JANICE BROOKS TO HOST MLK DAY COMMEMORATION, CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AND MEMORY WALK

Janice Brooks is former CEO at Green Valley Spa and a
professional speaker, public affairs consultant and community activist living in
Ivins, Utah. She will host a community conversation and candlelight vigil Monday,
Jan. 20, to commemorate the lives and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and
Nelson Mandela.

To commemorate Martin Luther King Day, Janice Brooks will host a community event Monday, Jan. 20, from 5-6 p.m. at Green Valley Spa.

Titled, “The Power to Dream, A Community Conversation,” Brooks will facilitate a discussion touching on themes of sacred activism, social intelligence and spiritual leadership.

The conversation is scheduled to take place at the Green Valley Spa conference room and will be followed by a Martin Luther King, Jr. & Nelson Mandela Candlelight Vigil and Memory Walk at the Green Valley Spa Labyrinth at 6 p.m.

Brooks is a longtime member of the southern Utah community. She is a professional speaker, public affairs consultant, executive leadership coach, community activist, freelance writer, and professional storyteller living in Ivins, Utah.

With completion of her work as CEO at southern Utah’s renowned Green Valley Spa, Brooks is devoting her creative energy and passion to compiling a book of her personal essay and poems, designing and producing corporate, literary and motivational events, and accepting public speaking engagements.

For more information, contact TCS Advertising & Public Relations at (435) 674-2846. This event is free and open to the public and media.

Dementia: How is hearing loss connected? Advanced Hearing & Balance

Eric Maxwell, Au.D.

Too many times as audiologists we have people tell us that they have decided not to treat their hearing loss at this time.  There are many reasons why they choose not to pursue treatment.  Some of these reasons include that they aren’t ready, or that they don’t think that the hearing loss is bad enough right now, or that they will just wait until the hearing loss gets really bad and people have to yell at them…..then they will do something. 

I know that we have previously discussed some of the effects of untreated hearing loss (like depression, anxiety, withdrawal, etc.).  Today, I would like to discuss untreated hearing loss and its effects on dementia. 

There was a recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins otologist and epidemiologist Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D. and other hearing experts, that found that older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than older adults whose hearing is normal.  This study also showed that individuals with hearing loss had their cognitive abilities decline 30—40 percent faster than those individuals with normal hearing. 

Lin also found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. The study also found that the more hearing loss they had, the higher their likelihood of developing dementia.

Let me repeat that: seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. 

Lin’s study is not the only one that shows this correlation.  Other studies have shown that untreated hearing loss can contribute to a decrease in cognitive function.  Wingfield, et. al. showed that people with hearing loss also have less gray matter in their auditory cortex (the part of the brain that processes the sounds we hear) as compared to those that don’t have hearing loss.  It is thought that since people with hearing loss have to expend so much time and energy on hearing and comprehending what is being said that they don’t have the resources to perform some of the higher level functions involved with hearing.  This lack of stimulation can contribute to dementia and other cognitive disabilities. 

To summarize, if you know or suspect someone who is suffering from untreated hearing loss, please invite them to come into our office.  In doing so, we will be able to determine the best treatment so that their cognitive abilities won’t deteriorate faster than is necessary.  Until next time…………..”Hear’s” to good hearing. 

DOCUTAH OPENS 2014 SEASON

St. George, Utah - DOCUTAH opened the 2014 season with a call for entries on December 10, 2013. Festival organizers are thrilled to report that 59 films have been submitted in the first month. “The DOCUTAH buzz is spreading among documentary filmmakers”, says Festival Executive Director, Christina Schultz. “We’ve had many inquiries from filmmakers since we opened and many of them are explaining that DOCUTAH is a festival not to be missed.”

More than 60 filmmakers and VIP guests accompanied their films during the 2013 festival and that number is expected to increase in 2014 as the festival celebrates year number five. Filmmakers who have been a part of the first four years will be invited back to participate in the festival and enjoy films and the great outdoors of southern Utah. Lani Puriri, DOCUTAH Operations Manager says, “The community and visiting guests can expect an anniversary celebration full of international flare and exuberant fun.”

