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June 17, 2011

IGNORING I-TEAM:

PATIENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW

Nearly eight years after voters demanded change in the way bad things are tracked and reported at hospitals throughout Florida, the CBS4 I-Team has discovered that little has changed and that hurts your ability to make choices when it comes to health care.

ALSO INSIDE I-Team: Police Video Shows Possible Abuse Miami Police To Enforce Summer Teen Curfew Moneywatch: 401K Planning Prepping Your Pantry For Hurricane Season Hormone Imbalance May Prevent Weight Loss Food Pyramid Gets A Makeover

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June 17, 2011

5

I-Team: Ignoring Patients’ Right To Know the I-Team.

“No it’s not,” said Dr. Wolfson. “Hospitals are unwilling to part with it (that adverse incident information) for the most part.”

Seven years after the Florida Constitutional Amendment passed, the CBS4 I-Team has learned most hospitals won’t give up that information.

This, even after the Florida Supreme Court, in 2008, ruled that the new constitutional amendment required it.

MIAMI (CBS4) — Whenever you go to the hospital or doctor, whether by ambulance or for a routine check-up, if you’re like most people you want to make intelligent decisions about your health care.

You might even want a routine check up on the hospitals and doctors who are checking up on you. However, nearly eight years after voters demanded change in the way bad things are tracked and reported at hospitals throughout Florida, the CBS4 ITeam has discovered that little has changed and that hurts your ability to make choices when it comes to health care.

In 2004, more than 80-percent of Florida voters passed Amendment 7, technically Article 10 Section 25 of Florida’s Constitution, commonly known as the “Patients’ Right to Know” act.

“The intent of the law was to give people access to their own health care records so that they could take action to protect their interests in the future,” said Dr. Jay Wolfson, a medical ethicist and professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

“The (Florida) Supreme Court, in its wisdom said, the people of Florida have spoken and said we want this open and transparent.”

Open and transparent records, so that you, the customer know about adverse medical incidents at hospitals anywhere in the state.

“I’d like to know how many bad or good experiences that hospital are involved in,” said Dr. Wolfson, who is also an attorney as well as one of the nation’s leading researchers on medical mistakes. “I don’t need to have the personal identifying information. I need to have general product performance information like consumer reports.”

“And that’s not available right now?” asked

“They (hospitals) won’t give that (information) to you. They won’t give it up even though the law says they have to,” said Dr. Wolfson. “And they will say it’s privileged information. They essentially are ignoring the (Florida) Supreme Court.”

“People want to (have control) and they’re entitled to have control over their own health care decision-making,” said Sean Domnick, a Palm Beach County attorney, who argued that groundbreaking case before the Supreme Court. “But you can’t make a decision (about health care) if you don’t have the information.”

Domnick won that argument before Florida’s Supreme Court three years ago but he says that even today hospitals consistently still thwart the patient’s right to know throughout Florida.

“We’re still fighting the same battles. And that is that the hospitals don’t want to give up this information that they’re required to give up,” said Domnick.

Seventeen year-old Lacey Sullivan and her family found out firsthand about this issue when they tried to find out what exactly happened, what adverse medical incident occurred, when her 44 year-old mother suddenly died at a west Florida hospital.

“I would like to know why my mom just died out of nowhere,” said Sullivan. “It’s been six years and still nothing about how it happened and why it happened.”

If you need more evidence that hospitals are not complying with Florida’s Constitution look no further than the court deposition of the risk manager at Northside Hospital in St Petersburg during a medical malpractice lawsuit.

“What if anything has Northside Hospital done to make these documents easily accessible since Article 10 Section 25 of Florida’s Constitution was passed in 2004?” asked a plaintiff’s attorney in the videotaped legal deposition obtained by the CBS4 I-Team.

“We’ve done nothing,” hospital’s risk manager.

replied

the

I-Team investigators Stephen Stock asked attorney Sean Domnick about that issue, “They’re not keeping track of adverse incidents?”

“No. They’re not,” said Domnick.

And that, experts say, is even more troubling because it means that critical data tracking mistakes or bad outcomes at hospitals are missing at many hospitals making it difficult to objectively measure quality control at those hospitals.

Experts and lawyers alike say that means that though consumers clearly want hospitals to track adverse events, when bad things happen, much of the evidence discovered in courts around the state show

hospitals simply aren’t doing that.

“What that is telling us is that there is a great risk when bad medicine is happening in these hospitals that it’s not being investigated, it’s not being corrected and people who are being repeatedly negligent are allowed to continue to provide substandard medical care,” said Sean Domnick.

