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These days, CBS4’s Rhiannon Ally may appear to be the epitome of optimism, but life didn’t always seem so promising
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As the morning anchor of WFOR/CBS4, Rhiannon Ally has covered major news stories ranging from presidential politics to the selection of a new pope. She has a successful career, a great husband and a wonderful life.
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Seeing her today, it’s certainly not evident just how difficult her life once was. From an early age, Rhiannon had to deal with some harsh realities and challenging circumstances. She was raised by her determined single mother Carolyn, who was only 17 when Rhiannon was born. While she was named after one of Fleetwood Mac’s signature songs – she claims her mother was a big fan of the band and the song’s singer, Stevie Nicks -- her childhood was nothing like its free-spirited namesake. Then again, the particular name wasn’t her mother’s first choice.
“I was going to be named ‘January,’” Rhiannon explains. “But I was two months premature, and I was born in November, so my mom named me Rhiannon instead.”
H
owever, she’s the first to admit that she never takes any of it for granted. It was, after all, a long and tenuous journey that took her from humble beginnings to the top of her game.
In fact, from that point on, nothing really seemed destined to go according to plan. Yet even though she was forced to drop out of high school to care for her daughter, Carolyn was determined that Rhiannon would never want for whatever she needed. As soon as she could, Carolyn moved them out of Kansas City’s tough inner city – an area known to the locals simply as “Northeast” -- to settle in the suburbs where the schools were better and the environment was safer and more secure. Nevertheless, despite their difficulties, Rhiannon found strength and inspiration in her mother’s steadfast devotion. “She always pushed me to do better,” Rhiannon remembers. “She was very upfront with me. She didn’t sugarcoat things, even though she didn’t have her own support system or really anyone she could depend on. I can’t imagine what it was like for her as a 17 year old trying to care for me while also trying to survive financially without a high school diploma. Trying to make car payments, pay the rent and raise a kid. I’m still amazed how strong she was.” Despite those setbacks, the importance of strength and determination made an indelible impression. Her birth father didn’t become a part of her life, which made her mother her whole world. “She wanted to make a better life for the two for us,” Rhiannon insists. “For awhile, she worked in a book binding factory where her shift started at 4 am. She would take me to the babysitter before going to work, and then would be there when I got home from school. She was there for me in every way, and I always felt totally nurtured. She made it as easy for me as possible.”
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For Information Call: 305.477.1699 It was Carolyn’s support which helped Rhiannon realize a dream that no one in her family had ever achieved before, namely, to go to college. “There was never any question about whether or not I would get that opportunity,” she says with certainty. “It was always a must in her mind. My mom helped pay for it and I took out student loads for the rest. She was determined that I should do everything I could to make a better life for myself.” The realization of a college education was a dream they shared between them. “It was one of my mother’s proudest moments,” Rhiannon says of the day she graduated from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. She remembers being onstage, accepting her diploma and then looking out into the audience and seeing her mother overcome with joy. “That was a very emotional moment for me,” Rhiannon recalls. “She worked hard her entire adult life to get to that moment. It was so special because we had achieved that goal together.” Rhiannon majored in pre-law and minored in political science when she started at the university, but it was a journalism professor that encouraged her to change her major and pursue broadcasting. She landed a pair of internships at two local television stations, and
was eventually named weekend evening anchor at WIBW in Topeka, even while she was still in college. While she admits that traveling back and forth between Kansas City and Topeka wasn’t easy (“It was difficult to be 21 and have no social life,” she laughs), she was determined to take advantage of the opportunity she was offered. That proved especially fortuitous when a short time later, another opportunity came along. While working at WIBW she met her future husband, Mike, and the two became co-anchors. Still, life had challenges of a different sort in store. In the nearly five years they’ve been married, Rhiannon and Mike have lived apart twice. In each instance, the couple was separated for nearly six months, reuniting only on weekends until they found employment in the same city.
“She wanted to make a better life for the two for us”
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I
In 2009, Rhiannon was offered a job with a syndicated television program called "The Better Show" in New York City, only to be lured away to WCBS, the network’s flagship station in 2011. Mike joined her in Manhattan six months later when he was hired by ABC. “New York was a really amazing adventure,” she recalls. “We adjusted to life in the big city very quickly and we really had a great time while we were there.” Nevertheless, the couple would find themselves parted from one another a short time later. Mike landed a job at Miami Fox affiliate WSVN in July 2011, and Rhiannon came down to visit him on weekends. “We’d be with each other on weekends, but then when the weekend was over, I had to fly back to New York and come home to a lonely apartment,” she remembers. While being apart was difficult, the fact that both Mike and Rhiannon worked in the same profession helped make the transition a little easier. “Some marriage might suffer because of a prolonged separation,” she suggests. “But since we’re both in TV and we have the same job, we know that sometimes it takes sacrifice to be successful. We support each another completely and each want the other to succeed.” In February 2012 Rhiannon was hired at CBS4, allowing husband and wife to be reunited in South Florida. When both spouses share the same profession,
work and home often overlap. However Rhiannon and Mike do their best to create a divide. “We try not to talk about work, so we can make the most of our time together,” she says. “We don’t compare ratings or anything like that. We both love news, but we’ll discuss it only in a very general way. I might ask him if he’s heard about a certain story, but we don’t compare the way our stations cover a story. We do our best to keep our lives and our jobs separate.” Still, it’s clear the two appreciate their common bond. “It’s nice to be able to relate to the things we both do at our jobs,” she says. “Mike bleeds news. And he always gives me feedback, whether it’s good or bad.” He’s not alone when it comes to sharing comments or criticism. Caroline and Rhiannon maintain their close relationship even today. Aside from watching Rhiannon’s newscasts on a live stream from her home in Kansas City, she speaks to her on a daily basis. “I call her every day on my way home from work,” Rhiannon says. “She’ll ask me about story I reported, or tell me she didn’t like the dress I wore, or how my hair looked, or
whether I should have been wearing some accessory. Just like Mike, she’s my biggest fan… but she can also be my biggest critic.”
Consequently, the two women continue to share a close relationship, not only as mother and daughter, but also like sisters and best friends. A photo of the two, locked in a tight embrace, is proudly displayed on her desk in the newsroom. “Some people say they don’t want to be anything like their parents,” Rhiannon suggests. “I’m the opposite. I’d like to be half the woman my mother is.” Not surprisingly then, since arriving in South Florida, Rhiannon and Mike have brought Carolyn down to visit on several occasions for some well deserved R&R. This summer, they plan to give her a very special birthday gift, by taking her on an Alaskan cruise. Rhiannon says it’s something her mother’s always dreamed about. “It’s great to be able to do that,” Rhiannon says. “After all the things she did for me, I’m glad I can give something back to her.”
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“Some people say they don’t want to be anything like their parents,” Rhiannon suggests. “I’m the opposite. I’d like to be half the woman my mother is.”
