Breaking News: Oil Spill; Obama Ratings Drop 05-26-2010

May 26, 2010- In a poll conducted by USA today, Americans gave Obama and BP terrible grades when it comes to dealing with the oil spill. Nearly 75% of those surveyed Monday and Tuesday say BP is doing a "poor" or "very poor" job in handling the calamity. 60% say the same of the federal government, and a 53% majority give Obama a poor rating.  Who should be in charge of cleanup efforts? More than two-thirds say BP, not the federal government. Now granted, these are statistics and those created by USA today nonetheless, they didn't say how many people they polled or the demographics. 

History of Memorial Day - 2010

As most everybody in the U.S. knows at this point, this coming Monday, May 31, 2010 is memorial.  Most everybody knows that because unless you work in the restaurant business or the medical field, you probably have the day off work or school.  Most people do not know the history of memorial day, until I did the research, I had no idea the history of memorial day either.  Here are some facts to brush up on your history knowledge of memorial day...just in case anybody asks:

• The first official observance was of Memorial day was in 1971, but before Memorial Day, in 1868, the country observed Decoration Day.
• Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetary.  
• During the first Decoration  Day, 5,0000 people turned out at Arlington National Cemetery to decorate the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers.
• The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states.

• In the late 1800s more communities celebrated the day as Memorial Day and following World War I, Memorial Day observances began to honor all Americans killed in war. History.com notes, however, that it wasn't until 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday.

Super Bowl 2014 in New York

May 25, 2010 - NFL owners voted today that the 2014 Super Bowl will be held in New York City/East Rutherford, New Jersey at the Giants/Jets stadium.  The 2014 Super Bowl will be played outside...and it's going to be cold. The coldest Super Bowl to date was held in New Orleans in 1972 at 39 degrees.  Predictions for the 2014 Super Bowl temperature are set at 37 degrees thus far.

Owners that voted for the Super Bowl of 2014 to be played in New York expressed their excitement for the outcome: "This is a unique opportunity to play the biggest game in the world on the biggest stage in the world," Giants co-owner and president John Mara said after his group won out over Tampa's bid on the fourth ballot of the league's 32 owners. "I want to thank the rest of the owners for having the guts to make history." 


However; not everybody is thrilled to weather the cold: "When we arrived here two days ago, we were literally told when we walked in the doorway, 'Why are you here? You don't have a chance,''' said Paul Catoe, CEO of Tampa Bay & Company, which last week landed the 2012 Republican National Convention. "We kicked and clawed our way to the point where I think there was a lot of anxiety on [New York's] part. I think they believed they'd get it on the first one."


As for me, I'll be looking forward to watching it in my living room, the coldest thing being a beer in my hand.  

Rock the Bells LineUp -05-25-2010

The line up for the Rock the Bells tour starting August 21, 2010 has been released today.  The Rock the Bells 2010 tour will hit four cities starting in San Bernardino, CA then moving to Shoreline Amphitheater outside San Francisco, CA on August 22, then to Governor's Island in New York on August 28 and finally ending at Merriweather Post Pavilian in Maryland and right outside Washington, D.C. on August 29. The current line up for the Rock the Bells Tour for 2010 includes the following bands:

• Wu Tang Clan
• Rakim + KRS-One
• Slick Rick
• Street Sweeper Social Club
• Murs & 9th Wonder
• Wiz Kalhifa + Clipse
• Immortal Technique
• Brother Ali
• Jedi Mind Tricks
• Supernatural
• DJ Muggs with Ill Bill
• DJ Rocky Rock + Big Sean + Yelawolf
• Freestyle Session B-Boy Showcase
• Special Guest: Lauryn Hill
• *More to be announced at a later date

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Haiti Relief  Effort through the Hip-Hop and Hope for Haiti Organization. Ticketing information has not been released yet.  Official Site here: Rock the Bells.

