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Show A-11 The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, April 21-24, 2007 Utah to Alaska adventure Get your kids immunized lic health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals from developing potentially serious diseases, they also help protect entire communiParents are constantly con- ties by preventing and reducing cerned about keeping their chil- the spread of infectious agents. dren safe and healthy. To protect Immunizations are one of the them, they put them in child safe- most important ways parents can ty seats and install childproof protect their children against door latches. One of the most these serious diseases. Infants and important ways parents protect young children are particularly their children is to follow the vulnerable to infectious diseases; childhood immunization schedule that is why it is critical that they* and get them vaccinated against are protected through immunizaserious but preventable diseases. tion. April 21-28 is National Infant Each day, 11,000 babies are Immunization Week. More than born in the United States who will 500 communities across the need to be immunized against 14 United States are participating in diseases before age two. We can promoting this important step now protect children from more you can take to ensure the health vaccine-preventable diseases than of your child. ever before. Because we can preVaccines are among the most vent more diseases, parents are successful and cost-effective pub- often not aware of what it takes to Vaccinations can prevent many serious diseases SARAH AUSEJPARK RECORD Blake Dyer plans to raise money for charity by riding 4,000 miles, from Utah to Alaska. The former Park City High School student expects the trip to take almost three months. Former Park City resident to bike for charity By FRANK FISHER Of the Record staff Blake Dyer's going for a ride on his new bike. It likely wont look new when he's done, 4,000 miles later. Dyer, a Park City High School graduate, journeying from Utah to Alaska to raise money for charity. Dyer hasn't always been so directed. He was on cruise control with his life, passing time with drugs until 2003, when he was shocked into reality. His 18-yearold brother, Alex, died in a bicycling accident in Park City. Dyer changed his path and ditched the drugs, to "get on with the more important things in life." Now a junior at the University of Utah, he is pursuing a degree in international relations. He has a girlfriend he adores. Dyer wants to celebrate his good fortune by helping others. On Sunday, April 22 he is holding an auction/fundraiser at the Spotted Frog bookstore in Kimball Junction, with proceeds going to "Love Our Children USA," a child- abuse prevention organization. The next moming, he leaves for Alaska. Dyer expects to encounter bears in his adventures. "I ran into somebody who said, 'you're going to be eaten by a bear,'" he said. A former Alaskan told him, "Take a whistle. If you see a bear, make a lot of noise. Pedal fast. If you see a sow and cubs, pedal faster." "I will also gather advice as I go. I will see bears - and huge mosquitoes." Dyer has the calm, and the fair features and blond hair of a Norwegian. The 23-year-old has been training on his bike every day since January, recently riding to Ogden and back from Salt Lake. He plans to travel Highway 50 to San Francisco, and then take a right for Alaska. He said he will follow the Pacific Coast Highway into Canada, ending on the Alaskan Highway, camping along the way. He will take his cell phone, but doesn't expect much in the way of reception during some 200-mile stretches between towns. He will look for libraries to update his Website. He said he plays the trombone, but will not bring it along, instead, taking a harmonica for entertainment. He will be crossing the Rocky Mountains three times, he said. He thinks he can still ride with up to a few inches of snow on the roads. Dyer plans to carry three days of food, both granola and freezedried, and a backpacking stove in the bike saddlebags, which he estimates will weigh about 70 lbs. He will bring a water purifier, water bottles, a one-man tent, rain clothes for when he hits the Pacific Northwest, a camera, clothes, several inner tubes extra spokes and a spare tire. Dyer hopes to average 70 miles per day on the 4,000 mile trip, which he expects will take 2 1/2 months. Dyer said he will fly home. He has to be back to Utah On Aug. 20 for the start of his senior year at the University of Utah. Of the journey to Alaska, Dyer said, "It's going to be amazing. I also know it's going to suck," he laughed. Dyer's auction/fundraiser will be held at the Spotted Frog bookstore