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Be aware of ongoing scam phone calls

1/30/2020

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​Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of ongoing scam phone calls with criminals threatening to shut off power if a payment is not made. There have been double the number of scam attempts, in some areas, compared to this time last year.
 
PG&E’s Corporate Security department has received several reports in the past few weeks regarding scammers requesting payment on past due utility bills immediately using a Green Dot card, Money Pack or gift card. These most recent reports have come from across PG&E service area.
 
Another new trend that PG&E is seeing is that the scam is becoming more detailed. Scammers include specific names of customers, and in some cases, guessing general dollar amounts owed. They are also disguising their true phone numbers with a caller ID that says “PG&E” or “Pacific Gas & Electric.”
 
Other scam phone call tactics include:
 
  • Notifying residents that they are eligible for a federal tax refund related to their utility bill;
  • Trying to sell services related to solar evaluation; and
  • Claiming to represent a PG&E initiative to sell a product in order to gain access to their home.
 
PG&E offers the following tips to help protect customers from all types of potential scams:
 
  • PG&E will not ask for personal information or a credit card number over the phone. Anyone who has received such a phone call and provided credit card or checking account information should report it immediately to the credit card company or bank and law enforcement.
 
  • Customers with concerns about the legitimacy of a call about a past due bill, service request or request for personal information are encouraged to call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
 
  • Customers should always ask to see identification before allowing anyone claiming to be a PG&E representative inside their home. PG&E employees always carry their identification and are willing to show it to you.
 
  • If a person claiming to be a PG&E employee has identification and you still feel uncomfortable, call PG&E’s customer service line at 1-800-743-5000 to verify an appointment and/or PG&E’s presence in the community.  If you feel threatened in any way, notify local law enforcement immediately.
 
  • Customers who have an appointment with PG&E will receive an automated call back within 48 hours prior to a scheduled visit, or a personal call from a PG&E gas service representative prior to a scheduled visit.
 
  • If you feel threatened in any way, notify local law enforcement immediately.
 
PG&E takes security seriously and will actively work with law enforcement to help stop any scam victimizing customers. Anyone who has received such a call can report it immediately by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 or visit www.pge.com/scams.
 
 
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Late January Storms Bring Needed Precipitation but Snowpack Remains Below Average

1/30/2020

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second manual snow survey of 2020 at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 40.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 14.5 inches, which is 79 percent of average for this location. The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack, which provides a more accurate forecast of spring runoff.
“After a good start in December, January saw dry conditions that added little to the Sierra snowpack,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “As climate change continues to impact California’s snowpack, we look to actions described in the recently released California Water Resilience Portfolio to meet the challenges brought by weather variability to California’s water supply.”
In addition to the manual surveys, DWR collects readings from 130 electronic snow sensors scattered throughout the state. Measurements indicate that statewide, the snowpack’s water equivalent is 12 inches, or 72 percent of the January 30 average.
“The foundation of California’s water supply forecasting system remains the manual snow surveys,” said Sean de Guzman, chief of DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Section. “The data gathered from these surveys are used to create seasonal runoff forecasts and define how wet or dry a year is based on the total precipitation, including both rain and snow, and runoff.”
This critical snow survey data and forecasts are used by:
  • Operators of flood control projects to determine how much water can safely be stored in a reservoir while reserving space for predicted inflows. This includes the State Water Project, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the Central Valley Project, and local reservoir operators.
  • Other state agencies, including the Office of Emergency Services and the State Water Resources Control Board, to develop responses to drought or flood emergencies.
  • Public and private utilities to determine what percentage of their electric energy generation will be hydropower.
  • Water districts to manage surface and groundwater storage, allocate the available supply, plan water deliveries, and coordinate conjunctive use operations.
  • Agricultural interests to determine crop planting patterns, groundwater pumping needs, and irrigation schedules.
  • Researchers to improve snow melt runoff forecasting methods and perform climate change analyses.
DWR conducts five media-oriented snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter in January, February, March, April and, if necessary, May. On average, the snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs as it melts in the spring and early summer.
Additional Resources
NEW – California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program Story Map https://arcg.is/1fiCbG
Video of today’s Phillips survey (Expected between 2-3 p.m.)
Digital photos of today’s Phillips survey (Expected between 2-3 p.m.)
Snowpack readings (View readings for current regional snowpack and historical snowpack comparison)
CDEC precipitation data (View current charts for the Northern Sierra 8-station index for updated rainfall readings in the critical northern portion of the state, as well as the San Joaquin 5-station index and Tulare Basin 6-station index.)
 

