U.S. HealthWorks Releases List of Top Workplace Injuries

As Labor Day Approaches, Make Your Labor More Safe: Tips for Avoiding Common Workplace Injuries

 U.S. HealthWorks, a leading national operator of medical centers to treat on-the-job injuries, today released its annual list of top workplace injuries – with tips to avoid them.

At the top spot: back injuries, with more than twice as many back injuries as the No. 2 injury -- finger cuts, followed by shoulder sprains, sprained necks and leg/knee injuries.

U.S. HealthWorks, which operates 208 centers and work sites around the country, developed the injury ranking based on patient visits – more than 12,000 patients come to the centers every day.

“Labor Day is a great day to celebrate the achievements of American workers,” said Dr. Leonard M. Okun, National Medical Director for U.S. HealthWorks. “But too often workers are injured in situations where the injuries could be easily avoided.”

“Back injuries remain the most common of industrial injuries,” Dr. Okun said.  “The back is a great system of muscle and bone that can create tremendous force and withstand considerable abuse. However, when back injuries do occur they can be physically and emotionally debilitating – and often require drastic measures to heal.”

Back injuries frequently take place on the job and aren't exclusive to just outdoor workers. Injuries are also common for office workers, often due to improper setup of the work station or not lifting properly. The lower back is the most common site of back injuries and back pain.

U.S. HealthWorks provides the ”right care, right away” to help employees recover from injuries so they can return to their jobs or work in modified assignments. U.S. HealthWorks also provides pre-employment screening to ensure that job candidates can do the work and works with employers to properly design work stations to reduce the risk of injuries.

To avoid back injuries and other common neck, leg and knee strains, U.S. HealthWorks doctors recommend:

• Morning stretching exercises, about 5 minutes.
• Learn proper lifting techniques, including:

1.      Stand close to the load with your feet shoulder-width apart.

2.      Squat down keeping your back in neutral posture.

3.      Get a firm close grasp of the object before beginning the lift.

4.      Lift with your legs and in a smooth manner.

·         

• When possible, divide up loads to be lifted to east the strain on your back.

For office workers, make sure your work station is situated to help your back, including:

• Sitting in chairs with straight backs or low-back support.
• If possible, keep your knees a bit higher than your hips by adjusting your seat or using a low stool to prop up your feet.
• If you’re standing for long periods, try resting one foot on a low stool to relieve pressure on your lower back. At 5 to 15 minute intervals, switch the foot you are resting on the stool.

Dr. Okun said workers can avoid cuts – the second most common injury – by taking greater care as they go about their jobs. Be aware of your surroundings and possible sharp objects and treat them with caution, as well as watching where you walk and spotting obstacles.

“We will never eliminate on-the-job injuries because accidents happen,” Dr. Okun said. “But taking precautions and analyzing situations carefully can help people avoid many of these common injuries.”

About U.S.HealthWorks

U.S. HealthWorks, a subsidiary of Dignity Health, is one of the country’s largest operators of occupational healthcare centers with 208 clinics and worksites in 19 states and more than 2,700 employees, including about 800 medical providers. Our centers collectively serve more than 12,000 patients each day, providing quality medical care to help employees return to work and allow employers to effectively manage  claims and reduce lost work time. U.S. HealthWorks also offers special early return-to-work, injury prevention and ergonomics programs. For more information, please visit www.ushealthworks.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

LIBERTY UTILITIES WARNS PUBLIC OF DECEPTIVE CALLS

Liberty Utilities, a utility company servicing the Lake Tahoe area, is warning the public that individuals claiming to represent Liberty and demanding payment over the phone have been reported by its customers. Liberty Utilities representatives would not be placing calls to customers for payment. Liberty encourages customers who receive such a call to contact us at
1-800-782-2506.

“We appreciate our customers contacting us about these deceptive calls from individuals claiming to represent Liberty, Pacific Electric or other so-called utilities,” stated Sam Rohn, Liberty Utility’s Environmental, Health, Safety & Security Manager. “We encourage our customers not to give out any proprietary or personal information.  Liberty Utilities will already have your specific account information on record.”

