For Babble.com
http://www.babble.com/having-children-religious-awakening/
It took a forced conversion to Islam on the day of my wedding to my Muslim husband to make me realize how much I missed Christianity, my childhood faith.
Islam is a great religion, but it didn't feel right to be mandated to change my religion in order to get married. A West African immigrant, my mother was a Protestant for a number of years and then a Quaker. There were certainly some months where she did not go to church every Sunday, but my mother always spoke with me about the spiritual aspects of nature, social issues, equality and inequality, doing the right thing.
And as soon as I became a mother, I desperately wanted to make sure my son would grow up with Christmas carols and Easter egg hunts. I started going to church, well, religiously. People who knew me, including relatives, were shocked.
But I wanted to create a religious foundation for my family. I wanted my son to be baptized and to have some sense of belonging to something larger than himself and our family. We joined a wonderful Presbyterian church in Manhattan.
And yet, it hasn't been as easy as I thought it would be to avoid feeling conflicted sometimes, particularly when it concerns secular considerations, including social, political and racial issues.
I'm a black mom who happens to be half-white, so when the Trinity Church scandal was erupting, I found myself thinking a lot about the political basis of African-American church history. Trinity Church, like so many evangelical megachurches throughout the country, had a superstar pastor, packed services, fantastic gospel singing and ministries that provided essential and admirable support services to the poor, sick, hungry, homeless and downtrodden.
African-American churches have been political gathering spots stretching back to the days of the slave trade. Many pastors and ministers urge their congregations to strive to understand the causes and dynamics of power, money, politics, imperialism and racism.
And all of that was great, it just wasn't for me.
I didn't grow up attending that kind of church, and I didn't enjoy contentious religious-political debates every week (at church or at the obligatory post-church brunch), plus the worship style was totally different from what I like. I crave sedate, peaceful worship.
One recent Sunday, I struck up a conversation with an amiable African woman on the subway. She was from the same country as my mother and so, predictably, invited me to her church. "I belong to a church already," I explained. She looked even more concerned when I told her the name and location, a wealthy white area. "Do you really like it there?" she asked as if I were a wounded bird. "Do they accept you?"
On the flip side, whenever some white, non-religious acquaintances learn I attend church, I can feel them pause. Are they wondering if I am secretly in league with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, ready with razor-sharp race-based observations about the divide between the haves and have-nots and their chances at entry into the kingdom of God? But I don't talk to angels every night about how Doomsday is near. I'm just a regular person.
Even a few seemingly open-minded members of my own church have expressed wonder that we're there. One well-meaning woman approached me one day when I was brand new to the church.
"I think it's lovely that your little one comes here to church," she told me. Then her expression turned solemn as she looked over at my son, who has a Muslim name and a Middle-Eastern appearance. "Get in as much as you can," she implored me, "before he goes back to his father's religion."
Which brings me to my son's father. He doesn't have any hands-on religious parenting responsibilities right now, as he's not living in the country. My husband's pretty liberal, but I expect he will want to talk about religion with our son soon.
We both agree that it would be great to have the family participate in some special breaking-the-fast Eid dinners during the month of Ramadan. After all, who doesn't enjoy sharing a special tasty meal and good company? But my son's father told me he also wants our child to fast during the holiest month in Islam. Even drinking water is forbidden for children of fasting age, and depending on who you ask, obligatory fasting starts as young as age seven.
"Are you going to fast every day?" I ask my son's father. He dodges the question, saying something about how mothers from "all religions" like to fast with their children. Hmmm, I don't recall getting that memo. Clearly our family has more than a few things we need to iron out.
In the years to come, I'm hoping my son and I will have some good conversations about religion and culture and society and politics. I expect there may be some frustrating conversations as well. For now, we're hardly at the point of discussing the Sunni-Shia divide in the Muslim world or analyzing the Black Liberation Theology Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.
Recently, though, my son asked me, "Who is that man?" and he pointed at an image of the disciples surrounding Jesus. It was all beautifully etched onto the stained glass windows of our church.
"Who do you think he is?" I asked my son. And he just smiled back at me, a beautiful smile, as if he suddenly knew the answer.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Friday, February 01, 2008
NY companies pass on Super Bowl ads
Crain's New York Business
Pamela Appea
Published: January 29, 2008 - 2:52 pm
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/FREE/158208374&SearchID=73307343047348
The New York Giants can’t seem to get enough love from New York advertisers.
Of approximately 30 companies signed on to advertise during the Feb. 3. game, only four are located in New York—E*Trade Financial Corp., New Line Cinema Corp., Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures and Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Brothers.
New Line will feature a spot from actor Will Ferrell’s new movie Semi-Pro with a tie-in from beer company Anheuser-Busch, while Paramount Pictures will have a 30-second spot promoting its upcoming Iron Man movie.
Warner Brothers hasn’t made public its planned ad, but likely candidates include 10,000 B.C., set for a March release, and Speed Racer, which opens in May.
And E*Trade will shell out over $5 million for two thirty-second spots in the third and fourth quarters; high-profile ads the brokerage helps will boost its struggling business.
This year will feature some Super Bowl stalwarts, including the National Football League, Frito-Lay and CareerBuilder.com, while companies that include Victoria’s Secret and Kraft Food will get their first Super Bowl Slot in nearly a decade, according to Travis York, president of Manchester, N.H.-based marketing firm Griffin, York & Krause.
New York companies will regret not getting in the game. Companies with Super Bowl ads have seen their stock prices top the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in 10 out of the last 12 years, according to a recent study by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
They’re also virtually guaranteed at least 93 million viewers.
“The teams in the game don’t typically have much to do with which advertisers get involved,” Mr. York said.
“But of course having major-market teams will certainly increase overall viewership, making advertising during the game even more appealing.” And not everyone’s in it for the game.
According to a recent study by the Retail Advertising & Marketing Association, over 36% of Super Bowl viewers tune into the game specifically to watch commercials.
Fox, which will broadcast the game, is expected to receive anywhere from $2.6 million to $3 million for each 30-second spot it sells, and one television executive believes Giant fever could increase Fox’s pre- and post-Super Bowl ad spending by as much as 50%.
Total ad spending is expected to hit $275 million.
Pamela Appea
Published: January 29, 2008 - 2:52 pm
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/FREE/158208374&SearchID=73307343047348
The New York Giants can’t seem to get enough love from New York advertisers.
Of approximately 30 companies signed on to advertise during the Feb. 3. game, only four are located in New York—E*Trade Financial Corp., New Line Cinema Corp., Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures and Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Brothers.
New Line will feature a spot from actor Will Ferrell’s new movie Semi-Pro with a tie-in from beer company Anheuser-Busch, while Paramount Pictures will have a 30-second spot promoting its upcoming Iron Man movie.
Warner Brothers hasn’t made public its planned ad, but likely candidates include 10,000 B.C., set for a March release, and Speed Racer, which opens in May.
And E*Trade will shell out over $5 million for two thirty-second spots in the third and fourth quarters; high-profile ads the brokerage helps will boost its struggling business.
This year will feature some Super Bowl stalwarts, including the National Football League, Frito-Lay and CareerBuilder.com, while companies that include Victoria’s Secret and Kraft Food will get their first Super Bowl Slot in nearly a decade, according to Travis York, president of Manchester, N.H.-based marketing firm Griffin, York & Krause.
New York companies will regret not getting in the game. Companies with Super Bowl ads have seen their stock prices top the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in 10 out of the last 12 years, according to a recent study by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
They’re also virtually guaranteed at least 93 million viewers.
