COMMUNITY DIGEST

Healthy living: All about acid reflux

Join Dr. Jack D. Alston, M.D., FACS, of Surgical Associates of Siloam Springs, as he discusses acid reflux, its causes, symptoms and treatment options. Alston is a general surgeon and performs a variety of surgical services including laparoscopy, biopsy, colonoscopy and more. The luncheon will be 12:15 p.m. on June 28 inside Siloam Springs Regional Hospital’s Classroom 1. Seating is limited. Call 479-215-3125 for more information.

Free lunches

Grace Episcopal Church will be serving free lunches at 11 a.m. every Saturday until Aug. 11 at the Farmers Market in downtown Siloam Springs. Lunches will also be available at Spring Valley Apartments and at Grace Episcopal Church. For more information, call 479-524-8782 or visit the church’s table at the Farmers Market.

O&A Honor Flight 5K

Oklahoma and Arkansas Honor Flight is holding a 5K race on June 30 at the University of Arkansas campus gardens. Registration opens at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8:35 a.m. For online registration and more information, visit race-wizard.com.

CHESS sign-up fair

CHESS (Christian Home Educators of Siloam Springs) information and sign-up fair is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Siloam Springs Public Library. Those who are interested can drop in to join, renew or sign up for the upcoming year’s activities. Group representatives from the surrounding community will also have information about services and opportunities for homeschoolers. For more information, visit chess.wildapricot.org.

SSRH Auxiliary Volunteer Drive

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital Auxiliary is looking for willing volunteers for the information desk, obstetrics department, radiology department, surgery department and materials management. The Auxiliary offers an opportunity to help the community while working three or four hours a week. Stop by the front desk of the hospital for an application or call Barbara Ferguson for more information at 479212-3615.

Coffee with the Commander

Each Saturday morning from 8:30 to 10:30, Siloam Post 29 of The American Legion hosts “Coffee with the Commander.” A time for those who served to enjoy the camaraderie that they experienced during their time with “Uncle Sam.” The event is held in the basement of the American Legion Community Hall located at 110 N. Mt. Olive St. The coffee and donuts are fresh, the conversation is usually lively, jolly and informative. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet local Veterans who are still serving their Veteran Community. For more information visit SiloamPost29.org or contact Jim Wilbanks at 850520-0225.

Friends of the Library Bookstore

Summer reading programs are beginning at Siloam Springs Public Library. Friends of the Library Bookstore urgently requests donations of good used books of interest to children from toddlers to teens. The primary mission of the bookstore is to support these summer reading programs.

The bookstore always has a great assortment of gently used books, CDs, DVDs, audio books — most priced under $2. Signs in the library will guide patrons to the bookstore area which is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Donations of used books and electronic media in good condition are always welcomed. The bookstore is managed and staffed entirely by volunteers and all proceeds are used to benefit the library.

Coat drive

New and gently used coats and sweaters of all sizes, especially children’s sizes, are being collected for those in need. They will be distributed at the clothing giveaway at Eastgate Church of Christ from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. Items also are offered to nursing home residents and students at local schools. All coats will be cleaned by Snappy Dry Cleaners. Coats can be dropped off at the office of Dr. Susan Vaughan, at My Family Eye Care, located at 820 Stateline Road in West Siloam Springs, or at Snappy Dry Cleaners located at 618 Holly St., or at Eastgate Church of Christ located at 1997 East U.S. Highway 412. For more information, call Joyce at 918-422-5811.

Yoga classes

Bridges to Wellness and the Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring Yoga classes. Classes will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday nights at the Moss House located at 311 S. Mt. Olive St. The cost for classes is $3. For more information, call Sarah Losh at 479549-3143.

Fire Department feedback

The Siloam Springs Fire Department has announced a new Emergency Medical Services Customer Survey. This will allow individuals who have been treated by a city ambulance to provide honest and confidential feedback about their experience. Customers can provide valuable insight and feedback into the Fire Department’s performance.

“Our goal is to constantly strive to improve the quality of the services that we provide to the citizens,” said Siloam Springs Fire Department Chief Jeremey Criner. “The feedback that we receive will be an integral part of our quality improvement program.”

If you’ve had any interaction with the City’s EMS crews, please take a few minutes to fill out the EMS Customer Survey located on the Fire Department page of the City website, siloamsprings.com/199/Fire.

Senior Activity Center

The Siloam Springs Senior Activity & Wellness Center invites anyone over the age of 60 to come to the center for lunch.

The center is located at 750 Heritage Court. Cost for lunch is $3 donation per meal. There is an exercise room and game room for guests’ enjoyment. If you need a ride, the center’s van can pick you up. Call 479-524-5735 for more information. Menus and activities calendar is available in the lobby.

While We’re Waiting

While We’re Waiting is a grief support group designed specifically for parents who have lost children. The group, led by Don and Deondra Chamberlain, meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Sager Creek Community Church, located at 1600 Cheri Whitlock Drive in Siloam Springs. Refreshments are served. For more information, call 479-549-7005.

Grief Support Group

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital hosts a Grief Support Group with Don Wleklinski, APRN, at 6 p.m. every first and third Friday of the month inside Classroom 1 at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs. If you would like to join the group, call 479-220-2772.

Dogwood Literacy Council

It is rewarding to be able to assist someone who is trying to improve their literacy skills in order to help their family. The Dogwood Literacy Council is in need of more volunteers who would like to become a tutor. Training and materials will be provided. For more information, contact Charlie at 479-524-4009.

Make your home safe and accessible

Kind at Heart Ministries is offering help to make homes “safe and accessible” with ramps, widening doors and building handrails. Financial assistance may be available. For more information, contact 479-373-6281 between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. or email servant@ kindatheart.org.

Manna Center Thrift Store

The Manna Center Thrift Store is now accepting credit and debit cards for purchases of $10 or more to make it easier for customers to shop. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Customers can like the thrift store on Facebook or stop by and see what the dollar item is for the week. Anything over a month old is half price. The Manna Center is located at 670 Heritage Court, behind the Senior Activity and Wellness Center on Tulsa Street.