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New scientific data mining shows that children are fast becoming the latest identity theft victims. And many parents are unaware it’s even happening.

ALSO INSIDE Fear Keeps Many In Miami From Reporting Child Abuse Most People Aren’t Very Good At Multi-Tasking Moneywatch: The Best And Worst Investments For Your Home Is Downtown Miami’s Condo Market On The Rebound Does “Super Fruit” Live Up To The Super Claims? The Secret To Middle-Aged Dating

May 20, 2011

CBS4 Newspaper May 20, 2011 Edition

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I-Team: Child Identity Theft Surges Haritos Tsamitis. “It honestly doesn’t occur to most parents to track that for their children as well.” The study discovered that out of more than 43,265 children studied in the database of identity theft scans in the United States during 2009 and 2010, 4,311 of the children had had their social security numbers stolen and used by someone else.

MIAMI (CBS4) – Children playing at the beach or on the local playground may seem a world away from high tech cybercrime. But experts now say the innocence of childhood has become a new beachhead in the fight against stolen identities. New scientific data mining shows that children are fast becoming the latest identity theft victims. And many parents are unaware it’s even happening. Parents such as Patricia Guiggey never even considered it until the I-Team asked her about the issue. “I hadn’t even thought about it. I guess I’ll have to check and get credit reports on him starting now,” said Guiggey. The CBS4 I-Team obtained a scientific research study which will soon be released nationally. The research was conducted by Richard Power for the Austin, Texas, ID protection company named Debix. The CyLab at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helped draft and write the report. Dr. Dena Haritos Tsamitis is the Director, Information Networking Institute at Carnegie Mellon and Director of Education, Training and Outreach at CyLab. “The findings were rather surprising,” Dr. Haritos Tsamitis told I-Team Investigative Reporter Stephen Stock. “Parents need to take this very seriously.” “As a parent, I track my credit report and make sure that my identity is safe,” said Dr.

“That’s 51 times higher than the rate of identity theft of adults in that same population,” said Dr. Haritos Tsamitis. The study found that the youngest victim was five months old. The study also found that 303 victims were under the age of five. And the study found that largest single amount of fraud involved $725,000 committed using the identity of a 16 year-old girl. The research found that in other things, such as home mortgages, huge utility bills, even hunting licenses and guns, were purchased using children’s social security numbers, names and identities. “The study showed that it (identity theft) is occurring at all ages,” said Dr. Haritos Tsamitis. “It’s even occurring in young infants. But I think it’s more widespread in teenagers.” For example, Zach Friesen had a $40,000 boat bought in his name when he was seven years old. “Someone got a hold of my identity,” said Friesen, “just my social (security number) and my name and was then able to borrow $40,000.” Trouble was, like many of these child id theft victims, Zach Friesen and his parents didn’t find out about the identity theft for another ten years. “When I was 17, I was in for my first job and was applying for schools, for universities,” said Friesen. “(And I) was denied a student loan, denied a job and found out that was for a $40,000 house boat in my name.” Experts say one reason thieves target

children is that this type of ID theft isn’t on most parents radar. The experts say that most parents simply aren’t as careful with their children’s social security numbers and other information as they are with their own. “In between the time that they are born and they get that first job or we’re signing them up for a new school, that social security number can be accessed by thieves that can wreak havoc on that child’s future,” said Dr. Haritos Tsamitis. For parents such as Rolan Walsh, the very idea that his child’s financial and credit future could be stolen is a disturbing thought. “He’s only two and a half (years old),” said Rolan Walsh when the I-Team asked about the possibility his child’s identity might be stolen. “Ok. Ok. That’s pretty scary. Pretty scary,” said Walsh. So to prevent this, experts such as those at Carnegie Mellon University suggest the following: First, avoid giving out your child’s social security number, unless you have to. That includes avoiding giving out your child’s social security numbers to little league or other sports coaches. Experts say be careful even in official settings such as a doctor’s offices. Zach Friesen’s family believes his identity was stolen at a doctor’s office. Secondly, experts say, don’t let your child walk around with their social security card. Dr. Haritos Tsamitis says that social security card could easily be lost stolen out of his or her wallet. Finally, the experts say parents should write or check with credit reporting agencies to see if a report exists on your child. If such a report does exist then parents will know that you and your child will likely have a problem. If you suspect your child’s identity has been stolen, call police and the Federal Trade Commission which oversees and polices this type of activity.

May 20, 2011

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May 20, 2011

I-Team: The Secret Truth About Foreclosures “I think it’s wrong,” said one man.

pension funds.

“Well, appalled of course,” was a woman’s reaction.

