Camas Community Advantage Magazine February 2023

NOT ALL PRP IS THE SAME

By Kolton Opdahl, Operations Manager Photos by Hayley Starkey

Hey Camas residents! Here at Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief, your pain is our priority! With 5 different locations, our providers are ready to help improve your quality of life using Regenerative Medicine. While there are many Regenerative Medicine therapies available, we want to highlight and educate you on the pain-relieving properties of PRP injections.

What is PRP?

PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. This therapy can help a number of musculoskeletal conditions such as torn ligaments, muscle injuries, and painful or popping joints. The treatment involves taking a small amount of your blood, placing it in a centrifuge (which is a device that rapidly spins the sample), separating out the other components of the blood from the platelets and concentrating them within the plasma. The PRP is then injected back into the site of the problem area or injured ligament, kickstarting the healing process by decreasing pain and enabling movement.

Types of PRP/How JAAPR uses PRP: From prep techniques to your individual chemistry, there

to perform your PRP procedure, make sure they are able to get the correct platelet concentration for your condition. The next big difference is not all clinics use image guidance when performing the injections. This can result in the Doctor performing a blind injection not knowing for certain if the PRP is going in the right spot. All injections that we do are done under ultrasound guidance for precise needle placement.

PRP Recovery + Risks:

PRP injections may be a quick and easy fix for your joint and ligament issues. Each treatment takes about 45 minutes on average and there is no down or recovery time as this is an outpatient procedure. If you choose PRP, prepare to have your blood drawn; to ease this, make sure you drink plenty of water and eat beforehand. While rare, some risks of PRP may include bleeding from the injection site, tissue damage, infection, and nerve damage. Make sure you speak with your provider to see if PRP is the best fit for you.

What PRP Treats:

are several factors that can dramatically impact the PRP product, its concentration, and ultimately, whether or not it works in improving your pain and function. One of the greatest factors is that many clinics that use PRP for their patients can use different kits to obtain the PRP from their patients. This can result in a platelet concentration from 3-5x instead of a concentration level of up to 15x! When looking for a Doctor

PRP may treat a multitude of issues, from musculoskeletal injuries such as ligament tears to cosmetic procedures such as hair loss, to even post-surgical healing! PRP may also be used to help alleviate Arthritis pain by reducing inflammation, making your joints easier to move. The mechanism behind PRP injections is not completely understood; some studies show that the increased concentration of growth factors in plateletrich plasma may stimulate or speed up the healing process, shortening healing time for injuries, decreasing pain and even encouraging hair growth. This treatment is a great option for those who are in need of rapid joint and pain relief.

The

Origins of the Tater Tot

A Tasty Oregon Invention

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

The Tater Tot. It’s hard to resist these crunchy golden-brown potato morsels piled high in a basket, or nestled on a plate accompanying our favorite burger or sandwich. For many of us, “Tater Tot” and “comfort food” go hand-in-hand. It’s ingrained in our culture—at least from a food perspective!

But did you know that these world famous potato nuggets were invented in Oregon, and that they were the creative byproduct of potato scraps originally used as cattle feed? The story of the Tater Tot traces back to two young Mormon entrepreneurs named Nephi and Golden Griggs who came of age during the Great Depression. Originally from Idaho, the Griggs brothers were potato farmers like most of their neighbors. Throughout the Great Depression and World War II, the Griggs survived by growing and selling potatoes, but during the postwar years as Americans increasingly turned to convenience foods—frozen foods in particular—the Nephi brothers were certain that their road to riches lay in servicing this growing demand.

Convinced that the future of produce resided in the frozen food section, the two brothers mortgaged their farms to purchase a flash-freezing plant in Northeastern Oregon for $500,000 (approximately $4.5 million today). As the factory was located on the border between Oregon and Idaho, they chose to name their new company Ore-Ida.

Corn and potatoes were Ore-Ida’s mainstay and the company soon became the largest distributor of sweet corn in the country, but the real profit lay in french fries. French fries, though immensely profitable, posed certain production problems. Nephi (the leader of the two brothers) described their challenge as follows: “We had a problem separating the fries from the slivers and small pieces of

potatoes that occurred when slicing the irregular shaped potatoes.” Instead of wasting the scrap pieces, the brothers had been feeding it to their cattle and other livestock.