“The teams in the game don’t typically have much to do with which advertisers get involved,” Mr. York said.
“But of course having major-market teams will certainly increase overall viewership, making advertising during the game even more appealing.” And not everyone’s in it for the game.
According to a recent study by the Retail Advertising & Marketing Association, over 36% of Super Bowl viewers tune into the game specifically to watch commercials.
Fox, which will broadcast the game, is expected to receive anywhere from $2.6 million to $3 million for each 30-second spot it sells, and one television executive believes Giant fever could increase Fox’s pre- and post-Super Bowl ad spending by as much as 50%.
Total ad spending is expected to hit $275 million.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Giants kicker named spokesman for resume site
Lawrence Tynes, the foot behind the 47-yard field goal that won the Giants their ticket to the Super Bowl, will be the new spokesman for Workblast.com.
By Pamela Appea
Crain's New York Business
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/FREE/92312482
New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes on Tuesday inked a deal to become the new spokesman for Workblast.com, a Phoenix, Ariz.-based video resume company.
“Here’s a guy that has had to work his way into the NFL through the CFL and NFL Europe with tryouts and video clips, and now he’s kicked his team into the Super Bowl,” Workblast Chief Executive Nick Murphy said in a statement.
“Lawrence is a tremendous competitor and a great role model.”
Mr. Tynes recently catapulted to stardom as the foot behind the 47-yard field goal that won the Giants their ticket to the Super Bowl in overtime on a Jan. 20 game against the Green Bay Packers.
He’s also known for missing the two field goals before the winning kick, earning him a harsh reproof from Giants Coach Tom Coughlin.
The 6”1, 202 lb.-NFL star has received dozens of media requests for interviews, after the now infamous NFC game that will put the Giants in the Super Bowl for the first time in over five years.
Mr. Tynes, 29, even landed a spot on The Late Show With David Letterman.
Workblast, which launched last year, uses specialized technology to allow employers to search, screen and hire candidates via on-demand video resumes and portfolios.
Mr. Tynes, a native of Scotland, has been playing for the New York Giants since 2004.
Previously he played for the Kansas City Chiefs and for the Ottawa Renegades in Canada and the Scottish Claymores in Scotland.
By Pamela Appea
Crain's New York Business
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/FREE/92312482
New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes on Tuesday inked a deal to become the new spokesman for Workblast.com, a Phoenix, Ariz.-based video resume company.
“Here’s a guy that has had to work his way into the NFL through the CFL and NFL Europe with tryouts and video clips, and now he’s kicked his team into the Super Bowl,” Workblast Chief Executive Nick Murphy said in a statement.
“Lawrence is a tremendous competitor and a great role model.”
Mr. Tynes recently catapulted to stardom as the foot behind the 47-yard field goal that won the Giants their ticket to the Super Bowl in overtime on a Jan. 20 game against the Green Bay Packers.
He’s also known for missing the two field goals before the winning kick, earning him a harsh reproof from Giants Coach Tom Coughlin.
The 6”1, 202 lb.-NFL star has received dozens of media requests for interviews, after the now infamous NFC game that will put the Giants in the Super Bowl for the first time in over five years.
Mr. Tynes, 29, even landed a spot on The Late Show With David Letterman.
Workblast, which launched last year, uses specialized technology to allow employers to search, screen and hire candidates via on-demand video resumes and portfolios.
Mr. Tynes, a native of Scotland, has been playing for the New York Giants since 2004.
Previously he played for the Kansas City Chiefs and for the Ottawa Renegades in Canada and the Scottish Claymores in Scotland.
Comverse probe confirms backdating scheme
Crain's New York Business
By Pamela Appea
The independent probe confirmed allegations of stock-option backdating and earnings manipulation at the company, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/FREE/881233965&SearchID=73307342812845
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comverse Technology Inc. said that a board committee completed its independent probe of the company, confirming allegations of stock-option backdating and earnings manipulation. The Manhattan-based maker of voicemail software filed a notice of the probe’s completion, along with a final report on its findings, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday.
“The completion of the investigations and the subsequent report is a major accomplishment and a significant first step in putting the issues addressed by the investigations behind us,” Comverse Chairman Mark Terrell said in a statement.
Comverse said it will follow a series of recommendations made by the independent committee to enhance corporate governance, internal controls, training and compliance.
The company plans to start with a search for a new chief financial officer. Comverse named former AT*T Wireless executive Andre Dahan to the position of CEO in April, after former CEO Jacob “Kobi” Alexander left the company in May of 2006.
Mr. Alexander, along with former Comverse CFO David Kreinberg and senior general counsel William Sorin were accused in August 2006 of pocketing hundreds of millions of dollars by secretly manipulating stock options between 1991 and 2005, and making falsified statements to conceal the fraud from shareholders.
Messrs. Kreinberg and Sorin both pleaded guilty in October 2006, but Mr. Alexander, currently fighting extradition from Namibia to face the criminal charges, hasn’t given up the ghost.
Last week he filed a lawsuit against his former company, saying Comverse owes him more than $72 million in severance and other compensation.
Mr. Alexander says he is innocent of the charges and blames poor advice from his financial and legal advisors. His extradition hearing is not expected before March.
Comverse’s stock was delisted in February after the company failed to file its financial reports on time.
By Pamela Appea
The independent probe confirmed allegations of stock-option backdating and earnings manipulation at the company, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/FREE/881233965&SearchID=73307342812845
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comverse Technology Inc. said that a board committee completed its independent probe of the company, confirming allegations of stock-option backdating and earnings manipulation. The Manhattan-based maker of voicemail software filed a notice of the probe’s completion, along with a final report on its findings, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday.
“The completion of the investigations and the subsequent report is a major accomplishment and a significant first step in putting the issues addressed by the investigations behind us,” Comverse Chairman Mark Terrell said in a statement.
Comverse said it will follow a series of recommendations made by the independent committee to enhance corporate governance, internal controls, training and compliance.
The company plans to start with a search for a new chief financial officer. Comverse named former AT*T Wireless executive Andre Dahan to the position of CEO in April, after former CEO Jacob “Kobi” Alexander left the company in May of 2006.
Mr. Alexander, along with former Comverse CFO David Kreinberg and senior general counsel William Sorin were accused in August 2006 of pocketing hundreds of millions of dollars by secretly manipulating stock options between 1991 and 2005, and making falsified statements to conceal the fraud from shareholders.
Messrs. Kreinberg and Sorin both pleaded guilty in October 2006, but Mr. Alexander, currently fighting extradition from Namibia to face the criminal charges, hasn’t given up the ghost.
Last week he filed a lawsuit against his former company, saying Comverse owes him more than $72 million in severance and other compensation.
Mr. Alexander says he is innocent of the charges and blames poor advice from his financial and legal advisors. His extradition hearing is not expected before March.
Comverse’s stock was delisted in February after the company failed to file its financial reports on time.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Bad Parent: Suck City on Babble.com
Bad Parent: Suck City
Pamela Appea
For Babble.com
Link
Published July 4, 2008
http://www.babble.com/content/printerfriendly/PrinterFriendly.aspx?ciid=2146
During a recent appointment, the doctor said this was the summer for my son to give up his pacifier.
"Tell your son that he's a big boy now. There are other babies out there that need his pacifiers," the doctor said, in a kind but no-nonsense tone.
I smiled and nodded.
