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December 17, 2010
HOLIDAY DANGER BEWARE OF CHRISTMAS DECORATION DANGERS
‘Tis the season to string the light and trim the tree but while holiday decorating can be fun, it can also cause some serious fire hazards.
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I-Team: Questions About New National ID Card Reporting Stephen Stock MIAMI (CBS4) – It sounds a bit like grade school. Get a “gold star” on your Florida D r i v e r ’ s License and you’ll be allowed to board an airplane. No “gold star” and you could be out of luck. It’s all part of the new federal “REAL ID” Act of 2005. The “REAL ID” Act was passed by the US Congress five years ago and now is in effect here in Florida. The “gold star” concept was designed to combat terrorism in wake of 9-11 when those who flew airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were able to get multiple driver’s licenses in multiple states despite the fact they weren’t citizens. It’s a concept designed to beef up identity security and make sure government officials know exactly who you are by your id. But as CBS4 I-Team investigator Stephen Stock discovered, what’s really being beefed up are the profits of private companies in the Identity Management Industry who are benefiting from this huge new federal program. Pembroke Pines resident Oscar Perez showed his frustration at a Florida DMV office when he went to renew his driver’s license. “Never! Never, ever, ever, ever!” said Perez when asked if he ever had to go through so many official hoops and protocols to get a new license. Perez said he couldn’t ever remember being asked for an original, verifiable Social Security card in order to get a simple driver’s license. Alex Hernandez of Miami had the same gripe.
“Over the phone I was just told maybe a couple of bills, something with my name, my address (would be good enough to get a license),” said Hernandez. “(I was told) that should be it. Now apparently they want that plus the (original) Social (Security card) as well.” Providing an authentic Social Security card is just one of a list of new requirements for what’s become known as the new national ID program named “REAL ID.”
driver’s license from another state,” said US Representative Sensenbrenner. “And secondly, they (the federal legislators) restricted driver’s license to only people who are legally present in the United States.” Florida’s US Senator Bill Nelson said he supports the concept of REAL ID. “And so this is an attempt at standardizing all 50 states driver’s licenses,” said Senator Nelson.
Florida is one of 11 states that embraced the program. Fifteen states in all have adopted REAL ID.
But Florida’s Senior acknowledges REAL ID’s privacy concerns.
Earlier this year, Florida became one of the first states in the country to comply with the stringent rules of the Federal “REAL ID Act of 2005.”
“That (REAL ID) will help when you’re checking somebody’s ID to see if they are who they say they are,” said the Democrat from Central Florida.
Wisconsin Congressman James Sensenbrenner sponsored the original REAL ID legislation and recently spoke to the CBS4 I-Team in his Washington, D.C. office about the law.
There’s just one problem.
“The 9/11 Commission found that the hijackers were gaming the driver’s license system,” said Congressman Sensenbrenner.
Legislatures in 27 seven states have already passed laws or resolutions against REAL ID.
“The states that refuse to cooperate are going to end up forcing their residents to get a form of federally approved ID (such as a passport),” said the Republican from Wisconsin’s 5th District. Under the law, beginning in 2014, people without a gold star on a driver’s license or I.D. card will not be allowed to board a commercial airplane, enter a federal building such as a courthouse or enter any nuclear facility. Under the law, only a passport which can cost more than $100 will be acceptable substitute for a driver’s license or I.D. with a gold star. The theory behind REAL ID: establish a more rigorous and robust national identification program. “First of all we set up a system where a state DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) would have to check against other state databases to make sure that the applicant for a driver’s license did not have a valid
Senator personal
Citing both costs and privacy concerns, more than half of the states in the country refuse to implement the REAL ID Act.
Eight more states have done nothing to implement its passage. One of those critics is the American Civil Liberties Union.
“What I’m saying is innocent Americans shouldn’t expect that their information is collected by their government,” said Calabrese. Despite the fact that this is federal law, it is not the Federal Government that will keep this data but individual states. Under the provisions of the REAL ID Act, states are charged with collecting your personal information. And, for the most part, those states that have agreed to participate are relying on private companies which specialize in identity management to keep, manage and store these databases. CBS4 I-Team investigator Stephen Stock asked the ACLU’s Chris Calabrese about that. “Does that (storage and management of data by private companies) raise even more troubling privacy issues?” asked Stock. “It does,” said Calabrese. “I mean for the private corporations, this is like surveillance on steroids! Because they (the private companies) use it (REAL ID) to make money.” And we’re talking big money! The Department of Homeland Security estimates it will eventually cost nearly $10 Billion to implement “REAL ID” nationwide.
“It (REAL ID) becomes like a permission slip from school,” said Chris Calabrese, Legislative Counsel for the ACLU in Washington, D.C.
The line of private companies lining up to cash in and get some of that public money gets longer all the time.
“Where things you used to be able to do as a free American, vote, work, now suddenly you’ve got to get permission from the government to do those things through a National ID card,” said Calabrese.
According to the Senate Office of public records, the numbers of clients lobbying to get business from the US Department of Homeland Security skyrocketed from 15 companies in 2001 to 883 last year (2009).
Under the program anyone with a “REAL ID” would have had to provide original papers, such as a birth certificate, certified marriage certificate, or other certified copies of identification papers which are then scanned into a database.
One of the leading companies that is benefiting from the REAL ID Act is L-1 Identity Solutions, an international created in 2006 by businessman Robert LaPenta, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
REAL ID cards will also contain biometric photographs that can be read by facial recognition software.
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I-Team: Questions About New National ID Card
continued Business records show that one month after President George W. Bush signed the “REAL ID” Act into law, LaPenta established L-1 Identity Solutions. According to several annual reports for L1 Identity Solutions, the company has been immensely successful. This year, Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicles alone awarded L-1 Solutions a 5 year contract worth $56.9 Million. A spokesperson for L-1 Solutions told the I-Team that LaPenta had no comment and the company would not talk about its business involving REAL ID. But CEO Robert LaPenta had plenty to say to his shareholders last year. In a letter as part of his 2009 annual report to shareholders, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer LaPenta boasted that L-1 Solutions “produces driver’s licenses for 80% of the US. States representing 75 million drivers.” LaPenta also stated in his letter to shareholders that “During 2009 our Secure Credentialing business won 19 out of 20 competitive procurements. It booked approximately $289 million of new and extended contracts.” LaPenta and L-1 Solutions also have a competitive advantage in the form of a former top level DHS and TSA official who sits on L-1s board of directors, Admiral James Loy. “We’re suggesting by putting this card in front of someone that we are who we claim to be,” said former US Coast Guard Commandant and Homeland Security
Deputy Secretary James Loy. Loy was also the first Director of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA.) Admiral Loy now serves on L-1? s board of directors.
package literature future plans for the company’s technology suggest using “REAL ID” cards for voting, health care, ground and maritime transportation even possibly buying food and gas.
“Our challenge is to make certain that in this public utilization of that data, it is protected and there’s nothing that’s going to happen to violate your personal identity in the due course of meeting this new challenge of establishing a “REAL ID” program,” said Loy of government regulators.