Britney Murphy's Husband Dead: 05-23-2010

Simon Monjack, the husband of Brittany Murphy was found dead late Sunday night at his Los Angeles home, nearly five months after Brittany Murphy passed away.  Police say Monjack's death was due to natural causes.  Police found no evidence of violence or foul play that would have caused his death.  Fire fighters found Simon Monjack dead after receiving an emergency call at 9:40 pm.  Because there was no evidence of criminal activity, a Los Angeles Coroner's office is taking over the investigation will later provide more details on the death. 

French Open Schedule 2010: 05-24-2010: Day 2

Below is the schedule for Day 2 of the French Open: May 24, 2010

Court Philippe Chatrier  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) v. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[3] 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Roger Federer (SUI)[1] v. Peter Luczak (AUS) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Serena Williams (USA)[1] v. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Florian Mayer (GER) v. Gael Monfils (FRA)[13] 

Court Suzanne Lenglen  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v. Na Li (CHN)[11] 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Evgeny Korolev (KAZ) v. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3] 

3. Men's Singles - First Round 

Andy Murray (GBR)[4] v. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 

4. Women's Singles - First Round 

Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[4] v. Alicia Molik (AUS) 

Court 1  11:00 Start Time 

1. Men's Singles - First Round 

Benoit Paire (FRA) v. Olivier Rochus (BEL) 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Roberta Vinci (ITA) v. Virginie Razzano (FRA) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Kai-Chen Chang (TPE) v. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Michael Llodra (FRA) v. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)[24] 

Court 2  11:00 Start Time 

1. Men's Singles - First Round 

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)[20] v. Jan Hajek (CZE) 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Elena Dementieva (RUS)[5] v. Petra Martic (CRO) 

3. Men's Singles - First Round 

Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) v. Marcel Granollers (ESP) 

4. Women's Singles - First Round 

Kaia Kanepi (EST) v. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 

Court 3  11:00 Start Time 

1. Men's Singles - First Round 

Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) v. Taylor Dent (USA) 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Julie Coin (FRA) v. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR)[32] 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Elena Baltacha (GBR) v. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[8] 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Thiago Alves (BRA) v. Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)[12] 

Court 4  11:00 Start Time 

1. Men's Singles - First Round 

Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) v. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) v. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Melinda Czink (HUN) v. Julia Goerges (GER) 

4. Women's Singles - First Round 

Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) v. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 

Court 5  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) v. Kurumi Nara (JPN) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Philipp Petzschner (GER) v. Carsten Ball (AUS) 

3. Men's Singles - First Round 

Rajeev Ram (USA) v. Yuri Schukin (KAZ) 

Court 6  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Jelena Dokic (AUS) v. Lucie Safarova (CZE)[24] 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Misaki Doi (JPN) v. Polona Hercog (SLO) 

3. Men's Singles - First Round 

Kei Nishikori (JPN) v. Santiago Giraldo (COL) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Ivan Ljubicic (CRO)[14] v. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) 

Court 7  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Stephanie Dubois (CAN) v. Stephanie Cohen-Aloro (FRA) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Jesse Witten (USA) v. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)[25] 

3. Men's Singles - First Round 

Arnaud Clement (FRA) v. Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr (UKR) 

Court 8  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Melanie Oudin (USA) v. A. Medina Garrigues (ESP) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Pablo Andujar (ESP) v. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) v. Rossana De Los Rios (PAR) 

4. Women's Singles - First Round 

Simona Halep (ROU) v. Samantha Stosur (AUS)[7] 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Victor Hanescu (ROU)[31] v. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 

Court 10  11:00 Start Time 

1. Men's Singles - First Round 

Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) v. Andreas Beck (GER) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Leonardo Mayer (ARG) v. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Sara Errani (ITA) v. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 

Court 11  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Kristina Barrois (GER) v. Tathiana Garbin (ITA) 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) v. Tatjana Malek (GER) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)[31] v. Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Michael Berrer (GER) v. Mardy Fish (USA) 