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1966
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new clues uncovered
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May 2013
March 28,1966
Aaron and Sally Goldman were awakened by an armed man looking for $10,000 the couple supposedly had hidden in their home. When he didn’t find the money, the intruder took the Goldman’s son, Danny, telling the parents that if they wanted their child back – they would need to come up with $25,000. The kidnapping terrified the quiet community of Surfside. Suddenly families were locking doors and kids weren’t allowed to walk home from school. Across Dade County donations were made to help pay the ransom.
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Reporters camped out in front of the Goldman home. Danny’s high school sweetheart, Sharon Lloyd, stood vigil outside the house, often holding a picture of the two of them. As those first days passed without contact from the kidnapper, the Goldman’s promised Danny’s abductor they would cooperate, making personal pleas to the press. “I will deliver the ransom to the location the kidnapper directed,” Aaron Goldman told reporters. “We would indeed be foolish not to work with him in our own interest.” Days turned to months – and months to years – and years to decades, but Danny was never seen again. “There was never a recovery of Danny dead or alive,” said Paul Novack, a former mayor for Surfside. “There was never an arrest made, and there are very few cases like that in the history of the country.” Novack almost eight when Goldman was kidnapped “The Goldman family house is just down the street from where I live now, and just blocks from where I grew up,” he noted. The mystery has gnawed at him for a long time. A year ago he set off to try and solve it following the death of Danny’s mother. “How horribly sad that she passed away without getting any answers,” he said. Novack believes the $10,000 that gunman was looking for was money the Goldmans were supposedly gathering to ship Danny out of the country so the boy wouldn’t have to sign up for the draft the next day when he turned 18. But when the intruder didn’t find any cash, it turned into a kidnapping. An attorney by day turned dogged detective at night, Paul Novack dug into the case discovering long lost reports and statements taken from two career crimi-
nals. One pointed at a fellow named Joe Cacciatore. Chicken Cacciatore, as he was known, was an accomplished thief and burglar closely aligned with mob boss Santo Trafficante Jr. A serious player, Chicken was known to be operating in Miami Beach at the time of the kidnapping. But how would Chicken know the Goldman family might have $10,000 hidden in the house to sneak Danny out of the country to avoid the draft? Well, Novack and his team of Surfside sleuths uncovered a report from a second informant identifying another member of the kidnap team. A former rum runner and criminal named Charlie Lloyd – the father of Danny Goldman’s girlfriend Sharon. It would seem remarkable that police couldn’t have uncovered these connections at the time. But as Novack learned, the Dade County Sheriff’s Office was notoriously crooked in the Sixties. In fact, one of the Dade Sheriff’s deputies in charge of the Goldman investigation was eventually indicted in an unrelated case six months after the kidnapping. “He was indicted with Joe Cacciatore for jointly committing burglaries,” Novack said. Chicken, it seems, would do the crime and the cop would cover up the evidence. So what really happened to Danny Goldman? Charlie Lloyd and Chicken Cacciatore are long dead as are the jailhouse snitches, informants and indicted cops. But police are now wondering if Danny’s old girlfriend might somehow hold the answer. Because of Novack, Miami Dade Police have reopened the case and they have questioned Sharon several times in recent weeks. In his search, Novack found a decades
old Surfside police report in which a bartender claims a woman – who reportedly identified herself as Danny Goldman’s high school girlfriend – came into the bar and told a story about how the kidnapping went wrong. “There was two men one of them went into the house, took Danny out,” Novack recalled. “And they brought him to another location and at that other location, he saw somebody he recognized. And that everyone involved got scared and decided that they had to kill Danny at that point.” Novack said Danny’s body was supposedly cut into pieces and dumped into the Florida Gulf Stream.
“There’s never been a funeral for Danny,” Novack said. “There’s never been a memorial service for Danny. The prayers that Jewish people say for the departed were not said. He was just gone!” The Goldman family released a statement to CBS4 News that says in part: “Hopefully some final conclusion can be discovered and we can close this sad chapter in our family’s history.” Sharon Lloyd is now 64 years old. She has been married twice and is living in Broward. In a phone interview she acknowledged detectives are talking to her. But she insists she has no idea what happened to Danny.
For more information or tips on the kidnapping of Danny Goldman, visit www.surfsidekidnapping.org
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by Josh Benson
Consumers Feeling Tapped Out With Excessive Bank Fees When it comes to banking, what’s your number one gripe? If it’s bank fees, you’re not alone. Banks are trying to make up billions lost when Congress capped the amount they could charge in debit card swipe fees. Some of the new fees they’re introducing may have you shaking your head!
“Banks are really struggling to find ways to make money off their checking deposits so they’re experimenting with new things”
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“I just said, ‘is it April fool’s, or what’s going on?’
W
ould you pay a flat $25 monthly fee so your bank won’t charge you each time you use an out-of-network ATM? Some banks are trying it out. What about a five-dollar fee to replace a missing debit card? – twenty if you want it rushed. How about a fee to use a teller? That one stunned Dave Alexander. “I just said, ‘is it April fool’s, or what’s going on?’ they said, ‘no, that’s, you know, recent bank policy,’ said Alexander. And it doesn’t stop there. For a dollar a month, some banks allow you to go straight to the front of the phone line, skipping other callers on hold. Others are charging a buck if you want a printed ATM mini statement. Banks have to disclose their fees in the documents you get when you open an account, and in those disclosures that show up in the mail. “Banks are really struggling to find ways to make money off their checking deposits so they’re experimenting with new things,” said Claes Bell with Bankrate.com. The American Bankers Association says they still need to cover costs for things like checking accounts. “Some consultants estimate it’s between 250 and 300 dollars a year, and those costs have to be recovered. And the costs aren’t just for providing statements and processing transactions. It’s also for preventing fraud, protecting privacy,” said Nessa Feddis with the American Bankers Association. With many of the new fees targeting customers who don’t mind paying for convenience. “Baby boomers apparently like an all in one fee, whereas gen y, gen x, like to build their own. They want the basics and then they’ll pay extra for what they want,” said Feddis. Dave didn’t pay the teller fee, and has a message for banks. “Enough is enough. I just won’t be nickeled and dimed to death,” said Alexander. Some banks will even hit you with a $25 fee if you close an account within six months of opening it.
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$15 FOR $30?
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Small Businesses & Consumers Using Coupon Sites Learning A Valuable Lesson
P
ay $15 for $30 worth of food, get three oil changes for $49, or train your dog for half the price. For many consumers, it’s hard to resist the daily deal offers that pop up in their
inbox. But some of those offers aren’t working out as advertised and complaints about major daily deal companies are piling up. Jay Johnson thought he was ‘cleaning up’ with a daily deal coupon. But then he discovered a problem, “I went to try and schedule the cleanings by calling the vendor and the cleaning company never called me back,” said Johnson. He phoned the company that sent him the offer he purchased and they sent him back to the cleaning company. The voucher eventually expired.Johnson said he was frustrated. “You pay for the service and you put effort into calling and to try to chase someone down. As time goes on it gets frustrating,” he said. Local 6 found the number of frustrated daily deal consumers is growing. In fact, a multi-million dollar class action suit claims one company sold deals that expired in an “unreasonably short period of time.” Better Business Bureau records
By Josh Benson
reveal more than 2,000 consumer complaints against major daily deal companies, a majority of them filed in the last 15 months. The BBB blames the popularity of the offers combined with overwhelmed businesses. “Consumers have been so quick to take advantage of those opportunities especially with the service industry that that small company couldn’t keep up with the volume,” said Carrie Hurt of the BBB. The daily deal industry tells us they hear the complaints, and things are changing. “Daily deal sites now have learned from this problem and are creating schedulers who work with that service establishment and create a process of how many deals, how many redemptions they can take per day so they’re not overwhelmed,” said Bonnie Carlson of the Brand Activation Association. Carlson says daily deals are still a win-win for customers. “Consumers get a great deal and it gives them a chance to try something new,” Carlson said. Johnson says instead of a good deal he learned a ‘valuable’ lesson. The daily deal site that sold Johnson the cleaning services has refunded the amount he paid for the offer.
