Chesco Chat

By Matt Guyette

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December 2011 jet stream pattern the most extreme on record

The cause of this warm first half of winter is the most extreme configuration of the jet stream ever recorded, as measured by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The Arctic Oscillation (AO), and its close cousin, the North Atlantic Oscillation (which can be thought of as the North Atlantic’s portion of the larger-scale AO), are climate patterns in the Northern Hemisphere defined by fluctuations in the difference of sea-level pressure in the North Atlantic between the Icelandic Low and the Azores High. The AO and NAO have significant impacts on winter weather in North America and Europe–the AO and NAO affect the path, intensity, and shape of the jet stream, influencing where storms track and how strong these storms become. During December 2011, the NAO index was +2.52, which was the most extreme difference in pressure between Iceland and the Azores ever observed in December (records of the NAO go back to 1865.)The AO during December 2011 had its second most extreme December value on record, behind the equally unusual December of 2006. These positive AO/NAO conditions caused the Icelandic Low to draw a strong south-westerly flow of air over eastern North America, preventing Arctic air from plunging southward over the U.S. and Europe.

(Dr. Jeff Masters’ WunderBlog )

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MAPS Counseling Services

Monadnock Area Psychotheraoy and Spiritualality Services (MAPS)
19 Federal Street, Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 355-2244

44 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH 03458
Phone: (603) 355-2240
www.mapsnh.org

Provides counseling services to individuals of all ages, as well as couples and families. Offers a sliding scale for uninsured clients and free support groups for people with cancer and their families.

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The Hourglass Readers

Readings of classical works in abridged versions
Performs at Keene Public Library and other libraries around the Monadnock area.
Director: Catherine Behrens
Performances are free and open to the public
(603) 352-2699
fbehrens@ne.rr.com 

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Books Online

The library subscribes to a number of different online book services that are free for you to use…

http://keenepubliclibrary.org/library/reading#online

Keene Public Library
60 Winter St., Keene, NH 03431

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Cold prevention

The following are some tips to keep you and your family healthy during cold and flu season.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.

You will help prevent others from catching your illness.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

It may prevent those around you from getting sick.Washing your hands often will protect you from germs.

Using warm soapy water wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (The time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice).You should wash your hands before preparing or eating food, after going to the bathroom, after cleaning up a child, after tending to someone who is sick, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, after handling garbage, after handling an animal, and before and after treating a cut or wound.Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.Keep general Healthy Habits.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat notorious food.The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. To learn more about the flu vaccination, please view the following website. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

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Foods that Warm the Body

 Adding certain foods to your diet on a daily basis can make a difference in your body temperature. Some of these items may not come as a surprise to you, but others may have you asking yourself if they really do make a difference?

Nuts & Seeds -

Peanuts and almonds are easy to incorporate into a diet. 10 soaked almonds or a handful of peanuts can give the body deep warmth that lasts.

Seeds such as sesame, pumpkin and fennel are great body warmers. Sesame seeds can be incorporated into many dishes, such as green beans or chicken. Pumpkin seeds are great as a snack when roasted. Fennel seeds can also be added to foods. These seeds are great for the digestive system and help to warm the body no matter how you choose to use them.

Spices & More -

Cinnamon, cloves, ginger and pepper are warming spices. Ground cinnamon can be added to add flavor to many of our baked foods. Cinnamon sticks give a wonderful taste to many warm beverages, such as tea.

Cloves are not only warming but they are a great mouth freshener. Because they have antiseptic properties, they not only help with bad breath, but can also keep other parts of your body healthy. Ginger can be added to soups or vegetables to help incorporate this spice into our daily diets.

Pepper just yells out warmth. Sprinkle a little pepper onto your foods in place of the extra salt.

Honey is effective when it comes to warming the body. Honey is a natural sweetener that can be added to just about anything sugar is used in. Honey is also great for the complexion.

Onions and garlic are easy to incorporate into most meals. These little gems not only help in keeping the body warm but can also be helpful in keeping the body healthy. Have a cold? Try a little garlic to open up those stuffy noses. Lowering cholesterol is also one of the benefits of garlic and onions.

Fruits & Veggies -

Fruits and vegetables will also give the body the warmth it needs. Add a serving of fruits and vegetables to each of your meals every single day. It’s just what the doctor ordered. We all know fruits and vegetables are healthy, but when added to your daily diet in the winter time, they help to warm your entire body by boosting your immune system, blood flow and much more. 