French Open Schedule 2010: 05-23-2010

Below is the Schedule for Day 1 of the French Open on May 23, 2010:

Schedule for Day 1: Sunday, 23 May 2010 

Court Philippe Chatrier  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[6] v. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Laurent Recouderc (FRA) v. Robin Soderling (SWE)[5] 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Aravane Rezai (FRA)[15] v. Heidi El Tabakh (CAN) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Daniel Brands (GER) v. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)[8] 

Court Suzanne Lenglen  11:00 Start Time 

1. Men's Singles - First Round 

Marin Cilic (CRO)[10] v. Ricardo Mello (BRA) 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Gisela Dulko (ARG) v. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[10] 

3. Men's Singles - First Round 

Julien Benneteau (FRA) v. Ernests Gulbis (LAT)[23] 

4. Women's Singles - First Round 

Patty Schnyder (SUI) v. Venus Williams (USA)[2] 

Court 1  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Mathilde Johansson (FRA) v. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)[11] v. Michal Przysiezny (POL) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Flavia Pennetta (ITA)[14] v. Anne Keothavong (GBR) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Josselin Ouanna (FRA) v. Lukasz Kubot (POL) 

Court 2  11:00 Start Time 

1. Men's Singles - First Round 

Olivier Patience (FRA) v. Thiemo De Bakker (NED) 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Karolina Sprem (CRO) v. Maria Kirilenko (RUS)[30] 

3. Men's Singles - First Round 

Stephane Robert (FRA) v. Tobias Kamke (GER) 

4. Women's Singles - First Round 

Agnes Szavay (HUN) v. Stephanie Foretz (FRA) 

Court 3  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)[26] v. Ekaterina Ivanova (RUS) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) v. Alejandro Falla (COL) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP)[20] 

v. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Somdev Devvarman (IND) v. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 

Court 6  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Christina Mchale (USA) v. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)[32] v. Rainer Schuettler (GER) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) v. Angelique Kerber (GER) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) v. Ryan Sweeting (USA) 

Court 7  11:00 Start Time 

1. Men's Singles - First Round 

Nicolas Massu (CHI) v. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 

2. Women's Singles - First Round 

Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) v. Claire Feuerstein (FRA) 

3. Men's Singles - First Round 

Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) v. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 

4. Women's Singles - First Round 

Shuai Zhang (CHN) v. Nadia Petrova (RUS)[19] 

Court 17  11:00 Start Time 

1. Women's Singles - First Round 

Elena Vesnina (RUS) v. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 

2. Men's Singles - First Round 

Albert Montanes (ESP)[29] v. Stefano Galvani (ITA) 

3. Women's Singles - First Round 

Johanna Larsson (SWE) v. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 

4. Men's Singles - First Round 

Michael Yani (USA) v. Lukas Lacko (SVK) 

DC Chili Cookoff 5-22-2010

Have plans this Saturday? If not, it is going to be a beautiful day.  Attend the DC101 Chili Cook-Off located at RFK stadium.  Tickets are $35 in advance or $55 at the door.  Gates open at 12:00 PM and the Cook-Off goes until 9:00 pm.  Looking for the band line up? Its going to be a good one.  Schedule is as follows:

Tears of Mars: 12:45 - 1:25
Anberlin: 1:55-2:35
Switchfoot: 3:05-3:50
Cage the Elephant: 4:20 to 5:05
Alice in Chains: 5:35 - 6:50
Stone Temple Pilots: 7:30 - 9:00

In addition to the bands there is going to be BEER and of course... Chili (duh).

Buy your tickets and find out more information here: http://www.dc101chilicookoff.com/main.html

May 19, 2010: Oil Slick Spreads to Loop Current

May 19, 2010: The federal government reported to today that "small portions" of the BP oil slick have spread tot he Loop Current.  The Loop Current is a warm ocean current in the Gulf of Mexico that flows northward between Cuba and the Yucatán peninsula, moves north into the Gulf of Mexico, loops west and south before exiting to the east through the Florida Straits.  The federal government stated that that spread is in "sheens to very light sheens", seeming to downplay the seriousness of the situation, however; they then warned that "in the time it would take for oil to travel to the vicinity of the Florida Straits, any oil would be highly weathered and both the natural process of evaporation and the application of chemical dispersants would reduce the oil volume significantly."

