For nearly a quarter of a century, John Allen, DO of Sunnyside, WA has served as the medical director for Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care, and on Wednesday, he announced his retirement from practicing medicine. Dr. Allen is a highly experienced doctor with over 40 years of practice in the field of medicine. Dr. Allen is a board-certified American Osteopathic Family Physician, and attended Medical school at Midwestern University, graduating in 1977. Dr. Allen completed his residency at Orlando General Hospital in Florida in 1978.

Dr. Allen will be greatly missed, as he has helped “build the Heartlinks program to provide care to over 400 patients and families last year, alone” says Debra Roe-Johnson, RN, Clinical Director for Heartlinks. “It has been my honor and privilege to work with Dr. Allen, who has always made himself available to this agency and our patients,” says Roe-Johnson.

It was March 16, 2007 when Dr. Allen retired from Lincoln Avenue Family Medicine Clinic after 15 years of service. Dr. Allen’s working life is marked by stints as an Army medic and a computer programmer, and Dr. Allen began medical school at the age of 32. Dr. Allen made the decision to pursue the medical profession during a hospital stay after he injured a toe with lawnmower.

In October of 2010, Dr. Allen was one of more than 175 family physicians who achieved the Degree of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Criteria for the degree include a minimum of six years membership with the academy, public service outside medical practice, conducting original research and serving as a teacher in family medicine.

Dr. Allen is originally from Yakima, but had a practice and was living in Florida when he met Maureen, his life partner. It was a 30th high school class reunion that changed the course of Dr. Allen’s medical career. “I took a look around the Lower Valley and found there might be a place for me here” said Allen. His dedication to the Valley’s senior citizens has earned him several awards, including “Citizen of the Year” and Washington Osteopathic Medical Association Physician of the Year.

Heartlinks is proud to announce that the medical director position has been filled by local doctor, Derek Weaver, DO. Dr. Weaver is dedicated to promoting health and well-being of body, mind, and spirit and his goal has been to build community by developing interpersonal relationships. “Dr. Weaver brings both extensive experience with family medicine, as well as a compassionate bedside manner. He is a welcome addition to our team,” says Shelby Moore, executive director for Heartlinks.

Dr. Weaver is the owner of Weaver Family Medicine in Sunnyside, and has been board certified since 2011 by the American Board of Family Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Colorado Fort Collins in 2010 and attended Michigan State University to earn his Doctor of Osteopathy in 2007. Dr. Weaver hails from Fort Collins, Colorado and earned his Bachelor of Science Microbiology/Spanish in 2002.

As medical director, Dr. Weaver is responsible for the review and certification of patient referrals to hospice and the oversight of patients’ medical care and treatment plans. He will also provide clinical guidance to the hospice care and palliative care program and oversee the protocols for pain and symptom management. “Patient-centered care and quality service are our highest priorities,” says Roe-Johnson, and “Dr. Weaver has the qualities of the extreme dedication and respect it takes to serve this community. This is why we are really looking forward to working with him,” says Roe-Johnson.

The Port of Kennewick Commission, Kennewick City Council, Benton County Commission, and Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund Advisory Committee (HAEIFAC) invite the public to celebrate the transformation of Kennewick’s historic Columbia Drive waterfront at a ceremony to recognize completion of Columbia Gardens Phase Two and introduce the newest tenants: Gordon Estate Winery, and Cave B Estate Winery.

Who: Community leaders, elected officials, waterfront fans, wine enthusiasts, art admirers, birders, bicyclists, trail users, and the general public

What: Columbia Gardens Phase Two Ribbon Cutting Event

When: Friday, March 27, 2020 at 2:30 p.m.

Where: 313 E. Columbia Gardens Way, Kennewick WA 99336 (near the Cable Bridge, across from Zips on East Columbia Drive)

The winemakers will be on hand, tasting rooms open, and food trucks serving immediately following the event festivities.

The March 27th event will celebrate completion of Phase Two which was funded by Port of Kennewick in partnership with City of Kennewick, Benton County’s Rural County Capital Fund program, and a HAEIFAC grant; with support from Benton PUD, Ben Franklin Transit, Columbia Center Rotary, Kennewick Arts Commission, Kennewick Community Development Block Grant Committee, and STCU. Phase Two involved adding more parking, a loop roadway, utilities, landscaping, new artwork, signage, a food truck plaza, and a signalized pedestrian crossing.

The Columbia Gardens Urban Wine & Artisan Village is envisioned as a place to sample local wines, enjoy distinctive local cuisine, and meet with friends. A place to explore public art and view stunning sunsets; to discover aquatic wildlife and walk, bike, or push a stroller alongside a peaceful nature pond. A place where food trucks and specialty shops; wineries and breweries; distilleries and tasting rooms; bistros, restaurants, and retail will combine with waterfront residential to create a vibrant destination neighborhood.