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DESIGNATED DRIVERS ARE THE REAL SUPER BOWL MVPs

1/30/2020

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With excitement and expectations running high for the Super Bowl on February 2, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds everyone their game plan for the day should include getting home safely.   
 
Whether people are attending parties or hanging out in a bar, planning for a safe ride home will be their best defensive move.  Option plays include calling a cab or ride-sharing service, using public transportation, or lining up a designated driver in advance.  Those who host parties should take care of the most valuable player, the designated driver, with plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.
 
“Driving impaired is completely preventable,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said.  “Lives are on the line.  Not only are innocent people at risk, impaired drivers stand to lose money, their freedom, their license, and their vehicle.” 
 
Alcohol is not the only substance that can lead to an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI).  Cannabis, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs all can impair driving.  Driving is a complex task, and any drug can slow reaction time.
 
The CHP will have a full team of officers ready to intercept dangerous drivers.  In addition to stopping impaired drivers, they will be watching for seat belt usage, speeding, and distracted driving.  
 
Three people died in alcohol-involved collisions in California on Super Bowl Sunday in 2019.  Another 140 people were injured, preliminary CHP data shows.  The CHP made 187 DUI arrests that day.
 
The public can help keep California roadways safe by calling 9-1-1 if they suspect an impaired driver.  Callers should be prepared to give the vehicle’s description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 
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It’s not too late to snag a high-paying Census job

1/29/2020

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January 29, 2020 – The U.S. Census Bureau wants the community’s help to get a complete and accurate count this spring and summer. Thousands of census taker jobs are still available in Sacramento county and in every Northern California county. The jobs offer flexible hours on nights and weekends, weekly pay, mileage reimbursement and higher than average hourly wages.
 
The pay rate in Sacramento County begins at $21 per hour, even more for supervisors. Anyone who is 18 years old, a citizen and has an email address can apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs.
 
Beginning in mid-April, census takers will work in an operation that counts all people who have not self-responded to the census questionnaire. They will visit those households in person and help residents respond to the census. We want to recruit people who live in the communities they’re working. People who know their communities are best positioned to explain how important it is to respond to the Census when they knock on the door.
 
The decennial count influences how hundreds of billions of dollars  are distributed each year for schools, roads, bridges, homeless and senior services, emergency response and other critical services and programs.  


For more information about 2020 Census jobs, call 1-855-JOB-2020.


Recruiting event details:


Carmichael Library
5605 Marconi Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608


Friday, January 31, 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday, February 1, 10-am - 4pm

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Calls on Transportation Industry to “Put the Brakes on Human Trafficking”

1/28/2020

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced a series of efforts to combat human trafficking in the transportation sector. Secretary Chao was joined by leaders from Congress, state governments, and the transportation industry responding to this call to action.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed to working with our public and private partners to fight human trafficking on America’s transportation system,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
Among the initiatives announced by Secretary Chao is a renewed focus on the “Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking” pledge to train the transportation workforce and raise public awareness on the issue of human trafficking across all modes of transportation.  Secretary Chao is challenging the transportation industry to commit to “100 Pledges in 100 Days.” The Department anticipates over 1 million employees across all modes of transportation will be trained because of this initiative.
Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, affecting millions of adults and children in the United States and worldwide. Victims are of every age, race, gender, background, citizenship, and immigration status. Some are trafficked within their own communities on various forms of transportation, while others are transported to new locations.
To amplify counter-trafficking efforts, Secretary Chao established an annual $50,000 award to incentivize individuals and entities, including non-governmental organizations, transportation industry associations, research institutions, and State and local government organizations, to think creatively in developing innovative solutions to combat human trafficking in the transportation industry. The Department will review applications and determine the individual or entity that will most effectively utilize these funds to combat human trafficking.
Secretary Chao also announced $5.4 million in grant selections through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Human Trafficking Awareness and Public Safety Initiative. Twenty-four organizations across the country will each receive funding for projects to help prevent human trafficking and other crimes on public transportation. A list of the selected projects is available online.
To support the Department’s counter-trafficking efforts, the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking completed a report in July 2019 that recommends actions the Department can take to help combat human trafficking and best practices for states and local transportation stakeholders. For more information about federal government efforts to fight human trafficking, click here.


