By Nikki Silverstein
Hero: Though we’re enjoying sunny days and warm evenings, the flu season will soon move into our paradise. To protect us from this contagious and sometimes dangerous virus, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services is hosting a free flu shot clinic this Saturday, October 17, at Novato High School, from 10am to 2pm. A flu shot is the single best defense against influenza, says Dr. Matt Willis, Marin’s public health officer. We get chills just thinking about flu symptoms. The fever, muscle aches, sore throat and cough can last for several days, causing folks to miss school and work. Let’s be heroes, take a jab at the flu and protect our friends and family by getting vaccinated at the free clinic.
Zero: Most do-it-yourselfers are down for installing a new floor or building IKEA cabinets to save money on home improvements. NG of Mill Valley raised DIY to new heights when he attempted to cut costs by cutting down a 100-foot-plus tree in his yard. Before he was finished, the tall pine shifted into a precarious position and threatened three houses and power lines. The havoc NG created wasn’t malicious, but his ill-considered actions tied up the Southern Marin firefighters for five hours, compelled PG&E to turn off power to the neighborhood and forced nearby residents to evacuate their homes. “Just because you have a chainsaw doesn’t make you a lumberjack,” noted an evacuated neighbor. Treemasters safely felled the tree and charged NG a hefty emergency fee.
