Amnesty International Art ShowHI LINETigerThe

http://www.cedar-falls.k12.ia.us1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, IA 50613 Volume 47 Edition 10

Health AlertsBeginning new habits at an early age can be a key factor in prevention of carbon mon-oxide poisoning and cervical cancer. To find out more about awareness, prevention and the dangers that can be avoided, see the FEATURE page.

See FEATURE page

-Willa Simmett

Feature Editor

As the holiday season approaches, many school groups are concentrating on giving to those who truly need it in the Cedar Valley. It was hard not to notice the huge refrigerator boxes sit-ting throughout the school last week, put out by sophomore leadership for their mitten drive. It was almost impos-sible for students not to walk into their fourth hour classes without wondering who brought toys in the Toys for Tots drive, which was put together by the Student Senate (the fourth hour bring-ing in the most gifts wins a party).

Another group that contributed to the cause went a little out of the ordi-nary, connecting a lost tradition with fund-raising. The CFHS Gay Straight Alliance went caroling.

“I was thinking about it, and people tend to like Christmas music early in the holiday season,” GSA member Alex Warner Barnes said. “They aren’t sick of it yet, so I thought to go carol-ing to raise money was a good idea. It was something we could all do together and have fun.”

Barnes brought up the idea at the weekly meeting. After considering

other ideas, the group finally decided Barnes’ suggestion was the most in-triguing.

A week later, 21 members of the Gay Straight Alliance were bundled up in Santa hats with sheet of Christmas music in hand and ready to sing their hearts out.

“I was pleasantly surprised that we had such a great turn out for a meeting dedicated to a service project than for most of our business and recreational meetings,” junior GSA executive board member Briana McGeough said.

The group set out from the high school around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6. After singing everything from “Silent Night” to “Frosty the Snow-man” to everyone from elderly couples to playing soduku to dancing toddlers in their pajamas, the group came back an hour later with $180 in hand.

“I was really pessimistic at first,” senior GSA executive board member Rachel Jensen said. “I didn’t know if it would turn out so well. I didn’t think we would raise any more than $20, but we ended up raising almost $200.”

The group turned something no one thought would actually bring in much money into something bigger. The GSA will be playing Santa for a very

needy family in the Cedar Valley. They adopted the family with three young children and will spend an afternoon picking out presents for the family in need of everything from shoes to a set of dishes.

“I really hope the family knows that there are people out there who care for them,” Jensen said. “I can’t imagine that kind of situation on Christmas. I’m used to sitting by the fire with my parents, opening presents.”

The GSA isn’t stopping with carol-ing. This week, before and after school, members will be selling hot chocolate, apple cider and tea in the lobby in hopes of raising even more money for the adopted family.

Jensen laughs when said she’s hop-ing for colder weather during the week of selling hot drinks.

“We want to squeeze as much as we can out of these people,” Jensen said.

Along with this project and the six-mile CROP Walk, a walk raising money for hunger relief locally and worldwide in Africa, the GSA plans to have one more service project this year.

“I want people to realize that we don’t care about one single issue, but that we want to be helpful and produc-tive members of society,” Jensen said.

Top: Setting up her clay display for her miniature scultpures, senior Hanna Boelts was among the top sellers at the art show. Middle: Setting up stands for the silent auction are seniors Jaime Gowans and Peter Fegley, who were also among contributing artists at the art show. Bottom: On display are Boelt’s clay sculptures which were a large success at the event. Amnesty raised over $2,300 for Invisible Children, Inc., through student art, bake sales, dona-tions and a silent auction.

GSA carols for needy family

$2 3 0 0

successfully raises over

for Invisible Children, Inc.

Kellie PetersenStaff Writer

Though not a big problem at Cedar Falls High School, everyone has been a witness to discrimination at some point in his or her life. As Harmony, anti-discrimination club at CFHS, starts its training sessions for the year, they have been focusing on eliminating that statistic.

“I don’t think it’s a problem. It’s just that not many people know about it,” said Nirmeen Fahmy, CFHS junior and Harmony core member.

One of the main activities of the training night was a panel discussion lead by Aaron Green, Rachel Jensen, Safiah Elahi, Diamond Lee and emcee Ananya Pramanik.

The goal of the discussion was to educate other members about the dis-crimination that does occur at CFHS. Students were informed on how they could handle it and effective ways try

to discourage it. “I thought it was really eye-opening

for students to see the panel,” CFHS guidance counselor and Harmony fac-ulty adviser Susan Langan said.

