Page 17— The Brownsville States-Graphic, Thursday, September 16, 2010

Coming Home to Healthcare

Skilled Nursing • Physical TherapyOccupational Therapy • Speech Therapy

Medical Social Services • Home Health AidePrivate Duty Services • Companion Sitters

Since 1999 HomeChoice has been available to help you feel better, recover faster and live healthier in the place you call home. We are available 24 hrs. a day to answer any questions

you might have.

1310 E. College • Brownsville, TN 38012731-772-2655 • 1-800-435-5494

Signs and Symptoms of Heat ExhaustionHeavy Sweating, Paleness,

Muscle cramping, Tiredness, Weakness, Dizziness, Headache,

Nausea or vomiting, FaintingIf you experience any of these sypmptoms you should immediately: Drink cool non-alcoholic

beverages; Rest; Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath; Seek an air-conditioned environment;

Wear light weight clothing

Managing Fall AllergiesHere are a few tips for easing fall allergy symptoms: Stay indoors with the doors and windows closed when pollen is at its peak (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) to avoid being exposed to your allergy triggers. To keep track of the pollen count in your area, visit the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology web site (www.aaaai.org <http:// www.aaaai.org/> ). Before you turn on your heat for the first time, have your heating ducts cleaned. Particles of mold and other allergens can become trapped in the vents over the summer and will fill the air as soon as you crank up the furnace. Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your heating system to remove pollen, mold, and other particles from the air. Use a humidifier to keep your air at between 35 and 50 percent humidity. Wear a mask when you rake leaves to avoid inhaling mold spores

McCuanHeating & Cooling

Over 25 Years ExperienceOwner Joey McCuan

SERVICE AND INSTALLATION

Cell: 731.431.0799 Shop: 731.772.2300

Locally owned and operated

THE FIREHOUSE3302 Hwy 70W • Brownsville,TN

(731)772-8193Thursday

Dart Tournament8:00 p.m.

Saturday Showdown9:00 p.m. - 1:00a.m.$5.00 Cover Charge

Friday Karaoke with Jerry & Ruby9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.$2.00 Cover Charge

Coming August 21Benefit to pay funeral expenses of Robert “Bubba” Lee BurnsDetails next week. To donate call

731-772-8193 for information

THE FIREHOUSE3302 Hwy 70W • Brownsville,TN

(731)772-8193Thursday

Dart Tournament8:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday Karaoke with Jerry & Ruby9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.$2.00 Cover Charge

Coming August 211p.m. until

Benefit to pay funeral expenses of Robert “Bubba” Lee BurnsDetails next week. To donate call

731-772-8193 for information

friday and saturday9pm - 1am

$ 2.00 cover charge

AT&T announced a $5,000 corporate contribution to the Brownsville Boys & Girls Club as part of a $105,000 AT&T corporate contribution to support Project Learn in 21 clubs across the state. Project Learn features a program that provides supplemental learning activities to strengthen developmental skills.

Trey Rabon, Regional Director External Affairs, AT&T Tennessee, presented the donation to Boys & Girls Club officials during a ceremony at the Brownsville Club’s facility. “Supporting the Project Learn program at the Brownsville Boys & Girls Club continues our efforts to help young people become better prepared for the future,” Rabon said. “These students are tomorrow’s leaders. AT&T understands the importance of supporting programs like Project Learn in order to provide youth with skills needed to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. ”Project Learn reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school through “high-yield” learning activities, including leisure reading, writing activities, homework help, and games that develop and strengthen cognitive skills.

“The Brownsville Boys & Girls Club appreciates AT&T’s continued commitment to education initiatives like Project Learn,” Executive Director Sabrina Anderson said. “There is a direct return on investment for the business community when this type of training is provided to these young people.”

“Businesses and nonprofit organizations reap benefits through these partnerships,” State Senator Delores Gresham, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee said. “Not only do Tennessee children benefit, but the state’s workforce is greatly enhanced when we identify the relationship between business investment and educational initiatives.”

“Investment in programs like Project Learn brings success for our youth and ultimately Tennessee,” Anderson said. “We applaud AT&T for its commitment to provide educational opportunities for our state’s children. We recognize our state leaders, Senator Delores Gresham and House Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, for their attention and support to education

initiatives like this.”“As state leaders, we must continue to provide

opportunities for educational enhancements. We need more companies throughout the state to follow AT&T’s commitment to education,” Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh said. “Investment in programs like Project Learn will strengthen Tennessee’s future economy and workforce.”