The site says they will always refund the consumer if a business closes, an event is cancelled or if a company refuses to accept a coupon.
“I don’t think that I would buy one of these online deals from a vendor I’m not already familiar with,” Johnson said.
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By Appointment
A New Approach To The ER When you think about going to the emergency room, odds are the thought of the waiting room could be as painful as the problem that brought you there. Some facilities are now trying a new approach to the ER by allowing people to make reservations. By Cynthia Demos
“You have folks
that have to come in who are really, really sick and you want them to be seen but you don’t necessarily want to sit amongst them and get sick yourself,” said Candi Sturgell who uses the ER appointment system. That’s why Sturgell is a ban fan of ER Express, one of a growing number of company hospitals that now let patients call in advance and make an ER appointment. So when Sturgell walks into the ER, there is no waiting. “They took us right back,” Sturgell said.
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The appointments are the most recent change taking place in emergency rooms trying to deal with a constantly growing number of patients. Over the last decade, the number of ER visits has jumped 32 percent and is expected to double over the next ten years. “For those patients who are sick but don’t have a life-threatening illness, you’re just getting to hold your place in line,” said Sahil Patel of ER Express. It almost sounds too good to be true. But not everyone is on board with the new approach. Dr. Dino Rumoro, a fellow with the American College of Emergency Physicians, is concerned patients will be confused. “An emergent condition is an emergency condition and it’s not subject to booking an appointment. It means you need to be seen right away,” said Dr. Rumoro. Rumoro said the service is blurring the real intent of the ER by giving patients the impression they have to book ahead. “It seems more like we’re providing a specialty service at that point, and uh, or a privileged service, and the emergency departments are set up to be there for patients whenever they feel they have a true emergency,” Dr. Rumoro said. Companies like ER Express said there are disclaimers on the sites to be sure those with urgent issues get immediate help. “Our software reads the symptoms the patient puts in and if they type in something like chest pain or bleeding or numbness, it’ll actually stop them, block them and say based on what you told us you need to call 911,” Patel said. Doctors in the hospitals already using the appointment system say it allows them to improve the care they give patients. “We know ahead of time what they’re coming for, we have their charts ready,” said Dr. Carlos Garcia. Candi said when she used the service last time, she was thrilled. The only people who weren’t happy were those in the lobby watching as she walked right by them to be seen. “They did look like ‘What was going on? Why are they getting this VIP treatment?,” Sturgell asked.
“Doctors in the hospitals already using the appointment system say it allows them to improve the care they give patients.”
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what is “CYBERCH-
{
Cyberchondria (or cyberchondriasis) is the unfounded escalation of concerns about common symptomology based on review of search results and literature online.
Most people have gone to the Internet to find out more about a health problem at some point in their lives. However, that simple search could lead to a growing condition known as “cyberchondria.” From the common cold to rare and exotic diseases, there is information about every possible ailment available online. Medical experts recently told CBS 4’s Vanessa Borge that for many people, what they discover could be more dangerous to their health than their actual illness. “It’s like hypochondria, that is triggered by the Internet,” said Dr. Nitin K. Sethi of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The growing trend causes sufferers to spend hours online, self diagnosing, and stressing out. “My left arm was getting quite numb and sore. I looked that up and the first thing that shows up, heart attack,” Lisa Lok, a selfproclaimed cyberchondriac, told CBS4. By the time some patients get in to see an actual doctor they already think that they are suffering from the worst. “You kind of start thinking, this is what I have and that fear gets escalated,” explained Dr. Sethi. Lok, 28, said that she can’t stop searching, because every symptom that she reads about leads to the discovery of another one. “I’m hoping to find a sense of relief, but usually the exact opposite thing happens. I’m stressing myself, do I have this? Do I have
{
that?” she explained. Lok has diagnosed herself with everything from heart disease to melanoma, but there has never been anything wrong with her aside from the stress and anxiety that she suffers as a result of self-diagnosing. “I’ve gotten yelled at by numerous people in my family because I’m stressing myself out for no reason, and that’s bad for health in the first place,” she said. Some cyberchondriacs say that the constant surfing and searching makes them feel even worse. “You keep reading all this information because it’s not just from one person, it’s from various sources,” J’Nelle Agee said. Medical experts caution that reading misinformation online can lead to more dangerous problems. “The thing with the Internet is there’s just an enormous amount of information out there and much of it is not reliable or accurate,” explained Dr. David Rose of New York Hospital in Queens. Cyberchondria may even cause some people to delay treatment, with deadly consequences.
by Vanessa Borge
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ONDRIA� Medical experts caution that reading misinformation online can lead to more dangerous problems.
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May 2013
Are you getting the kind of sleep you should? Expert Looks At Myths Surrounding A Good Night’s Sleep
Dr. Daniel Buysse, with the University of Pittsburgh’s Sleep Institute, said what you think about getting a good night’s sleep may not be true.
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We Should All Get Eight Hours Sleep “Not true,” said Dr. Buysse. “People vary in terms of how much sleep they need.” The normal range for most adults is six-and-a-half to eight hours. You Can Catch Up on Sleep “Only partially,” said Dr. Buysse. “You can catch up on sleep for some sleep that you lost, but you’ll never make up for an entire night of lost sleep.” If You’re Sleeping Very Little, You’re More Likely to be Overweight That turns out to be true. “There’s actually quite a bit of evidence linking very short sleep to obesity and to the tendency to gain weight overtime,” said Dr. Buysse. By “very short” he means fewer than six hours on a regular basis. It Doesn’t Matter What Time of Day You Sleep “That is absolutely false,” said Dr. Buysse. Human beings have biological clocks that want us to sleep at night, according to Dr. Buysse who added that we just don’t sleep as well during the day. Sleeping in a Cool Room Is Best That depends on your definition of cool. “The range of ideal sleep is between 65 and 75 degrees,” said Buysse. He adds if a room is too hot – or too cold – you’ll wake up more. A Glass of Wine Can Help You Sleep “Alcohol does help people to sleep,” said Dr. Buysse. But it turns out that it’s only partially true. “The problem with alcohol if you use it as a sleeping pill at bedtime,” said Dr. Buysse, “Is that it doesn’t last that long and people tend to wake up and have insomnia in the middle of the night.”
