The tainted pet food scare, which has swelled into a serious crisis for animal lovers, now has spread to humans.

California officials have revealed that the contamination got into the food chain: About 45 state residents ate pork from hogs that consumed animal feed laced with melamine from China.

Melamine is used to make plastics, but it also artificially boosts the protein level - and thus the price - of the glutens that go into food.

It was already fatal for some pets: 17 cats and dogs are confirmed dead, more have likely died without being reported, thousands have suffered kidney problems, and 57 brands of cat food and 83 of dog food have been recalled.

On top of that, roughly 6,000 hogs will be destroyed because they ate tainted feed.

The effects of melamine on people are thought to be minimal, but no one really knows.

Its consumption by humans is considered so improbable that no one has even studied it.

But they are studying now.

What last month was a limited recall of canned pet food is on the verge of becoming a full-fledged public health scare, potentially overwhelming government agencies and raising troubling questions about U.S. food safety in the global economy and in the post-Sept. 11 era.

The Food and Drug Administration, criticized by some in Congress for responding too slowly, is struggling to catch up with the implications of the spread of melamine-contaminated glutens from China to hogs, and the human food chain. The FDA is still trying to get its investigators into China, where a skeptical government only last week assented to investigators' visa requests.

At a time when food imports are growing, and only 1 percent to 2 percent of food imports receive any government scrutiny, critics say the outbreak reveals the shortcomings of a weakened food safety bureaucracy, the inadequacy of existing regulations and the inability of the FDA, which has suffered significant cutbacks, to protect the food supply.

complete to read this article visit at : bgnews.com

Duke University will require contracted food service vendors to offer full-time employees at least $10 per hour and basic health care coverage similar to what Duke offers its own employees, Tallman Trask III, executive vice president, announced Sunday.

“This new policy provides greater financial support and will offer health care coverage for many individuals who did not have access before,” Trask said. “Many contracted food service employees work on campus and are viewed as a part of the daily operations of Duke, rather than providers of off-site services or project work.”

In 2005, Duke increased the pay for all university employees to at least $10 per hour. Since then, Duke officials have been exploring the option of enhancing pay and basic health care coverage for full-time contracted food service workers. The health care benefits would be comparable to Duke’s basic coverage.

Duke officials will implement the wage provisions of the policy now, as food service contracts are signed or renewed. Providing comparable health coverage could take a little longer due to the complexity of such plans and the multiple vendors on campus, some of which do not currently have health plans, Trask said.

Duke’s announcement continues a long-standing history of community efforts such as a computer donation program for local schools, expansion of affordable housing options in Durham and the opening of the Lyon Park and Walltown Neighborhood Clinics to improve access to health care. (For more information, visit the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership website at http://community.duke.edu/.)

“As Durham’s largest employer, Duke has made concerted efforts to not only expand the support for our own employees, but we’re also committed to working with community leaders to help make Durham a better place to live and work,” Trask said.

Kemel Dawkins, Duke’s vice president for campus services, delivered the announcement Sunday afternoon at a meeting of Durham Congregations/Associations/Neighborhoods (CAN) in Duke’s Griffith Theater.

Product Description
This soap-free gel with a botanical blend of Quillaja Saponaria and calming Lavender foams away impurities. A soap-free, foaming gel designed to thoroughly remove impurities without disturbing the skin´s natural moisture balance. Calming Balm Mint and Lavender extracts soothe the skin, while natural Quillaja Saponaria gently foams away toxins and deep-cleanses debris. Fragrance free. Professional recommendation advised.

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Product Description
This mild, pH balanced soapless cleanser with natural bactericides is perfect for everyone, including cooks and gardeners. Refresh your hands with this uplifting grapefruit seed and sweet orange oil infusion. More caring and hydrating than soap, the natural anti-bacterial oil formula cleanses while protecting the skin´s moisture balance. Sweet orange oil naturally eliminates odors and is a rich source of vitamins which helps rejuvenate the skin and keep it healthy.

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This product is featured in ALLURE Magazine! This popular hand cream smoothes away dry, rough skin. By far our most popular product! The perfect introduction to Dead Sea skin care. Non-oily. Quick-absorbing. Powerfully softening. Just a light application in the morning and your hands will feel pampered and protected all day, no matter how often you wash them. People with dry hands swear by this cream. One application is all it takes. Your hands will remain soft all day long!

Unit size: 150 ml

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Reduce your pores size with this light, non-greasy, all-purpose moisturizer. This lightweight pore-minimizing moisturizer for normal or oily skin hydrates, nourishes, and helps reduce the appearance of pore size with an exclusive combination of natural extracts. High levels of pure vitamin E heal and protect while Brazilian sea algae deliver proteins, amino acids, and essential minerals to the skin. Daily Moisture contains burnet, cinnamon and ginger to help reduce pore size without leaving the skin feeling greasy. Nourishes and hydrates skin. Contains botanical extracts to help reduce pore size. Restores and maintains moisture. Heals and protects skin. Leaves a smooth, non-greasy finish. Ideal for normal and oily skin. International Customers Please Note: SkinCeuticals products will not be shipped outside of the United States of America.

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For those wanting a little more SPF, but not over the top, this SPF 30 is the ideal match for you. This true broad-spectrum sunblock contains 7% transparent zinc oxide to help protect against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays. Cosmetically elegant and moisturizing, Ultimate UV Defense is ideal for daily use and perfect for high-altitude climates. International Customers Please Note: SkinCeuticals products will not be shipped outside of the United States of America. Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with increased UVA protection. Cosmetically elegant. All-encapsulated formulation reduces the chances of irritation. PABA-free, oil-free, and fragrance-free. Ideal for use in high-altitude climates. Optimal for daily use on all skin types.

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Oscar-winning actor KEVIN SPACEY spent a whopping $341 (GBP175) on anti-wrinkle creams during a New York shopping trip. But the American Beauty star will not be using the luxury beauty products himself because he made the purchase for friends. He says, "I was buying a bunch of products for the girls in production... I was buying, but it wasn't for myself. Now we have demystified that!"

Drew Barrymore credits her fun-loving approach to life -- not her family's acting genes -- for her No. 1 spot on People magazine's annual "100 Most Beautiful People" list.

"I just think happiness is what makes you pretty. Period," she tells the magazine.

Barrymore, 32, made the list for the fourth time, but first as the cover subject. That, she says, "made my peacock feathers shine in the golden-hour light and extend to the heavens." Like she said, she's happy.

Barrymore is one of 11 celebrities -- including Eva Longoria and the three Jessicas (Simpson, Alba and Biel) -- photographed for the issue without makeup. "I find that men, in my past, have preferred me without it," Biel, 25, said about makeup -- we hope.

Baldwin wants out

Divorced dad Alec Baldwin, caught yelling at his daughter on a voicemail message, says he has asked NBC to let him out of his "30 Rock" contract so he can devote his time to the issue of "parental alienation."

"If I never acted again, I couldn't care less," Baldwin said in a taped appearance for ABC's "The View," scheduled to air today (11 a.m. WXYZ-TV, Channel 7).

NBC, however, quickly said: "We look forward to having him continue his role" for a second season.

On "The View," Barbara Walters asked Baldwin about his harsh remarks to his daughter. "Well, there's nothing wrong with being frustrated or angry about something," he replied. "It's the way you do it. I realize that was wrong."

Asked by Walters if he had spoken to his daughter since and how things stood, Baldwin declined to answer.

Anderson rocks on

Who needs Kid Rock when you can do this? TV's "Extra" (11 a.m., WDIV-TV, Local 4) reports the ex-Mrs. Rock -- Pamela Anderson -- is set to star in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino's "The Beauty of Magic."

It'll be a four-month run at $1 million per month as magician Hans Klok's assistant.

Going to court for a kiss?

And now, news from the old Raj: A Jaipur, India, court issued arrest warrants for Hollywood actor Richard Gere -- now out of the country -- and Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Thursday. Their alleged crime: A kiss at a public function that "transgressed all limits of vulgarity," media reports said.

What does it mean? Little, because of India's hopelessly clogged legal system.

No Detroit for Stripes

The ex-Motor City duo the White Stripes announced a 28-city North American tour, stopping at many out-of-the-way spots in Canada and the United States but no closer to Detroit than London, Ontario, on July 7.

A Warner Bros. Records spokesperson said cities such as Detroit may be added down the road.

Ever notice how the older we get the more often we choose a scarf or turtleneck to wear? Let's be honest, we're not doing it to be fashion forward. From now on, let's solve the problem of that aging neck, and not by hiding it behind knit and silk. Read this article and find out a few ways other than plastic surgery to start sporting a firm, beautiful, and glowing neck. Who wants to look like a turkey, when you can look like a swan?

There are now many non-invasive treatments designed to smooth, firm and lift the skin of the neck, producing a more youthful fullness and softness. These techniques and product applications are designed to stimulate blood flow, reinforce the skin's natural protective function, moisturize and provide extra protection of the skin's own lipid barrier, resulting in a more youthful appearance and velvety glow.

