The Consignment Boutique Joanna Baker

By Joanna Baker

OOn the corner of First Street and Coal Avenue in downtown Gallup is a shop straight out of a different era. One where the past meets present day and the future holds no limits. It is aweinspiring in its unique design and will propel you back in time with its vintage items, music from a decade past, warm sweaters and coats and a pair of boots for the upcoming winter months, beautiful jewelry, purses and handbags, wall art, silk and real plants, furniture…no matter what your heart desires, chances are The Consignment Boutique has what you are looking for. This is a shop that one can spend hours browsing through and find something different every time you walk in, literally. A thrift shop it is not, but prices on most items are negotiable because of the unique way consignment is set up with the shop owner, Lori Diaz. Lori is a lifelong resident of Gallup, and her story is an intriguing one. Lori and her husband, Tommy, have overcome a lot in their lifetimes in a way that is truly inspiring to say the least. The Consignment Boutique is the culmination of years of hard work and a tireless dream that Lori has had for many years. She started her consignment business by renting a booth in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For five years, while continuing to work her full-time job in Gallup, she would travel to Albuquerque almost every weekend, where she filled her rented booth with the many items she had collected over the years. She consigned her inventory to the booth owners, and in turn, the booth owners would sell her things during the week. One day in early 2017, she spotted a “For Rent” sign on a storefront in downtown Gallup, and her traveling days were over. As with all new ventures, getting started took some time; so Lori continued to work full-time while running her shop for the first few weeks, but she eventually quit her job and began living out her dream working full-time in the store. Consignment is a different way to buy and sell. Different from a thrift shop, in that people who have nicer things can bring them into the store, talk to Lori, and if their items are clean and in good condition, a consignment agreement is drawn up between the seller and the shop owner. A one-time only fee of $10.00 is assessed at the time of the agreement to cover administrative costs. When the item is sold, The Consignment Boutique receives a percentage of the sale while the profit goes back to the seller. Items are generally kept for sale in the shop for 90 days, and currently Lori has 98 consignors selling items in her store.

This little shop at 200 West Coal Avenue will capture your attention from the minute you walk in the door. People love this store and it’s not hard to see why. From the fabulous showcases and the delightful window display to the antique furniture and beautiful jewelry and everything in between, there is something for everyone. Open Monday through Friday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and on Saturdays from 1:00pm to 5:30pm. If you are looking for that unique Christmas gift this year, or just that one-of-a-kind piece for your home or office, don’t pass up the opportunity to find it and enjoy a wonderful shopping experience at The Consignment Boutique in downtown Gallup.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

One in two sexually active persons will contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) by age 25.1

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are extremely common STIs and are easily curable. However, untreated Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can cause serious complications for both men and women. 2

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are transmitted during unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, and oral) with someone who has the infection. In most cases, men and women do not see any signs or symptoms in the beginning. When symptoms do occur, women may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, discoloration of discharge, burning sensation when urinating, foul odor, and vaginal bleeding between periods. Men may experience abnormal discharge, discoloration of discharge, burning sensation when urinating, foul odor, and pain or swelling in one or both testicles. Women and men can also get infected in the rectum causing discharge, anal itching, rectal pain, and bleeding.

LEFT UNTREATED, STDS CAN CAUSE:

INCREASED RISK OF GIVING OR GETTING HIV LONG-TERM PELVIC/ABDOMINAL PAIN INABILITY TO GET PREGNANT OR PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that weakens your immune system by destroying important cells in your body meant to fight off infection. You may hear some people use HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) interchangeably, but AIDS refers to the later-stage of HIV.

HIV can be spread when certain bodily fluids from a HIV infected person comes in contact with mucus membranes, damaged tissues, or is injected directly into the bloodstream of a person.5 Most commonly, HIV is spread through unprotected sexual contact and sharing needles or syringes. Less common mode of transmission includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and occupational exposure. Rarely, transmission occurs through blood transfusion/organ transplants.

The body’s natural response to HIV is called acute retroviral syndrome. Symptoms include fever (this is the most common symptom), swollen glands, sore throat, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and pains, and headaches. These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. However, you should not assume you have HIV if you have any of these symptoms. HIV is not yet curable, but it is treatable.

