29 Aug 2013

Governor Quinn Signs Laws to Protect Illinois Consumers

By Dave Blanchette

New Laws Deal with "Robo-Calls" and Pre-Paid Purchasing Cards

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed two new laws to protect Illinois consumers from so-called "robo-calls" and to establish clear usage terms on pre-paid purchasing cards. Today's actions are part of Governor Quinn's commitment to protect consumers.

"We must protect consumers from abusive telephone solicitations and from hidden usage fees on reloadable purchasing cards," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will give Illinois citizens more peace of mind at home and in the marketplace."

Sponsored by State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal Lake) and State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville), Senate Bill 2136 requires those who operate an automatic telephone dialer for commercial purposes to keep a record of all calls they make. It also requires the auto-dialer to sufficiently document any calls they make that they claim are exempt from the Restricted Call Registry Act. The law is designed to add teeth to existing laws and to curb abusive practices that some companies use. The legislation also increases the damages that may be sought by consumers for violations that occur.

Senate Bill 2136 takes effect immediately.

Senate Bill 1829, sponsored by State Representative Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) and State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago), requires specific disclosure requirements regarding fees for general-use, pre-paid purchasing cards. The "fine print" on these cards is often complicated and confusing, resulting in many consumers paying more to use the cards than they realize. The law applies to any card sold to a consumer after January 1, 2015 to give businesses ample time to dispose of existing card inventories and become compliant.

Senate Bill 1829 goes into effect January 1, 2014.

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29 Aug 2013

Governor Quinn Reminds Residents to Take Advantage of State's Cooling Centers During End of Summer Heat Wave

By Rick Martin

More Than 100 State Cooling Centers Open Across Illinois

CHICAGO - With hot weather expected this week, Governor Pat Quinn today is urging residents to take advantage of the state's cooling centers. This summer, Governor Quinn opened more than 100 cooling centers around Illinois in order to help those without air conditioning beat the heat.

"The combination of high heat and humidity is dangerous for people and pets alike," Governor Quinn said. "I urge residents to take the proper precautions to stay safe as another hot summer comes to an end."

The cooling centers are located at Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offices throughout the state. IDHS cooling centers are open to the public during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the IDHS cooling centers, the Illinois Tollway Oases in the Chicago area are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Governor Quinn and the Illinois Department of Public Health are also encouraging Illinois residents to watch for signs of heat-related illnesses. Symptoms of heat-related illness include headaches, skin that is hot to the touch, increased body temperature, loss of consciousness, seizures and irregular heartbeats.

To stay cool and avoid illness, people should increase their fluid intake but avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and sugar; decrease strenuous, outdoor physical activity and remain in air-conditioning when possible.

The Illinois Department on Aging also encourages relatives and friends to make daily visits or calls to senior citizens living alone. When temperatures and humidity are extremely high, seniors and people with chronic health conditions should be monitored for dehydration and other effects of extreme heat. Additionally, seniors should eat lighter meals, take longer and more frequent rests, and drink plenty of fluids.

To find a cooling center near you, call the IDHS hotline at (800) 843-6154 or visit www.keepcool.illinois.gov.

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29 Aug 2013

Genesis Sets Up Cooling Stations

By Ron Oelke
DAVENPORT, Iowa - August 26, 2013 - Genesis is making the cafeterias at its three Quad-Cities hospital campuses available to the public to provide relief from the heat during the current Heat Advisory.

The cafeterias at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Genesis Medical Center-West Central Park and Genesis Medical Center-Illini Campus will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., today, Monday, August 26
and Tuesday, August 27.

The cooling station locations are:

• Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, 1227 East Rusholme St., Davenport.

• Genesis Medical Center-West Central Park, 1401 West Central Park St., Davenport.

• Genesis Medical Center-Illini Campus, 801 Illini Drive, Silvis.

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29 Aug 2013

Hotel Hunt: Get the Right Room at the Right Price

By Ginny Grimsley
By: Alisa Abecassis, Founder of ExploreAll50.com

If you're like me and RVs are not an option, then hotels are where you'll be staying over the course of your trip.  Choosing a hotel can be a scary process if you have no knowledge of the area and are working with a limited budget, but using my helpful tips can take out some of the guesswork in finding acceptable hotels.

