Prosser Memorial Health is dedicated to improving the health of communities we serve, and WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER. Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen an outpouring of generosity and community spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. In keeping with that sense of community, we’ve created colored heart window clings to display in homes, each with a different meaning.

A green heart means everyone in our home is ok. A yellow heart means someone in our home is sick, but we are doing ok. And a red heart means someone in our home is sick and we need assistance. As you walk and drive around our neighborhoods, look for these colored hearts in the window. *If you see a red heart, knock on the door and check on the occupants using proper precautions (wear a mask and stay 6 feet from the door). If they need immediate medical assistance, call 911. If they are having trouble breathing, have a fever or other signs and symptoms of respiratory illness, call the Respiratory | COVID-19 Care Clinic at 509.788.6030.

Hearts can be picked up at Prosser Memorial Health Primary Care Clinics, the Prosser Farmers Market, and other area businesses. If you would like one mailed to you, please call Community Relations at 509.786.6601.

At Prosser Memorial Health, our mission is to improve the health of our community. We are here to take care of you. For questions about care, the safety precautions we’re taking, or other related healthcare issues, please call your clinic, the hospital, or visit prosserhealth.org.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center has been selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in Healthcare. The complete list of this year’s winners, in alphabetical order, is available at modernhealthcare.com/bestplaceslist. Modern Healthcare will publish a special supplement featuring ranked lists of all the winners along with their October 12th issue.

"It has been an especially trying year for the world, and healthcare in particular as COVID-19 ravages our communities and your workplaces," said Aurora Aguilar, Modern Healthcare's editor. "But the organizations recognized on this year's list rose to the top and continued to be a source of strength for their teammates. They have seen their colleagues fall ill to the virus and struggled with the economic impact of the pandemic. The loyalty and trust between employers and their workers is being put to the test now more than ever. We congratulate the Best Places to Work in Healthcare for continuing to serve their workforce and communities during such an unprecedented time."

“The Tri-Cities Cancer Center is a special place because of our people - patients, their families, volunteers, and the staff make this an amazing place to work,” stated Chuck DeGooyer, Tri-Cities Cancer Center CEO. “It has been my privilege to work with this team and even during a very difficult pandemic time, our amazing staff has continued to focus on ensuring that the important care of our patients has continued safely and effectively. I couldn’t be more proud of our team and how they continue to make a difference in the lives of our patients and community.”

This award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide. Modern Healthcare partners with the Best Companies Group on the assessment process, which includes an extensive employee survey.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center will find out their ranking on the Best Places list and be celebrated at the 2020 Best Places to Work in Healthcare awards gala taking place virtually on October 8 in conjunction with the Workplace of the Future Conference. Information on the award celebration and conference is available at modernhealthcare.com/WOTF.

The Tri-Cities was selected as the host destination for TBEX North America 2021, the largest conference and networking event for influential travel content creators from throughout North America and beyond. The event will be held Aug. 16-19, 2021, at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, attracting approximately 600 travel bloggers, online journalists, new media content creators travel brands and industry professionals with an online reach of more than 300 million.  
 
“TBEX is a great opportunity to amplify our marketing efforts, expand our reach and highlight the region’s amazing attractions and community assets to new audiences and potential visitors, especially following the pandemic,” said Michael Novakovich, President & CEO of Visit Tri-Cities. “With such a significant reach, TBEX will create additional interest in our destination, resulting in a boost for tourism in the Tri-Cities, increased economic impact and enhanced quality of life for all residents of our region.” 
 
The conference program features three days of educational and networking opportunities as well as familiarization tours throughout the Tri-Cities highlighting the region’s exciting and unique attractions, from STEM activities and outdoor recreation to wineries and farm-to-table. The Tri-Cities can look forward to immediate viral exposure as attendees share their Tri-Cities experience via social channels.  
 
"We are excited to be partnering with Visit Tri-Cities and bringing TBEX North America 2021 to Washington State!” said Rick Calvert, CEO of TBEX. “This is a very special place with lots of surprises for the TBEX community to discover and share with their audiences.” 
 
To learn more about TBEX, visit https://tbexcon.com/. 

Visit Tri-Cities was recognized for earning the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) accreditation with “distinction” at the Destinations International (DI) Virtual 2020 Annual Convention on July 15, 2020. DMAP is a recognition of Visit Tri-Cities’ commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination organizations around the world.