"We'll do our best," I said with a bright smile.
I was lying through my teeth. The pacifier fairy will not be coming to our apartment this summer, or for as long as I can help it.
This puts me in the minority on my playground, where I constantly hear other mothers bragging to each other: "Oh, my daughter never used a pacifier." And "Well, my son had his binky, two, three months tops and then we took it away. And he's perfectly fine without one."
My son is almost two and has loved his pacifier ever since a nurse at our hospital gave him one in the NICU, where he spent two weeks after being born premature. As soon as my son left the hospital, he graduated to his second pacifier, a Nuk butterfly model that seemed to take up most of his face. I can't count how much money I've spent on pacifiers since, but to me it's money well spent.
Since he was born, my son's pacis have served as a way for me to get him to sleep sooner rather than later. His pacifiers have helped him calm down during New York City subway rides and during rough transitions from home to daycare when he's tired. The pacifier nips a kicking, crying, screaming toddler temper tantrum right in the bud. And my son automatically reaches for his pacifier when he needs something more than a book to read or some milk to drink or a playmate to hug.
Why are people so eager to give up such a magic bullet?
It would make sense if there were strong scientific evidence that the pacifier was truly evil. But it doesn't seem so bad.
The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund issued a statement that strongly discouraged pacifier use "because of [the] perceived interference with breastfeeding." But other studies have found that once breastfeeding is established, pacifiers are helpful for babies who crave non-nutritive sucking.
And in a 2001 Journal of the American Medical Association study, the conclusion was "that pacifier use is a marker of breastfeeding difficulties or reduced motivation to breastfeed, rather than a true cause of early weaning."
So in plain English, the pacifier didn't cause the breastfeeding to stop. Moms who were going to stop breastfeeding anyway due to work or difficulties or other reasons, elected to use a pacifier as a transition.
There have been a scattered number of reports that pacifier use is connected with ear infections among babies. The British Journal of Community Nursing did a 2002 study on ear infections and pacifier use.
It would be inaccurate to say the study was "pro" pacifier, but one line jumped out at me: "Rather than advising a parent not to use a pacifier for fear of causing otitis media (otherwise known as ear infection), advice in relation to this issue might best be restricted to pacifier users suffering from the problem in order to reduce the chances of recurrence."
So, the Brits say if you think your baby is suffering from ear infections because of pacifier use, then stop. But if they're not having ear infections, then . . . don't? Will do!
As for the alleged damage pacifiers cause to baby teeth, even the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry doesn't seem majorly concerned. They say: "Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between two and four years of age. No harm is done to their teeth or jaws."
The more hard-line American Dental Association recommends that children cut out their pacifier by age two. But at the same time, an article for the Journal of the American Dental Association, states that pacifiers are preferable to giving older babies and toddlers milk nighttime bottles of milk or juice. The article also goes on to say that "teething babies might find relief by using a pacifier." Booyah!
My enthusiasm for studies like these (you should have seen my glee when the AAP said pacifiers helped prevent SIDS!) indicate that I am clearly addicted to giving my son a pacifier. I confess it. Thanks to that little object, I've gotten more sleep (still not enough) and less stress. I've read a lot of books, never skipped a shower and I have been able to take my pacified son to nice restaurants.
Now that my son's in daycare, he doesn't want his pacifier as much as before. He loves playing for hours and can't seem to run while keeping the pacifier in his mouth. When he wants to talk, my son has to take his pacifier out to be understood.
Just today, in the morning rush to my son's daycare, as he was running out the door, he dropped the chain that holds his blue pacifier."Go get your pacifier. Don't forget it!" I said, sounding rather desperate. "You're going to need it."
He ran back and picked up the pacifier. Then he changed his mind. My son turned around and handed it to me. His message was clear: "You need this more than I do."
Pamela Appea
For Babble.com
Link
Published July 4, 2008
http://www.babble.com/content/printerfriendly/PrinterFriendly.aspx?ciid=2146
During a recent appointment, the doctor said this was the summer for my son to give up his pacifier.
"Tell your son that he's a big boy now. There are other babies out there that need his pacifiers," the doctor said, in a kind but no-nonsense tone.
I smiled and nodded.
"We'll do our best," I said with a bright smile.
I was lying through my teeth. The pacifier fairy will not be coming to our apartment this summer, or for as long as I can help it.
This puts me in the minority on my playground, where I constantly hear other mothers bragging to each other: "Oh, my daughter never used a pacifier." And "Well, my son had his binky, two, three months tops and then we took it away. And he's perfectly fine without one."
My son is almost two and has loved his pacifier ever since a nurse at our hospital gave him one in the NICU, where he spent two weeks after being born premature. As soon as my son left the hospital, he graduated to his second pacifier, a Nuk butterfly model that seemed to take up most of his face. I can't count how much money I've spent on pacifiers since, but to me it's money well spent.
Since he was born, my son's pacis have served as a way for me to get him to sleep sooner rather than later. His pacifiers have helped him calm down during New York City subway rides and during rough transitions from home to daycare when he's tired. The pacifier nips a kicking, crying, screaming toddler temper tantrum right in the bud. And my son automatically reaches for his pacifier when he needs something more than a book to read or some milk to drink or a playmate to hug.
Why are people so eager to give up such a magic bullet?
It would make sense if there were strong scientific evidence that the pacifier was truly evil. But it doesn't seem so bad.
The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund issued a statement that strongly discouraged pacifier use "because of [the] perceived interference with breastfeeding." But other studies have found that once breastfeeding is established, pacifiers are helpful for babies who crave non-nutritive sucking.
And in a 2001 Journal of the American Medical Association study, the conclusion was "that pacifier use is a marker of breastfeeding difficulties or reduced motivation to breastfeed, rather than a true cause of early weaning."
So in plain English, the pacifier didn't cause the breastfeeding to stop. Moms who were going to stop breastfeeding anyway due to work or difficulties or other reasons, elected to use a pacifier as a transition.
There have been a scattered number of reports that pacifier use is connected with ear infections among babies. The British Journal of Community Nursing did a 2002 study on ear infections and pacifier use.
It would be inaccurate to say the study was "pro" pacifier, but one line jumped out at me: "Rather than advising a parent not to use a pacifier for fear of causing otitis media (otherwise known as ear infection), advice in relation to this issue might best be restricted to pacifier users suffering from the problem in order to reduce the chances of recurrence."
So, the Brits say if you think your baby is suffering from ear infections because of pacifier use, then stop. But if they're not having ear infections, then . . . don't? Will do!
As for the alleged damage pacifiers cause to baby teeth, even the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry doesn't seem majorly concerned. They say: "Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between two and four years of age. No harm is done to their teeth or jaws."
The more hard-line American Dental Association recommends that children cut out their pacifier by age two. But at the same time, an article for the Journal of the American Dental Association, states that pacifiers are preferable to giving older babies and toddlers milk nighttime bottles of milk or juice. The article also goes on to say that "teething babies might find relief by using a pacifier." Booyah!
My enthusiasm for studies like these (you should have seen my glee when the AAP said pacifiers helped prevent SIDS!) indicate that I am clearly addicted to giving my son a pacifier. I confess it. Thanks to that little object, I've gotten more sleep (still not enough) and less stress. I've read a lot of books, never skipped a shower and I have been able to take my pacified son to nice restaurants.
Now that my son's in daycare, he doesn't want his pacifier as much as before. He loves playing for hours and can't seem to run while keeping the pacifier in his mouth. When he wants to talk, my son has to take his pacifier out to be understood.
