New Years Resolution for Your Pet
Many people get new pets as gifts for the holidays. The start of a new year is the perfect time for dog owners to take stock of their relationship with their pet and set some resolutions for the year ahead. As dog owners, we all want to improve the health and happiness of our pets. Committing to realistic New Year’s Resolutions can help dog owners improve the well being of their pets, and in turn, get more joy out of pet guardianship.
Neither rain nor sleet nor snow keeps my dog sitter, Kato George, from showing up for her job. Clients named Bailey and others eagerly look forward to her visits.
On rainy weeks like these, I think of the important work that she and her staff do to prevent “accidents” in the home when I am out of town or just gone for a long day at work.
Whenever Kato comes to walk my pup, Miss Bailey, she is happy and playful upon my return. Kato keeps me updated with daily emails and the occasional photo of Bailey via text message which helps to reassure me that she is doing ok while I am away.
Miss Bailey
This new year, don’t impose on family, friends and neighbors. Entrust the safety of your home and the health of your pets to a paid professional that ensures that your “best friend” will be well taken care of.
State Troopers Remind Motorists the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend is the Deadliest
The Highway Patrol will be targeting speeders and aggressive drivers on North Carolina interstates and major four lane highways through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Operation Slow Down began Monday, November 16th and will end on Sunday, November 29th. Last year 25 motorists were killed and 1,870 were injured on North Carolina highways during the holiday.
“I have instructed our Troopers to crackdown on speeders this holiday weekend; speed is the leading cause of fatal collisions on our highways,” said Colonel Randy Glover, Commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Our goal is to ensure that all motorists arrive at their destinations in a safe and timely manner”.
Speed and aggressive drivers are the leading cause of traffic deaths in our state. The aggressive driver has been identified as those drivers who flagrantly violate the motor vehicle laws, including but not limited to: excessive speeding, following too closely, erratic lane changes, safe movement violations, and other forms of reckless endangerment.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., Combined Accident Reduction Effort.
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25th and ends at midnight, Sunday, November 29th.
Citizens can report highway problems to the Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on their cellular phones. The toll‑free call goes directly to the nearest Highway Patrol communication center.
Flu Me?
I know I said i’d write…so, i’m sorry for being a M.I.A lately.
You see, after I retured from visiting my sick grandmother in Puerto Rico in July, I got sick. After a few months of a lingering drainage of all of the energy that I had in me, I learned that I had been exposed to H1N1. After reluctantly ingesting 2 sets of heavy antivirals and sleeping every little bit of my free time away, I learned that my boyfriend (who had recommended I see a doctor for the possibility of pneumonia over a month ago) was right…
I had walking pneumonia. After 2 sets of antibiotics, I am still exhausted.
I guess it took me so long to give in and go to the doctor because, I was waiting for my Cobra medical benefits to kick in and couldn’t afford the full cost of a doctor’s visit being unemployed and all. I began going back to school in a part-time paralegal program with a full-time school workload in August, was trying to fit in as much probono and freelance work in as possible…these small tasks have been draining every drop of energy that I have in me…
I also turned 30 in August. So old age could certainly be another contributing factor…
I can’t afford to be sick. I despise feeling tired. I have too much to do!
I have been taking my vitamins, eating right, drinking lots of fluids, and resting a lot. I originally thought I could do all of the right things and knock this thing out for good. Apparently, it’s not that easy.
I have begun to notice the news reporting that many of the swine flu deaths are linked to pneumonia and am VERY glad that I went to the doctor when I did.
Of 77 people who died from complications of the H1N1 strain between May 1 and Aug. 20, 22, or nearly 30 percent, also had bacterial co-infections, including some caused by pneumococcus, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
Those infections likely worsened the illness and contributed to the deaths, six of which occurred in previously healthy people with no known medical conditions. CDC officials urged people at high risk for flu complications to check with doctors about getting a pneumonia vaccine in addition to the recommended seasonal and H1N1 flu shots.
In the latest report, scientists analyzed tissue samples collected from swine flu victims in eight states. Patients who died ranged in age from 2 months to 56 years, with a median age of 31. Some of them may have been eligible for the pneumonia vaccine.
