WILD IN THE COUNTRY: MAY 9 AT LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS
Printer-friendly versionMay 3, 2009 (Alpine) –Looking for a truly wild night out? Dust off your boots for a hoedown with the Country Cats at Lions, Tigers & Bears, San Diego County’s only wild cat rescue facility. The event features a barbecue, visits with exotic big cats and other ranch animals, “Splash” performing artists, plus a silent and live auction hosted by Channel 8’s Larry Himmel. The top prize is a South African photo safari for two—perfect for the wild at heart. Other auction items include a vacation in Mammoth, VIP tickets for the finale of “Dancing with the Stars” (including hotel), a “Roaring Wild Nights” campout at Lions Tigers & Bears, a helicopter ride, clubhouse season passes to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Padres tickets, a signed Tony Gwynn Hall of Fame jersey, Chargers memorabilia, a behind-the-scenes tour at the Wild Animal Park, a Julian get-away complete with bed-and-breakfast, dinner and carriage ride, and more. The event takes place on Saturday, May 9th from 1 to 5 p.m. at the nonprofit Lions, Tigers & Bears facility just east of Alpine. Tickets must be purchased in advance—and this event usually sells out, so early reservations are recommended. Tickets for adults are $95 after May 3 ($80 for early-birds), and $45 for children. To purchase tickets and get directions call 619-659-8078 or visit www.lionstigersandbears.org. Printer-friendly version
FREE PROM DRESSES! OPERATION FAIRY GODMOTHER TODAY, MAY 2
Printer-friendly versionMay 2, 2009 (San Diego)—It sounds too good to be true—but it’s real! Operation Fairy Godmother, a program offered by the Soroptomists International of Valle de Oro, will be giving away free prom dresses to all girls who present a valid high school I.D. card today. Now you can be like Cinderella. (Sorry, Prince Charming is not included.) The Soroptomists do, however, provide beautiful shoes and jewelry to accessorize your dream dress. To choose your free prom gown, come to the Rehab Conference Center at Alvarado Hospital, 6645 Alvarado Road in San Diego (just west of La Mesa) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. today. The mission of Soroptomists is to improve the lives of girls and women in local communities and throughout the world. Printer-friendly version
SOAR LIKE A CONDOR AT SAN DIEGO ZOO’S WILD ANIMAL PARK—AND HELP SAVE THE ENDANGERED BIRDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 1, 2009 (San Pasqual)—Ever wonder what it’s like to soar above wildlife for a birds-eye view? Now you can find out firsthand. Flightline, the new zip-line adventure at San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, is now open. Flightline takes guests on a ride for 2/3 of a mile starting at 400 feet above Asian and African animal exhibits. The ride allows riders to mimic the experience of a bird in flight and reach speeds of up to 47 miles per hour. The Park’s Flightline is one of the longest zip lines in North America. The high-thrill high-wire experience lasts 1½ to 2 hours. It includes an orientation where guests watch a safety presentation, sign a liability waiver, learn about flight and get their harnesses. They then take the first of their two flights, a 450-foot "fledgling" run with a 31-foot drop. Afterward, riders board a safari vehicle for a behind-the-scenes tour along the route to the top of Flightline. There they will have the best view of the Park and anticipate this flight-of-fancy. "We’ve always brought people closer to animals, but Flightline allows guests to experience the Park from a bird’s perspective," said Michael Ahlering, the Park’s director of operations. "They get to have fun, build a new understanding for our winged friends and also support our ongoing work to save the California condor." One-third of all proceeds from the operation of Flightline goes to the San Diego Zoo’s efforts to save the California condor. By using the ride to create funding for a conservation effort, the Zoo hopes to set a new economic model for sustainable conservation support. The cost of Flightline is $70, plus admission to the Wild Animal Park for nonmembers. Participants must be free of back or neck injuries, at least 10 years old and weigh between 75 and 250 pounds. Flightline was designed by Canada-based Greenheart Conservation Construction Co. Ltd. Greenheart (www.greenheart.ca) is a company that designs, builds and operates nature-based attractions around the world that promote and protect nature. The 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is operated by the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo and includes a 900-acre native species reserve. The Zoo also manages the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research. The conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego. Visitors can call 760-747-8702 for general Park information or visit www.wildanimalpark.org . Printer-friendly version
WEIGHT-LOSS SUPPLEMENT HYDROXYCUT RECALLED DUE TO LIVER DAMAGE; FDA WARNS CONSUMERS TO HALT USE
Printer-friendly versionMay 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, N.Y. Some Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries and at least one death. The manufacturer has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market. The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant. One death due to liver failure has been reported to the FDA. Other health problems reported include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure. Liver injury, although rare, was reported by patients at the doses of Hydroxycut recommended on the bottle. Symptoms of liver injury include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and brown urine. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite. “The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk. Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products,” said Linda Katz, M.D., interim chief medical officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements that are marketed for weight-loss, as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low carb diet aids, and for water loss under the Iovate and MuscleTech brand names. The list of products being recalled by Iovate currently includes: Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix) Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets Hydroxycut Liquid Shots Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink) Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed Hydroxycut 24 Hydroxycut Carb Control Hydroxycut Natural Although the FDA has not received reports of serious liver-related adverse reactions for all Hydroxycut products, Iovate has agreed to recall all the products listed above. Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia products are not affected by the recall. Consumers who have any of the products involved in the recall are advised to stop using them and to return them to the place of purchase. The agency has not yet determined which ingredients, dosages, or other health-related factors may be associated with risks related to these Hydroxycut products. The products contain a variety of ingredients and herbal extracts. Health care professionals and consumers are encouraged to report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by regular mail, fax or phone. –Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm –Regular Mail: Use FDA postage paid form 3500 found at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787 –Fax: 800-FDA-0178 –Phone: 800-FDA-1088 The FDA continues to investigate the potential relationship between Hydroxycut dietary supplements and liver injury or other potentially serious side effects. For more information: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/hydroxycut/ Printer-friendly version
BEWARE OF PHONY SWINE FLU PRODUCTS, FDA & FTC WARN CONSUMERS
Printer-friendly versionMay 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission are alerting the public to be wary of Internet sites and other promotions for products that claim to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The agencies are also advising operators of offending web sites that they must take prompt action to correct and/or remove promotions of these fraudulent products or face enforcement action. “Consumers who purchase products to treat the novel 2009 H1N1 virus that are not approved, cleared or authorized by the FDA for the treatment or prevention of influenza risk their health and the health of their families,” said Michael Chappell, acting FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. “In conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission, the FDA has developed an aggressive strategy to identify, investigate, and take regulatory or criminal action against individuals or businesses that wrongfully promote purported 2009 H1N1 influenza products in an attempt to take advantage of the current flu public health emergency.” Products that are offered for sale to the public with claims to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure infections caused by the H1N1 influenza virus that have not been proven to be safe and effective for these uses must be carefully evaluated. Many of these deceptive products are being sold over the Internet via illegitimate web sites. The operators of these web sites take advantage of the public’s concerns about H1N1 influenza and their desire to protect themselves and their families. These fraudulent products come in all varieties and could include dietary supplements or other food products, or products purporting to be drugs, devices or vaccines. Such fraudulent products will not prevent the transmission of the virus or offer effective treatments against infections caused by the H1N1 influenza virus. “The last thing any consumer needs right now is to be conned by someone selling fraudulent flu remedies,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. “The FTC will act swiftly against companies that resort to deceptive advertising.” Consumers are urged to contact their health care providers or legitimate medical supply services if they have questions or concerns about medical products or personal protective equipment. Consumers are also urged to visit the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web sites for more information about this emergency, and to determine which products the FDA has approved, cleared or authorized for use to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate or cure infections caused by H1N1 influenza virus. Consumers should also visit FDA’s web site for tips about how to protect themselves when buying medicines online: http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/ The two antiviral drugs approved by the FDA for treatment and prophylaxis of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus are Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and Relenza (zanamivir). Tamiflu and Relenza, in addition to their approved labeling, have Emergency Use Authorizations that describe specific authorized uses during this public health emergency. For more information about FDA-approved antiviral drugs for influenza, see http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antivirals/influenza/default.htm. For more information on CDC recommendations regarding use of antiviral drugs against the current novel 2009 H1N1 influenza strain, see http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_001. For more information about personal protective equipment see http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ppe/. Printer-friendly version
THE ROLLING REVIEWER: A NEW SOCIAL BUTTERFLY TAKES FLIGHT
