JEFFERSON CITY — Secretary of State Matt Blunt urged all of Missouri’s registered voters to go to the polls to vote in the August 6th primary, the first statewide election since September 11, 2001, in honor of the democratic values that have made the United States the envy of the world. Blunt is predicting that only 24% of registered voters will participate in the election.

"To demonstrate the resolve of the American people, and their continued commitment to democratic government, I am encouraging every eligible voter to participate in one of our most important freedoms-the right to elect our leaders," said Blunt.

"The August 6th election is one of the most important in recent memory," Blunt said. "Term limits will give voters the opportunity to select those who will chart the course our state will follow for the next several years. Propositions A and B offer Missourians the chance to weigh in on our state's transportation system and whether or not to enhance 911 emergency system services for mobile phone users. I strongly encourage all registered voters to help decide the fate of these important issues."

It’s all over but the votin’.

By now you’ve seen the ads and possibly talked to a few of the candidates. Time to get to the polls and cast your vote.

The polls are open until 7 p.m. this evening so you have the time.

There is some construction goin’ on around Grace Episcopal if you vote in the First Ward, so give yourself a little extra time if needed. The traffic out by the Salvation Army may be a little heavier than usual, but shouldn’t be anything ta worry about.

If ya haven’t been in Memorial Hall since the work on renovation began, those votin’ there will have a chance to get a look. Shouldn’t be any problem gettin’ in and out.

No excuses, just a few minutes of time to exercise your right.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune- Brooks Hospital

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Could you please tell me how to test for dementia? I am 76 years old, and other than having emphysema from smoking, I consider myself in good physical and mental condition. I applied for a health supplement policy but was refused due to my "medical condition." The insurance company said that my physician’s report stated that I had "ongoing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" and, to my total amazement, dementia. How are these illnesses diagnosed? — R.L.

ANSWER: "Dementia" is a word that encompasses a large number of illnesses. Its hallmark symptoms are impaired memory, disruption of coherent thinking, an inability to retain new information, confusion about the date and surroundings, and a lack of competence to handle simple tasks like making change. Many quick and easy tests detect dementia. One is the Mini-Mental State Examination, which a doctor can administer in the office. It tests memory, familiarity with surroundings, and the interpretation of aphorisms such as "A rolling stone gathers no moss."

The seriousness of emphysema can be quantified by pulmonary function tests — breathing tests that can also be done in the doctor’s office. Once emphysema is here, it’s here to stay. But many have a small degree of emphysema and suffer no impairment to their activity or their lives.