The Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis & Rehabilitation is observing “World Voice Day,” an international health observance day for the human voice, on April 16, 2011 (observed Friday, April 15, 2011). On this day the public is asked to assess their voice quality and recognize that harmful speaking techniques, alcohol, and tobacco abuse can easily and irrevocably damage the voice. The long-term consequences of poor voice can range from strained vocal cords and chronic hoarseness to deadly head and neck cancers. On this date, complimentary voice screenings including a video image of the larynx (videostroboscopy) will be provided on a limited basis to the public by the Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis & Rehabilitation.

The theme for the 2011 celebration of World Voice Day, “We Share a Voice,” calls attention to the important role otolaryngologists play in stemming the tide of vocal disorders.

Voice Pathologist Jennifer Rettig Performs Videostroboscopy on DMM Contributor Jane Krebs

“Vocal health is critical to our communication-oriented society, but the voice does not receive the public recognition and appreciation it deserves. World Voice Day provides us a perfect forum through which to refamiliarize ourselves with the latest advances in laryngology and voice care, and to educate our colleagues, patients, and communities via lectures, free voice screenings, community outreach programs, and other offerings,” says Blaine Block Director, Wendy D. LeBorgne, Ph.D., CCC-SLP.

World Voice Day gives vocal health experts an opportunity to bring renewed awareness about vocal health to the general public and to professionals who have built careers around their voices.

As The Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis & Rehabilitation celebrates the ninth year of the World Voice Day observance, we offer the community a few simple health tips to take care of your voice:

Keep yourself hydrated – Moisture is good for your voice, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day is the best way to stay hydrated.
Don’t smoke – Likely the single worst thing you can do for your voice is to smoke. It causes permanent damage to the vocal cord tissues and is the number 1 risk factor for cancer of the larynx (voice box).
Don’t scream or shout. Use a microphone if you need to project your voice – Yelling or screaming is always bad for the voice, as it puts a lot of stress on the delicate lining of your vocal cords.
Rest your voice if you have laryngitis.
Get evaluated by an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat physician) if you have persistent hoarseness – If your voice is persistently hoarse, be sure to seek evaluation by an otolaryngologist.
Warm up your voice – Warming up the voice is not just for singers; it helps the speaking voice, too. Doing simple things like lip or tongue trills, or gliding up and down your range on different vowels will help warm up your voice.
Know what you’re feeling – When you are in a place with loud background noise, you don’t realize how loudly you may be talking. Pay attention to how your throat feels in these situations, because it will often feel raw or irritated before you notice the vocal strain you are causing.

To learn more about World Voice Day, vocal health, and other ear, nose, and throat related topics, visit www.bbivar.com or http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/worldVoiceDay.cfm. To schedule a free voice screening on Aril 15th, contact voice pathologist, Jennifer Rettig, M.S., CCC-SLP, at (937) 496-2622.

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

It’s almost tax day. As many of you rush to get yours completed (don’t worry, I’m in that boat too), hopefully you get a break so you can enjoy some of these events going on in the Dayton area this week!

On Wednesday, learn The Basics of Excel 2007 (which may be helpful for everyone doing their own accounting) at Sinclair. At the Greene County Career Center, attend their “Sushi Galore” Cooking Class. Afterwards, you are more than welcome to make me some! If you are feeling artsy, attend the UD Celebration of the Arts: Closing Visual Arts Exhibition and Reception. All creative professionals should get happy (if you’re not already) by attending the Happy Hour Special Event: Cincinnati Creatives Head North at Harrigan’s Tavern South. Dayton Creative Syndicate (DCS) will welcome the American Advertising Foundation-Dayton and AIGA Cincinnati colleagues to the area for a networking/social event. If you’re a movie lover who likes to laugh, make your way to The Neon for a special screening of Punching the Clown. At the Dayton Racquet Club, help kick off the Dayton Dutch Lions’ soccer season by attending their VIP Party and Date Auction! Ladies – they always say soccer players are hot (even when they don’t have a fever)! And finally, put on your blue suede shoes and catch the music of “The King” with All Shook Up, which is being performed at Victoria Theatre.

