Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation Takes in Dogs from Louisiana Shelters

Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation Takes in Dogs from Louisiana Shelters

Lost Dog and Cat Rescue takes in 12 dogs from St Bernard Parish Animal Shelter, and Plaquemine's Animal Welfare Society (PAWS),that have been overcrowded due to the oil spill.

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) July 2, 2010

Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation picked up 12 dogs that had been transported by The Humane Society of the United States. The dogs were brought up from Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society and St. Bernard Parish Animal Shelter, along with 21 others that went to other area groups. Both Louisiana Shelters have seen a dramatic increase in the number of both surrendered and stray animals they are receiving since the Gulf oil spill. Three of the dogs LDCRF took in were given up by a fisherman who lost his job due to the oil spill, and could not afford to take care of the dogs any longer.

“It’s good to save any dog anytime, but you get a warm feeling when you know you’re saving them from a bad situation, or from places where you know the people really need the help. Being able to take in some of the dogs with health issues that we can treat is especially rewarding, as you’re really giving them another chance. Several of these dogs are heartworm positive and have a skin condition, but that’s no reason to turn them away as those conditions are easily treated,” says Adoptions Coordinator Barbara Hutcherson.

“It’s great to be able to help these animals and the shelters that are clearly suffering the trickle down affects of the oil spill,” says founder Pamela McAlwee.

Some of the dogs will go up for adoption in the coming days, while the dogs that are receiving treatment for health issues will go up for adoption in the next few months.

Please visit our website to see the dogs available for adoption and receive updates on those that have arrived from the Gulf Coast.

###

A Technobiological Renaissance is Shifting Immortality from a Philosophical Issue to a Serious Social Issue

A Technobiological Renaissance is Shifting Immortality from a Philosophical Issue to a Serious Social Issue

Vision examines the predictions of futurologists such as Ray Kurzweil who believe that advances in technology will allow humans to transcend their biology. Will these achievements bring us immortality or destruction??

Pasadena, CA (PRWEB) May 30, 2007

Technology and immortality have a lot in common these days, if you look at new virtual reality communities like Second Life with close to 2 million real people who are leading virtual lives online there. Perhaps these folks, clamoring to live in a world of cyborgs, have already begun to transcend into the world of immortality, a social issue that has captured people's imaginations for centuries. The question now is - could a technobiological renaissance save us, or destroy us?

One leading British neuroscientist and Oxford professor of pharmacology, Baroness Susan Greenfield believes that, in this century, machines will eclipse humankind not only in brute mental prowess but also as broad-minded, deep-thinking.

In an article written by David Lloyd for vision. org (http://www. vision. org/visionmedia/default. aspx) titled, "And They all Lived Technologically Ever After," the author points out that how we live today in the Western world has been transformed by innovations -- from cars and airplanes to telephones, personal computers, the Internet, and now robotics and sophisticated medical procedures.

It's true that life expectancy has risen more than one year every five years for the last ten years. People born at the turn of the 20th century lived an average of 47.3 years, according to tables published by the National Center for Health Statistics, while those born in 1950, however, can expect to live 68.2 years. Anyone born in 2003 or after can look forward to 77.6 years of life.

Lloyd explores how futurologists such as Ray Kurzweil (http://www. wie. org/bios/ray-kurzweil. asp) believe technology is speeding up exponentially, and therefore about to challenge the notion of mortality itself. Touted as one of the foremost inventors of our time, Kurzweil's most recent national best-selling book which he coauthored with Terry Grossman, entitled The Age of Spiritual Machines (1999), has received widespread acclaim. In it he argues not only that machines will surpass human processing capacity, and thus become the most significant intelligent force on earth, but that this dramatic change is imminent.

But not only are machines changing dramatically but humans are also poised to evolve in remarkable ways according to Kurzweil. He believes that humans are on the brink of transcending their biology and that the final two of six epochs of human evolution lie ahead of us. Will these exponential strides in technology and bio-engineering allow humans to find the keys to immortality?