Eighth District lawmakers Sen. Sharon Brown, Rep. Brad Klippert, and Rep. Matt Boehnke will host a town hall meeting on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Richland Community Center.

During the meeting, the legislators will provide an update on the 2020 legislative session and take questions from attendees.

Details are as follows:

Date: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Richland Community Center
Address: 500 Amon Park Dr., Richland, WA 99352

Constituents seeking more information may contact the legislators' offices:

Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (360) 786-7614

Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (360) 786-7882

Rep. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (360) 786-7986

Lourdes Health is recognized among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery and received the Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award, according to a national study by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for information about physicians and hospitals.

This achievement is part of findings released in Healthgrades 2020 Report to the Nation. This new report demonstrates the importance of hospital quality to both hospital leaders and consumers, and recognizes Lourdes Health’s commitment to quality patient outcomes with the most Orthopedics awards and achievements of any hospital in the state of Washington:

•    America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery™ in 2020
•    Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award™ for 5 Years in a Row (2016-2020)
o    Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services for 5 Years in a Row (2016-2020)
•    Spine Surgery Excellence Award™ in 2020
o    Top 5% in the Nation for Spine Surgery in 2020
•    5-Star for Total Hip Replacement for 5 Years in a Row (2016-2020)
•    5-Star for Hip Fracture Treatment for 5 Years in a Row (2016-2020)
•    5-Star for Back Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2019-2020)
•    5-Star for Spinal Fusion Surgery in 2020

Variation in hospital quality can have a significant impact on the quality of care a patient receives. Healthgrades compared 2020 Award Recipient Hospitals as a group, to all other hospitals, & found that, on average:

•    Patients have a 74.2% lower risk of complication if treated at hospitals that received the 5-Star for Total Hip Replacement, versus hospitals that received a 1-Star Rating.  

•    Patients have a 78.2% lower risk of complication if treated at hospitals that received the 5-Star for Back Surgery, versus hospitals that received a 1-Star Rating.  

•    Patients have a 41.7% lower risk of complication if treated at hospitals that received America’s 100 Best for Spine Surgery™, versus hospitals that did not receive the award.*  

Patients have a 37.7% lower risk of complication if treated at hospitals that received Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award™, versus hospitals that did not receive the award.*

•    Patients have a 46.6% lower risk of complication if treated at hospitals that received the 5-Star for Hip Fracture Treatment, versus hospitals that received a 1-Star Rating.  

“As consumers navigate their health, it is important to consider a number of factors, including hospital quality, before deciding where to access care,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Healthgrades. “Healthgrades’ America’s 100 Best for Spine Surgery recognizes those hospitals that have proven their dedication to quality care and exceptional outcomes over time and we applaud their efforts and achievement.”

“We could not be prouder of the Lourdes surgical team and our orthopedic partners who’ve made it possible for Lourdes to receive this kind of recognition, not just once or twice, but for five years running!” shared Rob Monical, Lourdes Health CEO. “We are always looking for ways to make our patients orthopedic experience even better. This year we’ve added a robot assisted platform for spinal procedures,” said Monical. “Next year we’re shooting for “nation’s best” in orthopedics.”

Lourdes Health was also named the only hospital in Eastern WA** to receive a 5-Star Rating in Appendectomy. Only 4 hospitals in the state of Washington received this achievement.

Every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions using Medicare data, and outcomes in appendectomy and bariatric surgery using all-payer data provided by 15 states.

For its analysis, Healthgrades evaluated approximately 45 million Medicare inpatient records for nearly 4,500 short-term acute care hospitals nationwide to assess hospital performance in 32 common conditions and procedures, and evaluated outcomes in appendectomy and bariatric surgery using all-payer data provided by 15 states.

The Healthgrades 2020 Report to the Nation and detailed study methodology, can be found at https://partners.healthgrades.com/healthgrades-quality-solutions/healthgrades-quality-awards/

The City of Kennewick, in an effort to decrease water usage and lower maintenance needs in high traffic areas, is seeking applications from Pacific Northwest artists for roundabout art. The city’s goal is to provide artistic, interesting, colorful designs within the inner circle’s 60’ diameter and eliminate the need for grass or plantings requiring irrigation or maintenance.

The location for the first roundabout retrofit is at W. 4th Ave. & S. Kellogg St.  The second location will be determined after the first retrofit is completed. Professional artists or teams living in the Pacific Northwest may apply. Submitted designs must be original works of the artist and in compliance with all existing copyright laws.   

Submittals must be received no later than 4:30 pm, Friday, April 3, 2020.

