The Front Page
Ramblings of James
I know that many of you have been yearning for my ramblings. The thing I don't really understand sometimes is why but I will try nevertheless. But there are a a couple of things that you should first know about my ramblings and that is they usually involve one or all of several conditions of which I probably should not divulge but why not? You probably already know anyhow... they are lack of sleep, something bothering me, something I want to say, something I need to say, something I should not say, something you should know, something you don't want to know, and occasionally a few cold beers.
This is probably going to be a two part rambling that you see in one part because I have kind of been saving up for a few weeks... mostly because I have simply been too tired and the other because I have been waiting for some motivation. I usually type up the news between 10:00 and 12:00 PM Sunday through Thursdays so that you normally see this the following day. Ramblings usually take a little longer because I use the backspace key a lot! You should know that it is 3:30 AM Thursday.
First things first!
Hartmans
They don't make them like Edd and Ruby Hartman anymore and they don't make them any better either. They are "Old School Santa Anna Folks"... and my kind of folks. They chose a long time ago to raise their family here in Santa Anna and so have several of there children. I have known most all of their children pretty well except for Cindy but I am pretty sure that she is OK too... with a name like that she must be pretty good, huh? They were all raised right. To work hard for what you want, to do your best, and to respect other people among much more. I have known most of their grandchildren pretty well and they have all been raised right too. I would bet that most of them call Santa Anna "home" still and that they were Mountaineers with pride. Best wishes to Edd and Ruby Hartman as they celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.
The Roof
Speaking of Hartmans, I got an e-mail last week from a Hartman, my lawyer friend, faithful reader and occasional contributor of inspiration to SantaAnnaNews.com, Mike, from the West Texas Oasis of Snyder, who is at least partly responsible for this rambling. It read,
"James,
Being an avid reader of you site, I must confess, I was a little disappointed with the story of your roofing adventures.....You see I(as have your other loyal readers) have grown accustomed to the detail you relate in each of your stories. I read with keen interest the details of Patrick's weight loss and the lean characteristics of his new physique. However, I noticed that any details of your weight and physical transformation were omitted. After a couple of days of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that surely this was nothing more than an editorial error.....an anomaly, if you will.....for we the ardent readers would hate to think that you intentionally failed to include all the relevant details that would have made the story complete. With that being said, can we assume that you will publish the relevant data in a timely manner so as not to leave us in suspense. Thanks for you consideration.
Mike Hartman
:)"
In response, or should I say defense?... First off I should say that I apologize for the purposeful omission of the details regarding my roofing adventures. I purposefully omitted those details in an effort not to bore you with this old man's slow decay, but to focus attention on my son-in-law, Patrick's achievements and my proud but week attempt to take some of the credit for his performance.
As far as my getting a "new physique" and my "physical transformation", I think I need a whole new body, maybe a physician, and very well possibly the Great Physician! Every thing that can hurt is hurting. I haven't weighed in a while but I think I have lost a few pounds somewhere. My pants won't stay up and my boots won't stay tied. I noticed a few days ago that my boots keep coming untied and I have the laces pulled all the way up to the eyes... so if you can't tell I have lost some weight by my pants revealing a little trouser cleavage take a look at my feet and can you help me tie my boots while you area at it? I still come off the roof to drink, eat, sleep, and of course to go to work. I am going to have to go back to bed pretty soon so my alarm can get me up and I can go back to work!
People keep asking me what is taking so long on that roof? I know you are getting tired of hearing about, but believe me you are not near as tired of hearing about as I am of climbing up on it! I am about halfway through with the house roof. We started on the long July 4th weekend with a vacation day thrown in and have worked pretty much on it every day except the two Saturday's we went to watch Patrick play in the All Star games. There are several reasons that it is taking so long. It is hot, it has three layers to tear off including a layer of 80 year old wood shingles and at least a million nails to hand pull, it is hot, it has to be redecked, it is hot, it is a hip roof with several hipped gables, it is hot, I am picky, and it is HOT!
Thursday 11:30 PM : I would like to take a minute to share a little roofing knowledge with you just in case you think you want to do yours' yourself. DON'T DO IT!
