September 29, 2010 (Washington D.C.) - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers to stop using all infant sleep positioners.

DON'T BELIEVE DECEPTIVE POLITICAL ADS, FACTCHECK.ORG WARNS CONSUMERS
By Sylvia Hampton

September 13, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa are jointly presenting the ninth annual Kids Care Fest, a free event featuring free health care screenings as well as children's activities, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. The public is invited to attend.

October programs offered through Sharp Grossmont Hospital

September 9, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources.

Public urged to get vaccines, now available at clinics

September 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) updated 4 p.m.– A five-year-old at Boulder Oaks Elementary School in Alpine is among 11 new cases of whooping cough reported by the San Diego County Department of Health & Human Services last week.

The County urges people to get whooping cough vaccinations from their family physician.  "However, if an individual does not have a family doctor, the vaccine is also available at the County’s seven public health centers at minimal or no cost; one of them is located at 855 East Madison in El Cajon," County spokesman Jose Alvarez told East County Magazine.

County Officials Urge People to Follow Three Rules to Protect Themselves, Others

August 18, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announces a four-fold increase in salmonella cases nationwide since May, including outbreaks in California and other states linked tocontaminated eggs. Wright County Egg of Iowa has recalled eggs distributed nationwide under the brand names Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps.

Simulation labs with high-tech mannequins mimic real-life hospital scenarios

August 9, 2010 (El Caj on) – – Vanessa Cordova, newly hired nurse at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, quickly assesses the situation. A 46-year-old patient, J. Smith, had been admitted after collapsing at home and losing consciousness.

County Urges Health Care Providers to Vaccinate Parents and Children; Cases of Whopping Cough Nearly Double over 2009

Tips to keep your clothes--and your home--from going up in smoke
 

East County News Service

July 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually, causing an average of 10 deaths, 310 injuries and more than $84.4 million in property damage. A lack of maintenance, buildup of lint, placing inappropriate items in the dryer and inadequate venting are frequently cited as contributing factors.

One-of-a-kind equine-assisted rehab sessions provided by women for women

By Shirley Clukey
 

July 25, 2010 (Alpine) -- “This is too beautiful, too simple, too good not to share with others,” said Catherine Hand, founder and director of Dream Rider, at a recent training of volunteers. Dream Rider is an equine-assisted rehabilitation program for breast cancer survivors.

Don’t be fooled by the program’s name; it does not involve horse riding lessons and no horse experience is necessary. Using human to horse contact, music and the movement of the horse, a client is led through a gradual progression of exercises designed specifically for her rehabilitation needs. It starts with the simple act of lying prone on the horse’s back, and aligning her breath with that of the horse.

Warning: What you don't know can be deadly

July 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Most East County residents know safety steps to take during an earthquake or wildfire, which are common in our area. But many are misinformed about dangers posed by lightning, a less common peril in our region. When a thunderstorm does strike, however, risks are substantial—and relying on myths can be deadly.

Lightning has caused deaths in California and in San Diego County. In East County, a man in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park was killed by lightning. Another local resident suffered neurological damage.  Lightning strikes have caused many fires in East County. A Campo resident lost phone service due to lightning; in Alpine, a writer's computer was destroyed by a bolt.  

 
Test your knowledge on lightning—the answers may shock you!

July 15, 2010 (Washington D.C.). - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Pottery Barn Kids, has announced a voluntary recall of 82,000 Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs sold from 1999 through 2010. The recall includes numerous different styles of cribs following seven reported injuries and dozens of malfunctions.

Beads of Courage Arts-in-Medicine Program Coming to San Diego

July 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Local area leaders have teamed up with Beads of Courage to host a 2nd Annual Journey to Fight Cancer Golf Tournament & Luau at the Cottonwood Golf Course in El Cajon on Friday, July 23 starting at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start and scramble.

Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing

By: Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
 

President, Blue Summit Wealth Management

July 9, 2010 (La Mesa) -- We have just received notification that two of our top-rated carriers, John Hancock & Metlife, will be raising rates for new policies. If you have already secured your long term care policy, CONGRATULATIONS…you made a great decision! If you have been considering taking out a long term care insurance policy, please contact an independent Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) agent right away for quotes. (See below for tips on what to look for.)

Update on Tax Deductible Premiums: