TERRE HAUTE — Achoo! (sniffle) Sorry, but it’s allergy season. Actually, with pollens, molds and such, it’s pretty much allergy season all year ’round—depending on your allergy—but right now, it’s trees: maples, poplar, cedar and juniper, aspen and cottonwood. Next will come pollen from grass, then weeds, flowers, and who knows what else?
“We were starting to get a really big peak of pollen, then we got the rain and colder weather,” which brought some reprieve, says Allergist Diane Jordan-Wagner, M.D., who practices at AP&S; Clinic in Terre Haute and at Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Ill. Now that it’s warming up again, those allergens will be back.
But if you don’t want to stay indoors, safe behind closed windows and with the air conditioner filtering the air, what can you do? Dr. Jordan-Wagner suggests the following:
• Don’t dry your clothes on a clothesline. Pollen can settle on the clothing and come indoors.
• Keep the windows closed in your car when you’re driving.
• Shower yourself off at the end of the day if you’ve been outdoors. Don’t forget to shampoo, too. That way, you won’t be sleeping with pollen.
• If you’re allergic to grass, don’t be the one who mows the lawn. If you can’t avoid mowing, take a non-drowsy antihistamine, keep the grass short, wear goggles and a mask; shower and change your clothes as soon as you finish with the lawn.
• Wipe down pets when they come indoors. They can carry pollen in on their fur.
• Change your furnace/air conditioner filter every month.
“For people bothered by spring ocular allergy — the itchy, red, watery eyes — keep sunglasses on,” Dr. Jordan-Wagner says. She was speaking of the sports-style sunglasses that “fit close to the face to keep so much pollen from getting into the eyes.” And try not to rub your eyes; there’s probably pollen on your hands, too.
As far as medications go, she recommended some over-the-counter remedies, such as Visine Allergy for red, itchy eyes, but cautioned that if you need to use it regularly for more than one week to consult with your doctor. Nasalcrom works for nasal spray—and so does plain ‘ol salt water, Dr. Jordan-Wagner says. And grab some Claritin or Alavert—make sure it’s the non-drowsy formula—if you need an antihistamine.
Want to know what the pollen count is in your area? Go to www.weather.com, www.aaaai.org, or www.pollen.com. I like the last one because it gives you a four-day allergy forecast, plus you can have a two-day allergy alert e-mailed to you.
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People who have shingles—the kind caused by the vericella zoster virus; not the ones on your roof — could benefit from practicing the ancient Chinese art of tai chi.
A study of 112 people by researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles and UC San Diego found that tai chi appears to boost immunity to vericella zoster and even to further boost vaccine-stimulated immunity.
Tai chi combines aerobic activity, relaxation and meditation, all of which are believed to boost cell-mediated immune responses. And it seems that shingles is believed to be strongly related to cell-related immunity. Tai Chi is also low impact and can be performed by older people with limited mobility.
The Tribune-Star’s Valley Datebook lists tai chi classes at St. Joseph University Parish at 113 S. Fifth St., phone (812) 235-5417, and at the Wabash Valley Senior Citizen’s Center at 300 S. Fifth St., phone (812) 232-3245.
Classes are also offered through The Maple Center at 1801 N. Sixth St., Suite 600. Two classes began recently and more are likely to be offered in the future. Call (812) 234-8733 for more information or visit its Web site at www.themaplecenter.org.
• • •
Oops! The time for the cancer survivor’s luncheon at Clabber Girl on April 21 was incorrect in last week’s column. It’s from 1-3 p.m., not 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as previously printed. I suppose the name of the meal should also be changed from “brunch” to “lunch.”
The luncheon is for those who have survived cancer, plus one guest, with cancer survivors learning there is such a thing as a free lunch. RSVPs are limited to the first 50 people, and “we are nearing the maximum number of attendees,” says Dawn Clinkenbeard, community program representative for the Wabash Valley office of the American Cancer Society.
Chef Eddie will prepare items from the American Cancer Society’s Healthy Living cookbook, and those who attend will get first crack at the 2007 Relay for Life survivor shirt. Make your reservation by calling (812) 232-2679 or (888) 635-9258.
Features
Health Matters: Don’t let allergies keep you at home
- Features
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Terre Haute museums keeping history alive
Even if you don’t have a mystical Egyptian tablet that brings museum inhabitants to life at sunset like character Larry Daley in the “Night in the Museum” movies, history can come alive for you, your friends and family at the many museums in the Wabash Valley.
