Align Life Centers,

Dayton’s newest adult day support and vocational habil- itation program located at 1616 Mardon Drive, Beaver- creek, offers adults with special needs custom-tailored, self-guided curricula foster- ing person centered focus and independence. Align Life Centers serves clients throughout Montgomery and Greene Counties.

The fully renovated and special needs-dedicated facility provides clients a safe and engaging environment with interactive technolo- gies, including a smart screen and computer lab. Clients have access to all areas of the Center; individuals have free facility use and training in the kitchen, laundry room and computer lab. Trans- portation for the Centers is provided door-to-door, as well as to offsite activities. Clients have the opportu- nity to choose activities in which they wish to participate, whether inside or outside of the Center.

To set up a tour, please call 937-490-9200. but it only takes one to make a difference. Dr. Townsend is president of KTownsend Consulting and founder of About My Sisters—an organization “on a mission to empower one million women and girls!”For two decade she has helped women to achieve “life balance”by assisting them in discovering their true passions so that they live their lives “on purpose.” In 2013, her annual empowerment conference—SISTER TO SISTER—celebrated its twentieth anniversary and was recognized as one of the

SIBCO LTD Parking and Self-Storage

in Beavercreek has opened a new 21,000 SF self-storage facility with 146 standard and climate controlled self-storage units. The property features items such as a Sentinel access control system, AutoGate security gate, interior security cameras, exterior license plate camera, concrete driveways, onsite management, security lighting and fencing with all units located at ground level. The new standard and cli- May 16, 5:30-7 p.m. at Springboro Public Library, 125 Park Lane, Springboro. Join in to discuss a wide range of topics focused on helping you achieve your career goals. The purpose of this group is to help job seekers by providing opportunities to: network, share contacts, information and leads, learn job search skills and strategies. This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday every month. Meetings are informal, free and open to anyone seeking a new opportunity — whether you are unemployed, underemployed, or working but want to find another job. mate controlled self-storage units range in size from 5’ x 10’ to 10’ x 30’. The existing parking facility offers 180 indoor parking/garage spaces of different sizes and outdoor parking spaces to accommodate anything from a car to a semi-tractor trailer. SIBCO LTD parking and storage units are available for month to month rentals, no deposits required, with 24/7 access available.

SIBCO LTD is located at 620 Phillips Drive, Beavercreek. The Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce will be performing a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.

The SwartzWEST SALEM — entruber Amish in this area are looking for ways to preserve a simple way of life, as they have for generations, while at the same time recognizing some changes are necessary to increase safety on the roads.

English drivers in north- western Wayne County and eastern Ashland County might have noticed Amish bugg ie s with a coup le enhancements: A white square surrounded by white reflective tape on the back of the carriages and white tubes sticking out from the spokes of buggy wheels.

The purpose of these ele- ments is a signal for drivers to exercise caution when approaching and passing the horse-drawn buggies.

Motor vehicles can some- times get too close when passing buggies, and this can cause a horse or horses to swerve.

Even a safe horse with a lot of experience pulling a buggy can swerve, said Levi Hostetler, who is hopeful the decals and tubing can improve driving safety. In addition to a car passing, trash on the roadside, rocks or plastic bags fluttering in the wind can cause a horse to swerve.

“There’s always a concern about a vehicle hitting a buggy like that,” Hostetler said. “The biggest prob- lem between a buggy and a motorized vehicle is the difference in speed. At 55 mph, you’re gaining approx- imately 80 feet per second. If you come over a knoll in buggy country, and a buggy is about 250 ahead, then you have 3 seconds to stop or turn. “That’s not very much.” Add to the speed distance driver distraction, and it could make for a serious crash. Consider in about 6 seconds, a vehicle driving 55 mph can nearly cover the length of one-and-a-half football fields.

Hostetler has seen many close calls, and his mother died of injuries sustained in a buggy crash.

“There have been so many crashes, we decided to put 10-inch by 12-inch white rectangles (on the buggies) that we call white buggy markers,” Hostetler said. “They have reflective tape on the boards.”

Hostetler explained the Swartzentruber Amish have always shied away from the slow-moving vehicle emblem, in part because of the color and the shape. But, it is mainly the bright color.

“We don’t wear bright colors in our clothing,” he said. “We are plain people who live for God.”

Hostetler said he is hopeful drivers will see the markers and tubes and recognize the buggies are the “slowest of the slow,” he said. The slow-moving vehicle emblem can be used for vehicles traveling up to 25 mph, but the buggies are moving at a 5 to 10 mph clip.

“At night, they really get your attention,” he said.

Lt. Stephanie Norman, commander of the Wooster post of the State Highway Patrol, a nd C apt. Doug Hunter of the Wayne County Sheriff ’s Office are happy to see the changes.

Norman said she appreciates any efforts to improve visibility and increase safety, both for those in the buggies and in vehicles. “They want to be more proactive on being visible,” she said, adding the State Highway Patrol supports the efforts.

“It’s important to understand that the current law requires very little when it comes to the marking of Amish buggies; and what is required is not effective during the daylight hours,” Hunter said. “This group of Amish has been very resistant to any form of change, but in my discussions with them, it is clear that they have concerns for their safety when on the roadways. Prior to these new markings, some Amish in the area where tying white trash bags to the spokes in hopes of increasing visibility.”

“This change is not perfect, but it is a certain level of progress and exceeds what the law requires,” Hunter said. “I am hopeful the Amish leadership will continue to explore methods to keep their members safe while respecting their conservative lifestyle.”