Syphilis

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, “Since January 2015, the monthly average of syphilis cases in women has increased 253%.”3

Syphilis is curable, but when left untreated, it can cause serious complications. It is spread through direct contact with a syphilis sore during unprotected sex. Syphilis is divided into stages with different signs or symptoms. 4

During pregnancy, a mother can pass syphilis to her baby, this is called congenital syphilis (CS). CS can greatly affect the baby causing miscarriages, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight, or death shortly after birth. Deformed bones, severe anemia, brain and nerve problems, meningitis, and skin rashes can occur in babies born with CS.4

Syphilis and Staging

Symptoms provide an indication of where someone is at with their infection

INCUBATION PRIMARY EARLY SECONDARY EARLY LATE

A person is infected with syphilis but CANNOT pass the disease to others. A painless sore appears, and the person CAN spread the disease. Symptoms have disappeared. CANNOT pass the disease to others (unless pregnant). Symptoms: White sore, patches in mouth/genitals, rash on hands/ feet. CAN spread the disease Symptoms have disappeared. CANNOT pass the disease to others (unless pregnant). The person was infected over a year ago, CANNOT pass the disease to others (unless pregnant).

The Good News! STIs and HIV are preventable! These are some steps to take to keep yourself and your partner(s) healthy. • Practice abstinence-not having unprotected sex. It is the surest way. • Using condoms (male and female condoms, and dental dams) correctly and consistently every time you have sex will lessen your risk. Certain STIs like herpes or HPV can be spread through contact with your partner’s skin. Remember to store condoms in a cool, dry place to avoid puncture or damage. Read the package and check the expiration date. Use water-based or silicone-based lubricants. Do not use oilbased lubricants like baby oil or lotion. Never reuse condoms or use more than one at a time. • Remember, using recreational drugs and drinking alcohol excessively can lower your inhibitions and skew your judgment, making you more willing to participate in risky behaviors like not using a condom. • If you have more than one partner, think about having fewer partners. Reducing the number of people you are having sex with or agreeing to only have sex with one person who agrees to only have sex with you can greatly decrease your risk of getting an infection. • Talk to your partner(s) about STIs and HIV and staying safe. Make sure you both get tested to know for sure that neither of you have an STI. • Get tested! You cannot rely on symptoms or your partner(s) to know whether you have an infection. The only way to know for sure if you are infected with a STI or HIV is to get tested. If you think you have recently been exposed — if you had oral, vaginal, or anal sex without a condom — get tested. Protecting your health is your responsibility.

Free Condoms, Free Dental Dams, Free HIV Screening

and more information are available at NN Health Education Program/Division of Public Health Gallup Service Area 516 E. Nizhoni Blvd., Gallup, NM 87301 Phone: 505-722-1741 • Fax: 505-722-1189 Like Us on Facebook Visit https://gettested.cdc.gov/search_results to find other testing locations in your area.

Citations

1. American Sexual Health Association. (2018). Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.ashasexualhealth. org/stdsstis/statistics/. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018, August 23). The State of STDs-Infographic. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats17/infographic.htm. 3. Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS). (2018, September 20). Arizona Syphilis Outbreak: Women and Babies. Retrieved from https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/ disease-integration-services/std-control/congenital-syphilis/index.php. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2017, June 13). Syphilis-CDC Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018, October 31). HIV Transmission. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html.

Adopt a Grandparent for Christmas Program

It’s that wonderful time of year when we all have a chance to make the holidays special for someone else. Here’s an opportunity to bring JOY to our local Elders by providing them with what could be the only gift they receive this year. Health Education Program and Behavioral & Mental Health Services will be hosting the Adopt a Grandparent for Christmas Program. We are looking for volunteers to adopt a grandparent from Pinedale Senior Center. If you would like to adopt a grandparent this holiday season, please come to HEP office and choose a card. The card will indicate the name of a grandparent and their wish list. Wrapped gifts should be dropped off at HEP office by December 11, 2018.

For More Information Contact: Kelly Bitsilly, HEP at 505.726.8544 or kelly.bitsilly@ihs.gov 516 E. Nizhoni Blvd., Gallup, NM 87301 GIMC Campus, Building F, Room 10