Defense in Depth
Even as the country tries to get back to a normal way of life, as it was before the pandemic, safety is still at the forefront of our lives. Many of our friends and family have been impacted in one way or another by the scale of what we are facing in these times. People facing this uncertainty and concern believed that it would cause great chaos and disruption when the pandemic first began. “This led people to believe they would need to personally protect themselves,” shared Alex Shay of Defense in Depth. Living in a rural community many residents own guns and have participated in hunting or shooting sports throughout their lives. According to Alex, the pandemic brought a new kind of gun owner seeking the personal protection owning a gun provides. These were people who never owned a gun before nor did they grow-up in a household where responsible gun ownership was in their culture.
Defense of Depth, located in Morgantown, WV, is a state of the art, advanced technology academy of safety. The facility offers an incredibly comprehensive program – one of the best you can find – that is dedicated to “making better citizens” by “providing them with the knowledge to be responsible gun owners,” Alex says.
Defense in Depth has packed everything into their facility to provide you with the experience you need to be an outstanding gun owner. Identifying as an academy of safety, they offer training in CPR, first aid, and using an AED. They also offer a specialized course developed by the Department of Homeland Security called ‘Stop the Bleed’ that includes a ‘Stop the Bleed’ kit. In most accidents, difficulty in stopping excessive blood loss effectively and in a timely manner leads to more deaths and complications. This is true whether emergency services are 5 minutes away or ½ hour or more. They offer indoor gun ranges, a technologically advanced cutting-edge live fire simulator, and activities that encourage and nurture the correct response to real-life situations. Free legal briefings are also offered to emphasize safety in gun ownership.
Like many of us, I grew up in rural Greene County hunting. I received my first 22 long rifle from my grandfather as a birthday present, after completing my hunter safety course. A gun was considered an important tool of the farm and there were minimal protections, such as gun safes, at that time. When you demonstrated responsibility with your gun, you could come and go on your own with your gun at a young age. Defense in Depth offers that same experience for all ages and levels of experience for gun owners. It provides a safe place to practice, maintain your skills, and provides a place to enjoy using your gun. To find out more about Defense in Depth call 304-554-3363 or www.defenseindepth.pro.
Community Foundation of Greene County
Help is an amazing thing. It is something we all need from time to time, and something we can also give. Whether you are in the position to help others or know someone that could benefit from additional assistance, grants or a scholarship, one thing remains certain… there is no such thing as too much good will.
The Community Foundation of Greene County is a prime example of providing help to our population, through their assistance with the allocation of grants and funds to foundations within the community. Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director, speaks proudly of the many benefactors and beneficiaries affiliated with the foundation.
“We offer members of our community the opportunity to be philanthropists. We distribute grants and funds that community members have established to non-profit organizations including, Blueprints, Humane Society, local churches and individuals. A person may start a scholarship or grant to help local high school seniors enroll in specific areas of study.”
There is also the opportunity to be part of a cause. Choosing to ask for donations in lieu of flowers for the death of a loved one is one example. Another is to make individual donations towards a foundation, grant or scholarship that you favor and help a greater cause. There is much more information on how to get involved available on the Community Foundation of Greene County at Facebook and on the website www.cfgcpa.org. You may reach them by phone (724)-627-2010. Help your community make the world a better place to be right now!
Pento Home Care Agency
May 2020 marked a milestone for Fayette County entrepreneur Jesse Pento. His first business endeavor, The Pento Homecare Agency, recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary and to mark the occasion, Jesse gifted his employees with a brand-new office, complete with updated technology and amenities.
Jesse began his company’s journey by almost complete accident. Originally a young, single father who had been laid off, Jesse stumbled upon the field of home-based senior care and instantly fell in love with it. In 2010, Jesse decided to open his own company to better serve his clients in need of quality homecare.
Eventually, his hard work paid off. Before the company’s first year in business, and at only 26 years old, Jesse Pento made his first million dollars.
Throughout the years, Jesse grew his business into an important economic pillar of Fayette County, employing more than 200 individuals at any given time, and providing stable incomes for many young healthcare professionals in the area.
Jesse is hoping to eventually franchise his company across Pennsylvania and a national scale in the future, but for now, he is glad to teach the next generation of healthcare workers on how to properly care for their elders in the community and make a difference in their lives.
“I think the best part of this company is knowing that you did good for the people you serve,” Jesse says. “Some people go to church, others volunteer. For me, this is what I do to give back to people. I can feel proud every day knowing that my team and I helped another person continue their life in the comfort of their own home.”
Greene Treatment Center
According to the United States Center for Disease Control, since 1999, over 750,000 people have died in the US as a result of a drug overdose; two out of every three of those deaths were a result of opioids. Opioids are a class of drug that affect the nervous system of the body; specifically receptors in the brain that reduce the intensity of pain. The best way to prevent death from overdose of opioids is to treat the addiction of opioids. Opioid addiction can be treated in a few different ways, and the counselors and employees at the Greene Treatment Center, located in Carmichaels, are ready to help.