But when the housing market unraveled, much like a bow comes untied, it left the investors holding, in essence, a nicely wrapped empty box worth very little.

Another woman told us, “I think it’s disgraceful. That’s what I think.” This shopper in South Dade was very pointed, “That’s criminal.” In fact, it just might be criminal.

MIAMI (CBS4) – 86-year old Collis McDuffie chokes back tears when he thinks about losing the home that he bought back in 1963, to foreclosure. “When you go through what I’m going through. Lord have mercy,” McDuffie said, as he questioned his future.

Fifty state attorneys general are currently investigating the foreclosure fiasco. Legal Services of Greater Miami’s Jaqueline Ledon is helping Collis McDuffie, fight to keep his home.

“And this is where the banks are making money. They’re making money off of people. It doesn’t matter. Who cares if you’re living on the streets,” said Zella McDuffie-Smith. Making money off of people? Big banks profiting from foreclosures? That news stunned many South Floridians who responded to questions from the CBS4 ITeam.

“They’re worthless,” said Ledon. “They’re worthless. The mortgage itself is worthless.” Since the bank that originally made the loan sold it off, foreclosure is not even a risk to them anymore, according to Weston attorney Roy Oppenheim.

“The practical thinking is, why would a bank want to own a property, maintain it, pay the taxes… all that,” said Ledon.

“Typically the way the servicers were compensated, they would receive more compensation through a foreclosure than through a modification,” Oppenheim explained.

According to some critics, the practical or old way of thinking doesn’t hold up anymore. Why? It’s estimated that 95% of all mortgages are not even owned by the bank that loaned you the money. Most banks have sold them off.

So what is a servicer? It’s a bank or financial company that handles your mortgage, doing such things as collecting your monthly payment.

“At my age, where am I going to go?” His daughter Zella is blunt.

In many cases… nobody even knows who really owns the mortgages anymore.

In the most simplistic terms… banks bundled mortgages much like a gift is boxed, wrapped and tied up with a bow.

As a servicer, they get to collect fees, fines and penalties. Servicers are also the first in line to collect even more money once a property is repossed.

That way, they looked safe to conservative investors, such as the people who buy long-term investments for

“And therefore, it was in their interest to have the foreclosure go through the process versus a modification,”

Oppenheim told CBS4’s Chief Consumer Investigator Al Sunshine. Basically, you, the borrower are asking for a modification from the very same people who can make more money from your foreclosure, than if they offered you a cheaper, or modified mortgage, in order to keep you in your home. Isn’t that an inherent conflict of interest?” Al Sunshine asked attorney Oppenheim. “The whole process is wrought with conflicts of interest. It’s just a rotten bag of apples,” Oppenheim concluded.

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May 20, 2011

Fear Keeps Many In Miami From Reporting Child Abuse Associated Press. Removal rates that dip below 3 per 1,000 mean kids are at risk and more than 6 signals too many kids are being removed, Abramowitz said.

MIAMI (CBS4) – Fear of government intervention in Miami-Dade’s heavily Hispanic and Haitian communities has led to the county having one of the lowest rates, among Florida’s larger counties, for calls to the state’s child abuse hotline. Calls to the state’s child abuse hotline from Miami-Dade are about 20,000 annually, which is the same as Broward and Orange counties even though those counties are much smaller. Child welfare officials worry that MiamiDade investigators aren’t removing children despite warning signs of abuse because of a statewide push to safely keep children in the home and work with their families. “Miami keeps you up at night worrying because you know there are calls that aren’t coming in and cases we aren’t hearing about,” said Alan Abramowitz, a former family safety director for the Department of Children and Families. He now heads the state guardian ad litem program, which provides volunteers to represent abused and neglected children in court. Hotline calls are the primary way that authorities investigate and consequently remove a child. That’s one reason child removal rates in Miami-Dade were 1.6 per 1,000 children in 2010. That’s up slightly from 1.4 per 1,000 in 2009 but still far less than neighboring Broward County, where officials removed at a rate of 2.3 per 1,000 children in 2010. In Hillsborough County, the removal rate was 4.2 per 1,000, according to data obtained by The