The students that were on the panel shared their personal experiences with discrimination in response to questions asked by Pramanik. Members of the audience then had the opportunity to ask questions as well.

“I like doing panels because I like communicating with people,” Jensen said about her experience with the discussions.

As the panel discussion ended and the night continued, members took part in role-playing activities and other positive discussions. Students were able to “fill each other’s buckets”, or reflect positively on how someone af-fects their life.

Although the main point of the evening was to educate students about discrimination at the high school, the

idea of learning to disagree with other people’s opinions peacefully was also mentioned.

“I hear people say things like, ‘I’m not going to come support gay people.’ Harmony isn’t about supporting them. It’s about learning to disagree without hurting other people’s feelings,” Core member Elahi said.

About 40 people attended the train-ing, but the group believes the night could have been more successful if students outside of Harmony would have attended.

Even though, Langan said the night’s activities helped students to “Challenge the discrimination in ap-propriate ways. Hopefully they learned some things that will help our school become more accepting of diversity.”

Harmony members encourage other students to take part in other training sessions throughout the year on topics such as religious tolerance, gender/LGBT issues and cliques.

Harmony training focuses on equality

Brian Winkel Photos

5. A home spa kit. Collect some things that you might

have lying around the house like, odds and ends from per-fume, foot scrub, nail polish and that sort of thing. Then go out and buy a couple small new spa-related items such as facial mask, makeup, etc. Put it in a basket or box with a note promising a day at the spa.

6. Homemade cocoa mix in a decorated jar. Grab an empty glass jar, some scrap

fabric, puff paint, cocoa mix, marsh-mallows and anything else you’d like to add for a personal touch. You can find instructions on how to assemble the cocoa-in-a-jar gift online, but it’s really pretty simple. Just layer the in-gredients, cover the lid with the scrap fabric, and attach a nifty little tag with instructions on how to make the cocoa and maybe a witty note on the back.

7. Video Rental or movie theater gift certificates. If you have a last-minute gift prob-

lem, and the receiver is an avid movie fan, then this is the gift to give. With these, they can either wait until the movie they want to see comes out and rent it then, or go see it in theaters, your treat.

Our View

The Tiger Hi-Line is a weekly publication of the journalism classes of Cedar Falls High School, 1015 Division St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Each edition is published on Wednesdays during the school year in The Insider and Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, 501 Commercial St., Waterloo, Iowa 50701.

Columns and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Hi-Line or Cedar Falls Schools. The Hi-Line editorial staff view is presented weekly in the editorial labeled as Our View.

Reader opinions on any topic are welcome and should be sent to the Tiger Hi-Line staff or delivered to room 208. All letters must be signed. Let-ters must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday for publication the following Wednesday. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Include address and phone number for verification.

Editorial StaffEditors-in-Chief-Sheila Moussavi & Kirstin Riggs

News Editors-Kelsey Ihde & Audrey KittrellOpinion Editors-Andrea Huber & Robb Klassen

Sports Editors-Josh Betts & Katy SchultFeature Editors-Briana McGeough & Willa SimmetOn-Line Editors-David Jacobson & Olivia Schares

Torie JochimsStaff Writer

OPINIONHI LINETiger

-The

Write the Tiger Hi-Line

Trans fat should be bannedAdding to the long list of fat topics in American health lately is the

controversy over trans fats. Although trans fats occur naturally in small amounts in meats, most of us ingest the industrially-created version that is added to many foods for flavor and to maintain a solid consistency.

Although many would assume otherwise, most fats actually do carry health benefits. Trans fats, however, have none. Not only do they increase the risk of coronary heart disease, but research is being done to determine the impact they have on obesity and diabetes statistics as well. As a result, the use of artificial trans fats in restaurants has been an increasing cause of debate in America. On Dec. 5, New York City became the first in the United States to strictly limit the use of trans fats in public restaurants. Now, cities like Chicago are considering a similar path.

As the debate reaches more cities, Iowans begin to consider the best response. While some argue that the government should have no part in regulating what people eat, those supporting a ban on trans fats counter that restaurants should protect their customers from undeniably danger-ous acids. The Hi-Line editors are among those who believe artificial trans fats should be gradually banned in restaurants.

Though we appreciate the argument that limiting ingredients can get out of control once we’ve begun, we also think trans fats are an excep-tional case. Unlike other fats and most ingredients, trans fats have abso-lutely no nutritional value and are incredibly harmful to their consumers. While polyunsaturated fats, for example, help protect against cardiovas-cular disease, trans fats have no positive compensation for the obvious drawbacks of fat solidifying in your veins. What’s more, banning these harmful acids is not only necessary, but given enough time, it is practical as well.