To learn more about REAL ID and its requirements for Florida residents, call 1850-617-3995.
But 6 months after the “REAL ID” Act was signed into law, Loy left the federal government and went into private practice, eventually landing with companies that make money off the REAL ID law. “There are rules of the game clearly associated with that (leaving and going into private industry),” said Admiral Loy. However Loy made clear that he refrained from lobbying or being involved in national security matters for two years after leaving government as required by federal regulations and federal law. Loy admits he’s making money off a program he played a role in helping to create. “So sure L-1 Identities as they do business with the states that they have the responsibility for the program is making a profit on that,” said Loy. “(L-1 Solutions) is making a profit on that process.” But Loy reiterated that he waited the appropriate two years after leaving government required by law before using his expertise to help L-1 bid for REAL ID projects. “That’s absolutely perfectly legitimate,” said Loy. “And if I can help them (L-1 Solutions) do that (understand REAL ID law) and the shareholders of the company are beneficiaries as the result so be it. That’s part of the good American economic way of doing business. That’s capitalism at its best.” Supporters of this law dismiss the “REAL ID” as a “National ID.” But according to L-1? s 2007 Investors
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December 17, 2010
I-Team: Senators Aim To Change FEMA Flood Maps Reporting Stephen Stock MIAMI (CBS4) – Because of an eye-opening CBS4 I-Team report on flood insurance rates, two prominent senators took a step toward providing relief for South Florida residents and others across the nation who are struggling to afford coverage for their homes. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and New York Senator Charlie Schumer introduced a measure in Washington to delay the mandatory purchase of flood insurance until outdated flood maps can be revised.
I-Team Investigative Reporter Stephen Stock uncovered the rates many South Floridians pay for flood insurance are based on inaccurate, and flawed mapping standards and techniques. A map of Miami-Dade from 1994 compared to the new FEMA map issued in September of 2009 shows the many changes 15 years later. Though officials say many MiamiDade residents were mapped out of a flood zone, the map shows that others now find themselves, for the first time, suddenly living in a flood zone without ever moving. That means that for the very first time, many people who suddenly find themselves in a flood zone, are being required to carry flood insurance by their mortgage lender. Even more astounding, the I-Team has
learned that a critical elevation measurement standard, used to create the FEMA flood maps, hasn’t changed since the roaring 20? s! Flappers, fringe, the Charleston and speakeasies! It was 1929, three years after the deadly 1926 “unnamed” hurricane in Miami, and two years after the great Mississippi flood of 1927, when the U.S. government set the measurement standard that has been used to create elevation levels for flood maps, including the newest maps for Miami-Dade county. Meanwhile, new FEMA flood maps are scheduled for release in Broward County next year. For more information in Miami-Dade, call 305-372-6466.
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I-Team: Wackenhut Peeping Tom Victim Speaks Reporting Jim Defede C O R A L G A B L E S (CBS4) – After watching the movie “The Hangover” with her brother and his friends, the 17-year-old girl headed off to her room. “She was undressing to get ready for bed, she had just taken her top off, she had taken off her shorts, and when she reached down to get her T-shirt, she saw a phone in her window and she screamed, grabbed something to cover herself and charged at the window, banged on it and yelled,” the teen’s mother said. “I heard that, it was loud and it was fear.”
“He goes, `I know, I know, I know,’” the mother recounted. “He was totally out of breath and he said, `I was just chasing the guy, I have a complete description of him, I’m just writing it down, I’ll be there in a minute, I’m calling the police.’”
When the police finally did arrive it didn’t take long for them to focus on Owens. They asked Owens what type of phone he carries. He said he has an I Phone, but he told detectives he had left it with his girlfriend and didn’t have it with him that night.
A few minutes later the Wackenhut guard showed up to the house and introduced himself. His name: Eric Michael Owens. He reassured the mother and the teenage girl that everything would be fine, that they were safe now. He even added the reassuring biographical detail that he was a former Marine.
But at the same time he was telling this to detectives, another security guard was telling police that she had indeed seen Owens with his iPhone earlier that evening. Police spread out to look for places where Owens might have hidden the phone and eventually they found it stashed at a construction site a few houses away.
“I patted him on the back and put my arm around him and said, `I’m so glad to have you here, especially to know you are an ex marine,’” The mother said. “`That makes me feel really good.’”
Police not only found images of the teenager naked on Owens’ cell phone, but they also discovered he had secretly recorded video of her while she slept ten days earlier. Confronted with this evidence Owens confessed, according to police.
For the first time since that August 15 incident the mother of the teenage girl is speaking out. In order to protect the identity of her daughter, CBS4 News has agreed not to use the family’s name.
The mother asked Owens if he had called the police. Owens assured her he did, but warned they might not come out on something like this. He even tried to make it seem that the Peeping Tom may not have been peeping at all. He may have been trying to break into the cars parked in the driveway.
“She was angry, she was hysterical because someone had completely violated her life, they were in her window that’s so frightening,” the mother said. “She just kept repeating the same things that she was naked, she was naked. She was totally mortified.”
The teenage girl, however, made it clear there was a voyeur. She described the phone she saw pressed against her window – the new iPhone 4.
The teen and her mother raced to the living room where her brother and his friends were still hanging out. When they discovered what happened the young men rushed outside to see if they could catch the Peeping Tom. All anyone spotted were the tail lights of a small SUV off in the distance. “One of the boys said, `Should I get the security guard?’” the mother said. “And I said, `Yes, absolutely.’ Because they were just down the street.” The family lives inside a gated community, agreeing to pay more than $3,500 a year in additional taxes for the added security provided by Wackenhut, now known as G4S. “If somebody wants to do harm they are not going to come into a neighborhood that has security sitting outside and security driving around 24 hours,” She said. “You just feel safe in your home.” When the family friend ran down to the guard house a block away, he saw the Wackenhut guard sweating and out of breath. The family friend told the guard that someone had been spying into the one of the bedrooms.
At one point Owens, 28, raised the possibility that perhaps one of the boys in the house may have been responsible, telling the mom, “You can’t trust anybody today.” “It kind of just went over my head that he said that,” she offered, “but my son caught it, and when we came inside he said, `That’s weird that he said that mom. Did you ask to see his phone?’ and I said, `No, why would I ask a security guard to see his phone?’ It didn’t even cross my mind.” Other issues made the mother suspicious. In describing the man he chased, Owens gave a nearly perfect description of himself. Besides describing his own height, weight and hair color, he also said the Peeping Tom was wearing a track suit with a pair of stripes running up the side of the leg. Wackenhut guards have two stripes down the side of their pants. After about 30 minutes, the mother began to wonder why Coral Gables hadn’t responded. When she called to check she was told by dispatchers that there was no record of anyone having called to report a prowler or a voyeur.