We can simply start by not forgetting our neck and décolleté each morning and night when we're doing our skin care regimen. After cleansing and exfoliating your face, be sure you cleanse and exfoliate your neck and dé or écolleté or é as well. Let's not forget that our neck and décolleté are extensions of our face. Sometimes we don't want to "waste" our precious, expensive creams and lotions for any area larger than our face. However, a neck lift is every bit as expensive as a face-lift, so prevention is the key and you will save money in the long run, not to mention be proud of a lovely, sexy neck. Next apply any of the normal anti-aging serums and products you would normally use on your face to these areas as well. Be sure when you are applying these serums to the neck and décolletté you "tap" it in as well as using typical circular motions and don't forget to pull the product up behind the backs of the ears to intensify the tensioning and lifting effect. The neck isn't quite as fragile as the facial skin therefore you can be a little more aggressive. However, you would still want to use the "gravity rule" by not pulling downward on the skin of the neck. This area is nice, because since the skin is tougher than that of the delicate facial skin you may use heavier products such as massage oils with antioxidant properties from vitamin A or E or nourishing creams with anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, beech extract or vitamin C.

In addition to the many effective creams that are specifically formulated for the neck, there are other measures you can take to keep that neck as youthful looking as possible. Dermafresh offers a "renewal blanket" which helps restore a more youthful appearance to the neck and chest and easy to use. There are also many aromatherapeutic wraps for the neck, which offer heat and lavender therapy. Some day-spas offer special masks targeted specifically for the neck while still others offer particular exercises and massage therapy to help support a firm, taut and healthy neck in much the same way as any isometric exercise does for any part of your body.

Though the neck is one of the most obvious viewed parts of the body; it also seems to be the most neglected. With so many effective ingredients (such as liposomes with elastin, trace elements and polysaccharides) we can restructure the tissue, tighten and regenerate the skin to help restore the youthful appearance we once had. In order to reverse the damage and maintain a healthier skin you need to make some simple lifestyle changes. Basically, by not neglecting the neck while doing your daily facial skincare regimen, exfoliating and massaging and even doing neck firming exercises along with maintaining good posture you can help strengthen the connective tissue contributing to a more beautiful and appealing neck.

Now on the count of three: Remove those scarves and show off that beautiful neck!
By Skincare News Team.

Two simple words: "Beauty Sleep!" In order to have beauty, you need sleep and if you're getting sleep, chances are you've got the beauty part down. "Beauty Sleep," is the polar opposite of an oxymoron. Sleep deprivation equals ugly, dehydrated, old looking skin. Plenty of sleep equals hydrated, cell renewed (a sleep function), luminous, younger looking skin.

Think about how often we try and spackle up with creams and makeup when we have a late night. Let's face it; we know we look like crap when we get little or no sleep. Our skin looks wrinkled and dehydrated and our eyes look puffy and swollen. Sleep is one of those basic beauty treatments that nature has blessed us with...so let's start taking advantage of it.

Exercise, eating right, and self-discipline are key when it comes to getting enough sleep. To get you started on a good night's sleep, let's check out some tips:

* Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule, including weekends.
* Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
* Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.
* Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
* Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex. It is best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the sleeping environment.
* Finish eating at least two to three hours before your regular bedtime.
* Exercise regularly. It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
* Avoid nicotine (e.g., cigarettes, tobacco products). Used close to bedtime, it can lead to poor sleep.
* Avoid caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.
* Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. It can lead to disrupted sleep later in the night.

We all know that it is probable that even with a conscious effort to get plenty of sleep, there will be times when it's just not going to happen. For those unfortunate times, there are a number of fabulous products to replenish and revitalize that tired looking skin. For a revitalizing cleansing on the "day after" go for Bliss Sleeping Peel Cleansing Cream and when you need instant moisture try SkinMedica Rejuvenative Moisturizer. For a quick 'pick me up' to those tired eyes, give Cellex-C Under Eye Toning Gel a whirl. You will be amazed!

Sleep first and foremost! If you can't, it's good to know there are products to help you look like you did!

Cystic acne can be much more devastating and inconvenient than your average blemish. That is what Skincare-New's latest article "The Skincare Facts About Cystic Acne" is all about. http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=295

Most people experience normal bouts of acne, however, there is a fair number of Americans each year that encounter this more severe version:

Cystic acne is more complex and much less common. However, it does happen to many people and can also crop up in combination with regular acne. Cystic acne contains large cysts that form as painful bumps on the face, back, neck, and shoulders. Some experience only one cyst, while certain people develop them in large groups.

However, despite the large amount of people living with this troubling skincare issue, there is no concrete proof as to what causes it:

The cysts form from a pus consisting of dead skin cells, bacteria, and white blood cells. Sound like a gross-out fest for your face? It is! The frustrating part of cystic acne is that not only is it inconvenient and embarrassing, but no one know what exactly causes it.

It is important to seek treatment from a dermatologist right away:

Cystic acne can cause severe scarring, and so it is vital that you get professional treatment for it as soon as possible. Do not wait for cystic acne to merely "clear up", as this rarely happens. Your dermatologist will usually give you an oral medication combined with a topical treatment that will start to ease your symptoms. Unfortunately, these are still incapable of penetrating the cysts, though it will help reduce the inflammation and forming of further cysts.

According to the Skincare News Team's sources, treatment from a licensed professional as soon as possible is the best weapon against cystic acne.

Skincare-News.com covers all skincare and beauty topics from head to toe. Check out these latest articles:

"Celebrate Spring with Some Skincare as Fresh as the Season"
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=258

Spring has sprung! Spice up your skincare routine with these recommended tips and tricks for the season.

"Overwhelmed with Overpriced Skin Care? Beat Inflation with Smart Skincare Shopping"
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=257

You can look gorgeous without going broke! This article helps smart shoppers find a way to break out of their monotonous skincare mold without breaking the bank.

"The Aging Neck…Skincare's Forgotten Frontier!"
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=258

Ever notice how the older we get the more often we choose a scarf or turtleneck to wear? Let's be honest, we're not doing it to be fashion forward. From now on, let's solve the problem of that aging neck, and not by hiding it behind knit and silk. Read this article and find out a few ways other than plastic surgery to start sporting a firm, beautiful, and glowing neck. Who wants to look like a turkey, when you can look like a swan?

"Skin Care & Beauty Basics - Part 3: How to Be a Powder Puff Girl!"
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=260

Powder is the finishing touch after applying the rest of your makeup. Read on to see how you can make the most out of the powder you use and learn tips to help you get it right every time.

About SkinCare-News.com -- Your Source for Intelligent Skin Care
Skincare-News.com is the online source for consumers seeking intelligent beauty and skin care news, advice, tips and articles. Founded in 2005, SkinCare-News.com features articles, news items and frequently asked questions on skincare and beauty related issues. SkinCare-News.com is located in Sacramento, California but receives visitors from all around the world. For more information, visit http://www.skincare-news.com.

There are many factors that lead to wrinkles and the crepe-like quality of aging, damaged skin - prolonged unprotected sun exposure, unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking and overindulging, and the simple passage of time.

While it pays to protect your skin from outside factors by wearing sunscreen and developing a healthier lifestyle, time marches on no matter what you do. And age is the enemy of elastic, healthy, young-looking skin. That's because as we age, our skin stops producing collagen, which contributes to skin strength and elasticity. Its degradation leads to wrinkles that accompany aging. Although many skin care products tout the fact that they contain collagen, the fact is that collagen is too large to be absorbed directly through the skin.

However, collagen production can be stimulated by peptides … chains of amino acids that are found naturally in the body. This stimulation makes it possible to slow down the effects of aging and diminish facial wrinkles. That is why skin care products that contain peptides are the most effective anti-aging insurance you can buy.

One interesting solution is the Chellá Professional Skin Care line. Just about the entire line contains peptides to naturally stimulate your existing collagen and elastin with the patent pending special formulation called Chell-x Complex to make your skin look and feel years younger. In addition, it nourishes and helps restore your skin's elastin properties.

The Peptides in their Skin Firming Serum and wrinkle creams have communication properties and help act as messengers at the cellular level. As messengers, these peptides can send signals that help stimulate the synthesis of collagen.

In vitro studies showed that the collagen peptides in its proprietary formulations increased the synthesis of collagen by fibroblasts by 350 percent. The peptides used in Chellá's formulations were also shown to provide UVA protection to existing collagen in vitro. The peptides also stimulated the syntheses of Hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in the connective tissue and hydration of the skin, by 146 percent.

These in vitro clinical studies on women showed these test results after one month of treatment with Chellá's wrinkle creams (these are average results based on twice daily usage):

* Mean depth of wrinkles decreased by 23 percent

* Depth of main wrinkle (crows-feet) decreased by up to 50 percent

* Thickening of the skin increased by 4 percent

The complete product line includes a Micro-Exfoliating Cleanser, Moisture Formula SPF 15 Morning Crema, Replenish Formula Evening Cream, Intensive Formula Eye Crema and Skin Firming Serum "Istante Beauty." The products are available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills and also online at the Chellá web site.

To try the technology out for yourself, order a free trial of their Skin Firming Serum.

Copyright © 2006, ARA Content

James Alexander Corporation, a leading manufacturer and contract packager of unit dose dispensing systems, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of a substantial expansion to its facility. The expansion has increased the size of the James Alexander complex from 20,000 square feet to over 30,000 square feet.