If you still think you want to give it a try let me give you some additional advice for whatever it isn't worth... Buy your shingles and plywood at JE Stevens... they will unload it at your house with a forklift, buy one pair of good leather gloves for every ten square of shingles that you are putting on, nothing is square on a roof, especially one that is eighty, don't step on the extension cord or air hose, wear boots when you tear off and sneakers when you are shingling, don't walk or nail in the valleys, especially the one by the green pastures and that one with the shadows.
There is no way I could do it by myself. If it had not been for Patrick helping me get the plywood on the roof and tear off, and Cindy helping with everything else. It is really something else the way she helps since she is afraid of the height. Don't expect anyone to help... they will always have something better to do. I keep hearing stories about men that can put down twenty an thirty squares of shingles a day. I think the they have been in the heat a little to long and I will believe it when I see it.
My wife, Cindy, really means a lot to me and I appreciate her support but sometimes don't tell her enough. Just last week she e-mailed me while I was on the roof knowing that I would read it later long after she went to sleep. At first I wasn't sure I wanted to share it with you, but she insisted, and after all she is one of the reasons for SantaAnnaNews.com. Here is what she had to say, "Early Morning Rantings from the other half: First things first. SantaAnnaNews.Com was created on my birthday 2 years ago. No one has enjoyed it more or appreciated it more than I have.. I know the hours and dedications that is put into this publication. I admire my husband for giving of his time to have this site. I also know how tiresome it gets for my husband... So keep up the feedback and encouragement... It goes a long way. Secondly, I was reading SantaAnnaNews.com email last night when I came across an email from our dear lawyer friend. He made some points I have to agree with. I wish James would go back to his late night ramblings a little more often.. He has gotten away from this thinking that the news was coming more about him and his family. I think sometimes he forgets this site was started mainly for him and his family. Our girls have told him they have learned more about him from reading SantaAnnaNews.Com I will admit I do not help him much so i do not tell him how to do his news. But I think his thoughts and ramblings is what personalizes SantaAnnaNews.Com and makes it special and different from others. Lastly, some of my ramblings. Roofing - DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME! This is the second roof James and I have put on our home. I think the first time at alot younger age I said "Never again" now at a alot older age I will truly say "NEVER AGAIN!" I have a new appreciation for roofers. James would probably love to elaborate more on the humor of having his wife that is scared to death of heights on the roof and how many pairs of shorts i have rubbed the bottom out of scooting. But he Won't, Nor will I. Also, this past week for the first time in almost 24 years of marriage James and I are on our own. Our last child has left the nest. Our home is actually now OUR home. I am not sure how we will survive the newly empty nest syndrome. What will have to talk about, what we will do with 4 bedrooms? 2 bathrooms? 6 closets? how will we cook for 2? and what will we fight about now? Wish us well in our new adventure in life..Just the two of us! I will always love you James and Thankyou for SantaAnnaNews.Com."
You might be from Santa Anna if your wife sends you e-mail from the same computer that you will read it on!
Life without Jessica.. and Luke
It has been almost two weeks without the babies in the house since Patrick moved them off to school in Stephenville.
It is quiet and peaceful. We miss them but know that visits will be often and welcome.
I for one look forward to spending more time with Cindy, off the roof of course. As we come upon twenty five years of being together and mostly with the kids I think it will be nice to have some time alone with each other.
I better shut it down for now... have a good Friday and a great weekend!
Edd and Ruby Hartman to Celebrate 65th Wedding Anniversary
The children of Edd and Ruby Hartman will honor their parents with a 65th wedding anniversary reception from 2-4pm Saturday, August 5, 2006 at the Santa Anna Fire Hall on north 2nd Street.
The couple were married by Brother McCormick, a visiting preacher, at the home of Doc Moredock in Santa Anna, August 2, 1941. Edd and Ruby are long time members of the Santa Anna Church of Christ where Edd takes an active part as song leader. Edd and Ruby are retired from the family business, Hartman Construction Company, where their youngest son Ronnie is manager.
Edd was born and raised on the old home place in the north east part of Coleman County and Ruby was born and raised in the Cleveland Community south of Santa Anna Texas, where they first met. They are both graduates of Santa Anna High School where all five of their children graduated and six of their 10 grandchildren graduated. There were Hartman's in the Santa Anna school system for 52 consecutive years.
After serving in WWII, Edd worked in the west Texas oil fields before moving his family back to Santa Anna in 1949, where they raised their five children and have lived for the past 57 years. Edd was the official announcer for the Santa Anna Mountaineer football games for many years where they watched their children participate in sports and school activities. Edd is a former Mayor of Santa Anna, having served two full terms.