To impliment a ban would require time for restaurants to make adjust-ments in their menus. This, however, will be (and is being) taken into consideration. With the New York City ban, for example, the deadline for a complete ban isn’t until July 2008, which would give restaurants time to make necessary changes.

Health concerns considered, a ban on trans fatty acids in restaurants is a necessary policy in America. And given sufficient time, it is a com-pletely plausible goal as well.

Cheap, personal creations make great giftsHolidays mean snow, carols, bells,

trees and, most of all, presents. So how are you going to handle those last min-ute gifts that just managed to slip your mind? Luckily, there are a few good ideas that are cheap and yet should get great feedback.

1. Gift Cards. This is always a great last minute

option because it gives the receivers the chance to get what they want, and it doesn’t have to be a large amount of money.

2. Picture Frame. Go out and buy a cheap, plain picture

frame at Hobby Lobby or Wal-Mart and then jazz it up with clippings from mag-azines, newspapers or pictures printed off the Internet, and top it off by putting a picture in it of you and the person who is receiving it.

3. CDs. Nowadays, with all the electronic

music, one of the easiest and most personal last minute gifts you can give is a homemade mix CD. Put together a playlist on the program you have with songs that you share an inside joke with, or both just love, then throw a few new ones in there for good measure. Deco-rate a case, wrap and give.

4. Gourmet coffees with a personal mug. The caffeine craze is in abundance

as of late, so if you’ve got a java-loving friend, grab a couple packets of gourmet coffee mix at your local grocery store and then go out and either buy a blank mug at a craft store and paint it if you have an artistic flair, or buy a mug that says something about their personality.

8. Sewing Supplies. Say you’ve got a fashion designer

on the rise for a friend, and don’t know what to get them. Find your way to a craft store and pick up some thread, needles, patterns and fabric. Odds and ends will do just fine. Put it all together in a box you decorate yourself for a personal touch, and give it away.

9. Photo Album. You can find do-it-yourself ver-

sions at craft stores, so assemble a photo album for a friend. Plaster it with pictures that remind you of your friendship, much like the photo frame idea, but with more possibilities. Put more than one picture in there, and then perhaps add a disposable camera on the side, to get them started.

10. Specialty Cook Book.In case your last-minute friend is

the next Emril or Rachel Ray, here’s a good idea. Know some of their fa-vorite foods, find recipes that involve those foods and construct them a cook book. Decorate it with fun cooking-related pictures, and throw in an apron with a witty saying on it, or something similar.

Now that you’ve got a few ideas, there’s some inspiration for your own last-minute gifts.

Just remember that the best way to make something cheap and quick into something memorable is to add a per-sonal touch.

It really is the thought that counts this season, so put thought and care into your gifts to ensure that it will be remembered fondly as time passes, and you’ll be remembered fondly, too!

Wikipedia is a free, informational and easy to access encyclopedia whose information can easily be attained with the click of a mouse.

It covers just about everything that you could hope for, from profiles of sports stars and information on your favorite bands to history on Italy or the Roman Empire.

This encyclopedia was started in 2001 by Larry Sanger and Jimmy Wales. One feature that is unique to this website is that everyone has the opportunity to edit it. What this means is that this encyclopedia is an up-to-date resource for absolutely anybody to use or edit.

Another unique feature of Wikipedia is that it is available in 250 languages, which may not affect you directly, but

you must admit it still is a pretty cool feature.

The way that Wikipedia works is it uses what is called a wiki, which is a website that users can add to, delete from or otherwise edit. (I found that out just now when I looked it up on Wikipedia).

Wikipedia is a non-profit project, something that’s just here to provide information to the masses. There is

a page where donations can be made, however, to help keep this great online resource, Wikipedia, running.

Now, my first worry when starting to use this great online resource was that since it can be edited by anybody, that Wikipedia was automatically an unreliable resource. However, in my experiences with Wikipedia, I have found that the information I have ob-tained matched up with a large amount that I retrieve from other sources.

I now use Wikipedia for just about everything. Whether I am seeking information for a school project, look-ing for interesting facts or keeping up on the latest happenings of Project Runway, I know I can count on this in-credible resource for my information.

Thanks, Wikipedia.

Andrew DoyleStaff Writer

Wikipedia makes quick research effortless

Athleteof

theWeekSydney Good

Women’s Bowling

Tigersin Action

SPORTS

Men’s Basketball (2-1) played CR Jefferson last nightNext Up: Dubuque Hempstead 12/15(Home at 6 p.m.)