The NOAA stated that in order for the oil that is trapped in the Loop Current to reach the Florida shoreline, persistent onshore winds or an eddy would be necessary.  By the time the oil would reach the shoreline, the weather would be weathered and diluted and "would likely appear in isolated locations in the form of tar balls."

May 17, 2010: Cure for Broken Bones?

After researching broken bones in mice, a team of researchers at Stanford University may have found a way to cure human bones...cast free.  The cure involves a protein shot injected into holes of the fractured bone.  The protein shot aids stem cells in dividing, thus causing the bone to heal essentially, on its own. 

The proteins to thank for this phenomenon are call Wnt Proteins. Wnt proteins form a family of highly conserved secreted signaling molecules that regulate cell-to-cell interactions during embryogenesis. Insights into the mechanisms of Wnt action have emerged from several systems: genetics in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans; biochemistry in cell culture and ectopic gene expression in Xenopus embryos. Mutations in Wnt genes or Wnt pathway components lead to specific developmental defects, while various human diseases, including cancer, are caused by abnormal Wnt signaling. As currently understood, Wnt proteins bind to receptors of the Frizzled and LRP families on the cell surface. Through several cytoplasmic relay components, the signal is transduced to beta-catenin, which enters the nucleus and forms a complex with TCF to activate transcription of Wnt target genes.

NatureNews, which appears in the journal Science Translational Medicine, and quoted a Columbia University expert who called the work "a major technological advance." But developmental biologist Roel Nusse, PhD, stressed there is still a lot of work to do:

Before starting clinical trials, the team will first have to determine whether the Wnt therapy is safe at high doses and over prolonged periods of time. Humans and mice share a similar Wnt pathway, Nusse says. "It's not unlikely that it would work in humans," he says. "But I don't know how dramatic the effect is going to be."

May 12, 2010: One Child Survives Tragic Plane Crash, Leaving 103 Other Passengers Dead

A 10-year old boy was the only survivor in a deadly plane crash in Tripoli, Libya on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 that left all other passengers dead.  The boy was in serious condition with bruises on his head and face, and multiple fractures in both legs, however; only after hours of being in the hospital, the Doctors deemed him clear of life threatening injuries. 

Many of the victims were Dutch tourists, returning from Spring Break in South Africa when the plane crashed only minutes before landing.  The cause of the accident is yet to be determined but both of the plane's black boxes have been found and are currently under investigation.  

May 11, 2010: Man Killed in His Home After Posting Ad on Craig's List; Family Tortured

A man was killed in New York on May 10, 2010 after agreeing to meet prospective buyers for a ring he posted on Craig's List at his home on Monday.  A man and a woman claiming to be a couple and planning to buy the ring for their Mother in Law, came to the man's house, interested in buying the ring and then pulled a gun on the man after he invited them into his home.  The man, his wife, and his two sons were contained with plastic handcuffs by the woman and the man, while two other men entered the house.  2 of the men were kicking the Mom in the head.  The Father was shot 3 times.  All suspects were in their early twenties.  They have pled 'not guilty' and are currently being held at $2 million bail.  More details here: 3 Plead Not Guily in Deadly Home Invasion Linked to Internet Ad.

Influx of Orphans Raise to Alarming Numbers from Aftermath of January 2010 Earthquake

May 10, 2010: Due to the aftermath of the 7.0 Earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010 where hundreds of thousands were left dead or injured, the increase in Children left to be taken care of at orphans has hit enormous numbers.  960 children have been abandoned or lost since the earthquake and are now registered with the United Nations Children's fund.  Parents have been forced to leave their children, hoping that they will be fed at last one meal a day at the orphanages.  Most were barely able to feed their children before the earthquake, and now with the devastation after the earthquake, they worse off than before.  For more information or to volunteer to help Haiti, please visit www.interaction.org. 