The CBS4 I-Team asked for adverse incidents at more than a half-dozen hospitals throughout South Florida.

But not one hospital would give the I-Team that information.

Several hospitals’ public relations staff stated that the I-Team reporters weren’t “patients” although since we live here we could be.

Other hospitals told us their attorneys interpret Amendment 7 to mean that the hospital doesn’t have to give out a list of incidents just information about a single adverse incident to the patient involved in that incident.

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June 17, 2011

7

I-Team: Sex, Drugs and Counterfeits The site purports to sell the equivalent of Viagra for male sexual dysfunction.

The “Man Up Now” site lists its United States Office as located in Tampa but when the I-Team went there we discovered the address is a Post Office box at a UPS store on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa.

When the CBS4 I-Team tried to contact the company through e-mail we got no response.

MIAMI (CBS4) — It has become one of the hottest and most lucrative sections of the international drug market.

Drug companies on-line marketing themselves as alternatives to drugs meant to enhance people’s sex lives.

According to data tracked by the United States Food and Drug Administration since 2005 the market for sexual therapy drugs has nearly doubled.

And this market is expected to push $6.6 billion a year in US sales by the end of 2012, according to London-based URCH publishing, a worldwide pharmaceutical and healthcare research company.

Research shows 78% of the sales in that sexual therapy market come from drugs to treat male erectile dysfunction.

That’s where Internet drug sales come in.

They can be found on-line in a variety of ways. They are companies that claim to offer real drugs at a discount.

“Instead of promoting (a consumer’s) sexual function, they’re actually destroying it (by buying and using many on-line drugs),” said Dr. Lawrence Hakim of the Cleveland Clinic of Florida. “Counterfeit drugs are a major problem that we see today with all sorts of medications especially medications for male sexual function.”

Doctor Hakim knows from experience. He is Chairman of Urology at the Cleveland Clinic in South Florida.

“They’re promoted as being much cheaper and unfortunately they’re often promoted as being safe,” said Dr. Hakim. “And we know that that’s typically not the case.”

Take the website for a product called “Man Up Now”.

“Unfortunately anybody can go online and order any type of medication,” said Dr. Hakim, “especially medications that increase male sexual function. And (the customers) get those medications without the care of a physician or without getting them from a pharmacy, a licensed pharmacy or (through) FDA approved medications.

And that becomes a big problem.”

In fact, late last year the FDA put out an official warning telling consumers to avoid “Man Up Now” because it contains potentially dangerous ingredients.

Even so, it appears Internet sales of “Man Up Now” remain strong.

“It’s a very serious problem,” said Cariny Nunez, public affairs specialist at the FDA’s Florida district office in Doral. “The counterfeit drug can look like the original drug.”

The FDA’s Nunez says the fake pills are so good and appear so real that even experts often have a hard time telling them apart.

“We send them (the drugs) to the lab to make sure what type of ingredient whether or not it is a fake or a brand origination,” said Nunez.

I-Team investigator Stephen Stock asked, “That’s the only way to tell is to send them to a lab?”

“Yes,” said Nunez. “They need to be lab tested.”

In fact, experts warn that in at least half of all internet drug sales, the drugs are either completely fake, not the right strength or a different drug altogether.

“There have been studies made looking at many of these counterfeit drugs,” said Dr. Hakim. “And the studies found that these counterfeit drugs contain chalk or sawdust

or other filler products that are certainly dangerous and certainly not going to enhance their sexual performance.”

And it’s not just fake Viagra, Cialis or Levitra.

FDA warnings have recently been issued for fake Tamiflu, fake inflammation drugs, cholesterol reducing pills and weight loss pills.

All of these supposed drugs have been discovered sold through the Internet. Most of the pills are imported to the United States from overseas.

“If their (web)site does not ask for a valid prescription most likely it (the company) is not legitimate,” said the FDA’s Nunez.

The problem is so bad that the FDA, postal inspectors and ICE agents regularly conduct what they call a drug seizure blitz.

One recently conducted in South Florida was code-named Operation Safeguard.

During Operation Safeguard nearly two dozen inspectors seized hundreds of thousands of pills shipped from overseas to the International Mail facility near Miami International Airport.

“They have detected hundreds of packages that contain counterfeited drugs,” said Nunez.

The FDA, US Postal Inspectors and ICE agents (formerly US Customs) have conducted several fake pill blitzes in Chicago and Los Angeles as well as Miami.

Nunez said that the FDA has also set up inspection offices in China, Latin America, Europe and India, all to catch these fake drugs.