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Be Your Own Valentine:Seven Ways to Tap into Your "Love-Power" and Change Your Life

1/28/2020

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By Karen McGregor
          Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and we all have our feelings about it. If we're dating or (happily) married, we may be excited about the flowers, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. If we are single, we may feel dissatisfied, sad, or annoyed. (We may even retitle the holiday "Singles Awareness Day.") Either way, is our tendency to define love in terms of romance making us miss a much bigger picture?
          Yes, I believe so. I have no issue with Valentine's Day itself—I just don't want us to let it trivialize what love actually is.
          Whether you have a partner or not, don't fall into the trap of seeing love as something outside yourself. We're all born with love; in fact, it's our Divine Purpose—our reason for being here—and it's the origin of all our power. It's what allows us to exert positive influence on those around us.
          When you reconnect with that primal power—I call it "love-power"—you unlock the door to a deeper, richer, more meaningful life. You become a heart-driven person who regularly uses your influence to not only improve your life but the lives of those around you.
          You may not be used to thinking of power and influence in terms of love. That's because Western civilization views the mind (not the heart) as the source of power. But since intellect is intertwined with ego, love-based power often gets distorted, morphing into fear-based power. This causes us to seek to control others, to be passive-aggressive, to act like a victim, to engage in risky behaviors to feel special or noticed, and more.
          I believe the ancient wisdom of the 4,000-year-old Tao Te Ching can help us identify and break the "power patterns" that undermine our influence, create dysfunctional relationships, and otherwise squelch our potential.
          When you're in pure love-power, you're happy, curious, in an unending state of awe. You're quick to forgive. You're wide open to other people and new opportunities. Everything about how you experience the world—and how it experiences you—shifts.
          Read on for some "light" and relatively simple things you can do on Valentine's Day—and afterward—to start reconnecting with your pure love-power.
Take a Valentine's Day meditation break. (It's the key to experiencing life in the holy moment of now.) Why should we meditate? Because it helps us detach from our preferences—which trigger our need to be "right" or "in control" and lead to suffering—and practice being in the present. Just set aside 15-20 minutes to sit quietly and focus on your breath. If your mind wanders, that's okay: The point is not to judge the thoughts that stream endlessly into your consciousness but to allow them to ebb and flow without getting emotionally hooked.
Successful meditation occurs when there is no war between your head and your heart. This state is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. If you've always 'meant' to try meditating but haven't yet done so, Valentine's Day is the perfect day to start.
Gift yourself a lovely journal. Journaling is a powerful practice that can help you get in better touch with your thoughts and feelings, recognize goals, enhance gratitude, and pinpoint areas in your life that need work. Find a journal that speaks to you (pick a gorgeous one that inspires you to write). Then set aside some time alone (even just 10 minutes) to write each day.
  • Journal to find gratitude. Write about your blessings until you see how abundant your life really is. Pause as you write to ensure that you really feel the state of gratitude.
  • Journal to stay in the moment. When your mind is racing, journaling can help you return to the present. Make a small checkmark in your notebook or journal each time you're aware of not being in the holy moment of now. Note what took you out of presence.
  • Journal about stillness in your life. When and where can you incorporate more stillness? When does your mind struggle to be still? Record how you feel after meditation or practicing gratitude daily for one week.
Sing and dance your way to gratitude. As mentioned, many people keep a gratitude journal. The problem is, it can turn into a mindless checklist that simply creates the illusion of gratitude. If that happens, try singing and dancing instead. In his book The Mastery of Love, Don Miguel Ruiz says this is a natural expression of our love-power—which is why little children sing and dance. They haven't yet developed the filters and fear that they'll be judged. You can dance and sing in the privacy of your room or as you clean your house. If you want to take it to the next level, consider signing up for a hip-hop or salsa class or joining a local choir.
