Cold and Flu Prevention

Part two of the cold and flu series will cover ways to prevent getting sick with one of these illnesses.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has listed three methods to better protect against the cold and flu.

1. Get a flu vaccine
• Flu vaccines protect against the 3 most common viruses for any given year.
• Individuals 6 months of age and older should receive the vaccine (under 6 months old is considered too young).
• High risk individuals should always receive flu vaccines to decrease the likelihood of severe flu illness.  High risk individuals include:
• Young children.
• Pregnant women.
• People with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes and lung disease).
• Individuals over the age of 65.
• Health care specialists and those who live with or care for high risk individuals.

What's A Cold? What's A Flu?

So we are at the start of cold and flu season, and, as many people seem to be sniffling and sneezing, we thought it would be a good idea to do a little PSA on these two common illnesses.

To start, when is cold and flu season?  While it varies in length from year-to-year, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that cold and influenza (flu) season typically starts in October and can last all the way until May, with January and February typically being the peak months for infection (basically, when temperatures are cold and everyone is staying indoors more).  While both of these illnesses have similarities, it is very important to know the difference between symptoms of the common cold and flu.

The Battle Against Cold and Flu Season

With COLD AND FLU SEASON starting up, we here at StealStreet thought it would be a good idea to start a blog series that provides everyone with beneficial information to help combat and protect against the common cold and flu.  This 3-part series will start today and is designed to aid in protecting our readers and those they care about from these harmful illnesses before cold and flu season peaks.  So grab your cup of hot green tea, sit back, and let’s stay healthy together!

Labor Day

School is starting and summer is ending, but that does not mean that the fun is all over yet.  Enter Labor Day!  It is time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of the United States labor workers to our everyday lives.  In the United States, the first Labor Day was observed on September 5, 1882 by the Central Labor Union of New York.  In 1894, following several deaths during the Pullman strike, President Grover Cleveland, fearing further conflict and alienation with workers and unions, pushed forward legislation and Congress signed Labor Day into law, officially making it a national holiday only six days after the end of the strike.  The government selected the first Monday of September as the date for Labor Day each year, and has been celebrated every year since.

Labor Day validates and honors all the hard work laborers of the United States, as well as the difficulties and obstacles they had to overcome.  

Today, Labor Day signifies the beginning of the school year, the start of the NFL season, the last day to fashionably wear white and the final summer holiday.  Celebrations, barbeques and parties will be had, but please, everyone be safe and remember the hard working laborers this day honors.  For anyone that is still looking for decorations and gifts for Labor Day, check out our special selection Here!

Discover the Zodiac

Taurus (SS-Y-2113)

Ever wondered where the zodiac was invented, who came up with it, and why have its symbols been assigned to particular dates?  A little bit of astronomical history will help us uncover this mystery.

Scorpio (SS-Y-2119)

During the 1^st century BCE, Babylonian astronomers divided the ecliptic (a celestial path the sun follows in one year) into 12 cardinal celestial points with the same celestial longitude.  These cardinal points are marked by constellations and serve as checkpoints where the sun enters and exits in a period of thirty days.  With these observations, the Babylonian astronomers assigned a sign, beginning with Aries as the first, to each month.  Although our modern calendar is not based on the zodiac, it is still used as reference for astronomers to know where the sun appears in relation to Earth.

The following outlines each zodiac sign with their corresponding dates:

Aries: 21 March – 20 April

Taurus: 21 April – 20 May

Gemini: 21 May – 20 June

Cancer: 21 June- 21 July

Leo: 22 July – 22 August

Virgo: 23 August – 22 September

Libra: 23 September – 22 October

Scorpio: 23 October – 21 November

Sagittarius: 22 November – 21 December

Capricorn: 22 December – 19 January

Aquarius: 20 January – 18 February

Pisces: 19 February – 20 March

Curious on what these constellations look like in 3D?  We have all 12 zodiac signs laser-engraved on crystal!  Explore our website to find your Zodiac Sign or better yet, collect them all!

Virgo (SS-Y-2117)

Aquarius (SS-Y-2110)