“This was someone waiting outside our house, waiting for her, stalking her,” the mother said. Owens was charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and video voyeurism. His attorney, Christopher Pole, declined to comment on the criminal case which is scheduled for trial next year. Amazingly, it was soon uncovered that Owens had been arrested twice and convicted once in California for being a Peeping Tom. “They did a lousy job of screening this employee in particular,” said Melissa Visconti, an attorney with The Ferraro Law Group, which is representing the family. Wackenhut issued a statement to the CBS4 I Team blaming “the peculiarities of California law” which list voyeurism under disorderly conduct. “Given all the information available to the local hiring manager at the time, the
decision to employ Mr. Owens was reasonable,” the statement argued. For the mother of the young victim, Wackenhut’s response is far from good enough. She notes with amazement that no one from Wackenhut ever came by the house to check to see if the family was okay or to apologize for what happened. Two weeks after the incident, Wackenhut’s president, Drew Levine, sent a rather sterile letter noting that, “Unfortunately, sometimes people do unexpected things that hurt others. We regret that Mr. Owens caused you harm.” The letter, however, was addressed to the wrong person and the name of the street they live on was misspelled. “I want this company to take responsibility for their negligence in this, for hiring someone who had a history of doing this and putting them in a neighborhood where we were meant to feel safe in,” the mother said. “This is a classic case of putting the fox in the hen house,” added Jeffrey Sloman, the former U.S. Attorney in South Florida who, along with Visconti, is representing the family. Sloman noted that Wackenhut advertises itself as the leader in background security investigations and yet here, in this case, they fail to adequately investigate the people they hire. “In this case a public company which holds itself out to be the world’s leader in background investigative services,” Sloman said. “And then you find out they hire a previously convicted voyeur and place him in the very environment in which he thrives. It’s appalling.” news powered by
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Survivalist “Preppers” Ready For Anything Reporting Jorge Estevez
Bedford is a blogger known online as the “The Survival Mom.”
‘Preppers’ Are Doing Exactly That In Anticipation Of Doomsday
“I won’t ever be sitting there wondering when someone is coming to help me with food and water,” Bedford said.
MIAMI (CBS4) – Tornadoes, hurricanes, even a terrorist attack, we most certainly live in uncertain times. But if disaster, or even just temporary disruption, strikes, are you ready for anything? Most people hope for the best, but others are preparing for the worst. It’s a movement sweeping the nation — people getting prepared. Tahnee Bodden, 35, said she wants to be ready for anything. Her goal is to stock her apartment with a year’s worth of food. “I’ve got peanut butter, beans, soups,” she said. “Things that you can eat easily out of a can.” Bodden calls herself a “prepper.” She’s part of a growing group of people honing their survival skills, preparing for any kind of disasters. However, she’s not a stereotypical survivalist. “It’s clear I don’t fit that mold. A lot of people when they think of survivalists will think of mountain men. Prepping or emergency preparedness is basic common sense,” Bodden said. For Bodden, Hurricane Katrina made a major impact. She started prepping shortly after. “It was just shocking. No food. No water. You know, waving their arms, pleading for help and it just wasn’t coming,” Bodden said. Whether it’s a natural disaster like a tornado or a terrorist attack, preppers are simply taking matters into their own hands. They want to be ready to survive any calamity. “What will I do? How will I feed my family if our power is out?” Lisa Bedford said.
So she packs her car with emergency gear and stocks her pantry, just in case. Bedford preserves food and purifies her own water. She evens shows other women how to bake in a solar oven. “This really is about trying to exert control over things we don’t have control over, but we want to get a little bit of control over,” said psychiatrist Dr. Drew Ramsey. “It doesn’t have to be something major as power. It could be a track fire on the subway and all of a sudden you can’t get home,” Derek Murawsky said. For Murawsky, 9/11 changed everything. Now the 29-year-old I-T manager is stockpiling supplies in his Queens home. He’s even grinding his own wheat to make flour. “It’s definitely something you don’t see every day in the city,” Murawsky said. Murawsky carries extra gear every day in his work bag. All of his personal information is stored on a flash drive. And like many preppers he keeps a separate bag that holds the essentials he’d need if he had to evacuate. “Grab it and go and you’ve got everything you need to set up shop someplace else for a couple of days,” Murawsky said. Ramsey said prepping is positive as long as it doesn’t consume your life. “Does this interfere with work functions? Does it interfere with your ability to have relationships? Are your fears warranted in reality?” Ramsey said. There are also groups learning something called Survival Gardening. New Jersey farmer Linda Grinthal helps people take control and fend for themselves in case of
catastrophe. “People don’t inherently know anymore how to keep themselves alive,” Grinthal said. Grinthal teaches survival gardening. She said she’s worried about the breakdown of our food supply. “It’s good to know how to counter that,” she said. “It seems to me to be a healthy response to anxiety. It’s doing something,” Dr. Ramsey said. “Better to have and not need than to need and not have,” Bodden added. And the preppers believe the time to make a plan is now. A good start is to keep a one-week supply of food and water on hand. That’s 14 2liter-sized bottles for each person in your family. And don’t forget the pets. news powered by
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FAA Missing Registration Records On Over 110K Civilian Planes Reporting M i c h a e l Williams MIAMI (CBS4) – The Federal Av i a t i o n Administration i s acknowledging that it is missing reliable registration records for one-third of the civilian aircraft in the United States. It is a potentially huge security hole the FAA is working to fix, and one that has many asking why it has taken so long. Every civilian airplane—big and small, commercial or private—in the nation has a
tail registration number. Jay Rollins flew for American Airlines for decades and now has his own small plane based at North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines. He said, “You can’t have one-third of the aircraft out here, including private business jets that can be very dangerous, in the wrong hands and unaccounted for. It is embarrassing.” The FAA estimates that roughly 119,000 of the estimated 357,000 civilian aircraft in the U.S. registry have “questionable registration.” Worries about drug traffickers or, worse, terrorists exploiting those holes to get their hands on aircraft have the FAA working to update its computer databases. CBS4? s Michael Williams spoke with Rob Misick, a former Miami-based air traffic
controller. He said, “I give the FAA credit for taking action to correct it but it is a problem decades in the making and one wonders why almost ten years after September 11th they are now addressing the issue.”
is up to the task. He points to his pilot’s licenses and said, “I have to pack around three licenses plus a medical certificate because somehow or the other they (FAA) can’t figure out how to put all this information on one card.”
Owners typically register their planes only once, when they purchase them. Now the FAA is moving to require all U.S. aircraft to be re-registered over the next three years with renewals every three years after that. Failure to comply could ground the aircraft and the pilot.
It is an observation that begs the question— will the notoriously bureaucratic FAA be able to create a better, more streamlined registration system that improves homeland security, or simply end up with a bigger ball of red tape. It is a fine balance the FAA seeks and aviation professionals say the answers remain up in the air.