In its first five years of operation DOCUTAH has received many accolades including the most recent nomination as one of the “25 coolest film festivals in the world” by the international industry trade publication Movie Maker Magazine. The DOCUTAH International Documentary Film Festival originated at Dixie State University in 2010 and has since put southern Utah on the map, hosting this event that attracts professional, amateur and student filmmakers each fall. Since its inception, more than 1,400 films have been submitted from 60 world countries. Dates for the 2014 Film Festival are September 2-6 followed by Mesquite Best of Fest September 10- 12. Films will screen at various big-screen locations throughout southern Utah and southern Nevada. Festival attendees come for the films, stay for the scenery and depart having experienced inspiration.

DOCUTAH provides an opportunity to envision the world through documentary film. For more information about DOCUTAH and the film festival visit www.docutah.com.

NEW SHAREHOLDER ANNOUNCED AT SNOW JENSEN & REECE

Cameron M. Morby

St. George, UT – V. Lowry Snow, President of Snow Jensen & Reece (SJ&R), one of Southern Utah's leading law firms, announced that Cameron M. Morby has been named a new shareholder in the firm.

Morby is one of the few lawyers in Southern Utah who has earned the advanced LLM degree in taxation and estate planning, which he received from the University of Florida. He has distinguished himself as a leading estate planning, tax and business entity attorney in our area, according to V. Lowry Snow.

“Cameron has shown himself to be a highly skilled lawyer in his field of practice and making him a shareholder further demonstrates our commitment to offer a full array of top level legal services to our clients in Southern Utah,” Snow said. ”Having Cameron as a shareholder elevates SJR's standing in the legal community”

Snow also stated that Morby is actively involved in serving the local community. He currently serves as a member of the Dixie College Foundation Board as well as the Southwest Symphony Concert Board.

“We are fortunate to have Mr. Morby as part of the shareholder team,” Snow said. “We offer him our congratulations for attaining this significant milestone in his career.”

V. Lowry Snow and Curtis M. Jensen established SJ&R in 1986. Their goal was to establish a firm that would become recognized as one of the premier legal institutions in southern Utah. Over the years, the firm has been joined by a very dedicated, capable and hard-working group of lawyers and staff who have added depth and expertise to help bring about the goal of its founders.

The law firm of Snow Jensen & Reece (SJ&R) has established itself as one of the most respected and renowned law firms in southern Utah over the past 27 years. The firm is committed to providing the highest level of legal services with professional integrity. SJ&R's knowledgeable and experienced attorneys have effectively represented clients in thousands of cases and pride themselves on a long tradition of community involvement.

Snow Jensen & Reece has earned the AV Rating in Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating possible, and has therefore been designated by its colleagues as preeminent in the practice of law.

JensenBayles - Can I Prevent My Children from Fighting Over My Personal Assets After I Die?

Phillip G. Gubler and Thomas J. Bayles

Chances are, you own items of personal property that have monetary and sentimental value, such as jewelry, antiques, art, heirlooms, furniture, and sporting goods that you want a certain child, grandchild, relative, friend, charity, or other organization to receive after your death.

Perhaps you are not concerned about the distribution of certain items, but would like harmony in the way distributions are made and want to provide for some orderly way for your belongings to be divided after you are gone to avoid the horror stories that you have heard.  Frequently, experience in your own family about heirs fighting over sentimental items, such as Grandma’s silverware, jewelry, or china cabinet motivates a person to plan.

We would like to outline some suggestions that may help prevent this from happening in your family.

Make A Special Gifts List: Make a list for the distribution of certain special personal property gifts you would like to have made to a specific person after your death.  Such lists can be included as part of your estate planning documents and are typically referred to by your will or revocable trust.  To prevent disagreements about your intentions, be very specific. Sign and date the list, and keep it with your estate planning documents.  The list can be changed by you at any time by making a new list and destroying the old list. 

