Cooler temperatures start today

Before swimming lessons at the Carson City Aquatic Center, Tami Strong fed lunch to her 4-year-old son, Nait, and his friend Reggie in Mills Park.“It is nice that the kids can play outside a little bit longer,” she said. “And I enjoy still being able to wear flip-flops.”However, she said, she’s ready to usher in fall. “I’m excited for the cold,” she said. “I’m done with summer.”And she may be in luck.Wednesday’s weather marks the end of the unseasonably warm temperatures, according to the National Weather Service. Today’s forecast calls for a high near 81, dropping down to around 39 degrees tonight. The cooling trend is expected to continue throughout the week with highs in the mid- to low-70s Friday and on through the weekend. By early next week, forecasted highs are around 68 degrees.But cooler weather doesn’t necessarily mean less time outdoors, Strong said. “We’ll just bundle up and eat in the park still,” she said.While the seasons may be changing at last, some have enjoyed the prolonged summer. “This weather is so nice,” said Marka Turner. “It’s not too hot. It’s allowed me to get a little bit more yardwork done.”Flu season beginsWith the cooler weather also comes cold and flu season. Flu season officially kicks off at the beginning of October, although infections have already been reported in Carson City this year.Carson City Health and Human Services is preparing with a free flu-shots drive-through 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 3303 Butti Way.The flu clinic, in its ninth year, is part of a grant program for emergency preparedness, Health Educator Cortney Bloomer said.Last year, Health and Human Services inoculated 10,000 people for the flu. On the WebTo get a required form for the flu clinic, go to www.gethealthycarsoncity.org.