Downtown barbershop employee carried TB
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) wants to notify clients of a downtown barbershop found to have a worker diagnosed with infectious tuberculosis (TB).
The individual worked at Gabe’s Barbershop, 1035 8th Ave. Clients may have been exposed between July 22 and Dec. 12, 2006. The worker is being treated for TB and there is no concern about further exposure, according to Nancy Bowen, MD, a San Diego County Public Health Officer.
Customers who were in the shop for one appointment lasting at least two hours, or several short visits totaling eight hours between the dates listed should contact their physician and be evaluated. Individuals with no medical provider may call the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. However, according to the HHSA, most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease.

Vouchers still available for water-saving toilets
Environmentalism has never before been so in-style. Consequently, for those who wish to conserve water, the San Diego County Water Authority offers discounts of up to $165 for water-saving toilets through March 31.
While these vouchers have been available for 15 years in San Diego County, this year’s 25,000 vouchers will be the last as the Water Authority and its local member agencies refocus their single-family property conservation efforts on outdoor water use. Because the vouchers are distributed on a first come, first serve basis, the Water Authority encourages those interested to act promptly.
Homes built before 1994 that have yet to replace water guzzling 3.5- to 5-gallon-per-flush (or more) toilets are eligible for the vouchers. Dual-flush, pressure-assist and gravity-flow “high efficiency” models are eligible for $165-per-toilet discounts at the time of purchase. There are also numerous models of 1.6-gallon-per-flush toilets eligible for $75 discounts.
“Conservation efforts have resulted in more than 102 billion gallons of water saved since 1991,” said Cindy Hansen, senior water resources specialist at the San Diego County Water Authority.
The Water Authority has also teamed with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to offer a $175 discount available in the purchase of high-efficiency clothes washers at nearly all appliance stores.
Hansen pointed out high-efficiency washers save more than 9,000 gallons of water a year and use 55 percent less energy.
To request a toilet or clothes washer voucher for use as a point-of-purchase discount at participating wholesale and retail suppliers countywide, call (800) 986-4538. Appliances must be selected from Water Authority lists of approved models. Call the above number to request a copy, or visit www.sdcwa.org.

Museum Month returns
Museum Month is back: after some speculation about its future following the demise of Robinsons-May, the 18th annual celebration is once again taking place in February after Macy’s stepped up and helped to foot the bill.
More than 30 participating institutions offer admission for half price during the month of February throughout San Diego County. Those interested can pick up a free brochure inside all San Diego County Macy’s stores. Included is the Museum Month Pass, which visitors must take to any of the participating institutions in order to receive the half-priced admission.
Macy’s San Diego County locations include: Horton Plaza, Fashion Valley, North County Fair in Escondido, Mission Valley, Plaza Bonita in National City, Chula Vista, Otay Ranch, El Camino Real in Carlsbad, University Towne Center, Grossmont Center and Parkway Plaza in El Cajon.
Participating museums this year include the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum (USS Midway), the Maritime Museum of San Diego, the Mingei International Museum, the San Diego Hall of Champions, the Timken Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Museum of Man, the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the San Diego Automotive Museum, the San Diego Historical Society, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, MCRD Command Museum, and more.
Museum Month was created in 1989 to promote awareness of the region’s museums, historical sites, educational institutions and cultural offerings on a level witnessed by very few cities in the country.
For more information on participating museums, visit www. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org or call (619) 276-0101.

Urban Trees 4 accepting proposals
The Port of San Diego is once again looking to beautify its harborside as Urban Trees 4 is set to kick off later this year.
The Port holds the public art project, in which participants design and build artistically inspired “urban trees” for installation along the promenade, and is accepting submittals for designs until 5 p.m., Feb. 8. If accepted, up to 30 artworks will be announced as selected for the program on Feb. 15, at which time the artists will be provided with a 12-15 foot high steel or aluminum pole that serves as the trunk, and encouraged to be creative in their selection of materials and design. Starting June 3, artists’ work will be on display for a minimum of 12 months.
To submit, the Port asks for a 3-D model of the proposed artwork and a single page containing artist contact information, explanation of the design concept, overall dimensions, proposed materials and the asking price if artwork is available for purchase. The design must also meet clearance and wind load requirements. All designs will be voted on by the Port’s Public Art Committee.
Artists will be compensated through a loan fee of $2,500 intended as an honorarium or design fee, and will be paid within 30 days after the artwork is installed. The artwork remains the property of the artist and can be sold or removed after the 12 month loan period has ended. The Port has first right of refusal on purchasing any trees for sale.
To register as an artist or for more information, visit www.portofsandiego.org.

Girl Scouts resume Thin Mints program
The Girl Scouts’ 2007 Cookie Program is off to a rip-roaring start. Through March 18, nearly 17,000 local Girl Scouts in the San Diego-Imperial Council will sell approximately 2.5 million boxes of cookies.
And while you can still expect Samoas, Trefoils, Café Cookies and more just like usual, the good news is that all varieties now feature zero grams of trans fat, yet feature the same taste, according to the Girl Scouts.
The Girl Scouts started selling cookies in 1917 to fund troop activities and community projects. The purpose remains to this day, and the program is the nation’s leading business and economic literacy program for girls, according to the organization. Troops set goals, develop marketing skills, learn money management and manage inventory. All proceeds stay local.
For the sixth year, the organization continues with Operation Thin Mint, in which the public can purchase and donate Thin Mint and other cookies to troops stationed overseas, along with personalized notes of appreciation. Since 2002, military troops have received 825,002 boxes of cookies. This year, Girl Scouts aim to send their millionth box.
“The idea is that everybody in San Diego knows everybody in the military,” said Mary Doyle, spokeswoman for the local Girl Scouts chapter. “So I think, more so than in some parts of the country, people here understand what it means to get a taste of home and a note to show we care.”
The 2007 Operation Thin Mint send-off will take place Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. aboard the USS Midway at the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, 910 N. Harbor Dr. All who participated in Operation Thin Mint are invited to the free event, and Mayor Jerry Sanders will be in attendance.
To purchase and donate cookies, call the council’s Girl Scout Cookie Hotline at (877) 296-MINT. Cards can be downloaded at www.girlscoutssdi.org/otm, and completed cards can be returned to any Girl Scout office in Balboa Park (1231 Upas St.), Escondido, Carlsbad or El Centro.

Jazz 88.3 spearheads Music Matters
For the third year running, San Diego City College’s KSDS Jazz 88.3 FM will continue its Music Matters program in support of music education in local schools.
Through Feb. 28, San Diegans can donate their used musical instruments at any Coles Carpets location in the county or at the KSDS business office, located at 15th and C streets on the City College campus.
All instruments will be completely refurbished by the Community Council for Music in the Schools (CCMS), who then will distribute them among San Diego city school music programs.
Since the introduction of Music Matters in 2005, more than 100 instruments have been donated to San Diego schools. Organizers have set a goal this year to match this number.
“The goal of this program is to provide instruments to children who want to play music, yet might not have the financial means to buy their own,” said Mark DeBoskey, station manager for KSDS.
Coles Carpets have locations at 1170 W. Morena Blvd., 2175 Montiel Rd. in San Marcos, 742 Fletcher Pkwy. in El Cajon and 320 S. Cedros Ave. in Solana Beach. For more information, visit www.colescarpets.com.
For more information on Music Matters, visit www.jazz88online or call (619) 388-3037.