Free Thanksgiving Dinners

First Assembly of God in Hibbing has 100 Thanksgiving meal bags that are being made available to families that are in need this Thanksgiving. Each bag will have a complete uncooked meal including a nice size turkey. If you or someone you know needs assistance.

Please Call First Assembly of God at 218-263-7848 to reserve one of these meals.

How to prevent and prepare for the H1N1

With all the information and misinformation in the media about the swine flu, it's good to know the facts and how to prepare for it. When you hear the term "pandemic" it is not bound to a certain number of cases, but defined by human-to-human transmission in three different countries in two different WHO regions.

Prevention

1. Know what the signs of swine flu are in people. The symptoms look a lot like an ordinary flu and include fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. It is reported that diarrhea and vomiting can also be included with the symptoms of illness. There's no way to tell if you have the swine flu unless a respiratory specimen is taken within the first 4-5 days and sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or equivalent).
2. Make sure you are in good health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress,drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Consider taking a Vitamin C & D supplement. The healthier you are, the better your immune system will be at defending your body against a virus.
3. Practice good hygiene. If you sneeze, keep a disposable tissue in front of your mouth, after sneezing or blowing your nose throw the tissue away. Wash your hands often, especially if after blowing your nose/sneezing and before you eat. Use a disinfectant when possible or just use soap and water.
4. Don't share utensils or drinks. In cafeteria settings, it's not uncommon for people to casually share utensils or take a sip from someone else's drink. This should be completely avoided if there is any risk of a flu pandemic.

Preparation

If a pandemic flu virus spreads rapidly, being prepared to stay at home will help slow down the virus because you'll minimize your exposure (and other people's exposure to you, if you become sick

1. Stock up. Store nonperishable foods, bottled water, over-the-counter drugs, health supplies and other necessities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends having a 2-week supply. (These supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages.) Have basic, over-the-counter health supplies such as a thermometer, facemasks, tissues, soap, hand sanitizers, medicine to relieve fever, and cold medicine.
2. Plan ahead. Plan for what you will do in the following cases:
   • Schools dismissed:
   • You or family member becomes sick and requires care: Plan to stay home for at least 10 days when you are sick with pandemic flu. Staying home will keep you from infecting others. Make sure others in your household also stay home when they are sick. During a severe pandemic, stay home if someone in your household is sick with pandemic flu.
3. Talk to your employer.
4. Use Technology.
   
5. Stay updated.
   • Reliable, accurate, and timely information is available at PandemicFlu.gov and World Health Organization swine flu page
   • Telephone sources include the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. If you do not live in the U.S., check if there is an equivalent hotline in your area.
   If we prepare and use prevention there is no need to panic. If you know your neighbor is sick ask if there is anything they may need so they don't have to go out and infect others, plus it's a nice thing to do
   
   
   
   
   Source: Wikihow.com

Winter Driving Tips

As you know winter is making it's presence known a little early this year. This is a good reminder to keep us and our families safe this season.

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared , and that you know how to handle road conditions.

It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Sources: National Safety Council

How to Preserve Your Carved Pumpkin to Make It Last Longer!

A little simple Halloween magic with household items will make your Jack O'Lantern last a week longer!

Essentially, we're going to embalm your Jack O'Lantern, just like the ancient Egyptians did their mummies! (Hey, maybe they practiced on pumpkins!)

Here are the simple steps:

1. Remove dirt: Wipe the exterior surfaces of the pumpkin clean using a damp cloth.
2. Make a bleach solution of1 tablespoon of bleach (typical brand name "Clorox) per quart of water and put it in a spray bottle.
3. Spray the pumpkin inside and all cut areas of the pumpkin with the solution. This will kill much of the surface bacteria and mold that cause rotting.
4. Let it penetrate and dry for about 20 minutes
5. Next, rub all of the carved or cut surfaces with petroleum jelly. This will keep out new bacteria and molds as well as dramatically reduce the dehydration!
6. Wipe away excess with a paper towel!
7. Now, keep your pumpkin out of direct sunlight and try to keep it as cool as possible (but above freezing!) and you should get at least a week's enjoyment out of it!
   

Eveleth Beautification Committee Meeting

We will be meeting on Monday, October 12, 2009 at 5:30pm in council chambers.

We will be working on goals set for 2009 including a food drive.

All are welcome to attended

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Battering on women is the most under reported crime in America.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States.

One woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 15 seconds in the United States.

About 1 out of 4 women are likely to be abused by a partner in her lifetime.

Domestic Violence is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm. Family or household members include spouses / former spouses, those in (or formerly in) a dating relationship, adults related by blood or marriage, and those who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship.

Domestic violence destroys families and communities. No one deserves to be abused. The responsibility for the violence belongs to the abuser. It is not the victim's fault!


How you can help:

1. Take a zero tolerance attitude-If you see it, hear it~Call the police and report it, even if it means you have to do it multiple times.
2. Talk about Domestic Violence with family and friends.~ Keeping it hush, hush, hurts the victims.
3. Drop off unwanted cell phones w/chargers at RWA~ They are used so victims of Domestic Violence can call 911.
4. Support the cause

Beautification Committee Meeting

We will be meeting Thursday, September 21, 2009 at 5:30pm to 7:00pm
upstairs in the Eveleth City Hall.

Items on the agenda local food drive, lights up tour

Everyone is welcome to come and participate.