From a WHO press release about findings presented at the meeting: … Concern is now focused on the clinical course and management of small subsets of patients who rapidly develop very severe progressive pneumonia. In these patients, severe pneumonia is often associated with failure of other organs, or marked worsening of underlying asthma or chronic obstructive airway disease. Treatment of these patients is difficult and demanding, strongly suggesting that emergency rooms and intensive care units will experience the heaviest burden of patient care during the pandemic. Primary viral pneumonia is the most common finding in severe cases and a frequent cause of death. Secondary bacterial infections have been found in approximately 30% of fatal cases. Respiratory failure and refractory shock have been the most common causes of death.
A Washington Post story reports this: Unlike the seasonal flu, (Nikki) Shindo (a medical officer in the WHO’s Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Department) said, the virus appears more likely to travel deep into the lungs, where it can cause viral pneumonia. Such a condition can cause severe lung damage and a life-threatening condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome. “Remarkably different is this small subset of patients that presents very severe viral pneumonia,” Shindo said. Shindo noted that some hospitals in Australia and New Zealand were severely strained by seriously ill swine flu patients during their recently ended winter. “This disease overwhelmed emergency rooms and especially intensive care units because of the very severe patients that required special care,” Shindo said, urging hospitals to prepare for the possibility of a significant number of patients requiring intensive care.
The lesson here is that carrying around antibacterial wipes, spray and gel just ain’t gonna cut it. You can still get sick.
In most cases the swine flu isn’t going to kill you, but it may present itself as pneumonia or a more serious bacterial infection later that can have a lasting effect on your health.
If you can, get the flu vaccines available to you and at the first sign of the flu SEE a doctor….the folks at the NC State Fair, this year, are taking precautions to keep the pigs healthy…shouldn’t you?
A Familiar American Story Hits The Raleigh Stage
The story, set in New York in the mid-1950s, explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Tony, who belongs to the Italian gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the rival Puerto Rican gang’s leader.
If you’re unfamiliar with this story line it is known as — West Side Story.
Being of Puerto Rican-Italian descent, I was introduced to the screen interpretation of the story as a little girl. I was told that the movie put Puerto Ricans “on the map.” I’m not sure if that is true, but I do know that rven though the story is over half a century old, I have always been able to identify with the classic musical depicting the cultural conflicts that exist between “us” and “them.”
Art imitates life in the film West Side Story mirroring the modern day story of ethnic groups, stereotypes, and racial bigotry that is all too familiar to anyone with multi-cultural roots.
West Side Story is a musical by Arthur Laurents (book), Leonard Bernstein (music), and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics). The musical is based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
No matter how many times you’ve seen the musical, with its catchy and lyrical tunes by Leonard Bernstein, its clever and touching words by a young Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents, there is still a pull at the heart strings when it’s effectively staged.
The film teaches a valuable lesson; a lesson about how hate can kill a person and destroy the lives of his or her loved ones.
I am thrilled to learn that this classic and moving tale of love, tragedy, and justice will come to Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium October 16-25.
THE NORTH CAROLINA THEATRE IS INVITING THE PUBLIC TO BE A PART OF A WEST SIDE STORY:
1. ATTEND THE DRESS REHEARSAL FOR FREE ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 AT 8 PM! THERE ARE ONLY 150 SPOTS AVAILABLE. PLEASE EMAIL ALICE BECK AT ABECK@NCTHEATRE.COM. LIMIT TWO PER PERSON. REPLY BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 5.
2. COME TO TARGET STUDENT PREVIEW NIGHT ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 AT 7 PM. TICKETS ARE ONLY $10 FOR ALL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. MUST HAVE VALID STUDENT OR TEACHER I.D. TO PURCHASE TICKETS. CALL ALICE BECK AT 919-831-6941 X6941.
3. LEARN THE ‘MAMBO’ FROM WEST SIDE STORY – TAKE A FREE DANCE CLASS AT THE NORTH CAROLINA THEATRE CONSERVATORY (LOCATED AT 3043 BARROW DRIVE RALEIGH, NC 27616 NEAR TRIANGLE TOWNE CENTER IN NORTH RALEIGH) ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 FROM 6-7 PM. AGES 12 AND UP. OPEN TO FIRST 75 PEOPLE WHO RESPOND. PLEASE EMAIL ABECK@NCTHEATRE.COM.
I look forward to watching the local stage production.
If interested visit: www.nctheatre.com for more information.
Hispanic Heritage Month Begins Today
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
The term Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or “other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino.” More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on the 2000 Census.
