Program Extended by Popular Demand!

That’s right. If you missed us in January,you still have a chance. Come join Tina Trevino, Rhonda Cummins, and a cast of volunteers for free cooking demonstrations and samples using fresh, local seafood.

Come on down and join the fun. Space is limited, but the fun is not.

When: Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. during February (Feb. 18 and 25 remain)

Where: Big Bear Shrimp & Seafood, 2241 Hwy 35 N, Port Lavaca (bright blue building between the Texas Highway Dept. and the Exxon)

Why: Why not? Seafood is easy to cook and it is good for you.

“I was just sitting at my desk, when all of a sudden my head and body started aching. I felt a fever coming over me, and I was exhausted. What is going on?” You may have caught the influenza virus—or “flu” for short. According to Tina Trevino, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent in Calhoun County, one of the distinguishing characteristics of the flu virus is its sudden onset. Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, extreme tiredness, runny or stuffy nose, dry (nonproductive) cough, and sore throat. The influenza virus is a highly contagious respiratory illness in humans, which means it attacks the nose, throat, and lungs in our bodies. “Influenza is often confused with what people refer to as the stomach flu,” says Extension Health Associate, Janet Pollard. “The main symptoms of stomach flu are nausea, profuse vomiting, and often diarrhea. What we refer to as stomach flu is not really flu because it is not caused by the influenza virus but rather by other viruses, bacteria, or parasites that cause illness. Although children and a few adults may experience nausea or feelings of being ‘sick to your stomach’ as a symptom of influenza, it is not the main symptom but rather a secondary symptom of the flu that is often brought on by fever or congestion.”

“If you do catch the flu virus, remember that your doctor won’t prescribe antibiotics since antibiotics only kill bacteria and not viruses,” explains Tina Trevino. “If you suspect you have the flu, however, it is important to see your doctor right away since he/she may be able to prescribe antiviral medications to reduce the severity of your symptoms. These medications must be taken within two days of the onset of symptoms to be effective.” In addition, it is recommended to treat your flu symptoms with 1) rest, 2) plenty of liquids (primarily clear broths and beverages, not cream soups or milk), 3) over-the-counter medications for your particular symptoms (contact your doctor for recommendations), and 4) avoidance of alcohol and tobacco products.

Influenza is highly contagious, so you should also try to isolate the person who has the virus. Stay home from work, and have children stay home from school or other activities where they might expose others.

Of course, the best thing you can do is to not catch the influenza virus in the first place. One of the best ways to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. Flu vaccines are given at most doctors’ offices and health clinics. You can also go to the American Lung Association’s flu clinic locator website at http://www.lungusa.org and enter your zip code to find a location offering flu vaccines near you. “Also,” says Tina Trevino, “practice good hand washing habits. Use soap and warm running water, rubbing your hands together to remove any germs. Be sure to wash your hands long enough—encourage children to sing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ or say their ABCs (the whole alphabet) while they’re washing their hands; when they finish, they’re also finished with hand washing.” “If running water is not available,” says Pollard, “use a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol. These products can be squeezed onto the hands and simply rubbed in without water.” Always cover your mouth when coughing, sneezing, or wiping your nose. Use disposable paper tissues that can be thrown away after each use to reduce the spread of the flu virus. Using a cloth or handkerchief can contribute to the spread of the virus since the virus can remain on the surface of the cloth and spread wherever it might be set down or touched by others.

Take care of yourself this flu season! Remember to take precautions to prevent becoming infected.

The 2nd Annual Parade of Ancestors, sponsored by Calhoun County Cultures and Cuisines, is rapidly approaching with excitement, activities for children, and entertainment for all ages. This non-vehicular parade is held on the 3rd Saturday of March starting at 11:00 a.m. Prior to the parade, the lineup will be in the 100 Block of South Ann and Main Street in Downtown Port Lavaca proceeding east on Main ending at Commerce Street. The downtown area will be blocked off to all vehicular traffic from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All residents and visitors are invited to participate in ancestral period attire or perhaps your would like to dress in favorite, modern, or vintage heritage. For additional information or to sign up for vendor/food booths, contact Rose Pena, (361) 652-0410; Betty Hicks, (361) 552-2248; or Abigail Vencia (361) 235-2606.

Welcoming residents and visitors will be Port Lavaca’s Mayor Jack Whitlow; invocation by Deacon D. J. Williams of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church and singing the National Anthem, Port Lavaca native Ms. Carla Jones.
Leading the parade will be the Calhoun County Veterans Council Honor Color Guard, Mr. Charlie Orr, playing the Bagpipes, Honored Parade Marshals, Settlers of Indianola followed by the various ethnic and ancestral periods.