Project Learn emphasizes collaborations between

Boys & Girls Club staff, parents and school personnel, and focuses on the skills young people develop both at the Boys & Girls Club and in the home. Based on Dr. Reginald Clark’s research, Project Learn incorporates fun, but academically beneficial activities that increase overall academic performance. Formally evaluated by Columbia University, Project Learn has been proved to significantly boost the academic performances of club members.

Scientists have found that reusable bags can harbor microscopic bacteria that makes a person sick. Caution should be followed when using reusable bags to shop for groceries.

Eco-friendly bags have grown in popularity with shoppers looking to reduce the dependence on plastic, disposable shopping bags. However, the reusable bags that are a step toward being eco-friendly could be dangerous, say experts.

That’s because reusable bags can be covered in germs such as E. coli and salmonella as a result of transporting uncooked, unwashed foods from the supermarket. Individuals can unknowingly come in contact with these germs and become sick. Young children who are more susceptible to illness thanks to immature immune systems and smaller stature may face the most risk.

According to a study conducted in June 2010, in which researchers randomly tested 84 reusable grocery bags carried by shoppers in Tucson, Los Angeles and San Francisco, more than half were contaminated with food-borne bacteria. Ninety-seven percent

of individuals who use reusable bags admit to not washing them.

Experts warn that raw meat can leak into bags and contaminate it with bacteria. When left in a hot car trunk, the bacteria multiply. The next time the bag is used, other foods can become cross-contaminated.

Thoroughly washing reusable bags in hot water and soap is essential to killing the germs that make a person sick. Consumers should sanitize their bags weekly to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and viruses. Use bags that can be washed, such as those made from polypropylene, canvas or cloth.

Apart from washing bags on a regular basis, shoppers may want to designate one bag for meats and one for produce to avoid cross-contamination. Otherwise, consider the use of disposable plastic bags only for meats to avoid contaminating the reusable bag.

Are you thrilled by the sight of wildlife in its natural environment? If so, you don’t need to travel for the experience. With a little effort, your own backyard can become a stopover for some of North America’s most colorful wildlife.

Fall and spring are migratory season in America as flocks of birds migrate between hemispheres. Like any weary traveler, these natives look for places to rest and refuel. Welcoming them to your yard is a way to protect our natural heritage and enjoy their beauty at the same time.

“Transforming your yard or garden into a wildlife refuge is fun,” says Spencer Schock, Founder of WindowAlert, makers of bird-friendly products for homes. “Children love an outdoor project and the sight of wild birds adds dazzle to your family’s seasonal experience.”

Here are some tips for watching and keeping birds safe during migration:

* Birds migrate because of food, not weather. The cooler months make it more difficult to find sustenance, so placing a bird feeder in your backyard with water and high energy foods like meal worms, black oil sunflower seeds, or suet will help them complete their journey.

* Birds don’t just take one long flight. They need lots of stopover and staging areas during their travels. Encourage them to linger in your backyard by providing shelter, such as a bird house. Opt for water-repellant bird houses with hinged roofs so the house can be cleaned after nesting. Avoid perches, which make birds easy prey for predators like cats.

*Man-made structures, even in rural areas, can be hazardous to migrating birds. For example, birds don’t “see” clear glass and as a consequence, millions of birds worldwide die every year when striking glass. To protect birds from hitting your windows, you can apply special decals that reflect ultraviolet sunlight, such as those made by WindowAlert. The decals have the appearance of frosted glass -- so they won’t ruin your view -- but glow like a stoplight for birds, with their unique ability to see ultraviolet rays.

* The best way to enjoy wildlife is to avoid

interfering in any way. To do so, invest in good binoculars and get out in the early morning when birds are most active. A field guide book can help you identify the creatures you see.

* Record-keeping is not just for ornithologists. By keeping a journal of feeding and housing patterns of birds populating your backyard, you can be better prepared for next year. In addition, consider becoming a “citizen scientist” by submitting your observations to The Audubon Society and Cornell University’s database at ebird.org.

For more information on making your home and garden a bird haven, visit WindowAlert.com or call 877-733-2753.

“There are many ways to assist birds on their journey, from installing birdbaths to applying window decals,” says Schock. “Once you have made a few modifications, don’t forget to enjoy that flash of color by the feeder.”

AT&T donates $5,000 to Brownsville Boys & Girls Club Supports Project Learn Program

Enjoy Wildlife In Your Backyard!Could Reusable Bags Be

Bad for Your Health?