Many in Miami-Dade attribute the low removal rate to the Cuban and Haitian communities’ fear of government fostered by the repression in their home countries. Experts say those communities’ widely view the abuse hotline and general child welfare services as punitive instead of a system designed to help. Child court Judge Cindy Lederman recently had a Haitian mother in her courtroom who was accused of neglect after she did not take her accidentally injured child to the hospital. “I’m from Haiti and we hear that you just take children away for nothing in this country and I was afraid,” Lederman recalled the mother saying. Miami grandmother Maria Diaz said she doesn’t trust child welfare workers and would prefer to handle problems within the family, especially after reading headlines of children harmed while in the state’s care. She would be reluctant to call the hotline. “In the news lately it seems like a lot of things fall through the cracks. It doesn’t seem like people are who supposed to be doing their jobs are doing their jobs,” Diaz said. “If you have a sound family and they’re able to take care of it in the family, it’s (better) for the children. Her grandchildren attend the same elementary school as the 10-year-old twins found in their adoptive father’s truck on a busy interstate on Valentine’s Day. Nubia Barahona’s body was partially decomposing in the back. Authorities say her parents beat her to death. Victor Barahona, who survived, suffered serious burns after being doused with a toxic chemical. Their parents have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and several child abuse and neglect charges.

After Nubia’s widely publicized death, hotline calls spiked in Miami from 2,066 in February to 2,701 in March — a 31 percent jump. Still, the number of calls wasn’t proportional to Miami’s population. Welfare experts say increased calls are common after high-profile child abuse cases. Calls also increased in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

different conclusions in the highly subjective process about removing a child, although the standards are the same. The role has come under scrutiny after someone called the hotline in February alleging Victor and Nubia were being locked in a bathroom for days with their hands and feet bound by their adoptive parents.

Cheryl Little of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center said many of the Hispanic and Haitian immigrants she works with fear any police contact will bring questions from immigration officials, even if that’s not the case.

An investigator visited the home and filled out a form saying the children were not in danger, even though she never saw them. That investigator never called police during a futile four-day search for the twins.

“I think it’s been very detrimental in terms of our communities,” Little said. “The folks who are victims of a crime or who have witnessed a crime are afraid to come forward.”

DCF officials said they are overhauling the role of child investigators in the wake of that case.

But even when abuse is reported, children are sometimes not removed. Individual investigators and judges may reach

“Certainly the question of removal, which is one of the most important decisions they make, is going to be a central part of that evaluation,” spokesman Joe Follick said.

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May 20, 2011

Exclusive: Miami Police’s Shocking Disappearance The department had acquired about 700 of Taser guns, but now they don’t have enough to equip the approximately 350 officers who pull patrol duty. A Sergeant, who asked that his name not be used, told CBS4’s Gary Nelson Friday that “Somebody dropped the ball.” “They don’t know how many Tasers there are, who has them, nothing.” the Sergeant said. “There are officers on the street who don’t have Tasers. Probably a third of the patrol officers don’t have them.” MIAMI (CBS4) — “Don’t Tase me, ‘Bro!” That plea went viral after an encounter between Taser-wielding police and a protester at the University of Florida in 2007.

Major Alfredo Alvarez of the department’s internal affairs unit told CBS4 News an effort is underway to determine what has become of the Tasers not accounted for.

It is a plea that wouldn’t be necessary in the case of many City of Miami police officers.

“We are doing an internal audit to determine who has Tasers. It’s like an inventory,” Alvarez said.

The reason: They don’t have Tasers. CBS4 News has learned the Miami Police Department is unable to account for hundreds of Tasers, and many officers have to hit the streets without them.

Alvarez said many officers may have moved out of patrol to other jobs in the department and failed to turn their Tasers back in.

“There are a lot of transfers, people moving back and forth,” Alvarez said, adding that “some Tasers get broken.” One member of the department’s brass called the Taser debacle an embarrassment. “The issue is we don’t know where the Tasers are, and that is totally unacceptable,” said the high-ranking official who asked not to be named. The extent of the Tasers that are unaccounted for came to light when oversight of the devices was transferred from the training division of the department to the purchasing and property division. A manager – called the quartermaster – put in a purchase order for 793 new Tasers. Department spokesperson Delrish Moss said the purchase would have amounted to about $700,000. The purchase order was red-flagged by Assistant Police Chief Roy Brown, who said the department should attempt to account for the Tasers it had previously acquired before spending money on more.

Armando Aguilar, president of the Fraternal Order of Police union, said the Tasers are a “valuable” tool and that the safety of officers and the public is compromised when so many officers don’t have Tasers in their arsenal.

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DCF Looks To Twitter To Boost Adoptions have been tweeting since mid-April about training sessions and support tools for potential adoptive parents. Cyndee Odom of the Governor’s Office of Adoption and Child Protection says social media helps educate the public about adoption and spread the word about teenagers, groups of siblings, children with medical disabilities and others who have found it difficult to find adoptive families. Odom says officials chose Twitter instead of Facebook because it’s easier to control inappropriate comments through the microblogging website that only allows posts of 140 characters or less. WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) – Florida’s Department of Children and Families is turning to a popular social networking site it hopes can help the state’s 850 foster children find adoptive families. DCF is now using Twitter to find adoptive parents. The Twitter feed for the state’s adoption program is www.twitter.com/ exploreadoption . Three state employees

DCF says a 30-day email campaign in November led to 12 children finding permanent homes. (©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

May 20, 2011

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May 20, 2011

Most People Aren’t Very Good At Multi-Tasking research indicates we might not really be getting ahead.

barrage of information. She believes she can do it all.

not to,” according to human resource consultant Elaine Varelas.