Please visit the following site for more facts on Hispanics
www.infoplease.com/spot/hhm1.html
It’s about more than the cake
I’ve always enjoyed going to other people’s weddings. It’s always interesting to see how different people take their vows, in a church, on the lawn, at court, and even online. I especially enjoy the receptions, dressing up and mingling with friends, meeting new people, eating great food, dancing to silly songs and eating cake…lots of cake! The cake is always my favorite part.
I have never thought it important to take into consideration how expensive or cheap the wedding was, how many guests attended, or how many bridal showers took place…Weddings are meant to celebrate the civil union between two people. It’s all about those two special people. Nothing more and nothing less. Plain and simple.
After attending this past weekend’s Southern Bridal Show & Expo i’ve begun paying closer attention to the recent wedding engagements taking place among friends around me and remembering weddings that I have attended or been a part of in the past.
On Sunday we visited hundreds of NC vendors who bombarded us with an overwhelming array of choices for food, desserts, cakes, decorations, photographers, entertainment, transportation, wedding attire, and even “talking roses…,”
After careful thought and reflection, I’ve come to one conclusion. When it comes to weddings, I think it’s safe to say that most of the population has diluted the definition of this sacred tradition. When it comes to weddings, most of the population may have gone mad.
An engaged friend recently reminded me that the average cost of a wedding is currently around $20k, down from a higher level of $28k before the recession got underway.
I don’t even think that spending is at $20k–more than the annual income of a family of four living at poverty level in the United States…
I’ve heard friends argue that a man ought to spend two months’ salary on his future wife’s wedding ring, that the proposal means more than the wedding, there should be a save the date, invitation and wedding website available to guests before the “big show,” a wedding planner is a necessity, a bride should have a bridal shower for every room in her home, and that the average cost of a wedding cake should be around one thousand dollars!
I’m unsure how we got to this point. How has this business been able change a designed to unite two people in a sacred or secular rite, into a complicated ritual that resembles a massive theatrical production?
I’m not saying you have to run down to the court house and call it a day. I love the thought of the tradition and the celebration. I’m just saying that the wedding is all about that lifelong union.
The pressure to have a perfect wedding is outrageous. It’s about not losing sight of “why” of the wedding is taking place in the first place.
If you can’t answer that question first there’s no reason to move forward with the wedding cake…
Get Dressed the Smart in the City way…
Just off of Glenwood South in downtown Raleigh, I’ve found the key to the Receshionista’s treasure chest. It’s called Get Dressed, but once you take a walk inside you’ll quickly learn that it’s so much more. This new, hip consignment shop promises to soon be a community hub where everyone can meet, mingle, entertain, and save money.
Mel Snyder, has taken over the former “Purple Armchair” warehouse with the vision of developing a grassroots community hub where visitors, consigners and shoppers can find an eclectic assortment unique collectibles and vintage finds.
Mel is an inspirational woman business owner with drive and vision that is sure to make her a role model in the local community.
After living in New York, where local businesses quickly became community gathering spots, where the young and old, shoppers, workers, visitors and natives would gather for socializing, shopping and a little mental stimulation.
She saw the local demographic changing and the evolution of lifestyle in downtown Raleigh and a need to meet consumer’s needs for affordable, quality goods and she didn’t hesitate to fill that gap.
I have witnessed the transformation from a bare warehouse to an affordable “shopping center.”
Renovations have begun to build a movie screen for hosting of “movie nights’ during the fall and winter months. Local musicians, artists and entertainers are being lined up for evening events planned each month throughout the year. A coffee and beverage bar, reading and music listening areas are being assembled.
Currently, Get Dressed is showcasing beautiful artwork, home accessories and jewelry designed by local artisans. Consignment items include designers and vintage shoes, handbags, appliances, decorations, furniture and clothing for men, women and children.
All of this in an effort to make this a one-stop shop for low-key, affordable and hip shopping and entertainment in downtown Raleigh.
I am a satisfied Get Dressed consigner and already feel like part of the Get Dressed community. Mel, her partners and volunteers greet me by name when I walk in the door.
I am thrilled with the idea of turning Get Dressed into a regular “destination” location for other living in or visiting downtown Raleigh.
Photos by: Kurt Schlatzer
Today: Developmental Disabilities (DD) Advocacy and Education Day
There are promising signs that the House members are developing revenue packages to restore funding to some of the proposed budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Significant budget cuts are being considered by the North Carolina Legislature that will dramatically affect services being provided to some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, especially those with mental illness and developmental disabilities.
