July Public Health Matters Segment Features Keith Mills

Bel Air, MD - The July Harford Cable Network (HCN) television schedule will include a “Public Health Matters” (PHM) segment on prescriptive medication addiction featuring a compelling and motivational interview with Baltimore broadcaster and sports personality, Keith Mills.

Mr. Mills, with PHM host, Harford County Health Officer Susan Kelly, traces the history of his introduction to prescriptive pain killers from the time of a disabling back injury, to his abuse, treatment, relapse, the public embarrassment of his arrest, and to subsequent recovery in light of what he admits is an ongoing and lifelong process. He speaks candidly about the humiliation he felt, the devastation of his family, the consequences to his career as a sportscaster, and the disease ramifications of his addiction, citing how “severely wicked and destructive” the pattern of addiction is and how it can impact anyone. Read more...

Harford County to Host Annual Symposium on Drug Prevention, Intervention and Treatment

Topics to include suicide prevention, bullying, substance abuse and internet safety

(Bel Air, MD) - - On Tuesday, June 28 from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Harford County Department of Community Services, Office of Drug Control Policy, will hold its Annual Symposium on Drug Prevention, Intervention and Treatment at Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe Street, in Bel Air. Read more...

Health Department Offers No-Cost HIV Testing in Observance of 2011 National HIV Testing Day

Bel Air, MD – In observance of 2011 National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), the Harford County Health Department will offer anonymous, no-cost HIV testing on a “walk-in” basis on Monday, June 27, 2011, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 pm at the Health Services Division office located on the top floor of 1 North Main Street in Bel Air. In conjunction with this service, the Department will have free refreshments and other giveaways. Read more...

William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary Receives Fire Prevention Grant

Article submitted by FM Global

William Paca/ Old Post Elementary School has received a $1,654.00 fire prevention grant from FM Global, one of the world’s largest property insurers.

FM Global representatives presented the award to William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School, which was used to purchase smoke detectors. The detectors were distributed to families who attended the recent Fire Prevention and Safety Fair. In cooperation with Chief Ernie Little, of Aberdeen Fire Company and Fire Prevention, and Safety Officer Amber Wainwright, of Joppa Magnolia Fire Company, families learned fire-prevention strategies to help reduce the possibility of house fires. Also, Sabrina Wainwright, Maryland’s Jr. Miss Fire Prevention of Joppa Magnolia Fire Department, was onsite to speak to students as an ambassador for fire safety and community service. Read more...

Harford County Public Schools to Participate in the Summer Food Service Program

Harford County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services are participating in the Summer Food Service Pro­gram (SFSP). The SFSP is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that helps children receive the nutri­tion they need to thrive throughout the summer months.

During the school year, many children receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs. Lack of nutrition during the summer months may make children more prone to illness and other health issues and may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins again. The SFSP fills the gap while children are out of school.

A list of locations and times is provided. Read more...

Ring Factory Student Nets 1st Place in Sunguard Your Skin Contest

Michael Midkiff, fourth grade student at Ring Factory Elementary School, recently won first place in the 3-5 grade category of the SunGuard Your Skin Poster Contest.

An award ceremony was held on "Melanoma Monday," May 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. As the first-place winner, Michael received a $100.00 U.S. Savings Bond, Baltimore Blast Tickets and a pizza party for his class with the SunGuard Man! Congratulations to Michael and his art teacher, Amber Seyler. Read more...

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Commemorated Across Maryland

Bel Air, MD -- On June 15, 2011 older adults in Maryland and those who care about them will participate in a national and worldwide day highlighting the too often ignored issue of elder abuse. The theme for this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is “My World. Your World. Our World – Free of Elder Abuse.” This day is a public “call to action” with special events held in various parts of the state. Those concerned about neglect and abuse will be wearing purple to show their concern that abuse be reported, addressed and prevented. Read more...

Sara Cushen Named 2011 School Nurse Of The Year

The 2011 School Nurse of the Year is Sara Cushen from the John Archer School!

Mrs. Cushen has been a school nurse in Harford County for more than 8 years, and compassion is deeply imbedded in her heart. She is outstanding at providing emotional support, as well as material items, when a student or family is in need. Read more...

Chesapeake Cancer Alliance Dream Kitchen Tour

Patrons will enjoy a self-guided tour of privately owned homes located throughout Harford County on June 11 from noon to 5pm. These lovely homes will showcase custom designed kitchens by Rooms with a View, Lasting Impressions Design, Toll Brothers Homes, Francis Construction, International Tile & Flooring, Churchville Kitchens and Bandy Construction. Read more...