According to the James Alexander's President and Chief Executive Officer Francesca Fazzolari, the firm's growing success made the expansion necessary.

"Between continuing to serve our long-time customers and an influx of new business this past year, we really needed the additional space to accommodate increased manufacturing and a bigger warehouse," Fazzolari said. "We have been part of the Blairstown community since 1984, so we didn't want to move. We were happy to be able to expand our operations and stay right here."

Founded in 1976 by Francesca Fazzolari and Alexander Davidson, James Alexander Corporation is a privately-owned contract packaging firm specializing in the manufacture of unit dose glass and plastic ampoules.

James Alexander products include crushable glass ampoules, plastic unit dose dispensing systems, and unit dose swabs. The company's packages are sold in a variety of markets, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, dental products, health and beauty aids, cosmetics, fragrances, adhesives, solvents and much more.

James Alexander Corporation is located at 845 Route 94, Blairstown, New Jersey 07825. For more information, call (908) 362-9266, fax (908) 362-5019 or visit www.james-alexander.com.

This season's hair trends bring a more innovative and holistic approach to hairdressing with styles such as Rustic Deluxe, Nordic Serenity, Pop Couture and Sensual Intrigue.

The hairstyles inspired by the four categories were also presented recently at the Wella Trend Vision 2007 in Singapore, said FS Senior Technical Consultant, P&G Professional Care Singapore, Mr Voo Yui Min, at the launch of the latest Wella professional hair products at Gadong Centrepoint.

Eighty hairstylists from around the country attended the product launch, which included an introduction on hair product specifications and usage techniques, as well as an interesting topic, "Ethics and good interactions between stylist and client", by Mr Voo.

The event, organised by Toppy Beauty Salon, aimed to provide a broader scope and more reliable information on the usage of Wella hair products for stylists and distributors of the products in Brunei.

The event ended with a presentation of the latest hair trends and a demonstration of the new hair product usage with hair models at the launch.

Stylists at the event also had an opportunity to ask the Singaporean hair expert more questions.

The launch presented Wella's hair product lines, such as Bio Touch, which includes shampoos, conditioning treatments, a self-heating mask as well as an anti-hair loss lotion, and others that cater to those with various hair care needs, such as the Extra Rich, Curl, Balanced, Volume, Straight and Colour Protection ranges.

Every bride wants her wedding to be picture perfect - from the dress to the flowers to the food at the reception. And of course, brides want to be beautiful, both for the ceremony and for the wedding pictures. Beauty starts with good skin, so start planning ahead to ensure flawless skin on the big day.

There's no makeup that can compete with the glow of healthy skin, so now is the time to get serious about skin care. To help diminish facial wrinkles, you'll want a product that contains peptides, amino acids which stimulate the skin to synthesize its own collage, the substance that keeps your skin firm and elastic. It's proven that peptides twice a day for 30 days will have a substantial impact on your skin.

Chellá, a professional skin care line previously available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, has patented an ingredient called the Chell-X Complex, which contains peptides combined with other key ingredients to stimulate your skin's natural collagen production. Studies show that the collagen peptides in Chellá's products increased the synthesis of collagen by 350 percent.

What that means to you is that your skin will look and feel years younger. The products are easy to use and designed for any skin type, and the complete product line is now available online.

Here are some additional tips to get your skin - and the rest of you -- looking gorgeous for your wedding day:

* Pay attention to nutrition - when you're stressed, it is easy to fall into the trap of either not eating or eating nothing but junk, and both options can take a toll on your skin. Make a conscious effort to eat a balanced diet. It will give you energy to tackle all those wedding details and keep your skin looking healthy.

* Look good, feel good - Physical activity is a great stress-buster, and it can help you shed those final few pounds before the wedding; a vigorous workout is also good for your pores. You don't have to work out like you're training for a marathon -- something as simple as a walk after dinner can help clear your mind and get your metabolism going.

* Take a break -- Sure, you have a million and one things to get done, but you need to take time to relax. A massage is the perfect antidote to pre-wedding stress. Since you're already pampering your skin, you won't need a facial, so why not splurge on a manicure or pedicure instead?

* Get plenty of rest -- You'll be better able to deal with any wedding complications if you aren't sleep deprived. And who wants dark circles under their eyes? The amount of sleep you need varies from person to person, but make sure you're getting enough to function at full capacity during the day.

To start your skin care regimen, order the free trial program from Chellá.

Copyright © 2006, ARA Content

A lawsuit has been filed against former Sacramento Kings star Vlade Divac and his wife Ana Divac for allegedly selling counterfeit Gucci and Fendi products at the L'Image Beauty Boutique, a store they own in the Pavilions shopping center on Fair Oaks Boulevard.

The suit claims that the store - which advertises on its Web site that it sells "high-end skin care lines," "celebrity must-haves" and "treasures, which until now have only been found in Europe, New York and Los Angeles" - was knowingly selling counterfeit products it purchased from a disreputable dealer and sold at exorbitant markups to unsuspecting customers.

Filed last week in Sacramento Superior Court, the suit follows a federal lawsuit filed last year by Gucci against L'Image that claimed the store was selling fake Gucci items. That case is pending in U.S. District Court in Sacramento.

The Divacs and their attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Natural Products Association today filed a "friend of the court" or amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court that challenges a lower court ruling on the standard used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to impose a 2004 ban on ephedrine alkaloids in dietary supplements. The ban was successfully challenged and overturned in 2005 in a Utah district court and subsequently reversed in a circuit appeals court last year.

According to the association's brief, if the most recent court ruling is allowed to stand, the distinction between dietary supplements and drugs will "effectively evaporate," dietary supplements makers will be forced to conduct the same "rigorous clinical tests" that are required for drugs and as a result, consumer choice, protected under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), "will be curtailed."

"We're taking this strong stand for the millions of Americans who use dietary supplements to live healthier, more fulfilling lives, and the people in our industry who make, sell and deliver those products," said David Taylor, president of the Natural Products Association. "Some critics may try to twist this into a debate about one product, which it clearly is not. It is instead a critical decision about the proper enforcement of DSHEA, which will have a far-reaching effect on consumers and the industry for years to come."

Key arguments presented by the association in support of its position include:

• With DSHEA, Congress gave the FDA ample powers to protect public health and safety from adulterated foods, including dietary supplements. But in banning ephedrine alkaloids in dietary supplements, the FDA chose not to rely on its lawful powers and instead took the opportunity to re-write DSHEA.

• In determining that ephedrine alkaloids in dietary supplements pose an "unreasonable" risk and should be banned, the FDA relied upon a "risk- benefit" analysis not authorized by DSHEA.

• The FDA's ruling, upheld by the appeals court, essentially requires that dietary supplements be governed by the same standard that governs pre- market approval of drugs; foods, including dietary supplements, are not subject to any such standard.

"We're not arguing with the decision, we're arguing that FDA used the wrong legal route to get there," said David Seckman, executive director and CEO of the Natural Products Association. "And unless the court gets this right, there could be huge consequences for consumers, retailers, and manufacturers of dietary supplements."

About the Natural Products Association

The Natural Products Association is the nation's largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural products industry. The association represents nearly 10,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products, including foods, dietary supplements, and health/beauty aids.

http://www.naturalproductsassoc.org

Spring is here. Summer is coming. It's time to plant flowers, keep those lawns trim, litter less (especially Caroline Street cigarette flingers) and generally make the Spa City look pretty. Saratoga Springs has entered itself in a beauty contest.
The 6-year-old America in Bloom contest matches cities and towns with others of like population nationwide for friendly competition in eight categories.
Saratoga Springs is up against Ithaca; Norwich, Conn.; Kirkwood, Mo.; and Beloit, Wis.

"Basically this gives us an opportunity to toot our horn about what a beautiful small town we are," said Stephanie Voigt, a clerk for the Department of Public Works, who helps Commissioner Tom McTygue with special projects like Saratoga Springs in Bloom.
"This is going to be a fun project for a lot of people to get involved with," McTygue said.

The cities will be judged on community involvement, environmental effort, floral displays, heritage, landscaped areas, tidiness effort, turf and ground cover, and urban forestry.
A committee was set up, including McTygue, city historian Mary Ann Fitzgerald and Ned
Chapman of Sunnyside Gardens, who won the bid to supply the city's flowers for 2007 and who suggested entering the contest. They discussed plans Thursday over lunch at the Gideon Putnam Hotel, whose director of sales, Pam Lollias, also serves on the committee. Chapman heard about the contest through a greenhouse and garden center trade group, the New York State Flower Growers' Association.

A brochure detailing Saratoga Springs In Bloom will be available at the farmer's market reopening for the season at High Rock Avenue next week.

Tips for the citizenry include volunteering with cleanup efforts, weeding, filling planters with flowers, doing outside home improvement projects and painting, picking up after your dog, biking to work, and hiding garbage cans behind a screen.
Voigt will document the contest in a book. Fitzgerald and McTygue said it would preserve the Saratoga Springs of now as the city's archives preserve its rich past.
"Saratoga Springs is taking a snapshot of 2007," said Fitzgerald.