A Developmental Disabilities (DD) Advocacy and Education Day will be hosted TODAY from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the State Legislative Building (16 W. Jones St., Court 1300, Raleigh NC 27601) in an effort to educate state legislators and the public on the negative impact that the proposed state budget cuts will have on advocates, families, professionals and organizations in the DD community.
Members of the DD community are encouraged to join in an effort to tell their stories to legislators as the budget process moves forward.
Additional details are as follows:
• The emphasis for this day is on providing educational information and meeting with legislators about developmental disabilities and the current budget issues being faced.
• ASNC and DD advocacy organization representatives will be on-site to provide orientation and talking points to participants.
• DD Advocacy and Education Day is not a rally. There will be no speakers, food, music or a confirmed agenda.
• Signs and placards can be carried outside of the building but will not be allowed inside the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
Your audience could benefit from learning more about the devastating impact that these budget cuts will have on agencies that help those living with autism as well as other developmental disabilities.
Wake Up! Do something useful today. Support NC’s Film Industry
What is 25 TO SURVIVE?
My friend and former UNC-W classmate, Richard, called me today to tell me that he will be one of hundreds expected to assemble in Raleigh at the NC Legislature on tomorrow morning, JUNE 11.
Richard, a Johnston County native is joining the cause while back home on break from his full time gig as A.D. of Desperate Housewives. He plans to gather in Raleigh on HALIFAX MALL behind the NC Legislative Building at 9 am to celebrate North Carolina’s motion picture industry legacy and will also rally for the cause 25 TO SURVIVE to show support for an 25% film tax incentive.
The event is being organized by 25 TO SURVIVE in an effort to let lawmakers who they are: a group of families and people from all over the state who own property and pay taxes and who want to live and work in North Carolina. It is crucial to make this movement a statewide initiative and they hope to that the entire state is represented in Raleigh tomorrow.
The Cucalorus Film Foundation is the beneficiary for 25 TO SURVIVE. The Cucalorus Film Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is assisting with the planning of this massive event. They will also carry the permit for the location and the liability insurance in order to have a well orchestrated, high profile event.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made directly to Cucalorus Film Foundation at:
http://www.cucalorus.org/donations.asp
Or via the 25 TO SURVIVE page on Facebook:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/261650
If you are interested in this movement, this is your chance to show the lawmakers who you are.
1. Bring bottled water. It’s going to be HOT.
2. Got a FilmNC shirt? Crew shirt from a film you worked on? WEAR IT!
Ready for a knockout workout to kick start your summer?
I’ve been taking cardio kickboxing classes for over 5 years and never get tired of them. It’s always a great workout, but I’m always willing to challenge my endurance further.
My friend Regina invited me to what she called an “intense” cardio kickboxing class at a somewhat mysterious gym close to the Angus Bard in Raleigh, yesterday. Since I have been going to the gym much less than my body is used to during the past 6 months, I decided to accept the invitation to try to catch up on time lost.
As soon as we got there, I was intimidated…this was serious business…
I thought, “What have I gotten myself into?”
One of the friendly owners, Rick, took us into an office, had us sign a waver, hand over our keys and take a nice set of boxing gloves into the boxing gym to wait for our instructor, Mike, to read us our rights.
We ran, we jumped, we did knuckle push ups, squats and none of this kicking and punching the air stuff that I had been used to…we actually punched nice sturdy and heavy bags that somehow seemed to be fighting right back.
No loud techno beats, no blondes in full makeup, dangling earrings, and daisy dukes, no interruptions, no air conditioning, no hardwood floors. Just a no frills, high- energy workout meant to deliver results. Instead of feeling like a chore, feeling like work, it’s exhilarating, it’s exhausting, it’s fun.
Boxing was once seen as sport for men, but the folks over at Box-2B-Fit said that the majority of their members are women.
I was really impressed with my experience. It was a real boxing gym, welcoming real people. They didn’t pressure us into buying anything. They just wanted us to make sure that we were happy.
I went home gritty and can feel the slight burn in my muscles today to know that it worked.
If you’re ready to knock out those winter love handles, I would recommend taking one of the free, no pressure classes that they offer every day of the week.
As they say “pound for pound, round for round, the toughest workout in town…”
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