Despite the fact that their potato scraps were being utilized as feed for farm animals, Nephi Griggs—always focused on efficiency and profit maximization—was bothered by their inability to derive any revenue from the constant flow of potato byproducts. In a letter to an OreIda colleague, Nephi vented his frustration at not putting to better use “product that has been purchased from the grower, stored for months, gone through the peeling process, gone through the specking lines and trimmed off defects, only to be eliminated into the cattle feed.”

An unexpected visit by a representative from an equipment manufacturing company, however, proved to be serendipitous. Although the company representative was there to demonstrate a prune sorter, Nephi and his plant superintendent envisioned utilizing the equipment in a different manner. Instead of sorting prunes, could the machinery be refashioned to sort irregular potato pieces from french fries? To their delight, it could.

It wasn’t long before the Griggs and their people at Ore-Ida devised a creative use for the supply of potato scraps. By smashing the bits together using new machinery, then blanching, forming the crushed potatoes into nuggets, and cooking them in oil, a completely new product was

created. These potato nuggets could subsequently be frozen, bagged, and distributed. Although the original idea was for the nuggets to be fried, it was soon discovered that baking them produced equally good results. According to Nephi, a man on their research committee who “traveled the markets playing a ukulele and demonstrating our product,” came up with the name. Unfortunately, the man’s name has been lost to history, though his talent for creative alliteration lives on. The name “Tater Tot” is iconic across the world for fun, palate-pleasing, potato goodness.

Nephi remarked in his notes (which are now housed at the J. Willard Marriott

“new product has about a three year

the “Tater Tot” name, purchased additional machinery, and began mass producing their tasty invention.

Despite the success of the Tater Tot, the process to create them was a bit of a sticky mess—literally. New equipment had to be fashioned to deal with the starchy potato product. Steel drums the diameter of a human torso rotated continuously filling tot-sized molds with potato. These molded potatoes would then be ejected onto a conveyor belt and sent down a line for seasoning and subsequent freezing.

Ore-Ida’s commitment to the Tater Tot, in spite of production difficulties, proved a gamble worth taking. The Griggs brothers’ promotion of their new product at the 1954 National Potato Convention was a huge hit, garnering interest in Tater Tots throughout the industry. The media was also quick to embrace Tater Tots as a convenient

new food for snacks and meals that was tasty and easy to prepare. So successful was the Tater Tot that Nephi referred to it as their “hero profit item,” and cited it as responsible for making Ore-Ida a household name. By the end of the 1950s, Ore-Ida had captured 25 percent of the domestic frozen potato market. A second plant was opened in 1960, and by 1961 Ore-Ida had gone public.

In 1964, despite generating an annual profit of $31 million, problems within the family necessitated the sale of Ore-Ida. The Griggs sold the company to H.J. Heinz in 1965 for $30 million. The Heinz purchase of Ore-Ida was the company’s first foray into the frozen food market. By the time Heinz merged with Kraft in 2015, the Tater Tot was so common of a product that few people realized the name was still trademarked to Ore-Ida. An advertising campaign was even created to differentiate OreIda tots from the competition. The campaign warned, “Don’t be fooled by Imi-taters,” because Ore-Ida Tater Tots were the “original and only.”

Today, as one of America’s cherished food items, Tater Tots have been incorporated in multitudes of home recipes and even elevated to culinary feature items at certain restaurants. There is no end of possibilities when it comes to something as versatile as the Tater Tot! So, next time you find yourself reaching for a crispy golden Tater Tot, think of the Griggs brothers and the Oregonian ingenuity that transformed cattle feed into a delectable treat enjoyed by millions.

Nephi Grigg was the inventor of the Tater Tot

Off-Leash Livin’

Dog parks a safe, natural space for dogs

By Angie Helvey, Contributing Writer

Nothing beats a relaxing afternoon outside with your best furry friend, but it can be challenging to find a place to let your fur baby run free and have the opportunity to socialize with other canines in a safe space. This is precisely the experience DOGPAW Off-Leash Dog Parks strives to provide to dogs and their owners in the Clark County community.

DOGPAW, a nonprofit organization founded almost 20 years ago, boasts four off-leash dog parks. Ike Park was the first and is the largest of the four parks, featuring 10 acres of open fields and tree-lined hills, a 0.71-mile gravel and dirt trail, and a small dog area with a separate entrance.

