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Let's enjoy nights illuminated by fireworks this July 4th and beyond
...Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Children, often fascinated by the bright sparks, may grab the hot end of the sparkler where the temperature can reach 1,800 degrees. It only takes a moment for a sparkler to ignite a child’s clothing causing a devastating burn injury – possibly death.
...Fireworks are illegal in San Diego County and extremely dangerous, especially those purchased in Mexico. Each year the UCSD Regional Burn Center treats patients who have suffered fireworks related injury, including from small fireworks called “poppers” that can explode in a child’s pocket and set the child’s clothes on fire, resulting in serious burns.
...“In San Diego County, fireworks are not only dangerous but also illegal,” said James Floros, Burn Institute Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer. Floros points to the thousands, nationwide, who are injured each year from fireworks -- particularly children.
Public fireworks displays conducted by trained professionals are the smartest and safest way to enjoy fireworks because they are conducted in a controlled setting,...Continued
Record Week for West Nile Virus Cases
 .....County Vector Control officials announced today that a batch of mosquitoes collected in Oceanside tested positive for West Nile virus. Additionally, 17 more dead birds tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this week, bringing this year’s total to one positive “mosquito pool” and 60 positive birds. The 13 American crows, one sharp-shinned hawk, one Cooper’s hawk, one raven and one pet parrot were found in Oceanside, Escondido, Solana Beach, Carmel Valley, Rancho Penasquitos, Scripps Ranch, Pacific Beach and Lemon Grove.
...."We routinely trap and test mosquitoes for the presence of many mosquito-borne diseases. Finding a positive mosquito pool is significant because mosquitoes do not travel far from the site of the infection,” said Gary Erbeck, Director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “We are sending letters to warn residents of the potential health risk that exists in their neighborhood. Residents should take personal precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.".”...Continued
“Cool Zone” Open
...The Cool Zones program has begun with the start of summer. Having air-conditioned  settings where seniors and others can congregate to beat the heat reduces individual energy costs and protects their health. Supervisor Dianne Jacob is the creator of the Cool Zone program. Aging &  Independence Services partners with SDG&E to coordinate the Cool Zones, which are sites where older adults and others can go during hot summer days to avoid being affected by the heat. Cool Zone sites include libraries, senior centers, malls, and more. Cool Zones are also great places to meet people.The program also provides free electric fans to homebound, low-income seniors. The program is always interested in adding more Cool Zone sites. For more information, call (800) 510-2020.
“Your Child’s Drug Dealer Is Closer Than You Think”
.....They get them at local markets, grocery stores, and pharmacies. They buy them online. However, the main source of prescription and over-the-counter drugs some teens are using to get high come from their own home.
.....“Your child’s drug dealer is closer than you think,” said Chairman Greg Cox, County  of San Diego Board of Supervisors, at a news event outside a teen recovery center in South Bay where he unveiled the new “drug dealer” in town. “Your home’s medicine cabinet is the newest drug dealer for teens.”
......“The number of teens abusing prescription and over-the-counter drugs continues to rise. With school being out and summer just around the corner, we want to educate parents about the newest drugs teens are using to get high,” added Cox.
.....National studies show increases in prescription and over the counter drug abuse. .....Some teens might use these drugs to party and get high. Others are self-medicating to deal with problems such as stress and depression or to help them juggle schoolwork and other activities. While this trend has not been reflected in treatment programs throughout the county, officials believe this may soon change.
....“It generally takes some time before drug abuse trends show up in treatment program admissions,” said Nick Macchione, Director of the County’s Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). “We may see more local teens with these types of addictions in treatment in the coming years.”
....Some of the prescription medications most commonly abused by teens are painkillers, depressants and stimulants. There are serious health risks when abusing these drugs. A single dose of a painkiller can cause breathing difficulty that could lead to death. Stimulant abuse could lead to hostility or paranoia, and in the worst cases, it could lead to heart failure and fatal seizures.
.....“Parents are the first line of defense against teens using drugs. I encourage them to get educated and talk to their children about the risks of using prescription and over-the-counter drugs to get high. Be alert. You can help close the door on the new drug dealer in town,” Cox concluded.
.....Parents who believe their child might have a drug problem should call the County’s Access and Crisis Line at (800) 479-3339.
Tainted Tomato Toll Now 552 and Two Additional Salmonella Cases Reported in County
...The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has received  confirmation that two San Diego County adults have tested positive for Salmonella. One adult was exposed in Texas; the other did not travel outside the state. These cases are related to the multi-state outbreak associated with consuming certain types of raw tomatoes.