Get rid of something that isn't serving you. Often without realizing it, we clutter and complicate our lives with things that create chaos and drama. It can be anything from too much "stuff" in our homes, to too many commitments, to the wrong job or relationship. A great expression of self-love is to pinpoint something to purge. Do a closet clean out or a social media detox. Turn down a project. Draw a much-needed boundary. Just take one step to simplify your life and free up your energy.
Grieve losses and release pain with this heart exercise. This may not feel very Valentine-y, but when we're changing our life for the better, we must first release what was. Otherwise we'll get stuck and block the clarity we need to move forward. Pain can be released through the portal of the heart. When you focus on your heart, a desire to release the pain of the past may arise. Even better, your heart knows how to do that without your mind interrupting.
Here's a simple exercise: Focus on the heart and allow the feelings of your past to present themselves. Just allow the process to unfold. Allow your body to feel and release without letting your mind get hooked into the emotion, feeding the ego needs and magnifying your power patterns. When you put your attention on your heart, you may notice that it feels warm or even hot. That is a sign you are releasing stored emotional pain.
If you're single, stop searching for "the one." It's common to believe that there's one person out there who can finally see us for who we really are. But searching for our perfect match is a chase that's based on an illusion. I love romance, but I've come to believe that it's usually founded in the need to be special. People search for "the one" their entire lives, never escaping the constant craving for specialness. Never confuse love with specialness. Love supports a life of joy and love-power; "specialness" impedes it.
In that same vein, it's time to revisit the definition of "soul mate." Soul mates are actually not romantic partners but people destined to help you grow by presenting you with challenging personality traits and actions you don't like. This mind shift may defuse anger or defensiveness and help you change the dynamic with "difficult" people who cross your path.
If you're in a romantic relationship, start working toward a cause you believe in, together. There is no greater calling for a romantic relationship than to create a better world. In fact, many millennials are moving in this direction! Rather than being absorbed by one another, they are breaking the old paradigm of romantic co-dependency and choosing instead to be inter-dependent, working together for causes that uplift humanity. This new paradigm of relationship lets people shift from a state of isolation within their own dramas, fears, and wounds, which are experienced as they get to know their partner, to becoming a presence in the world.
Talk with your partner and choose a project to participate in. Maybe arrange to visit an orphanage to play games with or tutor school children, or plan a fundraiser event to benefit the homeless. Think about the passions you both share and start there. You will be amazed by how deeply a project rooted in love-power can transform your lives.
          While Valentine's Day is a good time to think about connecting to your love-power, or even take a symbolic first step, it's actually a journey you take every day, all year long.
          Before you can bring your best self to all of your relationships, you must connect to love-power. Love-power is the key to unlocking your potential and opening your being to everything life has in store. It's how you provide clarity to those around you. It's how you join hearts with others to change the world.
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About Karen McGregor:
Karen McGregor is a leadership and influence expert, international keynote speaker, and the best-selling author of several books, with her most recent, The Tao of Influence: Ancient Leadership Wisdom for Modern Leaders and Entrepreneurs, debuting in June 2020. As a speaker sharing the stage with Tony Robbins, John Gray, Deepak Chopra, and others, Karen knows how to support leaders to become influential modern-day mystics in the boardroom, in their communities, and on the global stage...all while taking the necessary action to produce sustainable change.