Even so, the agents admit that they are only able to stop a small fraction of the huge international fake drug trade.

“I think people need to be aware that this is a very critical issue,” said Dr. Hakim.

Besides male sexual enhancement, experts warn that one of the most popular fake drugs right now are ones marketed to address radiation exposure in the wake of the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.

“They can be very dangerous as well in that some of these agents like amphetamines or herbal agents that they often use in these counterfeit drugs can cause other life threatening issues,” said Dr. Hakim.

“And I try to educate my patients that these counterfeit meds are not necessarily what they think they’re getting they can be very dangerous and that they really need to be careful with any type of medication that they’re taking.”

The FDA gives these simple rules to follow to protect against fake drugs.

First if the website does not have an official seal of the National Board of Pharmacy or a verified international pharmacy practice number beware and don’t buy the product.

Second, the FDA says you should only buy from a registered pharmacy with a legitimate prescription.

Finally, the FDA says that, like anything else, if the price or deal seems too good to be true it likely is and it could cost you in the long run.

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June 17, 2011

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I-Team: Police Video Shows Possible Abuse concluded there was no “criminal intent” on the part of Abreu.

But other questions are raised by the officer’s sworn arrest affidavit from the April 17, 2010 incident. The report documents that Dominguez was initially arrested for criminal mischief for allegedly puncturing the tires of a car parked near his trailer. The report then notes Abreu was transported to the Sweetwater Police Department.

SWEETWATER (CBS4) – A new video is raising questions of possible police abuse and excessive force in the city of Sweetwater.

In the video, obtained by CBS4 News I Team investigator Jim DeFede, a Sweetwater reserve officer is seen grabbing a handcuffed suspect by the neck and throwing him to the floor of the station house.

The suspect, Alberto Dominguez, hits a metal chair and then lands face first on the floor, resulting in a large cut over his right eye. The department’s surveillance cameras capture Dominguez bleeding profusely as the officer, Paul Abreu, continues to grab him by the head and neck, twisting and turning him, until he gets Dominguez on his belly. A second officer enters the picture and grabs Dominguez by the shirt, dragging him into a nearby cell, leaving him face down and bleeding – his hands still cuffed behind his back.

Dominguez would remain in that cell for two hours before finally being taken to the county jail where he received approximately a dozen stitches.

“The force that I saw on the video was clearly excessive,” said Ken Harms, a former Miami Police chief who reviewed the video for CBS4 News.

Sweetwater Police Chief Roberto Fulgueira defended Abreu, saying while his “technique” in subduing the suspect was not ideal, it was not illegal. He said he sent a copy of the video to the Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office which

Abreu claimed that once they arrived at the station, he ordered Dominguez “4 to 6” times to place his hands on the counter inside the police department. He said Dominguez refused to comply with his demands. Abreu also swore that “suspect launch forward toward officer” and that as a result the suspect was “taken down to floor.” Abreu added the charge of resisting arrest with violence against Dominguez.

A review of the video, however, shows that Dominguez, 38, could not possibly comply with Abreu’s command to place his hands on the counter because his hands were cuffed behind his back. Also nowhere on the video is Dominguez seen launching himself toward the officer. On the contrary, Dominguez was standing still when Abreu grabbed him and threw him to the ground.

Neither the State Attorney nor the Sweetwater Police Department addressed the issue of whether Abreu may have filed a false report under oath or whether he intentionally charged Dominguez with a crime he did not commit.

The 52-year-old Abreu, who has been a reserve officer in Sweetwater since 2008, could not be reached for comment. CBS4 News left messages for him at the station, visited his last known address, and had both his commander and the police chief attempt to contact him but without success.

Harms said he was mystified that neither the State Attorney nor the Sweetwater police department’s internal affairs unit even bothered to interview Dominguez.

Harms argues the assistant state attorney “essentially repeats what the officer’s report says, without questioning any of it, without taking any statements from the officer, without taking any statements from the individual who was arrested.

And that’s troubling because that suggests to me that the State Attorney’s Office failed to handle their responsibilities in a professional manner.

“Are they simply looking to rubber stamp this kind of behavior on the part of police officers and police departments?”

Harms continued. “And I would suggest to you that happens more frequently than we would like to consider and not like to admit.”

In an email sent to CBS4 News, Assistant State Attorney Johnette Hardiman wrote: “I remember watching the video, multiple times. I slowed it down and watched it almost frame-byframe. I have no recollection of reading reports that were false. However, if there is something else I should look at, I’m happy to do so. All I need is a copy of the reports and whatever evidence there is that shows them to be false.”