To obtain the Call For Artists application packet or learn more about the Kennewick Arts Commission, please visit:

https://www.go2kennewick.com/582/Arts-Commission

Contact Rohana Carmichael at 585-4532, for additional information

It might have been a cold January day but, a lucky woman’s heart was warmed up as she walked into a surprise celebration to learn she’d won the 2019 Dream Backyard Giveaway. This unique giveaway brings to life the spirit of generosity that is alive and well at Hayden Homes. In celebration of Hayden Homes’ 30th Anniversary, this year’s winner received $30,000 to spend on their dream backyard.

“I’m still in shock,” said Savannah Montgomery. “I can’t believe I won! There is nothing in my backyard – it’s just dirt so we really have a blank canvas to start with, which is so exciting. The first thing that comes to my mind is a patio and pergola with a fun stamped concrete seating area to have my family and friends over.”

Montgomery’s name was drawn from thousands who entered the giveaway at Hayden Homes’ model homes throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho and on the company’s website through the promotional period.

Savannah will work with Hayden Homes CEO, Dennis Murphy, to envision and dream up her new backyard. It could be anything from her covered patio, to fencing and landscaping, to a hot tub and lounge area for hosting family and friends. Work should be complete so Savannah can enjoy her new, dream outdoor space this summer.  

Hayden Homes is thrilled to give away such a fantastic prize to a great family that will enjoy this backyard and make many memories in it for years to come.

When: Saturday Feb. 22, 2020:  10 p.m. - Midnight
    
Where: Rollarena Skating Center, 849 Stevens Dr., Richland, WA

Who: 21 and older only
    
Cost: $8 admission

All admission, skate rental and concession proceeds will be donated to Camp Patriot, an organization that helps veterans.  Rollarena is co-sponsoring this event with Jacobs Radio Programming, owner of U-Rock Radio, 102.3 Smooth Jazz, and 107.3 The Beat for the fifth year.  Jeff Jacobs will be there with his DJ spinning old school skating music.

Founded in 2005, Camp Patriot is a 5-Star rated 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to empower and thank wounded and disabled military veterans of all generations though outdoor programs. Camp Patriot is funded solely by private donations. Up to 90% of all donations go directly into their veteran’s programs. For additional information see camppatriot.org

Rollarena Skating Center has been providing entertainment for the Tri-Cities for over 60 years. It conducts public skating sessions and private parties for schools, churches, clubs and businesses.  It also has birthday party packages and a skating lesson program.  

Century 21 Tri-Cities is proud to announce a new home staging program available immediately to help New Listings gain more attention as soon it hits the market. We understand that the thought of selling your home may sound scary, but with the right Century 21 agent, along with new programs like this, we plan on making this journey an easy one!

Century 21 Tri-cities will provide up to 2-hour in home consultation with one of our professional stagers that will walk you through the process of extracting the highest and best price for your home and provide you with a customized written guide. And for Century 21 Tri-Cities Vacant Pre-Owned Homes, Century 21 will stage your Vacant home for the first 30 days of your New Listing!

This includes staging of the dining room, living room or great room, and master bedroom and a light vignette of the kitchen and master bathroom.

Selling your home will never be this easy anywhere else!

Century 21 Tri-Cities is a local residential and commercial real estate sales organization and broker office serving the Tri-Cities area. For more details about Century 21 Tri-Cities, please visit www.c21-tc.com or call us at 509.572.2465.

The City of Richland is looking for a variety of food and/or beverage concessionaires to operate within our parks system.
Richland maintains a high quality and well-used park system with several parks already having on-site concession buildings ready to operate.

Interested concessionaires, vendors, or food trucks are encouraged to apply by close of business February 18. Applicants can choose their park, which includes but is not limited to, Badger Mountain Park, Columbia Point Marina Park, Columbia Playfields, George Prout Pool, Horn Rapids Athletic Complex, Howard Amon Park, John Dam Plaza and Leslie Groves Park. A panel will review the qualified applications and score according to the instructions, to choose the best candidate for each location.

For more information, visit www.richlandparksandrec.com, and click on Programs and Events and then to Parks Concessionaire Opportunities or go directly to www.ci.richland.wa.us/parkconcessionaire. You may also direct questions to Stacy Jackson, 509-942-7463.

Milbrandt Vineyards and Ryan Patrick Wines Prosser
Cupcakes and Wine and Music
Saturday March 28th
12-6pm

Find out why wine and cupcakes are such an inspired and delicious dessert idea. We will be featuring 3 of our new release wines paired with delectable cupcake creations. Wine and cupcake pairings are $5 and include one mini cupcake, cupcake recipe, and a two-ounce pour of wine, while supplies last. Want to take a bottle, or 12, of these amazing wines home today? Join our wine club and get new release wines before anyone else.  Live music all day, from 12-3 enjoy the smoky voice and Americana inspired songs of Carter Freeman. Tupelo Joe will be entertaining us with a fun mix of classic and current bluegrass, country, folk, pop, rock and originals songs from 3-6pm.

509-788-0030 | 508 Cabernet Ct. Prosser, WA 99350