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December 2011

   By Matt Guyette

 

 

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Angel Food Ministries

603-363-4277
Grace Community Evangelical Free Church
49 Old Swanzey Rd. Spofford, NH 03462

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month’s menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60. Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe. Food Stamps accepted.
www.angelfoodministries.com 

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Food Stamps

NH Dept. of Health & Human Services – 357-3510 or 1-800-624-9700
809 Court St. Keene, NH 03431
Assists families in applying for food stamps if they are eligible
http://nh.gov/DHHS/FOODSTAMPS

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Stay prepared…

Household emergency supplies should include enough food, water and supplies to last four days without power or help. Check your home emergency kit against this basic checklist:

• Food that doesn’t require heating or refrigeration, such as canned meats, soups and stews, cereal, and energy bars
• Manual can opener
• Paper plates, cups and plastic utensils
• 1 gallon of water per person per day (allow enough for four days)
• Flashlights and batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Battery-powered clock
• Cellular phone
• First-aid kit
• Four-day supply of prescription medicines
• Blanket and cold-weather clothing for each family member
• Pet food and additional water for household pets

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What is influenza (also called flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

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Sat., Dec. 03
9:00AM – 2:00PM

Gingerbread Christmas Fair

Tables of gingerbread and other treats, tree decorations, knitted items, doll clothes, plants, jewelry, baked goods, wreaths, stationery, mystery gifts, grandma’s treasures, and silent auction. Serving supper on Friday, 5 to 8 pm, and lunch on Saturday, 10:30 to 1 pm.

Cost: Free
Sponsor: UCC-Keene Women’s Fellowship
Location: 23 Central Square, Keene, NH
For More Information, Contact: Barbara Hall 352-3578 hallhaus@ne.rr.com

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Sat., Dec. 10
11:00AM – 2:00PM 

Holiday Shopping Extravaganza

This event will include displays by Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Healing Beads, Silpada Jewelry, Fabric Art, Discovery Toys, Rain Dog Treats, Pampered Chef, Hand made items, a bake sale and More! This is a great opportunity for children to shop for their parents and also for parents to find gifts for everyone on their list. A portion of the proceeds from all vendors will donated to help the greyhounds.

Cost: No Entry Fee
Sponsor: Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue
Location: 14 W. Swanzey Rd.(Across from Market Basket)
For More Information, Contact: Terri Malloy 603-355-1556 Terri@fastfriendsgreyhounds.org

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 Chesco’s Annual Holiday Party

When: December 16^th, from 11-1pm

Where: The Elks

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“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.”
―Laura Ingalls Wilder

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 VISION 2020

is a community-wide effort to ensure that we live in the nation’s healthiest community by the year 2020. Becoming the healthiest community requires a strong sense of commitment, collaboration and support among a wide range of community partners. Our schools, colleges, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, employers, government agencies, cultural centers, restaurants, recreational facilities and not-for-profit organizations, in addition to the natural and built environments, all influence our community’s overall health and well-being. Health Status, Health Care Access, Health Literacy, Wellness and Social Capital are the five key areas by which we must assess to meet our health goals.

 
 

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Will there be a Pumpkin Festival

in 2011?
Yes. The volunteer board and executive director who ran the event in previous years are dropping the festival from their projects. As soon as their announcement was made public, another team picked up the ball and began organizing Pumpkin Festival 2011 and beyond. Reluctant to officially announce Pumpkin Festival 2011 until Keene’s City Council approves our event application, the new team of “Pumpkin heads” has committed to getting to the goal of P-fest 2011, Saturday, October 22, 2011.

http://pumpkinfestival2011.org/FAQs.html

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Shelter Information

If you or someone you know is homeless and in need of shelter, contact the Homeless Outreach program -

1-800-852-3388.

NH Coalition to End Homelessness – 1-800-852-3388
This site provides information on services to the homeless
www.home4hope.com

 

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Request City Council Consideration
If you desire to submit a request, proposal, concern or other matter to the City Council for its consideration, you may submit your issue in writing with an original signature to the City Clerks Office located on the first floor of City Hall at 3 Washington Street, Keene NH, 03431.

 

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Progress Energy shared these tips to save energy during cold weather.

Keep the thermostat on your heating system at the lowest comfortable setting. Progress Energy recommends a setting of 68 to 70 degrees during the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night.

Check filters at least monthly, and clean or change them as needed. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent and can damage equipment.

Use insulated or heavy curtains on windows facing the north side of the house. Keep curtains and shades closed at night and on cloudy days.

Caulk any space around windows and other places where air leaks to prevent cold drafts and heat escape.

