Eugene Center, Eugene, OR

The Hult plays host to another theatrical act, A Dickens of a Christmas. This is a musical version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and is only showing once! Tickets start at $25 so snag them while you still can. The Eugene Concert Choir leaves you with this, “Christmas Past is a Renaissance Feast, Christmas Present is the mid-1800s time of Dickens, and Christmas Future is a raucous, kitschy look at the contemporary culture of today.”

Zoolights at Wildlife Safari

December 14, 15, 16, 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Wildlife Safari, 1790 NW Safari Rb., Winston, OR

Join the animal kingdom in their celebration of Christmas! They’ve decked their halls, stuffed their stockings, and are ready for Santa’s visit. Speaking of Santa, how does he even determine which animals are on which list? The Wildlife Safari village has prepared a light show for you and yours to drive through and experience the wonder of the wilderness. They have “special stop” planned along the way as well as free cookies, cocoa and coffee, family photos and gingerbread house assembling at the end (or beginning). Tickets are only $5, although it is a bit of a drive.

2nd Annual Muppet Christmas Carol Sing Along

December 19, 6:30pm-Late (Minors welcome until 8:00pm)
Old Nick’s Pub, 211 Washington St., Eugene, OR

Old Nick’s Pub is putting on a free event for all! They will be playing one of their favorite Christmas movies (it’s a secret), and encourage all to sing along. Minors are welcome until 8:00pm, when they officially turn into a bar (per OLCC). Feel free to join midway through or after, Christmas cheer will be spread all evening.

Holiday Tea

December 9, 15, 16, 1:00pm, December 14th, 4:00pm
McMurphey Johnson House, 303 Willamette St., Eugene, OR

What a fun and charming way to spend a brisk afternoon. The McMurphey Johnson House runs around eight tea weekends a year as a fundraiser to keep the museum running. They often plan around holidays such as Valentines and Halloween, but December is something else altogether. Join in on the fun but reserving a space or table online. There are no physical tickets, so you’ll receive an email with confirmation. A spot costs $30 and includes tea sandwiches, scones, savories, and dessert.

Nutcracker for Kids, by Kids

December 14, 4:00pm and 6:00pm (two showings)
Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., Eugene, OR

A cherished Eugene tradition, the Nutcracker for Kids is put on by the Eugene Youth Ballet. The show is a child size rendition of the Eugene Ballet’s performance and is performed in the Eugene Public Library! There are only two shows, both on the same day, and are free to all ages. If the Nutcracker at the Hult Center is too tough a sell, or just not right this year, head downtown and snuggle up for a cozier, more succinct performance of the magical fairytale.

A Brassy Christmas

December 23, 3:00pm and 4:30pm
First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive St., Eugene, OR

First United Methodist gets a special visit from Oregon’s only British-style brass band. This all-volunteer ensemble includes members from around western Oregon. The group will be playing all of your Christmas favorites in unique style and tone, with instruments not often seen live. The band and audience will, of course, be marching to the tunes. The casual evening has a $10 suggested donation or allows for a non-perishable food donation to FOOD for Lane County.

The Village Green’s Holiday Lights

5:00pm to 9:00 daily until December 23
Village Green Hotel, 725 Row River Rd, Cottage Grove, OR

Cottage Grove is located 30 minutes south of Eugene, but don’t let that deter you from visiting the Village Green Hotel their annual holiday gardens. The grounds are truly a sight to behold, lighting up over half a million Christmas themed bulbs. But the drive doesn’t just come with a light show, the Hotel offers a holiday market, marshmallow roasting, live music, and a visit with Santa!

Only a grinch would come away from this list having nothing to do.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Camas Swale Medical Clinic!

 

Halloween Safety Tips & 4 Community Events for the Whole Family

Halloween Safety Tips & 4 Community Events for the Whole Family

Halloween is just around the corner. We can’t believe it either. Doesn’t it feel like it just happened? Time flies.

Halloween can be a scary night, not just because your kid is dressing up as a zombie or a witch (though depending on the creativity put into the costume, that can be pretty frightening). When we say scary, we are referring to costume mishaps that can cause falls, accidents that happen while kids are crossing the street, pumpkin carving scares, or losing a child at a carnival. Did we scare you from participating in Halloween this year? That is definitely not our goal. Quite the contrary.

