At least 17 people in Pierce County, most of them seniors, have died from the flu during the current influenza season that health officials have declared an epidemic.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reported in January that the flu fatalities occurred primarily among people 60 to 90 years old who had underlying health issues. The only non-adult victim was a 10-year-old.
In King County, eight flu deaths reported as of January made the current flu season there moderate to severe, according to public health officials.
The illness is resulting in flu-related hospitalizations and deaths at a much higher rate than last year in Pierce County. During the 2015-2016 season, 15 Pierce County residents died of flu, and 25 such deaths occurred in the 2014-2015 season.
Flu seasons generally are from October to April.
The current 2016-17 flu season “is shaping up to be especially bad for elderly people,†said Matthew Rollosson, a nurse epidemiologist at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
In addition to seniors, people who health officials advise are most at-risk of serious complications from the flu are children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, and anyone who has diabetes, asthma or other chronic conditions.
The best protection against the flu is washing your hands regularly and getting a yearly flu shot.
Flu activity typically peaks between December and March, but it can last as late as May.
Like they say at FixCarLeaks.org, “every drip counts†when it comes to reducing the pollution in stormwater in the City of Tacoma and elsewhere.
Most experts agree that oils and fluids leaking from the vehicles onto roadways, parking lots and yards is one of the main contaminants in stormwater runoff that is now the main source of pollution in Commencement Bay and Puget Sound.
“Vehicles drip an estimated 7 million quarts of motor oil into the Puget Sound watershed each year,†said Jeanette Ordonez, community outreach and education coordinator for Futurewise (www.futurewise.org), a regional, non-profit growth-management and environmental advocacy organization that is one of the sponsors for a unique ongoing campaign to educate citizens on how to spot vehicle leaks and what to do when they find them.
And, considering the fact that one quart of oil can contaminate 100,000 gallons of water (nearly an acre of surface water), reducing the amount of vehicle fluids leaking into Puget Sound waterways is taking on more importance in the ongoing fight to reduce storm water pollution.
FixCarLeaks.org is at the forefront of reducing vehicle fluid pollution with the “Don’t Drip & Drive†campaign that is focused on educating the public on the financial as well as ecological benefits of having a well-maintained vehicle.
“Little leaks all add up for both the environment and your pocket book if you do not maintain your vehicle properly,†Clover Park Technical College automotive services instructor Mike Smith said during one of FixCarLeak.org’s free two-hour auto leaks workshops hosted at the college (CPTC) in Lakewood.
Smith explained most Americans spend an average of $120 per month in repairs and maintenance on their vehicles once the new-car warranty expires (three to five years in most cases). Fixing a leak can cost anywhere from $50 to thousands of dollars for more serious issues.
However, most major repairs can be avoided or lessened, Smith said, by changing the oil on a regular basis (as specified in the owner’s guide) and checking for motor oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, or transmission fluid leaks that are both damaging the environment and early warning signs of issues that can become major problems if not dealt with once discovered.
“It’s like going to the doctor,†Smith compared. “It’s better to go in for regular checkups than waiting until something actually goes wrong.â€
Same as going to a doctor, “you also need to feel comfortable with the person working on your car,†he told nearly a dozen attendees at the recent workshop at CPTC, which is why he suggests asking friends, co-workers, or relatives to recommend a reliable, trustworthy repair shop if you don’t already have one.
Smith also recommends that car owners use automotive repair and service shops that have certified technicians and mechanics, such as the Automotive Services Association (ASA), National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and Automotive Association of America (AAA).
“It’s always best to ask around and, most importantly, be comfortable with the person working on your car,†Smith said.
To help in the process, FixCarLeaks.org has partnered with more than 200 certified repair shops in the Puget Sound area that now offer a free auto leak inspection, as well as a 10 percent coupon off any repairs (up to a $50 value). You can find a participating repair shop on the FixCarLeak.org website as well as print out the coupon.
Or, you can book a spot in the free workshops, where they will teach you how to properly maintain your vehicle and inspect it for free. The two-hour class includes a goodie bag for the do-it-yourself car owner.
“The first step is to simply check the ground where you park your car most of the time, whether at home or work,†Smith advised. “If you see where any fluids are collecting on a regular basis, you will want to take a much closer look at it right away to avoid any serious problems.â€
Not only are those splotches on the ground indicative of a problem with your vehicle, the oils, brake fluids, coolants, and transmission fluids make their way into local storm systems when it rains, as well as the puddles in the yard your children and grandchildren walk through or play in.
To assist in both finding and cleaning up auto leaks, the FixCarLeaks.org workshop includes a drip cloth, oil spout, and oil absorbent to clean up any spills or drips in your driveway or parking spot and dispose of it properly. You’re also shown where to look on your vehicle for potential leaks.