If your home has a fireplace, be sure the damper fits tightly, and close it when the fireplace is not in use. Add a glass fireplace screen.

Use microwave ovens whenever possible. They use less than half the power of a conventional oven.

Whenever possible, wash full loads in the dishwasher and clothes washing machine, rather than partial loads.

Take short showers instead of tub baths, and install a flow restrictor or energy-saving shower head.

Look for EnergyGuide labels on most major home appliances. The more efficient models save you money in the long run.

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Fall Foliage Facts

Leaves of some trees such as birches, tulip poplars, redbud and hickory, are always yellow in the fall, never red.

The fall leaves of a few trees, including sugar maple, dogwood, sweet gum, black gum and sourwood, are usually red but may also be yellow.

Unlike the bright colors of flowers, which attract pollinators, or the bright “Warning Colors” of many kinds of animals, the bright colors of fall foliage are a byproduct of chemical changes as the trees start to go dormant. These colors have no apparent biological function or significance.

The most intense of fall color occurs in in areas such as New England, with almost pure stands of a few types of trees, such as maples and birches, that all turn color at the same time during the short fall season.

The most varied fall color, as well as the longest lasting, occurs in areas such as the southern Appalachians, where a dozen or more kinds of trees may change color at slightly different times over the longer fall season.

The change in day length (photoperiod) that causes the chemical changes in the trees leading to the bright colors starts June 21, the longest day of the year, as the sun starts to move south and the days become shorter.

Leaves have just as much yellow pigment (xanthophyll) in July when they are green as they do in October when they are yellow. In July the darker green pigment (chlorophyll) masks the yellow color. Evergreen trees may shed their older leaves, which often turn bright yellow, in spring rather than fall, but they never drop all their leaves at one time, thus staying green all year.

The leathery evergreen leaves of rhododendron are shed individually from time to time over several years; it is not uncommon to find individual rhododendron leaves that have been on a plant for five or six years that are still green, healthy and functional.

Bright sunlight is essential for the production of the red (anthocyanin) pigment in the fall leaves: if a black mask is placed on part of a leaf before it turns red, the part of the leaf under the mask will turn yellow while the exposed part will turn red. 

From Fall Colors & Woodland Harvests
Laurel Hill Press
PO Box 16516, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

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Sponsor a Highway

 

2011 marks the 9^th year Chesco has participated in the D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) Sponsor a Highway program.. During the four clean-ups each year, they average 20 bags of trash.

Great job!

 

Chesco Chat

 August 2011

 

Art In The Park

Sat., Sep. 03
through
Sun., Sep. 04
10:00AM – 4:00PM

The Monadnock Area Artists Association will be holding its 53rd annual outdoor art event, Art in the Park, Labor Day Weekend, in Keene, NH. Over 80 fine artists will be exhibiting and selling their work, as well as running a raffle to fund art scholarships. Purchase raffle tickets to win your chosen piece of artwork! Come enjoy music and artwork in this beautiful setting in New Hampshire’s Monadnock region.

Cost: Free
Sponsor: Monadnock Area Artists Association
Location: Ashuelot River Park, West St., Keene, NH
For More Information, Contact: Gill Truslow 603 357-4382 ltruslow@ne.rr.com

 

Easter Seals New Hampshire
12 Kingsbury Street, Keene, NH 03431
Vocational Services – Phone: (603) 355-1067
Early Support Services (Early Inervention) – Phone: (603) 352-0165
Foster Family Program – (603) 352-5724
Easter Seals provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities

 

Walk For Animals

Sun., Sep. 25
11:00AM – 3:00PM

A fun-filled family event that includes dog demos, animal communicators, midway fun including pony rides and face painting, and yummy food. As in previous years, the Swanzey oxen will lead the walk at the end of the day.

Cost: Free Admission
Sponsor: Monadnock Humane Society
Location: Monadnock Humane Society
For More Information, Contact: Carol Armer 352-9011, x111 carola@humanecommunity.org

 

American Red Cross

NH West Chapter

83 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 352-3210
Toll free: 1-800-244-2214
www.newhampshirewest.redcross.org

Provides relief for victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Education and training in CPR, first aid, water safety, swimming, HIV/AIDS prevention and family care giving classes, and provides transportation services for medical appointments.

 

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program works to improve the health of low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, other new mothers up to one year postpartum, infants, children up to age six, and elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA commodity foods.

The population served by CSFP is similar to that served by USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), but CSFP also serves elderly people. The elderly receive food rather than the food vouchers that WIC participants receive. (Eligible people cannot participate in both programs at the same time.)

