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Those who like to take to the woods, wetlands or thicket in pursuit of wild game as well as those who just enjoy observing wildlife will want to mark their calendars for the 4th Annual North Central Ohio Wildlife Management Conference Jan. 30 at the Firelands BGSU Cedar Point Center.
The conference will be hosted by the Erie and Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the OSU Extension.
Among this year’s featured presenters will be freelance writer, editor and photographer Chip Gross. Other presenters will include Randy Showalter with the National Wild Turkey Federation; Marne Titchenell and Dave Apsley, both OSU Extension wildlife specialists; Jeff Finn, private lands biologist for the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Travis Hartman, fisheries biologist with the ODNR Division of Wildlife, Sandusky Fish Research Unit.
In addition, staff from Zink Calls will hold an afternoon session for turkey hunters who want to improve their calling skills.
Pre-registration is required and will include a continental breakfast, lunch and door prizes. Registrations received by Dec. 31 are $25; after that date, the fee is $30. The deadline to register is Jan. 22. Checks may be made payable to the Erie Soil and Water Conservation District and mailed to 2900 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, OH, 44870.
For more information, call the Ottawa SWCD at 419-898-6431 or the OSU Extension office at 419-627-7631 or visit www.erie-county-ohio.net/eswcd.
Speed & agility clinic
The Memorial Hospital Physical Medicine Department will hold a speed and agility clinic every Sunday Jan. 3 through March 7 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Fremont Recreation Department Complex on St. Joseph St. in Fremont.
The clinic is open to all area students in grades seven to 12. “The speed and agility clinic is designed to work with the individuals to increase speed, explosiveness, stamina and balance,” according to Memorial’s wellness supervisor, Mike Lento.
Each session will be taught in a group setting with exercises and drills intended to help develop and improve muscular strength, endurance and flexibility and improve core balance. The clinic will also work on conditioning exercises that help prevent injuries. Certified physical therapists, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches will lead the clinic. Participants will train in various drills with others at their skill level, Lento said. Equipment, including agility ladders, speed hurdles, parachutes and resistance bands will be available throughout the course.
The cost of the clinic is $70. For more information or to register, call Lento at 419-334-6630 or e-mail
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Trash pickup schedule
The City of Oregon reminds residents that Waste Management will operate on a normal schedule for trash and recycling pickup Christmas Eve and on New Year’s Eve.
Heating help
The 2009-10 Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP) got off to a big start in November by serving 661 households in the WSOS four-county service area.
This year’s program provides an increase in the income limits, so that more people are eligible for assistance than in the past. However, the amount allowed for spending on propane assistance decreased from $900 last year to $600 this season.
EHEAP provides one-time assistance to income-eligible residents to help them maintain their heating source by paying some of their heating bills. Income-eligible residents are those with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, which amounts to $22,050 for a one-person household or $44,100 for a four-person household. Previously, the income limit was 175 percent of the poverty guideline.
In November, EHEAP provided assistance to 661 households for a total of $186,178. The following explains how many were served in each of WSOS four-county service area:
• Ottawa County - 106 households for a total of $37,702;
• Sandusky County - 191 Households for a total of $55,832;
• Seneca County - 211 Households for a total of $50,985;
• Wood County - 153 Households for a total of $41, 668;
Currently, Columbia Gas is conducting a program for its customers in partnership with WSOS. This means that residents who are Columbia Gas customers can get help with their bills through the Columbia Gas program and EHEAP.
Eligible propane customers are those who have no more than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel and who meet the income guidelines. These applicants will receive up to $600 in assistance while applicants of other utilities receive up to $175. The program ends March 31, 2010.
Assistance with heating bills comes from EHEAP and regular HEAP. Regular HEAP also provides a one-time per heating season assistance with paying some heating bills. Applicants must file their applications themselves. WSOS has applications available and can assist applicants with the forms. Both EHEAP and HEAP operate until March 31.
Appointments are required for EHEAP applicants. To make an appointment for EHEAP help, in Wood County call 419-353-7407; in Ottawa County, call 419-734-2652; in Seneca County - Fostoria – call 419-435-4884 or in Tiffin area, call 419-447-0084; or in Sandusky County, call 419-334-5126.
WSOS holiday hours
WSOS offices will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 and Jan. 1 due to the holidays. In addition, the offices will be closed Dec. 21-23 as well as Dec. 28-31 to walk-in clients.
However, all critical services will be maintained, including heating assistance through the Emergency Home energy Assistance Program (EHEAP), transportation (TRIPS) and meals to homebound seniors. Also, all WSOS senior centers will remain open.
Anyone experiencing an emergency should call 1-800-775-9767. Those with emergency heating problems should call 1-888-441-4327. A WSOS staff member will respond to all messages within 24 hours.
All offices will re-open at 9 a .m. Jan. 4.
Vaccine recalled
The Centers for Disease Control announced that certain lots of Sanofi Pasteur H1N1 Pediatric pre-filled syringe vaccine for 6-35 month olds have been recalled. This recall involves approximately 800,000 doses.
“Wood County Health Department does not have, nor have we had any of the re-called lot numbers” according to Ann Smith, Director of Nursing.
The lots were re-called as a result of ongoing stability testing of the vaccine after it was shipped. Stability testing is the measurement of the strength or potency of a vaccine over time. Sanofi Pasteur found that the potency in four batches or “lots” had dropped below its pre-specified limit. The specified lots are being pulled because they no longer meet the pre-determined minimum limits.
According to the CDC, there are no safety concerns. All lots passed pre-release testing for purity, potency and safety.
Also according to the CDC, infants and children previously vaccinated do not need to be re-vaccinated as the potency of the vaccine is only slightly below the specified range and deemed to be effective.
Of course those children under 10 years of age should get the recommended two doses of H1N1 vaccine approximately 1 month apart for optimal immune response.
Parents need not take any action other than to make sure to complete the 2 dose immunization process.
Wood County will be holding three clinics at the Woodland Mall on Dec. 17, 29 and Jan. 9 for people of all ages. For more information, visit www.co.wood.oh.us/HealthDepartment.
Program remains strong
Ottawa County Senior Resources Home Delivered Meals Program. which offers hot and frozen meal delivery service to homebound seniors 60 years and older, will continue to provide services to Ottawa County Seniors. The discontinuation of the Mobile Meal program sponsored by Magruder Hospital will not affect the Home-Delivered Program.
For more information, call Senior Resources at 419-898-6459 or toll-free at 1-877-898-6459.
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