Monthly Archives: November 2009

In each community there are those benchmark, remarkable events that define and showcase some of the proud, industrious, and dedicated residents who make up the weave and fabric or the place.
One of those remarkable events took place last weekend, when the annual lighting celebration of the Sullivan Roadhouse and Museum occurred. Always a visual and social delight, LouAnn, Christie and crew outdid themselves once again. Gives proof to the old adage: Not getting older, just getting better!

The Roadhouse was warm, not only in terms of temperature, but in terms of appeal, with decorations, welcoming staff, delectable goodies and beverages.

Steve, bless his heart, took family fotos all afternoon, the pics being emailed to the folks without cost. EVERYONE wanted a foto before the superbly decorated tree!

75 to 100 folks circulated through during the course of the afternoon, greeting others not seen for awhile, and some seen only yesterday. The museum and its history were introduced to some who had never been inside–funny how that works–you live in New York and never visit the Statue of Liberty, and live in Delta and never visit the museum and Roadhouse.

Then suddenly, at 4:30, Christie rushed about unplugging heaters so that fuses wouldn’t blow, and the switch was thrown, and accompanied by oohs and aahs, the superlative decorations of the Roadhouse grounds was revealed in all of its glory. WOW!

There are those who are fortunate enough to drive past the display each day–the rest of you need to create a reason. Bring the kids, or your sweetheart, or your mom, and you, too, will have reason to ooh and aah.

Ms Carol Watkins, volunteer photographer, deserves thanx for preserving the panorama on film.  (Photos of the day)!

And sometime, write a personal note to the crew, who donated so many hours and so much creative energy to the community for your enjoyment, thanking them for, as one of them put it, standing arm in arm on the grounds, their “…Labor of Love…”. They make Delta special!

For 51 years, Bill Lint thought he was the son of a man who simply didn’t care – an Air Force sergeant who touched down in northern Maine just long enough to get Lint’s mother pregnant before moving on without so much as a backward glance.
Thus, Lint recalled , “I figured if it was anybody’s place to look for somebody, it was his place to look for me.”

Except for one not-so-small problem.

His father never knew he existed.

“We weren’t reunited – because we’d never met,” said Lint.

Here’s how it happened.

Glenna Lint was a 23-year-old Houlton girl when she first met Sgt. Beverly Herbert “Bev” Cotton at a church social near Loring Air Force Base in Limestone in 1957. It was love at first sight – or so they thought until that fall, when Bev left for a new assignment in Okinawa and Glenna took a deep breath and got on with her life.

Then Glenna found out she was pregnant.

She sent letters to Bev telling him the news. He never wrote back.

Click here to read the entire story

2nd Graders were asked: What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
Gavin S. – Making decorations
Elia K. – Playing games and spending time with my parents
Krysta M. – I get to have my whole family with me
Logan A. – All of the yummy food
Kristina L. – That we thank all of the good people
Drenan M. – I get to have fun with my family
Makenna P. – I get to spend time with my family
Andrea S. – I get to visit my family
Natasha D. – I get to spend time with my family
Shelby S. – I get to eat pumpkin pie
Julia K. – Playing
Vera Y. – That there is a harvest
Katie S. – All of the food
Alicia R. – Turkey
Tanya P. – My parents let me play outside
Moses H. – I like to go to our friends’ house and I get to eat pumpkin pie
Cody O. – Turkey
Sadie T. – Everybody comes over to our house
Tanya G. – Eating turkey
Alyssa K. – When we sit around the table and have our feast
Christopher W. – Spending time with my whole family

The same 2nd graders were asked: What are you thankful for every day?
Gavin S. – Everything that I see, and my brother, he’s nice to me.
Elia K. – My friends
Krysta M. – I have fun with my parents, they let me have a good time
Logan A. – I’m thankful on Thanksgiving that my family gets to go to my Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Kristina L. – My family
Drenen M. – My parents
Makenna P. – My family and friends
Andrea S. – That I can help people
Natasha D. – That we have food to eat
Shelby S. – My family
Julia K. – School
Vera Y. – I get to make new friends
Katie S. – All the people that go to school, that means that they are not sick
Alicia R. – Reading
Tanya P. – My parents always let me have food to eat
Moses H – My mom and dad
Cody O. – My mom and dad
Sadie T. – My family
Tanya G. – For everybody
Alyssa K. – Going to school
Christopher W. – Having my family and knowing that they support me on everything

From Claudia Bohlscheid

Our next show is December19 at the Community Center 11am – 5pm  for your last mintue shopping. Hope to see you there lots going on.

