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When you visit a dental office, you reasonably assume your insurance will function the way it was described when you signed up. If a procedure is listed as covered in the insurance handbook, you expect it to be paid according to the stated terms. Unfortunately, that is not always what happens. From a dental office perspective, insurance claim denials — even when coverage appears clearly outlined — have become a persistent and frustrating problem. Dentists are often portrayed

I am a word person. In my definition of this term, it means I am attuned to and fascinated with the meaning, use, and implication of words. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that when I came of AARP age, I started looking for synonyms for “old.” I was less than thrilled to be called a “senior citizen” (although I am happy to accept the discounts attached to the term). To me, it seemed a bit condescending and placating in its application, akin to being patted on the head for hav

After years of serving men across the region, Quali-T Men’s Health is proud to announce its rebrand to Quali-T Hormone Optimization , reflecting an important expansion: comprehensive hormone replacement therapy (HRT) services for women. The new name represents a broader mission — helping both men and women restore hormonal balance, improve quality of life, and age with strength and vitality. What Is Female Hormone Replacement Therapy? Female HRT is a medical treatment designe

Christy and Wayne Miller craft their two most important relationships – the one with each other, and the one with Odd Moe’s – by using the same ingredient: integrity.  Of course, they are more humble than that.  “We’re just two people that make lots of pizzas,” Christy said, laughing.  Pizzas that are made with fresh dough that’s never frozen; with local produce (when available) that are chopped by hand; patented, secret red and white garlic sauces. Even the cheese they use i

Adobe Restaurant and Bar, a relatively new establishment located at the corner of State and High streets, features Latin-inspired cuisine, using fresh ingredients to create memorable dishes that capture the essence of Latin flavors. They consider themselves a fine-dining establishment, with a menu crafted with passion. They are open every day from 4 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Fridays they don’t close until midnight. For weekend brunch, they open at 10:00 a.m.  Reservations are

Seems like we’ve had a spurt of new French restaurants in the Salem area. My latest discovery is Clink! Located on the 2d floor of The Forge, Suite 230, 285 Liberty St. NE. It opened last fall and has taken its rightful place among the finest eateries in Salem. It is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 4 p.m. through 7 p.m.  They do a fine brunch on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. Reservations are recomme

Steve Anderson lives his life by the philosophy that one should be a good steward of the environment.   A Salem, Ore., native and Land Use Chair of the West Salem Neighborhood Association (WSNA) for the past 13 years, you could say that Steve Anderson is a household name. You could also say that you don’t have to look very hard to see that Anderson’s life has been shaped around identifying problems and solutions concerning the environment, and giving a voice to those who don’

As I was standing at my kitchen sink, hand-washing and drying my dishes, I was thinking about my topic for this article. Kaity and I agreed that perhaps changes I have seen in my 84 years might be of interest or amusement to some of you West Salem residents. A sink full of soapy dishwater is one of those changes. I remember, as a teen, standing at the sink washing the dinner dishes with my brother beside me drying. Wonder of all wonders, we had a hand-held sprayer to do the r

Hormonal changes are a natural part of a woman’s life, but when key hormones decline or fall out of balance, the impact can be profound. From persistent fatigue and mood changes to sleep disruption and weight gain, hormone deficiencies often affect far more than many women realize. At Quali-T Hormone Optimization (Formerly Quali-T Men’s Health), we are proud to now offer female hormone replacement therapy (HRT) locally at our Eugene office, with virtual care available across

Most people have a general understanding of dental implants, but a few misconceptions still linger. Today we’ll briefly review what a dental implant actually is and discuss the key factors that influence its long-term success. What many people call an “implant” is a three-part system . 1. The implant: The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone and functions as an artificial tooth root. It is made of titanium and has threads on its surface that interact directly with th

There is another new restaurant in town, and I couldn’t resist a visit. Encore opened on November 14 at 195 High Street NE, adjacent to the Grand Theatre. It has been a space with many uses over the years, including hosting a wine bar, Paradiso, and other restaurants that came and went too quickly to remember.  Encore fits nicely into its location adjacent to the Grand Theatre, and includes a glass door between the theatre and the restaurant, making it convenient to dine and

I chose a catchy title in hopes you’d keep reading — think of it as a little “clickbait” for a good cause. There’s a growing oral health concern in our community that deserves attention. For many years, oral cancer mainly affected older men with long histories of smoking and alcohol use. But today, younger people are increasingly at risk. So you might be wondering: “What does this have to do with me?” HPV: More Than a Common Wart Virus Most of us know that the Human Papilloma

Salem residents have a dedicated local resource for men’s health, hormone optimization, and evidence-based testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Quali-T Men’s Health, led by Chris Mckeown, FNP-BC, FNP-C, provides expert services to the Willamette Valley with a mission that is simple but rare in modern healthcare: treat every patient as an individual, communicate clearly, and deliver care that fits real life. At Quali-T Men’s Health, patients are never just a number. Chris i

Dear Friends and Neighbors, November was a very difficult time for people impacted by the federal government shutdown. The effects of the shutdown rippled through our economy, with federal employees furloughed or working without pay, and SNAP benefits significantly delayed for the 737,000 Oregonians who rely on them. The result is immense strain on families’ household budgets. Amidst uncertainty in Washington, D.C., I met with local leaders and food bank representatives about

Welcome back to the Westside Newspaper! We have missed you. I am back too, but not on a regular basis. I will chime in when something hits me that you readers might find interesting. In the past I have written about food, restaurants, travel, and even a little satire, not to mention the April Fool’s Day spoofs. My contributions in the future will hopefully hit on all those areas. I will be fully retired as of the end of 2025, and plan extensive travels and adventures, some of

Name:  Tess Aiello Place of birth:  Salem, Oregon How long in West Salem:  49 years. Only left West Salem for the 2 years my husband was active duty at Fort Carson, Colorado.  If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the area:  Born and raised in West Salem.  Profession:  Real Estate Agent with John L. Scott — Salem.  Other professions:  When my children were in grade school, I was the assistant to the Preschool Pastor at Salem Alliance Church, developing