“All the parks are big; there’s so much room for everyone to hang out, run, walk, and play fetch,” says vice president Jan Fogg. “Lucky Park is one of our smaller parks, but it’s next to a huge wilderness reserve, so you can leash your dog and walk on a nature trail that goes through the forest and is fun to explore. Dakota Park is our most popular park because of its convenient location directly off N.E. 164th in Vancouver.” Dakota also offers on-site restrooms, benches, shady areas, a dog rinse-off area, and seasonal drinking fountains.

DOGPAW Parks would be impossible to maintain without the help of volunteers dedicated to keeping the parks clean. “Many people who come to the dog parks have been coming for years and see it as an extension of their home,” explains Jan. “We call them our ‘poop angels’ because they walk around the park picking up poop without being asked. We go out to the parks several times a year to rally our volunteers. They scoop poop, mow the grass, weed, and pick up fallen branches.”

Park volunteer days are the third Saturday of every month, rotating through the parks. The next one will be held at Dakota Park on Saturday, March 18 at 10 a.m.

The funding for operations comes from business sponsorships, grants from the city and county, and $25 yearly memberships — not required to use the parks. This allows DOGPAW to provide waste bags and disposal stations at the parks, plus support the development of more dog parks and special events for dog owners. “We are helping the City of Washougal to set up a dog park in their new civic area, and we’d like to pursue a location within Battle Ground State Park,” says Jan. “Last year, we did a dog supply swap, and we’ve also held free educational programs with a certified dog trainer.”

DOGPAW is currently fundraising to complete a new fence for Ike Park. Originally made of posts and chicken wire, the fence has become worn and ineffective over the years. You can donate to the project on the DOGPAW website.

If you’re looking for a welcoming space to let your fourlegged friend run off-leash, stop at any of the DOGPAW Parks for a play date. Come walk at your own pace while your dog gets their “zoomies” out and has the chance to play with other dogs.

DOGPAW Parks in Vancouver: Dakota Memorial Dog Park (Pacific Community Park), 1515 N.E. 164th Ave. @ N.E. 18th St. (entrances on 164th and 172nd Ave); Ike Memorial Dog Park (Ross Park), 5167 N.E. 15th Ave.; Kane Memorial Dog Park (Hockinson Meadows Community Park), 10910 N.E. 172nd Ave. Brush Prairie: Lucky Memorial Dog Park, 10100 N.E. 149th St.

TOP LEFT: Tiberius at Ike Memorial Dog Park in Vancouver. ABOVE: A Paws Down Pets trainer rallies the dogs for lesson time.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DOGPAW

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READY TO RESTORE YOUR PROPERTY?

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Photos by Hayley Starkey

Bring back the natural beauty and luster of your home by employing the best pressure washing company in Vancouver: Power Washing Professionals!

Living here in the Northwest, we are all too familiar with the constant battle against the elements. Homes nestled in cozy wooded areas lush with foliage and wildlife are the envy of people across the country, but they are also breeding grounds for moss and algae, elements which ultimately destroy those idyllic settings. Whether it’s to maintain the integrity of your home, roofs and driveways in particular, or to simply preserve its curb appeal, power washing is the only way to stay ahead of the game. That said, it requires a deft hand and years of expertise to do it right. Power Washing Professionals provide the best quality work in Clark County!

Founded in 2018 by Owner, Production Manager, and Lead Technician

Zach Roetker, Power Washing Professionals has grown steadily to become the number one business of its ilk in the region. They have done that, quite simply, by placing customer service at the top of their priority list. In speaking with him, it was immediately and abundantly clear that Zach genuinely cares about his customers. When he guarantees 100% satisfaction, he stands by it, and his reputation in the business is a testament to that fact! He was born and raised in the area. This is his home. Customers are his friends and neighbors. So providing anything but the absolute best service is just unacceptable.

Power Washing Professionals is a one-stop destination for ALL of your residential or commercial property’s exterior cleaning needs. They follow all

manufacturer-recommended methods and use eco-friendly detergents to ensure your house is as healthy as it is clean. They also employ the latest in soft washing techniques to avoid damaging delicate roofing tiles and asphalt. Driveways, fences, siding, roofs, windows; they do it all, and more! And they guarantee and warranty their work!