Claudia Bohlscheid presents Ken Farrow of Alpha Omega with a check from the Silent Auction held on Nov 21st. We want to thank all who donated items and special thanks to Ed Lawson from IGA their basket got the highest bid.

I want to thank the community for your support at this Show.

DHS Hockey would like to thank the community of Delta Junction for the donations given over this last week.

Thank you to all the players who came to skate, community members who came out in the cold weather to show support on Friday.

A big thanks to coach Nichols for getting this event started, cleaning the rink, getting fire wood and being there for your team.

Thank you all for making this a successful event and we did reach our goal!! SuValley will have a hockey season after all!!

We are so pleased to announce that Eileen Ivers and her group will be back in Fairbanks, with a new holiday concert:

“An Nollaig – An Irish Christmas”

Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 4pm in Hering Auditorium

Tickets are available at 490-2858, alaskatix.com or at Grassroots Guitar on College Road

With traditional music and masterful Irish dancing, “An Nollaig – An Irish Christmas” will bring beautiful Irish holiday customs to life. In a very Gaelic celebration, including original tunes and holiday favorites like “The Holly Tree,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “The Wexford Carol,” “Do You Hear What I Hear” and many others, Ivers and friends evoke the anticipatory delight of Christmas Eve, the peace of Christmas morning and even the raucous exuberance of Boxing Day, complete with fiddles, pipes and whistles.

Joining Eileen on stage will be our own North Pole High School Choir under the direction of Bruce Hanson.

Playing Irish traditional music since the age of eight, Eileen Ivers proceeded to win fiddle championships and more than 30 championship medals, making her one of the most awarded persons ever to compete in these prestigious world competitions. Those of you who may have missed her in 2006, will not want to miss an opportunity to hear her.

Eileen will be featured in a radio interview with Terry Josie on KYSC radio on Wednesday, November 25 from 8:30-9:00am. Tune your radio to 96.9 FM to get a preview of Sunday’s performance.

http://www.eileenivers.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW9Jqsrj8xo

FCA tickets make wonderful holiday gifts. It’s a great way to spend time with your family, something to share with younger family members or give to someone who may be visiting Fairbanks.

If you have any questions, just give our office a call at 474-8081. Anne and Rhonda will be happy to answer your questions or check out our updated web site fairbanksconcert.org

Happy Holidays from all of us at FCA!

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska, – The nearly 120 Soldiers of C Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment are expected to return to Fort Wainwright Sunday, November 22nd.

The company has spent the last 12 months in Southern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The aviation company provided critical air medical evacuation support to Coalition forces within Southern Iraq.

After landing and in-processing at Eielson Air Force Base, the Soldiers will be bused to Hangar 6 at Fort Wainwright for a brief welcome home ceremony and to be reunited with their families.

The visitors’ center at the post’s main gate will close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily effective Nov. 23.

All drivers entering the installation should proceed to the guard shacks, where they will either be waved through (if they have Department of Defense decals) or directed to the parking area adjacent to the guard shacks where they can receive a pass.

All drivers wishing to enter post must have either a valid military ID card and DOD decal or a pass. Drivers must present a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration to get a pass. All vehicles are subject to search.

The change was made due to the small number of people using the visitors’ center at night.        

Another change has been made at the Vehicle Registration office in the Welcome Center, Building 3401. The office is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. It is closed training days and federal holidays.

November 21 we will be having our craft show and bazaar at the Community Center.

We will be having a bake sale and silent auction.  All proceeds will go to Alpha Omega food bank. 

We will be there from 11am to 5pm.  There are 21 vendors with a wide variety of items for your Christmas shopping. 

Come and join the fun.