A mother with a toddler said she definitely feels the need to multi-task. A businessman said it’s critical in today’s environment.

But research indicates that might be tough.

That can leave nervous and overburdened workers in a bind.

Psychology professor Joe Tecce has been studying the effect of multi-tasking on the brain for more than 30 years. “The brain gets disrupted,” he explained. “The heart rate is increased. Muscle tensions are increased. Blinking gets faster, a sure sign of stress.” The problem is we are inundated with information and new technology like never before. With television, texts, and emails, we now consume three times the media we did in 1960. MIAMI (CBS4) — You’ve got five free minutes, but ten things that need to get done ASAP. So what do you do? You do a couple of them at the same time. It’s the art of multi-tasking. We’re all doing it more than ever, but

It’s a similar situation at work. One study found the average worker shifts among 37 computer programs every hour. One young woman said she is not concerned about losing focus under this

Only about three percent of the population can really multi-task effectively. The rest of us end up getting distracted and can’t concentrate when we really need to. “The habit of multi-tasking keeps you on the alert for signals that you don’t need, always looking around,” said Tecce. In today’s work force, many people are looking over their shoulders to make sure they’ve still got a job. Fewer workers means those left behind are given more to do. Even though studies indicate just about no one can successfully multi-task, most companies still force it. “People will typically continue to give someone more responsibility in their role until they are asked not to, and employees right now are not in a position to ask them

“You have to have to have a very positive outlook,” explained Varelas. “That is to say I love my job, I love what I am doing here, but I need some help prioritizing. I need some help setting some with boundaries and guidelines.” One way you can help yourself at work is to turn off your email notification, according to Varelas. It can be such a big distraction that you might be better off just checking it a couple of times a day.

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May 20, 2011

Older Job Seekers Having Tough Time Getting Work business (I worked for) went out of business and I was unemployed,” said job seeker Evelio Perez, 59.

help people do just that, get back on track. They found out the truth was they weren’t alone.

Perez was an executive for national and international sales for ten years. He thought retirement was just around the corner when cutbacks placed him in the unemployment line.

Beatriz Boo Torrente has been a head hunter for years with Fortune 500 companies. She volunteers with “Back on Track” and held the recent seminar. She says first and foremost get caught up on the communication generation.

“I felt uncomfortable and horrible that I didn’t have a position,” said Perez.

MIAMI (CBS4) – Recently in South Florida, a seminar was held that was geared towards finding a job for people who are over 50 and have been hit hard but recent cut backs in our poor economy. The instructor of the class told attendees that they need to learn how to handle the truth and the truth is, you need to reinvent yourself. “Due to the local economy the local

Joseph Garcia knows Perez’s pain. He’s 50 and has been looking for work for about two years now. “I studied here. I went to the University of Miami and I’ve worked as a managerial consultant for developers, construction companies and power companies for 25 years,” said Garcia. “I’m looking for the right opportunity with the right company.” Both Perez and Garcia found “Back on Track” a free, faith based organization to

“You have to get up to date on technologies,” recommends Torrente. Eighty-five percent of the people who get placed in new jobs through “Back on Track” get some sort of lead or contact through the website ‘Linked In’. That’s a social media site for professionals, which lead to the second “must”. Perez says, “I think networking is one of the key components.” Find out about the networking events in town and go to them.

Third, have a good attitude! “Many of the people they are reporting to are people the age of their daughters or their sons,” said Torrente. But that’s ok. Experts recommend telling potential employers that you can bring experience and stability to the company and that you are not trying to climb the corporate ladder and take their job. For Evelio it worked. He got a job 5 1/2 months ago. He’s a sales manager with the company Cartridge World. As for Joseph Garcia, he’s still looking but he’s in good company with those searching and learning and finding out how to network and advance in social media and learning how to deal with the truth. For more information on free meetings through ‘Back on Track’ go to www.backontracknet.org.

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May 20, 2011

Moneywatch: The Best And Worst Investments For Your Home work and is excited about his latest project, finishing a remodeled bathroom. “I am doing more bathrooms than I am anything else right now,” David Shannon told CBS4’s Jorge Estevez. Shannon finds a solid remodeling project is one answer to a rocky housing market. “It is better to put money into the old one that to buy a new one,” said Shannon. Experts agree. Home improvements are on the rise, according to Angieslist.com, a consumer ratings service.

