About 74 percent of adults in the US are overweight, according to the CDC. That includes nearly 43 percent who are considered obese. The United States has the highest rate with approximately 79.4 million obese individuals. These rates have tripled over the last 60 years. So the trend isn’t getting better. You may have heard about the new class of weight loss drugs called semaglutide, which are getting surprising results. Today we’ll explore those and other new treatments for obesity with Leah Sullivan, a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a member of the American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine currently serving as the Medical Provider for Optimal Medicine.
High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA)
Sharon Maier-Kennelly, Executive Director of the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance, believes that everyone deserves good food along with a sufficient quantity of affordable, culturally preferred, nutritious food that is sustainably produced in Central Oregon. HDFFA has been in the community for nearly 15 years and offers a variety of services, events, educations, to farmers, ranchers, and the community members.
SCORE Assistance and Business Owners of SENDR
Kaye Kloster, SCORE Volunteer and Regional Coordinator explains SCORE services and how they help business owners through the life of their business. SENDR business owners and brothers, Ben and Drew Balzer, talk about the assistance they have received in specialty areas from SCORE volunteers as they run their business, now international.
"Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land" with Marcus LeGrand and Sharon Maier-Kennelly
Carolyn Esky talks to Sharon Maier-Kennelly, Executive Director for the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance, and Marcus LeGrand, COCC’s Afro-Centric Program Coordinator about the Central Oregon premiere of the film "Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land.”
To learn more about the Good Deeds Project that Marcus LeGrand mentions in this podcast, check out this Critical Conversations podcast with guest Riccardo Waites.
Cultivate Bend
Board Members Kyle Krull and Paul Evers describe the efforts of Cultivate Bend, a mutual benefit trade organization, 501(c)(6), formed to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for the natural products Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector throughout Central Oregon. Their mission is to listen and meet the specific needs of our growing population of CPG entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders at every stage and be representative of every Central Oregon community - geographic, gender, racial, ethnic, and culture. They also inform about an documentary presentation at the Tower Theater supporting regenerative farming and equity in the farming industry.
The Kids Center Services Upcoming Events
Ginger Thiess-Stevens, Development Director for The Kids Center, talks about the strong community investment and support in building the organization, their specialized services that focus on identification, care and treatment of child abuse, and a fundraising event to educate the public on their services and volunteer opportunities.
Part 2: Zee Clarke, Author of Black People Breathe: A Mindfulness Guide to Racial Healing
This final conversation with author Zee Clarke highlights the basic need of safety and code-switching. Zee Clarke's emphasis on mindfulness, meditation, and breathing strategies to overcome injustices were explored along with specific breathing techniques.
Laura Flood on Maintaining a Healthy Pelvic Floor Through Yoga and Treatment
Owner/Operator of Lotus Flower Physio, Laura Flood, talks about the importance of maintaining a woman's pelvic floor throughout life, including pregnancy and aging. The goal of her work is for women to return to a feeling of safety, connection and trust in one's body through non-traditional, whole being and highly compassionate physical therapy care.
Part 1: Zee Clarke, Author Of Black People Breathe: A Mindfulness Guide To Racial Healing
Zee Clarke discusses the benefits of mindfulness strategies primarily for Black people dealing with racial injustice and racism. Her recommended strategies can help to improve the overall health of Black people around the world. In her book Black People Breathe, she shares personal experiences and strategies for self-care and proactive responses.
Community Grief Ceremony
This conversation about the Community Grief Ceremony includes ways to utilize group support during grief. This yearly event is offered by community healers to support the community.
Season of Nonviolence and Black History Month at COCC
Christy Walker, Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Central Oregon Community College, and Betsy Walker, community activist and reading group facilitator, talk about events during the Season of Nonviolence and Black History Month available through the community and COCC.
Cheri Redgrave on Toastmaster Clubs
Cheri Redgrave, President of one of the three Central Oregon Toastmasters Clubs, talks about the international organization and the variety of clubs available here in Central Oregon. She shares benefits, the ease in joining, and how Toastmasters offers a welcoming environment for those who wish to improve communication skills. Ms. Redgrave also talks about her creation of dairy-free Cheri's HazelCream.
Bend City Update: Winter Road Maintenance
Bend City Councilor Mike Riley and David Abbas from Bend's Transportation and Mobility Department talk about road maintenance with an emphasis on winter road conditions. The need and rationale for the Bend City Transportation Fee was explored, as well as additional information about strategies and policies for communicating with community members during severe changes.
Bend's Collective Vision with City Councilor Mike Riley and Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins
Bend City Councilor Mike Riley and Bend Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins talk about current issues facing the City, the 2023-2025 Work Plan, and goals. They talked about the Collective Vision of the City and how they are functioning under the Guiding Principles, especially when dealing with affordable housing, infrastructure, the local environment and public safety. Citizens are encouraged to track issues and topics under discussion through the on-line City Agenda. The next plan for 2025-27 will be developed in the early part of 2025. Public input is welcomed in the first quarter of 2025.
Addressing Houselessness with Bend City Councilor Mike Riley
Bend City Councilor Mike Riley highlighted the primary issues facing the City Council during the year with a focus on state, regional and local government’s partnerships with public and private entities to address the houselessness issue. He also discussed the workings of the City Council and their oversight responsibilities.
Jeanette Small from Lucid Cradle Psilocybin Treatment Services
Jeanette Small - Clinical Psychologist, owner of Lucid Cradle, and provider of psilocybin treatment services - discusses modalities of treatment and effects of psychedelics in treating trauma.
Bend City Manager Eric King on the Transportation Fee
Bend City Manager Eric King discusses a transportation fee being being considered by the Bend City Council. Mr King talks about the need for maintaining the road systems in Oregon and why the fee is important to a growing city. Bend City Council will vote on the fee in 2024.
Part 2: Bend City Councilor Mike Riley and Housing Director Lynne McConnell on Affordable Housing
In part two of a discussing on housing, Bend City Councilor Mike Riley and Bend Housing Director Lynne McConnell discuss home affordability in Bend and what the city is doing to support development of affordable homes, including land expansion and housing projects.
Robert Sposato on Jazz in Central Oregon
Robert Sposato brings jazz to Sisters, OR and Central Oregon and discusses shows and events happening in Central Oregon.
Part 1: Bend City Councilor Mike Riley and Housing Director Lynne McConnell on Affordable Housing
In part one of a two-part conversation, Bend City Councilor Mike Riley and Housing Director Lynne McConnell talk about home affordability in Bend including plans for affordable house in the future.