Just today, in the morning rush to my son's daycare, as he was running out the door, he dropped the chain that holds his blue pacifier."Go get your pacifier. Don't forget it!" I said, sounding rather desperate. "You're going to need it."
He ran back and picked up the pacifier. Then he changed his mind. My son turned around and handed it to me. His message was clear: "You need this more than I do."
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
The Long Road Home
The Long Road Home
How to Navigate the first year of specialists after discharge
Preemie Magazine
July/August 2007
By Pamela Appea
Bridget Sabo, a mother of a preemie in Minneapolis, MN, said her 17-month-old son Anton, didn’t see “many” specialists in his first year after being discharged from a 49-day stay in the NICU. Like most preemie parent who have been a part of the specialist parade, “many” is a relative term.
The reality is, like many caretakers of preemie babies, Sabo and other family members shepherded her son to a parade of doctors and specialists in his first year. Anton, born at 30 weeks, was on oxygen during his NICU stay. After he left the hospital, Anton saw a pediatric cardiologist and a pediatric ophthalmologist for routine visits, as well as a cranial specialist for a temporary head condition.
In the early months, Anton had a mild case of gastro esophageal reflux disorder (more commonly known as GERD) and was on Prisolec, a medication to lessen the symptoms. Other specialists, including a nephrologist, also treated him during a hospital stay for a kidney infection. Although Anton is now a healthy and happy toddler, with no chronic medical conditions, he continues to attend physical therapy appointments that focus on his general gross motor abilities.
“Anton is unusual for a preemie in how fast he has grown. He started at 4 lbs., 6 oz. and now at 1 months actual, is in the top 80% for height and weight,” said Sabo. “It’s a bit frustrating because no one thinks he’s a preemie so they forget to give the benefit of those missed 2 ½ months.”
Looking back, Sabo believes the worst is behind them. There are, however, many mothers, fathers and other caretakers of preemies who experience significant frustration and anxiety. This is particularly true in the first year, when parents are trying to figure out what specialists they should see, when they should see them and how to juggle various appointments with everyday commitments.
Prioritize the Specialists
According to Dr. Cami Martin, director of research for the infant follow-up program at Harvard Medical School and an attending neonatologist at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, the logistics of making specialist appointments, multiple competing medical appointments, long travel times, and other issues—including figuring out what is covered by insurance and what is not—may seem to be overwhelming to many parents of preemies.
Martin’s colleague at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Pankaj Agrawal, an instructor in pediatrics and a specialist in Newborn Medicine, stated the earlier a preemie is born, the more likely they will have frequent across-the-board specialist visits.
“It all depends on the gestational age at birth. The risks are much higher, for example, for a baby born at 24 weeks versus one born at 32 weeks,” Agrawal said.
The list of conditions requiring additional attention from specialists is daunting. Some of these conditions include continued oxygen dependence, hydrocephalus (when excess fluid accumulates in the brain), brain bleeds, or retinopathy of prematurely (see related story p. 46.) As a general rule of thumb, parents with younger preemies who have experienced longer NICU stays should expect to see more specialists after discharge.
“To minimize the post-NICU experience, it is critical to include the involvement of an Early Intervention program for full assessment of motor, mental and behavioral milestones by a physical therapist and psychologist at regular intervals,” said Agrawal.
Martin, also the author of the academic text Neonatology Review, also felt developmental and behavioral issues are essential.
“It makes sense to prioritize. Parents may see a pulmonologist, a cardiologist, their pediatrician … but in the long run, developmental and behavioral appointments are just as important as the medical commitments,” said Martin. “Parents shouldn’t feel they have to wait before a developmental delay is recognized. They should be proactive in calling the Early Intervention office that services their community.”
Annual Considerations
Winter can be a challenging time for preemies who may get sick with colds or worse conditions like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
University of Chicago Hospitals pediatrician Dr. William “Corey” Jordan, who sees many preemies come into the emergency room at various hospitals throughout the Chicagoland area, said he sees many preemies return to the hospital after they’ve been discharged from the NICU.
“Some preemies suffer from infections such as RSV, which commonly affects neonates during the fall and winter seasons. Many will receive monthly Synergis shots to protect against RSV,” Jordan said.
Sabo’s son Anton was lucky in that he only had a few mild colds. A feat she credits to breastfeeding and having a “lock-down” on his exposure to germs and viruses during his first few Minnesota winters.
Other Conditions
Jordan added that in addition to RSV and other issues, simple things may be taken for granted with healthy infants [that] may be more difficult for a preemie. For example, feeding, as well as sucking and swallowing coordination, can pose difficulties that could lead to a problem with weight gain. “Adequate nutrition is necessary for preemies to continue their neurological development.”
Preemies’ weight and nutritional intake should be carefully monitored by parents and the child’s pediatrician. In the case of reflux, failure to thrive, failure to gain weight and basic developmental issues may be compromised if parents don’t seek professional help.
In the case of gastrointestinal (GI) issues, like GERD, Dr. Ben Gold, professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology, director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Emory University in Atlanta, explained that all physicians involved in the management and care of preemies should exercise a multidisciplinary approach.
“If the preemie had gastrointestinal problems in the newborn nursery, particularly those that required a GI consult in the nursery, the baby should be followed regularly by a gastroenterologist,” Gold said.
It’s up to a specialist to work hand-in-hand with parents and the pediatrician to see if the prescribed medicines are working well, he said.
The Power of Time
Many parents, including the Sabos, are relieved to find as their preemie grows, they will likely outgrow reflux and other related GI problems.
Likewise, preemie parents may find the majority of non-routine medical specialist visits will begin to taper off after their baby reaches 12 months. However, other parents of preemies who were born smaller and stayed in the hospital longer may find the specialist parade doesn’t taper until after 2 to 3 years.
Sabo’s son is case in point, as the family pediatrician no longer adjusts Anton’s age to account for his prematurity.
“I would encourage parents to make sure all their questions are answered to their satisfaction and to push for another specialist consult with someone if they aren’t comfortable,” Sabo said. “Thankfully, we have a lot fewer issues now that he is older.”
In hindsight, most preemie parents believe it wasn’t so bad. Just take a deep breath, ask lots of questions and get the best care for your preemie.
A Crash Course in Specialists
Your preemie might see one or more of these specialists in the first year post-NICU.
A pediatric cardiologist evaluates and treats hearts and heart disease. Most preemies without previously diagnosed or suspected heart conditions don’t typically require a routine visit.
A pediatric gastroenterologist specializes in conditions of gastrointestinal (GI) track, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas and the gall bladder. For example, a gastroenterologist may treat digestive issues including GERD. If your child has a serious gastro-intestinal disorder, expect to see your GI track specialists frequently in the first year, and perhaps beyond.
A pediatric pulmonologist specializes in respiratory/breathing disorders, including asthma. If your child has serious asthma or respiratory issues, you may end up seeing your child’s pediatric pulmonologist as often as is needed, particularly during the winter months or the spring allergy season.
A pediatric ophthalmologist specializes in eye care and diseases of the eye. Expect to see your ophthalmologist at least one time for a routine visit. If problems such as retinopathy of [the eye] are discovered, your visits will drastically increase.
A pediatric dentist is what it sounds like—a dentist for kids. It’s recommended that your child see a pediatric dentist by 12 months, even if your preemie doesn’t have any teeth yet.