Rohn also recommended customers visit www.libertyutilities.com/west to find out the latest information about the utility, including potentially harmful scams such as this. The website also offers information on services offered by the utility, including free energy audits and recycling rebates.

William Jessup University Reports Record-Breaking Enrollment

Momentum Continues Amid Expansion and New Programs

William Jessup University's record-breaking student
enrollment on their first day of school

William Jessup University on Wednesday, August 28 began its 2013-14 academic year with the largest enrollment in the university’s 74-year history. The university has reported continued growth in enrollment during the past four consecutive years.

William Jessup’s enrollment is up 10 percent from last fall to over 1,100 students, including the largest number of new students (just over 300) attending the Greater Sacramento region’s only private four-year, residential university. In addition, this is the largest incoming first time freshmen class to date.

"William Jessup University continues to be recognized for the excellent higher education value we are providing in Northern California, the Western United States, and in Canada,” said Jessup’s President, Dr. John Jackson.  “As we continue to make progress to being a Distinguished Christ-Centered University, an increasing number of students and family are seeing us as the provider of choice for affordable excellence in higher education.  We are excited at the ongoing story of growth and expansion that is happening at the University.”

As the university continues to expand its’ reach, incoming students are represented from 17 different states across the United States and Canada.

William Jessup has regularly added to its curriculum and now offers degrees in a variety of disciplines, including Biology, Business Administration, Family and Children’s Ministry, English, History, Intercultural Studies, Creative Arts, Education, Math, Music, Pastoral Ministry, Psychology, Public Policy and Youth Ministry.

Earlier this month, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) unanimously approved William Jessup University for full membership in the prestigious higher education organization.

Three of the largest majors declared by the incoming students are Business, Psychology, and Liberal Studies or Teacher Education. William Jessup University offers over 50 majors and programs in its traditional program including an accelerated degree program geared for working professionals.

New programs including Biology and Creative Arts have attracted students and exceeded anticipated projections. The new biology lab and creative arts studio in addition to a new media lab provide students with state-of-the-art facilities.

Last fall, William Jessup unveiled a $17 million campus expansion that added new dining, athletic and classroom facilities to accommodate a growing number of students to its 128-acre campus.

Known as a military-friendly university, William Jessup welcomes approximately seven new students honoring the latest provision to the GI Bill, known as the Yellow Ribbon Program. Overall, there are 41 students enrolled in the program that allows any veteran who has served on active duty for at least 36 aggregate months since 9/11 to have the complete cost of tuition covered in any program the University offers.  

Of the new students, 74 are student athletes joining the ranks of the substantial sports program Jessup continues to build, that includes volleyball, men and women’s soccer, men and women’s basketball, golf, cross country/track and softball.

For more information on William Jessup University, please visit www.jessup.edu or call (916) 577-2200.

About William Jessup University

Founded in 1939 by William Jessup, the University moved to Rocklin, California, in August 2004. WJU is the first and only WASC accredited private four-year university to have its main campus located in the greater Sacramento area, offering degrees in many different disciplines, including Biology, Business Administration, Family & Children’s Ministry, English, History, Intercultural Studies, Creative Arts, Education, Math, Music, Pastoral Ministry, Psychology, Public Policy and Youth Ministry. WJU also offers a School of Professional Studies (SPS) at its campuses in Rocklin and San Jose. Program concentrations include Business Administration, Christian Leadership, Counseling Psychology, Organizational Leadership and a Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Credential Program. For more information, please visit www.jessup.edu or call (916) 577-2200.

Sample the Sierra to take place Sept. 1 in South Lake Tahoe

Sample the Sierra Pairings Announced

 The 4^th annual Sample the Sierra festival will feature 16 different tasting booths, each showcasing the variety of textures, flavors, and styles of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  New this year, attendees can look forward to sampling locally made spirits from Tahoe Moonshine Distillery and Tahoe Blue Vodka, and ice cold beers from Great Basin Brewery and Stateline Brewery.  The beverages will be paired with food samples made by area chefs from fresh produce donated by local farms.  Sample the Sierra is a perfect opportunity to try food and drinks from the local’s favorite places for the low admission price of $30.  Below is a list of the participating food and beverage providers.  For a full list of festival participants and ancillary events, or to purchase tickets, visit www.samplethesierra.com.