Hosting this wonderful occasion are their children, Eddie Wayne and Mary Ann Hartman of Lake Brownwood, Sandra and Harry Walker of Bangs, Stanley and Judy Hartman of Santa Anna, Ronnie and Beth Hartman of Lake Brownwood and Cindy and Daryl Boyle of Burkett, Texas.
The Hartman family welcomes all of their friends and family to drop by and visit with them or remember them with a card.
Osteoporosis
Andrew B. Crocker, Extension Program Specialist - Gerontology Health Submitted by Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones to the point where they break easily. Because there are no real outward symptoms of osteoporosis, you may not notice any changes until a bone breaks; but, your bones have been losing strength for many years. Millions of Americans have osteoporosis. They are mostly women, Caucasian and Asian women more so than others, but more than 2 million men also have this disease. The risk of osteoporosis grows as you get older for both men and women.
Bone is living tissue. To keep bones strong, your body is always breaking down old bone and replacing it with new bone tissue. As people enter their forties and fifties, more bone is broken down than is replaced. A close look at the inside of bone shows something like a honeycomb. When you have osteoporosis, the spaces in this honeycomb grow larger. And the bone that forms the honeycomb gets smaller. The outer shell of your bones also gets thinner. All this loss makes your bones weaker.
A couple of other terms you may hear when discussing osteoporosis are osteopenia and osteomalacia. Osteopenia is a decrease in bone tissue, regardless of the cause. Osteomalacia is softening of the bones so that they become flexible and brittle.
Regarding diagnosis, the first sign of osteoporosis may be to realize you are getting shorter or to break a bone easily. Following a comprehensive medical assessment, your health provider may recommend that you have your bone mass measured. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is the best way to determine your bone health. BMD tests can identify osteoporosis, determine your risk for fractures and measure your response to osteoporosis treatment. The most widely recognized bone mineral density test is called a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan or DEXA-scan. It is a painless procedure that is a bit like having an x-ray.
For persons with coverage under Medicare Part "B" - the optional outpatient health coverage - bone mass measurement tests are covered once every 24 months. If your health provider determines that you are at high risk or that it is medically necessary, Medicare may pay for screenings more often.
There are things you should do at any age to prevent weakened bones:
* Calcium. Getting enough calcium all through your life helps to build and keep strong bones. Foods that are high in calcium are the best source: low-fat dairy foods, dark green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified foods like orange juice, breads and cereals. If you think you are not getting enough calcium in your diet, check with your health provider. He or she may tell you to try a calcium supplement. You have to be careful though - too much calcium can cause problems for some people.
* Vitamin D. Your body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium. Most people's bodies are able to make enough vitamin D if they are out in the sun for a total of 20 minutes every day. You can also get vitamin D from eggs, fatty fish and cereal and milk fortified with vitamin D. If you think you are not getting enough vitamin D, check with your health provider. As with calcium, be careful, too much Vitamin D may cause harmful side-effects.
* Exercise. Your bones and muscles will be stronger if you are physically active. Weight-bearing exercises, done three to four times a week, are best for preventing osteoporosis. Walking, jogging, playing tennis and dancing are examples of weight-bearing exercises. Try some strengthening and balance exercises, too. They may help you avoid falls which could cause a broken bone.
* Medicines. Some common medicines can make bones weaker. These include some types of steroid drugs, some anti-seizure drugs, certain sleeping pills and some cancer drugs, among others. An overactive thyroid gland or using too much thyroid hormone for an underactive thyroid can also be a problem. If you are taking any of these medicines, talk to your health provider about what you can do to help protect your bones.
* Lifestyle. Smoking increases loss of bone mass. For this and many other health reasons, stop smoking. Also, limit how much alcohol you drink - too much alcohol can put you at risk for falling and breaking a bone.
Treating osteoporosis means stopping the bone loss and rebuilding bone to prevent breaks. Diet and exercise can help make your bones stronger but they may not be enough if you have lost a lot of bone density. There are several medications which you may take to help lessen your risk of developing osteoporosis or lessen its effects. Some will slow your bone loss, and others can help rebuild bone. Talk with your health provider to see if one of these types of medicine might work for you.