Top baby names for boys and girls as of May 07, 2010:

As of today, May 07, 2010, the most popular baby name for a girl is 'Isabella' and the top baby name for a boy is Jacob.  Jacob, I mean, really? The most popular baby name for a girl was Emma and back in 2009 the fastest rising baby girl name was 'Malia' after Barack Obama's daughter of course. 

More popular baby names here: Isabella top name for girls; Jacob No. 1 for Boys

May 06, 2010 Stock Market Crash News Update

May 07, 2010: Following up on yesterday's post about the 1000 point drop in the stock market, initially, reports claimed that the crash was due to the economic hardship in Greece.  However, rumors that Citigroup made a faulty trade, accidentally typing 1 billion instead of 1 million, escalated late yesterday afternoon.   Today's reports are saying that Citigroup is denying the error.  Citigroup's bank spokesman, Steven Cohen, made a statement that "At this point, we have no evidence that Citi was involved in any erroneous transaction."  The market was already down 200 points for the day when the crash occurred and New York Stock Exchange experts claim that it was headed for a crash.  The Dow dropped 631 points over the course of the 3 days due to the concerns about Greece's debt repayment. 

More information can be found at Citigroup Trading Error Cause Market to Crash? Citgroup says No.

May 06, 2010: Breaking News: DOW plunges almost 1000 Points Before Making a Quick Recovery

May 6, 2010: The DOW Jones plummeted to 10,075.57 today after investors panicked over Greece's debt crisis.  Long standing hold steady stocks dropped to lows that haven't been hit in months. Apple (AAPL) dropped to 199.60 and Google (GOOG) dropped to 460.00.  Within a half hour, the DOW jumped back up and stocks quickly recovered, but the quick downfall had investors in a panic.  As Greece's debt crisis intensifies, the Euro continues to drop in value and the world is slowly beginning to see the effects.  For some great information surrounding this issue, visit the following links:

• Stocks Plunge, Then Recover As Debt Worries Slam Markets
• Europe's financial crisis: as it happened
• Stocks Extend Plunge on Concerns About Greece
• Stocks Dive as European Debt Scare Shakes US

May 6, 2010: Johnson and Johnson Children's Medicine Recall Update: Bacteria Identified

The FDA identified the recently unconfirmed bacteria that was found in the drums used to transport the raw materials used to make the recalled childrens' drugs.  The bacteria, Burkholdaria cepacia (B-cepacia), is not generally harmful to a healthy individual, but can be harmful to persons with weakened immune systems.  Johnson and Johnson claimed that the drums containing the contaminated raw material never made it to the Fort Washington, PA factory, where the drugs were being produced.   The FDA and Johnson and Johnson hold opposing claims on the contaminated drums; Marc Boston, spokesman of Johnson and Johnson, stating that "Remaining drums from that lot were sent to us, all of which tested negative for bacteria. Samples of the finished product also tested negative", while the 17 page FDA report stated that some drums at the For Washington, PA plant were found to be contaminated with B-cepacia.

I conducted some further research of my own on B-cepacia and found the following facts:

• B-cepacia is a nonfermentative, aerobic, gram-negative bacillus formerly classified as Pseudomonas. Unlike Pseudomonas aeruginosa, B-cepacia is an organism of low virulence with a limited ability to cause infection in humans.
• B-cepacia can generally be found in antiseptic soaps and hand lotion, respiratory equipment or fluids, intravenous lines or fluids, pressure monitoring devices and in urine
• In rare cases, B-cepacia can be the cause of nosocomial pneumonia
• B-cepacia iss resistant to many antibiotics and can be very difficult to treat. It does not pose a threat to most healthy adult, but those who are at risk can become severely ill, suffer long-term damage to their health, and even die from the disease.
• B. cepacia infection does not always show symptoms. The symptoms mimic any other lung infection, putting those with lung disease at risk for delayed diagnosis. Symptoms include cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, congestion, and fever. A culture is necessary for diagnosis.
• t is difficult to avoid exposure to B. cepacia, but there are some things that can minimize the risk. Awareness and avoidance of people who are infected as well as contaminated substances is first and foremost. Of course, proper hand washing and cleaning of surfaces is a must.