A speech and language therapist evaluates and treats communication disorders and swallowing problems that may be linked. If your child is evaluated and diagnosed with a speech/language delay, you may have weekly visits to your speech/language therapist.
A pediatric physiotherapist/physical therapist treats gross motor delays or disorders. As is the case with speech/language therapy, therapists may recommend that your schedule weekly visits for your child if your child is diagnosed with low muscle tone or is not meeting age appropriate targets for head control crawling and/or walking.
Originally published July/August 2007
How to Navigate the first year of specialists after discharge
Preemie Magazine
July/August 2007
By Pamela Appea
Bridget Sabo, a mother of a preemie in Minneapolis, MN, said her 17-month-old son Anton, didn’t see “many” specialists in his first year after being discharged from a 49-day stay in the NICU. Like most preemie parent who have been a part of the specialist parade, “many” is a relative term.
The reality is, like many caretakers of preemie babies, Sabo and other family members shepherded her son to a parade of doctors and specialists in his first year. Anton, born at 30 weeks, was on oxygen during his NICU stay. After he left the hospital, Anton saw a pediatric cardiologist and a pediatric ophthalmologist for routine visits, as well as a cranial specialist for a temporary head condition.
In the early months, Anton had a mild case of gastro esophageal reflux disorder (more commonly known as GERD) and was on Prisolec, a medication to lessen the symptoms. Other specialists, including a nephrologist, also treated him during a hospital stay for a kidney infection. Although Anton is now a healthy and happy toddler, with no chronic medical conditions, he continues to attend physical therapy appointments that focus on his general gross motor abilities.
“Anton is unusual for a preemie in how fast he has grown. He started at 4 lbs., 6 oz. and now at 1 months actual, is in the top 80% for height and weight,” said Sabo. “It’s a bit frustrating because no one thinks he’s a preemie so they forget to give the benefit of those missed 2 ½ months.”
Looking back, Sabo believes the worst is behind them. There are, however, many mothers, fathers and other caretakers of preemies who experience significant frustration and anxiety. This is particularly true in the first year, when parents are trying to figure out what specialists they should see, when they should see them and how to juggle various appointments with everyday commitments.
Prioritize the Specialists
According to Dr. Cami Martin, director of research for the infant follow-up program at Harvard Medical School and an attending neonatologist at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, the logistics of making specialist appointments, multiple competing medical appointments, long travel times, and other issues—including figuring out what is covered by insurance and what is not—may seem to be overwhelming to many parents of preemies.
Martin’s colleague at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Pankaj Agrawal, an instructor in pediatrics and a specialist in Newborn Medicine, stated the earlier a preemie is born, the more likely they will have frequent across-the-board specialist visits.
“It all depends on the gestational age at birth. The risks are much higher, for example, for a baby born at 24 weeks versus one born at 32 weeks,” Agrawal said.
The list of conditions requiring additional attention from specialists is daunting. Some of these conditions include continued oxygen dependence, hydrocephalus (when excess fluid accumulates in the brain), brain bleeds, or retinopathy of prematurely (see related story p. 46.) As a general rule of thumb, parents with younger preemies who have experienced longer NICU stays should expect to see more specialists after discharge.
“To minimize the post-NICU experience, it is critical to include the involvement of an Early Intervention program for full assessment of motor, mental and behavioral milestones by a physical therapist and psychologist at regular intervals,” said Agrawal.
Martin, also the author of the academic text Neonatology Review, also felt developmental and behavioral issues are essential.
“It makes sense to prioritize. Parents may see a pulmonologist, a cardiologist, their pediatrician … but in the long run, developmental and behavioral appointments are just as important as the medical commitments,” said Martin. “Parents shouldn’t feel they have to wait before a developmental delay is recognized. They should be proactive in calling the Early Intervention office that services their community.”
Annual Considerations
Winter can be a challenging time for preemies who may get sick with colds or worse conditions like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
University of Chicago Hospitals pediatrician Dr. William “Corey” Jordan, who sees many preemies come into the emergency room at various hospitals throughout the Chicagoland area, said he sees many preemies return to the hospital after they’ve been discharged from the NICU.
“Some preemies suffer from infections such as RSV, which commonly affects neonates during the fall and winter seasons. Many will receive monthly Synergis shots to protect against RSV,” Jordan said.
Sabo’s son Anton was lucky in that he only had a few mild colds. A feat she credits to breastfeeding and having a “lock-down” on his exposure to germs and viruses during his first few Minnesota winters.
Other Conditions
Jordan added that in addition to RSV and other issues, simple things may be taken for granted with healthy infants [that] may be more difficult for a preemie. For example, feeding, as well as sucking and swallowing coordination, can pose difficulties that could lead to a problem with weight gain. “Adequate nutrition is necessary for preemies to continue their neurological development.”
Preemies’ weight and nutritional intake should be carefully monitored by parents and the child’s pediatrician. In the case of reflux, failure to thrive, failure to gain weight and basic developmental issues may be compromised if parents don’t seek professional help.
In the case of gastrointestinal (GI) issues, like GERD, Dr. Ben Gold, professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology, director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Emory University in Atlanta, explained that all physicians involved in the management and care of preemies should exercise a multidisciplinary approach.
“If the preemie had gastrointestinal problems in the newborn nursery, particularly those that required a GI consult in the nursery, the baby should be followed regularly by a gastroenterologist,” Gold said.
It’s up to a specialist to work hand-in-hand with parents and the pediatrician to see if the prescribed medicines are working well, he said.
The Power of Time
Many parents, including the Sabos, are relieved to find as their preemie grows, they will likely outgrow reflux and other related GI problems.
Likewise, preemie parents may find the majority of non-routine medical specialist visits will begin to taper off after their baby reaches 12 months. However, other parents of preemies who were born smaller and stayed in the hospital longer may find the specialist parade doesn’t taper until after 2 to 3 years.
Sabo’s son is case in point, as the family pediatrician no longer adjusts Anton’s age to account for his prematurity.
“I would encourage parents to make sure all their questions are answered to their satisfaction and to push for another specialist consult with someone if they aren’t comfortable,” Sabo said. “Thankfully, we have a lot fewer issues now that he is older.”
In hindsight, most preemie parents believe it wasn’t so bad. Just take a deep breath, ask lots of questions and get the best care for your preemie.
A Crash Course in Specialists
Your preemie might see one or more of these specialists in the first year post-NICU.
A pediatric cardiologist evaluates and treats hearts and heart disease. Most preemies without previously diagnosed or suspected heart conditions don’t typically require a routine visit.
A pediatric gastroenterologist specializes in conditions of gastrointestinal (GI) track, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas and the gall bladder. For example, a gastroenterologist may treat digestive issues including GERD. If your child has a serious gastro-intestinal disorder, expect to see your GI track specialists frequently in the first year, and perhaps beyond.
A pediatric pulmonologist specializes in respiratory/breathing disorders, including asthma. If your child has serious asthma or respiratory issues, you may end up seeing your child’s pediatric pulmonologist as often as is needed, particularly during the winter months or the spring allergy season.
A pediatric ophthalmologist specializes in eye care and diseases of the eye. Expect to see your ophthalmologist at least one time for a routine visit. If problems such as retinopathy of [the eye] are discovered, your visits will drastically increase.
A pediatric dentist is what it sounds like—a dentist for kids. It’s recommended that your child see a pediatric dentist by 12 months, even if your preemie doesn’t have any teeth yet.