BBB’s Wise Giving Strategies For Fending Off Fictitious Charities

Anchorage, Alaska – Nov. 19, 2009 – Charitable solicitation scams often increase in November and December, when holiday themed charity drives are bountiful. Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington warns consumers to be aware of 3 types of charitable solicitation shams:

1) The representative is with a fictitious charity. Many scammers mimic legitimate organizations, choosing names with slight variations to sound more credible. This fly-by-night scam relies on donors who don’t research the organization before making a contribution.

2) The schemer claims to be with a well-known organization, but has no affiliation. The con operates in hopes that potential contributors don’t contact the organization to verify that they are a registered worker or volunteer.

3) The solicitor is a verifiable employee of the organization, but pockets the money instead of applying it to the cause. This unethical person preys on inexperienced givers and avoids offering a donation receipt or confirmation code.

Your BBB offers a Charity Review Program, Charity Seal Program and the following tips to assist potential donors in avoiding fictitious solicitations and finding reliable local charities:

Contribute carefully. When solicited by an individual claiming to be from a charitable organization, look for indicators that it’s not a legitimate source: the organization’s name or logo seems familiar, but is slightly altered; advertisements lack full contact information, such as the organization’s name, address and phone number; contact information isn’t verifiable; mailings look like bills or invoices; or the organization sends unordered merchandise and demands payment. These are all warning signs to report to your BBB.

Charitable donations are voluntary. Legitimate charitable organizations should never pressure donors to make an immediate contribution. Don’t trust a soliciting charity that sends invoices demanding past due payments.

Give to organizations you know and trust. Don’t donate impulsively. If interested, ask them to return or call back later after you confirm the validity of the organization and that the representative is a registered worker or volunteer.

Make sure the charity is properly registered. If it’s a local charity, verify that they are properly registered with the Alaska Department of Law. Also, research the company on a search engine.

Check out the charity with BBB before making a donation. BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability cover how an organization is governed, ways it spends money, truthfulness of its representations, and its willingness to disclose basic information to the public. Get free Charity Reports at www.bbb.org/charity .

Don’t hand over payment information if you are unsure. To make sure it goes to the correct source, consider contacting the organization or charity directly to make a donation. Always inquire about what percentage of the donation will go to the cause or related charitable activities.

Avoid charities that only accept cash as payment. It is difficult to recover cash if the source turns out to be fraudulent. If writing a check, address it payable to the charity and not the soliciting individual.

Request a receipt. Make sure to obtain a tax receipt or confirmation code of the donation. Steer clear of those not willing to provide one.

Contributions may be tax deductible. In most cases, contributions to 501(c)3 charitable organizations will be tax deductible. Be aware that “tax exempt” simply means that the organization does not pay taxes. Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more information on tax deductible status.

Keep a record of volunteer contributions. Retain copies of receipts, check stubs, and bank statements when accounting expenses during tax season. Although time and efforts will not be reimbursed, transportation costs and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with volunteer service may be tax deductible.

Francis Resigns as Executive Director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators:

Dr. Mary Francis has submitted her letter of resignation as Executive Director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators. Dr. Francis accepted the position eight years ago, following a twelve year tenure as Superintendent in the Petersburg City School District.

Francis said that her term as Executive Director has been one of the best experiences of her professional career. Francis has served as Superintendent in both Petersburg and Wrangell, as Associate Superintendent in Fairbanks, and as Curriculum Director in the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Bethel during her lengthy career in Alaskan public education.

Francis said, “There is never a good time to make a decision to leave a position. However, ACSA’s financial position is sound and with a working Strategic Plan in place, the organization is on solid footing now and for the future.” She pointed out that ACSA employs 4 full-time and 2 part-time positions in Juneau to accomplish the association’s work. In addition, the Council hires about 75 consultants and part-time contract people each year through the professional development arm of the association, the Alaska Staff Development Network (ASDN).

President of the ACSA Board Pete Swanson said, “Dr. Francis’ resignation has been accepted with reluctance by the Board. She will be sorely missed as she provides just the right balance of oversight for our board and the AASA board for whom she also serves in the Executive Director capacity. Her ability to advocate for and represent the school administrators of Alaska with the Legislature and many statewide committee forums is considerable. Dr. Francis leaves a legacy of working hard for the concerns and issues of Alaska’s school administrators.”

