james otten

james otten

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department »

Sun, fun and recreational water illness (RWI) awareness

With the opening of the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center this weekend, it's time to think of recreational water illness prevention.

Memorial Day weekend may be the official start of summer fun. But it is also a time to consider prevention. In other words, waiting to ...

Just Food »

Part 4: Do low income people feel entitled?

A crate of cucumbers waits to be picked through. Visitors to Just Food are allowed access to produce and bread daily, but other dry goods can be obtained only once a month.

Let me give a disclaimer: I am not speaking on behalf of, or for all people who are low income. I am simply, from someone ...

Poll »

What's your favorite way to get exercise in the summer?

Kiddos »

9 Year Old Girl's Blog causes big changes in the food served at school

First school lunch

A Nine Year Old's Blog - and the Changes It Can Make I am astonished! A 9 year old girl in Scotland has created a ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Karrey's story: On the move again after two hip replacements

From left, Karrey Britt, Karen Pendleton, Sheila Stogsdill and Laurie Comstock show off their new hips after having dinner Sunday, May 20, 2012, in downtown Lawrence. The Lawrence residents had a hip replacement — or two — during the past year and now are enjoying life without pain.

Editor's Note: I wrote a firsthand account on joint replacement in a three-part series that was published in July 2011. This is a followup to ...

Relay For Life of Douglas County »

Relay For Life of Douglas County introduces new fundraiser

Event flyer, uploaded

Please join the Zarco 66 Facebook promotion to benefit Relay For Life of Douglas County between now and May 27. Zarco will donate $1 for ...

Trauma & Recovery »

Relay For Life participation spurred by breast cancer diagnoses

Ingrid Maehl's nightstand photo

Ingrid Maehl keeps an old photo of herself and three friends on her nightstand. It is a reminder of how important friendship is, but it ...

Relay For Life of Douglas County »

Cathy Belcher participates in Relay For Life to honor, remember relatives who have fought cancer

The focal point of Relay For Life of Douglas County, which benefits the American Cancer Society. Money raised goes toward cancer research and programs for cancer patients.

Editor's Note: Area residents will be sharing stories about how cancer has touched their lives leading up to Relay For Life of Douglas County. Here ...

The Mankind Project »

Trusting Men by G. Kamana Hunter

“I just don’t trust men in general,” she said. “They’ve hurt me and disappointed me too many times.” “As a man, I thank you for ...

Just Food »

Part 3: Are low income people generous?

Volunteer Charles Tolbert, a former client, restocks some of the shelves at Just Food, 1200 E. 11th St., on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.

I realize that gratefulness and generosity can potentially be seen as synonymous with one another, and they are...but they aren't the same thing. You can ...

Linda Cottin's Blog »

Strawberries are Out, Apricots are In!

Locally Grown Apricots Will Be Available From Stony Ridge Farm at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market this Thursday!

Eating seasonally has its many benefits, as well as a few disadvantages. Nutritionally speaking, eating seasonally can provide us with the optimum balance of vitamins, ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Kansas Health Institute selected to lead $4 million national project

The Kansas Health Institute announced in a press release today that it has been selected to lead a more than $4 million national effort that ...

Kiddos »

Lawrence Parks and Recreation announces summer swimming pool schedules, offers 'early bird' passes

Jacey Yanek helps her 21-month-old daughter, Reagan, jump into the water Wednesday at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky., in this June 2011 file photo.

The Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center opens Saturday and just in time. The temperatures are forecast to be in the 90s. The pool will be open ...

Poll »

Do you wear a bicycle helmet?

Trauma & Recovery »

New report recommends Kansas implement bicycle helmet law to help prevent deaths, injuries

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School students Eleanor Matheis, 13, foreground left, and Mary Reed Weston, 13, right, put on their helmets before bicycling home from school Tuesday, May 22 2012. Kansas has the 27th highest rate of injury-related deaths in the country, according to a new report. Kansas does not require children to wear helmets, but Lawrence has passed an ordinance requiring children, ages 16 and under, to wear a helmet, but doesn't enforce penalties. Traumatic brain injuries account for more than 50 percent of bicycle fatalities among people 20 and under.

