What is The Most Popular Christmas Tree in the Northwest?

When selecting Christmas trees in the Pacific Northwest, a partridge in a fir tree could easily be the adapted words of “The 12 Days of Christmas” song. According to both the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association and Northwest Arbor-Culture, Inc., fir trees are among the most popular grown and purchased Christmas trees.

Here are the top five Christmas trees.

Douglas Fir

Many purchases a natural tree for the smell, and the Douglas Fir tree does not disappoint. Its sweet fragrance and the bluish-green color of its soft needles make it a favorite of many.

Noble Fir

Its stiff sturdy branches can hold the heaviest of ornaments. This long-lasting tree is also used for Christmas wreaths and other outdoor decors.

Grand Fir

The Grand Fir gets its name because it can grow up to 300 feet. Its branches are also unique because both the upper and lower parts are visible which makes it even more fun to decorate.

Fraser Fir

Besides its aromatic scent, the needles of the Fraser Fir do not fall out as much as other evergreen trees which means fewer needles tracked around the house (and less clean up). Do not confuse the spelling or name with the Pacific Northwest’s favorite fictional television psychiatrist and radio personality, Dr. Frasier Crane.

Scotch Pine

There’s one in every crowd that goes against the grain, and in this case, that is the Scotch Pine which is the only non-fir tree in the top five. It has the benefits of the top firs including dense and bushy needles that are between one and three inches long, a wonderful scent, and needles that tend not to drop.

Regardless of the tree, you select, the best way to extend its life is to water it consistently and not to let the trunk exposed to air for longer than three to six hours after cutting. Visit Klopeman U-Cut Christmas Tree Farms in Washougal to find your perfect tree this Christmas season.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is experienced between the chest and the pelvic region. This pain can range in severity and type and is often described as being dull, sharp, or achy. Abdominal pain may be intermittent or steady.

What Causes Abdominal Pain?

There are numerous conditions that can lead to abdominal pain. Some of the more common causes of abdominal pain include:

  • Obstructions
  • Inflammation
  • Intestinal disorders
  • Abnormal growths

Abdominal pain may be the result of an infection in another part of the body. For example, a person suffering from a throat infection may have blood and bacteria from the infection in their abdomen, leading to abdominal pain. Intestinal infections may produce a similar result. In addition to pain, these conditions may bring about changes in indigestion, including constipation or diarrhea.

The stomach flu, stress, acid reflux, and vomiting are other common causes of abdominal pain. There are diseases that attack the digestive system and lead to chronic abdominal pain, including:

  • IBS- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • GERD – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Crohn’s disease

A person may experience severe, intense abdominal pain if they have gallbladder stones, a kidney infection, kidney stones, a burst appendix, or another condition affecting organs inside the abdominal cavity.

Understanding the Different Types of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is described as colicky, localized, or cramp-like.

When a person is experiencing localized pain, the pain is only in one part of the abdomen. In these cases, pain is usually caused by an issue with a particular organ located in that part of the abdomen. One of the more common sources of localized abdominal pain is stomach ulcers. A stomach ulcer is where a sore appears in the inner lining of the stomach.

Colicky pain is described as a sharp pain. It may be a localized pain. Colicky pain comes on suddenly and then disappears. It may feel like the pain is happening in spasms or in waves. Colicky abdominal pain can happen repeatedly and sporadically over the course of weeks, months, or years. It is more commonly seen in the hollow organs of the abdomen. These would include the rectum, the gallbladder, and the small and large intestines.

Cramp-like pain is often temporary and usually does not reflect a serious long-term health condition. Cramp-like pain is associated with menstruation, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence. This pain comes and goes on its own and in most cases will subside without requiring additional treatment.

The location of the abdominal pain may give an indication of the source of the pain.

  • Pain located in the center of the abdomen may be an indication of appendicitis, gastroenteritis, or an injury.
  • Pain located on the lower left of the abdomen may indicate appendicitis, kidney infection, Crohn’s disease, an ovarian cyst, or cancer.
  • Pain in the upper left of the abdomen could be an indication of fecal impaction, cancer, injury, heart attack, or an enlarged spleen.
  • Pain in the lower right of the abdomen may indicate a kidney infection, flu, appendicitis, a hernia, or cancer.
  • Pain in the upper right abdominal region may indicate appendicitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, or injury.