Hardiman notes that Dominguez never filed a complaint with Sweetwater’s Internal Affairs unit. She also said he refused treatement from paramedics that night, which could make it difficult to document the extent of his injuries.

CBS4 News found Dominguez and his wife, Isel, living near Coral Gables. He said he never bothered filing a complaint against the officer because he didn’t believe anyone would believe him.

“I had no proof,” he said in Spanish.

husband’s arrest, the police officer, Abreu, called her on the phone and asked her to go out with him.

“Oh my God why is this guy calling me, why is he texting me,” she remembered asking herself at the time. “I don’t know what to do. He called me like fifteen or twenty times. Every day, every day.”

Looking back on it now, she believes he was calling her to keep tabs on her and see if they were going to file a complaint for the incident at the police department.

She finally told him to stop bothering her.

Dominguez ultimately pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief. He paid to replace the tires he destroyed.

Fulgueira defended his department saying he took it upon himself to open a review of Abreu’s actions and that he sent the video to the state attorney right away because he didn’t want to be accused of covering anything up.

He said he knows Sweetwater has a reputation for abusing prisoners. In 2003, a man was nearly beaten to death by four Sweetwater police officers.

“We’ve cleaned this house up,” he said.

“We’ve gotten rid of a lot of officers here, a lot of officers.”

Abreu remains a reserve officer in the Sweetwater Police Department. After the incident, he was ordered to take a refresher CPR course as well as attend a class on handcuffing techniques and the proper use of force.

He didn’t realize there was a surveillance camera system inside the police station.

Both he and his wife were shocked when CBS4 News showed them the video.

“Oh my God, Alberto,” Isel gasped as she watched him being thrown to the ground and then dragged, bleeding into a cell.

Isel claims a few days after her

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High Unemployment Is Bad News For South Florida College Grads MIAMI (CBS4) – College graduates who are searching for jobs in South Florida say it’s a real struggle. The most recent numbers show the unemployment rate at 10.8 percent across the state.

In addition Florida International University says they’ve seen a significant reduction in companies and organizations looking to hire their students.

In fact Miami-Dade County has the second highest unemployment in Florida.

“It’s difficult to find a job right now, said senior James Camps-Sotiresco. “But I’m out there trying my hardest.”

This time of year thousands of college seniors are graduating from South Florida universities, and the hope of landing that first dream job is fading away for many.

Last summer Camps-Sotiresco, a construction-management major, decided to intern with Build America for some on the job training.

“Jobs are super hard to get now so it makes it very difficult,” said Tiffany Le who is a senior at Florida International University.

“I gained knowledge I didn’t know before,” said Camps-Sotiresco.

Le is among a group of swiftly growing seniors who have decided to attend graduate school because the job out look is so grim.

“We are seeing that our students are really struggling to find employment,” said Yisell Cirion who works in the Career Services Center at FIU.

According to Cirion who helps students with job placement at FIU, extra training, volunteer work and meeting people in your industry can set you ahead of the rest.

Cirion recommends student visit the career service center at their university.

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June 17, 2011

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Miami Police To Enforce Summer Teen Curfew and will continue through the end of August.

The Juvenile Curfew Ordinance makes it unlawful for any person under the age of seventeen (17) years to linger, stay, congregate, move about, wander or stroll in any public place in Miami-Dade County in the City of Miami, either on foot or in a vehicle during curfew hours.

Curfew hours are 11:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 a.m. through 6:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

There are some exceptions to the curfew. Anyone under 17 is exempted from the restrictions of the curfew if the juvenile:

MIAMI (CBS4) — School may be out for summer but teens traveling through the City of Miami should be aware that police are now enforcing a teen curfew in an effort to keep children safe.

The stepped up enforcement starts on Friday, June 1oth

•Is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or by someone 21 years of age or older that has permission to be responsible for the juvenile •Is working, or traveling to or from work •Is traveling the interstate •Has written permission from a parent or guardian to run an errand •Is aiding or assisting in an emergency •Is traveling to or from a school, religious, civic, or county-sponsored event

•Is emancipated by marriage or court order •Is homeless •Is exercising First Amendment rights •Is on the property of his/her residence, or a neighbor’s residence if the neighbor does not object •Is attending or returning from a public event which began before 10:00 p.m. and has written permission •Is authorized by the County Commission

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June 17, 2011

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Job-Seekers Credit Check Controversy Heads To Congress finding out the hard way that employers care about your credit. Some even require credit checks as part of the application process, but not everyone agrees with the policy.

A new survey by Credit.com reveals more than half of Americans, 53-percent are against employers getting a look at your credit when considering you for a job.