Everyone seems to agree that holes need to be plugged but airlines and banks are grumbling about the costs and added paperwork. Jay Rollins wonders if the FAA
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Shopping? Watch Those Price Scanners Reporting Dave Game MIAMI (CBS4) – How do you know, as you rush through your Christmas shopping, that the scanners virtually every store uses are clicking off the right price? If you believe state consumer investigators, they are doing a pretty good lob. Every year, the state Department of
Agriculture, which handle’s Florida’s consumer concerns, sends inspectors into stores looking for that $1.98 package of batteries that rings up as $19.98. It still happens, the state says, but this year, not so much. The inspection blitz found that, overall, price scanners have an error rate of 1.8 percent. That means for every 1 thousand transactions, almost 18 people would be charged the wrong price. Not always higher, just wrong. Inspectors went to 54 stores in 24 cities and scanned 2,989 items. They found 28
overcharges and 26 undercharges. That means if you are the victim of a wackedout scanner, your odds are about 50-50 of getting a break instead of an overcharge. That result was slightly better than the acceptable accuracy rate of 98 percent set by the National Conference on Weights and Measures. That does not mean the state didn’t find some alleged hanky-panky going on at the registers of some stores. Four stores found with excessive overcharges face administrative sanctions ranging from warning letters to fines of up to $5,000 for
repeat violations. Many stores offer to give you items for free if you report a price that scans differently than marked on the shelf. While it may seem undercharges are less important, the state still sees that as evidence those stores are not as careful checking prices as they should be. Those with excessive undercharges will be inspected more often until they meet the accuracy standard. news powered by
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Beware Christmas Decoration Dangers Reporting Lisa Cilli NEW YORK – (CBS4) ‘Tis the season to string the light and trim the tree but while holiday decorating can be fun, it can also cause some serious fire hazards. “Counterfeit extension cords and Christmas tree fires are major concerns during holiday time. So, as you dust of your old Christmas decorations this season, be careful, because they just might be a serious fire hazard,” said “Early Show” Consumer Correspondent Susan Koeppen. Brett Brenner, president of the Electrical Safety Foundation International, said, “People are using more energy than they’re used to and intrinsically you have more things around that can catch fire.” According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas tree fires cause more than $16 million worth of property damage each year. Holiday lights account for nearly $9 million in damage. Brenner said, “It’s very important you’re making sure those devices are safe in your home.” On the State Farm Research Lab outside of Chicago, they put a string of lights with frayed wire on a Christmas tree. When they plugged it in, the wire began to smoke, and within seconds the tree totally caught on fire. Brenner said, “We’re in a controlled laboratory setting with 30 to 50-foot ceilings, you can imagine what would happen in a home with eight-foot ceilings.” Experts from the Electrical Safety Foundation International say counterfeit lights and extension cords can also be a huge problem during the holidays. Brenner said, “Many times they’re using less expensive materials, which actually cause the fire itself. The wires inside the devices will not support the load. It really creates and dangerous situation.”
In another test at the lab, they put a counterfeit extension cord with a space heater. First smoke, then fire. Brenner said, “It caught fire so quickly it was even surprising to me. The fact is, if that was behind someone’s couch or in someone’s home, that could definitely start a home fire.” To keep safe and avoid holiday fires, experts say never overload electrical outlets, inspect decorations for loose wires, buy lights and cords from trusted retailers, and always unplug decorations before leaving home or going to bed. “Respect electricity,” Brenner said. “Electricity is great when it works, but it’s uniquely unforgiving in that it can easily start a home fire.” Another safety note, if you’re going out to buy a real tree, look for one that has fresh green needles. Koeppen added, “Make sure you water the tree. A dry tree can go up in flames in a snap. Keep it about three feet from any heat source like a fireplace or radiator.” And if you’re buying a fake tree, she said look for one that says “fire resistant.” Koeppen said this year might be a good time to buy new lights, as well. “Look for LED holiday lights,” she said. “They are cooler to the touch, and can save you some money on your electric bill.” news powered by
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Best Places To See Santa Claus 12801 West Sunrise Boulevard Sunrise, FL. 33323 (800) FL-MILLS
Kids of all ages know that getting their wish list to Santa Claus is as easy as sending a letter to the North Pole or taking a trip to the mall; but we found some other cool places to spot Santa this holiday season! Santa’s Enchanted Forest 7900 Bird Road Miami, FL 33155 (305) 893-0090 Date: Open every day through January 2, 2011 Hours: 5:00 p.m. – Midnight www.santasenchantedforest.com What’s an Enchanted Forest without Santa? Of course Santa is here along with more than 100 rides, shows, games and attractions. Santa’s Enchanted Forest is the world’s largest Christmas theme park where visitors can also experience the magic of South Florida’s tallest Christmas tree, millions of dazzling lights and hundreds of themed displays. Surf’s Up With Santa At Sawgrass Mills Mall
Visit Last Call by Neiman Marcus court to have your family picture taken with Surfer Santa the Santa of South Florida. For these photo ops, Santa tossed his bright red coat and Winter Wonderland setting for a trip to the beach. It’s believed to be the first time a shopping mall Santa has a completely nontraditional look. Mr. Claus is decked out in a short-sleeve red tropical shirt, fur-lined red capri pants and sunglasses and he’s sitting on a deck overlooking the water’s edge, with a backdrop of surfboards and palm trees. Photos with Santa Aventura Mall 19501 Biscayne Boulevard Aventura, FL 33180 (305) 935-1110 Date: Through Friday, December 24th. Time: Monday through Saturday, 11–8, Sunday, 12-7 p.m. www.aventuramall.com Have your picture taken with ‘Ol Saint Nick at his village where the guy in the big red suit also feeds his reindeer every day. His village is located near Bloomingdale’s. Holiday Express Gold Coast Railroad Museum 12450 SW 152nd Street Miami, Fl. (305) 253-0063 Date: Dec. 17 – 18 Time: 6 – 9 p.m. Cost: $6.00 www.gcrm.org
Join the museum for a family fun nighttime light adventure with Santa and trains. Enjoy Santa, games, a bounce house, train rides, a holiday movie, food and more. Santa on the Beach Fort Lauderdale Beach South Beach parking lot north to Sunrise Blvd. Date: Monday, December 20 Time: Noon (954) 828-7275 Don’t miss Santa Claus’ traditional candy giveaway along Fort Lauderdale Beach! Santa Claus and his elves will walk along Fort Lauderdale Beach, providing beachgoers with candy canes and holiday treats. Santa’s route will begin at the Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Administration Building, located at 1350 W. Broward Boulevard, beginning at noon. The Santa motorcade will then travel: • East on Broward Boulevard to S.W. 7th Avenue • South on S.W. 7th Avenue to S.W. 2nd Street • East on S.W. 2nd Street to Andrews Avenue • South on Andrews Avenue to Las Olas Boulevard • East on Las Olas Boulevard to A1A • South on A1A to the International Swimming Hall of Fame (501 Seabreeze Boulevard) Santa and his elves will begin passing out treats on Fort Lauderdale Beach across from the Oasis Cafe, located at 600 Seabreeze Boulevard. They will continue walking north along the beach to Birch State Park, located at A1A and Sunrise Boulevard.