The ACSA Board directed that each professional affiliate in ACSA be represented on the Search Committee. President of the ACSA Board Pete Swanson said, “Dr. Francis’ resignation has been accepted with reluctance by the Board.  The ACSA Board directed that each professional affiliate in ACSA be represented on the Search Committee.  The position opening will be formally announced on December 1, 2009.  It is expected that the new director will begin in July 2010.

Contact: Mary A. Francis, Ph.D. mary-acsa@gci.net,  907.586.9702.

Tips for Safe and Smart Holiday Shopping
Anchorage, Alaska – Nov. 18, 2009 – As Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving—approaches, retailers are serving up offers to pull customers into the store for one of the busiest sale days of the year. Consumers focused on finding the perfect gift do not usually have misleading advertising, scams and understanding purchase details on the forefront of their minds. Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington offers the following tips for holiday shoppers:

Spend wisely. Set a realistic budget for holiday shopping, and stick to it. Make a shopping list of gifts to avoid impulse buying. Keep track of purchases to ensure there is enough spending money in an account when shopping.

Look for sale details. Some advertised sales only last for part of Black Friday. Make sure to understand the timeframe of the sale and any specifics or limitations. Keep in mind, holiday “sales” and “markdowns” are sometimes not the bargain they appear to be, so comparative shop. Conditions of an offer must be listed in the ad or coupon. If an offer is misrepresented see the store manager.

Gift cards aren’t always the ideal gift. Find out if the gift card has an expiration date and if it can be used online. Be careful when purchasing a gift card from a retailer that may be closing or has filed for bankruptcy, as it may not be redeemable in the future.

Understand refund and exchange policies. Some stores give refunds or issue store credits, but others consider all sales final. If the store issues refunds, ask if there is a return time limit. Be aware, some businesses have different return policies for sale and clearance items. Get a gift receipt and enclose it with the present. Don’t remove electronics or similar products from boxes before wrapping, as the original packaging may be required for a return.

Get layaway policies in writing. Understand time limits and additional fees.

Check the price. When making a purchase, make sure items run up with the correct price at the register. Keep receipts and warrantee information for the duration you have the purchase.

Limit store credit cards. Many stores offer discounts for signing up for a store credit card. Know your spending limits, a late or missed payment on one of these cards can make the interest rate jump from zero to 20 percent or more, outweighing the discount.

Remember safety. Anticipate traffic and be careful in crowds. Never leave a wallet, credit card or purse on a counter or in an unattended shopping cart. Do not get overloaded with packages. It is also a good idea to shop with a companion or ask for a security escort to your car.

Review financial statements. Credit cards often offer more protection against fraudulent charges than debit cards. Notify your financial institution immediately if your credit/debit card or checking account has unfamiliar charges.

Report problems. Consumers who have a marketplace problem they can’t work it out with the business, can file a complaint at http://www.bbb.org/ . Check your statements and beware of unauthorized purchases and fees. Notify your financial institution immediately if your credit/debit card or checking account has charges that you didn’t make.

The Missile Defense Agency – Operations Support Group Alaska will conduct a Missile Defense Complex exercise on Nov. 19.
The exercise is designed to evaluate procedures and capabilities in the event of a missile launch operation.

The exercise will include the use of the Explosive Facility Area Warning System, as well as testing evacuation and shelter in place measures.

The event will include voice announcements and sirens. While the voice responses and sirens may be somewhat loud, there is neither threat nor danger to any of the local populous and/or their property.

These types of exercises and tests help ensure the safety of the personnel who work on Fort Greely and the Missile Defense Complex.

For questions, please call Mr. Kent Cummins, Fort Greely’s Public Affairs Officer, at 873-5023, or Mr. Ralph Scott, Missile Defense Agency – Alaska Public Affairs Officer, at 907-552-1687.

On November 30, the DGSD Technology Department needs to shut down the district’s servers for maintenance, updates, and an energy audit in preparation for possible Virtualization in the spring and to see a more realistic view of the technology backend energy cost.

Not all services with be down the entire day but it is unknown at this time the specific time that services will be under maintenance so setting up a day where people can prepare ahead of time (Teachers, staff, students) for a disruption of services was thought to be the best approach.

