Black History & Culture Showcase April 7-8

WINNING SOMETHING FINALLY

Contributed by Milford Woods

I was so glad this morning when I logged onto our local news station’s Facebook page using my corvallis 4g internet and entered the spa give away. I was so glad, because around three o’clock today, I actually got a call and I had won! The spa give away included a full day at a local spa. This includes a manicure, pedicure, facial, body wrap, and hair cut and style. I think that I will be at the spa all day when I redeem it, but I have never won anything in a contest and was especially excited when I won! They announced on their Facebook page. The other cool thing is that after I leave the spa day, they want to give me a brief thirty second interview on the air! I have never been on television and can’t wait! The planned date for the spa day/interview is the first week in April. It will give me enough time to make sure that all of my friends tune in!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

Even holistically-minded people should have a good doctor.

by: Rachael Pontillo

I personally believe that “food is medicine”, and use nutrition and lifestyle to keep my immune system strong so my body can fight off any bugs that happen to be going around on its own. I am pretty successful with that too, since my kids and I are hardly ever sick. When I feel a bug coming on, I usually choose a natural or homeopathic remedy if rest, nourishment, and hydration aren’t cutting it, and I’ve also had great luck with that.

However, I think it is important to have a good doctor since there are times where medical intervention may be necessary. Plus, I think it is really important to have annual physicals (“well” visits), so I can have all my levels checked to make sure that what I am doing is indeed what my body needs. We are all constantly changing, so our needs change. Sometimes we need to adjust our intake of certain nutrients if our levels show deficiencies or imbalances. If you don’t want to pay for these tests out of pocket, you need a doctor to order them so insurance will cover them.


Furthermore, emergencies and accidents do happen. My holistic buddies and I always joke that you can take care of minor things yourself with nature’s medicines; but if you get hit by a truck call the ambulance, not the seaweed man! Of course no one likes to think about bad things happening, but unfortunately we don’t live in unpoppable bubbles…it’s a jungle out there and if something does happen it’s a good idea to have a good doctor to take care of you.
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National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Saturday, March 10, 2012.
11:00am until 5:00pm.
HIV Information & Resources. Free Confidential HIV Testing, Free Food, Give A-Aways & Raffles, Free Chair Massages, Entertainment & More!
Hear personal stories from HIV Positive Women.....This is a FREE Event
for women and girls only...... Come out and bring your Mother, Sister(s)
Daughter(s) and Sisterfriends.

Presented by: Women's Empowerment & Educational Network
(W.E.E.N) and
Queens United to Elevate and Empower the Next Sister, Inc. (Q.U.E.E.N.S)

SPONSORED by: Philadelphia Prevention Partnership

For more information Contact: Asha @ 267-972-2579 or Evelyn @267-738-9839

Save on pet costs

Studies have shown that over 60% of all families in the United States own a pet, and pets aren't cheap. The cost of basic food, supplies, medical care, and training for a dog or cat often runs $700 to $875 annually. Add to that surgeries, grooming, kennel boarding, and miscellaneous costs, and you may end up spending $10,000 or more to keep your pet healthy and happy throughout its life. Fortunately, many of the costs associated with responsible pet ownership can be controlled or at least reduced. Here are a few ideas.

Buy a mutt. Besides being cheaper, mongrel pets often have fewer health problems than purebreds. One study found that caring for a mixed-breed dog was about a third as expensive as caring for a pet with a sterling pedigree.

Get it spayed or neutered. Animal shelters often provide this procedure at relatively low cost. Unless you want to open a pet store, this step should be first on your to-do list. Getting your dog or cat "fixed" may also mean fewer health problems down the road.

Buy food in bulk. For most pet owners, food is their largest ongoing expense. So reducing that cost often generates the greatest savings. Although big-box retailers offer substantial cost reductions for large quantities of pet food, it always makes sense to shop around. (Specialty stores have sales, too.) Generally speaking, the more you buy, the cheaper the food. But be careful. Though there's no legal definition of "premium" in terms of pet food nutritional quality, think twice before grabbing the cheapest bag off the shelf. Long-term health problems may result from routinely feeding non-nutritional meals — food that's mostly filler — to your dog or cat.

An ounce of prevention... Regular exercise and routine veterinary visits often reduce long-term health care costs. And don't forget their teeth. Severe gingivitis may lead to serious health problems in your pet, including kidney and lung disease. If you don't want to brush your dog's ivories, consider dental chews that release teeth-cleaning enzymes.

Go cheap on toys. Shopping at your local dollar store can save lots on balls, chew bones and all those other baubles your pet adores.

Go slow on pet insurance. Budgeting and contributing to your own "pet emergency fund" may be cheaper than paying insurance premiums. Do the math before buying.

Financial Tip for the month provided by
Anita T. Conner and Associates