McTygue thought it was a good time for the contest, noting that beautification efforts had increased over the past 15 years.
The two judges are coming to town July 9 and 10 and will be staying at the Inn of Saratoga free of charge.
Fitzgerald hoped the community will pitch in like the way they did before the Roosevelt Baths opened in 1935.

"The community benefits so much when everyone pulls together for one specific thing," she said.

The committee joked that Ithaca would be a tough rival with the support of Cornell University and its laboratories. Cornell is in Ithaca.

Sunnyside's Chapman promises that Saratoga Springs will have a special flower, a worldwide exclusive impatient debuting this summer. Another committee member, Mary Jane Pelzer, will design a stamp in celebration of the impatient.
Reach Ted Reinert at treinert@saratogian.com or
583-8729, ext. 221.

©The Saratogian 2007

Contestants in a Saudi-style beauty pageant have all the features you might expect anywhere else in the world, but with one crucial difference - the competitors are camels.

This week, the Qahtani tribe of western Saudi Arabia has been welcoming entrants to its Mazayen al-Ibl competition, a parade of the "most beautiful camels" in the desolate desert region of Guwei'iyya, 75 miles west of Riyadh.

"In Lebanon they have Miss Lebanon," jokes Walid, moderator of the competition's website. "Here we have Miss Camel."

While tremendous oil wealth has brought rapid modernisation to the desert state of Saudi Arabia, the camel remains celebrated as a symbol of the traditional nomadic lifestyle of Bedouin Arabs.

Throughout history camels have served multiple purposes as food, friend, transport and war machine. They were key to the Arab conquests of the Middle East and North Africa nearly 1,400 years ago that brought Islam to the world.

Camels are also big business in a country where strict Islamic laws and tribal customs would make it impossible for women to take part in their own beauty contest.

Delicate females or strapping males who attract the right attention during this week's show could sell for a million or more riyals.

Sponsors have provided ten million riyals (£1.4 million) for the contest, cash that also covers the 72 offroad vehicles to be awarded as the prizes to the owners of the winning camels.

"Bedouin Arabs are intimately connected to camels and they want to preserve this heritage. The importance of this competition is that it helps preserve the pure-breds," said Sheikh Omair, one of the tribe's leaders.

"We have more than 250 owners taking part and more than 1,500 camels," he said inside a huge tent where the final awards ceremony takes place.

Over at the camel pen, the contestants are getting restless as the desert wind howls and whips up swirls of sand in the hot afternoon sun. Amid a large crowd of Bedouin who have gathered to watch, the head of the judging committee emerges to venture into an enclosure with some two dozen angry braying camels.

Camel-drivers sing songs of praise to their prized possessions as they try to calm the animals down.

"Beautiful, beautiful!" the judge mutters quietly to himself, inspecting the group.

Finalists have been decorated with silver bands and body covers.

"The nose should be long and droop down, that's more beautiful," explains Sultan al-Qahtani, one of the organisers. "The ears should stand back, and the neck should be long. The hump should be high, but slightly to the back."

The camels are divided into four categories according to breed - the black majaheem, white maghateer, dark brown shi'l and the sufur, which are beige with black shoulders. Each has its own desirable characteristics.

Arabic famously has over 40 terms for different types of camel.

Some of the females have harnesses strapped around their genitalia to thwart any efforts by the males to mount them. One repeat offender called Marjaa has been moved away.

"This one would fetch a million!" says Hamad al-Sudani, a camel-driver, admiring the heavy stud, or fahl.

GUWEI'IYYA, Saudi Arabia • The legs are long, the eyes are big, the bodies curvaceous.

Contestants in this Saudi-style beauty pageant have all the features you might expect anywhere else in the world, but with one crucial difference – the competitors are camels.

This week, the Qahtani tribe of western Saudi Arabia has been welcoming entrants to its Mazayen Al Ibl competition, a parade of the "most beautiful camels" in the desolate desert region of Guwei'iyya, 120km west of Riyadh.

"In Lebanon they have Miss Lebanon," jokes Walid, moderator of the competition's website. "Here we have Miss Camel."

Delicate females or strapping males who attract the right attention during this week's show could sell for a million or more riyals. Sponsors have provided 10m riyals ($2.7m) for the contest, cash that also covers the 72 sports utility vehicles to be awarded as prizes.

"Bedouin Arabs are intimately connected to camels and they want to preserve this heritage. The importance of this competition is that it helps preserve the pure-breds," said Sheikh Omair, one of the tribe's leaders,

"We have more than 250 owners taking part and more than 1,500 camels," he said inside a huge tent where the final awards ceremony takes place.

Over at the camel pen, the contestants are getting restless as the desert wind howls and whips up swirls of sand in the hot afternoon sun.

Amid a large crowd of Bedouin who have gathered to watch, the head of the judging committee emerges to venture into an enclosure with some two dozen angry braying camels.

Camel-drivers sing songs of praise to their prized possessions as they try to calm the animals down.

"Beautiful, beautiful!" the judge mutters quietly to himself, inspecting the group. Finalists have been decorated with silver bands and body covers.

"The nose should be long and droop down, that's more beautiful," explains Sultan Al Qahtani, one of the organisers. "The ears should stand back, and the neck should be long. The hump should be high, but slightly to the back."

Families victimized by tainted spinach and peanut butter put a human face on recent high-profile outbreaks of foodborne illness, urging lawmakers to strengthen federal oversight of the nation's food supply.

"I can't protect them from spinach -- only you guys can," said Michael Armstrong, as he and his wife, Elizabeth, cradled daughters Ashley, 2, and Isabella, 5.

The two girls fell ill -- Ashley gravely so -- in September after eating a salad made with a bag of the leafy greens contaminated by E. coli.

That and other incidents of contamination have raised questions not only about the U.S. food supply but efforts by the Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies to keep it safe.

"I hope these hearings will help alert the American people, Congress and the administration to the seriousness of this issue," said Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on oversight and investigations. "If it is not taken seriously, these kinds of poisonings can, and will, happen again. Food poisonings will happen to you, to me and to our children and our pets."

Also testifying was Gary Pruden, joined by his 11-year-old son, Sean, who was seriously sickened in November by E. coli after eating at a Taco Bell restaurant. Pruden said a key element of trade and commerce is trust -- whether placed in accountants, airline pilots or auto mechanics.

Trust needed: "That is also extended to the trust in the food we order or buy from the grocery store -- that it's edible and safe," Pruden told the subcommittee. "Without that trust, commerce cannot work. And where failure occurs, oversight is required."

The safety of domestic food was questioned anew last fall when officials traced a nationwide E. coli outbreak to contaminated spinach processed by Natural Selection Foods LLC. Three people died and nearly 200 others were sickened. More recently, contaminated peanut butter and pet food have been recalled.

"I don't see the latest string of incidents as aberrations," said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo. "It's become a systemic problem and it calls for systemic solutions."

DeGette has introduced legislation to give the FDA and Agriculture Department the authority to mandate recalls, in line with a proposal by the Government Accountability Office.
Other legislative efforts include proposals to create a single Food Safety Administration and develop a uniform reporting system to track contaminated food.

In January, the government's fragmented food safety system was added to a congressional "high risk" list, indicating its inefficiencies leave it vulnerable to fraud, waste and abuse. Fifteen federal agencies administer at least 30 laws pertaining to food safety. The FDA, however, is the main food safety agency.

A panel of officials from companies involved in the recalls expressed their sympathy, sadness and support for victims of the outbreaks. None said a government-mandated recall would have changed how they dealt, voluntarily, with removing their products from the marketplace.

"I don't know what the right answer is, but I do know what the wrong answer is: It is to continue doing what we're doing, when it's not working," Michael Armstrong told Stupak when asked how the food safety system should be changed.

The popular Peter Pan brand of peanut butter was the subject of a nationwide recall in February after a salmonella outbreak. More than 400 people were sickened, and the recall cost manufacturer ConAgra Foods Inc. at least $50 million. The company plans to reopen in August the idled plant where the peanut butter was made.

Terri Marshall said her mother-in-law, Mora Lou Marshall, has been hospitalized or in a nursing home since early January, after she became seriously ill from eating Peter Pan. The elder Marshall, 85, had kept a jar of the peanut butter on her nightstand to supplement her diet -- and had unwittingly continued to eat it even after falling ill.

"The very food she thought would improve her health had begun to ravage her body," Terri Marshall said.

Pet food has also had its problems. In March, Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans of dog and cat food after the deaths of 16 pets, mostly cats, that had eaten products contaminated with the chemical melamine. Other companies have since recalled pet foods also tainted by melamine, found to contaminate some wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate imported from China.

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, called on the Chinese to allow FDA inspectors to visit the plants where the tainted ingredients were made. The agency has awaited letters from the Chinese government needed to obtain visas for its inspectors.

"My message, and I think the message of this subcommittee on a bipartisan basis, to the Chinese government is plain: Stop these shenanigans," Barton said.

Millions of children soon could be saying goodbye to regular colas, candy and salty snacks during school hours.

Concerned about the rise of obesity in young people, Congress asked the Institute of Medicine to develop a set of standards for foods that would be available in schools.

The Institute responded Wednesday with a two-tier system designed to encourage youngsters to eat more fruit, vegetables and whole grains and to avoid added sugars, salt and saturated fats.