If You’re Having Trouble Falling Asleep, You Should Get Out of Bed He said this is true. “It’s better to get out of bed, go somewhere else and only when you start to feel sleepy, go back to bed,” said Dr. Buysse. Getting Older Means Worse Sleep The answer here is complicated. “Sleep tends to be lighter and tends to get more fragmented,” said Dr. Buysse. People wake up more during the night. However, he also said that as we get older, we seem to need a little less sleep anyway. Naps Are A Waste of Time “Naps are not a waste of time,” said Dr. Buysse. “Naps are sign that your brain needs more sleep.” He said a half-hour nap can work well for a lot of people and that some people find a 10-minute power nap useful.
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TO THE
TEST
Test Detects Heart Disease Using Only Your Fingers By Cynthia Demos
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Could a simple, completely noninvasive test predict your risk for a heart attack just by measuring your finger? There’s a new device which can tell you the health of your blood vessels, and your heart.
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illions of people within the United States suffer a heart attack every year – often with little or no warning. High blood pressure and cholesterol are known risk factors for heart disease, but doctors are now realizing that those are essentially just symptoms and don’t really tell us much about how well our cardiovascular systems are working. Edward Murphy does not have any heart disease symptoms, but he said he wants to know whether he is headed down the wrong path. “I think I’m doing OK, but I think it’s, like, time to start checking and keeping an eye on things,” Murphy said, “because I think, you know, I heard after 50, everything goes downhill.” The test Murphy underwent is called the Endopat, and it measures the blood flow in his fingers. But what does that have to do with his heart? It turns out the lining of every blood vessel in
the body, called the endothelium, says a lot about the health of our hearts. “The endothelium in the brachial artery of the arm is the same endothelium that’s in the heart, and studies have shown that when that’s abnormal, the ones in the heart are abnormal,” said Dr. Steven Reisman of the New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center. In the Endopat test, blood flow sensors are placed on one finger of each hand. Afterward, a blood pressure cuff inflates to stop blood flow to one hand. After five minutes, the cuff is deflated, and the finger sensors measure how the blood recovers. In the arm without the cuff, blood flow is steady. In a normal patient, blood flow will stop with the inflated cuff, followed by a rebound surge in blood flow.
But in an abnormal test, blood flow only recovers to what it was before the stoppage -– a warning sign of potential trouble. “The abnormal inner lining function will predispose you to a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels,” Dr. Reisman said. “It may also predispose you to a rupture of a plaque in the heart arteries, which is what gives a heart attack.” Murphy’s test came back normal, but had it come back abnormal, having that concrete evidence that something is wrong encourages patients to make lifestyle changes in weight, diet, exercise and perhaps medication – hopefully to restore normal function and prevent a future heart attack or stroke. The Endopat test is FDA approved, and is generally covered by insurance.
The Endopat test is FDA approved, and is generally covered by insurance.
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May 2013 CBSMIAMI.COM
There Could Be Something Dangerous About “Molly” Parents may have reason for concern if they hear their children talking about “Molly.” It isn’t the name of a friend, but a common alias for a potentially dangerous drug. It’s all the rage at raves and electronic dance festivals, like the Ultra Music Fest which was recently held in downtown Miami and teens are using it in increasing numbers, according to experts.
By Cynthia Demos
M
olly or MDMA is the chemical most commonly used in the drug ecstasy. It has been glorified by a number of musicians and Madonna has even given it a shout out. Molly users claim that the drug gives them intense feelings of pleasure, but that the high is followed by a serious crash that includes levels of depression that some have called “para-
lyzing.” “It’s really bad. You don’t want to get up; you don’t want to eat anything. You just sit there. You don’t want to talk to anyone,” said one teen. In some instances Molly has been known to kill, according to medical experts. “It can kill you, because your body temperature goes up. It can kill you because it causes a seizure. It can kill you because it causes cardiac arrest,” said Dr. Stephen Dewey of the Feinstein Institute. One teen said she didn’t have a clue about the dangers. “I feel really shocked. I had no idea, no idea,” she said. The low cost of the drug and its availability have caused Molly use to rise, experts say. “It’s all over; it’s everywhere. It’s as easy as going into a store and buying a bottle of Coca Cola; it’s that easy,” said John Corbett of Maryhaven Steps To Life. Adding cause for alarm is the number of dealers who are now adding highly addictive drugs like methamphetamine to their Molly product, a move that experts say is an attempt to stir up repeat business. “They’re absolutely trying to get more kids hooked on it, so more kids go out and get it, which increases the demand, which raises the price, which generates more revenue,” Dr. Dewey explained. Programs like the one at Maryhaven are helping teenagers break free of Molly’s grip and move on with their lives. Molly runs about $20 a pill. There is no shortage of discussion on the popular drug on chat boards across the internet.
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“It can kill you, because your body temperature goes up. It can kill you because it causes a seizure. It can kill you because it causes cardiac arrest�
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“Alien Hands”
Have Minds Of Their Own Imagine having no control over one of your hands. Living with a body part that has a mind of its own sounds impossible to believe, but it is a very real medical condition that makes life difficult for sufferers. “I would make a telephone call and this hand would hang up the phone,” said “helpless hands” sufferer Karen Byrne. Even getting dressed can be a challenge. “Pull your socks on with both hands and then the left hand is trying to pull it off,” said James Cooke. Neither Byrne or Cooke has control over their left hand. “My left hand has a mind of its own, so it’s always alien to my body,” Cooke said. Byrne and Cooke suffer from a rare, but real, medical syndrome known as Alien Hand. “What happens is that a person’s hand suddenly starts to do something that a person isn’t expecting it to do,” said Dr. Ihtsham Haq. Those who have the syndrome said it can cause serious problems. “I would light a cigarette and this one would put it out. I would be drinking coffee and this hand would dump it,” Byrne said. It can even cause a sufferer to lash out at other people. “I had a patient doing things like grabbing at people’s clothes. One day she grabbed at my pants,” Dr. Haq recalled. Haq studies Alien Hand Syndrome. He said that the syndrome is caused by a conflict between the left and right half of the brain. “The connections between the two halves of the brain are damaged in some way, so what that does is allow your brain to
By Rhiannon Ally
become almost two independent people, where your intent and actions are separated,” he explained. Cooke struggles to even hold two fingers up on his Alien Hand. “I’m mentally saying ‘Hey, put two fingers up’,” he said as he desperately tried to do it but couldn’t The condition has severely impacted Byrne’s life. “I cannot work, I can’t, right now, even food shop. It’s frightening to people and I don’t want to scare people,” she said. Sufferers have very few choices. There is no cure and treatments do not have a high success rate. “We remain hopeful that we’ll find something that will work more consistently,” Dr. Haq said. Cooke and Byrne said that they try to laugh at the situations that their hands get them into. Both of their conditions are the result of brain surgeries. The syndrome can also come about as a result of brain injury, stroke and dementia, according to doctors.
