Stained Glass Classes

For beginning, intermediate or advanced students. Two sections (Mondays 2-5pm or Mondays 5:45pm - 8:45pm) meeting from January 25 - March 15. Instructor is Mike Zeigler. $55 registration fee payable to instructor on first day of class, plus materials. Register by calling the Center at 704- 216-7714 beginning January 11.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144

Protect Yourself Against Norovirus Infection

RALEIGH – Recent outbreaks of norovirus – a common and unpleasant gastrointestinal illness – have sickened teenagers at a conference in Raleigh and many other people across the state in long-term care facilities, schools and child care centers, restaurants, and other settings.

Noroviruses are very contagious. The virus is present in the stools and vomit of sick people during illness and for a few days after they recover. People can get sick through direct contact with a person who has the virus, by touching contaminated surfaces, or by eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with the virus. Noroviruses cannot be seen, smelled or tasted in food.

“Noroviruses are tough to kill”, said Dr. Megan Davies, State Epidemiologist. “The most important way to prevent spread is thorough hand- washing using soap and water. Hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.”

The symptoms of norovirus illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Some people may also have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. The illness begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people, the illness lasts for about 1 or 2 days. However, some – especially young children and the elderly – can quickly get dehydrated and might require medical care or even hospitalization. There are no specific medications to treat norovirus.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? Follow these simple measures:

· Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after toilet visits and before preparing, serving or eating food or drink. Hand sanitizer gels are not effective against norovirus.

· Clean up vomit and diarrhea immediately.

· Stay home when sick.

· Do not prepare food when sick and for at least 48 hours afterward.

Many commonly used disinfectants are not effective against norovirus. Cleaning with a dilute bleach solution is recommended to disinfect surfaces after an episode of illness.

For more information about norovirus, see the Division of Public Health Web site at www.ncpublichealth.com. More detailed information about cleanup in private homes and in other settings can be found on the Division of Environmental Health Web site at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/d fp_fooddefense- epidemiology.htm.
Contacts: Carol Schriber, N.C. DHHS Public Affairs Office, 919-733-9190

Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time Begins When: Sunday, Mar 14, 2010

Red Cross Seeks Blood Donors

The American Red Cross has an immediate need for blood donors. In Rowan County, several blood drives were canceled because of inclement weather, totaling 100 units of blood not collected.

Walk-ins are welcome. All donors will be eligible to win a $1,000 gift card.

Just a reminder that 16-year- olds can donate blood, but they must have a parent or legal guardian with them and photo ID. For more information, call Sherry Smith at 704-633-3854, ext 105.

More tobacco cessation services now available for state employees, teachers

RALEIGH – North Carolinians covered by the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees now have additional help quitting tobacco, thanks to a cooperative effort by the N.C. Division of Public Health, the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, the State Health Plan and QuitlineNC, the state’s free telephone tobacco-use cessation service.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of a number of chronic diseases – such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease – that are life- threatening and costly to residents and to the state. Helping tobacco users quit is not only essential for employees’ health, it is also one way to reduce costs by preventing some of the adverse health consequences that result from tobacco use.

“State Health Plan members can now receive at least eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy patches by calling QuitlineNC at 1- 800-QUIT-NOW,” said State Health Director Jeff Engel, M.D. “This combination of telephone coaching and medication can more than triple a tobacco user’s chance of quitting successfully, compared to trying to quit on his or her own.” The Plan provides health care coverage for more than 661,000 state employees, teachers, state university and community college personnel, retirees and their dependents.

The new services reflect the recommendations of the U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services, which recommends that employers provide support to help employees quit, including cessation services and reducing the out-of-pocket cost for cessation medications such as nicotine replacement therapy. The Task Force is an independent, non-federal body of public health and research experts convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review research and make recommendations based on scientific evidence.

“As outlined in the Plan’s Comprehensive Wellness Initiative, we are committed to supporting our members in meeting their wellness goals,” said Jack W. Walker, executive administrator of the State Health Plan. “Coaching and medication combined represent a best practice in the support of tobacco cessation. For Plan members, these cessation services will make quitting both easier and less expensive. The savings will ultimately also extend to the State Health Plan and taxpayers.”

“Working with QuitlineNC to reach adult smokers who want to quit is both effective and cost-efficient,” said Charles Willson, MD, chair of the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, which provides funding support to QuitlineNC. “We applaud the State Health Plan for providing this valuable service to their members – it is both essential for employee health and good for the bottom line”.

Any North Carolina resident can call QuitlineNC toll- free at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1- 800-784-8669) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services are free and available in Spanish and English, with other translation services provided as needed. Quit Coaches are trained to help people of all ages who are ready to quit cigarettes or other tobacco products. Learn more at www.quitlinenc.com.

New lead-based paint regulations protect residents, workers

RALEIGH – North Carolina now has stronger rules requiring the use of lead-safe work practices and other actions to prevent lead poisoning when lead-based paint is disturbed during renovation and remodeling work. Exposure to lead can be harmful to both children and adults.

