MOST UPPER MICHIGAN SCHOOLS CLOSED TODAY DUE TO THE SNOW…..THE LIST AS FOLLOW

All Saints Catholic Academy Ironwood
Ark Pre-School-Escanaba
Arvon Township
AuTrain-Onota
Baraga
Bark River-Harris
Bay College – Escanaba
Bay College – Iron Mountain
Bay Middle College/Fitzharris H.S
Beecher Dunbar-Pembine
Bessemer
BHK Baraga Headstart
Big Bay de Noc
Bishop Baraga Catholic
Burt Township
Carney Nadeau
Career Academy of Marquette
Christ The King Pre-School – Ish.
Crossroads Christian Academy
Delta Schoolcraft ISD
Dickinson-Iron Tech
Escanaba
Escanaba Headstart
Florence
Forest Park
Gladstone
Goodman-Armstrong Creek
Gogebic Community College
Gogebic County Headstart
Gwinn
Hannahville
Holy Spirit
Holy Name
Ishpeming
Iron Mountain
Ironwood
KBIC Child Development
KBIC Headstart/Childhood Development Morning
KBIC Headstart/Childhood Development Afternoon
KBIC Early Headstart
L’Anse
Manistique Area Schools
Manistique- Headstart
Marquette-Alger RESA
Marquette
Main Street Institute of Cosmetology
Father Marquette
Mid-Peninsula
Munising
Munising Baptist
Munising Headstart
NICE Community Schools
Niagara
Negaunee
NCMC Headstart
NMU
North Central
North Star Academy-Polaris
North Dickinson
Norway-Vulcan
Ontonagon
Ontonagon Headstart
Pine Mountain Christian
Powell Township
Rapid River
Rapid River Headstart
Redeemer Lutheran Preschool
Republic-Michigamme
Sacred Heart
Saint Francis
Stephenson
Superior Central
Tahquamenon Area Schools
Wakefield- Marenisco
Watersmeet
Wells Township
West Iron County

Keweenaw Heritage Grants Workshop
J. Johnson Memorial Open House at WNMU
Delta ISD Christmas Program
Holy Name Christmas Program Postponed
Marquette  Schools Orchestra Concert
H1N1 Clinic at Goodman- Armstrong Creek
Ishpeming Salvation Army
Marquette County Courthouse and Service Center – reduced operations, Call Ahead
Marquette County Circuit, Probate and District Court
United States Federal District Court
Gwinn St. Vincent de Paul Store
Ishpeming St. Vincent de Paul store and Food Pantry
Weight Watchers at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming
Family Night at Good News Assembly of God Church – Ishpeming

TIGER WOODS THE RAPPER?!?!

Birthdays for Wednesday, 12/9/09

Music:

Dan Hicks 68/singer

Joan Armatrading 59/singer, “I Love It When You Call Me Names”

Donny Osmond 52/singer, The Osmonds, with Marie & solo, Dancing with the Stars champ

David Kersh 39/country singer

And the late:

Junior Wells–1934-1998/blues harmonica player

General:

Kirk Douglas 93/actor, Spartacus (born Issur Danielovitch Demsky), father of Michael

Dick Van Patten 81/actor, TV’s Eight is Enough

Buck Henry 79/actor-writer, TV’s Get Smart, Heaven Can Wait

Beau Bridges 68/actor, brother of Jeff, The Fabulous Baker Boys

Dick Butkus 67/former Chicago Bear-turned-actor

Michael Dorn 57/actor, Worf on TV’s Star Trek

John Malkovich 56/actor, Being John Malkovich, Changeling

Felicity Huffman 47/actress, TV’s Desperate Housewives

Kara DioGuardi 39/judge on TV’s American Idol

And the late:

Redd Foxx–1923-1991/comedian, TV’s Sanford & Son

Morton Downey Jr.–1933-2001/acerbic talk show host

DON’T LET IT SNOW!!!

It happens every winter in the Midwest … snow falls, usually leaving piles of the stuff to clear from your sidewalks and driveway. Consider the following before you grab your shovel after a major snowfall.

The good news is that 15 minutes of snow shoveling counts as moderate physical activity according to the 1996 Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health. We all should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity of some kind on most days of the week. Brisk walking or social dancing are other ways to fit in moderate physical activity during cold winter months.

The bad news is that researchers have reported an increase in the number of fatal heart attacks among snow shovelers after heavy snowfalls. This rise may be due to the sudden demand that shoveling places on an individual’s heart. Snow shoveling may cause a quick increase in heart rate and blood pressure. One study determined that after only two minutes of shoveling, sedentary mens’ heart rates rose to levels higher than those normally recommended during aerobic exercise.

Shoveling may be vigorous activity even for healthy college-aged students. A study performed by researchers at North Dakota State University determined that, based on heart rate, shoveling was a moderately intense activity for college-aged subjects most of the time but was vigorous activity during about one-third of their shoveling time of 14 minutes.

Shoveling can be made more difficult by the weather. Cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which adds some extra strain on the body. There also is the risk for hypothermia, a decrease in body temperature, if one is not dressed correctly for the weather conditions.

Who should think twice about shoveling snow?

Those most at risk for a heart attack include:

• Anyone who has already had a heart attack.
• Individuals with a history of heart disease.
• Those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels.
• Smokers.
• Individuals leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Should you rush out and buy a snow blower?

Not necessarily. Not everyone who shovels snow is going to have a heart attack. Snow shoveling can be good exercise when performed correctly and with safety in mind.

Also consider back safety when shoveling snow. Even if you exercise regularly and are not at risk for heart disease, shoveling improperly could lead to a strained back. If you’ve been inactive for months and have certain risk factors, use some common sense before taking on the task of snow shoveling.

A Pile of Snow Shoveling Tips

Be heart healthy and back friendly while shoveling this winter with these tips:

• If you are inactive and have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor before you take on the task of shoveling snow.
• Avoid caffeine or nicotine before beginning. These are stimulants, which may increase your heart rate and cause your blood vessels to constrict. This places extra stress on the heart.
• Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as big an issue in cold winter months as it is in the summer.
• Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as needed.
• Warm up your muscles before shoveling, by walking for a few minutes or marching in place. Stretch the muscles in your arms and legs, because warm muscles will work more efficiently and be less likely to be injured.
• Pick the right shovel for you. A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body.
• Begin shoveling slowly to avoid placing a sudden demand on your heart. Pace yourself and take breaks as needed.
• Protect your back from injury by lifting correctly.
• Stand with your feet about hip width for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Bend from the knees (not the back) and tighten your stomach muscles as you lift the snow. Avoid twisting movements. If you need to move the snow to one side reposition your feet to face the direction the snow will be going.
• Most importantly — listen to your body. Stop if you feel pain!

For more information about food and nutrition topics, visit our web site: www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/food.htm