In this article, we discuss some easy Halloween safety tips to keep your kids safe while having an incredible evening. You won’t have to fear any of the above scenarios with these tips in place. And for a bonus, we have even added in a few of our favorite community events taking place during this Halloween season. Keep reading to find out more.

Halloween Safety Tips

Safety problems can arrive in a variety of ways, so we’ve covered quite a few ways to be extra cautious during the holiday.

1. Safe Costumes

  • If your child is dressing up as a pirate or Robin Hood, they will require objects like sticks, bows and arrows, or swords. Make sure that these items are not sharp or real.
  • Many costumes have hats or wigs. These should fit properly so that they are not slipping and blocking your child’s eyesight which could cause them to trip and fall.
  • If your child’s mask is obstructing his visions, perhaps try some non-toxic makeup instead for a creative, homemade mask.

2. Outdoors

  • You or another trusted adult should stay with children younger than 12 throughout the trick or treating journey. Children older than 12 should be instructed on which routes to take and what time to be home.
  • It’s a busy night and drivers might not be quite as attentive as they should be as they are rushing to parties and events. So make sure your kids know to look for cars before crossing a street, to always cross at a crosswalk, and to stay in a group when crossing busy roads.
  • Give your children flashlights or glow sticks to use on their walk so that drivers can see them well.
  • Make sure children know not to go inside of any home and to never get in a stranger’s car, even if they are offering free candy. They can get free candy everywhere else since it’s Halloween.

3. Carving Pumpkins

  • Pumpkin carving is a memorable activity, but fires are not. When lighting up the carved pumpkin, try not to use real flames. Instead, use battery-operated or LED votive candle, a small flashlight, or even a fun colored glow stick.
  • Young children should not carve with knives by themselves. Rather, they can use a marker to draw a picture or a face, and the parent can do the carving. Speaking of pumpkin carving, some of the events we list below provide pumpkin carving or similar, fun activities for the whole family.

4. Community Events

If you’d like to enjoy some fun Halloween activities with your children in place of or in addition to trick or treating in your neighborhood, check out these five awesome events below:

1. Harvest Time at Harlow

Camp Harlow hosts an annual harvest shindig on October 31st for the entire family. It includes a train ride, activities, prizes, candy, of course, and the best part–it’s free. FREE. How great is that? The only requirement that the camp asks of you is not to wear any masks that cover the entire face and to not bring any weapons–fake or real. Head on over to Camp Harlow between 6:00 and 8:30 pm. Contact info can be found here.

2. Trick or Toys

The Dancing Weasel Toy Store in Eugene will be giving out toys in place of candy to all children on Halloween day between the hours of 10:00 am and 5:30 pm. This is a great event to take small children to before dark and bedtime. They even have crafts and a $20 gift certificate you could win. Once you’ve finished collecting your child’s free toy, check out all the other businesses that take part in the trick or treating event.

3. Papa’s Pizza

If your child needs a snack that doesn’t consist of sugary sweetness, visit Papa’s Pizza between 4 and 8 pm at either Eugene location on Halloween night. Make sure your child is dressed up in his or her awesome Halloween costume, and they’ll receive a free, miniature-sized pizza that comes in three choices: cheese, pepperoni, or Canadian bacon. Make sure you parents fill up on some delicious pizza at the same time. Buy a pizza for yourself because you deserve an easy meal on such a busy night as Halloween.

4. Bob Keefer Carnival

Halloween can sometimes be a chilly or rainy (or both) night in Oregon. If you want to get your family out of the cold, take them to the Halloween Carnival at the Bob Keefer Center in Springfield. The activities are endless: sports, carnival games, candy, cider, and crafts. There’s something for every member of the family to enjoy at this carnival. The cost is $5 for a family of 4 and only $1 extra per person. What a deal, right?

Safe and Happy

Halloween is a night full of creativity, treats, and laughter. Parents should have as much fun and enjoyment as their kids. This can only happen if parents know that their kids are safe. By following our list of Halloween safety tips, there are sure to be anxiety-free parents, happy kids, and fun for all–especially if you head over to one of the community festivals or parties that can be found right in the area of Creswell and Eugene.

We care about the safety of families, not only on Halloween night but every night and day. Check out our services to find out how we provide protection to families through medical care.