MIAMI (CBS4) – With spring time here, people may be thinking about doing some renovations to their homes.

A survey found that 90 % homeowners are doing remodeling projects and 80% of contractors are willing to negotiate prices.

But when it comes to remodeling, there are certain places in people’s home that will give a better return on investment.

“You don’t want to over invest. You don’t want the most expensive house on the block,” said Angie Hick’s, founder of Angieslist.com

David Shannon prides himself on his tile

People need to choose the projects with the

highest return like:

any part of a home.

Kitchen: 85% return on investment

Bath: 84% return on investment

“Know how long you are going to live in the house because that will determine the return,” said Hicks.

Decks: 80% return on investment

Siding: 80% return on investment

Windows: 80% return on investment

Angieslist.com wants to warn people of remodeling projects with the least return on your investment like: 1.

Pool: 50%

Home Office Remodel: 57%

Sun Room Addition: < 60%

Master Suite: < 60%

The Garage: < 60%

It about making smart choices when redoing

Homeowners should also remember it is about sticking to their budget. “Just don’t go overboard cause you may not get back your money back later,” said Shannon.

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Is Downtown Miami’s Condo Market On The Rebound? “This has been an incredible success,” Edgardo Defortuna, President of Fortune International told CBS4’s David Sutta. Defortuna says in the past week, the 500 unit hotel component sold out. The towers he manages, tower two and three, are not far behind.

MIAMI (CBS4) – Downtown Miami’s once depressed condo housing market may be turning around, if one building is any indication. Real estate professionals called Icon Brickell the most ambitious condo project in Miami’s history. 17-hundred units that came to market as the economy tanked. After years of sitting vacant sales agents are telling stories of customers stepping inside and signing half million dollar contracts within minutes.

When the banks took over towers two and three from the project developers, The Related Group, Defortuna was tasked with selling almost thirteen hundred condos. As of today they have less than 300 left. Half of the condos sold in the last 11 months The banks predicted it would take three to four years to sell the building. Defortuna plans to be done by the end the year if not sooner. Amazingly Icon is not unique. Michael Light of Miami Condo Investments explained “900 Biscanye Bay. They have 509 units. As of today they only have 11 available units. They are 98% sold out.” Light says the market’s peak of 22,000 condos for sale has dwindled to roughly 3,000. He says the buying frenzy began in 2010.

“About a year ago prices started creeping up in downtown Miami and people saw this,” said Light. ” They got more terrified of the fact that they might miss.” The experts say 70% of the deals are all cash. “85% of the buyers are second home buyers. Mainly Latin America, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela.” Defortuna said. With prices slashed up 50% downtown prices are beating the beach. However discounts are disappearing as high-rises sellout. A dramatic turnaround critics argued was still years out. “The bird of Miami is not the crane anymore, as the joke went in 2004-2005. Inventory, once its down it’s down. Now it’s going to turn into resales only.” Light quipped. The Downtown Development Authority estimated roughly half the condos were occupied two years ago. Today the number is estimated to be up around 85%.

May 20, 2011

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Does ‘Super Fruit’ Live Up To The Super Claims? “These juices have calories and carbohydrates and so might even have more an impact on a weight loss goal than incorporating it. They could actually gain weight.” Zerner does say choose darker, deeper colored fruits when you’re shopping because they are healthier for you.

MIAMI (CBS4) — You can’t walk into the grocery store without noticing a new juice, powder, or bar touting a super-fruit. In just two-years, consumers have spent half-abillion dollars on products with names like acai, lichi, and goji. Sherry Johnston when asked, “What is a goji berry?” “I have no clue,” she answers. The list of what’s being called “superfoods”, specifically “super-fruits” like pomegranates, acais, lichi berries, goes on and on and so do their “super-claims.” Jane Smith says, “They sound like something that must be better for you because they have better names.” Smith says she’s heard they can do “everything from burn fat and improve your skin tone to give you energy.” These are all claims Smith and others are questioning. As they get older, they are looking for every new answer to staying young and looking good, but they are also listening closely as scientists and doctors begin weighing in on the alleged “superpowers” of the ever-growing popular fruits. Registered Dietitian Meridan Zerner says the claims are overstated. Zerner is often asked about whether they can really help people lose weight because some product packaging containing the super-fruits touts “powerful fat burning” ingredients. “While they might be healthy, and I would encourage people to incorporate them in their diets, don’t expect weight loss magic,” says Zerner. In fact, she said, the opposite could happen.