Please get this information out to parents!

Fort Greely’s National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month celebration is set for 1 p.m., Nov. 19 at Gabriel Auditorium.
The celebration will include Alaska Native dancers, ethnic food samplings and displays.

What began at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the First Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States has resulted in the month of November being designated for that purpose.

In 1990 President George Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations have been issued each year since 1994.

National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month is celebrated to recognize the intertribal cultures and to educate the public about the heritage, history, art, and traditions of the American Indian and Alaska Native people.

Col. George Bond, of the Missile Defense Agency-Alaska, will give a missile launch safety presentation at a special Town Hall Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fort Greely Chapel. He will discuss safety issues including shelter in place procedures to prepare the Fort Greely populace for a Missile Defense Agency Missile Launch Exercise scheduled for Nov. 19.
The exercise is designed to evaluate procedures and capabilities in the event of a missile launch operation. The exercise will include the use of the Explosive Facility Area Warning System, as well as testing evacuation and shelter in place measures. The event will include voice announcements and sirens. While the voice responses and sirens may be somewhat loud, there is neither threat nor danger to any of the local populous and/or their property.

These types of exercises and tests help ensure the safety of the personnel who work on Fort Greely and the Missile Defense Complex.

Fort Greely members are highly encouraged to attend the Town Hall briefing to learn more about the upcoming exercise and procedures required in the event of an actual missile launch operation. For more information, call Kent Cummins, Fort Greely’s Public Affairs Officer, at 873-5023, or Ralph Scott, Missile Defense Agency – Alaska Public Affairs Officer, at 552-1687.

How will I be warned of an “actual” or “exercise” missile launch?
- Klaxon (warning siren) followed by announcement (giant voice system) of pending launch and instruction to go indoors and close all windows
- DA police driving through neighborhoods announcing the need to go indoors and close all windows
- Loud rumbling noise lasting 15-45 seconds
“Shelter in place” is the most effective Response
- Do not look toward missile defense Complex
- Go indoors, preferably to an interior, above-ground room without windows
- Close all windows and doors
- Turn off air conditioning, HVAC units, and any fans that draw outside air
- Remain inside for at least 30 minutes, or until an all-clear is given by Fort Greely authorities

Anchorage, Alaska – Nov. 17, 2009 – Tales of money-transfers gone awry are frequently reported to Better Business Bureau. Scammers often utilize money-transferring services to attain funds almost instantly, while remaining anonymous and undetected. Wronged consumers ask, “Will I ever get my money back?” Sadly, the answer is usually no, but for some, that may change.

The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that it is holding MoneyGram International, Inc., the second-largest money transfer service in the United States, partially responsible.

The FTC charged that MoneyGram knowingly allowed fraudulent transactions in its money-transfer system. MoneyGram was ordered to pay $18 million, which the FTC will use as restitution for victimized consumers. Without admitting wrongdoing, the company has agreed to pay the fine.

The order also requires MoneyGram to enforce more supervision and regulation to combat deceptive activity among its agents or other internal sources. MoneyGram must also work very closely with the FTC to implement its anti-fraud and agent-monitoring program.

“The money-transferring system has long been abused by thieves, with thousands of hard-earned consumer dollars sacrificed,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington. “We are glad to see accountability in this industry and encourage businesses to take steps toward self regulation.”

BBB encourages consumers to avoid all unknown or suspicious invitations to wire funds. Cons often initiate money-transfer scams using the following lures: lotteries, sweepstakes or prizes; guaranteed loans; free government money; and job opportunities. Fake solicitations may include a counterfeit check—to deposit it into a bank account—and instructions to wire a small fee for taxes, insurance or processing services in order to complete the transaction. In the end, the check bounces and the transferred funds are gone permanently, or consumers receive the funds but they are stolen from another’s account and the consumer must pay them back to the rightful owner.

Click here to read the FTC’s recent press release. Consumers who lost funds in a MoneyGram transfer can contact the FTC at 202-326-3755.

Skate-a-thon will take place on Friday, November 19 at the outside rink in Delta. 

Fundraiser is put on by the Delta High School Hockey Team. 