A speech and language therapist evaluates and treats communication disorders and swallowing problems that may be linked. If your child is evaluated and diagnosed with a speech/language delay, you may have weekly visits to your speech/language therapist.
A pediatric physiotherapist/physical therapist treats gross motor delays or disorders. As is the case with speech/language therapy, therapists may recommend that your schedule weekly visits for your child if your child is diagnosed with low muscle tone or is not meeting age appropriate targets for head control crawling and/or walking.
Originally published July/August 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
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http://www.newyorkbusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070212/FREE/70212003/1040/breaking
Published: February 12, 2007 - 10:51 am
http://www.newyorkbusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070212/FREE/70212003/1040/breaking
Published: February 12, 2007 - 10:51 am
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Treating GERD with medications
Previously Appeared in Online Health Website for Children
Summer 2006
Treating GERD with medications
By Pamela Appea
Pediatric gastroenterologists may not be able to agree how many GERD cases there are in the pediatric population, but many agree that GERD is on the rise among both boys and girls from ages 0-17.
But regardless of when GERD starts or when it is diagnosed, pharmacological treatment can and should be available to even the youngest GERD patients.
GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease in infant children may be difficult to treat for a variety of reasons. Firstly, parents of infants may assume that GERD is colic or simply resign themselves to crying, excessive vomiting and extreme discomfort before they actually seek treatment from a physician.
Secondly, once the child has visited a pediatrician, it may take some time before GERD sufferers are referred to a specialist and received a formal diagnosis. Pediatricians usually want to rule out other factors for vomiting, including allergic reactions to food and/or formula, adverse reactions to second-hand cigarette smoke.
Thirdly, some parents chose to delay seeing a specialist or getting the GERD tests done since they may cause the child discomfort, require fasting and the procedures often feature tubes that go into your nose, down your throat into your esophagus.
Once a pediatric gastroenterologist meets with the child (and his/her parents), it may take some time to find the right medication and the right dosage of medication to effectively treat the GER. Some medications work better than others; there is still more research that needs to be done on pediatric GERD medications as there have been few to no pediatric clinical trials for most FDA-approved GERD medications.
Many doctors agree that young children with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and GERD benefit from lifestyle changes, before and/or after prescribing GERD medications. Physicians characterize children with GER as “happy spitters.” But GERD suffers frequently refuse food, fail to gain an adequate amount of weight and they are irritable or sad the majority of the time.
Some of physician-recommended lifestyle changes for babies, infants and older children include thickening formula (for infants), more frequent, smaller feedings or meals and upright positioning after feeding or eating.
But even the youngest of GERD suffers should be able to get effective pharmacological-based treatment, as there a number of medications available on the market that are suitable for pediatric populations.
A pediatric gastroenterologist will consider a number of factors when prescribing medications, including the weight of the child, the severity of the GERD and avoiding other medications that may not have appeared to be as effective in the past.
As Dr. Ben Gold, Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology Director, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Emory, explains, there are a number of different classes of medications that are available for pediatric GERD sufferers. Antacids over the counters medicine, including Maalox. Tums and Rolaids are typically used for the mildest version of esophageal discomfort.
Acid reducers, Histamine 2 receptor blockers, also known as H2 blockers and the proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the three main classes of medications used to treat GERD.
Ranitidine, an acid-reducer, more commonly known as Zantac is frequently prescribed for children.
The stronger PPI medications for more severe GERD cases, said Dr. Gold, are very effective.
Lansoprazole (also known as Prevacid) is suitable for ages 1-17; Omeprazole (also known as Prilosec) is suitable for children ages 2-16; and Esomeprazole (also known as Nexium) are some examples of medications suitable for older children ages 12-17, according to Dr. Gold. Some adult GERD medications, including many PPIs have not yet been approved for use in younger children. .
“When it comes to symptom resolution and disease resolution of GERD, PPIs are superior to acid blockers,” Dr. Gold said. He noted, however, that many PPIs have significant side effects. Depending on the dose and the specific medication, these side effects may include abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, dry mouth, lightheadedness, headache and rash.
Some other studies have found that prescribing drugs like Prilosec for pediatric patients, might mean they could face risks of pancreatitis and/or liver problems.
Many doctors like Dr, Gold stress the importance of taking a conservative approach, and not prescribing stronger medications than necessary, especially if a child has a milder version of GER or GERD.
Physicians typically prescribe a medication to see if it will work, assessing the child to see if the GERD symptoms have improved or not after about two weeks.
Then the pediatric gastroenterologist will consider a stronger dosage or a different medication altogether.
The North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hematology and Nutrition released guidelines in 2001 for appropriate medication usage among children with GERD.
In some instances, typically the most extreme cases of pediatric and adolescent GERD, a pediatric gastroenterologist may recommend corrective surgery. These typically are minimally invasive procedures.
One of the more common procedures to treat GERD or reflex is called Nissen fundoplication. This procedure wraps the top part of the stomach around the bottom part of the esophagus creating a collar. Once this procedure has been completed, the collar around the esophagus effectively prevents reflux from occurring.
But as Dr. Gold states, there is a common misperception that surgery is the last resort. He often recommends surgery for patients who have “experienced moderate success” with GERD medications, but who want surgery for a variety of different reasons. Patients, Dr. Gold, may get tired of taking multiple medications and/or continue to have mild to moderate symptoms of reflux.
Summer 2006
Treating GERD with medications
By Pamela Appea
Pediatric gastroenterologists may not be able to agree how many GERD cases there are in the pediatric population, but many agree that GERD is on the rise among both boys and girls from ages 0-17.
But regardless of when GERD starts or when it is diagnosed, pharmacological treatment can and should be available to even the youngest GERD patients.
GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease in infant children may be difficult to treat for a variety of reasons. Firstly, parents of infants may assume that GERD is colic or simply resign themselves to crying, excessive vomiting and extreme discomfort before they actually seek treatment from a physician.
Secondly, once the child has visited a pediatrician, it may take some time before GERD sufferers are referred to a specialist and received a formal diagnosis. Pediatricians usually want to rule out other factors for vomiting, including allergic reactions to food and/or formula, adverse reactions to second-hand cigarette smoke.
Thirdly, some parents chose to delay seeing a specialist or getting the GERD tests done since they may cause the child discomfort, require fasting and the procedures often feature tubes that go into your nose, down your throat into your esophagus.
Once a pediatric gastroenterologist meets with the child (and his/her parents), it may take some time to find the right medication and the right dosage of medication to effectively treat the GER. Some medications work better than others; there is still more research that needs to be done on pediatric GERD medications as there have been few to no pediatric clinical trials for most FDA-approved GERD medications.
Many doctors agree that young children with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and GERD benefit from lifestyle changes, before and/or after prescribing GERD medications. Physicians characterize children with GER as “happy spitters.” But GERD suffers frequently refuse food, fail to gain an adequate amount of weight and they are irritable or sad the majority of the time.
Some of physician-recommended lifestyle changes for babies, infants and older children include thickening formula (for infants), more frequent, smaller feedings or meals and upright positioning after feeding or eating.
But even the youngest of GERD suffers should be able to get effective pharmacological-based treatment, as there a number of medications available on the market that are suitable for pediatric populations.
A pediatric gastroenterologist will consider a number of factors when prescribing medications, including the weight of the child, the severity of the GERD and avoiding other medications that may not have appeared to be as effective in the past.
As Dr. Ben Gold, Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology Director, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Emory, explains, there are a number of different classes of medications that are available for pediatric GERD sufferers. Antacids over the counters medicine, including Maalox. Tums and Rolaids are typically used for the mildest version of esophageal discomfort.