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Best Places In South Florida To See Christmas Decorations scattered under 3,000, 000 lights in the trees above. The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade 512 Northeast 3rd Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (954) 767-0686 www.winterfestparade.com
South Florida is a beautiful place to spend the holidays but only if you don’t want a white Christmas, or even a chilly one. But there are plenty of ways to get into the holiday mood and celebrate the season by enjoying some spectacular holiday light displays. Holiday Fantasy Tradewinds Park
of
Lights
At
3600 W Sample Rd. Coconut Creek, FL. (954) 357-8870 www.holidaylightsdrivethru.com This spectacular drive-through holiday lighting event is described as one of the most popular animated and amazing light displays in South Florida. It’s located at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. This is the 16th edition of Holiday Fantasy of Lights, with 3 miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees. It’s open nightly 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. through Sunday Jan. 2, 2011. Santa’s Enchanted Forest 7900 Bird Road Miami, FL. (305) 893-0090 www.santasenchantedforest.com This holiday spectacular is considered the World’s Largest Christmas Theme Park, which includes a free carnival with your price of admission. The 92-foot tall Christmas tree is the centerpiece of this park and features over 100 rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, shows and, of course, the big guy, Santa in his workshop. All of these holiday sights and sounds are
Where else but in South Florida, would you find a nighttime flotilla of decorated boats and yachts of every size and shape floating down the Intracoastal Waterway of Fort Lauderdale. Owners of these vessels start preparing their boats months in advance to amaze and delight all those who line up for hours in advance to see these sights. Winterfest began back in 1971 and with each new year grew bigger and better until now it is an event looked forward to and watched by more than a million spectators every year.
Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami 12400 SW 152 Street Miami, FL 33177 (305) 251-0400 www.miamimetrozoo.com Zoo Miami will open at night for a special holiday event with bright animal shaped lights, hot chocolate, holiday songs, free 3D glasses, holiday music and more. Lauderdale Christmas 7706 NW 25th Street Margate, FL. 33063 www.lauderdalechristmas.com Owner Jeff Ostroff has been creating this spectacular display for more than a decade. There are more than 61,000 animated LED lights, a 12-foot mega-tree with 14,000 lights and the holiday music can be broadcast to your car radio to listen while the lights dance to the music. news powered by
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Glass Bakeware Poses Shatter Risk
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS) – Plenty of people will be busy cooking this holiday season, but there could be a hidden danger lurking in your kitchen. While hundreds of millions of glass dishes are used safely each year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said that from 1998 to 2007, almost 12 thousand people went to emergency rooms for treatment of injuries from glass bakeware that was dropped, broken or shattered during use. Consumer Reports found that shattering bakeware may be less common, but it
poses a greater threat to consumers since it may break without warning.
the type of glass now being used to make these products in the U.S.
“We wanted to investigate this because the number of complaints seemed to have increased lately,” said Don Mays, senior director of product safety planning and technical administration at Consumer Reports.
“We believe that the glass bakeware that’s on the market today is different from what we used many years ago. And it probably has more propensity to shatter unexpectedly,” said Mays.
For its January issue, Consumer Reports decided to test dishes from the two big names in glass bakeware, Pyrex and Anchor Hocking. Dishes were put through extreme conditions. In one test, they were baked in the oven on high heat and placed on a wet countertop, something that is not recommended when using glassware.
Pyrex says it’s used the same glass for the past 60 years, but its dishes do come with a list of warnings found on the back of the label, such as, “Failure to follow the warnings below may result in personal injury or property damage, or may cause your glassware to break or shatter immediately or later.” Both Pyrex and Anchor Hocking said their bakeware is safe and has been used safely for generations.
The glass exploded. “We were surprised by the forcefulness with which this glass broke,” said Mays.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is looking into the Consumer Reports test results.
Consumer Reports blamed the problem on
What should you know when you’re using
glass bakeware? • DO NOT add liquid. • DO NOT place on a wet or cool surface, (like a countertop or sink) • DO NOT handle with wet cloth. • DO NOT use under a broiler. • DO avoid sudden temperature changes to glassware. • DO allow your oven to pre-heat before using glassware. • DO let your glassware cool off on something like a cooling rack,dry dish towel or pot holder. • DO cool down the dish before washing, refrigerating or freezing. • DO read your glassware’s label. news powered by
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Stores Use Science To Boost Sales Reporting Al Sunshine MIAMI (CBS4) – The big shopping days of the holiday are upon us and you can bet South Florida’s malls and shopping centers are going to be packed people looking for one they want at a great price.
it down to a science, it’s really the stores that do. From the music to the lights, when it comes to holiday shopping, department stores leave nothing to chance. “Nothing is by accident at all,” said John Long, an expert in the science of retail. “There’s a lot of science behind what we buy and how we buy.”
That’s where a retailer pre-wraps gifts for the customer. “It means that you’re to be in and out of the store pretty quickly. You’re shopping experience will be a simple one and a ‘show and go’ can increase sales up to 50 percent. Secret number three – the end cap, or putting merchandise at the end of an aisle. “It’s a way of creating desire,” said Long, adding that a well merchandised display can increase sales by up to 50 percent.
This year shoppers are expected to spend $447 billion on holiday gifts, decorations and entertaining.
Secret number one – appeal to the senses. Some stores used heated pots or pans of cinnamon to not only perfume the air with a smell of the holiday but it also triggers something in a shopper’s mind that says ‘I need to buy pan or baking dish or something for the kitchen’.
While some savvy shoppers think they have
Secret number two – one to show, one to go.
“It does appeal to a customer. It does catch
Secret number four – ‘stack’m high and watch’m fly’ which translates into creating a display of items from floor to ceiling.
their eye. They wonder what’s special about it. They want to look at it and it immediately piques their curiosity,” said Long. Secret number five – the solution sale, or putting a variety of items together. Doing it properly can increase sales by more than 100 percent. “To create a very tempting display that gets consumers to think about buying additional pieces. Tempting, tantalizing and making it easy, all this science really sells,” said Long. To keep from buying things you don’t want, experts advise making a list and sticking to it. Also, before you head out, make a budget and don’t spend more than you planned. news powered by
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Food For Your Mood Reporting Cynthia Demos MIAMI (CBS4) – Did you know eating certain foods can help regulate your mood? What you eat may help you sleep better at night and stay energized throughout the day. In addition, the first thing you often reach for though may not be the best. Terry Hertenstein, like many of us, always turned to caffeine for a quick pick-me-up. “I was a person that just got up, had coffee, left the house,” said Hertenstein.
feeling of low energy,” she said. Ventrelle says there are better choices to keep you filled with energy. Start with a balanced breakfast that combines two key nutrients. On her menu: carbohydrate-rich fruit and whole grains. Add to that: protein-packed eggs, Greek yogurt and almonds. “The carbohydrate gives you energy and then the protein sustains the energy,” said Ventrelle. Terry Hertenstein’s choice is another protein-filled and pro-energy food: peanut butter. “I don’t even clean off the tablespoon on a plate or anything,” she said. “I’ll just dip it in there so I get every little bit. It’s really good.”
several small meals a day helps her feel more energized, alert and focused. “I always say eat about every four to five hours, these good combinations to keep your blood sugar stable, your hunger level regulated, your metabolism going,” Ventrelle said. And when it’s time to wind down from a busy day, grab foods rich in vitamin B6, like bananas. The vitamin helps the body make serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating sleep. Sipping chamomile tea may also help you relax. “Some studies show that chamomile can actually have a calming effect on the nervous system,” Ventrelle said.