"Destination accreditation provides a visible differentiator for these special organizations as an independent review board assessed their specific operations, leadership and policies to determine that they meet or exceed the standards of the industry,” said David Holder, Vice President – Tourism of JLL - Hospitality and Tourism Group.

“We are pleased to have Visit Tri-Cities join our distinguished group of professionals,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. “The industry distinction defines quality and performance standards for destination organizations, and I look forward to welcoming them to the DMAP community.”

The accreditation program requires a destination organization to successfully comply with a multitude of mandatory and voluntary standards that span a variety of performance areas to gain this momentous achievement. The standards cover nearly all aspects related to the management and marketing of destination organizations including governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research. Visit Tri-Cities joins the ranks of over 200 destination organizations who have obtained DMAP recognition.
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“The entire Visit Tri-Cities team collaborated to ensure that our organization is operating within our industry’s highest standards, and we are thrilled to be accredited with distinction from DMAP. Additionally, we’re very proud that our application was noted as ‘one of the best’ the DMAP board had reviewed,” said Michael Novakovich, President & CEO of Visit Tri-Cities. “The accreditation is not only an honor, but demonstrates Visit Tri-Cities’ continued commitment to promoting the Tri-Cities as a premier destination to live, work and play.”

In this digital age, readers have many choices on where to get books, but time, ease of access, and cost are important considerations for most. Fortunately, libraries have an easy solution. Residents of Benton, Franklin, and parts of Adams counties can instantly sign up for a Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) digital library card if they don’t already have a library card and begin borrowing popular eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines in about 30 seconds using only their cell phone number. To sign up for this Instant Digital Card, community members can visit the library’s website or download Libby, the award-winning one-tap reading app from OverDrive.

“Especially now, while our physical branches are closed, the instant digital card is a wonderful way to stay engaged with reading and your library,” says MCL Executive Director and Chief Librarian Kyle Cox. “We’ve seen our digital check outs soar, and we’re continuing to add to our digital collection regularly.”

By entering their cell phone number via the MCL website or Libby, a secure verification service connects the user’s name and phone number to a physical address. If that address is within MCL’s service area of Benton (except City of Richland), Franklin, or parts of Adams counties, users can instantly begin borrowing thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines for free from the library’s digital collection. The new customer’s cell phone number doubles as their card number allowing access to MCL’s OverDrive-powered digital titles.

Named one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019 and one of Popular Mechanics’ 20 Best Apps of the 2010s, Libby seamlessly connects first-time users and experienced readers with the popular digital collection of MCL. This tailored collection offers eBooks and audiobooks including bestsellers and new releases in a variety of topics. Readers of all ages can select from virtually every subject ranging from mystery, romance, children’s, business and more. In addition, MCL offers top-selling magazines that are available with no wait lists or holds.

This service is compatible with all major computers and devices, iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®.” All titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period and there are no late fees. Readers can also download titles onto Libby for offline use.

To sign up for an Instant Digital Card and enjoy eBooks, audiobooks and more, visit https://midcolumbialibraries.overdrive.com/ or download Libby today.

Our teams are ready to help you come back with confidence. 
To assist with your mechanical needs MacDonald-Miller is offering free building confidence reports to Tri-City chamber members. Let your tenants know they can come back with confidence, clean air and a healthy building. 

Your complimentary Building Confidence Report includes:  

• Onsite assessment and evaluation of your buildings equipment, systems and indoor air quality.
  
• Outline of cleaning procedures, beyond the surface approved by our safety team.
  
• Customized innovative and quality improvement recommendations, including touchless solutions - faucets, dispensers, light switches, doors, and more.

We remain grounded in our values of Service and Safety. We are actively doing our part to mitigate community spread by instituting additional sanitation measure on our sites and yours, as well as following all local and government procedures.

Request your Building Confidence Report today. 

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center is offering two free virtual community classes in the next two weeks. Classes are free, but RSVP is required to receive Zoom link.

