Gail Kouame, consumer health outreach coordinator for National Network of Libraries of Medicine, will share how to find trusted health information on the Internet and recommend techniques for evaluating health-related websites. Kouame will present the information at a free event at the Bonney Lake Library, 18501 90th St E. on Jan. 21 at 11 a.m.  Friends of the Bonney Lake Library are sponsoring the event—Go to the Web and say ahh:  Finding and evaluating online health information.  For additional information on this event, call 253-548-3308 or go here.

Free Tax Sites Throughout Pierce County

Tax season startsYou know what they say about death and taxes.  Don’t put off doing yours until the last minute.  If you need help the Pierce County Asset Building Coalition helps working and low-income individuals and families save money through free tax preparation help.  Volunteers assist in the preparation of simple federal tax forms and file the returns electronically to speed the receipt of refunds.  Credit unions and banks are also present at some of these sites to give tax filers who do not have existing checking or saving accounts the opportunity to establish one prior to filing their returns.  By having an account, filers can receive their refunds faster through direct deposit.  The PCABC cannot prepare taxes for individuals who own their own business, received any capital gains or losses in the sale of stock, or own a home and paid in excess of $5,000 in mortgage interest.  The list of free tax preparation sites is available at here.  Days and operation of sites vary. Please call the site nearest to you to confirm hours of operation.

Stay healthy this winter with a flu shot

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as vaccine becomes available, as it is now in our community.

Vaccination before the end of December is best because this timing ensures that protective antibodies are in place before flu activity is typically at its highest.  Flu shots reduce your chances of fever, sore throat, muscle aches and other flu-like symptoms.

This year’s flu vaccine, just like last year’s, is designed with “swine flu” in mind, in that one of the three types of flu it protects against is H1N1 flu. One shot does it all this year (there is a nasal form if you hate needles).

Everyone who is six months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, the CDC recommends. It’s especially important that specific groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk for serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing health complications related to the flu. These include:
• Pregnant women
• Children under 5, and especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 50 years of age and older
• Individuals of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• Individuals who live with or care for those at high risk for flu-related complications, including health care workers and parents of children less than 6 months of age (these children are considered too young to be vaccinated).

Some people should not receive a flu vaccine without first consulting their physician or health care provider. These include individuals who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, those who have previously experienced a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination, and individuals who have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome after a flu shot. Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks itself. Exactly what triggers this rare condition is unknown. The syndrome may occur at any age but is most common in men and women between ages 30 and 50.

In addition to getting vaccinated, other tips for staying healthy during the cold and flu season include proper hand-washing techniques (washing regularly with warm water and soap, and using a hand-sanitizer gel); avoiding contact with sick people whenever possible; enjoying a well-balanced diet; and remaining physically active.

Amparo-Armi Franco, MD, practices family medicine at St. Francis Medical Clinic in Federal Way, a part of the Franciscan Medical Group. Need a doctor? Call the Franciscan Physician Referral Line toll-free at 1-888-825-3227.

After a successful debut, Tacoma Goodwill expands to operate five Christmas Shoppes, locations next to neighborhood Goodwill stores, dedicated exclusively for the sale of holiday treasures.

Christmas Shoppes are located in Kent, Spanaway, North Tacoma, South Lacey and Puyallup and stocked daily with new merchandise. “We started with two million pounds of high quality holiday inventory,” said John Nadeau, Tacoma Goodwill’s Director of Retail Sales. “There are trees, lights, dolls, ornaments, books, toys and all the trimmings to make decorating this holiday season easy on a shopper’s budget.”

The 2010 launch of Goodwill’s first-ever Christmas Shoppes (Spanaway & North Tacoma) led to the expansion of five stores this year. “We are very excited to expand our Christmas shopping experience this holiday season,” said Terry Hayes, CEO of Tacoma Goodwill. “It’s a one-stop-shop for your needs, all while knowing every dollar spent is put back into your community through job placement, training and services.”

In addition, shop Goodwill and Goodwill’s Christmas Shoppes biggest sale of the year, 50 percent off, for two days only – Nov. 25 and 26. All stores open early (7 a.m.) on Friday. Regular Christmas Shoppe hours are 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays 11a.m. – 6 p.m.