The event will take place on September 1 on Ski Run Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe from 1 to 5 pm.

Crystal Basin Bistro

Crystal Basin Cellars

Patrick's Mountain Grown

Primo's Italian Bistro

Auriga Wine Cellars

Humble Bee Hill Farms

Café Fiore

Madroña Vineyards

Toscano Family Farm

Riva Grill

Grace Patriot Wines

Sierra Meat & Seafood

Blue Angel Café

Bumgarner Winery

Heart Rock Herb and Spice Company

The Boathouse on the Pier

C.G. Di Arie

Mountain Bounty Farm

Exquisite Grill

Stateline Brewery

Tahoe Spice works

Sugar Pine Bakery

Tahoe Ridge Winery

Nancy's Green Barn Farm

MacDuff's Pub

Findleton Estate & Winery

Perez Red Shack

Nepheles Creative Ca Cuisine

Boeger Winery

Sierra Valley Farms

The Ridge Tahoe/Hungry Bear Restaurant

Colibri Ridge Winery & Vineyard

Nevada Fresh Pak

Getaway Café

Lava Cap Winery

Rainbow Orchards

Zephyr Cove Restaurant

Great Basin Brewing Co.

Beals Orchards

The Sierra Kombucha Company

Tahoe Blue Vodka

Pine-o-Mine

Tahoe Private Chef

Narrowgate Vineyards

Harris Tree Farm

The Yum Truck

Tahoe Moonshine Distillery

Hooverville Orchards

RANDY PETERS CATERING & EVENT PLANNING DONATES FOOD, SERVICE FOR SPECIAL FUNDRAISING EVENT

A local effort to pack 500,000 meals for malnourished children around the world is holding its first major fundraiser for 2013, a special tropical-themed dinner on Aug. 23, catered by Randy Peters Catering & Event Planning.

All of the proceeds of the fundraiser will benefit the non-profit Feed My Starving Children MobilePack event, scheduled for Oct. 24-26 at William Jessup University.

Randy and Lisa Peters, owners of Randy Peters Catering & Event Planning, are donating all the food and their service for the event – meaning every dollar raised will go toward paying for meals for the MobilePack.

“We’ve had the privilege of participating in a MobilePack and seeing hundreds of people come together and pack meals for malnourished children,” Randy Peters said. “Thousands of children die every day around the world due to malnutrition – we are compelled to make a difference.”

Each meal packed at the MobilePack costs just 22 cents and provides a malnourished child with a scientifically designed meal intended to help bring them back to health.

Tickets for the dinner, to be held at Valley Springs Church, 2401 Olympus Drive in Roseville, are $40 per person, meaning each ticket purchased will pay for 182 meals to feed malnourished children.

“We are very excited to partner again with Randy and Lisa Peters for this special fundraiser for a second year,” said Mike Gebhardt, one of the organizers for the MobilePack. “Last year’s dinner raised enough money to pay for more than 63,000 meals – a huge part of the success of our 2012 MobilePack.”

In addition to the tropical dinner, a live auction, silent auction, live entertainment, and raffles will also take place throughout the night. Eric Hogue, a longtime radio personality in the region and now a William Jessup University vice president, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Randy Peters Catering & Event Planning is one of the top catering companies in the area, offering unique culinary creations and styling. The catering firm has been regularly recognized for its excellence. Randy and Lisa Peters have been recognized by many organizations for their service to communities in the area.

Randy and Lisa started the catering business after running four successful restaurants, most recently Venita Rhea’s in Rocklin.

The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 23. Tickets may be purchased online at www.SacFMSCMobilePack.org. Sponsorships for the dinner are also available and organizers are accepting donations of auction and raffle items.

For more information, please visit our website or call (916) 781-0650.

Feed My Starving Children is a Christian non-profit that distributes culturally-neutral, nutritious meals to nearly 70 countries through more than 90 missions and humanitarian agencies. In most cases, the free food is used to operate orphanages, schools, clinics, and community feeding programs that contribute to long-term community development. Ninety-two percent of donations to FMSC go directly to the food program.