What: Skin Care for Cancer Conquerors with Jennifer Hamilton, Oncology Esthetician
When: Friday, Friday, July 17th from 10 – 11AM
What: Participants can join for free. During the class, Jennifer will discuss skin care for those going through chemotherapy/radiation and how to take care of your skin after treatment. Jennifer will highlight some oncology safe products to use during and after treatment to avoid rashes, dry skin and acne breakouts. In addition, she will provide information on sun protection and how to maximize its benefits, cleansers, moisturizers as well as ways to reduce face mask irritation during the time of COVID.
Register by calling call (509) 737-3427 or visit https://tccancer.org/event/free-community-presentation-skin-care-for-cancer-conquerors-virtual/


What: Oral Health in Cancer Care with Dr. Lee Ostler, The Center for Dental Health and Dr. Guy Jones, Tri-Cities Cancer Center
When: Thursday, July 23rd from 4 – 5PM
What: Cancer patients are encouraged to maintain good nutrition and hydration during treatment, but that can be a challenge when the treatments cause side effects in their mouth. Drs. Lee Ostler, Dentist and Guy Jones, Oncologist will offer guidance on the best oral care before, during and after cancer treatments.
Register by calling call (509) 737-3427 or visit https://tccancer.org/event/free-community-presentation-oral-health-in-cancer-care-virtual-class/

To assist businesses and facilitate the safe restart of our local economy, City Council unanimously passed an ordinance this week to temporarily waive minimum off-street parking requirements for restaurant and retail uses in commercial zones. This provides restaurant and retail businesses an opportunity to temporarily utilize up to 50% of their required, existing outdoor off-street parking spaces to increase their occupancy during the phased reopening as outlined in the Governors “Safe Start” plan. Additionally, restaurant and retail businesses may temporarily utilize 100% of their existing off-street parking that is in excess of the minimum required off-street parking spaces as determined by the City of Kennewick.

Businesses who wish to pursue this new opportunity need to submit an on-line application for review to ensure safety and accessibility guidelines will be met. There is no fee for this application and review.

Businesses who serve alcoholic beverages need prior approval from the Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board and all businesses need to have completed their business pledge that they will follow all COVID-19 guidelines and their COVID-19 Safety Plan that is submitted to the Benton-Franklin Health District.

As required for temporary moratoriums, the City will schedule a public hearing on September 1, 2020 for anyone to provide comments and testimony on the moratorium and interim controls. The initial period for the moratorium is 180 days, unless repealed, extended or modified by the City Council after the public hearing.

Beus Brothers Farm Market is now operating at Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village through December 2020.

The temporary stand has seasonal produce from area growers, gourmet specialty food products, meats, grass-fed turkeys for Thanksgiving and will end the year with Christmas tree sales.

“We love the vision of Columbia Gardens,” said owner Curt Beus. “We have a long history of growing and selling local agricultural products and look forward to being a part of this development.”

The farm market at Columbia Gardens is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days per week at 320 E. Columbia Gardens Way off East Columbia Drive in Kennewick.

Experts say we are in for a busy wildfire season this summer and the American Red Cross needs volunteers to help in our community.
 
 “The coronavirus pandemic will make it challenging to deploy trained disaster volunteers from other parts of the country should an emergency occur. In light of this, the Red Cross is asking you to be ready to help your community,” said Alex Dieffenbach, Northwest Region CEO. “Train now to be a Red Cross volunteer and answer the call to help if the need arises here in our region.”
 
Full information on volunteer opportunities is available here.
 
SHELTER HELP NEEDED There is a special need for volunteers to support sheltering efforts. Because of COVID-19, the Red Cross is placing those needing a safe place to stay in emergency hotel lodging when possible. If hotel stays aren’t possible, then the Red Cross will open traditional shelters. To help keep people safe, we have put in place additional precautions and developed special training for our workforce.
 
We need volunteers to help staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available. 
 
HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT NEEDED If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.
 
Roles are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Home Health Aides, student nurses and medical students. We need volunteers who can provide care as delegated by a licensed nurse in shelters. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, providing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies.
 
FURRY FRIENDS NEED HELP TOO When people leave their homes during an emergency, they take their pets with them. The Red Cross is looking for established partner organizations to support the pet sheltering effort.
 
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING If you are interested in helping our community should a disaster occur, please go to redcross.org/volunteertoday or contact our area Volunteer Recruitment Specialist, Lynne Calmus at [email protected] or 509-316-1845.
 
Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and the people we serve.