Benefits
The CFSP program distributes food packages to local communities on a bi-monthly basis. CSFP food packages do not provide a complete diet, but rather are good sources of the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of the target population. These packages can include a variety of foods, such as non-fat dry and evaporated milk, juice, farina, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans or peas, canned meat or poultry or tuna, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Application and Contact Information
Like the WIC program, CSFP staff travels often in order to provide services for both Sullivan and Cheshire counties. The most convenient way to contact the program is to call 603.352.7512 ext. 4240 or 800.529.0005 ext. 4240 and leave a message on the program’s voicemail. Calls are returned as promptly as possible, usually within 24 hours.

 

 

Pumpkin Festival 2011
Sat., Oct. 22
12:00PM – 8:30PM

The region’s signature event in its 21st year, complete with pumpkin towers and costume parade. Every visitor is asked to bring a carved pumpkin: we’re aiming for full participation! Let it Shine!

Cost: Free of charge, $1 donation suggested
Sponsor: Pumpkin Festival, Let it Shine!
Location: Downtown Keene, NH
For More Information, Contact: Ruth Sterling 603 352-4410 RS@SterlingDes.com

 

Apple Mango Salad 

The scents of tropical mango and Granny Smith apple in this fresh fruit salad, splashed with a vibrant vinaigrette of balsamic vinegar, cinnamon and ginger, wake up and refresh tired taste buds.

Ingredients

• 1 mango – peeled, seeded and cubed
• 1 Granny Smith apple – peeled, cored and diced
• 3/4 cup toasted cashews
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 pinch salt

 Cooking Instructions
In a medium bowl, toss together mango, Granny Smith apple, cashews, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, ginger

 

Be advised:

The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.

 

 

How is dehydration treated?

As is often the case in medicine, prevention is the important first step in the treatment of dehydration. (Please see the home treatment and prevention sections.)

Fluid replacement is the treatment for dehydration. This may be attempted by replacing fluid by mouth, but if this fails, intravenous fluid (IV) may be required. Should oral rehydration be attempted, frequent small amounts of clear fluids should be used.

Clear fluids include:

water,

clear broths,

popsicles,

Jell-O, and

other replacement fluids that may contain electrolytes (Pedialyte, Gatorade, Powerade, etc.)
Decisions about the use of intravenous fluids depend upon the healthcare provider’s assessment of the extent of dehydration and the ability for the patient to recover from the underlying cause.

The success of the rehydration therapy can be monitored by urine output. When the body is dry, the kidneys try to hold on to as much fluid as possible, urine output is decreased, and the urine itself is concentrated. As treatment occurs, the kidneys sense the increased fluid and urine output increases.

Medications may be used to treat underlying illnesses

What is dehydration?

The majority of the body is made up of water, with up to 75% of the body’s weight due to H2O. Most of the water is found within the cells of the body (intracellular space). The rest is found in the so-called extracellular space, which consists of the blood vessels (intravascular space) and the spaces between cells (interstitial space).

Total body water = intracellular space + intravascular space + interstitial space

Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. The body is very dynamic and always changing. This is especially true with water in the body. We lose water routinely when we:

breathe,

as humidified air leaves the body,

when we sweat to cool the body, and

when we urinate or have a bowel movement to rid the body of waste products.
In a normal day, a person has to drink a significant amount of water to replace this routine loss.

If intravascular (within the blood vessels) water is lost, the body can compensate somewhat by shifting water from cells into the blood vessels, but this is a very short-term solution. Signs and symptoms of dehydration will occur quickly if the water is not replenished.

The body is able to monitor the amount of fluid it needs to function. The thirst mechanism signals the body to drink water when the body is dry. As well, hormones like anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) work with the kidney to limit the amount of water lost in the urine when the body needs to conserve water.

100% fruit juices are nutritious beverages that have been enjoyed by adults and children for decades. 100% fruit juices can play an important role in a healthy diet because they offer great taste and a variety of nutrients found naturally in fruits. These juices are fat-free, nutrient-dense beverages that are rich in vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring phytonutrients that contribute to good health.

100% juices are a convenient way for adults and children to get a part of their recommended 4-1/2 or more cups of fruits and vegetables each day. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consumption of several cups per day of fruits and vegetables, and acknowledge the role that 100% juices can play as part of this fruit and vegetable allowance. According to the new USDA MyPyramid food guidance program, there are portion sizes and recommended amounts of 100% juice for children and adults, depending on one’s age, gender, and level of physical activity.