Lloyd and Vision (http://www. vision. org/visionmedia/default. aspx) are taking a look at just how this might change the world's perception of immortality and enlightenment. After all, the allure of living an eternal life has been around since the Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest known literary work on earth.

As Lloyd points out in his article, Kurzweil, an IT specialist, claims that the humanity of the future will not be constrained by physical or mortal limitations, and that the fifth and imminent epoch will mark the merger of technology and human intelligence, in that computer processing power and computer intelligence will be so immense that unenhanced human intelligence will be essentially outmoded. In other words, he and other scientists and futurologists seem to agree that once computers reach a certain point, they will be capable of artificial evolution and will take over the running of the planet in some respects.

The Bible has long warned that humanity will eventually progress into the deepest of trouble. For example, the New Testament foretells, "great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved" (Matthew 24:21-22). These are the recorded words of Jesus of Nazareth. He forewarned that humans would bring the species to the brink of annihilation. According to these words, were it not for God's intervention, the last "epoch" in our "evolution" would be destruction by our own hand. It's not hard to imagine that these rapidly developing new technologies might play a significant role in that scenario.

In the end, Lloyd tells us that the purpose of such warnings from scripture are not meant to scare us with nightmarish apocalyptic visions so we will be frightened into a self-centered "salvation." Rather, he notes in the verses that follow, we are encouraged in such a world to "watch" (Greek, gregoreuo--see Matthew 24:36-44; 25:1-13). The meaning is "to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one" or, metaphorically, to "give strict attention to, be cautious, active" (Enhanced Strong's Lexicon).

The scriptures invite each and every one of us to focus on our personal responsibilities and behavior in order to rescue us from the destruction that could otherwise overwhelm humanity. Immortality is no longer just a theoretical subject confined to the realm of religion and philosophy. Science has stolen the show from theologians and is making eternal life a real social issue that requires a deep moral and ethical discussion.

Contact: Edwin Stepp
Director of Development
Vision Media Productions
476 S. Marengo Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone (24 hrs): 626 535-0444 ext 105

###

CarpooltoSchool. com Launches Secure Walkpool and Bike Train Matching for Schools

CarpooltoSchool. com Launches Secure Walkpool and Bike Train Matching for Schools

CarpooltoSchool. com expands services to offer secure walkpool, bike train, and carpool matching and calendaring for school communities.

Scotts Valley, CA (PRWEB) February 17, 2010

Carpooltoschool. com today announced the release of their latest version to include walkpool and bike train matching and calendaring services. With support for all school pool solutions, CarpooltoSchool. com is taking a giant leap forward in helping families and communities come together to organize alternative transportation options to and from school, camps, sporting events, and other activities.

"We are very excited to expand our matching and calendaring service to include all types of school pools," said Genelle Chetcuti, President/CEO and Founder of CarpooltoSchool. com. "Carpools, walkpools, and bike trains save time, money and energy; they also promote community, increase child safety and improve air quality and physical health. They're good for families and for the communities they live in."

CarpooltoSchool’s intuitive interface makes finding and planning school pools easy and convenient. New Features include: Matching and Calendaring services for walkpools and bike trains, enhanced user profiles and options, Easy login from carpooltoschool. com and Quick Notify for scheduled school pools – so you can communicate with your pooling network right away for any reason.

About CarpooltoSchool. com LLC
Founded in 2008, CarpooltoSchool. com partners with schools to offer secure, customized school pool matching and calendaring. For more information, visit carpooltoschool. com (http://www. carpooltoschool. com) or call 831-435-6016 x128.

###

How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

When considering plastic surgery, there is no substitute for an ASPS Member Surgeon.

Park Ridge, IL (PRWEB) February 15, 2006

When considering plastic surgery, there is no substitute for an ASPS Member Surgeon.

Members of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons®

 Are certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery®  Operate only in accredited medical facilities.  Adhere to a strict code of ethics.  Fulfill continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.

Form and Function

Plastic surgery is about a lot more than vanity. In reconstruction cases, ASPS member surgeons help people get their lives back and feel more comfortable with themselves. ASPS member surgeons are trained in the following reconstructive procedures: burn, wound and trauma repair; tumor removal and cancer reconstruction; correction of birth defects and acquired deformities; hand surgery; maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery; microsurgical reconstruction.

Looking Good, Feeling Great

The popularity of plastic surgery is soaring and more and more doctors are trying to meet the demand for this specialty that has become an integral part of mainstream medicine. Any licensed physician can call himself or herself a cosmetic surgeon, so the importance of finding a properly trained and certified provider is paramount. Choosing a doctor who’s a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS) is the first step in ensuring quality care and outcomes. Founded in 1931, ASPS is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world. ASPS Member Surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is the only board dedicated to plastic surgery of the face and entire body. Breast enhancement, body contouring, liposuction, facial contouring and nose surgery are among the most popular procedures performed by ASPS Member Surgeons. Plastic surgery procedures like breast reduction and reconstruction can improve quality of life by positively impacting self-image and self-esteem. ASPS Member Surgeons also use reconstructive procedures to restore a more natural look and function in cases where the patient has been compromised by disease, accident or disfigurement. Regardless of the reason or motivation for undergoing plastic surgery, ASPS Member Surgeons are your partners in looking and feeling great.

Did You Know?

Plastic surgery can slow the aging process and improve the visible signs of aging. ASPS member surgeons are trained in cosmetic procedures of the face and all areas of the body to help you look naturally younger. Among the procedures used to turn back the effects of time:

 surgical rejuvenation of the aging face  injectable therapies  laser and light-based rejuvenation  breast lifts and body lifts

Why is an ASPS Member Surgeon the Best Choice for Me?

There are nearly 5,000 ASPS Member Surgeons in the United States. These qualifications ensure that you and your well-being are in good hands. Each ASPS Member Surgeon:

 Has at least five years of surgical training and a minimum of two years of plastic surgery training.  Is board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.  Is trained and experienced in all plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction.  Is peer-reviewed for safety and ethical standards prior to attaining the honor of active membership.  Only operates in accredited facilities.

What Can I Expect?

Before you have plastic surgery, you meet with your ASPS Member Surgeon® for a consultation. During the consultation, you will want to discuss your goals. Your surgeon will examine you and advise the best procedure to achieve your desired results.

Your Plastic Surgeon Should

 Answer all of your questions thoroughly and clearly.  Ask about your thoughts to recommended treatment.  Offer alternatives, where appropriate, without pressuring you to consider unneeded or additional procedures.  Welcome questions about your procedure and his or her professional qualifications, experience, costs and payment policies.  Make clear the risks of surgery and possible outcomes.  Give you information about the procedure you want.  Leave the final decision to you.

STEP 1: Questions to Ask When Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Are you an ASPS Member Surgeon? (If he or she answers "yes," you can rest assured that your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery, has hospital privileges and only performs surgery in accredited facilities.)

Are you board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada?

Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?

Is the surgical facility accredited?

How many procedures of this type have you performed?

STEP 2: Questions to Ask Your ASPS Member Surgeon

It’s important to talk to your ASPS Member Surgeon about your goals and your treatment. Feel confident asking about your doctor’s credentials, experience, outcomes or safety record. It is your body, your safety and your life.

Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

What will be expected of me to get optimal results?

What are the risks involved with my procedure?

How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?

Will I need to take time off work? If so, how long?

