Look Ma, no hands!

Your driving down the highway on a beautiful warm sunny day. Music blasting from the speakers. Your cell phone starts to ring and itsyour best friend.You answer and tell them how the weather is, when you'll be back home then suddenly red and blue lights are flashing behind you and a police officer is pulling you over.

Oregon has recently passed a law that bans the use of your cell phone while driving. Drivers today have gotten into a rotten habit of chatting while driving. Either by talking on the cell phone while on the highway or texting it's class mates right before school. The truth of the matter is, its just not safe!

Cell phones are becoming more popular and kids as young as 13 will already have their own phone. We are teaching the adults of tomorrow that having a phone on you all the time is appropriate behavior and we all know how distracted a teenager can be on their phone. As cell phones become more accessible to the public, people are becoming attached to their phones making it harder for everyone to not use them at a whim.

The new law says that if you are caught talking or texting on a hand held phone you will have a fine to pay. The traffic ticket for this law could cost drivers up to $90. As of Jan. 1 2010 the House Bill 2377 will take effect.


It is very important to remember that the reason why the Senate passed this law is for the safety of the community. The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society states that cell phone distractions are responsible for 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries a year. Anyone else want to still talk/text while driving?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the greatest number of people distracted while driving are people under the age of 20. Even though all accidents may not be caused do to cell phone use, it still remains that being distracted while operating a vehicle heightens the risk of being in a fatal crash.

Why doesn't the whole country enforce this law? We could lower accidents considerably nation wide if we all agree that talking or texting on a cell phone is distracting. A study by Virgina Tech Transportation Institute reveals that 80% of car crashes and 65% of near car accidents were caused due to drivers being distracted.

I asked high school student Laura Henry how she felt about talking/texting while driving.
"I just got my drivers licenses so I was excited to get around and still communicate with friends. Now that I can't even text I'm going to have to asking my parents for a bluetooth! I don't like this new law they are enforcing."

Oregon is just six of the sates that are reinforcing the ban on cell phone use while driving. New York, Washington, New Jersey, Connecticut and California all share the same law for 'hands free talking.' Many Oregonians believe that our roads will be safer for everyone. There are a few states however, that have laws about driving and being distracted. Utah's law defines cell phone use as a non-related driving activity and is considered a moving violation.


The government isn't trying to ban us from communicating with one another, it is simply a way for drivers to be more aware of distractions we can easily avoid. Luckily, having a Bluetooth device can help you stay safe and satisfy the need to chit chat or even take important business calls while traveling.

Eventually I think we'll see every driver with a little blinking light in their ear, talking, but with two hands on the wheel. Both safe and futuristic!

It may take a few more years for the rest of the country to become 'hands free' but there are signs that show the movement toward the ban of hand held devices. This should be viewed as a good thing. We should support safe driving because no one should suffer the loss of a loved one due to careless driving.

AT A GLANCE:

WHAT?: Huse Bill 2377 driving w/cell phones

WHEN?: Jan. 1 2010

WHY?: Safer roads for Oregon

WHO?: Drivers in Oregon

PROFILE

Having a specific breed of dog can often call for regular bathing, haircuts and brushing out curly, matted or wirer hair.

For all those dog owners who need to keep their Westies and their Lhasas groomed looked no further than Celia Schindler.

Celia Schindler (former manger of PETCO Grooming) has the most request appointments in the Corvallis Salon. With a unique talent and grate salesmanship, this 23 year-old Corvallis native is a portrait of professionalism and leadership.

Celia is full of life and always has a story to share. She is very easy going and can light up a room in an instant. While she is in control of the salon, she keeps everybody motivated and in high spirits especially when its busy.

Co-worker Julie House recalls when she first started at the salon. "I had never worked at a pet store before; I have a degree for environmental science. But when I needed a job I felt very lucky to have such a wonderful manager! She took her time to help me understand the job and also taught me how to trim nails properly. Celia is more than just a boss, we have defiantly developed a friendship while working together."

When she checks in a dog, she always asks what kind of haircut the customer would like. A seasonal spa package is an upgraded service that includes an oatmeal shampoo, moisturizers, a monthly shampoo and tooth brushing. Not every customer takes advantage of this service but Celia's clients know that upgrading for their furry friend helps avoid possible vet bills.

The clients are given an estimated wait time, they leave and Celia gets right to work. First she will wash them in the huge stainless steal tub. Warm water pours over the pup from noes to toes. Soapy suds are massaged into the coat of the pup and wonderful aromas fill the back of the salon.

After the bath the dog is dried off with a huge hair dryer that blows any lose undercoat away that the dog may have. They finish drying in the sona spa dryer until they are ready for the haircut.

While her other dogs are drying she will take one out for the haircut. Depending on the breed a haircut can take between 20 - 40 minutes. When they are finished they are topped off with a spray on coat sheer that comes in a rainbow of flavors.

Most of her work days are fully booked and customers leave satisfied with a happy pet. Golden Retrievers, Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers are just a few of the fun clients that Celia grooms. A full service groom includes the bath, a nail trim, ears cleaned and the haircut. On average she can groom up to nine dogs a day. Her work is fast pace and as she explains it "There can be some difficult ones at times."

Celia has also taught and mentored Ashley Meyer for grooming school. For 15 weeks she showed Ashley all the techniques of breed cuts and mix cuts. Ashley recalls, "I had wanted to be a groomer for as long as I can remember. I couldn't have asked for a better instructor! Celia showed me how to up sell services and gave me confidence while practicing the hair cuts."

I asked Celia how she got into the grooming business.
"I started going to OSU and got a job as a bather. I was doing that for about a year and then PETCO sent me to school to be a groomer. Since then I deiced this is what I want to do, when the manager position opened up I gladly excepted."

She has been working at the grooming salon for almost four years now.
"I have made a lot of friends and met so many nice people, the relationship I have built with my clients has grown so much. Every Christmas I'll come home with a ton of gifts or fudge and sometimes gift cards!"

She plans one day to have her own dog grooming business. Celia has gotten her name around to the community and is a trusted stylist for many dog owners. She has clients that travel from Canby and Newport to get their dogs groomed by her. She is truly successful for her age and has many goals to fulfill in the future.

The last question I had to ask was what is her favorite breed of dog to groom? She answered very proudly, "Shih Tzus', because my dog Freddy is one and I love giving her a haircut! "

You can find the PETCO Grooming Salon at the Timberhill Shopping Center on northwest Kings Boulevard. The salon is open at 7 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Walk In's are always welcomed for a bath or just a nail trim although for a haircut customers are urged to call ahead to make an appointment a few days in advance.


AT A GLANCE:

WHO? Celia Schindler PETCO Groomer

WHERE? PETCO GROOMING

WHY? Keep your dogs clean and cut

WHAT? The pet store where you can find everything you need to pamper your pet

HOURS: Salon: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Store: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

More Information: Salon number: 541.766.8251