Acid reducers, Histamine 2 receptor blockers, also known as H2 blockers and the proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the three main classes of medications used to treat GERD.
Ranitidine, an acid-reducer, more commonly known as Zantac is frequently prescribed for children.
The stronger PPI medications for more severe GERD cases, said Dr. Gold, are very effective.
Lansoprazole (also known as Prevacid) is suitable for ages 1-17; Omeprazole (also known as Prilosec) is suitable for children ages 2-16; and Esomeprazole (also known as Nexium) are some examples of medications suitable for older children ages 12-17, according to Dr. Gold. Some adult GERD medications, including many PPIs have not yet been approved for use in younger children. .
“When it comes to symptom resolution and disease resolution of GERD, PPIs are superior to acid blockers,” Dr. Gold said. He noted, however, that many PPIs have significant side effects. Depending on the dose and the specific medication, these side effects may include abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, dry mouth, lightheadedness, headache and rash.
Some other studies have found that prescribing drugs like Prilosec for pediatric patients, might mean they could face risks of pancreatitis and/or liver problems.
Many doctors like Dr, Gold stress the importance of taking a conservative approach, and not prescribing stronger medications than necessary, especially if a child has a milder version of GER or GERD.
Physicians typically prescribe a medication to see if it will work, assessing the child to see if the GERD symptoms have improved or not after about two weeks.
Then the pediatric gastroenterologist will consider a stronger dosage or a different medication altogether.
The North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hematology and Nutrition released guidelines in 2001 for appropriate medication usage among children with GERD.
In some instances, typically the most extreme cases of pediatric and adolescent GERD, a pediatric gastroenterologist may recommend corrective surgery. These typically are minimally invasive procedures.
One of the more common procedures to treat GERD or reflex is called Nissen fundoplication. This procedure wraps the top part of the stomach around the bottom part of the esophagus creating a collar. Once this procedure has been completed, the collar around the esophagus effectively prevents reflux from occurring.
But as Dr. Gold states, there is a common misperception that surgery is the last resort. He often recommends surgery for patients who have “experienced moderate success” with GERD medications, but who want surgery for a variety of different reasons. Patients, Dr. Gold, may get tired of taking multiple medications and/or continue to have mild to moderate symptoms of reflux.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Nonprofit CEO wants to expand talent showcase, Crain's New York Business
Nonprofit CEO wants to expand talent showcase
CRAIN'S
by Pamela Appea
April 2006
Ian Gerard, the chief executive of Gen Art, throws parties for a living.
Sure, the former corporate lawyer must balance 70-plus-hour work weeks, constant traveling and negotiating for corporate sponsors to help produce more than 100 events a year for the nonprofit that helps brings exposure to young and up-and-coming fashion designers, musicians and other artists get exposure.
But Mr. Gerard, 37, makes it all look easy.
In January, though sleep deprived, he sat in his office sipping diet cola and calmly musing about his quest for the perfect work-life balance. Just 15 hours earlier he had been in Utah overseeing a celebrity-studded Sundance party for 1,200 at Legacy Lodge Park Resort, co-sponsored with Starbucks and MySpace.com.
"Ian was out for two hours in the 15-degree weather in his shirtsleeves working the door at Sundance. How many CEOs do you know who would do that?" said Charles Sommer, a friend from Mr. Gerard’s law school days and founder of Doubleagent.com, which offers online advice to men about dating, relationships and style.
As a self-described non-insider, his goal is to find new talent and bring it into the open. "Virtually all of our events are open to the public. We open our events to art enthusiasts, film enthusiasts, music enthusiasts," Mr. Gerard said. "That’s very rare, especially in invite-only cities like New York or Los Angeles."
He co-founded Gen Art in 1993 with brother Stefan and Melissa Neuman, a prominent third-generation Manhattan art collector. Armed with a $5,000 loan from their parents, the brothers and Ms. Neuman corralled a team of volunteers to get the labor of love started.
"Every day has highs and lows and you need to brush off the lows and move on," Mr. Gerard said, crediting the dozens of staffers on Gen Art’s team for helping the non-profit succeed.
The dedication seems to be paying off. The company was among the first to showcase the work of Hollywood designer and P. Diddy confidante Zac Posen. Manhattan-based fashion designer Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss is another longtime fan.
Gen Art has built a wide base of corporate sponsors, and exclusive partnerships for events and it sells tickets and memberships. This year the company should generate revenue of about $5 million, Mr. Gerard said.
Gen Art will open a sixth location in the U.S., or perhaps its first international office, in either Toronto or London this year, Mr. Gerard said. Plans call for a bigger online presence and more events spread over a wider area.
"People want to know what the next generation of talent will be," Mr. Gerard said. "That’s what I want to provide."
NAME: Ian Gerard AGE: 37
RESUME: CEO and co-founder of Gen Art.
Real estate lawyer at Latham & Watkins and at Kalkines, Arky, Zali & Bernstein
EDUCATION: New York University School of Law, Vassar College
TASK: Expanding Gen Art’s online presence with a new Web magazine called Gen Art Pulse (http://www.genartpulse.com/) that covers film, art, music, travel, fashion and design. Developing more events over a wider area.
PERSONAL: Born and raised on Upper East Side. Single, lives in Greenwich Village
HOBBIES: Walking whenever he gets a chance and traveling to Spain and Portugal, Scandinavia and Caribbean Islands.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Expecting times two or three or four
Expecting times two or three or four
Clinic Cares for women pregnant with twins or more
By Pamela Appea
Barbara Luke is a firm advocate of bed rest. At least that’s what she prescribes for women expecting twins, triplets or quadruplets.
Luke, a nutritionists and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan, founded her 4-year-old clinic to provide personal care and specialized treatment for women expecting multiple babies. The clinic helps to meet a growing need.
Statistics from the National Center for Health show that there were more than 110,000 multiple births in the United States in 1997.
“It’s a huge rise in the last 10-15 years,” Luke said.
Luke, 49, said her method gets results.
Women who go to her clinic have babies that are born later, heavier and healthier than those of mothers who don’t get such counseling, she said.
Luke hopes to reach even more women with her recently published book, “When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads” which she co-authored with Tamara Eberlein, a New York mother of twins. Luke’s patients quickly find out that their pregnancies are different from what she calls a singleton pregnancy.
Kristi L. K. Mawby, 31, who lives in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan first went to see Luke when she was eight weeks pregnant back in 1996. The rules laid down by Luke at Mawby’s first appointment were intimidating, Mawby said.
“First you will gain lots of weight,” she recalled Luke saying. “I was hoping not to. Second you will eat protein, red meat, until its coming out of your ears; third was all of the vitamin supplements; fourth you will rest. You will stop working; you will be lazy and gestate.”
“Maybe I was in denial of what a twin pregnancy was about,” Mawby continued.
“At first I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding. It’s not that bad.”
But as Mawby learned more about twin pregnancies, she began to see Luke’s advice as sound. Put on bed rest for eight weeks, Mawby later delivered at 38 ½ weeks. Her twins, a boy and a girl, will be 3 in May.
Although multiple births have become more common, Luke said. many people don’t seem to understand the risks involved, including low-birth weight, learning disabilities and other long-term effects if babies are born prematurely.