Dr. Sam Speron is a Chicago Plastic Surgeon and is widely recognized as a leading expert on plastic surgery. Dr. Speron’s educational efforts have received critical acclaim from the media from around the country including radio (“The Paul Harvey show” on WGN radio), local TV (multiple CBS Channel 2 10PM special reports, multiple appearances on “This week with Dr. Breen”), national television (Discovery Health Channel), local radio (“The Joe Gentile Show” on WJJG on AM-1530, KFIZ Milwaukee with Joe Scheibinger), newspapers (Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, Daily Herald), US magazines (People, The Complete Woman, Chicago Magazine, Living Life, Satisfaction, Medical Economics, The Lutheran), international magazines (Company, Europe) and online news (plasticsurgery. com, LocateaDoc. com, HealthNewsDigest. com, cosmeticsurgery. com, ChicagoHealthandFitness. com, ToursandTales. com).

Please visit us at http://www. prplastic. com, call us at 847.696.9900, or email us for a plastic surgery question or consultation.

# # #

Comedy For a Cure Benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Presented by the New York ComedianÂ’s Coalition at CarolineÂ’s on Broadway

Comedy For a Cure Benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Presented by the New York ComedianÂ’s Coalition at CarolineÂ’s on Broadway

On Wednesday, August 31st, the New York Comedian’s Coalition (“NYCC”) will host an evening of comedy at Caroline’s on Broadway.

NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) August 27, 2005

On Wednesday, August 31st, the New York Comedian’s Coalition (“NYCC”) will host an evening of comedy at Caroline’s on Broadway. All proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

"The New York Comedian’s Coalition is very pleased to have Caroline’s and a line up of talented comedians collaborating on this joint effort," said NYCC co-founder Ted Alexandro. "Laughter has a way of bringing people together and we believe by delivering quality comedy at an event such as this we can raise money and awareness for this well respected charity and its mission.”

Scheduled to perform are Todd Barry, Ted Alexandro, Tom Shillue, Russ Meneve, Rusty Ward and Jesse Joyce, all boasting an impressive list of credits including appearances on Letterman, Conan OÂ’Brien and Last Comic Standing. Barry, Shillue and Alexandro have also recorded their own half hour specials airing on Comedy Central.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

CAROLINES ON BROADWAY

1626 Broadway (btwn 49th & 50th)

New York, New York

9:30 PM

Www. carolines. com

Admission: $15 + 2 drink minimum

Reservations are highly recommended.

Call 212 757 4100 between the hours of 10am and 10pm

About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $360 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

To learn more, visit www. leukemia. org or call 914.949.5213.

About the New York ComedianÂ’s Coalition

Formed in December 2004 by over 300 of New YorkÂ’s top comedians, the NYCC seeks to establish an unprecedented level of dialogue with the comedy clubs in New York toward the goal of bettering the working environment for both club and comic and, ultimately, providing a better product for the customer.

With respect for one another and a real desire to honor the great tradition of standup comedy in NY, we move forward in the sincere hope of taking comedy in New York to new heights.

Visit www. nycomedianscoalition. com for details.

###

Getting Parents to Give Up Their Car Keys -- Tips for Adult Children of Aging Parents

Getting Parents to Give Up Their Car Keys -- Tips for Adult Children of Aging Parents

Foremost Insurance offers tips for adult children of aging parents that shouldn’t be on the road.

Grand Rapids, MI (Vocus) February 27, 2010

Foremost Insurance offers tips for adult children of aging parents that shouldn’t be on the road. Convincing parents or other elderly family members to give up driving may be one of the most difficult and awkward conversations a person might have with their family member. Hopefully that conversation never has to happen. Many older people remain competent drivers, but the normal processes of aging can hamper driving ability as can medications that affect reflexes or judgment or both. Adult childre need to be alert to whether it’s time for their parents to hang up the car keys.

Statistics show that drivers over 75 are at the same risk for an accident as teenage and young adult drivers – the 16-24 year old age group. Just as with teenagers, though, it’s only a segment of the population of older drivers that are dangerous behind the wheel. Many others have very safe records. They use seat belts, they don’t speed, drive recklessly or get behind the wheel after drinking. These older drivers may restrict their driving to daytime, avoid bad weather and rush hour traffic. Overall, they drive fewer miles.