Lead-contaminated dust, particularly from old paint, is the most significant source of lead exposure for children. Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead- based paint. Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million U.S. homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.

Lead exposure can cause reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays and behavioral problems in young children.

In late January, the State of North Carolina was authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program. The North Carolina program, to be administered by the state Division of Public Health, has been certified to be at least as protective as the Environmental Protection Agency’s RRP program and to provide adequate enforcement.

The N.C. RRP program, like the EPA’s, mandates that contractors, property managers and other paid workers doing renovations, construction or repairs in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be trained and certified, and must use lead- safe work practices. They are also required to provide the lead pamphlet “Renovate Right; Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools” to owners and occupants before starting renovation work in those buildings. This EPA publication is also available on-line at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovat erightbrochure.pdf.

“We are very appreciative of North Carolina’s leadership role in preventing lead poisoning by ensuring that work that disturbs paint is done in a lead-safe manner”, said Stan Meiburg, acting administrator for EPA Region 4. “Renovators and rental property owners play a big part in protecting children from lead-based paint hazards in their homes.”

If you are doing your own renovation work in your own home, you can learn more about protecting your family from lead-based paint and EPA’s lead program at www.epa.gov/lead or by contacting the National Lead Information Center at 800- 424-LEAD (5323).

For more information about North Carolina’s new certification and training program, including applying for certification or locating training, visit the state Web site at www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/lead. html or contact the North Carolina Lead Program at (919) 707-5950. The Web site also has a list of certified contractors, painters and renovators.

US Census Help Desk begins March 19.

A representative from the US Census will be at the Center 9:00am - 11:00am Monday thru Friday until April 19 to answer questions and/or assist individuals will completing census forms.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury
NC 28144

Operation Medicine Drop

SALISBURY - The Rowan County Sheriff's Office is hosting a medicine drop to help resident dispose of expired medication.

This event is a part of Operation Medicine Drop, which offers to the public a free and convenient option for disposing of expired medications for the safety of family and the environment.

The event will be at the Rowan County Rescue Squad at 1140 Julian Road, Salisbury on Saturday, March 19, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Fundraiser for Teen Battling Cancer

The community continues to rally around North Rowan junior Patrick Snider as he battles testicular cancer.

A group of Snider's friends is planning a children's carnival fundraiser for Saturday, March 20, at the First Baptist Church's First Ministry Center in the former Rowan County YMCA building at 320 N. Fulton St. The carnival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Activity Directors Class

For staff working in adult care facilities. Mondays & Thursdays 6-9pm January 11 - March 22. Instructor is Tim Cornelison. $175 registration fee payable to RCCC. Register in person on RCCC North Campus before January 11.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144

Watercolor Painting Class

For beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Mondays 9:30am - 12:30pm meeting January 25 - March 29. Instructor will be Marietta Smith. $36 registration fee to RCCC plus materials. Register in person at the Center between January 11-15.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144

Habitat for Humanity's

ReStore needs volunteers to help with the move to their new location at 1707 S. Main Street in April, as well as staffing the store prior to, and after, the move (running the cash register, pricing donated items, stocking merchandise, assisting customers). Contact Elizabeth Brady at 704.642.1222 or email store@habitatrowan.org
Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 South MLK, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
704-216-7714

American Red Cross

The Elizabeth Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross has an urgent need for volunteers to work with its Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) program. Several volunteers are needed to cover an on-call schedule of 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to assist families in sending messages to active duty military service members throughout the world to inform them of deaths, serious illness/injuries, or other emergencies. Volunteers are trained and provided with a pager during their on-call service. For more information, contact Melody Poole at 704.633.3854.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 South MLK, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
704-216-7714

Public review and comment period announced on state’s Infant-Toddler Federal Grant application, policy proposals

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Early Intervention Branch announces public review of and comment on three items:

The state’s federal Part C grant application under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA); proposed policy on fees, billing and reimbursement; and proposed policy on Infant- Toddler Program (ITP) records.
The application and the proposed policies are available for public review, as required by law, at www.ncei.org, March 3 – April 1, 2010. The public may comment on the items April 2 – May 1, 2010.

The grants are non- competitive awards available only to U.S. states and territories and not to individuals, families or local agencies. The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs offers the grants to help states and territories provide coordinated statewide systems of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, interagency programs of early intervention service for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The application describes how funding will be used to provide supports and services to children and their families.

Proposed changes for the fees, billing and reimbursement policy are in the following areas:

the criteria used to apply the Sliding Fee Scale; the formula for calculating payments made to contracted community providers after insurance plans have paid benefits; and non-payment and collection of debt owed to the ITP.

The ITP records proposed policy primarily has three changes:

reduction of time for maintaining children’s ITP records from 21 years to 5 years after a child’s third birthday; a definition for “personally identifiable information”; and removal of a listing of ITP required forms.

From April 2 to May 1, comments on the grant application and the two proposed policies may be made by:
Email to: ei.publiccomment@dhhs.nc.gov;

Fax to: Part C coordinator at 919-870-4834; or Letter: c/o Part C Coordinator, Early Intervention Branch, 1916 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1916.

