Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 26, 2003 Page: 4 of 6
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The Rio Grande Herald-Thursday, June 26,2003, Page 4
TDH offers tips for surviving
Texas' long hot summers
Heat-related deaths and record-
breaking high temperatures in
Texas began earlier than usual this
year, alerting health officials that
the summer of 2003 could rival the
heat waves and droughts in the
1990s.
In 1998, temperatures soared to
record highs for nearly three
months in most of the state and
were linked to the deaths of 98
people. Since 1995, at least 427
deaths caused by hot weather have
occw red in the state.
Recent tragedies, including the
deaths of a 2-year-old child left
unattended inside a hot van outside
a suburban Dallas day-care center,
a homeless man found in an El
Paso arroyo, three people found in
a sweltering railroad hopper car in
Baytown and at least 18 smuggled
immigrants enclosed in a tractor-
trailer near Victoria, are reminders
that heat can kill.
"Heat - specifically hot weather
combined with high humidity - is
more deadly than people realize,"
said David Zane, an epidemiologist
at Texas Department of Health
(TDH).
While anyone can suffer the
deadly effects of heat, Zane said
people most at risk of death or
illness in extremely hot weather are
the elderly, the very young, the sick
and those without access to air
conditioning. "A prolonged heat
wave . increases the danger," he
said. "Victims become steadily
weakened as the skin's natural
cooling system - perspiration -
works overtime."
When your body is unable to
cool itself through perspiration and
if fluids are not amply replaced,
you can die.
Profuse sweating, muscle
cramps, weakness, dizziness,
nausea, weak but rapid pulse and
headaches are symptoms of heat
exhaustion, an early stage of heat
illness. People with these
symptoms, which are related to
dehydration and the accompanying
rise.
in internal body temperature,
should seek shade or air
conditioning and drink plenty of
water.
If efforts to cool a person with
heat exhaustion fail, heat stroke - a
medical emergency that can lead to
disability or death - can follow.
Symptoms of heat stroke are
extremely high body temperature,
red or dry skin, failure to perspire,
rapid pulse, confusion and
unconsciousness. Immediate
medical help is critical for victims
of heat stroke.
Most heat-related illnesses can
be prevented by following some
simple guidelines. Staying in air
conditioning and drinking plenty of
water are the most efficient ways to
combat heat. If you do not have air
conditioning, shade windows if
possible and use fans to create
cross ventilation. In prolonged high
temperatures and high humidity,
aim fans out the window to blow
hot air out. In addition, try
spending time each day in air-
conditioned environments such as
libraries, shopping malls and other
public places.
Keep an eye on children playing
outdoors on very hot days because
they can become dehydrated very
quickly. Give them plenty of fluids,
especially water, and dress them in
light, loose clothing.
Other heat precautions include:
* Never leave anyone in a closed,
parked vehicle during hot weather,
even for a short time.
* Drink plenty of fluids, avoiding
alcoholic beverages or beverages
with caffeine, which cause the body
to lose water, and drinks with
excess sugar, which can impede
water absorption.
* Plan any strenuous outdoor
activity for early or late in the day.
* Take frequent breaks when
working or exercising outside.
* Wear light, loose-fitting clothes.
* Stay in air conditioning as much
as possible. %
* Eat frequent light, balanced
meals.
* Avoid dressing babies in heavy
clothing or wrapping them in
blankets.
* Check frequently on people who
are elderly, ill or disabled.
* Check with a doctor or
pharmacist before using
medications such as diuretics and
antihistamines if you're going to
spend much time in the sun or be
exposed to high temperatures for
any length of time.
* At first signs of heat illness -
profuse sweating, dizziness,
nausea, headaches, muscle cramps -
move to a cooler place, rest and
begin drinking fluids. If these
measures do not lessen your
symptoms, seek immediate medical
help.
Pets need special attention
during summer as well. Provide
outdoor pets with shade and plenty
of water. Never enclose animals in
cars or in unventilated buildings.
USDA Rural Development
celebrating Homeownership Month
Bryan Daniel, State Director for
Texas USDA Rural Development,
announces the celebration of
Homeownership Month in June
throughout rural Texas.
