In honor of Mother’s Day, WCRW is collecting donations for two different charities located here in Washington County through April until our next meeting on May 15th. Please contact WCRW officers if you have donations that you need to have picked up, otherwise please bring your donations to our meeting on Saturday, May 15th at the Lake Elmo Inn. Officers will deliver the items later that day. The first is Dawn’s Closet which is part of Valley Outreach. The second is the St. Croix Valley Lifecare Center.
Dawn’s Closet provides clothing, accessories, and household essentials free of charge for work, school and everyday to men, women and children of all ages and all sizes in need who live in Washington County and surrounding border communities in eastern Ramsey County and western Wisconsin. We currently are serving over 200 families each month in Dawn’s Closet.
Dawn’s Closet accepts donations of gently used, clean, quality men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories for all occasions, in all sizes and for all ages.
They also accept gently used, clean sets of sheets, quilts, comforters, blankets, kitchen and bath linens, sets of dishes, glassware, and flatware, kitchen utensils, cookware, infant care items, and gently used, operational small household appliances (e.g. small microwave ovens, blenders, mixers, toasters, toaster ovens, crock pots, irons, etc.)
Because they have limited space, we cannot accept donations of used toys, knick knacks, electronic equipment, or furniture.
Dawn’s Closet operates with the support of volunteers who sort and stock donations and assist clients when they come to select clothing and household essentials.
All of the items that the St. Croix Valley LifeCare Center provides to our clients are donated gifts – straight from you to them! We welcome your donations and encourage you to visit our center to learn more.
At this time the St. Croix Valley Lifecare Center is in particular need of:
Un-opened only, please:
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Lotions/shampoos/soaps
- Formula
- Baby food/cereal
- Nursing Pads
Video from Michele Bachmann/Sarah Palin Rally
For those of us that could not make it to the Michele Bachmann/Sarah Palin Rally last week, WCRW has video of Michele Bachmann’s entire speech as well as Sarah Palin’s speech.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUIcpPMsBJo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1]
I apologize for the poorer quality of the Palin video, I couldn’t find any better!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alxXzOC-Rdo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1]
Palin Speech Part 2
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0YeydDCWIQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1]
Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin being interviewed by Sean Hannity:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40g1YpKUsts&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1]
State Representative
Bob Dettmer
251 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-4124 E-mail: [email protected]
March 23, 2010
NEWS COLUMN
Lyme Disease: Better Treatment for Minnesotans; More Protection for Doctors
By Bob Dettmer
State Representative
District 52A
During my two terms as your representative I have been confronted with variety of issues that impact our state. One issue I have particularly gravitated toward is Lyme disease. For more than two years now I have been pushing for reforms that would allow Minnesotans suffering from the disease to receive better treatment. I am encouraged because I think our efforts are starting to get some traction here in St. Paul.
Lyme disease is a growing problem in this state. Over the last decade there has been a 450 percent increase in the number of cases statewide. Minnesota currently ranks 8th nationally in number of Lyme cases, and more than 1,000 people were diagnosed last year. Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose and can often be confused with other ailments. The number of Lyme cases could be much higher.
I have joined Representative John Ward, of Brainerd, in the bipartisan effort to pass a bill to give patients and their doctors the ability to decide how best to treat each individual case. The current Infectious Diseases Society of America (ISDA) guidelines, that the Minnesota Medical Board follows, only allow doctors to prescribe 28 days of medication to Lyme patients. Doctors are subject to disciplinary action if they do not adhere to these guidelines.
Treating Lyme disease can be complicated, and in most cases four weeks of medication is not enough. It can take months or even years of antibiotic therapy to fully cure Lyme. In some states doctors who prescribe long-term antibiotic treatment have had their medical licenses suspended or revoked.
Fortunately this has not happened in Minnesota, but it is important for doctors to know they are protected and for patients to receive the proper treatment. Few doctors are willing to treat Lyme patients and those that do are swamped. Patients are forced to leave Minnesota and seek treatment in other states. It is my hope this bill will give patients and doctors more choice when it comes to Lyme treatment.
The bill has already passed the Senate and is currently in House committee hearings. Hopefully this will send a message to the Medical Board, and they will take another look at the guidelines. Lyme patients deserve the opportunity to seek the treatment they need without hassle. This bill will encourage increased access, free physicians to treat on a case-by-case basis and give patients more options.
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Representative Dettmer encourages constituents to contact him with questions or opinions on any state legislative issue. He may be reached at [email protected] or 651.296.4124. Mail should be sent to Rep. Bob Dettmer, 329 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Join Rep. Dettmer’s e-mail list to receive updates and announcements!