Felicia Carner
Published: September 9, 2009

The twenty-eight confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza at Luther College is an apparent example of the contagiousness of this virus.

It’s only natural for the medical world to find a way to, “to reduce and control the spread of the H1N1 illness within the community,” and that’s exactly how Dubuque Health Specialist, Mary Rose Corrigan explained the objective of a new vaccine the world is turning to.

The H1N1 vaccine started clinical testing on healthy adults and has just recently, on August 31^st, begun testing on healthy children. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has predicted that a small amount of the vaccine will be available to the public.

Dr. Patricia Winokur with the vaccine research at the U of I says, “I think that mid-October there will be some vaccine available. I don’t think it will be enough to cover as many people as we want this vaccine to, and as many people as we think probably should get vaccinated in those high-risk groups.”

Dr. Winokur did reveal the priority list the Center of Disease Control constructed included; health care workers, pregnant women, and children.

With children being top on the list, parents have to make a decision whether or not they will get their child vaccinated.

Father of a Kennedy Elementary School student said, “If my pediatrician would recommend the H1N1 vaccine for my child, I would probably take him to get it.”  While one parent would have no objection against his pediatrician or doctor, others raised a serious question.

“I don’t understand how the vaccine can be ready by mid-October if they just started testing on children?” asked another parent.

However, most health officials believe that the testing of the H1N1 novel vaccine on children will be sufficient enough.

Dr. Patricia Winokur explains, “The nice thing about this particular vaccine is that this vaccine is made in the exact same way that our flu vaccines have been made for decades. The manufacturing process is identical. So we expect that the vast majority of side effects that we see will be the exact same side effects that we see with the flu vaccine every year.”

Not all medical experts agree. Practitioner Dr. Charles Majors feels that the lack of research is alone a risk in taking the vaccine.  He questions, “Where is the long-term research that will show that #1 it works, #2 that it’s safe? Where’s the long-term research?”

Inclusive interviews with Dr. Patricia Winokur and Dr. Charles Majors can be found on our blog.

Felicia Carner can be contacted at Felicia.Carner@loras.edu

DUBUQUE, IA -  to appreciate and spend time with your mom and it’s around the corner. Along with many other mothers and daughters; Bobbi Earles and her family has found a unique way of bonding by breaking boards.
“Any time you can spend with your children is a bonus,” says Earles and they find their extra time in the studio at Springer’s Martial Arts Academy.

Master Ben Springer sees many families who join their school create a closer unity amongst their home, “Karate is something that any mother or daughter, dad or son, can develop a close bond during their training. We offer classes where parents can train with their children.”

These class times has made the school family oriented making the classes a large influence on these growing relationships.
For Emma Earles that’s her favorite part about karate she says, “I like how I can be with my mom and my dad and my sister and we can all do a sport as a family.”

The Earles family is only one amongst many mother daughter teams that attend Springer’s academy. Anita Arensdorf and her daughter Angelina have seen the impact this time has left on their relationship. Angelina claimed, “It seems we’ve been making cookies more than we usually do.”

Bobbi Earles mentions that even during those mother-daughter fights, this sport can help take out their frustrations. She says, “During those teenage years where mothers and daughters do a lot of fighting, you can actual do it in the martial arts studio and have a lot of fun with it.”

For these karate moms, the enrollment of their daughters in martial arts brings a comfort to their hearts. “As young females it will be a wonderful thing for them to have in their arsenals as they grow older, so it really brings comfort to me, in a mother’s point of view,” explained Earles.

Arensdorf feels the same, “Although I know she’ll never be completely invulnerable karate has given her the opportunity to not be completely defenseless and as a mom, that feeling is great.”
“I think it’s important in this day and age for women to learn how to defend themselves and not be an object,” states Master Springer as he explains the importance of developing skills that can protect oneself.
It was at age seven when Arensdorf’s daughter, Angelina proved to her that even though a person may be stronger than her daughter, she is far from powerless.

“As her mom I didn’t think she would. I was a lot bigger than her but she grabbed my arm hand and put me to the floor and my hand hurt for three weeks,” said Anita Arensdorf as she told her favorite memory with her daughter.
Both Earles and Arensdorf agree that this experience has been completely worth all the hard work. They’ve seen their family and themselves grow more confident in who they are as individuals and as a family.