Red Cross Blood Drive at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

Come give the "gift of life" Thursday, June 9 from 2:30 to 8 p.m. in the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Celebration Hall (around back), 1515 Emmorton Road, Bel Air.

Call (410) 838-8081 for information or if you'd like to schedule a time. Read more...

Singer, Actress & Activist Lynda Carter Speaks About Women & Addiction at Father Martin’s Ashley

Lynda Carter, known by many for her role on television as Wonder Women and more recently in her film and music career, was honored and spoke at the Women in Recovery Luncheon at the Father Martin’s Ashley treatment center in Havre de Grace recently. In front of a crowd of nearly 200 people, including County Executive David Craig and his wife and Havre de Grace mayor Wayne Dougherty, Ms. Carter shared her personal story, offered words of encouragement to women who struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction and emphasized that need to for professional treatment programs, like Father Martin’s Ashley. Read more...

Summer Program at County Ballet

Six-week Summer Program begins June 6 --- but, join us anytime!

Pilates ~ Basic Ballet ~ Ballet ~ Sculpt & Stretch ~ Tap ~ Jazz

First Steps for toddlers ~ Music & Movement for children

Flexible summer tuition is based on the amount of time per week. Read more...

Violence Prevention Weekend at Aberdeen Festival Park

Violence Prevention Weekend on Saturday, June 4 from 12-3pm in Aberdeen Festival Park. 2011 NFL Pro Bowl MVP DeAngelo Hall will be a special quest. State, local and county leaders will also be present. Live music, free food and NFL memorabilia will be given during the event. Registration is free, but required. Read more...

You’re Invited to a Zumbathon Fundraiser for Havre de Grace Gal Kim Carruth

When: First Friday, June 3rd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Tidewater Marina located at 203 Market Street. It’s the large brick building with large glass windows and a view of the water.
Tickets: $10 adults, $5.00 students
For additional info call 410-939-3555 or email havredegracecurves@gmail.com. Read more...

Peach Bottom to Host Community Information Night on June 2

Annual Event Helps Inform Residents and Engage Community in Station Operations

DELTA, PA – Ever wonder how nuclear power is generated or how a nuclear plant operates? If you attend Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station’s Community Information Night, you’ll find answers to these questions and many more. You’ll also see firsthand how Exelon is investing more than $1.3 billion to keep Peach Bottom running safely and reliably for many years. The free event will be held in the station’s Training Center on Thursday, June 2 from 5-8 p.m. Read more...

Conference to Focus on Treatment of Traumatized Youth

School, Community, and Clinical Perspectives to be Explored

(Bel Air, MD) - - The Harford County Department of Community Services’ Local Management Board will co-host a conference on Treating Traumatized Youth: School and Clinical Perspectives on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the HEAT Center, 1201 Technology Drive in Aberdeen.

The conference will present school, community, and clinical perspectives on treating traumatized youth. Experts will offer advice on how to make an accurate diagnosis and provide tools to use when working with youth who have experienced trauma (inability to attach, cutting, therapeutic resistance). The conference is geared toward social workers, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, school counselors, and law enforcement. Read more...

12th Annual Garden Tour for AMC Harford County Chapter

The AMC Harford County Chapter is hosting its 12th Annual Garden Tour. May 22nd, 11:00-5:00. Rain or Shine. Tickets are $20 presale, $25 day of tour. Walk through these 8 beautiful gardens stops all located in Harford County and help fight cancers. Read more...

Synthetic Drugs Causing Area Teens to Head to the ER

On Tuesday, May 10 at 7pm, Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (in their Chesapeake Conference Center) will hold a presentation on "Why are your teens coming to our ER?: Synthetic Drugs: What's Hot on the Streets" to explain how our teenagers are easily accessing powerful yet legal drugs.

Learn about "spice" and "K2" and how they are sold legally on the internet and at shops as "herbal incense." Read more...

The Immunological Slot Machine: How Your Body Builds Defenses By Remodeling its Genes

FREE May 10 at 7:00-8:30pm at the Abingdon Library, 2510 S. Tollgate Road, Bel Air, MD 21015

Presented by Dr. Stephen Desiderio, Director of the Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Desiderio will discuss how development of the immune system is like playing a slot machine: genes are shuffled and remodeled to allow immune cells to recognize an enormous number of pathogens, just as the registers of a one-armed bandit can be aligned in many different combinations. Read more...

Health Department Seeks Public Input on Crib Bumper Pads

Baltimore, MD — The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) announced a request for data and public input on the safety of crib bumper pads, which have been linked by some studies to asphyxia and death in young infants.

The Department released a request for comment that will be published shortly in the Maryland Register. The request notes that the data and input will help the Department advise the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is studying the issue, as well as consider additional action under Maryland law. Read more...