1. Chain hotels are usually a safe bet (and you could get breakfast for free!). What's the budget for your trip? If you can stay in top-notch hotels with connecting rooms?fantastic. Although I was lucky enough to be able afford that luxury, I purposely chose not to. I wanted my kids to experience "roughing it" a bit so that they would be more appreciative of the luxuries they had at home.  Our go-to spots are moderate-level hotels such as Best Western, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and the like. Large chains tend to have a uniform standard of style and cleanliness. An additional perk is that most of these moderate-priced hotels include breakfast. Again, nothing fancy?cold cereals, some breads and pastries, coffee, and fruit.  Sometimes you might get lucky and they'll have a hot buffet.  Everyone loves the make-your-own waffle machine! It's a great way to get something in everyone's stomachs to start the day and you save on the expense of breakfast.  Plus you can grab a muffin or piece of fruit for the road!

2. Do your homework: read ratings, reviews, and phone a friend. With any level of hotel, research is key. I check out websites such as Hotel.com, Expedia, Orbitz, and TripAdvisor, typing in the city to find all the hotels where I'll be stopping so I can compare prices and look at pictures. TripAdvisor is a fantastic resource because you can see reviews and pictures from hotel guests. You'd be surprised at the discrepancy between a hotel's photos and the photos by people who actually stayed there. Some places that look fabulous on the hotel website could actually turn out to be pretty gross in real life!

Before you choose a hotel, look at the location. Do research on the various neighborhoods so that you know ahead of time that you're sleeping in a safe place.  Do you have friends who live in, or have visited, the area? Enlist them! When I was planning a trip to Detroit, I had no idea where to stay (given that almost every hotel had reviews of thefts and other nastiness), so I called an acquaintance who happened to live in a suburb of Detroit and asked his advice. He told me that Dearborn was a nice, safe place for my family. He was right?it was great!  Sometimes friends can tell you what the Internet won't. However, if I don't have any contacts in the area, and there's not much posted online, then my general rule of thumb is that if it's near a popular activity and it's a well-known chain, then it can't be that bad.

3. Make sure your hotel choices are also bed bug free. Another important step in researching hotels is making sure the place you've chosen has not been infested with bedbugs.  Before making a reservation at any hotel, always check the Bed Bug Registry at www.bedbugregistry.com. It is an invaluable resource.  You can look up any hotel in any city and see if there have been reports of bed bugs.  Also, in the event that you encounter bed bugs anywhere you go, please be a good citizen and help out your fellow travelers by reporting it on the site.

4. Let's book it! Once you've done all your research, you're ready to make the reservation. Some hotels and travel sites offer discounts if you pay up front. This option can save you money, but keep in mind that if something comes up last minute, you will not be refunded (even if you have a sob story). However, if you make a reservation and secure it with a credit card, you can usually cancel up to 24 hours in advance without a charge.

I highly discourage you from booking directly through the hotel website or 1-800 number. Compare prices online and call the front desk at the actual hotel. On numerous occasions there was a special promotion going on that wasn't listed online, and I never would have known if I didn't call ahead. Also, the clerk on site can tell you what kind of rooms they have and notate any special requests.

Also to note: it pays to be a AAA member. A membership card can get you valuable discounts on hotels, car rentals, activities, and even at some restaurants.

Another way to get discounts is to join loyalty programs. Enrolling in a loyalty program can be a great way to rack up points if you go narrow and deep with a particular hotel brand.  You can get their credit card and earn points on all your purchases, in addition to your stays, which over time will result in some free stays.  Definitely worth checking out.   Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards are a couple just to name a few.

5. Print and file. Once you've made your reservation, print out the confirmation and put it in your trip bible for safekeeping.

6. Be ready to think on the fly-sometimes even the best-laid plans can fall apart. Sometimes, even with the best research, you can end up driving to a hotel that is way below your expectations and "just doesn't feel right." As a single mom, when this happens to me, I call the hotel to cancel. I would rather face a cancellation fee than stay in a place where I feel unsafe. Of course, there are ways around the fees, too. Often times a clerk will cancel the reservation just like that.  Other times I've had to get a little creative to avoid the one night charge. Sometimes it might involve a story about my car being stalled or a flight delay, but sometimes the truth works as well.  No one argues with me when I say I am a single mom and I don't feel safe?again, the story you give is up to you.