Printer-friendly versionOur Guide to the Best Disability-Based Websites on the Net By Janelle Eckardt May 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–The concept of having a “social life” doesn’t exactly mean the same thing it did twenty, ten, or even five years ago. Interfacing with family and friends seldom actually involves meeting face-to-face, and meeting someone new is only one click away. Chat room chat-ups and instant messaging marathons have, whether or not many of us would like to admit it, become integral elements to our link to the world around us. This month, I’m celebrating some of the best disability-based websites I’ve found for learning, socializing, and sharing. Here are some of the sites I return to again and again – whether I’m looking for wheelchair-friendly travel ideas or a reason to laugh, these sites never disappoint. Disaboom.com is a comprehensive resource for everything disability-related. The site was spearheaded by Dr. J. Glen House (no relation to our favorite fictional cane-wielding Dr. Gregory House, I’m sorry to report), who specializes in physical and rehabilitation medicine. Dr. House is a quadriplegic, and was inspired to create the first “comprehensive, evolving source of information, insight, and personal engagement for the disability community.” Boasting a social network of 180 million strong, Disaboom is connecting people across the country, and world, through its intelligent and thoughtful insight into various subjects. The site is separated into seven main areas of interest: Health, Living, Community, Video, Marketplace, Resources, and Jobs. Visitors may also research particular conditions and diseases through the alphabetically organized medical glossary. “Healthy Living” articles include ones that address physical fitness and sports, relaxation, medication, and stress. The area that I visit most often is the “Living” section – articles touch on subjects ranging from lifestyle, education, advocacy and politics to entertainment and relationships. For anyone interested in connecting with others sharing similar unique circumstances, Disaboom’s community blog section might just be the perfect place to start. Participants may share photos through a personal gallery, and maintain a blog for others to read. No matter what you’re looking for, Disaboom is here to point you in the right direction. Sometimes we have to look beyond our borders to find what we need right here at home. Jet-lagged by so many stateside resources that seemed so pathetically devoid of humor and sincerity, I cast my cyber sights across the pond. The BBC answered the call for smart talk on disability by creating “OUCH!”. With the motto of “It’s a disability thing!” you might suspect that to understand the perspective of this site is to be in on the joke, and you’d be right. Political correctness and politics aside, many people versed in the art of living with disability are quick to point out its funny side. After all, like the fine OUCH! folk say, “Disabled people are uniquely placed to see some of the stupidest things around.” Cheers to that understatement! Nothing is off the table in the articles, blogs, podcasts, message boards, opinion pieces, art, and other features; some subjects are UK and Europe-specific, but all are insightful. Peruse message boards like the fully-accessible cyber pub, “Cane and Able”; check out the latest news updates on everything from stem cell research to GPS-guided guide dogs; get a chuckle from Andre Jordan’s most recent “Motley Zoo” doodles of less-than-abled animal friends; then move on to some hard-core humor. One particularly witty, wicked, and undeniably brilliant columnist is known as Disability Bitch. Each week this battle-ready cynic calls out a new opponent to drive into the ground – DB hates everything indiscriminately. In one of her most recent columns, DB is in attack mode over TV Talent Shows. Simon Cowell couldn’t fool her with his dow-eyed expression and seeming loss for words over Britain’s Got Talent Contestant Susan Boyle’s obvious singing gift. While DB gives due props to Ms. Boyle, she isn’t so forgiving of the media’s patronizing attitudes – DB poses two questions many disabled people have asked themselves: “Why are people so astonished when they discover either that 1) a disabled person is actually talented; or 2) a talented person is actually disabled?” Fortunately for all, DB has a solution for every issue she faces. If people enjoy watching handicapped folk so much, then we can use it to our advantage by taking the global stage and bombarding televised talent shows everywhere. Sign me up! Another helpful link is disabled-world.com. While the name may force you to wonder if the planet experienced some sort of massive power failure, I promise the website’s content steers clear of any apocalyptic rants. Disabled-World has similar features as Disaboom, but with the added benefit of providing an updated glossary of other disability-centric sites. Listed social-networking links include ones that focus on everything from Parkinson’s Disease support groups to accessible websites for the deaf community. Check it out and see where it takes you. The name of the next resource I mention may clue you into a theme that might be developing – Disability World is an international online magazine that is “dedicated to advancing an exchange of information and expertise about the international independent living movement of people with disabilities.” Articles range from the political and economic to the arts and humanities. Film-buffs might enjoy learning about the disability piece, “Breaking Down Barriers,” that stole the show at the Moscow Film Festival. Read a couple of these intriguing articles, and stock up on interesting conversation starters for your next social event. Being social is crucial in all its many forms. No matter if you’re looking to make new friends, find information on a condition or disease, or just hoping for a place to vent; the right forum for you can be found online. http://ilivewithadisability.com/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/ (Ouch!) http://www.disabled-world.com/ (Disabled World) http://www.disabilityworld.org/ (Disability World) Janelle graduated from UCSD with a BA degree in English literature, in 2007. After gaining a spot in a competitive 12-week internship, she was