Book Review: Other Places - A Family's World War II Experience in Germany and the US

Author Ria Veeren takes readers back to World War II and the struggles of one Dutch family in Other Places. The story is her story as she tells of her immigration to America in 1948 and also of the events which led to her immigration.

Of interest in the book are parts of her family's life in Holland and in Germany during World War II and her father's role in providing for his family during a time of war. Excerpts from her father's, Jack Veeren, diary will appeal to those who have an avid interest in history. The elder Veeren, a photographer, served as in interpreter for the Americans immediately after the war.

Those of who have never lived through a war or have the memories shared by the greatest generation will benefit from learning about the effects of a war on everyday people. Other Places is this experience for one family and worth reading.

Staff Report

Community News You Can Use
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Uh... duh: Births Decline in Most Areas Hardest Hit by Hurricane Katrina

OK, ya'll tell me if you couldn't figure this one out for yourselves...

Births Decline in Most Areas Hardest Hit by Hurricane Katrina

Births in most of the Gulf Coast areas hit by Hurricane Katrina plunged
in the 12 months following the deadly storm, according to a report from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, "The Effect
of Hurricane Katrina: Births in the U.S. Gulf Coast Region, Before and
After the Storm," examines birth certificates for the 12 months
preceding Katrina and the 12 months following the storm, (Aug. 29, 2004
to Aug. 28, 2006). The data cover residents in the 91 Federal Emergency
Management Agency- designated counties and parishes of Alabama,
Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Special detailed data are presented in an interactive map for 14
selected FEMA-designated coastal counties and parishes within a 100 mile
radius of the storm's path
(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/data/map/HurricaneMap.htm).

Key findings include:

* The number of births in the 14 counties and parishes decreased 19
percent in the year after Katrina compared with the previous year.
Births decreased by 30 percent for the selected parishes in Louisiana
and 13 percent for the selected counties in Mississippi but increased by
6 percent for the selected counties in Alabama.

* The number of births to non-Hispanic black women in the selected
parishes of Louisiana fell substantially (51 percent) after the storm.
Births were also down for non-Hispanic white (14 percent), Hispanic (21
percent), and Asian/Pacific Islander (34 percent) women.

* In Orleans Parish, the central parish of New Orleans, the proportion
of births to non-Hispanic black women fell from 78 percent of total
births before the storm to 60 percent in the year after Katrina hit.

* The proportion of births to teens for these 14 selected counties and
parishes were unchanged after the storm, except in the selected parishes
in Louisiana, where they decreased 11 percent.

* Cesarean deliveries for the 14 selected counties and parishes rose by
10 percent in the Alabama and Mississippi counties and 6 percent in the
Louisiana parishes.

The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs.

Book Review: defining Twilight; Enticing Teens to Learn

"Quick," I said to my teenager. "Define futilely." The eyes that bore back into mine were blank, almost oblivious to my question. "Are you woolgathering?"

"What is this?", asked the teenager who was now experiencing grave misgivings over the decision to walk in to the room with me as I sat reading.

So began my excursion into defining Twilight by Brian Leaf, a delightful book chock full of vocabulary words. What's the deal?

The Twilight book series by Stephenie Meyer has been the latest rage among teens and young adults for a couple of years now. The movie is seen on a regular basis at my house as others descend in droves. The books are so popular that I've walked in and found the teens playing Twilight Trivia or reciting favorite lines of the movie. The books are kept close as a reference so the kids can be sure of their facts.

I admit I had seen the movie, but had not taken time to actually read the book. When asked to review defining Twilight, I knew I had to bite the bullet and jump head first into the land of chaste vampires. The Twilight book was fun to read, and it was full of wonderful words not commonly used by teens today. Do they understand the meanings?

Enter Leaf's defining Twilight, and it's a match made perfect for any student studying to take one of the college entrance exams. Leaf has provided an entertaining way to use the Twilight book as an aid to learning vocabulary. It's a great concept. Read the page in the book, and define the word. There are also quick exercises to use to complement learning the definitions.

It sure beats digging out the old Digests I had to use when I was studying for the SAT. Perhaps I would have scored better on the standardized tests of my day if someone had made learning the vocabulary more pertinent to the times.