“If you were going to choose between an apple juice and a pomegranate juice, the pomegranate juice is going to give you more in terms of these antioxidants and pytochemicals but it’s not magic.” Zerner also recommends the less expensive cranberry juice over some of the higher priced super-fruit juices if you are looking to save money. She says these are cheaper options with the similar health benefits. In addition to weight loss, recent research on super-fruits also makes cancer claims. Some studies say pomegranates stop the spread of prostate cancer. Others say goji berries can treat lung and cervical cancer. One study says acai fights cancer naturally. Oncologist David Euhus says, “I do bristle at all the claims that I see with all of these products,” Dr. Euhus says a balance is the key to good health. Exercise and a good diet is what he stresses to his patients with cancer. “None of these (super-fruits) have proven to have effects on cancer rates or cancer treatment in well done clinical trials.” Dr. Euhus says the studies are mostly independent studies conducted by the makers of the products containing the superfruits. He says they are not “peer-reviewed.” Other doctors and health institutions have not reviewed them. He also stresses that most of the studies have been conducted in test tubes and not on humans. “A lot of times when we translate mouse data to humans, it just doesn’t work.” Cardiologist Tony Das agrees. “Today if you looked up a Google search for super-foods, you’d find three- million hits and the first two-million of those would be from folks that make super-foods.” Dr. Das says there is no proof these fruits are any more heart healthy than our old favorites

like blueberries, apples and bananas. He says the “oldies” have their benefits as well and the claims regarding the new fruits have been taken out of context. “These aren’t magic foods. Calling them super foods is probably a bit of a stretch.” Dr. Das, Zerner, and Dr. Euhus also say the term itself is made up claiming super-foods are a super invention of super-marketing that’s turned into a multi-million dollar super industry. According to SPINS, a market research and consulting firm for the Natural Products Industry, products containing acai, bilberry, blueberry, cherry fruit supplements, coconut oil, cranberry supplements, elderberry, goji berry, magosteen, noni or pomegranates made up more than $228-million dollars in U.S. sales from March 20, 2010 to March 19, 2011. SPINS is also predicting the maqui berry to be the next trendy fruit of the year.

May 20, 2011

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May 20, 2011

Is Video Gaming A Dangerous Hobby?

MIAMI (CBS4) – Video games used to be known as child’s play. But now, more and more adults are getting hooked, sacrificing their jobs, families, and friends and spending all their time online. Their addiction is tearing families apart. Janet Hunt loves spending time with her husband Don. But a year ago he had no time for her. Only his video game. “Sometimes he could play up to 20 hours straight. He could be on there by 6 a.m. and by the time that 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. that night rolled around, he could still be sitting there playing,” said Hunt. According to her husband David, “It’s just total immersion into the game, as your reality, instead of the real reality.” It got so bad that Don lost his job. And Janet filed for divorce.

“It was lonely. It was real lonely,” said Janet. “And it felt like I was like a widow. That I had lost my other half and just, I felt alone all the time.”

then they wear diapers so they don’t even have to go to the bathroom,” explained Douglas Gentile, Assoc. Professor of Psychology Iowa State University.

Janet’s story is all too familiar to Ryan Van Cleave, author of the video game addiction book “Unplugged”. He said more and more adults are becoming consumed by the games and the consequences can be grave.

He considers video game addiction an impulse control disorder.

“They’re killing careers. They’re killing families. They’re killing relationships,” said Van Cleave. “They’re killing health and literally now we’re having people killing others and themselves over videogames.” How bad can it get? Police removed six children from the home of a mother in Pennsylvania after finding them living in filth and animal waste. The kids’ stepfather said the mom was too addicted to games to care for the children. A Denver mother admitted she was playing an online Facebook game when her oneyear-old son drowned in the bathtub. And in Ohio, a teen was convicted of murdering his mother and wounding his father because they took away his Halo 3 game. “Relationships fail and divorces happen and I’ve even heard of people they don’t want to leave the computer so much that they take every meal at the computer and

“You know you should go to bed but you just want to get one more level. And you’re not able to actually control those impulses to play,” said Gentile. “And what people need to do is get that back into balance.” “In a sense you develop an alter ego and play that ego as an invincible character. Once you’re killed you push the button and you’re back to life again,” said psychologist Dr. Mitchell Spero with Memorial Hospital West and the Director of Child and Family Psychologists in Plantation. Spero believes the key to overcoming this addiction is to find a way to replace that adrenalin rush with another. “Working out on a daily basis, enjoying music, enjoying face to face interpersonal communication is so much different than communicating with a computer,” said Spero. The problem is, since video game addiction isn’t a recognized medical diagnosis, help can be difficult to find. “You’re probably going to need to find a therapist who is used to dealing with

people with impulse control disorders or with substance abuse disorders because they have a lot of ways to help people who start getting things out of balance in their lives,” added Gentile. And if it’s your spouse that has the problem? Van Cleave suggests “the number one thing to do is not confront them while they’re playing the game. A calm, clear conversation with them at a moment when they’re not gaming is a great way to start things moving in the right direction.” Janet’s husband was finally able to break his video game addiction and they got back together. Today, they are working to get back on track both emotionally and financially. A grateful Janet said, “Life now is good. I have my husband back, I have my best friend back.”

