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The INDEPENDENT, November 18, 2004
W o m e n ’s R eso u rce C en ter op ens
S tartin g O ver S to re in St. H elens
A resale store called Starting
Over Store (SOS), has been
opened by the Columbia Coun
ty Women’s Resource Center.
Store hours are Wednesday
through Friday from 11:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sun
day from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m.
Donations are accepted at
the store Wednesday through
Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m.
and on Saturdays from 10:00
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All donated
items should be clean and in
good working order. Questions
about donations can be an
swered by calling the store at
503-366-0325 during open
hours. SOS is located in the old
TVBS building, 164 Little St, St.
Helens.
Proceeds from SOS will
benefit clients of the Women’s
Resource Center and its shel
ter, The Starting Place. SOS
will also offer various services
to people in the community in
cluding a job training program,
a life skills program, Dressed 4
Success (call for information),
and Hispanic outreach every
Thursday with “El Dia de Fies
ta,” as well as information and
referrals.
Health Notes
By Audeen Wagner
FLU SHOTS
No doubt you’ve heard
about the flu vaccine
shortage this year. Many
people are asking about
how the crisis will affect
their ability to ward off in
fluenza.
The clinic has been ad
vised that there will be NO
flu vaccine available locally this year, even for
the high-risk groups who are advised to have the
immunization every year. So, what to do, given
this information?
First, be aware of the symptoms of the flu.
How do you know if you are coming down with
the flu or just a bad cold? The key thing to watch
for is sudden onset: a cold is slower developing
and less severe, flu usually hits you in a hurry!
Here are the symptoms:
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• Fever, usually high
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Gastro-intestinal symptoms, such as nau
sea, vomiting and diarrhea (much more common
in children then adults)
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough, sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
The flu spreads in respiratory droplets caused
by coughing and sneezing. It usually spreads
from person to person, though a person may be
come infected by touching something with the
virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
So, in lieu of the flu shot, there are some im
portant things to know about prevention. It is
quite simple, really, but takes some effort to be
consistent. Here are some tips from the Center
for Disease Control:
1. Avoid close contact. Try to avoid contact
with people who are sick.
2. Stay home when you are sick. Staying
Also, many people are altering their lifestyle
somewhat to avoid coming down with the flu. A
healthy diet, getting proper rest, taking vitamins,
especially vitamin C (be sure to follow the direc
tions!), and avoiding stress.
These hygiene tips are important for all ages,
and are good habits to develop throughout the
year; and, of course, imperative this time of year
if we are to control that flu bug.
“The bottom line,” says Office Manager Cathy
Rozinek, R.N., “is to recognize the symptoms
and preventive measures; be informed, but don’t
panic is the best advice.”
If you can find a source for the flu shot else
where, Cathy says, go ahead and take advan
tage of the opportunity, especially if you are in
the risk groups: All children 6-23 months, adults
over 65, people with underlying chronic medical
conditions, pregnant women, healthcare workers
and others involved in direct patient care. If you
do get a flu shot, be sure to call your provider’s
office and let them know the date you got the
vaccine. This will keep your medical records up
to date.
Before we know it, winter will be over, spring
will be on the way, and the dreaded “flu season”
a thing of the past. Take care of yourself!
“SENIOR
MOMENTS”
Holiday Special
CRAFTS
COLLECTIBLES
• Gifts • Goodies •
• Quilt Raftle •
• Door Prizes •
• 25% o ff select candles
• Gift Baskets under $20
• Gift Certificates Available
»
home from work, school and errands will prevent
spreading of the flu.
3. Cover your mouth and nose. When cough
ing or sneezing, you can prevent the virus from
spreading, by covering your nose and mouth.
This simple courtesy can prevent those around
you from getting sick.
4. Wash your hands. Be especially diligent
about this one: Wash your hands often with soap
and water. In public places there are so many ar
eas you might touch that have been exposed to
the flu virus, and a thorough washing of hands
can protect you. Also, there are many over-the-
counter products that you can carry along with
you that are applied to your skin and rubbed in
that sanitize your skin without water, pretty
handy, huh? The clinic uses one called Purell,
and there are others available over the counter.
You can also carry those little alcohol wipes
along with you; they are convenient and do the
same job.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
This is hard to do, but a great habit to work on.
Germs are often spread when a person touches
something that is contaminated with germs and
then touches the face.
1
Vernonia Senior
Center
Sat. Dec. 4,10 to 6 pm
Sun. Dec. 5,11 to 5pm
Therapeutic Massage, Acupressure,
Deep Tissue Massage, Aromatherapy,
Hot Stone Massage, R eflexology
Lie # 10732
503-709-4677
ASHN provider
8 4 5 Madison Avenue, Vernonia,OR
Mammogram schedule: The next visit of
the Mammo-van to Vernonia will be on Decem
ber 8, 2004. Call 429-9191 to schedule.
L
eo n etti’s
Pizza & Grill
Lunch Special
X/X D e li S an d w ich & C up o f Soup
O n ly $5.75
721 Madison Ave., Vernonia • 503-429-5018