Income Tax Assistance with the AARP Tax-Aide Program

Free one-to-one assistance to moderate or low income persons (with priority for seniors aged 60+) in completing simple federal and state income tax returns. Sponsored by AARP with trained volunteers. Each Tuesday in February, March & early April, at the Senior Center with a previous appointment. Morning and afternoon appointments available each month. Call 704-216-7714 to schedule an appointment. At the time of appointment, persons should bring with them a copy of their 2008 completed returns, and any statements of earnings or income received for 2009. Call for more information.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144

Antique tractors wanted for 2010 Got to Be NC Festival

RALEIGH — Registration is now open for the antique tractor and farm equipment display at the 2010 Got to Be NC Festival. The annual event will be held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds May 21-23.

Antique tractor clubs, collectors and restorers can register their antique farm equipment for free at www.ncagfest.com. Participants are encouraged to complete an application early, and registration is required. Last year, more than 500 antique tractors were on display from owners in North Carolina and surrounding states. In all, the three-day festival showcased more than 1,000 pieces of farm equipment.

The Got to Be NC Festival, presented by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will feature a carnival, live music, food and wine expo, tractor pulls, draft horse pulls, classic cars, Harley- Davidson motorcycles, lawnmower racing and a barbecue cook-off.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to midnight May 21 and 22, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 23. Admission and parking for the festival are free. There is a fee for grandstand events.

Other free events at the fairgrounds that weekend include the Raleigh Health and Fitness Expo, the Choplin Marine Boat Show, Wake County 4-H Horse Show, Fiber Fest and the State Fairgrounds Flea Market.

For more information about the Got to Be NC Festival, including a full schedule of events.
NCDA&CS Public Affairs
Division, Brian Long,
Director
Mailing Address:1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1001
Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Phone: (919) 733-4216; FAX: (919) 733-5047

Blood Drive:
Open Mobiles in Rowan County:

March 14, 2010 8:30 AM- 1:00 PM
First United Methodist Church
China Grove 110 W. Church Street,
China Grove, NC

March 14, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Woodleaf United Methodist Church
9000 Church Street,
Woodleaf, NC

March 19, 2010 8:00 AM- 12:30 PM
Rowan County USDA Agencies
Salisbury 2727 Old Concord Road,
Salisbury, NC

March 22, 2010 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
326 North Main Street,
China Grove, NC

March 22, 2010 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM
WAL-MART Supercenter Store #1552
323 S. Arlington Street,
Salisbury, NC

March 23, 2010 10:30 AM- 3:00 PM
Livingstone College-Aggrey Student Center
701 West Monroe Street,
Salisbury, NC

March 25, 2010 11:00 AM- 3:30 PM
Rowan Regional Medical Center
612 Mocksville Ave.,
Salisbury, NC

March 27, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Genesis Baptist Church
China Grove 9710 Old Concord Salisbury Road,
China Grove, NC

April 07, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Rowan Cabarrus Community College North Campus
1333 Jake Alexander Blvd.,
Salisbury, NC

April 10, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Calvary Baptist Church
Salisbury 2255 East Ridge Road,
Salisbury, NC

April 12, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
American Red Cross,
E.H. Dole Chapter I
1930 Jake Alexander Blvd West,
Salisbury, NC

April 14, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
North Hill Christian School 2
970 West Innes Street,
Salisbury, NC

April 15, 2010 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Catawba College
2300 West Innes Street,
Salisbury, NC

April 17, 2010 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Trading Ford Baptist Church
3600 Long Ferry Road,
Salisbury, NC

April 18, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Christian Lutheran Church
6190 Hwy 52,
Salisbury, NC

April 20, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Saleeby-Fisher YMCA
790 Cresent Road,
Rockwell, NC

April 25, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Union Lutheran Church 4770 Bringle Ferry Road,
Salisbury, NC

April 26, 2010 2:30 PM- 7:00 PM
St. Pauls Lutheran Church
Salisbury 205 St. Paul Church Road,
Salisbury, NC

May 02, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
First Baptist Church of Salisbury
223 North Fulton Street,
Salisbury, NC

May 03, 2010 2:30 PM- 7:00 PM
Neel Road Baptist Church
Salisbury 135 Neel Road,
Salisbury, NC

May 10, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
American Red Cross,
E.H. Dole Chapter I
1930 Jake Alexander Blvd West,
Salisbury, NC

May 12, 2010 2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Spencer Moose Lodge
1301 N. Elizabeth Ave.,
Spencer, NC

May 13, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Stallings Memorial Baptist
Salisbury 817 S. Main Street,
Salisbury, NC

May 24, 2010 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
326 North Main Street,
China Grove, NC

May 27, 2010 11:00 AM- 3:30 PM
Rowan Regional Medical Center
612 Mocksville Ave.,
Salisbury, NC

May 30, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Organ Lutheran Church
Salisbury 1515 Organ Church Road,
Salisbury, NC