Preventing falls is a special concern for men and women with osteoporosis. Falls can increase the likelihood of fracturing a bone in the hip, wrist, spine or other part of the skeleton. In addition to environmental factors, falls can also be caused by impaired vision and/or balance, chronic diseases that affect mental or physical functioning and certain medications, such as sedatives and antidepressants. It is important that individuals with osteoporosis be aware of any physical changes that affect their balance or gait and that they discuss these changes with their health provider. For more information on preventing falls, visit the Texas Cooperative Extension Fall Prevention website: http://fcs.tamu.edu/families/aging/fall_prevention/.
For more information on osteoporosis, contact your County Extension Agent, Debbie Hailey. You may also find more information from the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases website: http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ABBOTT’S CYBER CRIMES UNIT ARRESTS IMMIGRATION AGENT FOR SOLICITING CHILD ONLINE
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| BROWNSVILLE – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit investigators arrested an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Monday in Cameron County on a warrant for online solicitation of a minor and criminal attempted sexual performance by a child. Michael Aaron Walker, 43, of Albuquerque, N.M., was taken into custody at the federal courthouse in Brownsville after he allegedly engaged in graphic sexual conversations with an undercover sheriff’s officer from San Mateo County, Calif., who had assumed the online identity of a 13-year-old girl.
The investigation was referred to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which requested assistance from the Texas Attorney General's Cyber Crimes Unit in developing the case and making the arrest. “Online predators are relentless in their pursuit of our children, and we must remain one step ahead of them,” said Attorney General Abbott. “I commend the San Mateo County’s Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office for their outstanding work in helping our Cyber Crimes Unit. Through partnerships with local and federal law enforcement agencies, our Cyber Crimes officers can continue their efforts to protect children across Texas.” Walker allegedly initiated contact with the undercover California detective in an online chatroom in March 2006, showing graphic images and video of himself to someone he believed was an underage child. At the time of the alleged incident, he was living and working in Cameron County. He was later transferred to New Mexico in a move unrelated to the investigation. Walker was arrested without incident by Cyber Crimes Unit investigators and is being held in the Cameron County Jail. Online solicitation of a minor and criminal attempted sexual performance by a child are third-degree felonies punishable by up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Attorney General Abbott has made pursuing sexual predators a top priority in his administration. The Cyber Crimes Unit, which targets online predators, and the Fugitive Unit, which locates convicted child sex offenders who have violated the terms of their parole and could be stalking children, have combined for over 470 arrests of such offenders since Abbott took office in December 2002. His office also has obtained convictions against 45 men on child pornography charges. To find out more about Attorney General Abbott’s efforts to crack down on sexual predators, visit the Attorney General’s Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us or call (800) 252-8011. |
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Food Allergies - Do You Have Them?
Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS
Does your tongue itch when you eat shrimp or nuts? Does your stomach ache when you eat dairy products? According to Debbie Hailey, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent in Coleman County, you may have food allergies...but, you might not. People often confuse food allergy with food intolerance, she says. Food allergy affects the immune system and can range in reaction from mild to life-threatening - even if a tiny amount of the offending food is ingested, the allergic person can have a severe reaction. Food intolerance, however, is typically related to inability to metabolize an ingredient and is usually dose specific - meaning you can eat small amounts of the offending food without a reaction. The most common food allergies are milk, egg, peanut, tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.), fish, shellfish (shrimp, crab, etc.), soy, and wheat.
Recent epidemiologic studies sited in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggest that nearly 4% of Americans are afflicted with food allergies, a prevalence much higher than appreciated in the past. Still, approximately 20% of the U.S. population alters their diet for a "perceived reaction," which may or may not be food allergy.
If you suspect you have food allergy, the first thing you should do is see your doctor, says Extension Health Associate, Janet Pollard. You will likely be referred to an allergist or immunologist who specializes in such disorders. The allergist will likely perform a physical exam and ask for a detailed history. This information is extremely important, says Pollard. Without your help in discussing past symptoms and reactions, it is very difficult for the allergist to assess the potential culprits of the problem. Once your doctor has some ideas about what may be causing the symptoms, he/she will try to diagnose food allergy with some of the following measures:
* Having you keep a written record of your diet and when you have a reaction.
* Having you participate in an elimination diet, in which certain foods are taken completely out of the diet to see if it eliminates the symptoms.
* Performing a skin test, in which small amounts of a potential allergen are placed under the skin to see if it creates a local reaction.
