Cancer Survivorship program
seeks participants
The Adams State University Department of Kinesiology will continue research on the effects of exercise on the physical, mental, and social health of cancer survivors. The program is funded through a two-year grant from the Colorado Cancer Coalition and support from the SLV Health Foundation, including the Larry Holder Memorial Golf Tournament.
The Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship program offers cancer survivors in the San Luis Valley the opportunity to participate in an individualized exercise program conducted in a group setting that meets three times per week for 10 weeks. The program also provides Adams State undergraduate and graduate kinesiology students experience in fitness testing as well as guiding and supporting program participants.
This spring’s research study begins the week of January 31 with appointments for individual fitness testing. All cancer survivors ages 18 or older are welcome regardless of gender, type, or stage of cancer. There is no cost to the participant, but completing the entire twelve weeks of the study (one week each for pre- and post-testing in addition to 10 weeks of exercise) is essential to ensure accurate results are obtained from the study. Federal and local COVID-19 guidelines for safe indoor activities will be followed.
Every participant will take part in the exercise program and specific participants, randomly selected following pre-testing, will be provided common nutritional supplements. At the end of the study, group results will be calculated and the groups will be compared for changes in fitness and overall health.
Attend an informational meeting: 12 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19; or 12 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20; or 12 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan, 26, in the Adams State East Campus Building room 101. The East Campus is located on the corner of First Street and La Veta Ave. in Alamosa. Masks are required in all indoor settings on the Adams State campus.
For more information, or for those who can’t attend one of the scheduled meetings, please contact the Adams State Kinesiology Department graduate program coordinator Ines Curti at 859-684-3511, email curtiines@gmail.com or Peggy Johnson at 719-589-0593, email pvjohnson@adams.edu.
County Commissioners adopt COVID vaccine policy
for home health agency staff
Alamosa County Commissioners adopted a COVID vaccine policy for its home health care staff on Tuesday. The commissioners had previously rejected a similar policy, citing concerns over how the policy was written. Commissioner Mike Yohn said his concerns had been addressed by how the policy had been rewritten by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Commissioners Lori Laske and Vern Heersink also supported the proposed policy.
Mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics
set up across San Luis Valley
COVID-19 vaccines are free and available at many locations, including healthcare providers, public health agencies, and pharmacies. Valley-Wide Health Systems offers Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J vaccines every Friday at the ASU Neilson Library parking lot in Alamosa in their mobile unit: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for adults, and 1:30-3:30 p.m. for children. Children must have an appointment. Call 719-587-9610 to schedule.
Mobile vaccine bus clinics offer both flu and COVID-19 vaccines to anyone age 5 and older. Walkups are accepted, appointments are available and encouraged for pediatric vaccines at https://www.mobilevax.us/southwest. Upcoming mobile vaccine clinics are scheduled as follows:
- Wednesday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Friday Health Plans, 700 Main St in Alamosa
- Friday, Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alamosa
- Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 15-16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at ASU Nielsen Library in Alamosa
- Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 17-18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Walmart in Alamosa
- Wednesday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Sanford School
- Friday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Del Norte School
TESTING: Those who need testing prior to travel may go to SLV Health Regional Medical Center or Conejos County Hospital laboratories during business weekday hours and ask for direct-to-consumer testing. Results are usually available within 24 hours. There is a charge for this service.
Free COVID testing is available at Convenient Care, 1131 Main St. in Alamosa, seven days a week from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Advance pre-registration is not required, but it may reduce your wait time.
Free COVID-19 testing is available at Costilla County Public Health, by appointment only, Monday-Thurs 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 719-672-3332
Free COVID-19 testing is available to the public through mobile clinics on the dates and locations listed below. Register when you arrive, or register online in advance at www.affinityecarecolorado.com.
- Mondays, 2-6 p.m. at the Blanca Fort Garland Community Center
- Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Rio Grande County Social Services, 1015 6th St., Del Norte
- Tuesdays, 3:30-6 p.m. at Rainbow Grocery in South Fork
- Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Chapman Park in Monte Vista
- Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. at the Community Center in Saguache (Cancelled this week only)
- Thursdays, noon-4 p.m. at La Jara Town Hall
- Thursdays, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Antonito Town Hall
County-level COVID-19 data, vaccination information, and testing location information is available at www.slvphp.com or by calling 719-480-8719.
Online session on avalanche awareness
RIO GRANDE COUNTY – Are you wondering about the current snow and avalanche conditions? Do you enjoy recreating in the mountains in winter? Join the Rio Grande National Forest Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 5 p.m. for an online United States Department of Agriculture event to learn about avalanches. This month’s specialist is Matt Huber, a forecaster for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Matt will provide avalanche awareness and safety principles and introduce users to many tools and information sources available to backcountry users. There will be time for questions and answers following the online presentation.
This event is part of the Rio Grande National Forest’s “Forest Specialist Series,” a monthly online presentation to share information with our communities. Please visit the Rio Grande National Forest website or Facebook page for more information.