Ask What They Want:  An item may have special meaning to someone so ask your children and others if there is a specific item they would like to have.  You can then include this item on your list of gifts.

Make Gifts Now: Consider making a gift now if there are items that you no longer use, or if you are concerned there might be a problem later.  You can provide information and referee distribution now by gathering your children together and have them take turns selecting items they want.  A side benefit of this approach is you have the pleasure of watching the recipient enjoy the gift while you are alive.

JensenBayles, LLP provides a broad spectrum of legal services.  Thomas J. Bayles has been actively providing advice in the areas of trusts, wills, probate and tax planning in the St. George market for over 15 years. Please visit our web site www.jensenbayles.com or call 435-674-9718 and ask for Thomas J. Bayles or Phillip G. Gubler. The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as legal advice. Please contact an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

December Students of the Month Honored by St. George Exchange Club

The December Student of the Month recipients were recently honored by the St. George Exchange Club.  The St. George Exchange Club sponsors the Student of the Month Program, which honors one student from the area high schools each month. This program recognizes the students’ accomplishments in academics, service and leadership in their respective schools. Dixie State University recently partnered with the St. George Exchange Club and will provide each of the Student of the Month recipients a one-year, full-tuition scholarship. 

The 48 students recognized each school year by the St. George Exchange Club equates to a commitment of over $175,000 from Dixie State University. The Exchange Club is honored to work with Dixie State University in recognizing and supporting the outstanding high school students of our community.

In addition, one student from the eight students honored as Student of the Month from each high school will have the opportunity to become Student of the Year for their school and receive a college scholarship to the college of their choice from the St. George Exchange Club.

The St. George Exchange Club meets Thursday mornings at 7:30AM at George's in Ancestor Square. For more information about the St. George Exchange Club, contact Brett Labrum at (435) 674-2221.

Congratulations to the St George Exchange Club 2013 December Students of the Month!

Back Row: Brett Schwartz (Dixie University); Ryan Porter ( DHHS); Ben Runs Through (MHS);  St George Exchange Club President Brett Labrum,
Front Row: Jessica McGarvey (DHS); Cullen Smith (THS)

BENJA’S TO HOST HOLIDAY DINNER AND A MOVIE EVENT PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO BUILD A GREENHOUSE IN PERU

BENJA’S TO HOST HOLIDAY DINNER AND A MOVIE EVENT 

PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO BUILD A GREENHOUSE IN PERU

Following a winter of record snowfall and devastation in the Andes Mountains, Hear Walk Foundation will deliver supplies in May 2014 and help build greenhouse gardens for the Q’ero people of Peru.

Join with Benja and “Heart of the Andes” filmmaker, Melynda Thorpe Burt, at this special fundraising dinner where all proceeds will go toward assisting the Heart Walk Foundation greenhouse project. Enjoy a screening of the film and an exclusive menu designed by Sushi chef Alex Peterson for this event. Cost is $20 per person, $10 for children 12 and under.

According to Alex Peterson, sushi chef and manager at Benja’s Thai Garden, “Our goal is to fund an entire greenhouse for the mountain people in Peru,” he said. “We are excited to support a cause with local roots that is helping make a long-lasting difference for people in another part of the world.”

Filmed on location in Peru in 2012, “Heart of the Andes” tells the story of the international humanitarian organization Heart Walk Foundation based in southern Utah. Cofounders Tim and Penelope Eicher (Tim is a DSU professor and Penelope a mental health therapist) learned of the plight of the Q'ero Tribes living high in the Andes Mountains while they were traveling in Peru ten years ago.

This event takes place December 10th, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Benja’s Thai Garden is located at 435 N. 1680 E #14 St. George, Utah. Don't miss this opportunity to give a meaningful and long-lasting gift. Help make a miracle happen this holiday season!