“I cannot work, I can’t, right now, even food shop. It’s frightening to people and I don’t want to scare people”
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EVENTS
CALENDAR
30th Anniversary Don Strock Diabetes Golf Classic 2013 May, 8th 2013 The 30th Anniversary Don Strock Diabetes Golf Classic is one of the longest running and most successful celebrity/amateur charity golf tournaments in the South Florida community. Hosted by former Miami Dolphin quarterback and recent inductee to the Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame, Don Strock! Participants begin their day with a lunch and a shotgun tee off at noon. After completing the course, golfers enjoy a cocktail party and awards dinner including an exciting live and silent auction. (954) 964-4040.
Miccosukee Golf & Country Club 6401 Kendale Lakes Drive Miami, Florida 33183 www.diabetesresearch.org
Redland International Orchid Show
  MAY 17 - MAY 19, 2013 One of the largest annual orchid shows in the U.S. featuring more than 50 booths of educational exhibits and orchid vendors. An American Orchid Society judged event showcasing various types of orchids, plants, and supplies for sale, as well as lectures by experts, raffles, and international food. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fruit and Spice Park 305/247-5727 www.fruitandspicepark.org
Mother's Day Brunch MAY 12 - MAY 12, 2013 Guests can taste appetizing dishes and desserts, tour the grand Stone House and historic Richmond Cottage, and take in the lush natural beauty and grandeur of the Estate. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Deering Estate at Cutler 305/235-1668 www.deeringestate.org
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For Information Call: 305.477.1699
16th Annual May Pops Concert by the Greater Miami Symphonic Band MAY 7, 2013 8 p.m., Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive The Greater Miami Symphonic Band will hold a special concert with guest conductor Loras Schissel and "Henry Fillmore's Miami." For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gmsb.org.
Cost: $15 adults, $5 students.
Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock.com
Miami Beach Food Truck and Music Fest MAY 22 - MAY 22 2013 Enjoy live music and local food truck delights at the North Beach Bandshell. The food truck lineup includes: Ms. Cheezious, Sakaya Kitchen, Gastropod, Health Nut on Wheels, Dolci Pecati, Sugar Yummy Mama, Garcia Brothers Seafood, La Camaronera, Moty's Grill, Latin Burger, Mangia Mia and Bocaditos. Food truck specialties include burgers, seafood, healthy bites and ethnic dishes. 5-10 p.m.
Historic Walking Tours
Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo
May 4,11,18, 25
May 15, 2013 - May 18, 2013
11 a.m., Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue Take a stroll through downtown Coral Gables and learn more about the history of the area and the buildings. The walking tours take place every Saturday, except holidays. For more information, call 305-603-8067.
Cost: $10 and $5 for members.
One of South Florida’s oldest and largest fishing tournaments. Wed Kick-off party, Fri & Sat fishing tournaments, Saturday night awards ceremony.
www.pompanofishingrodeo.com
North Beach BandShell www.mbculture.com
Miami International Piano Festival May 16, 2013 Thu 7:45 PM Colony Theater 1040 Lincoln Rd Miami, FL
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“It’s really easy to be distracted by the way we think we ought to be, or the way we wish we were, or the way other people think we ought to be, and to lose track of what’s really true for us”
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are you
happy? Genetics Plays Role In Our Hunt For Happiness Genetics can determine more than just the way you look. Recent research indicates that they also play a part in how happy an individual is and how happy they could be. These days, it seems that everywhere you turn, there are self-help books and Web sites on how to find happiness. But it could be that unending quest for happiness that is sabotaging our success.
“I
wake up happy,” said Lorraine Robertson.
Robertson is lucky. Being happy is easier for some people than others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 10 American adults reports being clinically depressed.
For Information Call: 305.477.1699 CBSMIAMI.COM
Anti-depressant use has skyrocketed 400 percent since 1994. There is also an explosion of books, Web sites and even apps helping people be happy. So why is it so hard? “About 50 percent of happiness is genetically determined, so some people are born Tiggers and some people are born Eeyores,” said Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. But Rubin said your genetics are not all that indicate your disposition. In her research, she discovered your connection to others plays a major role too.
People who have long-term intimate relationships where they can confide, and where they feel like they belong, also tend to be happier, Rubin said. “It’s not life changes like a new house or a fancy car that make the most impact, but sometimes little things like the smell of an orange that give the biggest happiness boost,” said Rubin. “Over and over, people tell me something like cleaning out a medicine cabinet gives them a huge jolt of good cheer and energy.” Experts said simple pleasures can go a long way, while working too hard at being happy could make you miserable. “The more obsessed we are with trying to become happy, the more energy we put towards a sort of happiness as the end goal, the less happy we are and actually the greater risk we are for feeling unhappy and depressed,” said Dr. Jane Gruber. She pointed to studies that indicate the more you accept who, and how, you are, the happier you are likely to become. “By accepting our feelings, we’re actually less likely to judge ourselves and to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression,” Gruber said. Rubin said her findings confirm that conclusion. Self-knowledge is pivotal to a positive perspective. “It’s really easy to be distracted by the way we think we ought to be, or the way we wish we were, or the way other people think we ought to be, and to lose track of what’s really true for us,” Rubin said. Robertson said she is happiest spending time with her family, going for a run, or listening to music. “I think sometimes people are afraid to be happy or let go,” she said.
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May 2013
It’s the time of year when many people tackle the tough job of “spring cleaning”. But before you throw out the stuff you no longer want or need, you may want to check out a couple of ideas on how you can turn that old clutter into cash.
Turn That
Clutter By Rhiannon Ally
Into Cash Carly Fauth said when she surfs the internet, she’s actually spring cleaning online. “I purge clothes, electronics, anything we’re not using,” she said. New websites make it easier to make money from your mess. “A ton of different sites have popped up to help consumers not only get rid of their unwanted stuff, but help you make a little bit extra cash,” said Kyle Taylor of ThePennyHoarder.com. Unlike Craigslist or eBay, where you are responsible for finding the buyer, these sites pay upfront and then sell it for you. “So it makes it really easy because you get a cash offer right away,” Taylor said. For example, if you have a closet full of clothes that your kids have outgrown, thredUP.com will take them of your hands. “We send you the bag, you stuff the bag with all your outgoing stuff and send it back to us for free,” said James Reinhart, CEO of thredUP. UsedInstrumentBuyer.com pays cash for unwanted musical instruments. And if you’re ready to redecorate, Chairish.com acts as a virtual showroom for used furniture. Once it sells, the company sends
shippers to your home to haul it away. “If you’re fearful of dealing with somebody on Craigslist, this cuts out that process,” Taylor said. But all this convenience does have a price, as each site takes a percentage of your profits. Chairish, for example, receives 20 percent of the selling price upon sale.” “You’re paying a lot more in commissions than you would with a site like Craigslist,” Taylor said. But for some people, it is all well worth it. “Just finding a way to get rid of stuff and make money at the same time, it’s just, to me, it’s a great feeling,” Fauth said. Experts say the payout from the sites can vary widely, so it pays to compare. And while commissions can be higher than selling on Craigslist or eBay, they tend to be less than regular consignment shops.