Corporations, civic groups and churches that are interested in partnering with this year’s Sacramento area MobilePack™ may call Bill Halldin at 916-781-0650. For more information, please visit our website, www.sacfmscmobilepack.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about Randy Peters Catering, please visit www.RandyPetersCatering.com

Folsom Lake Could Drop to Record Lows

San Juan Water District alerts public about low water levels

San Juan Water District is concerned about the water levels at Folsom Lake and is calling on the Bureau of Reclamation to stop gambling with the region’s water supply.

Planned levels at Folsom Lake this winter are leaving the region’s water supply in jeopardy. Reclamation, the federal agency overseeing water operations at Folsom Lake, continues to bring water levels down. When Reclamation dropped the Lake levels in the past, winter rainstorms saved the region’s water supply by filling the lake. This year, the region experienced the driest January through May on record and little rainfall is predicted this winter. Reclamation is taking a huge risk.

“The region is already feeling the impact. Boaters are required to empty their slips months earlier than normal,” says Shauna Lorance, general manager of San Juan Water District. “Impacts on recreation will seem like nothing if we reach dead pool. At dead pool, we can’t pull water out of Folsom Lake to provide water to our customers and must use other measures to do so.”

In December 2013, Reclamation plans on lowering the lake’s capacity to roughly 241,000 acre-feet. This is far less water than the 400,000 acre-feet the lake held going into 1976 and 1977 - the worst two-year drought on record. With the threat of drought looming, “Reclamation cannot continue to manage the water so carelessly,” says Lorance.

Current winter weather forecasts, climate change and water operations are all pointing toward one conclusion: if Reclamation continues to drop the lake as planned and the region doesn't have a wet winter, San Juan Water District customers will be in serious trouble next year.

“Reclamation is leaving no margin for error in this year’s plan, putting San Juan customers at risk,” says Lorance. “They are making a dangerous assumption that we will receive enough rain to refill Folsom Lake. We aren't willing to gamble with our customer’s water.”

Jazz Musician and Steinway Pianos Artist Jim Martinez Joins Faculty at William Jessup University

Pianist Jim Martinez joins William Jessup University faculty

William Jessup Universityannounced today it has hired pianist Jim Martinez as the accompanist for the Music Department. He will play an integral role for the University Choir and Orchestra that performs more than 30 times per year.

Martinez will practice, perform and work with the more than 100 students in the Music Department.

“I want to share everything I've learned from my career and teach students,” said Martinez, who has studied classical music for 18 years and has an extensive jazz background. “I take the approach that every student is different. I look forward to working with the students individually and also in a group setting.”

Martinez has performed or recorded with numerous well-known jazz musicians, including Lionel Hampton, the Stan Kenton Alumni, Christian McBride, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Benny Golson, Roy Hargrove and Ed Thigpen, the first drummer for the Oscar Peterson Trio.

“I've been able to work with some amazing jazz players,” said Martinez, who lists his parents, Dave Brubeck and Lionel Hampton as his major musical influences.

Martinez has also performed with the Sacramento Symphony and toured as a featured guest with the U.S. Air Force Jazz Band from Travis Air Force Base.

“He has this incredible performance career,” said Tom Ruscica, chair of the Music Department. “William Jessup has never had someone who represented the genre of jazz. It allows us to do some different things, especially if we want to try something in that style.”

Martinez is a Steinway Pianos Artist, a designation awarded by the legendary piano company to elite pianists.

“It gives us a level of prestige having him on the WJU team,” said Ruscica, a fan and friend of Martinez.

Martinez, who has 12 CDs available on the iTunes Music Store, started Invisible Touch Music Software in 1989. The company arranged and recorded files for digital and acoustic player-pianos, from classical to Dixieland music. He recently sold the company.

Martinez performs across the country with his jazz trio and as a soloist.

“I have always felt that music was my calling,” he said. “Music is my ministry, my livelihood.”

Martinez grew up in Fair Oaks. He and his wife, Suzy, have two sons and live in Rocklin.