Karen built her own multiple-six-figure company from the ground up as a single mom; through her own challenging journey and struggles with her Type-A personality, Karen shares how to access deep inner wisdom and harmony (in an often chaotic, demanding, and ever-changing environment) while getting extraordinary results professionally and personally. She has presented to thousands of people in a variety of industries and is respected as a speaker who motivates and inspires audiences to take action.

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State Water Project Allocation Increases to 15 Percent

1/24/2020

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. –  Today, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced an increase in 2020 State Water Project (SWP) allocations to 15 percent of requested supplies, up from the year’s initial 10 percent allocation announced on December 2.
Allocations are reviewed monthly based on snowpack and runoff information and are typically finalized by May.
 
“California gets most of its annual precipitation from a handful of major and infrequent winter storms,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “After some significant storms in December, January has been relatively quiet and is currently below average. We continue to hope for wetter conditions and must always work to eliminate waste and use water more wisely.”
 
Precipitation in the Northern Sierra is at 63 percent of average to date. Statewide snowpack is 76 percent of normal for this date. The state gets about 30 percent of its annual water supply from snowpack. Snow water content is one factor in determining allocation amounts along with reservoir storage and releases necessary to meet water supply and environmental demands.
 
Lake Oroville, the SWP’s largest reservoir, is currently at 61 percent of capacity and 94 percent of average for this time of year. Shasta Lake, the Central Valley Project’s (CVP) largest reservoir, is at 74 percent of capacity and 112 percent of average. San Luis Reservoir, the largest off-stream reservoir in the United States where water is stored for the SWP and CVP, is at 72 percent of capacity and 95 percent of average. In Southern California, SWP’s Castaic Lake is at 72 percent of capacity and 87 percent of average.
 
Today’s 15 percent allocation amounts to 635,434 acre-feet of water. The SWP provides water to 29 SWP contractors who supply water to more than 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.
 
For information on current water conditions at the state’s largest reservoirs and weather stations, visit the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC).

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It’s not too late to take precautions against the flu; the threat of infection can last several additional months, says AMAC

1/24/2020

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It’s not too late to take precautions against the flu; the threat
of infection can last several additional months, says AMAC

WASHINGTON, DC, Jan 24 - The flu can be uncomfortable, at best, but it can also be deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] so far this season more than 13 million people have been sick with the flu, at least 5,900,000 people have been to the doctor because of the flu, more than 120,000  people have been hospitalized and more than 6,600 have died.


Dan Weber, president of the senior advocacy organization, the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC], is advising its membership and older Americans, at large, to get a flu shot if you haven’t already done so. 

“It’s not too late. The flu season is not over yet and the CDC says it can last for several more months,” Weber warns. He points out that 53% of flu victims are 65 years old or older, noting that Medicare covers 100% of the cost.. 

“Even if your physician does not take Medicare, there are alternatives. Most drug stores, particularly the major pharmacy chains, including CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid, offer Medicare-covered flu shots. And, free or low-cost shots are available at local clinics and public health facilities.” 

Weber adds, if you or someone in your family does come down with the flu, take precautions by following guidelines recommended by the CDC:

In addition to vaccination and appropriate use of antiviral drugs, CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs. 

·     If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

·     Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands often with soap and water.

·     Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as germs spread this way.

·     Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.


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Tahoe Forest Health System Aims to Improve the Hearts of Their Community During Heart Health Month

1/23/2020

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www.tfhd.com


 (Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) –  February is Heart Health Month, and Tahoe Forest Health System is focusing on helping our community understand the threat of heart disease and the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

Heart disease remains as the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.The good news is that a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent cardiovascular disease and improve heart health, even if a person has been diagnosed with a heart or vascular condition. Through a balanced diet and regular exercise, many forms of this disease can be prevented.