Power Washing

Professionals: locally-owned and operated, providing superior work, quick and friendly service, and competitive prices. There is no reason to call anyone else! Call 360-334-3588 or check out their website at washvancouver.com.

Poop Smart Clark

Clark Conservation District leads work to reduce waste in waterways

By Angie Helvey, Contributing Writer

“Having so much bacteria in the water causes animals to get sick over time,” says Grace DeMeo, the community outreach coordinator with Clark Conservation District. “It causes people to get sick from the waterways. It puts stress on medical staff to have more people coming through their doors. It’s really the health of our community.”

So what can Poop Smart Clark do to help? The group connects residents to organizations offering a variety of technical and financial services to septic system owners and livestock farms, as well as education and environmental expertise throughout the community. Repairing or replacing a septic tank can be costly, and the program provides financial reimbursement for inspections, pumping, minor repairs, or even replacement up to $20,000 in certain areas and near specific water sources.

Managing livestock waste is challenging, and projects like manure storage systems can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000. One cow alone can produce up to 60 pounds of manure per day. Clark Conservation District provides free and non-regulatory consultations with working land experts to help farmers problem-solve, as well as funds to cover up to 100% of projects like manure storage, fencing to keep livestock away from natural water sources, watering facilities, and more.

If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s poop. Everyone poops. Humans poop, animals poop, and it has to go somewhere. Many people don’t realize the disposal of excrement can directly affect our water quality.

Water sampling in common waterways in Clark County has shown high levels of bacteria, including E. coli that comes directly from our waste. The poop gets into our water in several ways, such as a broken septic system, or livestock and family pets defecating in or near streams.

So, how do we fix this problem? How do we make sure our water is clean for the health of our community?

Enter Poop Smart Clark.

Poop Smart Clark, an outreach program backed by grants totaling more than $3 million, is dedicated to improving the quality of our water. The program is a partnership led by Clark Conservation District that includes Clark County, the Department of Ecology, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, WSU Extension Clark County, and others.

Educating the community about these issues remains key, and the program includes many free educational opportunities. “WSU Extension is one of our partners, and they have a small acreage program offering classes where you can learn to inspect your own septic tank, and they do lots of education work with livestock owners and small farms,” Grace explains. “We’re planning an open house in the East Fork Lewis River area so people can come and ask questions about the program and meet the people who are doing the work. Last year, we had a composting workshop where people came to learn how manure and fertilizer fit into the composting cycle and how to go about implementing it on their property.”

TOP LEFT: Workers pass out brochures explaining how Poop Smart Clark helps reduce waste in waterways. ABOVE: A manure storage facility used to cover and store manure to keep it from washing into the river when it rains.

Poop Smart Clark has so much to give to the community, and the funding available is impressive. “We know that livestock projects and septic tank repair are very expensive, and a lot of people look at those problems and would love to do something about it but simply can’t afford it,” says Grace.

“I would love for people to know that we have the money to help with those kinds of projects; it’s not impossible. That’s what we’re here for.”

The program is a collective effort, and every organization involved is passionate about improving the health and quality of life for the people and animals living in Clark County. “Clark County Public Health is helping with septic compliance, reaching out to people with broken septic tanks, and with swim beach monitoring, testing the water to make sure it’s safe for swimming,” says Grace. “Clark County Public Works does all of the water quality testing in the streams. Clark Conservation

District is leading the outreach effort and provides funds for on-farm projects and septic work. There are lots of people coming together to address this problem in our community. We know that people care about the health of our children and the legacy of the land, and we want to provide the resources and solutions to fix it.”

The program is funded through grants and partnership from the Washington State Conservation Commission, Washington State Department of Ecology, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies.

To learn more about the Poop Smart Clark program, visit poopsmartclark.org.

Let Us Help You With Your #2!

If you live near certain rivers in Clark County we’ll pay you to get your septic system inspected, repaired, or even replaced!

• Inspections: Up To $130

• Routine Pumping & Small Repairs: Up To $1,000 Total

• Complete System Replacement Or Major Repairs: Up To $20,000

At a farmers market, Poop Smart Clark workers explain how it’s helping ensure cleaner water for the community of Clark County.