It's a sad day for Happy Meals in Santa Clara County
Source: Los Angeles Times
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Swine flu goes to camp. Will it go to school next? Apr 27, 2010 @ 04:44 PM
Hundreds of children have been sent home from summer camps across Southern California in recent weeks with flu-like symptoms, and camp counselors and directors are taking precautions to prevent the spread of the H1N1, or swine flu, virus in cabins and mess halls. But officials say the sight of children arriving at sleep-away camps armed with the anti-viral medication Tamiflu is probably just a harbinger of what awaits schools in coming weeks as students move into dormitories, and elementary and secondary students begin classes.Health officials predict a resurgence of the flu in the fall, and a vaccine effective against H1N1 is not expected to be available until long after the start of school. School districts and universities are on alert, working with health officials to launch education campaigns, stockpile medical supplies and discuss worst-case scenarios.State education officials are developing plans to provide lessons and meals for low-income children in case elementary and secondary schools close. School closures would occur only by order of the superintendent or the county health department and only if so many children were sick that it was impractical to keep classes running, said Dr. Kimberly Uyeda, director of student medical services at the Los Angeles Unified School District. UC campuses are stockpiling supplies, from paper masks and hand sanitizer to food and water. Officials are going over worst-case scenarios in case of campus-wide outbreaks. Officials are considering screening students for fever when they check into dorms."If we prepare for the worst, then we're going to get a better outcome," said Grace Crickette, chief risk officer for the University of California. For now, sleep-over camps provide a look at what schools may face. Before children are allowed to board camp-bound buses, nurses check temperatures and medical histories, hoping to ensure they are flu-free. Visitors' days have been canceled at some camps, and make-shift infirmaries were created in some dining halls and lawns. High-fives and hand-holding are out, replaced by fist bumps and elbow-linking. Hand sanitizer is everywhere. "We're all getting habitual with our Purell," said Jordanna Flores, executive director of Camp Alonim in Simi Valley, which has sent 160 children home in recent weeks. Many have since recovered and returned to camp.Flu symptoms have been mild, but the virus is highly contagious, particularly when children are in close proximity. Some organizations that cater to children with health issues, including the American Lung Assn. and the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., canceled camps because of concerns about the virus."It's not worth the risk," said Bob Mackle, a spokesman for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. "It was a heartbreaking decision for us, and it was a tough decision." Most camps remain open, according to the American Camp Assn. No organization has a complete list of outbreaks, but there have been anecdotal reports from across the country, notably in the Northeast, which has a deep tradition of sleep-away camps.The California Department of Public Health has received reports of outbreaks at 16 camps in eight counties, though department officials suspect the number is higher. At Camp Ramah in the Ojai Valley, 80 campers and staff members were sent home with flu-like symptoms in the first session; many have returned. Twenty-nine eventually tested positive for the flu, said Rabbi Daniel Greyber, the camp director. The camp canceled its annual visitors' day, which typically attracts as many as 2,000 people, and instead brought in a petting zoo.Once campers left, workers deep-cleaned the bunks, beds and bathrooms. The 600 campers attending the second session, which began Thursday, were advised to pack Tamiflu."We hope it's a proactive thing that we can do to minimize the flu within the camp," Greyber said. Education is equally important. Greyber demonstrated proper coughing and sneezing etiquette (into the elbow or on the sleeve, not into the hands). Campers produced skits about "Swine '09."But for some children who fell ill, the situation was traumatic.