Women’s Basketball (3-4)lost to CR Kennedy 63-58played at CR Jefferson last nightNext Up: Dubuque Hempstead 12/8(Away at 6 p.m.)

Wrestling (2-0 in team duals)competed at CR DualsNext Up: I.C. West 12/21 (Away at 6:15 p.m.)

Women’s Bowlinglost to Dubuque Senior 2398-2302Next Up: IC West 12/8(Away at 3:45 p.m.)

Men’s Swimming2nd place at Marcussen InvitationalNext Up: CR Kennedy 12/14(Home at 6 p.m.)

HI-LINETigerThe

Sophomore at Cedar Falls, Syd-ney Good is a member of the Tiger women’s bowling team. Her highest score is a 262.

1, What is the best part of bowling?

When I slipped down the alley. People drop the ball behind them all the time. That’s pretty funny.

2. What do and your team do special to get ready?

I stretch my right arm, our coach gives us a pep talk and then we huddle and say “CF.”

3.What made you want to wrestle in high school?

Well, I do other sports like soccer, but I’ve grown up bowling since I was fi ve, because my whole family does it.

4. Do you have a special ball and shoes?

Yeah, I have a 12-pound blue and red ball, a red bag and some sweet black shoes with pink fl ames down the sides.

Katy SchultSports Editor

After taking second place in the an-nual Marcussen Invite at home last Sat-urday, Dec. 9, the CFHS men’s swim-ming team prepares for the rest of the season and looks forward to maintain an appearance at the state meet.

At the state meet last year, the Ti-gers placed fi rst overall, with a total number of points amounting to 257.5. The team had members placing in the top 10 of each individual race, and fi rst in the three relay races. Also, the 2006 200-yard medley relay team set the state record time of 1:33.56. Cedar

Falls’ own Sean Osborne still holds the record time of 1:50.29 in the 200-yard IM.

Recently, one of the team mem-bers, senior Nick Cordes, signed with Maryland to continue his swimming after high school. Last year, Cordes was a member of the fi rst place 200-yard medley relay team, placed fi rst in the 50 freestyle race, was a member of the 200 freestyle relay team and placed fi rst in the 100 backstroke race.

On Saturday, the CF men’s swim-ming team won 11 of the total events, but fi nished second out of the fi nal three. Cedar Falls fi nished with a total of 432 points, just 59 points behind fi rst

place Mason City. CF took fi rst place in the 200 med-

ley relay, consisting of Garret Moses, Jordan Wessels, Brian Verink and Nick Challgren. The team had an impressive time of 1:44.34. CF also took fi rst in the 400 freestyle relay consisting of Kevin Van Heiden, Verink, Moses and Wessels. The team had a time of 3:26.42.

Moses also took fi rst place in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:49.70, and fi rst in the 100 backstroke with a time of 57.84. Teammate Verink came in right behind him in second in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:51.90. He also took fi rst in the 500 freestyle

Men’s swimming team takes second place at annual Marcussen Invite on Saturday

with a time of 4:58.81. Wessels also took fi rst in the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:56.33 and also took fi rst in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:01.63. CF also had the top swim-mer in the 50 freestyle, and Challgren took fi rst with a time of 23.21.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Cordes was participating in an individual all-star meet for the second straight week, and was unable to compete with the team.

With such a young team this year, the Tigers hope to improve their times even more and maintain an appearance at the state meet in February in Mar-shalltown.

Women’s basketball falls to 3-4 after four straight lossesJosh Betts

Sports Editor

After going 3-1 in a stretch of four games in seven days, the No. 13 CFHS women’s basketball team would look to improve on their record with a stretch of three games in fi ve days, against Class 3A No. 4 Cedar Rapids Xavier, Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Class 3A No. 2 Decorah.

After falling to No. 4-rated Cedar Rapids Xavier last Tuesday 42-39, the Tigers welcomed Cedar Rapids Ken-nedy the CF gym last Friday night, but Kennedy got the best of the Tigers, de-feating them by a score of 63-58.

The Tigers outscored the Cougars 16-15 in the fi rst quarter. List talked about the quick start his team made in the fi rst quarter.

“It’s very important to get off a good start, especially at home,” List said.

The Tigers would outscore the Cougars again 14-10 to take a 30-25 halftime lead. The Tigers held Ken-nedy freshman standout Jade Rogers to four points in the fi rst half, while drawing three fouls against her. Rog-ers would be held to just eight points in the game.