On our last night in Nashville we booked a very inexpensive hotel near the airport.  It looked fine from the outside but when we drove around back toward our room there were a bunch of drunk guys hanging off the balcony who started whistling and making suggestive comments when I got out of the car.  That was enough for me to go right to the hotel office and cancel immediately.  The clerk totally understood and recommended a few other places for me to check out.

When a hotel just isn't what you expected, the best thing to do is drive around a bit and find where the newer hotels are grouped closed to a few restaurants.  Your GPS can be very helpful with this.  You may have to run in to a few to check prices and availability, but peace of mind is totally worth it.  Always trust your gut?be safe instead of sorry.

Using my helpful tips with take a lot of the guesswork out of finding safe and comfortable places to stay on your trip.  It's not foolproof, but as long as you've done your research, and can redirect on the fly if need be, you will be fine when it comes to booking your stays.  Safe travels!

About Alisa Abecassis

Alisa Abecassis is the proud mother of three children - Lilia, 17; Isaac, 15; and Joel, 14.
After her marriage ended, she decided it was time to strengthen her family's bonds and personal history by traveling and gaining a better appreciation all 50 United States.
Abecassis is a blogger and has a bachelor's degree in political science from UCLA. Connect with her on Twitter @ExploreAll50.

29 Aug 2013

Real Costs of Health Care Law

By Sen. Charles Grassley

by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

At the end of this year, the coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act will take effect.  Regardless of what a person thinks about the massive changes the law will make to America's health care system, it's important to understand the economic impact of the health care law's regulatory burden and 23 tax increases.

The reality is that the Affordable Care Act creates multiple levels of new government regulation and the cost of the law is covered with taxes and penalties on businesses and consumers who already pay for their insurance.  Health insurance premiums are expected to jump significantly as insurers shift costs to comply with mandated health care benefits.

The law also continues to cause great uncertainty among employers.  The employer mandate requires companies with at least 50 workers to provide health insurance to those who work at least 30 hours.  In anticipation, some employers have cut back hours or added part-time staff instead of full-time positions.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics' recent employment report shows that of the 162,000 jobs added in July, a disproportionate share is skewed towards lower-wage, part-time work.  The ranks of part-timers being hired are swelling due to the uncertainty created by the employer insurance mandate.  The White House in July unilaterally decided to postpone the employer mandate, but the one-year delay does not remove the future burden on employers.  The delay also opens up insurance subsidies to fraud, as the IRS likely will not be able to certify if those who apply legally qualify.

The tax increases prescribed in the Affordable Care Act to raise $1 trillion over a decade include :

  • a 2.3 percent excise tax on the sale of medical devices effective January 1, 2013, increasing the cost of hip and knee replacements and other medical innovations that our aging society has come to depend on to extend quality of life;
  • a tax penalty on individuals for not buying qualifying coverage effective January 1, 2014, that gradually increases over the next three years.  In 2014 the penalty tax is limited to $95 or 1 percent of taxable income, whichever is greater, but by 2016 the tax grows to $695, or 2.5 percent of taxable income.  In the years following, the penalty will increase by a cost-of-living adjustment;
  • a payroll tax hike on higher-income taxpayers, lifting Medicare Part A's tax bite to 2.35 percent from those workers' paychecks;
  • a 3.8 percent surtax on investment income for higher-income taxpayers;

·         a tax increase that limits contributions to Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs) to $2,500 and eliminates tax-free reimbursements for over-the-counter medicine for both FSAs and Health Savings Accounts;

  • limits on medical itemized deductions;
  • an excise tax on insurers of employer-sponsored, high-end health plans, effective in 2018;  this change places a punitive tax on those who have health coverage to help pay for those who do not;
  • annual fees on prescription drug manufacturing and health insurers; and,
  • a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services.

