Get The Lowdown On Lice

Mon., Feb. 28, 2000

Tina Carey Staff writer

You’ve seen the signs posted at your child’s day-care center or the notes sent home from school. The mere thought scares me. Creepy crawlers nesting in your loved one’s hair. It happens to millions of children each year. Head lice.

To help you cope with these icky creatures, the Spokane Regional Health District has created an eight-minute video available for purchase covering the basic facts of head lice and how combing out the eggs is the most important step to ending the nightmare.

“How to Comb Out Head Lice” is available to preview in the video room at the Spokane Regional Health District or you can order it for $5 plus $5 in shipping and handling by sending a check payable to: Spokane Regional Health District, Lice Control, 1101 W. College Ave., Suite 401, Spokane, WA 99201-2095. Call 324-1528 for more information.

* You say it’s your birthday… Are you about to plan what you think will be the best birthday party for your child? Did you have a nightmare of a time with the last one? The March issue of Family Life magazine features an article on everything you need to know to plan the perfect day.

Some tips for parents and children include: plan ideas together; remember that more is not better when it comes to the head count, more is better when it comes to activities that are planned; stay within the two-hour party zone; and be prepared, have everything you need ahead of time.

For extra help, check out these Web sites: www.birthdayexpress.com, www.birthdayinabox.com, and www.shindigz.com.

* Contest alerts! Sunny Delight is sponsoring the “Sunny Delight Strongest Kid in America Contest” to recognize kids ages 9 to 11 who show strength and shine by trying hard in school, on the playing field and in their community.

The 25 finalists chosen will compete in an America Try-athalon in New York City in three categories including mental strength, physical strength and strength of character. All finalists will earn money for their school and the winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship.

U.S. residents who are at least 18 years old may nominate a youngster by writing a 150-word essay describing how the nominee tries hard in school, in sports and in their community. Send your entry with a photo of the nominee to Sunny Delight Strongest Kid in America Contest, c/o ARS, 43 North Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606.

Deadline for submission is March 13. For a complete list of rules and entry forms, visit the Web site www.sunnyd.com or call (877) 543-7464.

* Safeway Inc. and the Washington State Apple Commission are sponsoring a contest to find an on-the-go grandmother from the Northwest who personifies the healthful attributes of Washington’s state’s famous Granny Smith apples.

If you know of a grandma who’s outgoing, lives life to the fullest and is active in her community, sign her up. The Northwest winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the finals in Washington state in May.

Entry forms are available at Safeway stores located throughout Washington, Alaska, Idaho and western Montana through Thursday. Or you can write, in 100 words or less, what makes your nominee special, and send a nonreturnable photo to Granny Smith, 227 Bellevue Way NE, PMB #163, Bellevue, WA 98004. Deadline for entries is April 7.

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