Daily Archives: November 24, 2009

Additional Free Swine Flu Vaccine Clinics in PA

November 24, 2009
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I wrote last week about the free swine flu shots that Pennsylvania residents could get through Department of Health clinics held last weekend. I drove to Allentown on Saturday to get mine; the lines were so long that one kid standing with his mom behind me asked, “Are we going on a ride?” Since Dorney Park was just down the road, I could understand his confusion.

Those clinics were “sold out,” if you were, so the Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced three more free H1N1 vaccine clinics today, Tuesday, November 24th and tomorrow, Wednesday, November 25th, in Delaware, Lancaster and Lehigh counties. Here are the details:

To qualify for a free shot, you must fall into one of the following groups:

  • individuals between the ages of six months and 24 years
  • household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months
  • pregnant women
  • healthcare providers and emergency medical services personnel
  • those under 65 years of age with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders.

While the clinic is free, you must make an appointment by by calling 1-877-PA HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Lines are limited. (Note: Online registration is NOT available for these clinics.)

Tuesday’s clinic hours are from 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Hours on Wednesday will be from 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Clinics will be held at the following locations:

Delaware County: Suite 1, 151 West Fifth St, Chester 19013

Lancaster County: 1661 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster 17601

Lehigh County: Suite 206, 3730 Lehigh St. Whitehall 18052

Those registering for these clinics should download an H1N1 vaccine consent form, fill it out in advance and bring it with them.

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Tipping in Today's Economy

November 24, 2009
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Last year I chose not to give out tips to the individuals I normally would have tipped at the holidays–trash collector, postal service person, newspaper delivery dude–as a way to save money. I even avoided getting a haircut–or getting my kids’ hair cut–near the holidays so I wouldn’t have to add in a big tip to the 20% I already give.

Seems I wasn’t alone in being somewhat Scrooge about tipping last year. According to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, during the 2008 holidays, fewer people than in the previous year tipped their newspaper carrier, barber, mail carrier, hairdresser, manicurist, and garbage collector.

I know I thought the economy was bad last year, which is why I cut back–and felt guilty about it, for sure–but I’ve got to say that I feel like it’s worse now. In fact, another Consumer Reports survey conducted in October 2009 shows that the downward trend might continue: 26 percent of Americans who usually tip or give a gift to a service provider said they would spend less this holiday season than last. (Gee, what’s less than zero?) Just 6 percent said they planned to spend more.

Wondering what other people spend on tipping?

Fifty-eight percent of people tip their house cleaners (who can afford to keep a house cleaner?), averaging about $50 or an equivalent gift per tip.

The people tipping their manicurist (again, do your nails at home) give $10 whereas pet-care providers get $25, down from $30.

Most other people give tips of anywhere from $10 to $40 to their child’s teacher, the mail carrier, lawn-care crew  (not gonna comment….) and garbage collector. I know people who live in apartments have doormen and superintendents to worry about tipping, too.

If the tipping budget is tight this upcoming season, Consumer Reports experts recommend saying thanks with a card or a homemade gift. I think baked goods are always welcome though with the trash collector, I might just hand out $10 to each guy–I wouldn’t want to encourage them to eat any cookies if they can’t wash their hands first.

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