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Treat your valentine with a rose and song
A rose is a rose … until it is sent anonymously in February with a lyrical, heartfelt appreciation.
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Turn-of-the-century tea shines during season of romance
You can take part in the season of romance at a turn-of-the-century tea hosted by Fortnightly Club members at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fortnightly, 421 N. Sixth St., Vincennes.
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Catfish tournament returns to Turtle Creek Reservoir
In partnership with the Indiana Catfish Association, Hoosier Energy is sponsoring its fourth annual Turtle Creek Open catfish tournament from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17 at Turtle Creek Reservoir in Sullivan County.
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Actors needed for 3D films to be shot in Bloomington
The Indiana University 3D Production Class is seeking local talent to cast in its 3D Student Film Showcase to be screened at IU Cinema at 6:30 p.m. on May 1.
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Rosedale students, staff to prove they’ve Got Talent
Rosedale’s Got Talent and a Country Rhodes Fish Fry make for an exciting day in Rosedale on Feb. 18.
- KARAOKE: Feb. 9, 2012
- Nightlife: Feb. 9, 2012
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Terre Haute artist putting ‘The Good Housewife’ on exhibit in New Harmony
Former Terre Haute artist Mary Ann Michna will exhibit a series of mixed media artworks titlted “The Good Housewife” at the Women’s Institute and Gallery in New Harmony.
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ISU School of Music scholarship concert Sunday
Tickets are available for the Indiana State University School of Music’s 21st annual Wind/Percussion Scholarship Concert, scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday in Tilson Auditorium in Tirey Hall.
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Fowler Park Pancake Breakfast coming up
The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department will host the 26th annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 in Fowler Park Log Barn.
- Dance lessons: Feb. 9, 2012
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EIU readies love songs for Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Eastern Illinois University’s Choral Ensembles are planning to celebrate the majesty of love.
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‘Play It Again Sam’ to open at Old Town Theatre
The Woody Allen comedy “Play It Again, Sam” will open Feb. 17 at the Old Town Players Theatre and Arts Center, 432 Broadway St. Performances will continue Feb. 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26.
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Traveling Civil War exhibit makes history personal
Civil War history will come alive for visitors to the Sullivan County Public Library who experience “Faces of the Civil War,” a traveling exhibition created and managed by the Indiana Historical Society.
- Bingo: Feb. 9, 2012
- Museums and Exhibitions: Feb. 9, 2012
- Book signings: Feb. 9, 2012
- Theater: Feb. 9, 2012
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Dicky James and the Blue Flames give strong performance in Memphis
Terre Haute-based Dicky James and the Blue Flames weren’t the big winners at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., last week, but the group did win accolades and made contacts that should help it raise its profile nationally.
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‘All Dolled Up’ exhibit opens today VU’s Shircliff Gallery
“All Dolled Up,” an exhibition of handmade dolls, will open today at Vincennes University’s Shircliff Gallery of Art.
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Marshall Senior Diners’ Club staging ‘Movie Monday’
Senior Diners’ Club at Harlan Hall in Marshall will be sponsoring a “Movie Monday” at 1 p.m. Feb. 27 following lunch.
- COMMUNITY: Feb. 9, 2012
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Concerts: Feb. 9, 2012
An asterisk (*) indicates tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com.
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Butler Theatre to present version of ‘Tartuffe’ starting Wednesday
Butler Theatre presents a contemporary version of Moliere’s “Tartuffe” beginning Wednesday in Lilly Hall Studio Theatre 168.
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VIDEO: On the Banks of the Wabash far away …
Paul Dresser left Terre Haute a niche in history.
Opportunism, squabbling and fading memories gradually washed that gift away, like the unending flow of the Wabash River he immortalized in song.
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Story of homeland foundation of vocal group
Since their earliest recordings and performances, the South African-based Grammy Award-winning male a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as individuals and as a group, have maintained a respect and a reverence for their past.
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Original copy of 13th Amendment at Lincoln Library & Museum
A fully signed and recently restored copy of the Congressional resolution for a 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the official act that would abolish slavery in the United States, will be on display in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum’s Treasures Gallery.
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RCAA member presents ‘Waterfalls’ at Vigo Library
February brings a stunning exhibit of waterfalls by photographer Spencer Young to the Vigo County Public Library in Terre Haute.
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River Wools’ Stitch Red/Wear Red part of First Friday events
Downtown Terre Haute’s First Friday is a monthly evening that encourages collaboration among downtown merchants, museums, galleries, and university and commercial venues.
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