Leaf will release his second book in the Defining series in October. I can't wait to see the words he defines and introduce them to my teen.

Staff Report

Battling Inflammation Through Food An Emerging Field

/24-7/ -- Scientists have identified the inflammatory process as the common soil in a diverse range of chronic degenerative diseases. The news, recently reported in the LA Times article, discusses how foods like cherries may help rheumatoid arthritis or avoidance of gluten may fight off psoriasis.

"Chronic inflammation is an emerging field," says Dr. David Heber, a UCLA professor of medicine and director of the university's Center for Human Nutrition. "It's a new concept for medicine."

According to the article by Shara Yurkiewicz, "The activated immune cells and hormones then turn on the body itself, damaging tissues. The process continues indefinitely, occurring at low enough levels that a person doesn't feel pain or realize anything is wrong. Years later, proponents say, the damage contributes to illnesses such as heart disease, neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease or cancer."

In addition to eating foods that may reduce inflammation, foods that actually cause the inflammation should be avoided. Individual biochemistry and genetic makeup differences may render even normally healthy foods as instigators of chronic activation of the immune system in some people and not others.

Cell Science Systems, maker of the ALCAT Test for food and chemical sensitivity, offers a way to pinpoint which foods may be causing inflammation and recommends an individualized dietary regimen to avoid those specific foods.

"The ALCAT Test provides customized feedback as to which foods and chemicals are activating your immune system," said Roger Deutsch, founder of Cell Science Systems and co-author of "Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat". "We believe in eating anti-inflammatory foods; but we also believe in avoiding specific foods that may not be compatible with your own biochemistry. It's all about customization."

According to a study released by the National Institutes of Health, treating Alzheimer's disease with DHA and EPA, found in fish oil and many plant sources, slowed its progression in a subgroup of the study population. While the ultimate goal of consuming anti-inflammatory foods and supplements is to prevent chronic illness, this study lends credence to the value of this emerging field.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

United States Mint Launches Third Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin at Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois

/PRNewswire/ -- The United States Mint launched the third 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin Friday, July 13, on the grounds of Springfield's historic Old State Capitol. The new coin, placed into circulation today, bears a reverse (tails side) design that honors Abraham Lincoln's professional life in Illinois.

"The professional life design--Lincoln speaking in front of the Old State Capitol--sums up his Illinois experience," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. "Illinois is where Lincoln evolved into a successful lawyer and politician. His service in the state legislature and Congress, and his debates with Stephen Douglas, paved the way to his election as President."

United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin joined in the ceremonial launch of the Lincoln professional life one-cent coin. To commemorate the event, children ages 18 and younger received a newly minted one-cent coin bearing the new design, while adults in the crowd exchanged their currency for a minimum of two rolls and up to six rolls of coins bearing the new design. The coins, packaged in two-roll sets, also became available at noon Eastern Time today on the United States Mint Web site, www.usmint.gov, and at the toll-free number 1-800 USA-MINT (872-6468). The set contains one roll of 50 coins from the United States Mint at Philadelphia with no mint mark and one roll of 50 coins from the United States Mint at Denver bearing the "D" mint mark. There is an order limit of five sets per household.

The "professional life" design is the third of four new designs appearing on the reverse of the one-cent coin this year. The coin's reverse--designed by United States Mint Artist Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart--includes the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE CENT. The coin's obverse will continue to feature sculptor Victor David Brenner's familiar likeness of President Lincoln, which debuted in 1909. Inscriptions on the obverse are IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and 2009.

The United States Mint also will issue numismatic versions of the four redesigned one-cent coins with the same metallic content as the 1909 coin (95 percent copper, five percent tin and zinc). These coins will be minted in proof and uncirculated condition, and will be included in the United States Mint's annual sets and other product offerings. The fourth coin in the series, to be released in November, will feature a design emblematic of Lincoln's presidency in Washington, D.C.

Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and gold, silver and platinum bullion coins.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Defining Twilight

RJ Note: Who knew that this latest rage not only has tons of people reading again, but it would be educational too?

(NAPSI)-Fans of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series can't resist the allure of Edward's myriad charms-his ocher eyes and tousled hair, the cadence of his speech, his chiseled, alabaster skin-and it could improve their vocabulary.

