Asthma Patients' Vaccination Encouraged.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service’s Asthma Prevention and Control Program, in cooperation with the American Lung Association (ALA), is recommending asthma patients receive an influenza vaccine this year.

A recent study by the ALA’s St. Louis Asthma Clinical Research Center found that there is no connection between flu shots and aggravated asthma.

In fact, asthma experts are now urging their patients to receive the vaccine annually.

In addition to fever, chills and muscle aches, the flu can cause serious health risks, even death, for people with asthma. Viral respiratory infections, such as the flu, can cause asthma attacks. Statistics indicate that asthma patients with the flu are hospitalized two to five times more often than the general public.

In the past, persons with asthma were told that a flu shot was risky. However, we now know that immunization against the flu is not only safe, but is an important part of an asthma management plan. If you have asthma, a flu shot could save your life.

Christmas Homes Tour This Saturday.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

The Christmas Homes Tour organized by Victorian Carthage will be this Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. One of the places to see on the tour is artCentral which is located on the premises of the late Katherine Hyde at 1110 E. 13th Street. Katherine’s parents built the house and were the original owners of Fairview Greenhouse. Some of the things on display that day will include the following:

1. Members of the Ozark Artists Colony will have work displayed in the Main Gallery downstairs.

2. The paintings, primitive furniture and birdchurches of Dan McWilliams will be displayed in the Members Gallery.

3. Handmade pottery and handwoven articles by Jack and Lee Ann Sours will be offered for display and sale upstairs. This collection includes mugs, bowls, artpieces, tablerunners, throws and scarves.

4. There will be a special sale on cookbooks ($5) and courthouse postcard sets ($1).

5. We will have prints by Bob Tommey and Lowell Davis. We also have placemats by Andy Thomas.

6. Original artwork calendars and postcards by Mary Ann Soerries will be available. She does some wonderful macrophotography of nature subjects.

So as you can see, we will have a lot to offer those who visit artCentral on Saturday. Come by and see the two floors of artwork, pick up some great Christmas gifts, and see the Hyde House itself. It should be a great day.

HOURS: T – F 11a.m.-5pm

Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and Sat.

1110 E 13th 358-4404

ozarkartistscolony.com

Folks often complain about how long it takes ta get things done when dealin’ with the government. Red tape, bureaucracts, and the like. The fact is, our form a government was intentionally structured so as ta make things hard ta change.

In fact in a lot a cases, it’s more frustratin’ for elected officials to change things than it is for the rest of us. ‘Course that’s why the system is built the way it is.

Although it’s easy to understand wantin’ to hurry up the process, even the appearance of public officials tryin’ to bypass the normal procedure typically results in the erosion of public confidence.

Cards can be played close to the vest, but even in a friendly game, it’s best ta keep your hands above the table.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

Let is snow....let it snow...let it snow! Time to curl up with a good book, some hot herbal tea, and a greatful heart.

Some herbs which have been used as teas:

Dandelion root: (roasted has a less bitter taste) stimulates liver functioning. It is a powerful diuretic and has the capacity to clear obstructions and stimulate the liver to eliminate toxins from the blood. Most diuretics result in the loss of vital potassium from the body, dandelion is a source of potassium making dandelion a more balanced diuretic.

Burdock root is commonly used to neutralize and eliminate toxins in the body. It promotes kidney function to clear acids and help neutralize the PH balance. It may cause perspiration.

Chamomile tea is used for its relaxing and anti-inflammatory actions. It also stimulates the digestive process and is frequently used to ease stomach cramps.

Licorice root has been used to support adrenal functions and also has some antibacterial and anti-viral functions.

Slippery Elm bark tea has been used to soothe mucous membranes. It is often found to be very soothing for sore throats and hoarseness. A tea often works best as the properties of this herb are "slippery" in nature thus leaving a coating on the throat, esophagus, and stomach.