The workshops and Don’t Drip and Drive campaign are made possible by grants from the state Department of Ecology and organized by a steering committee supported by local jurisdictions, state agencies and non-profit organizations, including Futurewise and Puget Sound Starts Here.
“We started the initial campaign in 2011, and it has turned into a very popular program. Everyone that comes to our workshops really enjoys them,†Ordonez said. “And, we catch some serious leaks for people on a regular basis.â€
Out of the thousands of vehicles inspected so far, about 10 percent of them have leaks that are hitting the ground. Leaks are found in new and used vehicles that have come through the FixCarLeaks.org program.
“All vehicles need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis, it will save both money and the environment in the long run,†Smith summarized.
This article, written by freelance writer Steve Kruse, is sponsored by the City of Tacoma and the Make a Splash program.
During a free workshop for the public on car maintenance, Mike Smith, an automotive service instructor at Clover Park Technical College, shows the places where fluid can leak from an automobile. (Steve Kruse/for Senior Scene)
The Washington State Spring Fair opens its annual four-day run April 20 with pig races, dock diving dogs, and a barbecue competition among the attractions.
The gates open at 2 p.m. the first day and at 10 a.m. April 21, 22 and 23. Highlights of each day include:
April 20: Free admission for kids 18 and under get with suggested food donation to the Puyallup Food Bank. Six rides or games for $18 (excludes Extreme Scream and Classic Coaster). Monster truck rides 3 to 8 p.m. (grandstand)
April 21: Military Appreciation Day (free admission for active, retired and reserve military and their dependents, plus disabled veterans with valid military ID). Free country music concert at 7 p.m. at the Showplace Stage by Aaron Crawford. Monster truck show, 7:30 p.m. (grandstand). Fireworks show, 9 p.m.
April 22, barbecue playoffs at 11 a.m. (north of Paulhamus Arena), awards at 6 p.m. Monster truck rides, 12 to 6 p.m. (grandstand).Demolition derby at 7:30 p.m., fireworks show at 9 (grandstand.
April 23, barbecue playoffs at 11 a.m.
Attractions every day will include DockDogs competition, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, a daredevil high-dive show, an animal petting farm, and the Northwest Garden Show.
Whether in the ground or on a balcony or deck, there’s always room to grow your own garden-fresh produce and beautiful flowers. Space saving gardening techniques and products can help you increase productivity in any available space.
Consider elevated gardens and planter carts that not only save space, but make gardens more accessible. Movable carts like the Demeter Mobile Planter Cart allow you to grow flowers and produce in narrow spaces, store garden accessories and move the garden into the sunlight or out of the way of guests as needed.
Double your planting space by growing shade tolerant greens under cucumbers, growing on a cucumber or A-frame trellis. Set the trellis in place and plant the greens in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. Plant your cucumbers next to the trellis as soon as the soil warms. As your cucumbers grow they shade the greens below keeping them a bit cooler and extending the harvest season. Just make sure you can reach the greens beneath the supports for planting, weeding and harvesting.
Extend the growing season with a Year Round Kitchen Garden. Grow greens and herbs under lights attached to a raised bed on wheels. When the outdoor planting season arrives, remove the lights and roll your garden onto the patio or deck. Continue planting and harvesting outdoors until it is time to roll it back inside to start your indoor garden.
Or top your raised bed and containers with frost protective coverings. Many have built-in frames to support greenhouse covers, allowing you to plant earlier and harvest later in the season. And once the weather warms switch out the cover for an insect-protective fabric or mesh. These fabric coverings prevent insects like cabbage worms from damaging cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts and keep root maggots off radishes.
Select planters that complement your landscape design and gardening style. Wood, metal and colorful raised beds and containers add beauty, durability and growing space. Galvanized planters, cedar raised beds, and those in eye-catching colors found at Gardener’s Supply make your raised bed a beautiful focal point in the garden. Or fill your planters with tall grasses, cannas, elephant ears and other plants to create an attractive screen.
Look for multi-purpose furnishings and accessories to maximize your space and enjoyment. Fire pits that become a table or bench can double as a cooler, making relaxing and entertaining in small gardens a real possibility. Or consider investing in planters with built-in hidden storage. You’ll enjoy the convenience of having your garden tools handy, yet out of sight.
Use these space saving ideas to help increase the beauty, productivity and enjoyment your garden can provide.
With the right combination of growing techniques and garden accessories you, your family and guests will create beautiful memories throughout the gardening season.
Melinda Myers, who wrote this article,
The Apex Planter, with a trellis and shelf, can be useful for gardening in small spaces such as a balcony or deck. (Gardeners.com/courtesy photo)
is a gardening expert and the author of more than 20 gardening books, including “Small Space Gardening.†Her web site is www.melindamyers.com.