“Unlike Craigslist or eBay, where
you are responsible for finding the buyer, these sites pay upfront and then sell it for you.” cbsmiami.com
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Kid’s Meals Not Always The Best Choice
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CBSMIAMI.COM
M
oms and dads are not going to like the finds of a new survey when it comes to kid’s meals on restaurant menus. The study, by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, looked at children’s meals at the nation’s top chain restaurants. It found 97 percent of their offerings did not meet nutritional standards. “The meals flunked across the board. Most were too high in calories, too high in saturated fat and sodium, whole grains were very rare,” said Margot Wootan, the organization’s Director of Nutrition Policy.
More than half of the restaurants in the study didn’t have a single kid’s meal deemed healthy based on standards set by a panel of nutrition experts. “It’s as if chain restaurants haven’t heard that there’s a childhood obesity epidemic. They’re still serving up the same old menu of burgers, fries, sugary drink,” said Wootan. Those types of food choices are a real health concern for nutritionist Keri Glassman. “Kids are eating a tremendous amount of their calories, they’re getting a tremendous amount of their nutrition from fast food restaurants and it’s
a major problem that these fast food restaurants and these chain restaurants and not even offering healthy meals,” said Glassman. According to the group’s report, “The children’s meal with the most sodium is the “Naked Chicken Fingers with Avenue Sauce, Fries and Milk” at Buffalo Wild Wings. That meal contains 3,200 milligrams of sodium, twice the recommended intake of sodium for a child for an entire day.” The National Restaurant Association said that some restaurants are offering healthy alternatives through voluntary program called “Kids Eat Well.” In a statement issued to CBS, the association wrote, “Participating restaurants offer and promote healthful meals for children that focus on increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy, while limiting unhealthful fats, sugars and sodium.” Of the 34 restaurants studied, only ten participated in the “Kids Eat Well” program. Ironically, the Subway chain does not participate in the program yet 100 percent of their kid’s meal met nutritional standards. “All eight of their kid’s meals are reasonable in calories, fats, sugar – they don’t have soda on the menu. And they all come with apple slices,” said Wootan.
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May 2013
AlexYanes
yanesart.com
Alex Yanes, born in Miami, is the product of both the everevolving, fast-paced city and the burgeoning art scene. Yet, he is as real and approachable as they come. In a city filled with wild characters and over-saturated personalities, Yanes is refreshingly humble, preferring instead to let his vibrant and colorful artwork take center stage. And it does.
“Whimsical and yet relatable, Yanes’ art embodies innovative use of color and imaginative subject matter and speaks to collectors and new art lovers alike.”
ince he decided to pursue art fulltime in 2006, his work has become his autobiography, speaking volumes about who he is and what he has seen. A son of the city, his story is influenced by Cuban roots and an ever-growing curiosity about all the things Miami had to offer him during the 80’s and 90’s. Yanes’ work is the result of years spent immersed in skateboard, tattoo, hip-hop and punk-rock culture during his teenage years, but says he felt the stirrings of creativity at a young age. He won his first art contest at age 6 and claims that one of his greatest accomplishments was building his own treehouse at the age of 10; a feat he accomplished with the knowledge and tools imparted on him by his father and grandfather. Now a father himself, Yanes spends his time making art and raising his family in the city that raised him. Where he once worked on canvas, his art has taken on a life of it’s own, coming alive via wood, acrylic, resin and enamel into three-dimensional installations.
Each is a unique view into Yanes’ history and love of all things art, and have caught the eye of art aficionados and corporate collectors alike. He has worked with Adidas, Red Bull, Sony, The Learning Channel, Vans, Kidrobot, Neiman Marcus and Urban Outfitters. And because he supports the city that cultivated him as an artist, he has made it a priority to work with local foundations where he can help children and ultimately bolster their love of art. He has worked with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, The Dan Marino Foundation, Miami Children’s Museum, NBA Cares and The Children’s Trust. Whimsical and yet relatable, Yanes’ art embodies innovative use of color and imaginative subject matter and speaks to collectors and new art lovers alike. His work is now a staple in Wynwood’s art district and he looks forward to taking his art across the U.S. and internationally, with upcoming stops in New York, Chicago, California, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and Brazil. “I was born to Cuban parents in July of 1977.
I spent my time as a kid in 1980’s Miami, attending public school, watching cartoons, skateboarding and drawing everything that captured my attention. “My proudest childhood moment was when I
built my own treehouse at the age of 10.” Hanging out with my crew of friends and getting into endless adventures around town. I have always been attracted to subculture and underground movements. My heros and influences growing up were and still are my Dad, Indiana Jones, The Bones Brigade, Style Wars and The Beastie Boys. 25 years later, I’ve never stopped creating. These days my artistic inspiration is derived from the vibrant mixture of my environment, fatherhood, life’s circumstances, subculture and the ability to create something out of nothing.” For more information on Miami’s emerging artists visit www.yo-miami.com.
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NEW hangover
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Ever since there has been alcohol there have been hangovers. A lot of people even have their own “go to” cures for hangovers. Now, a new breed of cures promises to relieve and prevent hangovers.
curesdo they work? “Mercy,” a lightly carbonated blend of amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins, is meant to be used at the end of a night of drinking. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow believes so strongly in the product that she invested in the company. Doctor Scott Drab of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy said that the vitamins in Mercy could help the body process alcohol. “B-vitamins may speed up the metabolism to some degree,” he said. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, which can generally handle an ounce of alcohol per hour. While there is no scientific evidence to support Mercy’s claims, Dr. Drab pointed out there isn’t any to refute them either. Another product called “Blow Fish” consists of effervescent tablets that are dropped into water and consumed the morning after a night of partying. Blow Fish, which contains aspirin and caffeine, is FDA approved. “I could certainly feel comfortable in recommending this product,” Dr. Drab said. Bytox, a patch worn on the body after drinking, is said to work faster because ingredients absorb through the skin. However, experts remain skeptical. “I did not find any specific data that their active ingredients are more quickly absorbed because it’s in a patch,” Dr. Drab said. Some drinkers may be interested in trying THC after
a long night of imbibing. The “Texas Hangover Cure” is a powder that you can mix with water and drink after a night out. It contains prickly pear cactus and milk thistle, ingredients that are believed to help the liver. Drab said that he could not recommend THC as a hangover cure. “Again, there’s no evidence that this product actually does do what it says it’s going to do,” he explained. So what can you do? Medical experts recommend Gatorade for hydration and aspirin to relieve headaches.
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Fight
For Information Call: 305.477.1699
CBSMIAMI.COM
Fatigue Super Foods That Increase Energy
Do you feel tired all the time, despite getting sleep at night? Getting your energy back could be simpler than you think. That’s because certain nutrientrich foods can help fight fatigue and even give you energy to spare.
L
ots of things can make us feel tired; work, watching television and raising children for example. But if you’re getting adequate sleep at night and you’re still tired experts say it may be time to start looking at your diet. “We find that fatigue generally is coupled to foods that are nutrient-poor,” nutritionist Nicolette Pace said. Our bodies need essential nutrients like protein, fats and complex carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals, to function properly. Without them you feel tired, even irritable, and that can lead to even more poor food choices. “Grabbing sugars and grabbing something quick to bring up that energy level, that’s food that robs your energy. You will crash shortly thereafter,” said Pace.