"The alarming increase in childhood obesity rates has galvanized parents and schools across the nation to find ways to improve children's diets and health, and we hope our report will assist that effort," said Virginia A. Stallings, chair of the committee that prepared the report.

"Making sure that all foods and drinks available in schools meet nutrition standards is one more way schools can help children establish lifelong healthy eating habits," said Stallings, director of the nutrition center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

And don't think their recommendation applies only to children. The committee also urged that Parent Teacher Associations adhere to the same standards, as should food items sold at school fund raisers.

Foods sold in school cafeterias under federally assisted lunch programs already must meet nutritional standards. The IOM recommendation covers items considered competitive with those foods, such as items sold in vending machines and other food and drinks sold in the school but not under the federal program. The standards would not apply to bag lunches that students bring from home.

The report now goes to Congress for consideration. Copies will also go to the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Education and it will be available for state and local school boards and administrators and the food and beverage industry. Putting the recommendations into practice would involve federal, state or local laws and setting school standards and policies.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said: "For the first time, we have gold-standard recommendations for school nutrition standards from one of America's most distinguished scientific bodies. And as it turns out, they are also just common sense - promoting fruit and vegetable consumption, and also seeking to reduce things like calories, fat, and sodium."

Harkin, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the "recommendations offer a tool kit for local, state, and federal policymakers who already know that we need to do more much more - to promote sound child nutrition and prevent childhood obesity."

Foods listed as Tier 1 would be allowed at all grade levels during the school day and during after-school activities.

These foods would have to provide at least one serving of fruits, vegetables, whole grains or nonfat or low-fat dairy, would be limited to 200 calories for snacks and would have limits for fat, sugar and salt.

Examples of Tier 1 snacks were whole fruit, raisins, carrot sticks, whole-grain low-sugar cereals, some multigrain tortilla chips, some granola bars and nonfat yogurt with no more than 30 grams of added sugars. Entrees could include such items as fruit salad with yogurt or a turkey sandwich. Beverages would be limited to plain water, skim or 1 percent milk, soy beverages and 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice.

The IOM recommended that, because of their calorie content, juices be limited to 4-ounce servings for elementary and middle-school students and 8-ounce portions for high school students.

Tier 2 foods would be available only to high school students and only after school hours.

These foods would also be limited in calories, salt, sugar and fat and the drinks could have just have five or fewer calories per portion and no caffeine; they are not vitamin- or mineral-fortified, but may be carbonated and may contain flavoring or a sugar substitute.

Examples include single servings of baked potato chips, low-sodium whole wheat crackers, graham crackers, pretzels, caffeine-free diet soda and seltzer water.

Sports drinks would be available to students engaged in an hour or more of vigorous athletic activity, at the discretion of coaches.

The committee said fortified water should not be available in either tier.

The Institute of Medicine is a branch of the National Academy of Sciences, an independent organization chartered by Congress to advise the government on scientific matters.

---

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Neighbors of 103 Main St. say it was bad enough to live near a house where the tenants raised dozens of dogs.

That ended last year when animal control officers broke up what they called a "puppy mill."

The animals are gone, and no one's living at the house now, but what remains of the building after a fire seven months ago has neighbors angry. They say they are tired of living next to the charred ruins, which they describe as an eyesore and, worse, a safety hazard for neighborhood children.

The neighbors are calling on the town to demolish the house, which police say was burned in December by then-owner Anthony Lanzillo, who has been charged with arson. Investigators say he had cleaned the building of feces and urine from the dogs that were raised by renters but was unable subsequently to rent the house, which continued to have an offensive odor.

More than a dozen neighbors attended this week's Board of Health meeting to complain about the boarded-up house, saying it still has a foul odor and attracts flies.

"It's unsafe for the kids in the neighborhood," said neighbor Keith Dunning, 34, 20 Dwinnell St. "They've got to do something about it. The school bus stop is right there."

Neighbors say the home has loose boards. A plastic barrel holds a cellar window closed, they said.

The home has been a crime scene twice, said the health officials, first when the fire happened and again when police were called to investigate someone trespassing there. The board said demolition or other action was delayed because the house was listed as a crime scene for months after the fire - but the building was taken off that status in February, they said.

Police say that it was only a crime scene for the arson investigation.

"The property at 103 Main St. was only a crime scene while we maintained control of the property which allowed law enforcement the ability to obtain evidence at the scene. This was completed the following day after the fire, at which time the crime scene was released," said Sgt. Jeffery Gillen.

The building inspector, fire chief and health agent will tour the building to see if it is structurally sound, said Robert O'Hanley, chairman of the Board of Health.

"All the departments I have spoken privately with want the building torn down," O'Hanley said.

Child Care Capacity Grants $30,000
CCAP Coverage increase $75,000
CCAP market rates $5,000
Early Childhood System $51,720
Early Care & Learning Grants $354,950
Parent Resource Center $53,625
Network of Care $9,000
Health Education $48,500
Dental Care & Education $13,629
Child Find $27,720
Pre-natal Care $27,500
Teen Parent Program $106,115

Kathy Kunis took a minute from changing a diaper Tuesday to say she’s “very upset” by the county’s decision to fund early-childhood programs.

“The voters turned it down in November — I turned it down — and now they have funded their plan anyway,” said Kunis, who has run Rumpelstilskin Preschool in Avon for the last 25 years. “I and most of my parents just don’t think the government has any place in child care or preschool.”

The county commissioners Tuesday approved $822,759 in funding for early childhood programs such as college reimbursement for day-care providers, health and dental assistance and education, teen parent resources and more affordable day care.

“These efforts from the county, other governments and businesses will be an extraordinary commitment to our children,” County Commissioner Arn Menconi said.

“Eagle County believes that our children are our future, and we’re going to work with the entire community to establish much-needed services in health care, day care and support for families and children with special needs.”

As part of a supplemental budget, the commissioners funded the programs until 2008. Businesses and individuals are expected to raise $354,810 of that money to match the county’s contribution.

But parents should take responsibility for the care of their own children, Kunis said.
“They are taking our taxes to provide a free ride for others,” she said. “Somebody has to pay for it eventually. I don’t think people, even parents, should have to pay for other people’s children.”

Not everybody has the money to pay for the high cost of child care and medical expenses for their children, said Kate Forinash, director of Health and Human Services.

“The reality in Eagle County is that we need to take a whole community approach to caring for children the way they deserve to be,” Forinash said. “Eagle County is about to implement a groundbreaking coordinated community approach to creating a network of the most needed services in the community.”

Employers will soon be approached by a county team assigned to study the child care and health needs of employees, Forinash said.

Employers will also be asked to contribute to the early childhood initiative.

“Recognizing when the free market and the needs of a community don’t strike a balance, I think it’s imperative that government and the private sector combine efforts and find workable solutions,” County Commissioner Sara Fisher said. “There’s interdependency here and if we want to live in healthy communities, each one of us has an obligation to make that possible for the other guy.”

Applications for grants have already been submitted to Vail Valley Cares and United Way, Forinash said.

Dnoations have already been made, Forinash said.

She hopes more will continue to donate as much as they can. “Even $50 would help us get underway in our matching,” Forinash said. “We still have so much to do, but this is a very exciting day for young children in Eagle County and their families.”

WATCHING too much TV poses 15 heath risks to children including obesity and premature puberty, a psychologist claimed yesterday.

Dr Aric Sigman said spending hours slumped into front of the small screen was 'the greatest unacknowledged health threat of our time'.

He wants official daily viewing limits, with youngsters under three not allowed to watch any TV at all, and parents to banish sets from bedrooms Dr Sigman's list of the potential hazards to youngsters includes an increased risk of obesity and heart disease from higher cholesterol, caused by the lack of exercise.

Over- stimulating the senses by watching television can also upset sleep patterns.

Meanwhile, the light from sets can suppress the key hormone melatonin, raising the risk of cell DNA mutations, which can cause cancer.

Premature puberty is also linked to low levels of melatonin.

Other risks include poor concentration, as brain cells governing attention span are impaired, and learning problems, as a result of poor intellectual stimulation.
Click here to find out more!

At a conference in Westminster, Dr Sigman told MPs that TV viewing should be rationed with a system of ' recommended daily allowances'.

Children aged three to seven should be limited to 30 minutes to one hour a day.

Seven to 12-year-olds could be allowed an hour daily.

This would be upped to 90 minutes for 12 to 15-year-olds and two hours for the over-16s.

Dr Sigman, an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, reviewed 35 academic studies for a report on the health risks of TV viewing.

He urged ministers to do more to protect children from the adverse effects of too many hours in front of the box.

'Reducing television viewing must become the new priority,' he said. 'Most of the damage linked to television viewing seems to occur beyond watching one to one-and-a-half hours per day, irrespective of the quality of the programme.

'Yet the average child watches three to five times this amount.

'Our children are Europe's most obese. By adolescence, they spend an average of 7.5 hours a day in front of a TV.

'Many believe we shouldn't make parents feel guilty about the amount of time children spend in front of a screen.

'But we must make a clear judgment that child health is more important than parental guilt.' The report by Dr Sigman, the author of a book on the issue, points to a higher risk of autism, linked to a lack of social interaction, and Alzheimer's disease, which has been linked to heavy viewing.