But dietitian Jennifer Ventrelle says the caffeine in that cup of Joe may actually have the opposite effect.
You can snack on those energy-boosting foods all day long.
You can also try foods rich in tryptophan, an amino acid which triggers production of serotonin. You’ll find it in foods like dark chocolate and turkey.
“By the time the feeling of the caffeine wears off, you kind of get hit with this
Hertenstein learned not only how to adjust what she eats, but how she eats. Enjoying
And always avoid sugar and caffeine later in the day. That’s advice Hertenstein has
taken to heart. She says she has not given up her cup of coffee. But, she says, “I’ll drink decaf after my morning cup.” Ventrelle says one of the worst things you can do to start your day is to eat refined carbohydrates in the morning, such as pastries or other sugar-laden foods. It keeps the cycle of bad eating going throughout the day. news powered by
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Secret Signs Of Stress Reporting Cynthia Demos MIAMI (CBS4) – Ah, the holidays – endless hours of shopping for just the right gifts, entertaining and eating tons of holiday treats. Feeling a little stressed out? Be careful because that stress can take a serious toll on your health.
“When you have stress you feel like you can’t catch your breath. You feel like you can never do enough in the time you have to do it,” explained stress expert Dr. Robert Schacter. All of this can lead to other health problems. Silent problems you may not even associate with stress or think twice about, like itchy skin, bleeding gums, odd dreams, acne, headaches, irritability and difficulty sleeping are all signs of stress. Compounding the situation, according to doctors, is that these symptoms often lead to other unhealthy habits.
“You start eating unhealthy foods. You start smoking. You start drinking. You stop exercising,” said Schacter.
“If you can relax and break that cycle even if it’s a few times a day you can reduce the overall effects of stress,” said Schacter.
This vicious cycle can take a real toll on the body.
Experts say appreciating what you have such as family and friends can help keep stress at bay and so can helping others.
“Stress can cause stroke, can cause heart attack,” said Schacter. But the good news it’s easier than ever to get help. Schacter teaches people how to cope with stress from simple breathing exercises to using a relaxation machine that combines a series of light and sound proven to stimulate the part of the brain that controls relaxation.
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Teens Go Nutty For New High Reporting Tim Kephart MIAMI (CBS4) – Nutmeg is often used as a flavoring for eggnog during the holiday season. But, the spice is now gaining traction on the Internet as an alternative way to get high. Homemade videos on YouTube show teenagers are getting high by consuming large quantities of nutmeg. One video shows a young man ingesting an entire container of it and then exhibiting symptoms of hallucinations.
Poison Control centers say they have seen an uptick in the number of nutmeg related calls. But officials say that while you can get high on nutmeg from a hallucination standpoint, you will pay for it with the side effects, including upset stomachs and vomiting. Online videos show kids how to make nutmeg cigarettes, but officials say they are more concerned about what happens down the road. One Oklahoma law enforcement agency said that parents should watch children who are getting high from nutmeg, because they are likely getting high from other sources as well. news powered by
$14K Raised At Neighbors 4 Neighbors Holiday Hope Fundraiser Reporting Lisa Cilli M I A M I B E A C H (CBS4) – The Neighbors 4 Neighbors “Adopt-AF a m i l y ” program raised more than $14,000 Friday night for those in need thanks to the generous South Florida community. More than 300 people opened their hearts and their wallets at the Holiday for Hope fundraiser at De Rodriguez Ocean on South Beach, which benefited Neighbors 4 Neighbors “Adopt-A-Family” and Operation Elf Toy Drive program. In addition to the food and drinks, participants had an opportunity to bid on some spectacular items in a thrilling auction. The two most popular auctions were dates with CBS4 Meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez and CBS4 Anchor Jawan Strader. The woman who “won” Jawan Strader paid $260, and the date with Lissette Gonzalez was the biggest money maker.
The bidding was so competitive that CBS4 Sports Anchor turned event emcee sold two dates with Lissette for $1,500 each. Jawan will double date with Lissette and one of her admirers at Smith and Wollensky. In addition to the auction, there were some spectacular raffle items such as an electric bicycle, private flying lesson, and a trip to Key West. These were just a few of the amazing raffle items. CBS4’s Jeff Berardelli and Natalia Zea hosted this extremely successful event for the second year in a row. All of the money raised goes to help the needy over the holidays and provides clothes and gifts as well. news powered by
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Gadgets Offer Protection From Cell Phone Radiation Reporting Cynthia Demos
MIAMI (CBS4) – Major companies are designing products that they claim will protect you from a possible exposure to radiation from cell phones. But do they really work? Let’s face it, most of us have come to rely on our cell phones. But the Environmental Working Group warns that too much chitchat could potentially lead to cancer. Studies have shown people who use their cell phones more than half an hour per day have had increased rates of cancer. And while adults should be wary, it’s children who are at a greater risk. “Because their brains are still developing, their skulls are thinner and they have a different head shape so their brain absorbs
about twice as much radiation as an adult,” according to the Environmental Working Group.
away from your body, you could use a Bluetooth head set. I wouldn’t sleep with a phone next to your bed,” said German.
It’s a common concern and some companies are trying to cash in with a whole line of products that claim to protect from radiation. For example, there’s now ‘belly armor’ which is being marketed to pregnant women. It’s a cotton blanket with silver fibers that are supposed to block radiation; retail price $70.
But before you buy stock in Bluetooth, keep in mind while they may emit less radiation there’s still not enough data to determine their risk.
The iPhone app “tawkon” promises to reveal just how much radiation your phone is actually emitting. “I think it could help out a couple ways. One, it could determine whether you have a good signal or not,” said Kent German with CNET. But, he added, don’t rely on this app to protect you. German said if you’re really worried about radiation put away your pocket book. All you really need to do is keep your distance. “You can text, you can keep the phone
“Everything we do can cause a problem. So I don’t know how severe that problem might be,” said German.
And now because there is so much uncertainty San Francisco has become the first city in the country to adopt cell phone ordinances that require retailers to disclose radiation levels. That ordinance goes into effect next February. news powered by
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Emotional Care Important In Breast Cancer Recovery Reporting Cynthia Demos (CBS4) There’s no doubt that proper medical care benefits people who are dealing with breast cancer but did you know that emotional care can also have a real medical impact? “You get used to always giving the help, not getting the help and I didn’t know how to do that,” said breast cancer survivor Gayle Dubin.