May 2010: J&J Recall of Children's and Infants OTC Products; FDA Follow-up Criticizes Factory Conditions

Johnson and Johnson voluntarily recalled 1,500 various lots of over the counter liquid medicines including Tylenol, Motrin and Benadryl, intended for infants and children on April 30, 2010. There are a slew of issues concerning the recalled products including some containing a higher content of active ingredients than noted on the label, some containing possibly harmful particles, and some with inactive ingredients that may be harmful as well.& While the issues found with the recalled products have minimal chance of causing serious health effects, they do not meet internal testing requirements and should not have been put on the shelves for consumers.

An FDA inspection report conducted in late April found multiple quality assurance concerns with the Fort Washington, PA plant and the FDA is now considering criminal charges. The report showed evidence of Johnson and Johnson's acceptance of raw materials from vendors that were infected with an unidentified bacteria. Johnson and Johnson is temporarily ceasing production at the plant, claiming that they have the best interest of their customers in mind at all times. Johnson and Johnson has held high reputation for integrity among its customers when most remember the 31 million bottle recall of Tylenol back in 1982, after 7 deaths were related to Cyanide-laced pills

2010 List of Johnson and Johnson Recalled Childrens' and Infants' Products:

• Concentrated Tylenol Infant Drops, Grape Flavor (1.0 oz and 0.5 oz)
• Concentrated Tylenol Infant Drops, Cherry Dye Free (1.0 oz)
• Concentrated Tylenol Infant Drops, Cherry Flavor (1.0 oz and 0.5 oz)
• Concentrated Tylenol Infant Drops, Grape Flavor; hospital (0.5 oz)
• Concentrated Tylenol Infant Drops, Grape Flavor; sample (0.25 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Suspension, Cherry Blast Flavor (1.0 oz sample, 2.0 oz and 4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Dye-Free Suspension, Cherry Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Suspension, Grape Splash Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Suspension, Bubblegum Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Suspension, Very Berry Strawberry Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Suspension, Cherry Blast Flavor; hospital (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Suspension, Cough and Sore Throat Cherry Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Suspension, Cough and Runny Nose Cherry Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Dye Free Suspension, Cough and Stuffy Nose Grape Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Dye Free Suspension, Cold and Cough Grape Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Dye Free Suspension, Multi-Symptom Cold Grape Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Suspension, Flue Bubblegum Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Suspension, Cold Grape Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Suspension, Cold and Allergy Bubblegum Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Tylenol Plus Suspension, Multi-Symptom Cold Grape Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Concentrated Motrin Infants' Drops, Berry Dye Free (1.0 oz and 0.5 oz)
• Concentrated Motrin Infants' Drops, Berry Flavor (0.5 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Berry Dye Free (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Berry Flavor (2.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Berry Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Tropical Punch Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Grape Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Bubblegum Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Grape Flavor; sample (1.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Bubblegum Flavor; sample (1.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Berry Flavor; sample (1.0 oz) 
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Berry Flavor; Hospital (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Motrin Suspension, Cold Berry Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Zyrtec, Bubblegum Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Zyrtec, Dye Free Grape Syrup (4.0 oz)
• Childrens' Zyrtec, Sugar Free Dye Free Grape (0.5 oz)
• Childrens' Zyrtec, Sugar Free Dye Free Bubblegum (0.5 oz)
• Childrens' Zyrtec, Sugar Free Dye Free Bubblegum Liquid (2X4 oz)
• Childrens' Benadryl Allergy Liquid in Bottles
• Childrens' Benadryl Allergy Liquid, Bubblegum Flavor (4.0 oz)
• Concentrated Tylenol Infants' Drops, Grape Flavor (0.5 oz and also included in Johnson's Baby Relief Kit
• Concentrated Tylenol Infants' Drops, Bubblegum Flavored Liquid (0.5 oz and also included in Johnson's Baby Relief Kit

 More information on this article can be found at Johnson and Johnson's Corporate Website.
 