USDA Rural Development joins
federal, state, ant1 local housing
officials in hosting more than 1000
events nationwide to promote
homeownership.
USDA Rural Development is
marking the occasion locally by
announcing the funding of a grant
to the Community Action Council
of South Texas (CACST). The
grant is made through the Single
Family Housing, Self-Help
Housing Technical Assistance
program, a program that falls under
the USDA Rural Development
mission area. Homeownership
certificates will also be presented to
families constructing their homes
through the Self-Help Housing
program with CACST.
The effort is part of USDA's
national program to help rural areas
build and enhance essential
housing. USDA Rural
Development makes grants to
eligible nonprofit or public
organizations to assist lew income
families who wish to work together
to build their own homes. Grant
money is used to pay for technical
assistance the families may need in
constructing the home with their
own resources.
"USDA has a long history of
assisting rural citizens to achieve
and maintain the dream of
homeownership. Over the past 10
years, USDA Rural Development
has assisted more than 15,000
households in purchasing a home in
Texas. It is with great pride that we
join President George W. Bush in
celebrating June 2003 as
Homeownership Month," said
Daniel.
For more information, interested
persons should visit the USDA
Rural Development-Texas vebsite
at
www.rurdev.usda.gov/tx/sfh.
htm. To find a local office that
serves your county, please visit the
website at
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
tx/officeinfo.htm or check in
your local telephone directory under
United States Government, United
States Department of Agriculture,
Rural Development.
USDA Rural Development is an
Equal Opportunity Lender,
Provider, and Employer.
Complaints of discrimination
should be sent to: USDA. Director,
Office of Civil Rights,
Life Advice
<NU) - "Someday, I will or
ganize my closet." "Tomorrow.
I will start my diet." If your life
is full of things to do "some-
day" or "later," visit www.best
steps.com for tips on starting
your to-do list today.
Women's Financial Information Program
Members of the Florence J. Scott Study Club enjoyed a program entitled, "Wills, Trusts, and Wise Planning"
presented by Study Club Vice-president l.ori Perez at a recent meeting. Perez, a local attorney, distributed
informative brochures and told members of many important ways they can increase their level of understanding
about the world of finance and the importance of retirement planning. Members answered roll call by sharing,
"Smart moves I've made with my finances." Elda Hinojosa led the devotional, and Olga Gonzalez presided
during the business session at the meeting, with Mrs. Perez and Celina Garcia serving as co-hostesses. Pictured
are members who enjoyed the enlightening program on women's financial information. _
Road Rules: avoiding excess
eating while on vacation
Mail Subscription Orders to:
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Rio Grande Herald
P.O. Box 452
Rio Grande City, TX. 78582
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(In Starr County)
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Whether you're traveling by
plane, train or automobile, the
summer vacation season signals a
much-needed break from the rigors
of everyday life. We break from
day-to-day routines and
responsibilities in exchange for fun
and relaxing respites with family
and friends. Unfortunately for
many, this break in routine can also
signal a break from making sound
weight management choices.
According to experts at Weight
Watchers International, Inc.,
vacation and weight gain do not
have to go hand-in-hand Setting
realistic goals, such as maintaining
your present weight, should be your
primary focus. The key is being
prepared. From packing the
appropriate clothes to confirming
your travel itinerary, planning is an
essential piece to the vacation
puzzle. Likewise, being prepared
to eat well and stay active while on
vacation is essential to avoid
packing on any additional pounds.
I o prepare for an upcoming trip,
your vacation checklist should
include packing simple things, such
as easy-to-carry snacks, bottled
water and workout gear. For
additional support, consider a
heipiul "Tools for Living" strategy
taught at Weight Watchers
meetings that can help you
mentally and emotionally prepare
for the long haul. Menial
Rehearsing
This helpful tool is used to
mentally prepare a favorable
response to an upcoming weight-
related challenge that has
previously presented difficulty or
resulted in a lapse in judgment. By
Isai Mireles
graduates from
Tabor College
Isai Mireles of Rio Grande City
graduated from Tabor College on
Saturday, May 24.
Mireles graduated with a bachelor
of arts degree in Communications
Journalism.
