The swine flu scare seems to be abating, but there’s still time to panic.
Kidding.
You can get information about swine flu at Mercy Medical Center’s new community hotline. Call 246-3729 and select option #1 for a brief overview of swine flu, its symptoms and how to avoid it by giving up the habit of consorting with pigs.
Kidding again.
• I got another e-mail press release, but could only read this much of the headline in my Inbox:
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN MENTAL HEALTH
That seems like an invitation that should be open to all community members all the time.
When I opened the e-mail, I saw the full headline: COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE PLANNING, which makes marginally more sense. Here’s the rest of it:
Shasta County Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug is inviting community members to participate in the planning process for Shasta County’s Workforce Education & Training (WET) component of the Mental Health Services Act. Individuals may attend one of three kick-off informational meetings on May 6 from noon to 1 at the Shasta County May Helene Bacon Boggs Conference Center, 2420 Breslauer Way in Redding, or on May 7 from 3:30 to 4:30 or 5:30 to 6:30 at the Redding Public Library, 1100 Parkview Ave. Individuals may also attend one of five stakeholder input meetings on June 1 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Shasta County May Helene Bacon Boggs Conference Center, June 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Intermountain Community Center, 37477 Main St. in Burney, June 3 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Redding Public Library, June 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Anderson Public Library, 3200 West Center St. and June 5 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Public Health Northwest Regional Office, 4217 Front St. in Shasta Lake.
- As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a member of the Shasta Libraries Citizens Advisory Committee, and we’ll be wrestling with more behavior codes at our public meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Redding Library’s community room. Last month, we voted to ask the City Council to ban all smoking on library property. Now, the library staff has asked that we spell out which bad behaviors (noise, sleeping, petition-circulating) would be “unlawful” at the library under an expanded city ordinance. I expect the debate will be lively.
- Tickets are on sale now for a big event on Friday: Redding’s 6th Annual Go Red for Women Luncheon for the American Heart Association. More than 400 women are expected to come together to learn about heart disease and stroke prevention. The event includes a health expo, informational speakers and a keynote address by the always lively Christy Largent. Starts at 11 a.m. Friday at the Holiday Inn on Hilltop. Tickets are $30, and are available at Curves, The Real Estate Group, Enjoy Magazine and Mercy Medical Center’s gift shop. Or call Angie Giuffre at 222-1136
Tips appreciated: Send e-mail to steveb.anewscafe@gmail.com.