The Greene Treatment Center opened in 2017, and has primarily functioned as a methadone-dispensing clinic. Methadone has widely been used across the nation to treat narcotic withdrawal and dependence. Taken orally, once a day, methadone reduces drug cravings and harsh withdrawal symptoms. When coupled with counseling it is an effective long-term solution to drug addiction.
Recently the Greene Treatment Center has expanded their options to include both Suboxone and Vivitrol drug treatment therapies. Suboxone is less intense than methadone and only needs to be taken twice a week. It acts to completely block the effects of opioids and is considered to be a safer treatment than methadone. Vivitrol is an injectable drug that is only administered once a month and dissipates in the body over time. It also acts to block the effects of opioid drugs. The Greene Treatment Center is now able to help a wider range of patients by offering these new treatment options.
Travis Watson is the Project Director at the Greene Treatment Center. He explained that treating drug addiction is never a one size fits all approach. When a person comes to their center seeking treatment there are many factors that have to be considered before determining which type of treatment is going to be the most successful. He explained that someone who has been using for a longer amount of time or using a larger dose might not find success with Vivitrol because the effects would be harder to block. That individual may have more success with Suboxone, which accesses the receptors in the brain more efficiently.
When someone begins treatment at the Greene Treatment Center they first complete both a medical and a psychosocial assessment. Then they work on a treatment plan with a counselor that will fit their unique situation the best. Travis shared that there are many factors that play into a person’s success at treatment, including support from home and the length of their addiction. In the end the patient has the last say in their choice of treatment. Once that decision is made, the patient would return to the center either daily, weekly, or monthly to receive their treatment. The Greene Treatment Center opens as early as 5:00 in the morning to accommodate the schedules of their patients who are reentering the work force, and are open for patients every day of the week. FMI they can be reached at 724-966-5000.
Zalar’s on the Mon
If your workdays are getting stressful and you need a relaxing night, look no further than Zalar’s on the Mon in Greensboro, Pennsylvania. Sitting along the Monongahela River, it offers guests an opportunity to enjoy a great meal while watching the boats and the wildlife surrounding the restaurant.
“I believe eating at this restaurant is a relaxing experience,” said owner Joe Zalar. “You can sit out on our 100-seat patio and watch the sail boats and the coal boats go by and there is a lot of wildlife you can see while enjoying your meal.”
Joe, a retired member of the Air National Guard, built the building with his bare hands using wood from down by the Mon River. They originally opened the restaurant in 2000 and it was a big pick me up for the owner.
“[Being able to run this business] is like therapy to me,” said Joe. “I built this restaurant during a low point in my life, and to see it up and running now is incredible.”
Zalar’s, like many other restaurants in the area, is on the road to reopening and making sure that the customers and employees are safe during the pandemic. The restaurant is kicking off its reopening with a Lamb Special as part of a Croatian and Serbian night.
“We know there is a large Croatian and Serbian population in our community, so we are going to be doing a lamb special,” said Joe. “We will also be doing some chicken wing nights throughout the year and we are looking for feedback from customers.”
Zalar’s on the Mon is located at 126 Martin Ferry Road and is open Friday and Saturday 3 – 9 pm and Sunday 1 – 7 pm. It is BYOB so be sure to bring your own beer or wine and enjoy a night out overlooking the Mon. For questions, call 724-943-3225.
Compassionate Certification Center
Compassionate Certification Centers is Pennsylvania’s #1 resource for everything medical marijuana. CCC is a full-service medical cannabis healthcare organization, the first of its kind in the United States. Founded by physicians and woman-led, our company is devoted to assisting patients and clients with the integration of medical cannabis treatment options.
The foundation of our business lies within our brick-and-mortar clinics. CCC has over ten medical offices throughout Pennsylvania, plus a virtual telemedicine option so you can see a physician without the hassle of leaving home. Patients can register on our website at www.CCCregister.com or by calling 888-316-9085. After the initial certification, cardholders are required to renew medical cannabis certification once per year, as required by PA law. Unlike the other places, with CCC there are no three month follow-up visits, no drug testing, and every interaction is confidential and judgement free. Our Cannabis Consultants and office staff will walk you through each step of the process and even help you register with the PA Department of Health (with a new simplified process!) You don’t need a prior doctor’s recommendation and we will obtain any necessary documents from your healthcare provider, for you.
CCC Washington County is located at 955 W. Chestnut St. Suite #5 in Washington, PA 15301. Locals will know our location as the old Angelo’s restaurant, just a few blocks down from the Healing Center Dispensary. The parking lot is directly across the street (please be careful crossing) where the CCC Flag can be seen on the sign. Inside our office you will find a retail component offering a wide selection of both full and wide spectrum CBD products in varying forms and dosages. Our white-label CCC branded CBD is locally sourced, pharmaceutical grade, and lab tested. Compassionate Certification Centers’ products are Pennsylvania’s most trusted CBD brand on the market – and its affordable! Stop in and visit us today, call us at 888-316-9085, or browse a complete list of products and services on our website at www.CCCregister.com.