Dubin is a wife, mother of 3, and oldest of 4 siblings. She was used to being there for everyone. But when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2009, the 49-year-old Pinecrest woman says she had to learn how to let others help her.
other does much better,” according to oncologist Dr. Nilza Kallos.
“I had a waiting list of people that wanted to come with me to all my chemo treatments,” said Dubin.
So Gayle kept up the fight through her chemo, radiation and hair loss. Her friends, husband Richard, and 3 grown children fought right there with her.
Gayle credits that list of people with helping her heal and her doctor says she’s right on target. “There’s scientific evidence that women who have the support of a significant
“I knew I had to fight as hard as I could to get better because I had so many people that love me and need me and want me in their life,” explained Dubin.
“My daughter organized a big group of people to walk in the breast cancer walk last fall. They walked for team Gayle.
through this experience for a reason and now she wants to help others facing the same challenges. “The best advice that I could give anybody, any woman going through this, would be to allow yourself to be loved and taken care of by the people around you,” said Dubin. For more information about breast cancer education, diagnosis and treatment, just go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Chapter website at www.komenmiaftl.org. news powered by
Gayle says she feels like she went
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Goodbye CBS4.com; Hello CBSMiami.com Reporting Dave Game M I A M I (CBS4)- Just in time for the last day of Hanukkah and in plenty of time for Christmas, CBS delivered a holiday gift to the residents of South Florida, with the launch of CBSMiami.com, a new Web site that combines the best of CBS4 news with a host of new features designed to share the best of South Florida. The new Web site continues to feature the winning news produced by CBS4 reporters and South Florida’s largest team of digital journalists, who create content 18 hours a day every day of the year, but it enhances that news content with a number of new features designed to make you smarter, more knowledgeable about your community, and to get information to make your day easier. CBSMiami.com delivers that information with the help of local experts, who get their information from living in the community. “It’s been a tremendous amount of work,” said Dave Game, Executive Producer for Digital Media at CBS4, and the local manager of the Web site project. “CBS Local Media in New York developed the concept, and our local team of Web journalists executed it. It takes the best that CBS4.com had to offer, and enhances it with a lot of great, interactive features we think South Florida residents will really like.” In addition to the news, which will be featured front and center on the CBSMiami home page, these new features will be showcased by a rotating, eyecatching banner designed to lead you easily into the Web site. “One of the problems with a large, complex Web site, is that we have so much to offer people sometimes have trouble finding it,” Game said. “With CBSMiami.com, we’ve simplified the design, added clear graphics, and developed ways to give you peeks into the richer content inside.” When combined with easy-to-use search features, visitors to the site should find it
easy to get what they need fast. CBSMiami.com offers a number of great new features: BEST OF SOUTH FLORIDA The CBS Web team has evaluated literally thousands of shops, businesses, restaurants, and attractions as it created hundreds of ‘Best of” lists that are searchable, and which let web users quickly find a great place to eat, the best beach for kids, our best pick for second hand shops, and the like. This is an ongoing and growing project that will make us the go-to place when people want to know the best of what South Florida has to offer. To find them, just click the “Best Of” tab on any page. SOUTH FLORIDA LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE CBSMiami offers a comprehensive listing and calendar of what’s happening in one of the most vibrant regions in the world. The web team is reaching out to publicists, clubs, organizations, and event venues to gather and sort the largest online listing of things to do, kept constantly up to date, in South Florida. As our contacts grow, we will lead the way in keeping people up to date with fun things to do.We are also making it easy for organizations and individuals to post their own events, right on the Web site, and share them with the millions of people who visit CBSMiami each month. Visitors can upload pictures, share meeting agendas, and even offer details about ticket prices and parking. Every event has a map showing right where to go. DEAL OF THE DAY This is an exciting new feature that will let visitors to the website purchase, online, everything from spa visits and great restaurant meals to clothing and furniture at up to half-off, and sometimes more. You can sign up for e-mail notice of the time limited deals, which like most good things, are here for just a short time…only to be replaced by another great deal the next day. People love to save, and CBSMiami is going to help them. You can find the deals, and sign up for e-mail notices of the specials, by clicking on the Deals tab on every page. BUSINESS DIRECTORY Looking for a plumber? Carpenter? Can’t find that Chinese restaurant a friend told you about? Our online directory will help you locate it, and when found, you’ll get
the location, contact info, and even a live map you can use to navigate there. Once you go, you can even rate your experience online to help the next person. Look on the Directory tab. FAN SHOP South Florida has a lot of great teams, and CBS4.com wants people to be able to show off their fan support. That’s why we’ve teamed with one of the most comprehensive on-line sports companies to offer gear for just about any team in the nation at great prices. If you’re a ‘Canes, fan, you’ll find literally thousands of Hurricanes items online. CBS4.com offers gear from more than 500 colleges nationwide, and if you prefer Pro sports, every pro team playing is represented in the Fan Shop. You can click, point, and score some great gear in the same visit where you checked the news, decided which restaurant to try for dinner, and got a great deal on a trip to the spa. Click the Fan Shop logo ENHANCED FEATURES • We’ve simplified the menus. so there are fewer places to look. • We’ve added “tags”, on-screen keywords you can use to create your own custom pages of information based on a tag. • Our new video player allows you to bring the video full screen, to share clips, and even embed our video in a blog or another site. The video is embedded right in the story, and is larger than before. • Our weather page will keep our custom Zoom Radar, realtime info from Weatherbug, and great animated, continuously updated maps and weather info direct from the CBS4 Weather Center • Our new Traffic Tracker shows you jams by color coding. You can zoom into your route, drag the mouse over the roadway, and get near real-time information about traffic speed every tenth of a mle. It’s almost addictive to use. You can even sign up to have traffic text alerts sent to your phone. • We’ve made it easier to comment on just about everything, and integrated facebook and twitter into almost every page. • We’ve added 2-way texting, so not only can we send out news alerts to cellphones, we can have users text us with news tips, to enter contests, even respond to news stories. Even with all of those improvements, CBS Local Media is continuing to explore ways to make it’s websites around the nation
more interactive, more useful, and more fun to use. CBS is committed to providing the best web experience to people in South Florida, combining the expertise of local news and web professionals in South Florida with the power of CBS News and the diverse offerings of other CBS Web sites like CBS Sports.coim and CNET.com. news powered by
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Diabetics Turning To Weight Loss Surgery For Help Reporting Cynthia Demos W E S T O N (CBS4) – 26m i l l i o n Americans have diabetes in the United States and about 90percent have type two diabetes. The condition costs more than 174-billion dollars a year and the problem is only expected to get worse. However, there are some effective treatments. Shereen Ally, 37, of Miami, was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome about ten years ago. The hormonal imbalance created what she says is a predisposition to insulin resistance. “The insulin resistance was I guess giving me a lot of cravings that I shouldn’t have like to sugars things like that,” said Ally. Those cravings caused Shereen to pack on the pounds, which increased her blood
sugar and labeled her a type two diabetic. “I was spending a lot of money with trainers and diet medications and pills and programs and then it wasn’t really being successful for me,” explained Ally.
for these diabetics.