MIAMI (CBS4) — How do you feel about your boss getting a peek at your credit history? If you’re looking for work it’s very possible you’ll be asked to share that information in order to get the job. But there’s a move underway across the country to stop that from happening and even Congress is considering the controversy.

Job hunter Lauren Beer has experience and skills. She has advanced degrees from prestigious universities but she doesn’t have great credit and she says it’s costing her job opportunities.

“It makes me very angry,” said Beer. She’s

“There are millions of people out of work, suffering and depression is on the rise,” said Beer. “Why in God’s name are we putting another impediment in the way of job seekers?”

The issue is getting national attention.

There’s a bill in Congress that would prohibit the use of credit checks when it comes to making a hiring decision.

There are exceptions including people applying for a national security position or a job where they’d handle large amounts of money.

Representative Steve Cohen proposed the legislation, saying these credit checks are creating a vicious cycle that’s impossible to

get out of.

“You don’t have a job. You lose your house. You have your medical debt and before you know it your credit rating is gone in no time,” said Cohen. “People who want a job are being denied through no fault of their own.”

So the real question is whether bad credit equals bad employees. Studies are mixed.

James Ratley with the National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners sees a need for credit checks to protect companies.

“When someone is having financial difficulties themselves they are much more inclined to take money that does not belong to them. Employee credit checks for potential employees are a vital part of the hiring process,” Ratley warned.

Bad credit could be caused by a number of things that may not be in your control, from death of a spouse, to identity theft, or even mistakes on your credit report. If that’s the case, be prepared to explain it.

“I think people need to know up front that

if an employer may look at their credit records. And if there’s something in there they’re concerned about they may even want to consider raising that during the interview,” said Cohen.

Keep in mind the employer cannot see your credit report without your permission.

Employers must have authorization from potential employees. However, job seekers who deny that authorization may not make it to the next step.

So what can you do to still get that job?

Credit experts say before you start applying be proactive.

Request your credit reports and fix any errors. If you’re not prepared, “It could end up costing you a job,” said Adam Levin of Credit.com.

It’s important to note the employer would get a different kind of credit report than the one that includes your actual score.

The employment report includes your credit payment history and other credit habits.

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Moneywatch: 401K Planning investors sole retirement plan because 401K’s do have flaws.

So how can you make the most of them? You need to start early.

“The biggest mistake that people make when they have a 401K available is to not get in the game at all,” added Benna.

Take advantage of your employers matching contributions.

Many large companies match the first six percent.

Next, contribute as much as possible.

You can save a maximum of $16,500 each year.

MIAMI (CBS4) — As pensions gradually become extinct, retirement planning has changed dramatically over the last few decades. Now, the 401K has reached a milestone.

It was born back in 1981 when Ted Benna allowed his employees to make pre-tax contributions to their retirement accounts.

His firm was one of the first to offer matching employer contributions, the start of the 401K plans.

Today 60-precent of retirement-aged households have them, with retirement-aged investors averaging about $140,000 available.

“Reality is we would never take that money each paycheck and put it into an investment,” said Ted Benna, COO of Malvern Benefits Corporation.

But Benna says 401Ks were never intended to be an

If you’re over 50, take advantage of the catch-up provision to save an extra $5.500 a year.

Choose a mix of stocks and bonds, and stick with it regardless of market fluctuation.

“The target maturity funds usually have numbers like 2010, 2020, 2030, and the idea is you put your money solely into one of those funds. It’s automatically allocated, you don’t have to do picking and choosing,” Benna explained.

Employers are only required to send out 401K statements once a year.

But many offer online or more frequent updates so check with your employer for more information.

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June 17, 2011

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Prepping Your Pantry For Hurricane Season Jacquelyn Gibson. In addition to apples, hearty produce items include carrots and broccoli.

If you want to make sure you’re eating fruit, buy dried fruits and fruit bars.

Stay away from fresh meat.

MIAMI (CBS4) — Hurricane season has arrived but are you ready? In addition to preparing your home with shutters and plywood, you also have to stock your pantry with the right items that won’t spoil in a long-term power outage.

Produce can spoil easily so stick with fruit that has a long shelf life.

“You can get apples, those kinds of things that don’t need to be stored in a refrigerator,” said consumer agent

“Fresh meat should not be part of your hurricane plan unless you have access to refrigeration maybe with a generator,” according to Gibson.

Instead of meat, head to the canned food aisle. Your protein should be canned or in vacuum packed envelopes like tuna, salmon, Vienna sausages, chili and beans. There’s also soup, jerky, peanut butter, nuts, and jarred or canned pasta sauces.