Kansas has the 27th highest rate of injury-related deaths in the country, according to a new report. The rate, 60.4 per 100,000 people, also is ...

Megan Stuke's Blog »

Weight Watchers Quick Tip of the Day: Eggs

My friend Jennifer, of "As I See Fit" fame, reminds me often that "Breakfast is King, Lunch is a Prince, and Dinner is a Pauper." ...

Domestic Violence »

Race Against Domestic Violence

P5051697

Men, women and children came out to support the Second Annual Willow Walk/Red Shoe Run hosted by The Willow Domestic Violence Shelter, Saturday May 5, ...

Aging Well »

Community Breakfast Celebrating Older Adults: Recap & Pics

Community Breakfast 2012

Over 120 local residents of all ages, including retirees, professionals, and elected officials attended the 5th Annual Community Breakfast Celebrating Older Adults last Friday at ...

Relay For Life of Douglas County »

Steve Birchfield shares journey with rare blood cancer

Steve Birchfield was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, a rare blood cancer, last year. He will be participating in the survivor lap of Relay For Life of Douglas County on June 8.

Editor's Note: Area residents will be sharing stories about how cancer has touched their lives leading up to Relay For Life of Douglas County. Here ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

WellCommons bracelets: A colorful way to keep health on your mind

WellCommons bracelets

A big bag of these colorful bracelets arrived at WellCommons HQ last night, and we distributed some of them at a meeting this morning with ...

Just Food »

Part 2: Are low income people grateful?

11-month-old Savannah Bennett, hangs on to her mother, Carrie Bennett, as she waits in line for an application at Just Food Tuesday, July 19, 2011.

I was at a meeting recently and I overheard someone say something negative about low income people. This person hadn't yet met me, but I ...

Erika Dvorske's Blog »

How does collaboration impact community health?

The great work of the KU Work Group with the Health Department as the catalyst has reminded many of us how important the health of ...

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department »

Forums over, but your input is still needed

The Douglas County Community Health Assessment forums are now over, but that doesn't mean the discussion has ended. Whether or not you were able to ...

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center »

Healing Trauma’s Invisible Wounds

Trauma can affect ANYONE. Healing is possible for EVERYONE

It could be a rape or bullying or poverty or neglect or a hurricane or mass tragedy. Whatever the cause, a traumatic event has a ...

Trauma & Recovery »

American Red Cross blood drive set for Thursday

Giving blood.

The American Red Cross will be having a blood drive Thursday, May 24, in honor of Memorial Day and to commemorate those who died while ...

Health Care Access Clinic »

Walk Kansas Results!

Congratulations to those here at Health Care Access Clinic who participated in Walk Kansas! Here are the results of your hard work! Team Crimson 23rd ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Lawrence oncologist Matthew Stein earns award from Rotary club

Dr. Matthew Stein

The Lawrence Rotary Club honored Dr. Matthew Stein with its 2012 Non-Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow Award on Monday at the Lawrence Holiday Inn. The award ...

Growing Food, Growing Health »

New Gardeners!

2012

Welcome our newest crop of fresh-faced Student Gardeners! From left to right: Di, Breven, Tanner, Allie, and Elliot. These five students, plus our seasoned-professionals, TJ ...

Just Food »

Lawrence Referral Network teams up with Just Food to fight hunger in Douglas County

Volunteers Gene Gibson, front left, and William Chapman, front right, bring boxes of food and personal care items to the back of a truck as cars file into line during a Feed The Children distribution on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in the parking lot of Just Food, 1000 E. 11th St. Feed The Children delivered two semi tractor-trailers full of supplies that were designed to help 800 Douglas County families for one week. About 350 families picked up a donation Wednesday.

Lawrence Referral Network (LRN) is a local Lawrence non-profit business referral group which meets on Tuesdays at the Clinton Pkwy Hy-Vee Conference Room at 11:30am. ...

Just Food »

Part 1: Are low income people lazy?

An Alarming Number Of Americans Think Poor People Are Simply Lazy I recently read this article and it caused me to write what I believe ...

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