* Performing a double-blind food challenge, in which capsules are ingested with specific food ingredients to see if a reaction occurs - neither patient nor the person administering the test knows what is in the capsules (this eliminates psychological variables).
* Performing a blood test, which is sent to a laboratory to see if food-specific Immunoglobin- E (IgE) antibodies are present. These IgE antibodies suggest that your body thinks the food is a foreign agent and tries to fight it off, producing harmful chemicals such as histamine. Blood tests are typically expensive and used on those with severe reactions, since the other tests could result in a life-threatening reaction.
Common, mild symptoms of food allergy may include hives, swelling, itchy-red rash, eczema, itching or swelling of lips, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itchy-watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, or wheezing. More severe symptoms can include shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, tightness of chest, itching or swelling of tongue or throat, change in voice, drop in blood pressure, fainting, and the most severe reaction - anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal, either through swelling that shuts off the airway or through a dramatic drop in blood pressure.
If you are diagnosed with food allergy, it is important to learn how to manage your food allergy and to educate others. There is no cure for food allergy. The only way to manage food allergy is by strict avoidance of the offending food. To avoid the food you must read food labels and learn terminology that may be used on the label to identify said allergens; talk to your host, chef, or wait staff when dining away from home; educate others about cross-contamination and how to administer medications in an emergency, including antihistamine and epinephrine. You can learn more about these steps and find other helpful resources in the July, 2006 issue of HealthHints found at http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/Health_Education_Rural_Outreach/Health_Hints/2006/july06/food-allergies.pdf For more information, Contact Debbie Hailey, County Extension Agent, FCS, at 325-625-4519.
Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
A member of The Texas A&M University System and its statewide Agriculture Program
Red Flag Warnings issued for high fire danger in North Texas
August 1, 2006 -- Hot, dry, windy weather prompted the National Weather Service to issue Red Flag Warnings for high fire danger in 16 North Texas counties for Tuesday afternoon. Counties included in the Red Flag Warning are Montague, Cooke, Young, Jack, Wise, Stephens, Palo Pinto, Eastland, Hardeman, Foard, Wilbarger, Wichita, Knox, Baylor, Archer and Clay. Firefighters have seen an increase in fire occurrence across much of North and Central Texas, particularly over the weekend, when Texas Forest Service assisted fire departments on 16 fires that burned nearly 10,000 acres. On Monday, TFS firefighters battled a 350-acre fire in Eastland County that is 5 percent contained and a 20-acre fire in Kaufman County, as well as a 2,500-acre fire in Comanche County that started Sunday. They also continued work on a 1,935-acre fire in San Saba County that ignited on July 27 and a 2,259-acre fire that started Sunday in Menard County. “The conditions are bad, and they’re only going to get worse,” said Gary Bennett, Texas Forest Service incident commander. “With all the fire activity in the western United States, firefighting resources are already scarce, and they are getting scarcer. People need to be aware that anything that could possibly cause a spark could ignite a wildfire. That includes equipment such as hay balers and large mowers.” Dry conditions continue to plague much of the state. North Texas is suffering a more than 20-inch deficit of rainfall over the past 19 months, which puts it at 60 percent of normal. Denton and Collin counties have an even greater deficit. As if that wasn’t enough to stress vegetation, DFW has already hit the triple digits 17 times this year. The 30-year average is sixteen 100-degree days for the entire year. Texas Forest Service recommends making sure your home has at least 30 feet of defensible space around it, which means making sure all combustible materials, such as wood piles and dead vegetation, are removed, grass is mowed short and watered, and trees are limbed up at least six feet. Using fine-gage wire mesh to screen under porches and behind attic vents is an effective way to keep burning embers from igniting your home. For more tips, log on to www.firewise.org or http://texasforestservice.tamu.eduunder fire protection.
Area 4-H Youth Model Their 'Tropical Trends' During Annual Fashion Show July 25
SAN ANGELO -- Cool fashions were the order of the day here July 25 as 80 area youth modeled their fashion creations to a "Tropical Trends" theme during the annual Texas Cooperative Extension District 7 4-H Fashion Show. The show was held in the Southland Baptist Church facilities. The show hosts 4-H members from across the district's 23 counties. AEP-Texas and Extension have sponsored the event for 51 years. Six 4-H members from Coleman County competed in the event, and one teen leader assisted.