Dairy requirements can be met with powdered nonfat milk, canned milk, milk in aseptic boxes and pasteurized processed cheese spreads that don’t need

refrigeration until they’re opened.

Juice-packed fruits and no-salt-added veggies come in jars and cans.

Your starch quotient can come from canned potato salad, canned corn, rice cakes, taco shells, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, pasta, pretzels as well as wraps, bread and other fresh items you can purchase just before the storm hits.

The quicker the meal the better during natural disasters so buy food that’s fast to make like boil-in-a bag rice.

Don’t waste your water on cleaning dishes; buy disposable utensils, plates and cups.

Make sure you stock seven days worth of food and water for your family. A gallon of potable water per person per day is required for drinking and cooking. You can use tap water unless local health officials say it’s unsafe.

If you don’t have the money to pay for everything now, buy a few items every time you go to the store until you have everything on your hurricane list. Then there are those “other” things you’ll need. These include soda, juice boxes, nutritional shakes such as Ensure, sports drinks, instant coffee, tea bags and condiments (mustard, ketchup and mayo) in single-serve packages. And if you have children, add formulas and baby food to your list.

To cook you will need a camp stove/gas burner, a fondue pot, Sterno and/or a charcoal or gas grill. Be sure to have plenty of bottled propane gas or charcoal and a means of lighting your grill.

Damp wipes will also come in handy and although most cans now have pop tops, don’t forget the can opener.

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Having Trouble Selling Your Home?

Try Hiring A Stager Staging helps create visuals and make the space as desirable to buyers as possible.

People do not like to leave anything to their imagination, according to experts, The designers achieve their looks with accessories, like rugs lamps vases and art work.

But before hiring a home stager, consumer watchdog groups suggest you do your homework.

MIAMI (CBS4) – The secret to selling your home could be simple: have you considered home staging?

When the housing market is filled with short sales and foreclosures… people are looking for the best deal out there, so experts say it is important to make sure your home stands out.

Home stagers don’t just decorate; they stage a home for the buyer to be compelled to make the purchase.

CBS4 cameras were there as the team from Bertone Home Staging prepared a condo on Fisher Island for sale.

“Statistically, ten seconds to grab that buyer and they go ‘wow’. They want to see the next room and the next room,” said Angelina Perez, founder of Bertone Home Staging.

“When you interview a home stager, ask them how many jobs they have done, how many houses they have done, and how long has the house been on the market before and after staging,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angieslist.com, a consumer ratings service.

The point to staging is to create an inviting space with neutral decorations that can appeal to all types of potential buyers.

“It is clean and fresh. A homeowner can walk in here and see themselves in this bed room,” said Perez to CBS4’s Jorge Estevez after her staff was done staging the bed with fresh linens and the walls with neutral artwork.

The cost of staging can range from a consultation, which could cost a few hundred dollars, to installation and removal of décor and furnishings once you sell your property which could cost several thousand dollars.

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June 17, 2011

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Hormone Imbalance May Prevent Weight Loss “I just realized I started gaining weight like 20 pounds and this happened over a few months from January to February to March,” Cortez explained. “I couldn’t get out of bed, excessively tired, just really barely getting through life.”

Her trainer Heather Frey, owner of smashfit.com, noticed she was struggling.

“And that’s exactly when I said, ‘Okay it’s time to find a doctor and let’s get you tested,’” said Frey.

“When they checked that they found out I was already post-menopausal,” Cortez revealed. She also learned she had a thyroid problem.

MIAMI (CBS4) – Losing weight has become the holy grail in America. From exercising to eating right, many find that the weight just won’t budge. It turns out you might need a doctor instead of more crunches.

That’s because as you age your hormones change, including men; and your hormones could be working against you trying to knock off that extra weight.

Patti Cortez, 45, of Davie is able to enjoy exercising and sees the results of her hard work now; but that wasn’t always the case.

“Low estrogen also makes you gain weight definitely the whole hormonal imbalance makes you gain weight,” added Manfredini.

The doctor suggested if you have unexplained weight gain, trouble sleeping or you’re depressed get tested for diabetes and have your hormones and thyroid checked.

“Before I would walk and I would have to rest for 3 hours,” Cortez admitted.

Now, medication has helped Cortez finally get her hormones balanced, but she still had to lose the 50 pounds she gained.

“Usually by age of 40, you start feeling differently in your body,” she explained.