Expanding access to health care coverage for the uninsured has broad support and steps need to be taken to increase access to coverage, especially for individuals, and to increase transparency and competitiveness in the cost of health care services.  But the new federal taxes, excises, penalties, mandates and fees in the Affordable Care Act come with tremendous economic costs.  What's more, the health care law won't bend the spending curve on exploding health care costs or encourage medical innovation.

All things considered, just as Washington can't tax our way to prosperity, the federal government can't tax its way to universal health care coverage without inflicting more harm than good.

Monday, August 26, 2013
29 Aug 2013

This Saturday - The Festival of Praise - LeClaire Park, Davenport

By Timm Dalman

This Saturday!

The Festival of Praise

6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 31st

Lincoln Brewster

LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa

With exciting opening celebration led by

Dave and Carrie Meumann and the High Praise Band!

LeClaire Park Bandshell -400 West Beiderbecke Drive - Davenport, Iowa

Concert 6:00 pm, Gates open at 5:00 pm

 

Admission to the concert is just $10.00 cash at the gate. (No tickets!)

Children 12 and under are FREE!

See our Commercial online by clicking here:

http://youtu.be/rCTbGO-HArI

This Year's Event will benefit one of God's most precious gifts! Come & meet Brenden & Chloe, who were homeless last year and were the inspiration for this year's Festival to help other Children in Crisis.

Here's a message to you from Kathryn Bohn, Executive Producer of the Festival of Praise Concerts:

"We are excited to have Lincoln Brewster, contemporary Christian artist, singer/songwriter, and former guitarist for Steve Perry (Journey) headline our Festival of Praise this year.  Lincoln has a passion for seeing people, especially the youth, enter God's presence through worship and with his songs reach a new generation."

28 Aug 2013

Illinois Army National Guard officer candidates commission, become second lieutenants

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/26/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 129th Regional Training Institute Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Camp Lincoln in Springfield commissioned 34 Soldiers as second lieutenants during the OCS graduation ceremony at Springfield High School, Aug. 25.

To meet the commissioning requirements, an officer candidate must complete more than 658 hours of classroom and field instruction. Candidates are evaluated on leadership abilities along with academics. They must also complete many physical and mental tasks, such as road marches and tactical exercises.

The 129th has commissioned 2,289 officers from the program.

The six newly commissioned accelerated program officers are:

• 2nd Lt. Dustin Anderson of Preemption, Ill., with Troop C, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Robert Boney of St. Louis, with Company B, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Bloomington, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Amanda Bruni of Troy, Ill., with Company C, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Springfield, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jonathan Logemann of Lancaster, Wisc., with Detachment 1,1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Joliet, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jonathan Miller of Macedonia, Ohio, with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Garrett Nevious of Marion, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

The 28 newly commissioned traditional program officers are:

• 2nd Lt. Matthew Bisesto of Aurora, Ill., with Company G, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Crestwood, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Tom Boas of Philo, Ill., with Detachment 1, 1544th Transportation Company in Danville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Logan Burke of Nashville, Ill., with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in West Frankfort, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jose Corona of Aurora, Ill., with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Amanda Day of Peoria, Ill., with the 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Landon Foy of Park Forest, Ill., with the 1244th Transportation Company in North Riverside, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Trevor Garner of Hull, Ill., with the 661st Engineer Company in Sparta, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jason Harrison of Lisle, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Wade Joiner of Edwardsville, Ill., with the 445th Chemical Company in Shiloh, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Dallin Jones of Paxton, Ill., with Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Benjamin Klingberg of La Grange Park, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Adam Kowalski of Darien, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Brock Kowske of Chicago, with Company B, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Elgin, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Simon Lee of Chicago, with the 1744th Transportation Company in Crestwood, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Justin Lipes of Roseville, Ill., with Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Kirby McKee of Huntley, Ill., with Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Woodstock, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Doreen Misiorek of Springfield, Ill., with the 766th Engineer Company in Decatur, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Brandon Nicol of Leroy, Ill., with Company E, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., with the 933rd Military Police Company in Fort Sheridan, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Peter Pogwizd of Chicago, with Troop B, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Dixon, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Robert Reif of Wauconda, Ill., with Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion in Streator, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Antonio Reyes of Chicago, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Greg Romanek of Franklin Park, Ill., with Company B, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Bloomington, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. John Schaaf of Moline, Ill., with Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Erin Speck of LaGrange, Ill., with the 333rd Military Police Company in Freeport, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Keith Stewart of Ursa, Ill., with the 661st Engineer Company in Sparta, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., with 2nd Battalion, 123rd Forward Support Company in Milan, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. David Wachtveitl of Springfield, Ill., with Company C, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, 33rd Brigade Support Battalion in Carbondale, Ill.