A new study guide for mastering these vocabulary words and others found on the SAT, ACT, GED and SSAT exams can help students learn more than 600 words based on their context in the popular vampire-romance series.

To use the book, "Defining Twilight" (Wiley) by Brian Leaf, you refer to the page where each vocabulary word appears, read the word in context and come up with a definition. Then you check your definitions against those provided in the workbook, make corrections and complete the drills.

The book also offers synonyms, word parts and memorization tools as well as drills and quizzes to integrate the new material.

"I would never have believed that students could study vocabulary and enjoy a great book like 'Twilight' at the same time, but Brian Leaf makes it possible," said Peter Facinelli, who plays Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the "Twilight" saga movies.

The book will be followed with a "Defining New Moon" vocabulary guide. To learn more about the book and read an excerpt, visit www.cliffnotes.com/go/definingtwilight and the "Defining Twilight" Facebook page.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

August Rumor Swirls Around Mars

Every year about this time, people say to me, 'Gee, I hear Mars is going to get really close to the Earth in August, and it will look as big as the moon,'" says Emory astronomer Horace Dale. "I wish there was something we could do to stamp out this rumor."

The annual Mars hoax began in 2003. In August of that year, the Red Planet came within 34 million miles of the Earth, which is pretty close, in astronomical terms -- and the closest it had been in more than 59,000 years. But even then, it only looked like a large, bright star to the naked eye.

"If you ever look up in the sky and Mars is the size of the moon, then something has seriously gone wrong with the laws of physics," Dale says.

Dale created a Mars Geocentric Distance Calculator. Read more about this calculator and what it does at eScienceCommons.


-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Moob Reduction?

RJ Note: It is rather fascinating to see man boobs. And, then there are those you see at the beach and you think, "Get some support now."

Gee, men who undergo breast reductions get to use liposuction. Wouldn't it be great for women if they could use the same procedure in reverse to increase size?


Men Around The World Seek Cosmetic Surgery

/24-7/ -- Cosmetic Surgery Guru reveals that men around the world are turning to cosmetic surgery in increasing numbers, driven by the recent economic downturn and a growing concern over "moobs" ("man boobs").

Male cosmetic surgery rates are not only growing in America, the UK and other countries where the stigma attached to male cosmetic surgery has all but disappeared, but in the Middle East too. According to the Dubai Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine (DCAAAM), men now account for one in every five of Dubai's cosmetic surgery patients.

Although non-invasive treatments like Botox and laser hair removal for the back are the most common amongst men, surgical procedures, particularly male breast reduction, are becoming increasingly popular.

Credit Crunch

Public interest in cosmetic surgery has remained strong, despite the credit crunch. Men worldwide are looking to cosmetic surgery to boost their performance in an increasingly competitive job market. Some men who have been made redundant are using cosmetic surgery for therapeutic reasons: to improve self-esteem.

In Dubai, low oil prices and other negative economic factors have caused many people financial problems. Such problems have inspired men to invest in hair and beauty treatments as well as surgery, to boost their employment status as well as their confidence. The DCAAM predict that by 2013, men in Dubai will be spending $100 billion on cosmetic surgery each year.

"Moobs"

Gynaecomastia, enlargement of the male breast tissue, is becoming a serious concern to a growing number of men worldwide. Bryan Mayou of London's Cadogan Clinic sees "an increasing number of men coming into (his) clinic with body-image problems and low self-esteem because of this particular condition."

Gynaecomastia currently affects 40-60% of men to varying degrees, although this figure is set to rise in line with obesity rates. Some scientists blame high levels of the female hormone oestrogen in food and drink for accentuating the problem. Men feel most inhibited by the condition in summer months, when they would normally remove clothing in hot weather or when swimming.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), 44% more male breast reduction surgeries have taken place this year compared with last. In Scotland, this figure is closer to 80%. The male breast reduction process, which takes place under general anaesthetic, involves making small incisions under the armpits of the patient so that liposuction can be used to remove excess fat from the breast area.

In the UK, where men account for 10% of all cosmetic surgery patients, breast reduction has replaced the facelift as the fifth most popular male cosmetic surgery procedure. 323 male breast reduction procedures were carried out last year, compared with just 22 five years ago.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page