Eye damage and a slower metabolism may result from staring at the screen while children can be more vulnerable to type 2 diabetes from eating high- calorie food while watching television. Altered hormone levels may also increase body fat while waves emitted by sets are linked to changes in skin cells.

One long-term study in New Zealand tracked children from birth and concluded childhood TV viewing was linked with poor educational achievement by the age of 26.

Youngsters also had shorter attention spans and a greater risk of developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Meanwhile, girls are reaching puberty much earlier than in the 1950s.

This is partly because average weight has increased but possibly also because of lower melatonin levels linked to TV exposure.

l.clark@dailymail.co.uk

(c) 2007 Daily Mail; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.

Source: Daily Mail; London (UK)

Iowa wants to be the first state to have all its children covered by health insurance.

Gov. Chet Culver stated his goal during a conference call today with Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund, a Washington, D.C.-based child advocacy group.

That goal could be hindered due to a $13.4 million shortfall in the federal government's funding of health insurance programs in Iowa.

Edelman's group is working to get Congress to provide health insurance for the 9 million children nationwide who are uninsured, including about 52,000 in Iowa.

"It's a right and smart investment," she said.

Legislation to cover the shortfall for Iowa and 13 other states was attached to a bill to provide more money for U.S. troops in Iraq, which President Bush pledged to veto.

In the meantime, Culver has asked Kevin Concannon, director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, to come up with a way to prevent 13,000 Iowa children from losing coverage due to the federal shortfall.

About 30,000 uninsured Iowa children qualify for the state's Hawk-i or Medicaid programs, based on family incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Culver said he would like to enroll 7,500 children annually for the next four years.

Offering families who earn up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level a chance to buy into health insurance would help cover the remaining 22,000 children.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Iowa ranks eighth nationally in the percentage of children uninsured. About 200,000 Iowa children are in state programs, with 7.3 percent uninsured.

Vermont ranks first, with only 4.4 percent of children uninsured.

Iowa is second to Minnesota in percentage of total population uninsured, at 8.6 percent, compared to 15.9 percent nationwide.

Edelman said about 3 percent of Iowa's uninsured children are non-citizens who are ineligible for Iowa's programs. The Children's Defense Fund would like all children living in Iowa and elsewhere, regardless of their legal status, to have health insurance, she said.

Culver's support of the recent cigarette tax increase will result in an additional $9 million for children's health insurance, as well as $7.5 million to expand mental health insurance coverage and $3 million for free clinics and rural health clinics that will assist children.

For the first time since the early 1990s, funding also has been set aside to add about 7,500 low-income parents to state health insurance programs, Concannon said.

About 200,000 Iowa adults are uninsured.

Events this week
As part of "Cover the Uninsured Week," the University of Iowa is offering the following:

* A health clinic for uninsured schoolchildren and their siblings, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Horace Mann Elementary, 521 N. Dodge St. in Iowa City. UI medical, nursing and dental faculty, residents and staff, and Iowa City Community School District personnel will offer the clinic, which is part of "Healthy Kids Community Care," a pilot project of the school district in partnership with the UI, Mercy Iowa City, United Way of Johnson County, Johnson County Public Health and other community-based organizations.
* Vision screenings for children from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, April 27, at St. Thomas More Church, 405 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City. The screenings are provided by "Coming To Your Senses," a joint vision-screening project of the UI Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the Lions Clubs of Iowa. The event is free and open to the public.
* "Coming to Your Senses" free vision screenings for children from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 28, at the Iowa Children's Museum at the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville. UI medical students also will be available to provide informational materials on hawk-i, which provides health care coverage for Iowa children from families with limited incomes. The student-led public awareness effort is supported by a grant from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Both the vision screenings and informational materials are free and open to the public.

A Little Rock men's group has conducted a pilot program at an elementary school to improve eating habits and health among children.

For the last seven weeks, the 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock has made sure that 50 students at Washington Magnet Elementary School have a daily supply of fruits and vegetables.

Group members arranged for the children to get the food and spent time in the classrooms, teaching the children about the importance of healthy eating.

"The supermarket is a wide open classroom for you to choose from," said Dr. Kendall Wilson, who chairs the group's health and wellness committee. Instead of eating candy bars, eat plums and cherry tomatoes, Wilson told the children Friday.

The group plans to expand the program to run all of next school year for all of the school's fourth and fifth graders. Local produce sellers, retailers Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, and donations from group members provided the food.

Whether you're interested in your blood pressure numbers or a massage, you can receive both at the upcoming Women's Health Day. The YWCA Elmira and the Twin Tiers, at 211 Lake St., will hold a Women's Health Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 15.

Registered participants can take part in the following: manicures, massages, makeovers, blood pressure screenings, blood sugar screenings, colorectal cancer screenings, bone density screenings, Reiki treatments, reflexology and paraffin dips.

There will be refreshments, some free samples and a wealth of health information to take home. Registration is required, but the event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (607) 733-5575.

Car seats can protect children in the event of an accident, but only if they are used properly.

Here are some tips on how to make sure you are using your child's car seat correctly, courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics:

* Always put your child in a car seat, starting with the baby's first ride home from the hospital.

* Install the car seat in the automobile's back seat, never in the front where there's an airbag.

* Always read the seat's instructions, including how to install it, and how to attach and detach the seat and base.

* Keep the instructions and owner's manual as long as you have the seat, in case you need them.

Presidential candidate and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) on Sunday in Iowa called for universal health insurance to allow all U.S. residents to have access to quality care, the AP/Raleigh News & Observer reports. In a speech to an audience of about 400, Edwards promoted his universal health insurance proposal, under which employers have to provide health insurance for employees or contribute 6% of their payrolls to a fund that would help individuals purchase coverage. Edwards said that the proposal would cost $90 billion to $120 billion annually and that he would fund the plan through the elimination of tax cuts proposed by President Bush and approved by Congress for households with annual incomes more than $200,000. Edwards said, "I believe this in my soul: That no matter who your daddy is, or where you live, or what the color of their skin is, everyone single one of us has value. But if we believe those things, we have to act on them. If we believe that, we should have universal health care in our country" (AP/Raleigh News & Observer, 4/22).

'Void on Health Care'
In related news, USA Today on Monday examined how "there is a void on health care" among Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. Edwards remains the only Democratic presidential candidate with a detailed health insurance proposal. Among Republican presidential candidates, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) "was instrumental in passing a universal health care plan" in the state, but he has not highlighted the law in campaign speeches, USA Today reports. According to USA Today, presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) have promised to release universal health insurance proposals, but both "are in search of a grass-roots consensus that won't evaporate at the first negative ad by an insurance interest group" (Lawrence, USA Today, 4/23).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

South Louisiana hospitals and the New Orleans Police Department are battling over emergency room beds and mental health patients.

University Hospital said it's not prepared to handle an emergency in the city because the NOPD drops off too many mental health patients.

According to the police department, officers rotate and take patients to a different hospital every time.

But university hospital said the officers usually go there first because it's more convenient for them.

"If we have a multicar accident during the commuting hours, we would have difficulty meeting the needs of the community, and that causes grave concern," Dr. Dwayne Thomas said.

Hospital officials said they have 18 mental health patients -- and about 14 were brought in by police.

University said the other hospitals in the area, such as Ochsner and Tulane, only have five patients each.

Executives from Wal-Mart and three other major U.S. employers on Wednesday joined hands with union leaders in setting a goal of providing "quality, affordable" health care for millions of workers by 2012.

Joining Wal-Mart Stores Inc. CEO Lee Scott and Service Employees International Union leader Andrew Stern at a Washington news conference were top executives from Intel Corp., AT&T Inc. and Kelly Services Inc., a temporary staffing agency. However, the initiative left Wal-Mart's two leading union critics divided.

The partnership of business and union leaders laid out four main goals, including universal health-care coverage for "every person in America" and raising "the value it (America) receives for every health-care dollar" spent.

"Government alone won't and can't solve this crisis," Scott said. "By following this campaign's common sense principles, we believe America can have high-quality, affordable and accessible health care by 2012."

The SEIU funds campaign group Wal-Mart Watch, which as recently as last month said Wal-Mart's health plans were a raw deal for employees. But Stern said he joined Wal-Mart and the other employers because America's health care system requires fundamental change.

"It's time to admit the employer-based health care system is dead," Stern said.

Despite praise from SEIU and Communications Workers of America leaders who called for universal health care for every American within five years, Paul Blank, the campaign director for WakeUpWalMart.com, gave only tepid support for the plan in a prepared statement.

"If Wal-Mart is truly serious," Blank said, "we challenge the company to provide universal health care to all of its uninsured employees and their families today." Blank's group is funded by the United Food and Commercial Workers, which did not participate in Wednesday's news conference.

The business and union leaders, in forming a coalition dubbed "Better Health Care Together," pledged to convene a national summit by the end of May to recruit other leaders from business, labor, government and non-profits.

© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

A decision on a proposed World Bank health strategy was postponed on Tuesday when European nations objected to a U.S. effort to alter language on reproductive health services, including abortions, for women in developing countries.