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Komen: Lifting Weights After Breast Cancer Surgery “The new studies actually show that patients that went through a very slow progressive weight training program actually showed decrease in their symptoms of lymphedema, they’re showing an improvement of the lymphedema symptoms that they do have,” said Dr. Berman. These new studies indicate, with help from a lymphedema specialist, many patients may be able to lift weights and eventually have greater physical activity. MIAMI (CBS4) — Many women try to get back to normal life following breast cancer treatment and sometimes that involves exercising. But some women who experience swelling in their arms after surgery are warned against strenuous exercise. In today’s Komen for the Cure report, there’s a new study that suggests lifting weights may actually be beneficial. “I would look at the different arms and this one was obviously bigger than this one,” explained breast cancer survivor Starr Fisher. When Starr Fisher was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she had many of the lymph nodes under her arm removed. It caused her to develop lymphedema. “My rings were tight, and my hand was hard because there was swelling inside my hand,” said Fisher. The swelling is a common side effect of surgery. “The lymphatic system is normally responsible for removing all the excess fluid in our bodies and when that system is interrupted there can be a backup of fluid and protein which causes an increase in swelling,” said Lisa Berman, Cert. Lymphedema Specialist, Boca Raton Regional Hospital. In the past, doctors recommended patients not lift anything more than five pounds. But lack of exercise could be counterproductive by creating a lack of strength and a loss in range of motion. New studies now suggest lifting weights can be helpful.

“They will be able to go about their daily activities in a more normal manner,” according to Berman. “They will be able to resume athletic activities and really just maintain a more normal lifestyle. “I haven’t really stated lifting weights. I think now I need to,” said Fisher. For more information about breast cancer education, diagnosis and treatment, just go to this website, www.komenmiaftl.org.

May 20, 2011

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The Secret To Middle-Aged Dating are too young to only focus on the perfect companion to live out the rest of their lives, then they are considered to be middle aged and dating. “The older we get, the more experience we have. Some call it baggage I call it experience,” Ann Robbins a match maker and certified relationship expert. Some of the dating challenges include having too many choices, and not enough time to evaluate them, or simply being too selective. So how can you fix it and find your mate:

MIAMI (CBS4) – Dating is tough for anyone in any age group, but as people get older it becomes tougher. Laurence Sanchez has yet to discover the secret recipe for dating in her 40? s. “Many woman my age, above 44, have children and they come as a package,” said Sanchez whose package includes her children which she has from her first marriage of 20 years. She is looking for someone that would take care of her kids like she would take care of theirs. But when people are too old to date like they did when they were in college and they

1. Know your values 2. Identify your needs 3. Make yourself a priority 4. Make time for dating 5. Learn from your mistakes 6. Expand your social network. The most important lesson of all, is to take your time and search for the perfect ingredients to make the perfect relationship. “So far it is fun. I do not know how long, but so far it is fun,” said Sanchez.

May 20, 2011

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May 20, 2011

Tax Dollars Confirm Miami’s New Dining Status

Miami’s dining scene has never been better. A look at the tax records will prove it. Once again, Miami-Dade in March posted record collections on the 1 percent tax attached to tabs at restaurants and bars on the county’s mainland. It’s a streak pretty much unbroken since 2009, and capturing a shift in fine-dining gravity to downtown Miami. “We’ve never had this many restaurants, I think, in history,’’ said Steve Haas, who used to run China Grill and other South Beach restaurants but now is opening his own City Hall the Restaurant in Miami’s downtown Omni district. Because Miami Beach has its own restaurant

levy, the county tax is only collected on the mainland, offering a targeted look at the dining scene away from the beach, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.

A boom in high-rise condo towers brought 23,000 new residential units to the area since 2003, and 10,000 of them came in 2008 alone, according to the Miami Downtown Development Authority.

In the last several years, a circuit of popular restaurants opened throughout Miami’s urban core, including in the artsy Wynwood and Design District neighborhoods and downtown. The new Mary Brickell Village shopping plaza also added to the critical mass.