Rogers had been averaging 17.5 points per game coming into the game, a bright spot for List.

“I thought we did a good job on her (Rogers),” List said.

List talked about being up fi ve points at halftime.

“We were pleased to be ahead,” List

said. “We told them (the girls) that we need to get off to good start (in the sec-ond half).”

In the third quarter, the Tigers would once again outscore the Cougars 13-11 to take a 43-36 lead after three quarters.

The fourth quarter was when things got interesting. Kennedy began what would be a 16-0 run and a 4:56 score-less stretch for the Tiger offense. At the 4:23 mark of the fourth quarter, with Kennedy leading by four at 47-43, the Cougars Ellie Blankenship hit a three-point basket to give Kennedy a 50-43 lead.

List talked about his team’s chance to win at that point.

“It certainly did not look good at the time,” List said. “Our defensive inten-sity went down, and we didn’t recog-nize their three-point shooters.”

Late in the quarter, the Tigers would draw closer, and with 1:09 to go in the game, the Tigers’ Alyssa Heller would drain a three-pointer, one of her three on the night, to draw the Tigers within one at 58-57.

“You’re in it,” List said, of his team’s chances at that point. “When you dig a hole, and have to expend so much energy to get out of it, it’s hard to get over the hump.”

On the next possession, the Cougar’s Juliane Lord got a steal and a lay-up to seal the victory for Kennedy. All told, the Tigers allowed eight three-point baskets, the most so far this season against any opponent.

“We told them they like to shoot the three,” List said. “We didn’t identify them, and at times we lacked in com-munication, and that hurts you.”

List talked about the 16-0 Kennedy run in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a combination of lack of expe-r i e n c e a n d lack of c o n f i -dence,” L i s t said. “It h u r t s y o u w h e n you go s c o r e -less for long stretches as we did.”

Blankenship led the Cougars with 14 points. Freshman Mariah Duke added 10 for the Cougars.

Mohlis led the Tigers in scoring for the second straight game with 16 points. Heller added 15.

Saturday, the Tigers traveled to Decorah to face the Class 3A No. 2 rated Decorah Vikings, and once again, the Tigers fell just short, as the Vikings defeated the Tigers by a score of 59-55.

The teams would play to a 14-all tie in the fi rst quarter, and the Tigers would trail 25-19 at the half.

“We had a poor second quarter,” List said. “We came out and got close, but they pulled away the beginning of the fourth quarter.”

The Tigers would be outscored 19-16 in third quarter to trail 44-35 after three quarters.

“The way we had gotten down, it looked like we had ran out of gas,” List said. “They brought back energy in the fourth quarter, clawed back and made a

game of it.”The Tigers

would outscore the Vikings 20-15 in the fourth quar-ter, but the rally fell just short.

List talked about his team’s overall play vs. Decorah.

“I was pleased,” List said. “They competed. It’s one of things you look for in a team.”

Decorah was led by UNI signee Rachel Madrigal’s 23 points and 10 rebounds. Sam Jewell added 12.

“We had to shut them down,” List said. “They had too many putbacks to get to the free throw line. We didn’t feel like we boxed out well.”

Mohlis led the Tigers for the third straight game with 18 points, while Heller added 10.

List talked about Mohlis’ play.“She plays hard,” List said. “She

really doesn’t want to come out. Some other girls played well, and we had nice production off the bench.”

The Tigers played at No. 15 Cedar Rapids Jefferson last night, and travel to Dubuque Hempstead Friday.

“It hurts you when you go scoreless for long stretches as

we did.”—Dan List

Women’s Basketball Coach

FEATURE HI LINETiger

-The

HEALTH ALERTCarbon Monoxide produces serious hazard

Honor HeindlStaff Writer

When math teacher Keith Weif-enbach makes his annual pitch to CF staff and students about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, he’s speaking from experience, and now that winter has settled in for the long haul, his message is as serious as ever.

“Several years ago, there was an ice storm in Northwest Iowa where my parents lived. During the storm, some build up in the chimney fl ue broke loose and fell, restricting the vent from the furnace. This caused carbon mon-oxide to back up into the house. During the night, both of my parents died of the poisoning. An aunt, who had been visiting for a few days, also died,” Wei-fenbach said.

What happened to the Weifenbachs is not uncommon. In the United States each year, approximately 200 people die of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from fuel-burning home ap-pliances.