He is the son of Rolando and
Lucila Mireles.
Tabor College is a four-year.
Christian liberal arts institution
founded in 1908 and located in
Hillsboro, Kansas, with a second
location. Tabor College, Wichita,
in west Wichita, Kansas
simply identifying the challenge,
creating a mental picture of the
situation unfolding with the
appropriate response, and mentally
rehearsing this before the actual
event, you can achieve the realistic
goals set for your time away.
"Temptations are abundant
during the summer vacation
season," said Karen Miller-
Kovach. MS, RD, Chief Scientist,
Weight Watchers International.
"Despite the cravings, lapses and
splurges, weight management is
achievable with some planning and
preparation. Identifying the pitfalls
and thinking about how to
overcome them before the trip is
the best way to eat healthy on your
vacation without deprivation or
boredom."
To keep unhealthy food choices
from transforming your family
getaway into an all-you-can-eat
buffet, Weight Watchers offers a
helpful itinerary for eating healthy
and staying active while on
vacation:
Be wary of the low priced all-
yoii-can-eat-buffet.
Large-portioned. high-calorie
buffets can be a challenge. Limit
yourself to one extravagance a day
and splurge on the boundless
display of fresh fruits and
vegetables. Consider eating a salad
or fresh veggies first, prior to
having your main course. This
way, you'll fill up on low-calorie,
low-fat vegetables. Above all,
make wise food choices it's best
to review the entire bufTet table
before diving in. Remember,
loading up will ultimately load you
down.
Be prepared to survive the
ride.
Stock up 011 emergency snacks like
graham crackers, gingersnaps,
popcorn, pretzels or dill pickles.
Best of all, keep snack bags of the
ultimate fast food fresh fruits and
vegetables handy on long family
drives. If packing isn't an option,
be sure to frequent roadside fruit
and vegetable stands. You can
sample fresh, local produce while
satisfying hunger pangs. So
whether your craving is sweet, salty
or sour, you should be able to
satisfy it with a healthy food
choice.
Include food and scheduled
meal breaks into your action-
packed itinerary.
Most people want to get the most
out of everv minute while
vacationing, but they often forget to
include a very important necessity:
food. Be sure not to skip meals or
go without eating for long periods.
People tend to overeat when
they're extremely hungry. Be sure
to balance your active schedule,
with thought-out meal stops
throughout the day.
Beat boredom on long cross-
country drives with frequent
stops.
Take a short recess at the nearest
rest stop to stimulate blood flow
and revitalize tired muscles.
Stretch your legs by doing a few
deep knee bends and walk briskly
around the perimeter of the rest
stop. Make the impromptu exercise
a fun family activity for all to
enjoy.
Maintaining your weight on
vacation is easier when you're
active.
Check in advance to see if your
travel destination has an on-site
fitness center or offers golf, tennis
or hiking. For extended stays
consider attending a local Weight
Watchers meeting, or get a weekly
pass at the local gym in the area
you're visiting.
Research shows that people who
go to Weight Watchers meetings
are much more likely to lose weight
than people who try to lose weight
on their own. In fact, each week
members attend approximately
44,000 Weight Watchers meetings
in 30 countries around the world.
To learn more about Weight
Watchers, visit
WeightWatchers.com. To find the
nearest Weight Watchers meeting
location, call 1-800-651-6000, or
click on the Find a Meeting link at
the top of our homepage.
When fun on the playground
leads to cuts and scrapes,
remember properly dressing and
medicating wounds helps them,
heal better and faster. I
Rio Grande City CISD Announces
TAAS Dates
The Rio Grande City CISD will administer the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills
(TAAS Exit Level) at the Rio Grande City High School on the following dates:
TAAS Writing
TAAS Mathematics
TAAS Reading
July 8, 2003
July 9, 2003
July 10, 2003
Please contact Irtna Andrade (RGC High School Assistant Principal) at 488-6025 or Dr.
Richard Iri/.arry (RGCCISD Assistant Superintendent for Student Assessment, Account-
ability, and Support Services) at 716-67.19 for registration information.
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 26, 2003, newspaper, June 26, 2003; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196222/m1/4/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.