World Bank board sources, who attended the meeting, told Reuters that representatives from France, Germany, Italy and Norway objected to the move by the U.S. representative on the board, Whitney Debevoise, during a discussion on the bank's Strategy for Health, Nutrition and Population Results.

The sources said the dispute flared when Debevoise proposed to insert the phrase "age appropriate access to sexual and reproductive healthcare" -- language the Europeans said could restrict younger women's access to reproductive services in poor countries.

The sources said the U.S. move would have changed the phrasing from "reproductive health services," encompassing the provision of reproductive services, including abortions.

The Bush administration has frequently been accused of denying funds to groups or clinics that even offer advice about abortion. It has also been accused of trying to limit access to birth control, although the U.S. government does distribute more condoms globally than any other country.

The World Bank has worked in population and reproductive health for more than three decades and has approved more than $3 billion in lending in those areas.

The latest dispute follows documents leaked earlier this month that showed the bank's Managing Director, Juan Jose Daboub, had deleted all references to family planning in a bank strategy being prepared for the African island nation of Madagascar.

Stress is an inevitable and potentially destructive force in our lives. The demands of work and family play a vital role in the amount of stress we experience. However, there are many, many other potential sources of stress that we may encounter. Regardless of the source of stress, our health may suffer significantly.

Everyone experiences stress on a regular basis. Some stressful situations last very briefly, such as getting caught in a traffic jam on your way to an important job interview. On the other hand, trying to take care of 2 infants and a newborn baby while juggling the responsibilities of a demanding job and a terminally ill relative can make anyone physically ill.

A recent study reported in the Online First issue of Hypertension found that participation in a stress-management program in the workplace not only reduced fluctuations in heart rate it also decreased blood pressure in office workers. However, there are many other potential health consequences of stress; some of these are listed below.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Stress

* Difficulty falling or staying asleep
* Headaches
* Irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation
* Depression and anxiety
* Mood swings
* Poor concentration
* Abnormal dietary habits, such as eating too much or too little
* Skin problems
* High blood pressure
* Difficult to control diabetes
* Difficulty getting pregnant

Things You Can Do to Decrease the Stress in Your Life

If you do not exercise regularly, make a commitment to yourself to join a gym, buy a treadmill for your home, or even walk regularly with your friends. Exercise releases endorphins which active in the brain to improve your overall sense of well-being.

Get plenty of rest. Not sleeping well compounds the problem of stress in your life and a vicious cycle can begin.

Eat a healthful diet full of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Do something nice for yourself on a regular basis. If you like to shop, pick a day or two each month to go to your favorite store. Even if you cannot purchase something on each trip just being in an environment you like can be very therapeutic.

Consider trying an herbal tea. I personally love Tension Tamer tea by Celestial Seasonings. Rose hips tea is also quite relaxing. There are countless other safe and effective natural teas on the market that can help you unwind. However, if you have any health problems it is best to check with your physician before trying herbal supplements.

Try aromatherapy. Several scents have the ability to soothe.

Take a nice, long bath. Place scented candles around your tub and turn on your favorite classical music. Have your hubby take the kids out for ice cream so you will not be disturbed during your unwind time.


If you need help, get it. You should not be ashamed if your stress level is so high that you need some professional help from your physician or a therapist. There are also a variety of workshops available that may help you tremendously. Remember, stress literally has the potentially to destroy your life as well as shorten it. Do not let your pride get in the way of the most valuable asset you have, your life.

Whether in department stores, drugstores or even on the Internet, many lotions and creams claim to be the "miracle in a bottle" that we are all looking for. Cracking the code to find the truth can be difficult.

The effectiveness of anti-wrinkle creams depends in part on the active ingredient or ingredients. Many claims aren't supported by scientific evidence and therefore will not provide the user with the desired results.

As we get older, our skin does not synthesize as much collagen in the dermis, or skin, as when we were young. This is thought to be the major reason for thinning skin and wrinkle formation. Science has shown that Peptides have been found to naturally stimulate your existing collagen and elastin, making them an essential ingredient in the formulas that truly make a difference.

One product containing Peptides and also backed up by scientific research is Chella, a professional skin care line that not only makes your skin look and feel years younger, it also nourishes and helps restore your skin's elastin properties. Taking peptide based research to a new level, Chella has created The Chell-x Complex, a unique blend of peptides, botanicals, vitamins anti-oxidants.

The Chell-x Complex is formulated to work below the skin's surface to produce firm, radiant smooth skin with:

* Essential collagen and elastin-enhancing Peptides

* Soothing and smoothing Organic Botanicals

* Rejuvenating Antioxidants

* Restorative Vitamins

The Chell-x Complex improves tone and recreates firmness and moisture to reveal healthy, beautiful skin. It also de-activates the free radicals that damage skin. And Chellá's clinically proven too. In just thirty days, with twice daily use, the Peptides in the Chell-x Complex will significantly reduce wrinkles and the appearance of fine lines and Increase the skin's firmness and radiance.

Take control of your own fountain of youth by following these simple steps for a youthful appearance and outlook as you grow older.

Anti-Wrinkle Regimen

* The number one thing dermatologists will to tell you to do to stop your skin from aging is to stay out of the sun. Sunscreen is a must.

* Stop smoking. Not only does it restrict the capillaries and blood flow, it also can deplete the body and skin of important vitamins.

* Inside and out, replenishing moisture is key to healthy looking skin. First, a good moisturizing cleanser is important to keep what healthy oils your skin produces naturally. Then, applying a moisturizer to help your skin replenish what it can't produce any longer.

* Look for a product that is backed by research. The complete Chella product line includes a Micro-Exfoliating Cleanser, Toners, two Morning Cremas, Replenish Formula Evening Cream, Intensive Formula Eye Crema, Skin Firming Serum, Face and Body Lotion and two treatment masks. The products are available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills and online at the Chella's website.

* Take care of your health by eating right and exercising.

* Drink plenty of liquids -- not only will it keep you hydrated throughout the day, but it's good for your skin. Exercise is also important to looking and feeling your best.

To start your skin care regimen, order the free trial program from Chella at www.Chella.com.

Copyright © 2007, ARAnet, inc.

Leading direct selling FMCG company Amway India today launched country's first premium soap 'Persona 3-in-1'.

Amway Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Bill Pinckney said, ''The Persona 3-in-1 soap contains various unique oils selected specially for Persona, a soap that is bound to appeal the entire family.'' Mr Pinckney added the soap contains premium Almond oil, which will leave the users skin soft, supple and smooth and is available with all Amway business owners.

The soaps will be available for Rs 99.

Worlwide Amway is known as a health and beauty company and its Indian affiliate is Amway India, which has in the recent past opened 74 offices and launched 80 products across the country.

Men's Health today releases its 3rd annual "Grooming Awards" featured in the magazine's May issue. The yearly edit package serves as an expert guide to solving men's most common grooming issues while naming the top products in the men's grooming market. The issue is on newsstands today.

The 2007 Awards were chosen by a panel of experts that included some of the most notable barbers in the United States: Niall Costello, Owner of Esquires of Wall Street Barbershop, Abdul Karim Shakir, Owner of Hyde Park Hair Salon in Chicago (where Barack Obama gets his trims), Russell Hiatt, 60-year barber based in North Carolina, and Jake Gravbrot, hairstylist for musicians Fall Out Boy and YellowCard, as well as editors from Men's Health magazine. Awards categories included Hair, Fragrance, Face, Body and Shaving with best-in-class winners and runner-up products named for each.

"Everything we do at Men's Health is to help men live well and feel good about themselves," says Men's Health Fashion and Grooming Director, Brian Boye. "The 'Grooming Awards' issue has become a highly anticipated guide for our readers--the advice is instantly applicable so they can get out the door and feel confident without missing a beat."

complete to read this article visit at : http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070424/20070424005961.html?.v=1

Alliance Boots on Tuesday became the first FTSE 100 company to fall to private equity after KKR, the US private equity group, and Stefano Pessina, the group's executive deputy chairman, launched an £11.1bn knock-out bid for the health and beauty group.

A rival consortium of Terra Firma, the Wellcome Trust and HBOS conceded defeat on Tuesday afternoon.

The KKR-Pessina offer marks the largest buy-out in Europe to date. It values Alliance Boots at a 4.5 per cent premium to their original £10.90 a share offer, recommended last week by Sir Nigel Rudd, Boots' chairman, and his board. It is 40 per cent above the price at which Boots shares were trading before the approach.

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Earlier, KKR had raised its stake to 10.5 per cent after buying an additional 40m Alliance Boots shares at £11.39 in a "dawn raid" on the market early in the session on Tuesday. Combined with Mr Pessina's holding, that took the bidders' stake up to 25.6 per cent.

The acquisitions by KKR follow a similar move by the private equity group late on Monday, when it snapped up 6 per cent - or 49.7m - of Alliance Boots shares, also at £11.39.

Terra FirmaAlliance BootsThe two moves trumped Terra Firma's indication that it was prepared to pay £11.15, or £11.26 including a £105.9m break fee, for the company.

"Boots is a critically important national institution, and we are naturally disappointed not to be able to execute the bold vision we had for the company and its critical role in the provision of healthcare in the UK," Terra Firma said in a statement.

Alliance Boots said it was recommending the revised £11.39 a share offer.