That’s when she decided to have gastric bypass surgery. Her surgeon was Samuel Szonstein with the Cleveland Clinic in Weston.
“So far, it has been proven to be the best long term or the most effective long term treatment for diabetes as compared to the medications or to just lifestyle and dietary changes,” said Dr. Szonstein.
“Weight loss is not so easy. To stop eating, do exercise there’s much more to it. It’s multi-factorial, it’s emotional, it’s social, it is physical, it is medical, it’s an addiction, a disease it needs to be treated like one,” explained Dr. Szonstein. Dr. Szonstein says lifestyle changes and diet corrections are the first line of defense. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that a combined exercise program of aerobics and strength training can help lower blood sugar in type two diabetics. Specifically, 100 minutes of aerobics per week and 15-20 minutes of strength training two days a week is now proven to be the best exercise prescription
But when exercise, diet and medication don’t solve the problem, Dr. Szonstein says the best choice is weight loss surgery.
pounds and is no longer considered a diabetic. “Now I just feel great,” exclaimed Ally. “Even my cravings, the cravings I used to have all day long for sweets that’s pretty much gone.” Experts say if the obesity levels in America continue at this pace, one third of Americans will be diabetic by the year 2050. news powered by
So far, Shereen has lost more than 100-
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College Coaches Cashing In Reporting Tim Kephart
MIAMI (CBS4) – If you ever wondered just how much of a cash business college football has become in the Football Bowl Subdivision, look no further than the major schools in Florida. The numbers, from a survey conducted by USA Today, found staggering salaries for the head coaches of the major schools in Florida. Combined, the head coaches at the major Florida public schools made $9.67
million in 2010. Add in former University of Miami, a private school, former head coach Randy Shannon’s more than $1.5 million contract and the coaches pulled in over $10 million for 2010 alone. The University of Central Florida in Orlando pays George O’Leary $1.325 million per season. Florida International and Florida Atlantic pay Mario Cristobal and Howard Schnellenberger around $400,000 per season. Former Florida head coach Urban Meyer had the largest pay day of any coach in the state of Florida. Meyer made $4.01 million per year as the head coach of the Gators.
Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher, who is now the longest tenured coach of the Big Three schools in the Sunshine State, made $1.8 million for leading the Seminoles in 2010. While Skip Holtz pulled in $1.7 million in his first season as head coach of the University of South Florida Bulls.
pariah, Nick Saban is paid $5.16 million by the university and receives another $830 thousand from other sources for a total salary of just under $6 million. Saban can also receive a maximum bonus of $700 thousand which would put his maximum compensation at more than $6.5 million.
So what will nearly $10 million in salary buy record wise for the public schools in Florida? A .720 winning percentage, or roughly 7 wins per school.
UM fans had better be ready to pony up some serious money to get one of the big name coaches into the school. The salaries for the coaches mentioned for the job are as follows: Randy Edsall – $1.55 million, Kevin Sumlin – $1 million, Bobby Petrino – $2.7 million, Bo Pelini – $2.1 million, and Tommy Tuberville – $1.5 million.
But if you really want to see the cash roll in, check out what the University of Alabama pays their coach; over $5 million per season, and it’s a public school. Alabama head coach, and South Florida
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Horoscopes provided by www.starlightastrology.com
Leo
NEWSPAPER news powered by
PUBLISHER Tony Gambirazio
Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
Travel opportunities should be your first choice. Don’t let others make you feel guilty or insecure. You should put in some extra hours developing that creative idea you have. Don’t let your partner get you going. You are best to travel or attend lectures or seminars. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.
You may make someone else look bad. Loved ones may be annoyed if they feel restricted. Financial gains can be made through wise investments. Your relationship appears to be stressed out and depleted. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Sagitarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Residential moves will also be advantageous for all concerned. It might be time to make a fresh start. You are best to work behind the scenes on projects that require detail or precision. Sudden changes regarding work and colleagues are apparent. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.
Have some fun, but draw the line if someone tries to fast talk their way into your heart. Your greatest enjoyment will come through social activities and pleasure trips. You can make money if you’re willing to push your ideas on those in a position to support your efforts. Don’t blame others for your own stubbornness. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.
You’ll find it easy to upgrade your environment by redecorating or changing your residence. Real estate should be lucrative for you. You may be sensitive concerning friends and their situations. Be aware of deception when it comes to your position, and be sure not to jump to conclusions. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.
Taurus (Apr. 21-May 21)
Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 18)
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
Social activities or travel should be in your plans. Your main concern will be to spend as little as possible of your own cash in the process. Don’t be afraid to make a move if you aren’t happy with your emotional situation. Luck is with you, regardless of the financial venture. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.
Travel will promote romantic connections. Real estate investments will be extremely profitable in the long run. Build on friendship rather than starting out in an intimate encounter. If you try to manipulate emotional situations you will find yourself alienated. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.
Deal with the needs of children and get into groups that deal with self awareness. You could easily lose your temper at work. Don’t push your opinions or ideas on others. Your emotions will be touched off concerning recent encounters with your lover. Be careful not to hurt someone’s feelings. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.
Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22)
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Go over their important documents and take the time to suggest alternatives. Don’t hesitate to look for alternatives that will enable you to raise the kind of donations you need to do the job right. Set a limit on the amount you’re willing to spend, and be sure to stick to it. You could be cornered, so be prepared to tell the truth. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.
You can make moves, but they won’t be settling. Your added discipline will help you complete the impossible at work. Do not invest in ventures that only appear to be lucrative. You may want to pull out some of those unfinished project you’ve got tucked away. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.
Make plans to do the things you enjoy. You may have to take a short trip to visit someone who hasn’t been well. Your mind is on moneymaking ventures. You will meet exciting new people through interest groups or functions that you attend with your children. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.
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Complete the grid so each row, column and 3x3 box Iin black borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.
December 3rd Solution
4 2 9 3 5 1 7 8 6
5 3 6 9 7 8 4 1 2
7 8 1 6 4 2 5 9 3
8 1 3 5 2 9 6 4 7
9 7 5 4 6 3 1 2 8
6 4 2 1 8 7 9 3 5
1 5 7 8 3 4 2 6 9
2 9 8 7 1 6 3 5 4
3 6 4 2 9 5 8 7 1
4
2
7
6 7
1 8 4
4 9 5
8
7 8
6 9 7 9
1
4 5
6 2
5 1
Look For Our Next Edition: JANUARY 7, 2011
3 2
9
Sudoku provided by www.puzzles.about.com
THE ADTIMES
(July 23-Aug. 23) Opportunities to learn important information will surface through discussions with peers or seminars you attend. You can make money through your own creative efforts. You will not be able to trust someone you work with. Emotional partnerships may develop through projects you initiate. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.