On Thursday, music lovers should attend the 2011 WGI Percussion World Championships to see talented percussion ensembles from across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Young professionals will not want to miss the Generation Dayton Thirsty Thursday at Blind Bob’s, which will provide an awesome opportunity for YPs to network/socialize. If you put wine and yoga together, some say you get “woga” or “yine.” However, at the Metropolitan Arts Center, you get Grape and Lotus – A Wine and Yoga Practice. All you green wannabes should Go Green At PNC 2^nd Street Market, where you will learn about the top ten ways to go green at home. Support a great cause by attending Guest Grillers Kramer & Clober at BD’s Mongolian Grill. In addition to food grilled by local DJs, there will be a silent auction, raffles, games, and prizes. If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids, take them to see Charlotte’s Web at the Dominion Academy of Dayton. And if you want a good laugh, check out the award-winning musical comedy Nunsense at Chakeres Memorial Theatre. Sounds like my kind of show, as it is described as having hilarious puns! In other theater news, you can attend All Shook Up at Victoria Theatre or Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre. And finally, if you prefer to do the performing yourself, make your way to Champps for their Karaoke Thursdays.

Voice Pathologist Jennifer Rettig Taking A Look at My Vocal Folds

Friday is World Voice Day, so head to The Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation, one of the most well-respected voice clinics in the nation as they celebrate 2011 World Voice Day! Be sure to schedule your appointment for a FREE voice screening, in which you will be able to see pictures/video of your vocal folds! I have had it done and I assure you, it is painless! If you haven’t yet, be sure to register for the 2011 Young Creatives Summit at the Dayton Convention Center in which you will be able to voice your opinions about our community. Join jumpstART as they Jump into Photography at Stivers School for the Arts. It’s a Friday in Lent, so that also means a Fish Fry (American Legion Post 707)! And finally, if you are looking to attend a show/musical, here are a few options: Nunsense at Chakeres Memorial Theatre, All Shook Up at Victoria Theatre, Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre, The Boys Next Door at Dayton Theatre Guild, The Daughter of The Regiment (opera) at Schuster Performing Arts Center, Charlotte’s Web at Dominion Academy of Dayton, and The Phantom Tollbooth at Town Hall Theatre.

On Saturday, celebrate Earth Day by heading to the PNC 2^nd Street Market for their Tree Seedling Giveaway. (I planted a few of them a couple years ago and they are now over three feet tall!) Get in shape by participating in the 5K Run for the Cure in Tipp City, which starts at Harrison’s. Music lovers should head over to Omega Music for the National Record Day Celebration. Take the kids to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery for the Junior League of Dayton’s ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ Event at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, which will feature seven different healthy lifestyles stations, including such things as zumba for children and dental care. Help raise money for scholarships for the Dayton Alumnae Panhellenic Association by attending Sashay Into Spring’ Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center. Also, be sure to bring job interview clothing donations for Clothes that Work! Support another great cause by attending a Wine Tasting to benefit Children’s Medical Center at Arrow Wine & Spirits. You can also support the Greene Community Health Foundation at their Bowling For Babies event at Beaver-Vu Bowling Lanes. All you soccer lovers will not want to miss the Dayton Dutch Lions FC Home Opener ‘All Things Dutch’ at Miami Valley South Stadium! Be sure to wear your orange! Several shows are going on around town that were mentioned above, so be sure to check out the DMM Calendar! At Kira’s Oasis, attend the Burlesque Show & ARC (AIDS Resource Center) Benefit. Or, attend Flappers & Dappers, a 20s Gala benefiting Hannah’s Treasure Chest which will be held at the Schuster Center.

On Sunday, don’t miss your chance to get All Shook Up at Victoria Theatre. Or catch Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre, The Boys Next Door at the Dayton Theatre Guild, or The Phantom Tollbooth at Town Hall Theatre. At The Neon, check out Lunafest, which is an event featuring short films by, for, and about women. Sorry men. And finally, for a little musical entertainment, head to the University of Dayton for their Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band or their Music Ensembles.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

There are three kinds of accountants in the world. Those who can count and those who can’t.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar. There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today! Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE! And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!