The price represents a a victory for Sir Nigel, who was keen to seal a good deal for his shareholders. His efforts to generate an auction for the group, which has 3,100 stores and supplies more than 125,000 pharmacies and hospitals with drugs, were stifled by his deputy who was also Alliance Boots' largest shareholder.

Shares in Alliance Boots were trading 5½p lower at £11.21 in afternoon London trading.

The KKR victory comes less than a month after a consortium led by CVC, another private equity group, ended its attempt to buy J Sainsbury, the UK's third largest retailer.

For Guy Hands of Terra Firma this will prove a setback. Mr Hands had hoped to build a powerful force in healthcare with his partners Wellcome Trust, the biggest charity in the UK, and HBOS.

Reports had suggested Mr Hands was also considering a bid for Bupa's hospitals in the UK in a deal that would have expanded his interests across drug retailing, distribution and private hospital provision.

Syed Junaid Alam recently participated in Beauty Arabia, 2007, the Second Middle East International Beauty and Spa Event which took place from April 18th to the 21st at the Bahrain International Exhibition Center.

The event highlighted the latest beauty products, services, famous brand names and Middle East's exclusives in perfumes, cosmetics, skin and health care.

Syed Junaid Alam's outstanding presence at Beauty Arabia was highlighted with an innovatively designed display stand which showcased their creative line of latest premium products and included a range of oriental, traditional and western fragrances and an exquisite collection of accessories.

'Beauty Arabia is a highly impressive event which has attracted visitors from far and wide. Over the years we have acquired a reputation for offering our customers the very best. Visitors of various nationalities have showed a genuine interest in our exquisite fragrances and beautiful accessories, that makes us distinguished from the rest,' said Mr. Naim Mustafa, Public Relations Manager of Syed Junaid Alam.

Continuous participation in various events and exhibitions has helped Syed Junaid Alam consolidate their position as a pioneering perfume brand in the Middle East.

'Our motivation for further growth and expansion has been heightened with the encouraging feedback we've acquired from this exhibition,' said Mr. Obaid Siddiqui, Marketing Manager.

More than 90 companies from around the world, including Bahrain, UK, Italy, the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt participated in the spectacular Beauty Arabia 2007. Special events and demonstrations on the latest haircutting techniques and styles, makeup application methods, trends and spa treatments were some of the highlights at the event.

As the temperature rises, tube tops, tank tops and countless other sleeveless styles are essential for every summer wardrobe. Unfortunately, many women are reluctant to embrace this trend. According to a new survey, only 8 percent of women feel beautiful when sleeveless.(1) To help change this mindset, America's favorite celebrities, including Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson, Felicity Huffman, Elle Macpherson and Queen Latifah are partnering with the Dove Deodorant Sleeveless-Ready Celebrity Auction to encourage women to feel confident and "go sleeveless."

The Dove Deodorant Sleeveless-Ready Celebrity Auction, which begins May 2 on Dove.com, will feature celebrity designed and autographed sleeveless shirts. The auction's proceeds will help send girls across the United States to self-esteem workshops through the Girl Scouts of the USA program uniquely ME!, which is sponsored by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund (DSEF). The DSEF is part of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, a global effort designed to widen today's stereotypical view of beauty.

"The Dove Deodorant Sleeveless-Ready Celebrity Auction is dedicated to building sleeveless confidence among women," said Chloe Dao, fashion designer, auction participant and winner of Bravo's "Project Runway." "Feeling beautiful when sleeveless is not all about the right clothes. To feel great in arm-baring fashions, find a style that boosts confidence and use a product that takes care of underarm skin."

On Wednesday, May 16, viewers can see how talk show host Tyra Banks designs her exclusive, one-of-a-kind sleeveless top on "The Tyra Banks Show" (syndicated/check local listings).

A Deodorant That Delivers On Its Promise

Nearly 60 percent of women experience irritated underarms, which is the primary reason why women lack the confidence to wear sleeveless fashions. In fact, one out of three women actually avoid going sleeveless because they are self-conscious about their underarms. Dove Ultimate Clear is made with 1/4 Translucent Moisturizers(TM), which provide softer, smoother, sleeveless-ready underarms -- in just five days.

Dove Ultimate Clear has a unique formula that improves underarm irritation caused by shaving. Unlike most leading gels, Dove Ultimate Clear does not turn white over time. By staying on skin, not on clothes, it really alleviates white marks. Now available in new Smooth Cashmere, a scent that combines notes of jasmine, peach and vanilla, it also provides 24-hour outstanding odor and wetness protection.

Dove Ultimate Clear is available in new Smooth Cashmere, Cool Essentials, Radiant Silk, Fresh, Powder and Original Clean fragrances. The entire line of Dove Deodorant is available at food, drug and mass retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $3.99 for 2.6 oz and $2.99 for 1.6 oz (available in Cool Essentials or Powder only). Visit Dove.com for more information about caring for underarm skin, how to get sleeveless-ready with Dove Ultimate Clear and the Dove Deodorant Sleeveless-Ready Celebrity Auction.

About Dove

The Dove mission is to make women feel more beautiful every day by challenging today's stereotypical view of beauty and inspiring women to take great care of themselves. Dove, manufactured by Unilever, is the No. 1 personal wash brand nationwide. One in every three households uses a Dove product(2), which includes beauty bars, body washes, face care, anti-perspirant/deodorants, hair care and styling aids. Dove is available nationwide in food, drug and mass outlet stores.

About Unilever

Unilever (NYSE:UL - News) (NYSE:UN - News), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 13,000 people in 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico -- generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006. For more information visit www.unileverusa.com.

(1) All statistics are a result of the Dove Anti-Perspirant study conducted by Impulse Research Corp. in December 2006. The online survey was completed by 2,048 women in the U.S. between the ages of 18-54. Margin of error is +/- 3 percent at the 95 percent level of confidence.

(2) ACNielsen (2004)


Contact:

Contact:
Ashley Fullman
Edelman
(312) 233-1217
Email Contact

Stacie Bright
Unilever
(203) 625-1130
Email Contact


Source: Dove

As a capable young woman, Casey Han felt compelled to choose respectability and success. But it was glamour and insight that she craved. A Korean immigrant who'd grown up in a dim, bluecollar neighborhood in Queens, she'd hoped for a bright, glittering life beyond the workhorse struggles of her parents, who managed a Manhattan dry cleaner.

Casey was unusually tall for a Korean, nearly five feet eight, slender, and self-conscious about what she wore. She kept her black hair shoulder length, fastidiously powdered her nose, and wore winecolored lipstick without variation. To save money, she wore her eyeglasses at home, but outside she wore contact lenses to correct her nearsightedness. She did not believe she was pretty but felt she had something—some sort of workable sex appeal. She admired feminine modesty and looked down at women who tried to appear too sexy. For a girl of only twenty-two, Casey Han had numerous theories of beauty and sexuality, but the essence of her philosophy was that allure trumped obvious display. She'd read that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis advised a woman to dress like a column, and Casey never failed to follow that instruction.

Seated in the spacious linoleum-covered kitchen of her parents' rent-controlled two-bedroom in Elmhurst, Casey looked out of place in her white linen shirt and white cotton slacks—dressed as if she were about to have a gin and tonic brought to her on a silver tray. Next to her at the Formica-topped table, her father, Joseph Han, could've easily passed for her grandfather. He filled his tumbler with ice for his first whiskey of the evening. An hour earlier, he'd returned from a Saturday of sorting laundry at the Sutton Place drop shop that he ran for Mr. Kang, a wealthy Korean who owned a dozen dry-cleaning stores. Joseph and his daughter Casey did not speak to each other. Casey's younger sister, Tina—a Bronx Science Westinghouse finalist, vice president of the Campus Christian Crusade at MIT, and a premed—was their father's favorite. A classical Korean beauty, Tina was the picture of the girls' mother, Leah, in her youth.

Leah bustled about cooking their first family dinner in months, singing hymns while Tina chopped scallions. Although not yet forty, Leah had prematurely gray hair that obscured her smooth pale brow. At seventeen, she'd married Joseph, who was then thirty-six and a close friend of her eldest brother. On their wedding night, Casey was conceived, and two years later, Tina was born.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Casey

Now it was a Saturday night in June, a week after Casey's college graduation. Her four years at Princeton had given her a refined diction, an enviable golf handicap, wealthy friends, a popular white boyfriend, an agnostic's closeted passion for reading the Bible, and a magna cum laude degree in economics. But she had no job and a number of bad habits.

Virginia Craft, Casey's roommate of four years, had tried to convince her to give up the habit that taxed her considerably while she sat next to her brooding father. At the moment, Casey would've bartered her body for a cigarette. The promise of lighting one on the building roof after dinner was all that kept her seated in the kitchen—her bare foot tapping lightly on the floor. But the college graduate had other problems insoluble by a smoke. Since she had no job, she'd returned to her folks' two-bedroom on Van Kleeck Street Seventeen years earlier, in the year of the bicentennial, the family of four had immigrated to America. And Leah's terror of change had kept them in the same apartment unit. It all seemed a bit pathetic.

From the book FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES by Min Jin Lee. Copyright (c) 2007 by Min Jin Lee.