Outstanding OCS graduates were awarded the following:

• The Leadership Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., for the highest overall leadership evaluation score over the entire OCS program

• The Physical Fitness Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., for the highest average score on the OCS Army Physical Fitness Test

• The Academic Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Matthew Bisesto of Aurora, Ill., for holding the highest academic average in the class.

• Three Soldiers received honors. The honor award is a calculation of peer evaluations, leadership evaluations, academic evaluations and physical fitness, determining the top three overall officer candidates.

• The third honor was awarded to 2nd Lt. John Schaaf of Moline, Ill., for maintaining the third highest course average

• The second honor was awarded to 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., for maintaining the second highest course average

• The Erickson Trophy was awarded to 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., for holding the highest academic average in the class and she is also the class distinguished honor graduate.

28 Aug 2013

Iowa Finance Authority to Host Statewide 2013 HousingIowa Conference September 4-6 in Coralville

By Nicholas Depew

Nearly 500 Expected to Attend 2013 HousingIowa Conference Sept. 4-6

CORALVILLE - The Iowa Finance Authority will host housing professionals from throughout the state at the Coralville Marriott for the HousingIowa Conference Sept. 4-6. Attendees will hear from national housing experts, discuss local housing issues and network with housing professionals from throughout the state. The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the housing industry. The registration fee is $175. More information is available at www.IFAMeetings.com.

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4 - FRIDAY, SEPT. 6

WHAT: 2013 HousingIowa Conference

REGISTRATION: $175

LOCATION:   Coralville Marriott, 300 East 9th St., Coralville, IA

MORE INFORMATION AND FULL AGENDA:  www.IFAMeetings.com

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28 Aug 2013

Need for blood donations prior to Labor Day holiday weekend

By Ben Corey
Red Cross rewards blood donors as summer winds down

PEORIA, Ill. (Aug. 26, 2013) ? With the arrival of Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets to help ensure sufficient supplies over the holiday weekend.

Those who present to donate between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards, and all donors will walk away with the instant gratification that they may be helping to save more than one life.

"The summer may be coming to an end, but the work of the Red Cross is far from over," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. "As you make plans for this Labor Day holiday, please also make time to give blood and help patients who depend on your lifesaving donation."

While thousands of people answered the call for blood and platelet donations issued by the Red Cross earlier this summer, an urgent need remains for platelets and types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. The summer months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelet donations to keep pace with patient needs.

"Patients in local hospitals often can't take a break to enjoy the holiday," Heiden said. "But blood and platelet donors can give these patients a chance to enjoy this time with family and friends - simply by rolling up a sleeve."

Live a story. Give a story. Donate blood or platelets. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org/summer for more information and to make an appointment to help save lives.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Henry County

Aug. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Sept. 5 from 12-6 p.m. at First United Methodist South Campus Building, 302 N. State St. in Geneseo, Ill.

Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Walgreens, 500 S. Main St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Sept. 9 from 1-6 p.m. at Alpha United Methodist Church, 211 N. Scandia in Alpha, Ill.

Mercer County

Aug. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at Alexis Community Center, 204 W. Palmer Ave. in Alexis, Ill.

Rock Island County

Sept. 4 from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at American Red Cross of Quad Cities, 1100 River Drive in Moline, Ill.

Scott County

Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hy-Vee, 4064 E. 53rd St. in Davenport, Iowa

Whiteside County

Aug. 27 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 4 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Focus Services, 1100 First Ave. in Rock Falls, Ill.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-forprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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28 Aug 2013

Is Bulldog-Face the Next Modern Epidemic?

By Ginny Grimsley
2 Doctors Say Unrecognized Airway/Breathing Issues are Prompting Facial Changes and a Host of Chronic Problems

What's it like to be an English bulldog? More people are finding out, say integrated health specialists Dr. Michael Gelb and Dr. Howard Hindin.

