Moffat County United WayMoffat County United Way and and Reaching Everyone Preventing SuicideReaching Everyone Preventing Suicide are partnering to offer a Community Suicide Awareness Training seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Clarion Inn & Suites in Craig, located at 300 S. Highway 13. The training is free, and the community is encouraged to attend. are partnering to offer a Community Suicide Awareness Training seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Clarion Inn & Suites in Craig, located at 300 S. Highway 13. The training is free, and the community is encouraged to attend.

Moffat County United Way and Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide are partnering to offer a Community Suicide Awareness Training seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Clarion Inn & Suites in Craig, located at 300 S. Highway 13. The training is free, and the community is encouraged to attend.

“Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) someone to help,” states the program’s flier.

For more information, contact Amanda Arnold at 970-824-6222, or Meghan Francone at 970-846-8182.

---

---

VNA will host Chamber Mixer June 2

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse AssociationNorthwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is inviting the community to a Chamber Mixer to celebrate an exciting change at the organization. The mixer will be 5 to 7 p.m. June 2 in their lobby at 745 Russell Street. There will be refreshments and giveaways. Everyone is invited. For more information, call 970-871-7609. is inviting the community to a Chamber Mixer to celebrate an exciting change at the organization. The mixer will be 5 to 7 p.m. June 2 in their lobby at 745 Russell Street. There will be refreshments and giveaways. Everyone is invited. For more information, call 970-871-7609.

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is inviting the community to a Chamber Mixer to celebrate an exciting change at the organization. The mixer will be 5 to 7 p.m. June 2 in their lobby at 745 Russell Street. There will be refreshments and giveaways. Everyone is invited. For more information, call 970-871-7609.

Study: Social Media Use May Help Identify Students at Risk of Alcohol Problems

Research from North Carolina State University and Ohio University finds that having an “alcohol identity” puts college students at greater risk of having drinking problems – and that posting about alcohol use on social media sites is actually a stronger predictor of alcohol problems than having a drink.

---

---

“This work underscores the central role that social networking sites, or SNSs, play in helping students coordinate, advertise and facilitate their drinking experiences,” said Lynsey Romo, an assistant professor of communication at NC State and co-lead author of a paper on the work, in a written statement. “The study also indicates that students who are at risk of having drinking problems can be identified through SNSs.”

Extension offers fact sheet on rainwater harvesting under new Colorado rules

FORT COLLINS – Colorado’s longtime ban on residential rain barrels has come to an end. Now most homeowners in the state are allowed to collect precipitation for later outdoor use.

Gov. John Hickenlooper recently signed House Bill 1005, which allows a maximum of two rain barrels — with a combined capacity of 110 gallons — are allowed at each household. The measure is to take effect on Aug. 10.

Rainwater collection, also called rainwater “harvesting,” is the process of capturing, storing and directing rainwater runoff and putting it to use. Water from roof gutter downspouts that is directed onto landscaped areas is not regarded as rainwater harvesting under this legislation.

Colorado State University Extension has created a fact sheet with additional details on rainwater harvesting. For more information, http://col.st/m17iB or https://wp.me/p65FbT-9Cv.

Parkinson’s Support Group helps patients, caregivers

The Yampa Valley Parkinson’s Support NetworkYampa Valley Parkinson’s Support Network meets at 5 p.m. the second Monday of every month at Casey’s Pond in Steamboat Springs. All patients, caregivers and family members are welcome to attend. Discussions often include guest speakers and focus on quality of life issues, research updates and living well with Parkinson’s Disease. Contact Adrienne Hearne for more information: ahearne@nwcovna.org or 512-630-1373. meets at 5 p.m. the second Monday of every month at Casey’s Pond in Steamboat Springs. All patients, caregivers and family members are welcome to attend. Discussions often include guest speakers and focus on quality of life issues, research updates and living well with Parkinson’s Disease. Contact Adrienne Hearne for more information: ahearne@nwcovna.org or 512-630-1373.

Yampa Valley Parkinson’s Support Network meets at 5 p.m. the second Monday of every month at Casey’s Pond in Steamboat Springs. All patients, caregivers and family members are welcome to attend. Discussions often include guest speakers and focus on quality of life issues, research updates and living well with Parkinson’s Disease. Contact Adrienne Hearne for more information: ahearne@nwcovna.org or 512-630-1373.

Immunizations available at the VNA

The Northwest Colorado VNA provides low-cost immunizations to adults and children. For recommended immunization schedules, go to cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules. Travel vaccinations also are available. Call to make an appointment at the Craig VNA, 745 Russell Street. Same day appointments often are available. Call 970-824-8233.

VNA reminds residents to protect themselves from Hantavirus

The Northwest Colorado VNA advises precautions when cleaning — or just being in — areas inhabited by rodents. Hantavirus is a serious, potentially fatal respiratory disease carried primarily by deer mice, which can be abundant in rural areas. Cases and deaths from the virus have increased in Colorado over the past several years; most cases occur in the spring and summer. People can be infected by breathing in dirt and dust contaminated with deer mouse urine and feces. The illness can begin one to six weeks after exposure. Early symptoms are fatigue, fever and muscle aches and may also include pain in the legs and back, headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems. If a person experiences these symptoms and has potentially been exposed to rodents, they should seek medical attention immediately. Hantavirus can be prevented by avoiding areas infested by rodents and following safety recommendations when cleaning up possible rodent food sources and nesting sites around the home, work areas or campsite. For information about safely cleaning rodent areas, go to cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/.

Walking groups under way

Community members are invited to join Yampa Valley SoleMates walking group at 4 p.m. on Thursdays. The free group will meet at the ice rink at Loudy Simpson Park. Yampa Valley SoleMates provides opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to walk together for health and social benefits. Groups are led by trained walking companions in an effort to ensure safe and enjoyable walks, according to organizers. For more information, go to meetup.com/yampavalleysolemates.

The Senior Social Center is also offering two walking groups designed for people 50 and older: Walk With Ease and Walk & Get Fit. The programs cost $1 per walk for Senior Social Center members, and $3 for non-members.

Walks through the Walk With Ease program, which comes from the Arthritis Foundation, are slated to meet at 9 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, usually at the Loudy Simpson Park. According to the Senior Social Center, this walking group “can teach you how to develop an exercise routine that fits your unique needs.” People can take a six-week group class or use a Walk With Ease workbook. The leader is Glenna Grandbouche. Some walks may take place at other sites.

The Walk & Get Fit program is for people who “want to add some strengthening exercises” to their walks. It meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting on Tuesday, at the Craig Cemetery. The leader is Tammy Workman.

People may register on the second floor of the Bell Tower Building, and they can contact Jackie Camp for more information at 970-326-3188.