Frey said if you find yourself in the same situation there are simple exercises you can do at home to get yourself back on track. Do 2 or 3 sets of leg lunges for your lower body. Bicycles and crunches help strengthen your core.

And purchase a resistance band to help build the upper body.

Less thyroid hormone may be produced. Women have decreased levels of estrogen. Men have decreased levels of testosterone. And metabolism declines. All physiological changes that encourage weight gain.

Manfredini said we all should be getting 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week and most importantly as we age we need to eat less. That means smaller meals throughout the day.

According to family practitioner Dr. Anele Manfredini with Holy Cross Hospital, hormones change as we age.

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Food Pyramid Gets A Makeover facts at once. The new symbol, unveiled Thursday at the department with first lady Michelle Obama in attendance, is simple and gives diners an idea of what should be on their plates when they sit down at the dinner table.

WASHINGTON (CBS4) — The Food Pyramid is getting a makeover. First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will unveil a new food icon, to help consumers make healthier food choices.

A plate will replace the pyramid image.

The Agriculture Department says “My Plate,” its new healthy eating symbol, aims to show that nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated.

“My Plate” — a simple circle divided into quadrants that contain fruits, vegetables, protein and grains — will replace USDA’s food pyramid, which has been around in various forms since 1992.

USDA officials say the pyramid was tired out, overly complex and tried to communicate too many different nutrition

“It’s grabbing the consumers’ attention that we are after this time, not making it so complicated that perhaps it is a turnoff,” said Robert Post of USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. “There is something really inviting about this familiar setting for meal time.”

The department is planning to use social media as one way of grabbing attention, posting advice every day on Twitter, for example. The accompanying website, www.choosemyplate.gov, will be written on the chart. It will eventually feature interactive tools that help people manage their weight and track exercise.

Post, who has spent two years developing the plate and the website, said the new chart is designed to be “more artistic and attractive” and to serve as a visual cue for diners.

Gone are any references to sugars, fats or oils, and what was once a category called “meat and beans” is now simply “proteins.” Next to the plate is a blue

circle for dairy, which could be a glass of milk or a food such as cheese or yogurt.

Even though the plate is divided into four sections, the servings aren’t supposed to be proportional. Every person has different nutritional needs, based on age, health and other factors. The symbol, based on a new set of dietary guidelines released in January, is a general guideline.

The dietary guidelines that provide the foundation for the symbol are released every five years. In addition to telling people to drastically reduce salt and continue limiting saturated fats, the most recent set of guidelines asked diners to enjoy food but balance calories by eating less and taking smaller portions. It also suggested making half of your plate fruits and vegetables, a message easily translated on the dinner plate.

“Our approach here is to make it very simple,” says USDA’s Post. “One icon cannot deliver everything a consumer needs to know.” (©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.)

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Women & Pets: A Healthy Obsession? want to do is be with you,” said Claire.

When she’s not training dogs, Leo goes everywhere with Susan Claire.

She has scrapbooks filled with photos of Leo accompanying her on vacation.

Leo even goes with her to restaurants.

‘I will bring his bed and put it on the seat next to me in a restaurant. I will give him a bone to chew on and he’ll lay in the bed the whole time,” explained Claire.

WESTON (CBS4) – Love me, love my dog!

That’s a phrase many women are taking to heart.

These days a guy trying to date a woman may find his biggest competition isn’t another man, it’s man’s best friend.

Many single women have a special bond with their special pooch.

“In the last century animals have moved from the barnyard to the backyard to the bedroom,” said Lauderdale-By-The Sea psychologist William Demartini.

“I love dogs and I love the company of dogs,” said Susan Claire of Weston.

She doesn’t have to worry, unlike a guy, Leo won’t lie and cheat. He won’t leave the seat up, and she knows exactly when he needs attention.

Many people are probably wondering; Is this healthy?

“It really depends on the extent of how their interaction with their dog is affecting other people,” said Demartini.

“If a person is putting in 70 percent of their finances and not taking care of themselves its not healthy. Or if someone goes to a party and talks of nothing else but their dog the whole night to everyone, then it’s a problem,” he explained.

Claire has a special relationship with her dog Leo.

While Leo is top dog now Susan Claire does hope to remarry someday, as long as Leo is in the picture.

“It’s definitely love. I look at him and he’s so innocent. They do whatever you want them to do. They want to please you. All they

“Who would not love Leo?” said Claire.

“He’s awesome and most good men love dogs.”

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Military Testing New Technology, Robots To Save Lives Doctor Alex Bordetsky is leading a team of researcher in a series of field experiments at Camp Roberts in Monterey County, California.