In the last year, according to a DDA survey, occupancy of those units increased from 62 percent to 85 percent, momentum that is helping sustain the new dining scene. Of the 200 new retail businesses to open downtown since 2006, about 75 percent are in the food or beverage category, the DDA said.

Since 2006, the tax on Miami-Dade mainland restaurants climbed 9 percent through September 2010. But for Miami restaurants alone, the increase was 26 percent, according to food-and-beverage tax data from the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Division.

“Five years ago when I started here, I could go get drinks at the Intercontinental or La Loggia by the courthouse,’’ said Leo Zabezhinsky, business development manager at the DDA, which has offices in the former Wachovia tower on Biscayne Boulevard. “It was a 9 to 5 downtown before.’’

That’s an astounding figure, given the economic downturn that gained steam in 2007. And the increase is more noteworthy when you look at how other Miami-Dade dining districts performed in that time period. Aventura: up 12 percent. Restaurants outside municipal boundaries: up 12 percent. Coral Gables: down 4.8 percent. That longtime hot spot also may be suffering for its proximity to the new Miami restaurants. Miami Beach is holding its own, with restaurant taxes up 14 percent in the same time period. But only Miami seems to be outpacing the other restaurant districts. That’s the latest measure of downtown’s resurgence during the recession and beyond.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)

CBS4 Newspaper May 20, 2011 Edition

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May 20, 2011

Horoscopes provided by www.starlightastrology.com

Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 20) Put your money into a safe place that will ensure a profit if you let it sit long enough. Your fight for those less fortunate is not likely to end in sweet victory. Networking will be a necessity. Try to understand both sides of the issue before taking sides. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 18)

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Either way, you’re up for a passionate encounter with someone special. You may have the energy to clear up that mound of paperwork facing you. Problems on the home front might be a little disconcerting. Use your charm, but don’t sign or agree to anything. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Make plans that will take you to exotic destinations. Balance is required if you want stability. You can ask for favors and get sound advice from close friends or relatives. Try to be considerate in your personal obligations. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

Your anger may be impossible to contain if you get into debates with family members. Pleasure trips should be on your agenda. You can convince others to follow suit. You will back yourself into a corner if you are baited and your stubbornness will only make matters worse. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

Sagitarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Taurus (Apr. 21-May 21)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Problems with appliances or electrical gad gets will drive you crazy. Any capricious behavior will confuse loved ones and your mood swings will result in loneliness. Disruptions may set you back, but you’re strong, and in the end the choices you make will be favorable. You may have the energy to clear up that mound of paperwork facing you. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

Things have been moving so quickly that you need to do something physical to release your tension. Your social skills with people may be more than just helpful. A new image can be the result if you change your look. You can work in conjunction with those in the know in order to get to the bottom of any pending issue. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

Do not over expand if you have your own business. Sit tight. Everything is moving quickly, just the way you like it. You may be tom between two possibilities. This has left you in a confused and uncertain state. If they want help that’s great, but if they try to take credit for your work, you will have to set them straight. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

You can avoid hassles by sticking to your work and refusing to get involved in gossip or idle chatter. Do not let lovers cost you money or take advantage of you. Lack of funds may add stress to your already uncertain situation. Go on business trips if at all possible. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

1 5 3 9 8 6 2 7 4

2 8 6 7 5 4 1 3 9

9 4 7 1 2 3 8 5 6

5 9 4 3 7 8 6 2 1

L O C A L .

3 7 1 6 4 2 9 8 5

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

7 2 5 8 1 9 4 6 3

6 1 8 4 3 5 7 9 2

4 3 9 2 6 7 5 1 8

SUDOKU

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22) Your talents are likely to be discovered. Take the initiative and go after your goals. Good day for romance. Try to find another time to present work or ideas this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

INSTRUCTIONS: Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

5 6

4 5

4 9

7 8

3 5

3 4

2 2

2 6

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E W S P A P E R

R E A L .

8 6 2 5 9 1 3 4 7

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)

Your bankbook will suffer and Get involved in groups your restrictions will put a that will help you meet damper on your relationship. established individuals. Look into some form of Your high enthusiasm will physical recreation. be sure to inspire anybody Involvement in financial around you. You may meet schemes will be followed by that special person if you attend losses. You will inspire confidence in fundraising functions. You can make gains if you others. Your luckiest events this month will occur look at long-term investments. Your luckiest on a Saturday. events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

May 6th Solution

Don’t rely on others to handle the workload. Travel will be favorable. Red tape could be impossible to clear up this month. They will jump at the chance to do something without you if it sounds like more fun. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

N E W S .

Sudoku provided by www.puzzles.about.com

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)