Participants had to first win their division in their county show before they could compete on the district level. Juniors and Intermediates competed in six separate categories in Construction and Buying. Another division, Non-apparel, featured such sewing creations as pillows, throws, purses and toys.
The top six placers in the garment category of Construction and Buying divisions earned awards. Winners in the Fabric and Fashion Design category and the Non-Apparel division winners earned ribbons for the six highest placings. Cotton garment winners in the Construction Division won cash awards from the Rolling Plains Cotton Compress at Sweetwater. Cotton garment winners in the Buying Division won cash prizes from the Heartland Drilling of Abilene.
Cotton Contest winners from Coleman County included Andrea Goodman, 1st place, and Shelby Greaves, 2nd place.The Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers' Association Women's Auxiliary offered cash prizes to 4-H'ers making wool and mohair garments.
Winning entries from Coleman County were:
Junior - Construction
Nathan Taylor, first place, Single Garment
Shelby Greaves, second place, Specialty Division
Sarah Casselberry, third place in the Sportswear/Casual Division
Intermediate-Construction
Andrea Goodman, 4th place in Single Garment Division
Intermediate - Buying
Sarah Hailey, Pant Type Division
School Starts Soon!
OK kids, moms, and dads... ready or not her it comes!
The School calendar is starting to show a few days that you might want to make note of.
The first day of school is Monday August 21st.
The first Lady Mountaineer volleyball action is a scrimmage scheduled for Friday August 11th vs Deleon and Gustine at Deleon with the first game vs Albany in Albany on Tuesday the 15th.
The first Mountaineer football action will be two a day workouts starting Monday August the 7th with a scrimmage vs Gordon on Saturday the 19th and the first game on Friday September 1st vs Coolidge in Coolidge wherever that is...
So enjoy sleeping in a few more days and get your backpacks filled with school supplies.
Choosing the Correct Backpack for Your Child
Submitted by Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS
It's that time of year again*back-to-school time! Many parents and children prepare for that first day of school by doing some back-to-school shopping, which often involves buying new clothing, pens, pencils, paper, markers, etc. However, backpacks are one of the biggest necessities for both college-aged and younger students, and it's important to choose wisely.
There are so many backpacks to choose from, and choosing the right one for your child is not always easy. Backpacks come in all sizes, colors, fabrics, and shapes*all of which help kids express their own sense of style. As practical as backpacks are for those who use them, backpacks can cause strained muscles and joints and back pain when worn incorrectly.
The human spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are discs that act as shock absorbers. When something heavy*such as a backpack filled with books*is incorrectly placed on your child's shoulders, the force of that extra weight can pull your child backwards. To compensate, your child may bend forward at the hips or arch his or her back, which can cause your child's spine to compress unnaturally. Because of the heavy weight he or she is carrying, your child might begin to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain. What can we do about this?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that before you purchase a backpack, look for the following five criteria:
* Choose a lightweight backpack that doesn't add a lot of weight to your child's load. For example, although leather backpacks look cool, they weigh more than traditional canvas backpacks.
* Choose a backpack with two wide, padded shoulder straps. Straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders.
* Choose a backpack that has a padded back, which provides increased comfort and protects the wearer from being poked by sharp edges (such as pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the backpack.
* Choose a backpack that has a waist belt, which helps distribute the weight more evenly across the body.
* Choose a backpack that has multiple compartments, which also helps distribute weight more evenly.
Although most backpacks come with two shoulder straps, this doesn't mean that your kids will use both straps! Many kids wear their backpacks over just one shoulder, which is the wrong thing to do. This makes the person lean to one side to offset the extra weight, and they might develop lower and upper back pain and strain their shoulders and neck. Wearing the backpack incorrectly can also lead to poor posture. So, make sure your children wear the backpack using both straps. It's also a good idea to tighten the straps enough for the backpack to fit close to the body, and it should sit 2 inches above the waist.
Girls and younger children may be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they're smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight. Doctors recommend that people*especially children*carry backpacks that are no more than 10*15 percent of their body weight. For example, if a child weighs 80 pounds, 15 percent of his or her body weight is 12 pounds. So, for an 80 pound child, the backpack and its contents should not weigh more than 12 pounds*but remember, lighter is always better.