So what should we be eating? “We know protein leads to mental focus and energy,” Pace said. Pace recommends eating more plant-based proteins like quinoa and buckwheat products, which your body digests slowly, keeping your blood-sugar stable, and, in turn, keeping your energy level up. “Zinc is always a key thing for producing energy,” said Pace. She also recommends eating more foods high in the mineral zinc which converts body fat into energizing fuel quickly. Good sources of
zinc include dark chocolate, mushrooms and peanuts. Other foods that have been proven to increase energy include sweet potatoes. According to Stanford University researchers, eating one cup of sweet potatoes a day helps 78 percent of women shake off fatigue in as little as three days. Sipping two cups of ginseng tea can increase energy levels by 50 percent or more, according to a Korean study. And a daily serving of a 1/4 cup of leeks a day can cut tiredness by up to 25 percent, said scientists at the University of Southern California. “We see routinely more fatigue, more lethargy when we’re not getting enough iron in our diet,” Pace said. Without sufficient iron your body can’t carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. As a result, doctors say, you may often feel tired, hungry and crave certain foods.
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More Companies Waking Up To Napping Notion
CBSMIAMI.COM
Most people don’t get enough restful sleep at night which can lead to poor performance at work the following day.
I
“Just one 26 minute power nap can increase your cognitive skills by 40 percent”
n fact, studies have shown out nation’s chronic exhaustion is costing companies billions of dollars each year. Some companies have realized the problem and given their employees some much needed rest. In most workplaces, sleeping on the job is discouraged and can get you fired. At Ben and Jerry’s it’s encouraged. The company has even created a special nap room for its employees. “The nap room is definitely well loved here. Having 15, 20 minutes, even an hour if you need it, makes all the difference,” said employee Liz Stewart. A poll from the National Sleep Foundation found 34 percent of employers let their employees nap while on break. Sixteen percent have even set aside a special room for employee naps. “We are a nation of walking zombies. Seventy-one percent of us are not meeting the required seven and a half to eight and a half hours per night,” said Jim Maas, CEO of Sleep for Success. A Harvard Medical School study estimated sleep deprived American workers cost their employers $63 billion in productivity every year. Ted Olsen with Power Naps, a company that offers sleep solutions, said that’s not all. “Compound that with accidents and other broken equipment because of someone not quite fully on their game, you can add another $30 billion to that figure,” said Olsen. Some companies have incorporated sleep experts into their employee wellness programs. One healthcare company even offered a six week course for insomniac employees and found it led to an increase of $672 in productivity for each participant. “We talk about the serious consequences of sleep deprivation in terms of your health and your cognitive behavior, your productivity. We talk about sleep strategies that can be used,” said Maas. Some companies are going beyond the simple nap room. They’re investing in ‘nap pods’ which provide employees with a dark soundproof bed. “Just one 26 minute power nap can increase your cognitive skills by 40 percent,” said Olsen. While some companies are encouraging sleep, others are helping their employees stay awake with special lights designed to regulate melatonin levels.
“Many companies are bringing in special lighting to the workplace to give people an energetic boost so that they’re wide awake and alert through the workday or on shift work throughout the work night,” said Maas. People looking for a better night’s sleep at home should go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time every morning – even on the weekends. Avoid alcohol three hours before bed and skip the caffeine in the afternoon. Also, turn off all electronic gadgets – including TVs, iPads and computers – one hour before bed time. Why? Because they put out daytime spectrum lighting which can block the production of melatonin – a hormone which aids in sleep.
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JOB!
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For Information Call: 305.477.1699 cbsmiami.com
4 Ways To Better Praise Your Children From the moment they’re born, parents want the best for their kids – helping guide, teach and encourage them as they grow. One way parents do that is with words, especially praise. But is all praise, good praise? There was a test conducted to find out. ine upper elementary schools volunteered to be part of the study, led by Kristin Schaffner, who’s getting her PhD in school psychology and works with children at a child development center. Schaffner gave each child a puzzle to solve, working with each of them individually. For half of the children, she praised them for their intelligence, saying things like, “I can just tell you are a really smart kid.” The other half, she praised for their effort, saying words like “I can tell you’re really trying your best and working hard.” After each child tried an easy and then a challenging puzzle, the child was given a choice — an easier or harder puzzle. Just like a previous Stanford University study, this study found that when kids were praised for being smart, they chose the easier route, but the kids who were praised for their hard work chose to challenge themselves. Of course, there are times when external influences outweigh a short test, like the youngest tester, 8-year-old Darcy Lund. Darcy chose the harder puzzle, even though Schaffner praised for her intelligence. Her mom said Darcy aspires to be like her big brother, Drew, and that her parents encourage her to try her best. This test was based on a larger study at Stanford University with Dr. Carol Dweck. She found that praising kids too often for everything they do can actually undermine their self-esteem because it makes them afraid to fail. Schaffner offers four specific ways we can praise our kids better.
1 Praise effort rather than ability. Example: “I know you spent a lot of time studying and I really loved how you kept working at it and thinking about how you want do better in that class.”
2 Be specific. Instead of vague praise like: “Good job” or “I like that” or “Nice work.”
Examples of specific praise are: “I like the way that you’re using your manners and saying please and thank you.” “I like how you’re sitting and working really hard at studying for your test tomorrow.” “I like how you’re sharing your toys with your brother or sister.”
3 Be intermittent with your praise. Schaffner says “even as adults, if we hear praise all the time and it seems over the top, then it doesn’t seem as good to us.”
4 Be sincere. Schaffner says if we’re sincere, it will be meaningful to the child.
“I can tell you’re really trying your best and working hard.”
:$
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For Information Call: 305.477.1699
Unhappy
Customers
Look To Internet To Solve Complaints One of the most maddening things you can deal with as a consumer is what to do when you have a complaint. Who do you turn to? It turns out there’s a growing industry that is making it much easier for consumers to finally get some action when they’ve been wronged.
By AL SUNSHINE
T
he companies pledge to take the pain out of complaining. For example, Neal Alderson had a pair of expensive sunglasses that broke in half. He requested a replacement pair from the manufacturer but got the runaround. So he posted his complaint on Gripevine for free. Gripevine turned around and contacted the sunglasses maker for Alderson and not to long after that, Neal got some not so shady news. “I got exactly what I wanted, which was a replacement pair of sunglasses,” Alderson said. Gripevine and other consumer problem-solving companies like Scambook and Peopleclaim have taken the traditional complaint resolution avenues and accelerated them into the digital age. Gripevine’s founder, Dave Carroll, became a YouTube sensation a few years ago when he posted a video about an airline he said damaged his guitar and refused to pay for it. After a million hits on his video, Carroll said the airline changed its mind. “In the first two weeks I received 10,000 emails congratulating me,” Carroll said. “But also saying that they felt that they didn’t have a voice and they wished they had a voice.
