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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-02, Page 10Page 8 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Plan to attend K411101,EGIO KEGIONAt REACH's Aicultural Cl Nl'tit‘(IF HURON GRAND OPENING Saturday, September 12, 2009 169 Beech Street, just north of Clinton Raceway Doors open from 10 am to 6 pm Admission is FREE Arena Demonstration Schedule; 10:00 am: 10;30 am: 11:00 am: 12:00 pm: 12:30 pm: 1:00 pm: 1:30 pm: 2:00 pm: 2:30 pm: 3:00 pm: 3:30 pm: 4:30 pm: 5:00 pm: 5:30 pm: Friesian Horse display KingLyn Precision Riding Team Effective Rider with Lindsay Grice English and Western Friesian Horse 4 in hand driving Barrel Racing Display Canadian Horse display Percheron 6 horse hitch Western Games Arabian Costume Sulky Driving Reining Prince Philip Games - National Team Driving demonstration Gaited Horse display (Schedules subject to change without prior notice) Activities are scheduled throughout the day. Programs are available at www.reachhuron.ca Pandemic not cause for panic signal -star staff`' As headlines across the country draw attention to the approaching and unknown effects of a second wave of the global H1N1 pan- demic, the Huron County Health Unit has been busy preparing for the hit. They say they know it's coming, and more than likely, everyone in the county will know someone who is sick with the flu. But, what does it really mean? "We've all seen the movies that deal with pandemics, and outbreaks and they all have that connotation that it can be serious and deadly," said Huron County Health Unit public health man- ager Christina Taylor. "But we're not talking in that way. It's a new virus that we have to prepare for and keep a close eye on ... It's not anything to panic about." In reality, Taylor said that the H1N1 flu virus is actually slightly less severe than the regular in- fluenza nfluenza that visits Huron County each year. The Health Unit has been work- ing closely with the Ministry of Health to prepare for and moni- tor the sec- ond bout with H1N1. Vaccination shots • are on the way, both for the regular in- fluenza and it reach your go i answering these five important quests Where am I today? Before you can plan for the future, you mush assess where . • s stand right now. There is a lot of information to review in addressing this quoin, ig a list o!monthly expenses, your tax return, retirement plan statements and brokerage -'bank or other financial statements. All of this will help provide a comprehensive, accurate overview of your current situation.,. 4 aye i t f id . � �� � 3' � ��Cc "rid •�.l f 1 # � � , V..4 .s�'� S.5 _ E `'�� 3 q 2. Where would f like to After determining where you are today, you next need to set specific goals that can be relate: • ming for retirement • R a comfodre retirement a chits _d�ut�ication • H support other family members • Funding a vacation or second home • Having appropriate insurance to protect your financial goals 3. Can I get there? • Based on your current situation, future income requirements and comfort level with risk, you'll need to create and implement appropriate strategies that can help you achieve your goals. 4. How do I get there? This is all about having an appropriate investment philosopphy you can stick with. In particular, it involves building a diversified portfolio of qi Ya7ittyy investments and holding themtfor the long term. Diversification cannot guarantee protlt or protect against loss, but it is a strategy that has proven to be successful for many investors. 5. How can I stsy on track? Meeting wltti your financial advisor to review the plan at least once a year is essential. If any of your goals or circumstances has changed, you can then make appropriate adjustments that address your evolving needs. Remember, tape a strategic approach toyorr financial strategy : �, f t sure ou hav professional a vice. Doings o be e difference betwedii a ►�, your �cia goals and having to change them. Edward Jones, Member CIPF EdwardJones H1N1 strain. Though details on their arrivals have not been con- firmed yet, Taylor said regular shots are expected to be available in Huron in mid-October, followed by the first of two H1N1 vaccina- tions in mid-to-late November. In the meantime, the Ministry is orchestrating a massive awareness campaign set to hit mailboxes next week that Taylor said will cover most questions and concerns, as well. as highlight our best weapon against a wide -scale outbreak — prevention and planning. Frequent hand -washing with soap or sanitizer and covering coughs aid sneezes remain the best and most common defense against viral spread, but Taylor admits that staying home is some- times easier said than done. "Even here at the Health Unit as a workplace, it's important to have your workforce," she said. "I think that will be the one that people re- ally need to plan for• more than ever." She suggests putting :► back-up plan in place in the event that you or a member of your household gets hit with the bug. Schools have been instructed to send under -the - weather children home, and the Ministry has appealed to employ- ers to do the same for employees. A mild c ..,se of influenza ef- fecting a healthy person can take them anywhere from four to seven days to kick. Though Taylor said H 1 N 1 appears to be no more to slightly -less severe than the regu- lar strain, it still packs a wallop. Taylor monitors confirmed cases of H1N1 within Huron County, and has placed a number of calls to residents who had tested posi- tive for the strain. "I think the best way I have had it described to me was by a young man who said, 'it was like being hit by a transport truck, the truck backing up, and being hit again,' she said. "It's sometimes confused with the common cold, but influ- enza is a serious illness. I've even had people say their hair hurt, or they could feel their hair grow- ing." Last week, the province Was still looking at prioritizing groups for vaccination who are most at - risk. Taylor said though the Health Unit was at the time still awaiting guidance, those groups will likely include people with underlying medical conditions, like lung and heart disease, and diabetes.. She said pregnant women are also at risk of complication, and health care providers will likely be giv- en priority in order to ensure the healthcare system is sustainable. The Health Unit will keep an up-to-date bulletin on influenza and H1N1 developments on their web site, and Taylor said that's the first place to go for information. You can log on and keep track at www.huroncounty.caihealth. Taylor added that those who be- come sick this season should visit their physician if symptoms be- come severe or prolonged. Bluesfest happening this weekend Fourth annual music festival now features walk -about style venues The fourth Annual West Coast Blues - fest in Goderich is hosting three of Canada's premier Blues artists Saturday September 5 at The Livery in downtown Goderich. Memphis Tim, David Rotundo and Steve Strongman will be featured at the Big Event. Steve Strongman, the recipient of 2009 prestigious Mel Brown Blues Award will fill The Livery with the sweet sound of Blues on Sept. 5. Accolades continue to pour in for this Hamilton musician: Along with this year's award, he was also a nominee for the 2008 Maple Blues Awards Best Guitarist of the Year and 2007 Maple Blues Award nominee for the Best New Blues Artist. "Strongman's vocals hold this stylistic diversity together, aided immeasurably by his ability to write superior songs," said John Valenteyn of the Toronto Blues Society. Strongman has performed at the Mon- treal Jazz Festival, the Ottawa Blues Fest, the Tremblant International Blues Festival and has just returned from a successful trip to the Tennessee Inter- national Blues Challenge. Following the West Coast Bluesfest, Steve will set off on a European Tour. An added feature to this years event is the Friday Night Walk -About Blues. Six different venues on and around The Square will feature blues acts, includ- ing Paddy O'Neils, the Goderich Grill, Bailey's Fine Dining, J's Bistro, Wicked Willy's and The Park House Tavern. Prices for the events on the weekend are $30 for a weekend pass that provides entry for Friday Walk -About Blies and the Big Event Saturday, or $25 or The Big Event and $10 for the Walk -About Blues. Tickets are available at Ernie Kings Music and 104.9 the Beach or on- line at www.Westcoastblues.ca.