Felicia can be contacted at Felicia.Carner@loras.edu

DUBUQUE-Twenty-nine young children have gone through the home of licensed foster parent, Kim Small; nearly all have suffered from abuse, and the affects to their lives are apparent.

Small says that physical abuse is by far not the only mistreatment that wounds these children. Neglect, mental, and drug abuse all restrains a child from living a normal childhood.

“Her mother never physically hurt her, but she didn’t take care of her needs,” said Small.

Through the seven years of foster care the Small’s family of seven grew to a family of thirteen with the adoption of six of their previous foster children. Five of the six suffer from prior abuse.

“She was like a tin soldier,” this is the description Small gives to her first adoptive child seven days after she was born. This was the result of drug usage during pregnancy.

Small explains that the caressing given to a child at birth “helps them know that they are safe and okay.” She continues to comment that when the children are neglected of this care they take the guilt. Small says, “instead of feeling the care giver is bad they believe they are bad.”

One of Small’s biological daughters, Keturah Small, expresses that, “there are parts of them that will probably always be hurt.”

Although pain may never leave these innocent children, the Smalls believe their lives can be reshaped. Small comments that it’s no easy task, physically or emotionally. “Sometimes it’s a long time coming and you start to despair on whether they’ll ever make a connection with you.”

Kim Small draws attention to a task that is harder to overcome and it’s the emotional relationship between most parents and their children in situations of abuse, “Even though their parents have not kept them safe or been appropriate with them there is still something that makes them want to be with their parents.” And despite the harm these parents Small says, “They still worry about their children.”

Small says that for their family, “being able to give them opportunity to live in a different environment is the motive that makes their long run worth it.

Felicia Carner can be reached at felicia.carner@loras.edu

Molly Menster and Tina Sio are looking to get legally married in Iowa.

DUBUQUE -The unanimous Iowa Supreme Court decision on overturning the same sex marriage ban is being questioned by some Iowa citizens.

Lou Oswald, 2008 Republican candidate for Dubuque’s 27th District for the House of Representatives, says “It’s not about my opinion; we all know what that is, marriage is between a man and a woman. The issue here is hearing the voices of the citizens.”

Oswald says that he is working with other citizens that share the same view to get the vote back to the people. They have until May 1st to appeal this lawsuit.

Oswald and others who oppose the new law are taking advantage of their democratic rights.

Although lesbian couple, Molly Menster and Tina Sio, feel the Iowa Supreme Court made a wise decision they feel it is the Iowa citizens right to push for the vote.

“It is their right to work to get this put on the ballot and have a vote by the people, if that is their prerogative that is their right,” commented Menster.

For those who do oppose the legalization of same sex marriage and want a vote, Menster suggests for them to read the decision.

“It is so well written and so thought out they made a decision that is firmly rooted in our Iowa constitution,” said Menster.

You can find the Iowa Supreme Court’s Decision here: Full Decision

The couples believe the court made their decision based on the roots of the Iowa constitution and the separation between church and state.

Sio comments, “The judges have done their research on it and know the constitution and know whether or not this denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.”

Menster says the court set aside their personal beliefs and values and strictly looked at the constitution. “It has nothing to do with religion it’s about a set of rights that has been denied to a class of people, gay and lesbian people, without any good reason. There is no good legal reason to deny us these rights.”

Menster and Sio feel this is victory is not just about having a wedding reception but about the emotional and physical protection the law gives them. The couple has already committed a ceremony to dedicate their lives to each other but is looking to become legally married in the near future.

A complete interview with Ingrid Evans-Olson, one of the women named in the lawsuit regarding same sex marriage that reached the Iowa Supreme Court can be read on our blog: Full Interview

Felicia Carner can be reached at Felicia.Carner@loras.edu

Key West, IA – Fifty to sixty firefighters were at the scene of a fire in Key West. What is to be believed started as a grass fire spread and engulfed in flames a home at 5170 St. Joe’s Prairie.

Dispatchers were called to the scene at 5:15 PM this evening.

Neighbors say only one individual is currently living at the residence and was assisting his son with crops at the time the fire broke out. A nearby neighbor reported the fire.

Key West Fire Chief, Brian Arnold, says that there was one injury to a firefighter on the scene whose current conditions is listed as fair.

