Just because you’re alone on Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. While many Iowans will be spending the day with family and friends, many others will be making alternative plans. Beverly Flaxington, a therapist and human behavior coach, says Iowans can stave off the holiday blues by finding positive ways to occupy their time — like volunteering. “For many people who are alone, for example, they go to a homeless shelter, they may go to a nursing home where people don’t have families themselves and visit people there,” Flaxington says. “They may belong to a church or a synagogue and be able to participate there.”

Flaxington says don’t let the Thanksgiving funk snowball, as everyone has to be alone at one point or another. Her best advice on how to get through the holiday season is to not let all the hype get larger than life.  “We create this painful cycle for ourselves, so it’s very important to catch that in action and make a decision that says, this too shall pass, I’m going to find something else I’d like to do today,” Flaxington says.

That could include going to a movie, reading a book or going shopping, either online or in person. While it’s pretty hard to avoid all of the holiday hoopla, don’t fall into self pity, get upset and catch a bad case of the blues. “It’s really taking those same facts and saying, ‘Yes, it’s Thanksgiving and I’m alone, but it’s any other day of the year. Tomorrow, I’m going to wake up and it won’t be Thanksgiving and I’m going to make different choices today,'” she says.

It’s not looking at the world through rose-colored glasses but instead, she says, filtering the same information in a new way to bring a more positive outlook. If you’re having an extreme case of the blues, Flaxington recommends talking about it with a doctor or a professional therapist.

(Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Experts say practicing good food safety is important to a successful Thanksgiving. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center says taking proper precautions can help ensure that no one gets sick at your holiday gatherings.  It’s important to use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey and any other meat dishes reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. That ensures any bacteria is killed.
Other tips include:

•       Don’t leave perishable food out at room temperature for more than two hours.

•       Refrigerate any leftover turkey and use it within four days.

•      Make sure anyone helping in the kitchen washes their hands.

•      The Poison Center can answer other food safety questions at 1-800-222-1222.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County arrested the driver of an SUV that was involved in an accident Wednesday night. Deputies responded to a single-vehicle non-injury accident at 210th and T Avenue, at around 7-p.m.  Upon arrival, they found a 2002 Ford Escape driven by 42-year old Brenda Lyn Walter, of Red Oak.

Officials say following an investigation, the woman was arrested for OWI and on two-counts of Child Endangerment. Walter was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond. A passenger in the SUV, James Castillo, was cited for Open Container, and littering.

Police in Red Oak say two separate arrests occurred late Wednesday night and early this (Thursday) morning. Officials say 53-year old Dennis Edward Elliott, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 400 block of East Coolbaugh Street at around 9:35-p.m. Wednesday, on an active Montgomery County warrant for Public Intoxication. Elliott was booked into the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center.

Early this (Thursday) morning, 36-year old Tracey Lynn Ballinger, of Clarinda, was arrested in Red Oak in the 200 block of East Market Street. Ballinger was charged with OWI and Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree. Her bond was set at $1,000.

While this Friday, or Black Friday, is considered one of the busiest shopping days of the year for big box stores, there’s an effort underway in Iowa and nationwide to brand the following day as Small Business Saturday. Brad Jones, a spokesman for the National Federation of Independent Businesses, says, just as the name suggests, shoppers across the state are urged to visit their hometown businesses. “It’s those small business folks who put the jerseys on the Little League teams and help support the things at the high school and all of the various charity events,” Jones says. “It’s really an opportunity for the general public to thank them.”

Jones says many small businesses plan to offer extra deals for shoppers on Saturday. Those bargains might be greater this year with five fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas compared to last year. “I know there’s a lot of small businesses that are going to be offering certain discounts or coupons or things for shopping with them that day,” he says. More than 98-percent of the businesses operating in Iowa are considered small businesses. This event, Jones says, is an effort to reinforce something the federation tries to promote every day.

“Shop local,” he says. “It’s always good. Always support your small business folks because they certainly do support your local community.” The National Federation of Independent Businesses is asking local business owners to contact them via the group’s website with activities and offers for Small Business Saturday. There’s a list of Iowa businesses taking part at: http://www.nfib.com/small-business-saturday