Lifting and Positioning Backpacks
Children also need to know how to lift and position their backpack. Improper lifting can cause damage. Teach your children these four simple steps to safely lift their backpacks:
1. Face the backpack before you lift it.
2. Bend at the knees.
3. Using both hands, check the weight of the backpack.
4. Lift with your legs, not your back.
5. Carefully put one shoulder strap on at a time; never sling the backpack onto one shoulder.
Another Option
Another option to consider when purchasing backpacks is to look for a backpack on wheels. However, these types of backpacks may be less practical than traditional backpacks because they're difficult to pull up stairs. If you're thinking about purchasing a rolling backpack for your child, contact the child's school first to be sure that they are allowed. Many schools don't allow rolling backpacks because they pose a tripping hazard in the hallways.
By following these guidelines, your child will start off this school year with a healthy back!
For more information contact your local county Extension agent, Debbie Hailey, at 325-625-4519.
Prepared by Courtney J. Schoessow, M.P.H., Extension Program Specialist * Health, Texas Cooperative Extension, August 2005.
Educational programs of Texas Cooperative Extension are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Strayhorn Predicts $49 Million in Tax Savings for Texas Families During Sales Tax Holiday
(Austin)--Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn today announced that Texas' annual opportunity to shop tax-free for clothes and shoes is coming up August 4-6. Strayhorn predicted Texas families will save $49 million in sales taxes during the eighth annual Sales Tax Holiday. The estimated savings include $38.5 million in state sales tax and $10.5 million in local sales taxes.
"I love the Sales Tax Holiday," Strayhorn said. "It's the one time hard-working Texans keep their money in their pockets for their families' priorities.
"This tax break is real and it is available to everyone," Strayhorn said. "Families save about $8 for every $100 they spend on school clothes for the kids and new outfits for mom and dad."
"I have repeatedly asked the Legislature to add backpacks and school supplies to the Sales Tax Holiday, along with kids' safety gear such as bicycle helmets and car safety seats, and also sewing supplies such as fabric, buttons and zippers for families that make their clothes," Strayhorn said.
"Regrettably, the Legislature has not acted upon my recommendations, and requests from parents across this state, to add backpacks and school supplies to the Sales Tax Holiday to help reduce the cost of getting the kids ready for back-to-school," Strayhorn said.
"And I want to extend the Sales Tax Holiday from three days to five days, so we don't have a three-day traffic jam," Strayhorn said. "I also support creating a second Sales Tax Holiday during December to help families stretch their holiday shopping budgets. And I want to ease the sticker shock of buying college textbooks by exempting them from sales tax year round."
During the Sales Tax Holiday, most clothing and footwear priced under $100 are tax-free. Examples of items that can be purchased tax-free August 4-6 include kids' clothes and school uniforms, adults' clothes and work uniforms, shoes--including tennis shoes, socks and underwear. Items that cannot be purchased tax-free include handbags and wallets, jewelry, accessories, and athletic shoes, uniforms and safety gear. Backpacks and school supplies are not exempt from sales tax.
Shoppers saved an estimated $47.4 million in state and local sales taxes during the 2005 Sales Tax Holiday. Since Strayhorn implemented the first Sales Tax Holiday in 1999, taxpayers have saved $287 million, including $226 million in state sales tax and $61 million in local sales taxes.
More information about the Sales Tax Holiday, including a list of tax-exempt items, can be found on the Comptroller's Web site at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html.
Update on Ethan
I confirmed that Ethan has indeed taken a turn for the worse. He is still at Cooks and is now on the 6th Floor rehab facility. He has been there since early June and will be for a minimum of 6-8 more weeks.
He had started to walk again during therapy but has not been able to for the last week or so. Due to his young age, the recovery is brighter than if he were older. The hospital stay is getting longer and sometimes hope and kind words are all you have. Please continue to send cards and words of encouragement to Ethan and his family.
Santa Anna Elementary Student Receives Treatment for Encephalitis
Ethan Mendoza, age 8 and a student at Santa Anna Elementary is currently hospitalized at Cooks Children's Medical Center in Ft. Worth due to a diagnosis of Encephalitis. He has been there since early June and will likely remain there for several weeks due to physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Ethan is the son of Sandi Watson of Santa Anna. Send any well wishes to Ethan Mendoza, Room 2816, Cooks Children's Medical Center, 801 7th Avenue, Ft. Worth, Texas 76104. If he changes rooms, his mail will follow him.
Please remember Ethan and his family during his recovery.
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