In most cases, mild abdominal pain will subside on its own. However, severe abdominal pain, abdominal pain that results from trauma, and abdominal pain accompanied by pressure in your chest, fever, vomiting, or bleeding may require a trip to the doctor.

How Safe Are Car Seats and What Are Common Injuries Children Sustain in Car Accidents?

On June 1, 2007, the revised Child Restraint Law went into effect in the State of Washington. The death of a young boy in a rollover accident prompted the revision. Four-year-old Aaron Skeen was wearing a seatbelt that was allowed by state law at the time.
However, the belt was built for an adult body and Aaron was a child. He slid out of it in the crash, was thrown from the car and killed. Washington’s revised Child Restraint Law became one of the strongest such laws in the nation. Its rules included the use of child restraints for children who are less than four feet nine inches tall or less than eight years old.

The updated Child Restraint law in Washington includes these revisions:

* Children less than 2 years old must have rear-facing car seats.
* Children 2-4 years should use forward facing seats until they become too tall or too heavy for the specified seat belts.
* Children shorter than 4’9″ but older than 4 who have outgrown the regular seat should use booster seats, which most probably will continue in use until
they are 10-12 years old.
* Children whose weight and age allow safe use of regular car seats should also
use lap and shoulder seat belts.

Such emphasis on child car restraints comes from years of study about the results of car accidents involving children of all ages. Rear-facing seats for younger children and correctly positioned seat belt for older children can and do protect, especially against injuries to the spine, head, and neck.

For anyone who is involved in a car accident in Vancouver WA, especially an accident involving children, it is important not only to know the law but to involve an attorney who knows the law. Call (name) because we do know the law and we can help.

Virginia Traffic Law Overview

Even though most people assume that traffic offenses are only minor infractions, Virginia law treats many traffic offenses as misdemeanor criminal offenses. Virginia law even categorizes the most serious traffic offenses as felony offenses that carry the possibility of time in prison. In addition to jail time, all traffic offenses may come with points on your driver’s license and fines. If you’re facing the allegation of a traffic offense in Virginia, it’s important to understand your rights and options.

Traffic laws in Virginia

Virginia laws chapter 46.2 list the rules for motor vehicles in the State of Virginia. Virginia law prohibits a number of activities including the following:

  • Drunk driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs
  • Operating without a valid license
  • Failing to have the required insurance
  • Reckless driving
  • Failing to wear a seatbelt
  • Fleeing the scene of a crash
  • Transporting a child without the appropriate car seat
  • Speeding
  • Making unlawful changes to a motor vehicle

Each traffic offense has its own penalties. In all cases, drivers can expect a fine. It’s important to understand the possible penalties for the charged offense in order to make the best plan to fight the charges.

Reckless driving in Virginia

Reckless driving is a violation of Virginia law 46.2-852. Virginia defines reckless driving as any driving that endangers the life, limb or property of someone else. Even if you’re driving at or below the posted speed limit, you may still find yourself charged with reckless driving.

charge of reckless driving often relies on the opinion of the investigating officer. One person may think that driving activity constitutes reckless driving while another person believes that the same behavior is safe and prudent. If you disagree with the police officer’s characterization of your driving, you may take your case to trial where a judge or jury can make the final decision. Police officers often fail to gather video evidence or make a detailed report. An experienced Virginia reckless driving attorney can help you point out law enforcement errors to the court and ask for a verdict in your favor.

How to a fight traffic ticket in Virginia

An experienced reckless driving attorney in Richmond Virginia can help you fight back when you’re facing a traffic violation charge. They can help you take the appropriate steps to demand a hearing, discover evidence and present an effective defense. If you’re facing a traffic charge, you have a limited time period to fight the charges. Contact a Richmond Virginia reckless driving attorney today to begin.