How do people in this situation know what to do? It can be difficult to decide when the best time is to take away the keys. That’s why it’s a good idea to start talking with them about driving and monitoring their driving long before there may be a problem.

Observing how a family member drives is probably the most important part of this process, but it’s also important to keep tabs on their health. To continue to drive, seniors and their families need to monitor their response time, vision and hearing. They – or the children involved in this decision - also need to talk with their doctor about the medications they take and whether those medications will affect their driving ability. Here are some things to check on for parents or family members who may be reaching their driving age limit:
 Do they have a regular vision checkup and keep their corrective lenses prescriptions current?  Do they seem to have trouble hearing and, if so, have they had their hearing checked? Do they need hearing aids but refuse, for reasons of frugality or vanity, to get them?  Do they have a car that fits their needs?  Have they considered a defensive driving program aimed at senior citizens, such as AARP’s Driver Safety Program?  Do they have memory problems? Night Driving
While many older people give up driving at night older drivers who continue to do so are presented with a unique set of challenges. At any age night driving is more dangerous than daytime driving. Talk with family members if they drive at night to make sure that they don’t drive when they’re tired or when they’ve taken a medicine that makes them drowsy. And encourage them to carry a cell phone they can use if there’s a night-time emergency.

Defensive Driving Courses
Defensive driving courses like the AARP Driver Safety Program can have a positive impact on older driver behaviors. While younger drivers are likely to get speeding tickets or tickets for reckless driving, older drivers more typically fail to yield right of way, turn improperly and don’t make proper lane changes. After defensive driving courses those behaviors often change and research on the program’s effect showed a reduction in tickets issues to drivers who completed these types of courses. One additional benefit – completing a course like this can lead to an automobile insurance discount.

Have a ride and a conversation
A trip to the store or any other routine trip is a good opportunity to observe their driving. Initial indicators of driving skill problems may be there even before getting in the car like scrapes, dents or scratches on the car or on items in the garage where the car is parked. Other indicators that there may be trouble ahead are behaviors observed while in the car like riding the brake, getting distracted easily from the road ahead or confused about what to do at an intersection, signaling incorrectly, parking oddly or hitting the curb or becoming confused with directions, signals or signs. Indicators that call for immediate attention are things like running red lights, getting lost in familiar places or confusing the gas and brake pedal.

A spouse, an adult child or the family doctor is usually the best person to start the conversation. Most people would rather hear from a family member about concerns about their driving. The last person they want to hear it from is a police officer. Find a conversational opening – a discussion about a recent accident that was in the news or a discussion of stressful driving conditions may give a lead in to a discussion about driving capabilities. This won’t be an easy conversation but it’s one that has to happen.

Foremost Insurance wants to help you travel safely and get the most out of your driving experiences whether it’s a trip to the grocery store or a trip our across the country. For more information about Foremost auto insurance programs visit our Web site at Foremost. com, our Facebook page at http://www. facebook. com/foremostinsurance or our Twitter page at http://www. twitter. com/foremost.

Foremost Insurance Group is a single source for personal property and casualty and commercial insurance. A member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® Foremost has been a leader in the insurance industry since 1952. Foremost is headquartered in Caledonia, Michigan. To learn more, visit Foremost. com.

###

It's too Late to Buy Travel Insurance for Swine Flu, Squaremouth Says

It's too Late to Buy Travel Insurance for Swine Flu, Squaremouth Says

As health authorities scramble to contain a dangerous new strain of swine flu sweeping through parts of Mexico, North America and Europe, Chris Harvey, CEO of Squaremouth, America's fastest growing comparison web site for travel insurance advises travelers it's too late to buy travel insurance if you are concerned about swine flu.