Find out more and hear from Fire Chief Arnold on From the Boulevard this Wednesday at 7pm.

Felicia Carner can be reached at felicia.carner@loras.edu

DUBUQUE – Loras College Junior Regina Weber has a common complaint.

She claims, “There’s not much you can do after any kind of practices or engagements of some sort. If you’re under twenty-one you can’t go to a bar and relax. What can you do?”

She’s not the only student at Loras who feels the Dubuque Community lacks in its opportunities.

Sophomore Daniel Dobson states, “It’s hard to find a place to go and just hang out.”

However, there are some students that feel differently.

“Open your eyes and just venture out. I’m sure you’re bound to find something, Dubuque’s endless,” is the advice Loras Junior and Chamber intern, Meghan Willis gives to those unaware of the opportunities in Dubuque.

Wallis is a life-long Dubuque resident and says she is not disappointed in what Dubuque has to offer, even for minors.

Wallis says that there are some students that say “we don’t experience the college life because we’re not twenty-one and we can’t go out have a couple of drinks, and that’s not true.

And although the law says those under 21 have to be out of an establishment by 9:00pm if 35% of the sales stem from alcohol,

Wallis says the fun doesn’t have to stop then, especially with the recent expansion of the Diamond Jo.

“We have a great new casino and a great new bowling alley upstairs called Cherry Lanes.”

Wallis also mentions the numerous festivals that take place in downtown Dubuque or if you’re looking for a place sit down, socialize, and do some homework there are a variety of coffee shops located downtown.

And with the recent addition of free wireless internet access for all of the downtown, Wallis says you are able to do your work in the park.

So it seems there are things to do in Dubuque even if you’re 21.

Trick is, knowing where to look.

For upcoming events and attractions you can check out Dubuque 365’s website.

Felicia Carner can be reached at Felicia.Carner@loras.edu

DUBUQUE – Loras Junior Carolyn Zens interned last semester in Chicago and she’s doing it again in Dubuque as the Special Events intern for the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.

There’s a catch to all her hard work, Carolyn says she does not get paid.

“It’s more about gaining the hands on experience. I don’t look at it as getting money after doing so many hours I look at it as having a press release that I have actually worked on,” said Zens.

These skills are important for one to gain for their future careers but with the falling economy the question asked is are internships getting harder to find?

Academic Intern Coordinator, Faye Finnegan claims she doesn’t believe there is necessarily a decline in internships, but there may be a decline in paid internships.

Obtaining the work experience of an internship, whether it’s full-time, part-time, paid, or not, is vital for building a strong resume for any student, especially in these hard economic times.

“How are you as a student going to set yourself apart?” said Finnegan.

This is the question that Finnegan has students, like Zens, thinking about when considering an internship. Finnegan says internships are what prepare students at a professional level.

“It becomes more real for them as well as makes them more marketable when they look for positions following graduation,” said Finnegan.
These are the reasons Zens continues to intern.

“The most important thing to do is to put it on my resume and have the professional experience when I go to find a job,” explained Zens.

To find out more information about internships visit the Center for Experimental Learning on Loras’ campus.

Felicia Carner can be reached at Felicia.Carner@loras.edu

A struggling economy and dropping temperatures are chilling reminders to homeowner’s like Chris Houston that heating costs are on their way up.

“Money wise this year we’re in a lot worse shape than we’ve ever been before and the more we save the better,” said Houston.

Last Saturday, over 350 local volunteers joined the 2008 Dubuque Weatherization Challenge. Together they reached out to 106 homes of Dubuque’s elderly and low-income families to help them prepare for winter.

Houston was one of the homeowner’s who benefited from the 2nd annual weatherization challenge.

“It’s great, I wasn’t expecting it,” said Houston.

Volunteer and team leader, Tim Bees says, “This seemed to be a very easy way to get folks involved and it’s a good thing that folks get their homes weatherized and a little tighter for the winter so they don’t spend as much on their heat bills as necessary.

The group offered a few easy tips to weatherize your home:

• Make sure your windows fit tight, if they don’t use caulk to fill gaps or apply weather stripping.

• Adding a door sweep to the bottom of the door can help eliminate drafts.

• Purchase a programmable thermostat and watch your temperature closely. This can save you a lot of money in the

end.

Felicia Carner can be reached at Feleicia.Carner@loras.edu