But between sites like Carroll’s and social media, companies are taking a much harder look at angering customers in the digital age. Simply tweeting a company with a complaint is sometimes enough to get a resolution to your problem. Some sites do the work for free, but others like Peopleclaim have turned it into a full-fledged money making business. PeopleClaim allows you to file a claim for free and the site will notify the company about your problem. If the company doesn’t respond, a customer can pay $7.95 to have the dispute posted publicly online or for $14.95, PeopleClaim will also notify watchdogs, regulators, and the media with the problem. Scambook also allows you to file a complaint for free. You can also pay $4.99 a month for a personal investigator to be assigned to your case. The investigator will mail certified letters to the company for
you each month. So do the sites get results? Scambook said, “We have resolved over $10 million in reported damages.” PeopleClaim said, “Far more than half the complaints are resolved,” while Gripevine said ask any of its customers. None of the companies provide mediators or legal services. Some of the dispute resolution companies said they know how to get your complaint through to key decision makers at companies and that posting it on their website will give it greater visibility.
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Divorce: A Growing Business
For Information Call: 305.477.1699
CBSMIAMI.COM
Making Divorces Less Painful Helps People Feel Better, Not Bitter! Just hearing the word divorce is enough to make many hearts skip a beat as the pain and despair it may bring become all too real. But, these days, there’s been an explosion in products and services to help make divorce easier to survive.
“It can be something that’s life stopping,” said Sonja Fisher a client of Divorce Detox.
Divorce detox is a program that promises to teach you how to feel better, not bitter. It’s one of many new programs, products, and services designed to take the pain out of a split. There are now divorce coaches and planners, a divorce toolkit, even a “divorce in a box.” “Finally people really realize they need these resources,” said Francine Baras, Start Over Smart Co-founder. Mother-daughter team Francine Baras and Nicole Feuer created a full conference focusing on divorce after Nicole’s marriage went up in flames. “I think companies are starting to recognize that there are millions of people getting divorced and it’s a niche that needs to be served,” said Nicole. Their “start over smart” event is a two-day conference and exposition where recent divorcees can learn about all of the help that is now available around the country. “We provide all the services people would need that they don’t even think about; career advice, dating advice, advice on your children,” Nicole said. While trying to get a clear-cut number on the divorce business is not easy, it’s well into the billions and growing larger by the day. Therapists and psychological organizations say the new options are good, but with nearly a million divorces each year, each split can be very different. The one thing many agree on: seeing a licensed professional for help. “It helps them lay the foundation for a new life, get closure from their past and transition through this process, healing the emotions,” said Allison Pescosolido of Divorce Detox CBS4 spoke with a representative from the family institute at Northwestern University about the trend in divorce
By Shannon Hori
aid. The school said all the additional avenues for help are a great option, but each individual may need tailor-made help and guidance which they can find with a licensed therapist.
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C
is it... GLUTENFREE?
For Information Call: 305.477.1699
CBSMIAMI.COM
Celiac Disease Sufferers Discovering Gluten-Free Goes Beyond Food
For the three million Americans that suffer from celiac disease, or the estimated 1.4 million on a gluten-free diet, avoiding foods with wheat, rye, or barley is a daily ritual.
aroline Shannon-Karasik, who has celiac disease, knew something was wrong before she was diagnosed. “I was experiencing the typical stomach pains and gastrointestinal issues,” said Caroline. After being diagnosed, she wiped gluten from her menu. Caroline’s diet isn’t the only thing that required a makeover, however. I was really surprised to find out that something like shampoo or toothpaste would have gluten,” she admitted. While most people think of gluten as lurking solely in food, it’s commonly used as a binder in products like medication, cosmetics, oral care, skin care and even children’s toys. Today, a growing number of these products are being marketed, or formulated, as gluten-free. Dr. Joseph Murray, a gastroenterologist at The Mayo Clinic, believes the trend is an extension of the gluten-free food frenzy. “Gluten is becoming almost fashionable to avoid,” Dr. Murray said. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, such gluten-free, non-food products may be necessary.
The amount of gluten it takes to cause harmful side effects varies from person to person, and little is known about the levels found in individual products. “Patients who have celiac disease in particular must avoid any source of gluten where the gluten can get into their bodies.” That’s why experts recommend patients choose lipstick, mouthwash and toothpaste that are gluten-free.
“It is extremely important for those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity to make sure that the medications they’re taking are indeed gluten-free,” said Alice Bast, of the National
Foundation for Celiac Awareness. That’s because when gluten is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms can be triggered, like diarrhea, bloating, headache, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Even if they’re ingesting gluten and get no symptoms, they can have significant damage to the
intestine with ongoing low-level exposure. As for other products, experts believe gluten isn’t absorbed by the skin. “That’s not something that you need to worry about unless you have a specific allergy,” Bast said. For children with celiac disease, the rules are a bit different. Parents should stick with body lotions, toys, even arts and crafts, that are glutenfree. According to Dr. Murray, that’s because “children will be children and what’s in their hands will end up in their mouths.” Gluten-free products are not yet regulated, but it’s still important to read labels. “Know the words wheat, rye, barley and their derivatives, and call manufacturers,” Dr. Murray cautions. “It brings me peace of mind,” she said. If you have a severe allergy to wheat, Dr. Murray says it’s important to avoid products with gluten altogether, even those that are applied to the skin. Also, be sure to talk to your pharmacist about any medications you’re taking.
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BEWARE OF SCAMMERS Scammers have found a new way to drain a target’s savings without going after their bank account. They’re making use of “pre-paid” cards which more people are using to buy things and pay bills.
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SCAMMERS CBSMIAMI.COM
Pre-Paid Cards A New Way To Separate You
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Shirley Hill found out firsthand. In February, she got an email from the “American Pay Day Loan Company” which said she’d been approved for a loan. “I wanted to do something good for my mother-in-law because she was having a hard time,” said Hill. But when Hill called the phone number on the email she was told that first, she’d have to prove she’d be able to pay the loan back. Hill said the person on the other end told her to buy three Green Dot MoneyPak cards and load them with $1,400 dollars. She did.
From Your Money
“Then he says ‘scratch off the number on the back and give me the number,’” Hill recalled. It was a move Hill now deeply regrets. Within moments, her money was gone, most likely forever. Prepaid cards are just like gift cards. Anyone who has the number on the back can get immediate access to the funds and the money becomes untraceable. “If a con artist is looking to take advantage of somebody, this is one way for them to be successful at it,” said Lori Wilson with the Better Business Bureau. Wilson said prepaid cards have become the payment method of choice for scammers. “We’ve seen this situation with sweepstakes, lotteries, work at home, people
purchasing something off a website,” Wilson said. The Green Dot package comes with a warning saying the company is not responsible for paying you back if someone steals the funds. A bitter disappointment for Hill who she’s now deeper in debt than before. “After I thought about it, I was so darn stupid. We needed the money,” said Hill. Green Dot said it’s working on a safety system, possibly sending alerts to the owners when there’s an unusual pattern of activity on the cars. For now, they should be treated like gift cards. If you lose them, or someone else gets the account number, there’s no way to recover that money.
Prepaid cards are just like gift cards. Anyone who has the number on the back can get immediate access to the funds and the money becomes untraceable.
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