“Saves lives, in a big way, I hope, because it saves time,” he said.

The team monitors the simulated battlefield’s condition and the soldier’s vital signs through prototype sensors in their uniforms. Robots deployed on the ground or as small helicopters are sent to find and help soldiers.

MIAMI (CBS4)- American soldiers know when they go in to battle there is a chance they may not make it out alive. It’s these losses that has the military testing new technology. Robots will soon replace human medics.

It’s the future of battlefield medicine.

Imagine a robot four wheeling its way through a cross fire to evacuate a wounded soldier, and think about that same robot assisting or in some cases replacing human medics on the ground.

Thanks to advances in GPS and real time data feeds the robots already know which soldiers are the most seriously wounded, where they are and how to get there.

“Previously we would be controlling at every millisecond, the behavior of the mechanical device,” Bordetsky said. “Right now we are only sending wave points instead of just communicating everything through verbal descriptions between the unit members. They are getting picture, they’re

getting data and a shared log of information.”

The information sent to doctors may allow them to diagnose and even begin treatments from afar. Doctors might some day trigger the injection of preloaded drugs through so called “nano patches”, which future soldiers would wear right next to their skin.

What you’re seeing is the ability to extend human capability outside of our hands and arms, and to rugged and remote environments,” said doctor Ray Buettner, director of Tactical Exercises. “Now technology is enabling us to be far from the doctor, sometimes thousands of miles from the doctor and still doing the things that make the difference between living and dying.

Although it’s now developed for the military, the technology could some day be used to save the lives of police officers and firefighters.

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Horoscopes provided by www.starlightastrology.com

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)

You can get a promotion if you put in a little extra detail. Get promises in writing or you will be disappointed. Make career changes that may increase your income. Sort situations out as best you can. Watch your spending habits. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

You can sort out any differences you have in an amiable manner. Don’t let others bully you into agreeing with them. Travel will turn out to be far more exciting than you imagined.

Listen to the problems of others and offer suggestions where possible. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Set aside any decisions regarding your personal life this month. Entertainment could be pleasing if it is of an energetic nature. If you can, make phone calls instead of going out. You mustn’t take on other people’s responsibilities or you may find yourself irritable and exhausted. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

Travel will be favorable. You can gain knowledge from dealing with foreigners. Be cautious and use your head wisely in situations that deal with the use of machinery or vehicles. If you go shopping, only take what you can afford to part with. Be careful while traveling. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Sagitarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

Now is a good time to ask for favors. Be willing to listen, but don’t be fooled. Do not get into uncertain financial deals. You should be on the road. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

For best results get out of the office and do your job en route. Travel if it’s needed to start the ball rolling. Sudden changes could result in estrangement’s. This is not the day to be extravagant. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

You will get out of shape easily if you don’t keep on top of things. Deceit with coworkers is apparent. There’s lots to be done and if you meet your deadline you’ll be in your boss’s good books. Arguments may flare up in your home. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Don’t be too shy to promote your own interests. You may have difficulties with foreigners. Do not get involved in joint financial ventures. Think about your priorities. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 18)

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)

Taurus (Apr. 21-May 21)

Take advantage of moneymaking ventures. Don’t argue with family. Your position may be in question if you haven’t been pulling your weight. Avoid conflicts with in-laws or other family members. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

You are best to do your research before taking on such a venture. Some of that extra energy you have stored up might just be put to good use. You always seem to spend more than you make. If you take on too much, you will find your self in martyrdom. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

It is best not to upset the apple cart if you learn information that may damage a colleague’s reputation. You will have good ideas for home improvement projects. Take care of any pressing health problems. You may not be happy if members of your family are not pulling their weight. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

Confusion at an emotional level will cause you to make wrong decisions concerning your personal life. You will find yourself tied to the phone. Pleasure trips will be favorable and bring about romance. Insincere gestures of friendliness are likely to occur. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

N

2 4 6 8 7 9 1 5 3

L O C A L .

9 1 3 5 6 2 4 8 7

7 3 9 2 5 4 8 1 6

1 5 2 6 8 7 3 4 9

6 8 4 9 1 3 7 2 5

5 4

SUDOKU

3 7 4 2

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.

3 3 7 5 8 2

9

1 2 8 9 6 3

5 9 6 2 3 1 8

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E W S P A P E R

R E A L .

5 7 8 3 4 1 6 9 2

N E W S .

Sudoku provided by www.puzzles.about.com

4 9 1 7 3 5 2 6 8

June 3rd Solution

3 6 5 1 2 8 9 7 4

8 2 7 4 9 6 5 3 1

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22)