Tahoe Forest Health System is offering free Workshop Wednesdays during the month of February, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, held in the Eskridge Conference Room at Tahoe Forest Hospital.
Heart health workshop topics include:
Feb 5: Latest in Heart Health, with cardiologist, Dr. Tim Lombard, MD  
Feb 12: Seasoning with Herbs and Spices, with dietitian, Lisa Fligor, MS, RDN
Feb 19: Strength Training for a Healthy Heart, with exercise physiologist, Anna Aldridge
Feb 26: Breathing  and Mindfulness for Heart Health, with social worker, Sheryl Schultz, and health coach, Liz Schenk

The Cardiac Rehab Open House will immediately follow each workshop from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm. Meet our disciplinary staff, enjoy healthy snacks, and tour the Cardiac Rehab facility. Everyone is welcome!
 
Tahoe Forest Health System offers the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation ICR program, a Medicare-approved, comprehensive lifestyle program designed specifically for patients recovering from a cardiovascular disease-related event, such as a heart attack or surgery. The program includes healthy cooking classes, nutrition workshops, healthy mindset workshops and medically-supervised exercise. Tahoe Forest Health System is the first Pritikin ICR location in California. Learn more about the Pritikin ICR program by clicking here.
 
For more information about our heart health events or the Pritikin ICR program, call (530) 582-3285.


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About Tahoe Forest Health System


Tahoe Forest Health System, which includes Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA, and Incline Village Community Hospital in Incline Village, NV, offers 24-hour emergency care, primary and specialty health care clinics including Tahoe Forest Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, CoC-accredited cancer center, the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, the Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care and the Tahoe Forest Primary Care Clinic with same-day appointments. With a strong focus on high quality patient care, community collaboration, clinical excellence and innovation, Tahoe Forest Health System is a UC Davis Rural Center of Excellence. For a complete list of physician specialties and services, visit www.tfhd.com.
 
 

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email, including attachments, may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his/her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail, including attachments, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please IMMEDIATELY (1) Forward the email and all file attachments to compliance@tfhd.com to notify the Tahoe Forest Hospital District Compliance office AND (2) permanently delete the message and any file attachments. Questions may be directed to the Tahoe Forest Hospital District Compliance Hotline at 1(530)582-6655.
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The Groundhog's Last Plane Ride

1/23/2020

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By Dr. Glenn Mollette 
 
 
Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil is coming out soon to see or not see his shadow on his big day, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  If old' furry Phil wants to fly first class or even coach anywhere, he had better do it this year. The chances are he will be walking or riding with a friend in a car next Groundhog's day. 
 
A new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation would permit airlines to stop accepting emotional support animals on planes allowing only service dogs that are professionally trained to perform tasks or assist passengers with disabilities, including psychiatric disorders.
 
I'm all for this as airplanes have started looking like Noah's Ark or flying zoos.  Who wants to ride on an airplane with birds, cats, pigs and whatever anyone imagines to be their emotional support creature? Maybe you do. A lot of us do not. 
 
 This has developed into a lot malarkey over the years. Carole and I were traveling back from Maine several years ago. We had bought tickets well in advance so we could have the two front bulkhead seats. This was a small plane and our seats weren't considered first class, but we had thee or four more inches of leg room. Before boarding our flight, we heard our names called on the airport public address system. We went to the check-in counter and were almost told that we needed to give up our seats for a man with a disability and his wife who had service animals. We were young, naïve and gullible so being tenderhearted people we said okay. 
 
The agent assigned us to the two seats directly behind our old seats which meant no extra leg room that we had planned for months in advance. The guy gets on the plane and he and his wife appear healthier than we are. He was wearing a hearing aid, but he was seeing and getting around fine as was his wife. With these people were "three" dogs. Yes, three dogs! The only thing I could tell that these dogs could do was stink up the area where we were sitting. To add insult to injury we had to ride now behind our original seats with these dogs occasionally starring at us. 
 
I'm not doing it again. Many years ago, I developed a blood clot from extended travel and I'm not giving up my seat for some person who needs to sit and pet their dog. I'm not an animal hater. I love animals. I had a dog in my house for sixteen years. For people who truly are disabled and need a documented trained service dog then that's okay but plan and buy your ticket in advance instead of bumping someone else out of their seat for your "dogs." 
 
 Most real trained service dogs are better behaved than some passengers. It's just finally time that our airlines can get some control over the zoos flying through the sky. 
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