Ear to the ground:
“What do you mix with ‘cinnamon bun vodka?’”
“High school girls.”
– Not exactly the kind of mixer advice a recent liquor store patron had in mind
Check yourself
It’s October, time for pumpkins, falling leaves and little pink ribbons. That’s right, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us, and women between 40 and 64 are urged to visit their friendly local mammogram technician. And for those who can’t afford it, the Colorado Women’s Wellness Connection can set you up with a free mammogram from a local practitioner.
“Screening saves lives,” said Emily Kinsella, of the Women’s Wellness Connection, an arm at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Please take the time during October to reflect on the consequences of breast cancer in your life, get involved in local breast cancer awareness events, and talk to the women you love about getting a mammogram.”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in Colorado, claiming more than 500 lives every year. But when detected early, such as through regular mammograms and self-checks, there is a 98 percent survival rate. Likewise, when cervical cancer is diagnosed early, 96 percent of women survive.
The Women’s Wellness Connections offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings to low-income women through 46 providers statewide. For more information or to find a local provider, go to womenswellnessconnection.org or call 1-866-951-WELL (9355).
Hung out to dry
Baseball players have the World Series, soccer players have the World Cup and dry-wallers have “America’s Best Installer.”
This weekend, local drywall installer Ray Blackwater, of San Juan Insulation and Drywall, will have a shot at bringing home the title – not too mention $10,000. Blackwater will be among 30 insulation professionals from across the country competing head-to-head in the 13th annual America’s Best Installer competition, Oct. 16-18 at the Denver Events Center.
But the event isn’t just about who can bust out the most sheetrock and blow foam in record time. The contest “showcases the importance of quality installation for a more energy-efficient home,” according to event sponsor and insulation manufacturer Johns Manville. Created in 2003, the competition emphasizes the importance of proper insulation installation as a way to combat heating and cooling costs.
For the competition, each contestant will insulate a mock home complete with obstacles, such as outlets, pipes and a vaulted ceiling. They will be judged on quality of work, safety, speed/productivity and amount of scrap material created.
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