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San Francisco Merchants Band Together to Help Fight Breast Cancer With Susan G ... Apr 27, 2010 @ 04:44 PM
San Francisco Merchants Band Together to Help Fight Breast Cancer With SusanG. Komen's Shop For The Cure(R)The Komen Card Program Kicks off with a Night of Shopping Oct 21 and RunsThrough Oct 30SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the San Francisco Bay AreaAffiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure announced the launch of the 2009 ShopFor The Cure® program, a night of shopping and cocktails hosted by UnionSquare's finest stores.The kick-off celebration is a new addition to the Shop For The Cure® program,in its fourth year. With a $65 tax-deductible donation, shoppers receive the2009 Komen Card, which grants them a 20 percent discount card to be used atparticipating merchants from October 22 through October 30. One hundredpercent of the card donations will benefit the Komen San Francisco Bay AreaAffiliate. Cards are available at participating merchants.The following merchants are participating in the program and will becelebrating the kickoff this evening, offering refreshments and staying openlate to offer shoppers the exclusive opportunity to use their card early: -- 7 For All Mankind -- Allen Edmonds -- Bottega Veneta -- The Container Store -- Cafe Coton -- Glory Chen -- Gucci -- Hickey Freeman -- Joe's Jeans -- Kate Spade New York -- John Varvatos -- Judith Ripka Jewelry -- Paul Smith -- Stuart Weitzman -- Theory -- TSE -- Yves St. Laurent"The merchant community in San Francisco has been amazing, becoming moreinvolved with the Komen Shop For The Cure card every year," said Anne Chen,Shop For The Cure Co-Chair. "We've raised more than $150,000 to fund breastcancer research, awareness and local support with this program to date and areso pleased to introduce a festive kick-off event where shoppers, merchants,and Komen donors can start their holiday shopping in style.""This year especially, customers are eager for reasons to feel good aboutshopping," said Julie Scott, Manager of Allen Edmonds. "I can't think of abetter way to offer that than the Shop For The Cure program, which benefitssuch an important cause and provides a significant discount on luxury items."The Komen Card comes with an easy-to-use directory that contains a detailedalphabetical listing of all the stores. The discount applies only toparticipating stores and must be presented at the time of purchase. The KomenCard discount applies only to new merchandise or services purchased during theKomen Card event from October 22 through October 30, 2009. It does not applyto existing balances, prior purchases or future purchases.Additional Resources:For more information about the Komen Card program, visit:http://www.komencard.orgBecome a Facebook Fan: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Komen-Card/112559207065Follow the Komen Card on Twitter: http://twitter.com/komencardMap of the participating retailers: http://bit.ly/3Ob88zAbout Susan G. Komen For The Cure Susan G. Komen For The Cure was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honorthe memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at theage of 36. Today, the Komen For The Cure is an international organization witha network of more than 100,000 survivors and advocates working through localAffiliates and events like the Komen Race For The Cure® to eradicate breastcancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight againstbreast cancer, Komen fulfills its mission through the funding of innovativebreast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientificand community outreach programs around the world. Komen , together with itsAffiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, has invested $1.3Billion in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatmentprograms.About the San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure The San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure -- alongwith those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources --is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community.The San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate is proud to have invested over $11million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in thenine Bay Area counties of Sonoma, Napa, West Solano, Marin, San Francisco,Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara since our inception in 1987- 2007. We accomplish this through the Race For The Cure®, donations fromindividuals, corporate contributions, benefits by community partners, andother fund-raising efforts. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by theKomen SF Bay Area Affiliate stays in the Bay Area through our annual grantsprogram to local tax exempt organizations providing breast cancer education,screening, support and treatment services to underserved women and theirfamilies. A minimum of 25 percent of our annual income is directed to thenational Susan G. Komen For The Cure Grants Program for energizing science tofind the cures.For more information about breast health or breast cancer, visit the Komen SanFrancisco's Web site, www.komensf.org, or call (415) 397-8812.SOURCE San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The CureSan Francisco Bay Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure,+1-415-397-8812
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20 charged in Medicare fraud bust in California Apr 27, 2010 @ 04:44 PM
LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities have charged 20 people, including clinic owners and patient recruiters, in a scam they say fraudulently billed Medicare about $26 million.
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Los Angeles Prepares for Clash Over Marijuana Apr 27, 2010 @ 04:44 PM
LOS ANGELES — There are more marijuana stores here than public schools. Signs emblazoned with cannabis plants or green crosses sit next to dry cleaners, gas stations and restaurants.
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Meth-scourged Mo. towns crack down on drug makers Apr 27, 2010 @ 04:44 PM
UNION, Mo. — The meth problem in Union has gotten so bad that someone with a drug habit stole the light shades outside Marilyn Roark's house. She got them back, but they were unusable.