Available for purchases will be various ethnic foods, cold drink beverages, desserts, hand made arts and crafts.

Various children’s games area; Bouncee House sponsored by the Party Zone for children; musical entertainment and performance by the Dance Company at Faye Sterling Park; book signing at the Port Lavaca Theatre and other events on Main Street being confirmed.

Since the originating of the Calhoun County Cultures and Cuisines and the Annual Parade of Ancestors, the committee members have succeeded in focusing on the various ethnic groups, provided continued summer musical series highlighting local musical talents, and foods, providing enjoyable entertainment for all ages and groups:

August – Calhoun County Museum was the site for presentation by Mr. Benny Martinez of Goliad County, replica of The Tejano Monument as dedicated at the State’s Capitol in Austin with the history originating the statue.

September -The CCCC also had an educational forum at the Bauer Community Center with educators and business leaders from the Golden Crescent area. Topic for discussion-Education’s Impact Embracing, Empowering, and Educating Our Cultures. In addition sponsored the summer music series at Faye Sterling Park.

Oktoberfest presentation by Mary Belle Melcher Meitzen on the arrival of the German Cultures from the east coast to Calhoun County at the summer series. Also had a cultural information booth at the County Fair.

November assisted with the 150th Year Celebration of the Firing upon Port Lavaca and the canon following down Main Street without exploding.

December – Assisted with Christmas on Main Street, yearly event by the chamber. Also had a float in the Christmas Night Parade featuring many cultures in Calhoun County from the time of Indianola to present. Our latest cultural additions are the Karen’s. Three various tribes in native costume were members of the float, Karen, Kachin, and Chin.

Calhoun County Cultures and Cuisines serves as a catalyst to promote vitality and excellence of community events; focus of historical Port Lavaca and Calhoun County with its numerous diversified cultures.

This mission statement has been the goal of the members of the non-profit committee under Main Street Inc. of Port Lavaca.

“I have heard Calhoun County often referred as the melting pot for all nationalities, this may be an expression, but recently, Dr. Gloria Ornelas Gonzales, a former Port Lavaca resident, guest speaker with other professionals at the CCCC Forum, described Calhoun County as a beautiful, rich, colorful, and appetizing salad.

First you start with a clear glass bowl, add your green (lettuce); red (tomatoes or red peppers); white (cauliflower); black (olives), yellow (squash); orange and so many other foods that are known for their ethnic cuisines and it becomes an appealing dish. I agree with Dr. Gonzales, the various ethnic groups living in Calhoun County compliment our areas making it stronger and outstanding.” -Rose Pena

Valentines 2013

Last year, I wrote a column for Valentine’s Day that spoke more about the history of the holiday, as well as the importance of love.

However, the 364 days between one Valentine’s and another changed my mind set about the holiday, but not in the way you might expect when you grasp my situation.

Last Summer I lost my girlfriend of five years and close friend for ten plus years, plus two kids I took in as my own.

Instead of starting to hate the upcoming holiday in a fit of jealousy and childish thinking, I started to think that perhaps after this year which has been very rough at times, I needed to start to think romantically about the one person I had neglected the most.

Myself.

Now, when I say myself, I don’t plan on buying myself a card or a box of candy (OK, maybe I’m lying about the candy, but only the day after, when all the candy is half off), but what I do plan on doing is making sure that I have love in my heart for myself before I worry about finding love in someone else.

This is probably something that a lot of us neglect and admittedly it is not easy to focus on loving who you are when there are so many things in the modern world screaming for your attention. There are the films and TV shows, showing perfect relationships that you must be in to be happy, the beauty products and ego boosters, the toys and the children who play with them.

When we went into the history of the holiday last year we learned about one of the Saint Valentines who went against the Romans to marry Christian soldiers and generally carried out his work right under his enemy’s nose.

So beyond the day being a celebration of all that is good about love, loyalty and friendship, it is also about strength in the face of adversity. It is about doing what is right, what is right in the heart, despite the sense of logic or the rules of the world around you.

That strength is the same strength that lets you love yourself for yourself, to accept your own faults, flaws and scars and move forward into the future.

Find a way to love yourself and let the people you love see the best in you by loving yourself first and always.

Again, not easy, but few things worth doing ever are.

Much like Christmas, I would also like to extend a Happy Valentine’s Day to anyone who might be feeling lonely and left out.