Seminar to help create disaster preparedness plan

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Huddleston Bolen LLP, Volunteer West Virginia, the Business Volunteer Council, and Leadership West Virginia will present a seminar to help businesses and families create a disaster preparedness plan Thursday.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Marshall University Foundation Hall. A free lunch will be provided. Seating is limited. Guests must pre-register by calling 304-691-8393.

The seminar will provide employers with information on what they can do to prepare for natural and man-made disasters; and how they can help their employees prepare also. Insurance industry associations report that more than 30 percent of businesses never re-open after a natural or manmade disaster.

Attendees will learn about simple steps they can take to ensure that they are able to re-open and continue operating after floods, storms, fires, and other disasters.

Library of Congress in Ashland

ASHLAND, Ky. — Local residents will get a unique opportunity next week to view the treasures of the U.S. Library of Congress – without traveling all the way to the nation’s capitol.

The Gateway to Knowledge traveling exhibition is making a two-day stop in Ashland on Tuesday, July 26, and Wednesday, July 27. It will be parked in front of the Main Branch of Boyd County Public Library, at the corner of 18th Street and Central Avenue.

Everyone is invited to the ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. on July 26. After that, the exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Individuals and small groups can go through anytime. Large groups should call 606.329.0518, ext. 1140, to book a time.

The Gateway to Knowledge is a museum on an expandable 18-wheeler. It contains several areas of museum-style exhibits, a multimedia display and computer terminals.

The exhibit outlines the history of the U.S. Library of Congress. It features facsimiles of the Library’s treasures, including the 1507 Waldseemuller Map (the first document to use the word “America”); the 1455 Gutenberg Bible; the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, in Thomas Jefferson’s hand with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams; the handwritten manuscript to jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton’s “Frog-i-More Rag,” and Walt Whitman’s poem, “Leaves of Grass.”

The traveling museum launched from Washington, D.C. in September, and is expected to visit a total of 60 sites this year. The purpose is to bring the Library’s unparalleled collections to small towns and rural communities – areas that may not be aware of the wealth of information in this publicly funded institution. The exhibition is funded by the Bernie and Audre Rapoport family.

Those planning on visiting the Gateway to Knowledge can pick up a Scavenger Hunt questionnaire at the Main Branch before entering. Completed forms can be redeemed at Main for a library pen, magnet or READ silly band.

Bellefonte Primary Care opens in South Ashland

The Bellefonte Primary Care system will add a new practice with the Monday, Aug. 1 opening of Bellefonte Primary Care, South Ashland located at 2910 Carter Ave.

Bellefonte Primary Care, South Ashland will provide area residents comprehensive healthcare conveniently located near their homes. A multitude of family practice service options will be available at Bellefonte Primary Care, South Ashland.

The new Bellefonte Primary Care location will feature an on-site laboratory and a dedicated team of healthcare professionals including family practice physician Matthew T. Lewis, D.O.

Lewis earned his medical degree from Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, Ky. He also is a graduate of Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va. Lewis completed his residency in family medicine at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, where he served as chief resident. Lewis is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the Kentucky Osteopathic Medical Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

To schedule an appointment or for more information concerning the new Bellefonte Primary Care, South Ashland, call (606) 326-1358.

Dance performance concludes summer program

Briggs Lawrence County Public Library invites children of all ages and their families to attend “One World, Many Stories! A Modern Movement Exploration,” performed by members of the Jeslyn Dance Gallery of Huntington. The five scheduled performances, one at each Briggs Library location, are the final programs of the 2011 Children’s Summer Reading Club.

“The Jeslyn Dance Gallery has concluded our summer programs for the last two summers. The children and their families have enjoyed them so much we’ve invited them back. They always do a great job of creating a program that fits right in with our summer reading theme. This year’s theme is One World, Many Stories,” children’s librarian, Cheryl Blankenship, said.

“Your whole family won’t want to miss this professional modern dance company as they take us on a journey through dance, song, sign language and more at your local Briggs Library.”

The schedule for the Jeslyn Dance Gallery performance is:

• 2 p.m. Monday, July 25 at the Main Library in Ironton

• 4 p.m. Monday, July 25 at the Northern Branch Library in the Symmes Valley Multilevel School

• 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 at the Eastern Branch Library in Proctorville

• 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 27 at the Southern Branch Library in South Point

• 2 p.m. Thursday, July 28 at the Chesapeake Branch Library in Chesapeake

OLBH’s Safe Sitter Program Aug. 6

Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital’s (OLBH) Healthy Community Services (HCS) will host a Safe Sitter class Saturday, Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Bellefonte Centre (1000 Ashland Drive) on the campus of OLBH.

The class takes place in the Education Classroom of the Human Resources Department.

The cost of the class is $25 and includes a Safe Sitter backpack, training manual and lunch.

Safe Sitter prepares young adolescents ages 11 to 16 for the responsibilities of nurturing and protecting children. Safe Sitter teaches teenage babysitters how to handle crises, how to keep their charges secure, and how to nurture and guide a young child.

OLBH is a registered Safe Sitter teaching site with more than 16 years of conducting the Safe Sitter program.

To register, contact the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).