ALL those organized people out there already have crafted,created or purchased their holiday gifts.
Not I.
Well, maybe just a few.
Last summer's blackberry bounty is canned and ready for stockingstuffers. Though not the most healthful gift, at least the jam isfruity and cooked with care.
However, there are other, more beneficial ways to wish a friendsand family best wishes.
Here are some last-minute ideas culled from different sources.
- Hand weights, a set of sweatbands, a pedometer, an exercisevideo, a jump rope, Lycra shorts, padded socks, a heart monitor, afancy water bottle, running gloves or a gym bag. Better yet, packthe bag with some of the above.
- Fill a straw hat with packets of vegetable seeds, a spade and apair of garden gloves.
- Make a batch of salt-free seasoning mix and fill decorativejars.
- Flavored vinegars.
- The old fruit basket idea always works. Pick out the fruityourself to get the best, but wait until later this week. Oranges,apples, pears and kiwi are some choices. Or, make it a vegetablebasket, full of different shapes.
- Fill a terra cotta pot with a bag of potting soil, herbstarters and a book on herbs.
Health insurance
By most accounts, managed health care in West Virginia is not allthat popular.
Only about 11 percent of those with health insurance are enrolledin health maintenance organizations.
While the oldest, the Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley, waslicensed in 1979, the other six did not begin until 1994.
As of December 1998, 191,754 state residents were members of amanaged care organization.
Since then, of course, Coventry Health Plans has purchasedCarelink and is in the process of buying PrimeOne. Absorbing thosetwo companies will thrust Coventry to the No. 2 position in thestate, or second-largest company that provides any of a number ofhealth insurance plans.
West Virginia Health Care Authority records show that MountainState Blue Cross Blue Shield had the largest market share of anyhealth insurance company at the end of 1998, or more than 20percent.
The Health Plan had 9.6 percent and Carelink, 9 percent. Next wasunited Healthcare Insurance Company at 6.5 percent and OptimumChoice at 4.4 percent. PrimeOne came next, then Coventry,Continental Assurance Company and Advantage Health Plan.
Supported employment
Employers need dependable workers.
People with disabilities need work, too.
DEAF has an idea.
Deaf Education and Advocacy Focus of West Virginia Inc. helpscompanies find motivated employees who may have some sort ofphysical disability. Some workers, officials believe, areunderutilized.
The agency's employment placement services matches workers to thelabor needs of the employer.
For more information, call Richard Collins at 766-9470.
