Marcy Eastham

Benton County has been ranked as the healthies county in Oregon in a national report released today, according to the Corvallis Gazette-Times. The report, by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, ranks every county in every state and compares length and quality of life and other factors. In addition to the many healthy activities residents participate in, such as biking, hiking, and a variety of athletic programs, there are many services provided in our area that help us achieve this distinction.

Corvallis, the county seat, is a regional health care provider thanks to Samaritan Health and The Corvallis Clinic. Patients from three counties utilize these high quality services. Sam Health has grown from just one hospital in Corvallis to a network of five facilities serving Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon, Newport and Lincoln City. The Corvallis Clinic serves more than 250,000 residents of Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties. They have over 600 medical professionals and support staff.

In addtion, the Benton County Health Department focuses on a collaborative effort in public/private health care to support healthy behaviors and support our more vulnerable popluations.

According to the report, some of the health factors considered were adult smoking, adult obesity, number of unisured adults, availability of primary care physicians, rate of high school graduation and access to healthy foods among many others.

We are lucky to have such great health care providers, resources, and a healthy mind-set. Corvallis and Benton County, Oregon are great places to live! Come explore and discover Corvallis!

The 7th annual "Wine and Whiskers" benefit for the Heartland Humane Society will be held Saturday, February 6 at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center at Oregon State University. Join animal lovers from around the area for an evening of fun and excitement and help the Humane Society in it's mission to build a more compassionate community by teaching humane messages to our youth, caring for homeless animals and strengthening the human-animal bond.

The evening will feature a silent auction with items such as Disneyland Theme Park Tickets, Slumber Party at the Shelter, and a fused glass bowl by regional artist Laurel Yourkowski. Attendees will enjoy a yummy Italian dinner and dessert, too!

Tickets are $45 per person, or $300 for a table of eight. Tickets should be purchased by February 1st, either by visiting the Heartland Humane Society web, or at the Humane Society shelter located at 398 SW Twin Oaks Circle, Corvallis, Oregon. Contact the Humane Society with questions at (541) 757-9000. It's a fun event for a great cause!

Corvallis, Oregon's second annual "Corvallis Culinary Week" is coming to one of your favorite restaurants starting Monday, January 18! This great event will run through Sunday, January 24 and features special chef's menus for just $10 per person.

Enjoy traditional french, pacific rim, asian inspired, southwest cuisine and more at nine great participating restaurants in downtown Corvallis. Restaurants whipping up the specials include:

• 101 Eat & Drink

• Aqua

• Cloud 9

• The Downward Dog

• Fireworks

• Le Bistro

• Magenta

• Terzo

• Zia's

These are among my favorite restaurants in Corvallis, and I am really looking forward to trying these special menus. Plan to make reservations, because all the restaurants were very crowded last year.

In addition to Culinary Week, these great eateries should be on your list if you plan to visit Corvallis any time during the year. Do check their websites by clicking on the restaurant name above to take a peek at their menus, learn their hours, and more about the chef's and cuisine.

Bon Appetit!

If you are looking for a great salon and spa in Corvallis, Oregon, look for Pink at their new location in downtown! Pink recently moved to 128 SW 3rd St., in the former Kaari K boutique location.

Co-owners Elisha Edwards and Shannon Gammon offer hair and nail services, facials, micordermabrasion, skin rejuvination, laser/IPL hair reduction, and massage.

Elisha, shown here with daughter Ava, is a local girl who specializes in hair services. I've been lucky enough to have her do my hair for several years and highly recommend her for weaves, great cuts, and personal attention.

Pink offers a 10% discount to Hewlett-Packard, Samaritan Health Services, and OSU students and staff. You can reach Pink at 541-754-7379. Say hi for me!

My husband took this picture last February after a rare and rather heavy snow storm in Corvallis. If you know the area, this was taken from the Good Samaritan Hospital hillside looking northeast toward Lewisburg. The pink sky was so striking against the snow and the red barn was a perfect component. These were our Christmas cards this year. I wanted to share it with all of you, and wish you a happy, peaceful and very, very prosperous new year!