Saint Petersburg, FL (PRWEB) April 28, 2009

UPDATE - May 1st 2009 - This release refers to products from the following carriers - Access America, CSA, Elvia, HTH and Mondial as of April 27th 2009. For information on the swine flu position for other carriers, please visit - http://www. squaremouth. com/travel-advice/swine-flu-outbreak/.

St Pete Beach, FL (PRWEB) April 28, 2009 -- As health authorities scramble to contain a dangerous new strain of swine flu sweeping through parts of Mexico, North America and Europe, Chris Harvey, CEO of Squaremouth, America's fastest growing comparison web site for travel insurance advises travelers it's too late to buy travel insurance if you are concerned about swine flu.

"The bottom line is this: Don't rush today to buy travel insurance in hopes of being covered during the swine flu crisis" warned Chris Harvey.

Think about it like hurricane insurance, Harvey explained. If you don't buy travel insurance before a storm receives its official name, you aren't covered for losses relating to that storm. Similarly, for most travel insurance companies, Friday, April 24, 2009, was the date the swine flu outbreak became what the industry calls a "foreseen" or "known event" because of widespread media attention.

That means policies bought before April 24, when the outbreak was considered "unforeseen," may well be honored. After that date, forget it: the swine flu was already deemed a "known event," so claims related directly or indirectly to outbreaks in Mexico or anywhere else will be denied.

Moreover, even if you think your policy covers "unforeseen circumstances," there may be language in a General Exclusions section exempting claims "arising directly or indirectly from epidemics or pandemics."

"Always check the fine print to see what protections apply to you," Harvey said.

The only way to ensure cover for swine flu is by adding on the optional "Cancel for any Reason" benefit available on some policies. This allows the traveler to simply cancel the trip without needing a covered reason. "There are drawbacks," Harvey warns, "you can only cancel up to 48 hours before you leave and you may not get 100% of your money back. Make sure you check the fine print before you buy".

For your convenience, Squaremouth has posted travel insurance information relating to the swine flu outbreak on our home page at Squaremouth. com. We're compiling official swine flu position statements from insurers and posting the updates at http://www. squaremouth. com/travel-advice/swine-flu-outbreak]. We're available toll-free at 800-240-0369 to discuss your concerns about the outbreak and how it affects travel insurance. It's all part of our commitment as an advocate on behalf of our customers.

For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hasn't classified the swine flu outbreak as a pandemic. You can keep up with the latest briefings on the CDC website: http://www. cdc. gov/swineflu].

About Squaremouth:
Squaremouth is America's fastest growing travel insurance comparison site, helping customers instantly quote, compare and buy policies from every major carrier. Squaremouth has web sites in the US and UK, and an extensive network of partner sites worldwide. The company is headquartered in St Pete Beach, FL., with offices in Fort Wayne, IN. Visit Squaremouth. com or Squaremouth. co. uk.

About our Zero Complaint Guarantee:
The cornerstone of our commitment to customers is Squaremouth's guarantee to remove any company from our website if there is a customer complaint that cannot be resolved to our satisfaction. Squaremouth offers the broadest selection of insurance with an emphasis on quality and follow-up care in companies featured. We also factor in independent evaluation from the insurance industry watchdog AM Best.

Squaremouth offers products from the following travel insurance carriers:
CSA, Elvia, Global Alert Admin, Global Rescue, Global Underwriters, HTH Worldwide, ITravelInsured, Medex, Medjet Assist, MH Ross, Multinational Underwriters (MNU), On Call International, Seven Corners, Travel Guard, Travel Insurance Services, Travel Insured, Travelers Liberty, Travelex, TravelSafe and USA Assist.

AVAILABLE TOPIC EXPERT:
Chris Harvey
Toll-free (800) 240-0369
Direct (727) 490-5802
U. S. travel insurance - http://www. squaremouth. com
U. K. travel insurance - http://www. squaremouth. co. uk
International Medical Insurance - http://www. squaremouth. com/international-medical-insurance

###