"A bulldog's airway passages are quite restricted because of the shape of its face, and they are often especially vulnerable to illnesses such as cardiac disease and cancer," says Dr. Michael Gelb of The Gelb Center in New York (www.gelbcenter.com), a holistic dentist known worldwide for pioneering integrative treatments.

Dr. Hindin of the Hindin Center for Whole Health Dentistry (www.hindincenter.com) partners with Dr. Gelb in a multidisciplinary approach to treating chronic disease affecting millions of Americans.

"Our faces are becoming more like a bulldog, with smaller mouths, bigger tongues, misaligned teeth and bigger necks - all of which changes the structures of our mouths and makes breathing significantly more difficult," Dr. Hindin says.

The doctors say that's creating a health crisis.

They say these issues are often associated with Airway, Breathing and Sleep (ABSleep):

• ADHD and other children's issues: Ninety percent of our brains are developed by age 12. Obstructions and even increased effort in breathing cause children to have sleep disorders, and the effect is a range of related problems, from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to obesity and diabetes. The good news is that much of this is preventable - at 6, 18 and 30 months of age, doctors can predict children who are likely to develop behavioral and cognitive disorders due to poor breathing. Treatment is often complex and requires a team approach. Removal of tonsils and adenoids are among preventative measures, along with palatal expansion and myofunctional therapy. Additionally, early intervention can improve the shape of a child's face, lips and smile.

• TMJ: As our faces are becoming pushed in and our mouths are getting smaller there is increased pressure on the TMJ as well as increased muscle tension and clenching.

• Sleep apnea: People with sleep apnea can stop breathing hundreds of times each night. Each time this happens, the brain triggers the person to awaken, ever so slightly, in order to resume breathing. Up to 90 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea have not been diagnosed, according to the American College of Physicians. Sleep apnea is just one of the disorders that can have serious lifelong consequences. But the causes are easily corrected. Children who snore loudly are twice as likely to have learning problems and are more likely to develop behavior problems and ADHD.

• Chronic headaches: Morning headache is one sign of obstructive sleep apnea. As the face is pushed in, nasal breathing is obstructed and mouth breathing results in a forward head posture. This puts a strain on the muscles and nerves at the base of the neck which increases headache.

• Other sleep disorders: You do not need to have apnea to have a sleep disorder that will interfere with performance and health. Snoring, restless leg syndrome and simple daytime drowsiness can be a signal that you are not getting the proper quantity and quality of restorative sleep. If you are suffering from chronic pain, inflammation, poor performance or behavior problems, consider looking into airway-breathing treatment.

About Michael Gelb, D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Michael Gelb is an innovator in airway, breathing, sleep, and painful TMJ disorders pioneering Airway Centric. He has studied early intervention for sleep disordered breathing (SDB) specializing in how it relates to fatigue, focus, pain and the effects all of these can have on family health. Dr. Gelb received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery and his M.S. degree from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He is the former Director of the TMJ and Orofacial Pain Program at the NYU College of Dentistry and is currently Clinical Professor in the Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology at the NYU College of Dentistry. He is a co-inventor of the NORAD, or Nocturnal Oral Airway Dilator appliance that reduces snoring by positioning the patient's tongue and jaw so that airways stay open. He co-founded the Academy of Physiologic Medicine and Dentistry (APMD) and a non-profit to prevent the proliferation of chronic disease in the U.S. based on airway, sleep and breathing awareness, research and education.

About Howard Hindin, D.D.S.

Dr. Howard Hindin is trained in all aspects of general dentistry. Since the 1990s, his practice has also focused on cosmetic dentistry, temporomandibular joint disorders and craniofacial pain. He is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry. An acknowledged pioneer in the relationship between dental issues and whole body health, Dr. Hindin is President (2000-present) of the Foundation for the Advancement of Innovative Medicine (FAIM). He is also an active member of the American Academy of Pain Management, American Academy of Cranio Facial Pain, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and the New York State Society of Acupuncture for Physicians and Dentists and is the co-founder of the American Association of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry (AAPMD).

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