The Lake Norman State Park is inviting the public to learn about water this weekend.

The ranger-led program tells the story of water, from source to destination, with activities to demonstrate its endless cycle on Earth.

Nature lovers can join the fun at the Lake Norman State Park, located at 159 Inland Sea Lane in Statesville, Saturday February 23, at 2 p.m.

The cost is free, and the program is open to all ages. Pets are not allowed.

For more information, call the Park at 704-528-6350.

The South Iredell Senior Center is offering a course on understanding advanced directives.

Living wills can be difficult to understand, but the Center hopes to clear up any confusion that seniors may have.

Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County is sponsoring the workshop, which is schdeduled for Thursday January 31, from 11 a.m. until 12 noon.

Those interested in attending need to RSVP by Monday January 28, along with a $1 donation. The donation supports the Center's health promotion programs.

A light lunch is included, and all Iredell County residents 55 and over are welcome.

For more information on the class, call 704-662-3337.

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Health officials say flu season is off to its earliest start in nearly 10 years - and it is already shaping up to be a bad one. The primary strain circulating is one that tends to cause more severe illness, especially in the elderly.

But officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the nation seems to be fairly well prepared. More than a third of Americans have been vaccinated, and the vaccine is well matched to the strains of flu so far.

Dr. Charles Bregier with Presbyterian Hospital's Urgent Care says his office is seeing 20 cases a day. Bregier also says the virus didn't start making the rounds until January during the last flu season.

Health officials stress the importance of getting a flu shot if you haven't already been vaccinated.

The last time a typical flu season started this early was the winter of 2003-04.