Since mid-April, 552 persons nationwide have been infected with Salmonella Saintpaul, the same strain of the disease identified in 33 states, including California. The huge increase in victims since the nationwide outbreak began on April 10 appeared largely a result of the state of Texas now reporting 265 illnesses, according to the latest count by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The increase in people sickened by the singular strain of salmonella saintpaul was not unexpected. Last week, the count was below 200; two days ago, it jumped to more than 380. At least 32 states, plus the District of Columbia, have now reported cases. At least 53 people have been hospitalized, Ian Williams, chief of the CDC's OutbreakNet Team said. A four-year-old San Diego County child last week tested positive for Salmonella Saintpaul, and also was exposed to the disease in Texas. Including these two reported cases, in San Diego we.....”Continued
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin at Aging Summit on June 26
.......On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed their Lunar Module on the moon’s Sea of Tranquility and became the first two humans to walk on the moon. This unprecedented heroic endeavor was witnessed by the largest worldwide television audience in history. He was presented the Presidential Medal of  Freedom. Since retiring from NASA, the Air Force, and his position as Commander of the Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Dr. Aldrin has remained at the forefront of efforts to ensure a continued leading role for America in manned space exploration. To advance his lifelong commitment to venturing outward in space, he founded his rocket design company, Starcraft Boosters, Inc., and the ShareSpace Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to opening the doors to space tourism for all people. Dr. Aldrin’s commitment to his work and continued learning is why we asked him to speak at this year’s Aging Summit, which is focusing on the topic of Lifelong Learning.
.......Buzz Aldrin, one of the first astronauts to walk on the moon, will share his inspiring stories at Aging Summit 2008 being held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 26 at two sites: the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in Mission Valley and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
There is no cost to attend for persons age 60 and older or persons with disabilities. Cost for others is $40 and includes lunch. Registration is required; call (800) 82-SHARP or (800) 827-4277, or see: www.agingsummit2008.org.
The Cove Apartments: A Supportive Housing Project
A program of The Association for Community Housing Solutions (TACHS)
 .....We are pleased to announce the opening of The Cove Apartments, located at 5288 El Cajon Blvd! This project is an 18-unit Shelter Plus Care Property that focuses on chronically homeless seniors living with serious and persistent mental illness.
....TACHS operates an apartment complex at 5288 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego called The Cove Allison Apartments. TACHS also provides supportive Resident Services to all residents. These apartments are subsidized though funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Qualifying tenants will pay a reduced rent based on their gross monthly income. Typically, participants will pay 30% of their total monthly income for rent. If the participant has no income, the rent will be fully subsidized until income can be established.
Qualifying applicants will receive a studio or 1 bedroom unit with on-site Resident Services supports and access to additional services thru partner agencies. Rent is geared at %30 of income, with qualifying income being up to 30% AMI. Our housing is permanent supportive housing, meaning there is no end date to tenancy.
...For more information,application form,any questions or referrals please contact Jon Walters, Manager of Resident Services, at (619) 696-1270 or via email tachs.jonw@sbcglobal.net. .Qualifying applicants must meet the basic criteria. We welcome any referrals or assistance in finding qualified applicants for this great opportunity.
 The City Heights Farmers’ Market defines the term collaboration.
.......The Food Force and Mid-City Community Advocacy Network team worked with over 20 different organizations and over 150 community members, plus policy makers and educators, to create this exciting community asset. All are to be commended for the Market’s wonderfully festive and lively atmosphere, with colorful flags flying overhead rows of farmers, vendors and community organizations.
Although the market didn't officially open until 9:00 am, by 8:00 am community members were already purchasing fruits and vegetables and wondering why the hot food vendors hadn't opened up yet! By 9:00 am there was a continuous parade of moms with strollers coming from all directions. One community member shared how thrilled and proud she was that her neighborhood now had its own Farmers’ Market. She said the best part was seeing moms finally able to use their WIC and EBT cards to buy healthy food in the neighborhood. One farmer sold $1,500 of produce, and ran out of fruits and vegetables in an hour. A community agency gave out over 1,800 goodie bags to market-goers.
DA Charges Woman for Performing Botched Abortions Without a Medical License at Chula Vista Clinic
.....San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced a felony  criminal complaint has been filed against a woman who posed as a medical doctor and performed abortions at her clinic in the South Bay. The arrest was made after a year-long investigation by the Chula Vista Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
....“This defendant preyed on women in the Hispanic community,” said DA Dumanis. “By passing herself off as a doctor, she put these women’s lives in serious danger.”
Bertha Pinedo Bugarin, 48, appeared today in San Diego Superior Court, but her arraignment was postponed until July 2, 2008. She is charged with 10 felony counts including performing medical procedures without a license and grand theft. Bugarin faces more than nine years in prison.
....At one point, Bugarin operated six abortion clinics in Southern California, advertising one of her clinics on Spanish-language television in San Diego. That business, Clinica Medica de la Mujer, is located at 1550 Broadway, #C, in Chula Vista. Bugarin personally performed abortions on several women at that location during February and March of 2007. Patients also say Bugarin gave them prescription drugs.
....At least nine victims in the south Bay have come forward and identified Bugarin as the person who performed surgical and/or medical procedures on them. One of Bugarin’s patients suffered severe complications and had to be hospitalized three times. She eventually delivered her baby prematurely, which lived for only three hours. Another patient paid $500 for an abortion, but had to return to the office for a second procedure because the first abortion was unsuccessful.
....“These cases are especially disturbing as the victims trusted Bugarin who claimed to be a licensed physician, yet instead were subjected to pain and risk of great bodily injury because of Bugarin’s lack of medical training,” said Chula Vista Police Chief Rick Emerson.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Bugarin’s or has information concerning the case is asked to call the California Medical Board at 1-858-467-6830. |