Most of the time in the winter sea-son, when people turn on their heaters to stay warm and cozy, the fuel in their home appliances is fully combusted,

producing carbon dioxide, a common gas in the atmosphere. In rare cases, however, the combustion in an appli-ance is incomplete, and the deadly gas carbon monoxide is produced. This gas is circulated around the home by the heating system, and this can cause tragic results.

When inhaled, carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream and replaces oxygen in the blood. With carbon monoxide in the blood, cells don’t get the oxygen they need to function properly.

Carbon monoxide poisoning has symptoms similar to those of the fl u, which can create large problems when the symptoms are misdiagnosed. Symptoms include headaches, vomit-ing, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, weakness and most critically, the in-ability to think clearly.

Often by the time someone realizes something is seriously wrong, it is too late to do anything about it.

“My family and I are not on any crusade, but we hope that telling about our tragedy will save lives,” Weifen-bach said.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious health risk that can affect

anyone.“No one is immune from the danger

of CO poisoning. Even former ISU basketball coach Johnny Orr nearly suffered a carbon monoxide poison-ing tragedy in his home caused by a leaking furnace. Also, a few years ago, two mechanics at an auto repair shop in central Iowa nearly died on the job from the CO leaking from the shop heater. These people, along with my family, now all have CO de-tectors,” Weifenbach said.

Since carbon mon-oxide is both tasteless and odorless, it is diffi cult to detect, so it is imperative that people try to protect themselves by purchasing carbon monoxide detectors.

These detectors cost in the range of $20-$40. All that needs to be done to put the detector into action is to plug it in, and it will start working imme-diately.

Any measurable amount of detected CO will sound the alarm, warning the owner that it is time for action.

I n the event that the alarm sounds, everyone in the building should leave without delay and call a heating professional to investigate the situation.

“Have a professional check any heating appliance that uses a fl ame. Any

Honor HeindlStaff Writer

In the United States each year, near-

ly 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, and nearly 4,000 women die because of it each year.

With the help of new medical tech-nology, these troubling statistics could become a pattern of the past. Gardasil is a new vaccine that will fi ght and protect women against the disease that causes cervical cancer. Gardasil is highly recommended for girls who are 11 to 12 years old, but women aged 13 to 26 years are also eligible for the

Cervical cancer vaccine availableimmunization.

Being the fi rst vaccine ever created to prevent a cancer, it will hopefully lead to further breakthroughs in the fi eld of cancer research.

This vaccine will impact many women. Cervical cancer can have tragic consequences, even for survi-vors. For example, a woman who is diagnosed early in life is usually un-able to have children.

“The Gardasil vaccine is now avail-able at clinics in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area. Doctors have been informed that most insurance companies are now covering the cost of the vaccine for patients who want to receive it. This will be an important matter for

young female patients to discuss with their parents and their doctors. You may want to bring up the subject at your next annual physical,” Dr. Diane Heindl said.

Gardasil blocks Human papilloma-virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection which can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccine steps in and dimin-ishes any possibility of receiving the virus before it is ever contracted.

“This is one type of cancer that oc-curs relatively early; the average age is about 50. The main cause of cervical cancer is the Human Papillomavirus. The virus has about 70 subtypes. The vaccine protects against the most com-mon subtypes that cause cancer. It’s

important for girls to get the vaccine in their preteen years,” Heindl said.

However, if a woman is vaccinated before age 26, even if she is already sexually active, it can be effective.

The vaccine is injected in three dos-es over the period of six months. Over 25,000 women and girls have already been vaccinated, and no safety issues have been discovered. Side effects are mild, and typically only include slight soreness in the area of the injection; the most serious side effects are mild fl u-like symptoms or small fevers.

Costs for Gardasil range between $300 and $500. The vaccine is now available and in most areas covered by insurance.

s u c h h e a t e r ,

no matter how new, can be a

source of carbon monoxide.

Also remember a person shouldn’t use

a gas oven without a vent to heat a room be-

cause of the danger in car-bon monoxide production,”

Weifenbach said.There is a lesson to be learned

from the Weifenbachs’ story. Even though measures to

help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning are simple, they can easily save lives.

important for girls to get the vaccine in

However, if a woman is vaccinated Things to Know about Gardasil•Gardasil can prevent 70% of all cervical cancer cases.

•Women ages 13 to 26 are eligible for the vaccine.

•Gardasil costs $300-$500, but many insurance compa- nies cover the cost.

•Side effects are typically mild

Willa Simmet PhotoSaving lives is the major func-tion of a carbon monoxide

detector.