Starts at 4pm until $2500.00 is raised for SuValley Hockey Team.

Stop by to support our hockey team and make a donation!

From the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service

The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) will be hosting an informal gathering on Thursday, November 19th from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Delta Career Advancement Center in the shop area – located behind the Delta Junction High School. Researches from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the USDA Agriculture Research Service will present information on current and future research efforts. Topics will include:

Weed Seed Viability Study
Variety Tests and Soil Fertility Studies
Canola Trials
Black Grass Bugs
Wireworms/Click Beetles
Leafhoppers and Phytoplasma
Weed Control

This will be an opportunity to learn what agricultural research efforts are underway as well as to share your observations of the past growing season and thoughts on the research needs of our industry.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, November 19th. Call 895-4215 or stop by the CES office for further information.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe November 27 – December 13, 2009. Showtimes Fridays & Saturdays at 8:15pm. Sundays at 2:00pm.

Doors open one hour before the show.
Fairbanks Drama Association
1852 2nd Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701

 Info and Tickets 456-PLAY. Single tickets: Adults: $20 / Teens: $14 / Seniors: $18 ((65+) / Military: $18 (with ID) / Students: $18 (with ID)

Dramatized from C. S. Lewis / Story by Don Quinn / Directed by Sandy Wilson

That master of enchantment, C. S. Lewis, has created a unique world and he invites children to walk into it and enjoy both surprise and adventure. In the incredible land of Narnia, the children in the story make friends with the frightened forest people who have almost given up hope for the return of the good King Asian, their true ruler. A charming play about courage and the love of freedom.

The Missile Defense Agency – Operations Support Group Alaska will conduct a Missile Defense Complex exercise on November 19.
The exercise is designed to evaluate procedures and capabilities in the event of a missile launch operation.

The exercise will include the use of the Explosive Facility Area Warning System, as well as testing evacuation and shelter in place measures.

The event will include voice announcements and sirens. While the voice responses and sirens may be somewhat loud, there is neither threat nor danger to any of the local populous and/or their property.

These types of exercises and tests help ensure the safety of the personnel who work on Fort Greely and the Missile Defense Complex.

For questions, please call Kent Cummins, Fort Greely’s Public Affairs Officer, at 873-5023, or Ralph Scott, Missile Defense Agency – Alaska Public Affairs Officer, at 552-1687.

Lisa Sturgis and all the Girls at Acacia Floral

Test and Information Sessions

Census Bureau Work / Delta Junction & Ft. Greely
9:00AM, Wednesday, November 11, 2009 – Career Advancement Center 5:00PM,

Thursday, November 12, 2009 – City Hall Conference Room 8:00AM-5:30PM,

Friday, November 13, 2009 – City Hall Conference Room

Work will be the last part of January and the first part of February.
Pay is $25.00-$26.50/hour for crew leaders and enumerators, plus 55¢/mile.

Call 1-866-861-2010 to schedule appointment or just come to the sessions. Bring two pieces of ID or a current passport. Bilingual persons are welcome. Sample tests can be downloaded online or picked up at City Hall.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is continuing to receive H1N1 flu vaccine from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a weekly basis. The state then redistributes the vaccine per-population percentages throughout the state.
Delta Junction Public Health Center has received a supply of both the nasal spray and the injectable H1N1 vaccine.

At this time we are prioritizing our efforts to distribute this vaccine to those at highest risk for infection or complications from the flu. The five groups considered to be priorities for receiving the H1N1 vaccine include:

• pregnant women;
• anyone who lives with or cares for children younger than 6 months old;
• health-care and emergency service workers;
• everyone age 6 months – 24years old; and
• adults age 25 – 64 who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Vaccinations are available at the Delta Junction Public Health Center by appointment only. Please call 895-4292 for an appointment.

In the meantime, other actions that can help prevent the spread of viruses include:
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Disinfect hard surfaces using a diluted bleach solution or commercial sanitizer.
• Stay home if you get sick.

For more information go to: http://www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov/  or call the Pan Flu Hotline at 1-888-9PANFLU.

DHSS is now on Twitter. Follow health updates at www.twitter.com/Alaska_DHSS