It Might Be Fun!

Here is a link to the King County Department of Public Health’s website with information on how to prepare for a flu pandemic.

They’ve got lots of useful articles on topics like a “Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families” and “Ten Things You Should Know About Pandemic Flu”.

It lists medical and health supplies that you should have at home:

• Prescribed medicines and supplies such as glucose meters and blood pressure monitoring equipment.
• Soap and water
• Alcohol based hand cleaner
• Medicines that lower fever and pain, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Diarrhea remedy, such as Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate
• Throat lozenges
• Cough syrup containing Dextromethorphan
• Thermometers
• Vitamins
• Fluids with electrolytes, like Gatorade and Pedialyte.

Examples of Nonperishable Food

• Canned meats
• Canned beans, fruits, vegetables and soups.
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Dried fruit
• Peanut butter
• Nuts and trail mix
• Crackers
• Comfort food, including cookies, candy, instant coffee, tea bags
• Canned juices
• Bottled water
• Baby formula and baby food

Examples of Other Emergency Supplies

• Pet food, cat litter
• Disposable diapers
• Feminine supplies
• Flashlight
• Portable radio
• Batteries
• Manual can opener
• Plastic garbage bags
• Tissues and toilet paper
• Entertainment - games, crafts, books, movies, etc.
• Supplies for persons with special needs - the elderly or disabled
• Some extra cash

Know the symptoms of influenza, which may include:

• Sudden onset of illness
• Fever higher than 100.4 F
• Chills
• Cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Muscle aches
• Feeling weakness and/or exhaustion
• Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Ten Things You Should Know About Pandemic Flu

1. Pandemic flu is much more serious than seasonal flu.
2. A pandemic flu will be global.
3. The single best thing you can do to avoid getting any flu virus is to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
4. A vaccination will not be available for several months after the flu virus is identified.
5. Pandemic flu and bird flu are not the same thing.
6. A pandemic may cause widespread social and economic disruption.
7. It may be difficult or impossible to work during a flu pandemic.
8. A pandemic could overwhelm the health care system.
9. We will need to pull together as communities during a pandemic.
10. There are simple steps you can take to prepare for a flu pandemic.

Image of Maria Cuc Jiatz, Guatemalan weaver from Washington State Historical Society website www.wshs.org.

This Saturday and Sunday, the Washington State Historical Society is presenting a weekend festival with live demonstrations from more than 20 artists in the Great Hall of Washington History at the History Museum. Visitors can view traditional folk arts traditions such as Chinese paper cutting, Japanese Kabuki dancing, Chinese knot tying, Yakama bead working and Latvian and Mexican embroidery. Artists will be performing demonstrations of their work with hands-on activities throughout the festival in the Grand Lobby.

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A guided nature walk called “Nosy about Nests” is being hosted by a naturalist from the Lewis Creek Family Programs at the Lewis Creek Park in Bellevue on Saturday, April 25, 2009, from 10-11 am.

This is a great opportunity to take your kids (6 yrs and up) for a walk in this beautiful park to look for nests. Each person will make a nest of their own to bring home. Cost is $7/person. To register, call 425-836-2697 or email info@naturevision.org.

Lewis Creek Park

5808 Lakemont Blvd SE

Bellevue, WA

My husband just found this website and I thought I should pass it on to you. As a mom, I spend a lot of time and energy thinking about what is going into my toddler’s belly. I wonder, “Is he getting a balanced meal?”, or “Is he eating too much/too little?”, or “Should I be giving him certain types of food to enhance his brain development?”.

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I can’t say enough about this book and the good it did for our own sleeping situation. Here’s your opportunity to listen as Elizabeth Pantley, the author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution, teaches you real-life skills that will help you all sleep better.

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Dr. Michelle Terry is a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s Hospital and a mentor and UW medical school. She will be giving a lecture at the Seattle Public Library on the latest in early brain development. She will discuss how babies develop and how you can help boost your baby’s brainpower.

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As the owner of a sweet loveable therapy dog, I have a special spot in my heart for the great work they do.

Saturdays, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Main Branch

The Library’s popular PAWS to Read program helps children develop their reading skills and build confidence in a relaxed and non-judgmental environment by having them read to a dog.  Our volunteer dog and human teams are certified in pet assisted therapy through R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), a program of Intermountain Therapy Animals. Children may bring a book from home or chose a book from the library.  PAWS to Read sessions are held Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the main library.  The program is intended for readers ages 5 and up, and spaces are limited so registration is required. To register, please call 425-430-6825.

Main Branch of Renton Library

100 Mill Ave. S

Renton, WA 98057

Here is a fun Bird Walk for kids and adults alike. Make sure you bring your binoculars! The Bird Walk will be led by a member of the Tahoma Audubon Society. All ages. Free. 253-565-9278. www.tahomaaudubon.org

Monday, April 13, 2009, 12-1pm

Adriana Hess Wetland Park

2917 Morrison Rd..

University Place, WA

Join PEPS for a Parenting Conversation with Dr. Joanne Stern, author of Parenting is a Contact Sport.

“Dr. Joanne Stern will be speaking for free at the Good Shepherd Center on her new book. Joanne wrote the guest article in our latest PEPS Newsletter, offering her insight on developing nurturing relationships with our children to prepare for the challenges ahead when they grow older. Check it out here!
About Dr. Stern
Dr. Joanne Stern has been a psychotherapist for more than twenty years and a parent for thirty-three, including five years as a single mom. A much-sought-after speaker and keynote presenter, she is an expert in the field of family relationships and communication. She has worked with families and their children and taught parenting courses. Dr. Stern holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Northwestern University, a double master’s in counseling psychology and theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a PhD in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University. Joanne lives in Aspen, Colorado, with her husband, Terry Hale.

Questions about the PEPS Parenting Conversation?
Call PEPS Community Outreach Coordinator Betsy Sullivan at 206-547-8570 ext. or email at betsys@pepsgroup.org.

Directions to the Good Shepherd Center
The Good Shepherd Center is located at 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103. For directions, click here.
The Event will take place in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd Center on the 4th floor.”

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

6:30 - 8:00 pm

Good Shepherd Center

RSVP at event@pepsgroup.org

Saturday, April 11, 2009, 11 am - 1 pm

Kids aged 3 and older are invited to join a Discovery Park naturalist for a fun beach exploration at low tide! What sorts of creatures will they find?! Make sure your little intrepid explorers are accompanied by an adult and are sporting warm clothes and shoes that can get wet.

Activity is free and you can call 206-386-4236 to find out more.

Discovery Park

3801 W Government Way

Seattle, WA 98199