Just In

        Safety first: The Hamilton County Health Coalition is offering child safety seat inspections this week in conjunction with numerous local police and fire departments and health-care providers.

        Hamilton County Health Commissioner Tim Ingram reminds parents there are four steps to car seat safety for children:

        • Rear-facing infant seats for babies from birth to age 1 and at least 20 pounds.

        • Forward-facing seats from age 1 to about age 4 and 20 to 40 pounds.

        • Booster seats for children ages 4 to 8 and under 4-feet, 9 inches tall.

        • Safety belts for children 8 and older and over 4-feet, 9 inches.

        For information, call 636-7865 or visit www.hamilton-co.org/boh, or www.cincinnatichildrens.org.

Calendar

        Stretch: Yoga expert and author Sam Dworkis will lead a three-day workshop, “Extension Yoga,” beginning Friday at the Milford Spiritual Center. Cost is $200. Information: Mary Fitzgerald, 336-8355, or www.cyta.org.

        Lecture: Chiropractors Patrick and Paul Baker will present ""How to Take Control of Your Health” Saturday at the Drawbridge Inn and Convention Center in Fort Mitchell. Free. Reservations: 860-7966.

        Clear vision: Dr. Bruce Rosenthal, chief of low-vision programs for Lighthouse International, offers these nutrition tips for guarding against age-related macular degeneration:

        • Vitamin and anti-oxidant supplements containing vitamins, C, E, beta-carotene and zinc may help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Certain formulations may cut the risk of developing vision loss by 25 percent.

        • Talk to your doctor before beginning a supplement program.

        • Stop smoking: Smoke restricts the blood flow through the eye, and smokers have a 50 percent greater chance of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than non-smokers.

        • Low-fat diets are good for your eyes. Diets high in fat and cholesterol can clog the arteries in the macular vessels, increasing your risk of developing AMD.

        • Veggies are good for your eyes: Carrots, corn, kiwi, pumpkin, zucchini, yellow squash, red grapes, green peas, cucumber, butternut squash, green bell peppers, celery, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes and dried apricots all benefit vision. Tomatoes and tomato products may also aid vision.

        • Color counts: Look for veggies and fruits in the most colorful shades of green, red, yellow and orange you can find.

Help Wanted

        Zzzzz: The Cincinnati Regional Sleep Center and Community Research Management Associates are seeking men and women who have been diagnosed with chronic Shift Work Sleep Disorder or chronic sleepiness due to working night shifts for a study on the effectiveness of a potential new treatment. Information: 877-648-3562.

Shelf Help

        How to: Coping with Crohn's Disease by Dr. Amy B. Trachter (New Harbinger; $15.95) focuses on helping patients and families overcome the physical and emotional stresses of Crohn's.

        Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone: 768-8510; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pofarrell@enquirer.com.

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