ALBANY

Lions Club buys vision screener for schools

The East Albany Lions Club has bought a new vision screener for the Greater Albany Public School District to use with elementary students to catch vision disorders that inhibit learning.

District nurse Jeannie Watts asked for the club's help because the vision screeners were so old that parts were no longer available. Robert Springer, the club's Sight and Hearing chairman, requested the club buy a new screener, and the vote was unanimous in support.

"The Lions believe it is imperative to catch children with vision problems as early as possible, so they are not handicapped in the classroom," Springer said.

The new unit, which cost about $1,700, will check visual acuity, binocular function and other disorders. Albany Eye Care has agreed to train staff on the machine.

The East Albany Lions Club has spent $36,464 for projects this year. More than $10,000 went to Albany schools, and another $7,600 has been spent on eye care. There were about 170 applications for help with vision.

The annual Lumberjack Breakfast is one of the club's important fundraising projects, and it will run June 30 through July 4 at Eleanor Hackleman Park.

Library to host parenting Q and A

"Parenting Q and A," an informal, drop-in parenting class, will follow the Albany Public Library story times at the Main Library, 1390 Waverly Drive S.E., from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday. This is the fourth year the course has been offered.

Katrina Meyers, parent, certified temperament specialist, and long-time early childhood educator will lead the classes. Parents are welcome to attend story times and stay to learn about and share parenting issues.

For more information, call Children's Librarian Scott Keeney at 917-7591.

Chronic conditions workshop begins July 12

Do you or does someone you know live with a chronic health condition? A new workshop in Albany will provide ideas and techniques for improving your life.

The "Living Well with Chronic Conditions Workshop" will begin July 12 and run on consecutive Thursdays for six weeks from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Cascade West Building, 1400 Queen Ave. S.E.

The sessions are free and geared toward adults who have one or more chronic conditions such as (but not limited to) diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure arthritis, MS, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Adult family members and support people are welcomed and encouraged to attend as well.

The workshop will deal with the issues that everyone living with an ongoing health condition faces and will not conflict with existing medical programs or treatments. Each participant will receive the book "Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions" and a relaxation tape.

Pre-registration is required. For more information or to pre-register, contact Carole Kment at 451-6466 or ckment@samhealth.org.

Democrat-Herald