May 4, 2010: 40 Bodies found in Riverdale, Md in Garage of Local Funeral Home

A local funeral home in Prince Georges County, Riverdale, Md was shut down when a state inspector found 40 bodies, lying in piles in the garage of the funeral home.  The bodies were meant to be cremated, but instead were thrown into a garage, some leaking fluids and without name tags.  The funeral home will be allowed to to cremate the bodies and carry out funeral services before they are shut down and before their license is officially suspended.  William Chambers, one of the owners of the funeral home, is planning on fighting the license suspension, claiming "We felt we handled things appropriately, but the board felt differently.  We have limited space, and things were in disarray.  It was unacceptable."

View the full story here: Riverdale funeral home closed after 40 bodies found stacked in garage

April 27, 2010 - Peritoneal Mesothelioma Linked to Asbestos, Inspector Falsifies Building Tests

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer found in the abdominal lining (medical term 'peritoneum').  Only 100 - 500 cases of Peritoneal Mesothelioma are reported each year in the United States.  While Peritoneal Mesothelioma is often considered a type of lung cancer, this is not actually the case. Peritoneal Mesothelioma often spreads to the lungs, in which case it will be considered a secondary lung cancer.  The only known cause of Peritoneal Mesothelioma is inhalation of asbestos.  Asbestos are fibrous minerals that are generally used commercially by man.  Asbestos are generally used to strengthen substances because they are resistant to heat and chemical destruction, therefore, they are found most often used in industry and construction.  Peritoneal Mesothelioma develops when the asbestos fibers get lodged into the peritoneum of the abdomen.  While it is unclear how the fibers get lodged into the peritoneum, a common conception is that they are ingested with food or drink.

Given the seriousness of this disease, buildings are subject to testing related to asbestos and lead to ensure residents are not in danger.  However, a safety inspector Saverio F. Todaro, 68, plead guilty in his trial for falsifying the results of over 200 building tests.  His reports claimed that the buildings were free of asbestos and lead but in actuality, Todaro never performed a single test on any of those buildings.  Todaro's plea has opened up a slew of investigations on other safety inspectors in the Manhattan area. 

You can find the full story from New York Times here: Inspector Says He Faked Data in New York Building Tests

Healthiest Cities of 2010

May 04, 2010 -  Could your place of residence be contributing to your healthy lifestyle (or lack thereof)?  Check Gallup's top  fittest/healthiest cities in the United States for 2010.  The fittest or healthiest cities were determined based on telephone surveys that provided information regarding BMI (body mass index) based on height and weigh. They also factored in lifestyle habits including eating, exercising and access to health insurance:

1. Fort Collins, Loveland, Colorado (16% obesity rate):
2. Boulder, Colorado (16.6% obesity rate):
3. Barnstable Town, Massacusettes (16.9% obesity rate):
4. Colorado Springs, Colorado (17.2% obesity rate):
5. San Luis Obispo/Paso Robles, California (17.6% obesity rate)
6. Reno/Sparks, Nevada (17.7% obesity rate)
7. Santa Cruz/Watsonville, California (17.9% obesity rate)
8. San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, California (19% obesity rate)
9. San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, California (19.2% obesity rate)
10. Denver/Aurora, Colorado (19.3% obesity rate)
11. Bridgeport/Stamford/Norwalk, Connecticut (19.3% obesity rate)

It looks like Colorado and California takes the cake as far as healthiest states are concerned. Now if only they could work on that cost of living...