from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 22. Rep. Christine Johnson is scheduled to appear, and possibly Park City Mayor Dana Williams. Some of Dyer's musician friends will perform. For more information and to follow Dyer's progress, visit www.bikingtobreakthecycle.com For more information about preventing child abuse, visit www.loveourchildrenusa.org fully immunize a child. Immunizations are extremely safe, thanks to advancements in medical research and ongoing review by doctors, researchers and public health officials. Children who are not immunized increase the chance that others will get a vaccine-preventable disease. Unfortunately, children are far more likely to be harmed by serious infectious diseases than by immunization. Parents and caregivers need to take responsibility for their child's vaccinations. They are encouraged to become informed consumers and keep a record of each immunization visit. The Summit County Health Department can be reached at (435) 336-3234 (Coalville), (435) 783-4351 ext. 3071 (Kamas) or 615-3910 (Park City). Or visit www.summitcountyhealth.org for more vaccination information. AAA offers teen driving class teenagers accounted for 10 percent of the U.S. population and 13 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths. "Getting a driver's license can be exciting for teenagers but Parents of teenage drivers often causes enormous anxiety now have a tool available to help for their parents," said Rolayne protect their children. AAA Fairclough, spokesperson for Utah is offering Driver-ZED AAA Utah. "Driver-ZED is a (Zero Errors Driving), a new way to reduce the risks young computer program designed to inexperienced drivers face as teach teens lifesaving driving they get behind the wheel. The program is designed to help teens skills. The need for prevent a tive test their skills and prepare for intervention becomes clear when potentially deadly driving situayou consider the risk. According tions before they face them for to the Centers for Disease real on the road." Control, in 2002, more than 5,000 Driver-ZED is an interactive teens ages 16 to 19 died of computer DVD-ROM that injuries caused by motor vehicle allows teen drivers to gain expecrashes. Per mile driven, teen rience at recognizing dangerous drivers ages 16 to 19 are four driving situations in a safe virtual times more likely to be in a crash environment. The software than older drivers, according to offers teens more than 100 differthe Insurance Institute for ent live-action scenarios in a Highway Safety. In 2003, wide variety of driving venues - Zero Errors driving teaches life-saving skills behind wheel on highways, in towns and rural areas and through roadwork zones. "Whether or not you're the parent of a teen, this issue affects you," sa*id Fairclough. "Every motorist in Utah shares the roads with young and inexperienced drivers. It's in the best interest of all drivers to make sure that teens get the very best driver training available." Copies of Driver-ZED can be ordered at aaa.com/teensdrive. The software is free for schools and members of A A A of Northern California, Nevada and Utah. The cost for non-members is $7. AAA Utah offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 150,000 members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago. Park City Library Board vacancies The mayor is accepting applications for the library board vacancies for terms of three years. Appointments will be effective July 1, 2007. Applicants must be residents of Park City and willing to attend monthly meetings and other meetings as business'demands. Applications are available at the library and at the mayor's office. The deadline for applications is May 18, 2007. For more information contact Linda Tillson at 615-5605. SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. The Middle Years Matter ! Visit with our current Middle School teachers & students and learn what sets a Colby Middle School Educator apart! If you are looking for an environment based on > respect which challenges your student to reach ' their full potential, you can't miss ; The Colby School! For more information please call 435.655.3966 or visit www.thecolbyschooLorg Academic Excellence in a A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS Stimulating "hands-on" science lab beginning in Kindergarten . . . . . . y,........ .....<i....... Rich • science curriculum featuring the Core Knowledge Sequence from' fhe UriiWsfty of Virginia 4 .' CoEFY Park City Academy SCHOOL i:J ^v-3770 N.HWY 224 . ^& Park CitjyUT 84060 v g ^Creative approach to learning science Exciting after school science classes Annual Science Fair exhibit | - $ | ^ 3120 Pinebrook Road Park City, UT 84098 w 435.649.2791 www.parkcityacademy.org |