Good nutrition and proper care help to significantly reduce these risks, she said. Many expectant mothers of multiples, Luke said, are guilty of not taking care of themselves or continuing a high-paced lifestyle at work and home. And the main detrimental result of not slowing down is the risk of premature delivery, Luke said.
Part of her job as a nutritionist, coach and advocate for women expecting multiples, she said, is to get mothers to relax and take the time to gestate. A multiples pregnancy is different physically, Luke said. Women get larger faster than if they are pregnant with one child.
For example, a woman expecting triplets who is 24 weeks pregnant may look like a woman pregnant with a singleton at 36 weeks, Luke writes in her book.
At first many mothers of multiples are determined to work until their ninth moth, not always realizing that their children may be born a few weeks early and that working can cause stress related problems on the pregnancy. That’s why early on, Luke counsels her patients on the importance of scheduling time off from work well in advance.
Ann Seifart of Jackson took Luke’s advice to heart when she found out she was pregnant with quadruplets in 1996. Seifart, now 46, took off work from her dental hygienist job when she was four months pregnant. Her quadruplets were born at 31 weeks and, though small, all thrived.
“I took things one step at a time,” said Seifart.
“I had success and unfortunately there are women who haven’t.”
Tim Johnson, chair of the OB/GYN clinic at the University of Michigan, said Luke’s clinic and research on multiples is an effective part of the [University of Michigan’s] multidisciplinary effort.
A woman’s regular check-appointment may only be 15 minutes, Johnson said.So that’s why it’s important that a team of nurse-midwives, nutritionists, social workers and other health care providers supplement the prenatal care women expecting multiple babies receive, Johnson said.
“You can imagine why patients love Dr. Luke. The doctors love her and the hospital loves her. Having healthier babies is good for everybody,” Johnson said.
At a patient’s first visit to her clinic, Luke puts the emphasis on nutrition, particularly during the first trimester. The early weeks—the first 13 to 14 weeks— of the pregnancy are the most crucial.“That’s really when the major organs are formed,” Luke said.
“The risks of birth defects are greatest during that period.”Luke finds patients often get unhelpful advice, such as, “Try not to gain too much weight,” from family members and others. Luke’s advice is to eat as much as possible during a multiples pregnancy.
One of her biggest battles, Luke said, is convincing women that during such a pregnancy is not the time to watch her weight.Luke has counseled mothers of 150 sets of twins, a dozen sets of triplets and Seifert, the mother of the quadruplets.
Despite the long hours, Luke said she can’t imagine doing any other type of work.“I really love what I do,” she said. “I realize admire my patients. The women have tremendous strengths.”
And the best thing for the nutritional health expert, she said, is hearing from former patients months or years afterwards about their children.“It’s a vote of confidence that we’re doing it right,” Luke said.
*Copyright 2000 by Pamela Appea for The Ann Arbor News.
Clinic Cares for women pregnant with twins or more
By Pamela Appea
Barbara Luke is a firm advocate of bed rest. At least that’s what she prescribes for women expecting twins, triplets or quadruplets.
Luke, a nutritionists and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan, founded her 4-year-old clinic to provide personal care and specialized treatment for women expecting multiple babies. The clinic helps to meet a growing need.
Statistics from the National Center for Health show that there were more than 110,000 multiple births in the United States in 1997.
“It’s a huge rise in the last 10-15 years,” Luke said.
Luke, 49, said her method gets results.
Women who go to her clinic have babies that are born later, heavier and healthier than those of mothers who don’t get such counseling, she said.
Luke hopes to reach even more women with her recently published book, “When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads” which she co-authored with Tamara Eberlein, a New York mother of twins. Luke’s patients quickly find out that their pregnancies are different from what she calls a singleton pregnancy.
Kristi L. K. Mawby, 31, who lives in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan first went to see Luke when she was eight weeks pregnant back in 1996. The rules laid down by Luke at Mawby’s first appointment were intimidating, Mawby said.
“First you will gain lots of weight,” she recalled Luke saying. “I was hoping not to. Second you will eat protein, red meat, until its coming out of your ears; third was all of the vitamin supplements; fourth you will rest. You will stop working; you will be lazy and gestate.”
“Maybe I was in denial of what a twin pregnancy was about,” Mawby continued.
“At first I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding. It’s not that bad.”
But as Mawby learned more about twin pregnancies, she began to see Luke’s advice as sound. Put on bed rest for eight weeks, Mawby later delivered at 38 ½ weeks. Her twins, a boy and a girl, will be 3 in May.
Although multiple births have become more common, Luke said. many people don’t seem to understand the risks involved, including low-birth weight, learning disabilities and other long-term effects if babies are born prematurely.
Good nutrition and proper care help to significantly reduce these risks, she said. Many expectant mothers of multiples, Luke said, are guilty of not taking care of themselves or continuing a high-paced lifestyle at work and home. And the main detrimental result of not slowing down is the risk of premature delivery, Luke said.
Part of her job as a nutritionist, coach and advocate for women expecting multiples, she said, is to get mothers to relax and take the time to gestate. A multiples pregnancy is different physically, Luke said. Women get larger faster than if they are pregnant with one child.
For example, a woman expecting triplets who is 24 weeks pregnant may look like a woman pregnant with a singleton at 36 weeks, Luke writes in her book.
At first many mothers of multiples are determined to work until their ninth moth, not always realizing that their children may be born a few weeks early and that working can cause stress related problems on the pregnancy. That’s why early on, Luke counsels her patients on the importance of scheduling time off from work well in advance.
Ann Seifart of Jackson took Luke’s advice to heart when she found out she was pregnant with quadruplets in 1996. Seifart, now 46, took off work from her dental hygienist job when she was four months pregnant. Her quadruplets were born at 31 weeks and, though small, all thrived.
“I took things one step at a time,” said Seifart.
“I had success and unfortunately there are women who haven’t.”
Tim Johnson, chair of the OB/GYN clinic at the University of Michigan, said Luke’s clinic and research on multiples is an effective part of the [University of Michigan’s] multidisciplinary effort.
A woman’s regular check-appointment may only be 15 minutes, Johnson said.So that’s why it’s important that a team of nurse-midwives, nutritionists, social workers and other health care providers supplement the prenatal care women expecting multiple babies receive, Johnson said.
“You can imagine why patients love Dr. Luke. The doctors love her and the hospital loves her. Having healthier babies is good for everybody,” Johnson said.
At a patient’s first visit to her clinic, Luke puts the emphasis on nutrition, particularly during the first trimester. The early weeks—the first 13 to 14 weeks— of the pregnancy are the most crucial.“That’s really when the major organs are formed,” Luke said.
“The risks of birth defects are greatest during that period.”Luke finds patients often get unhelpful advice, such as, “Try not to gain too much weight,” from family members and others. Luke’s advice is to eat as much as possible during a multiples pregnancy.
One of her biggest battles, Luke said, is convincing women that during such a pregnancy is not the time to watch her weight.Luke has counseled mothers of 150 sets of twins, a dozen sets of triplets and Seifert, the mother of the quadruplets.
Despite the long hours, Luke said she can’t imagine doing any other type of work.“I really love what I do,” she said. “I realize admire my patients. The women have tremendous strengths.”
And the best thing for the nutritional health expert, she said, is hearing from former patients months or years afterwards about their children.“It’s a vote of confidence that we’re doing it right,” Luke said.
*Copyright 2000 by Pamela Appea for The Ann Arbor News.
Growing concerns about inhaled steroids? Asthma Magazine
Growing concerns about inhaled steroids?
ASTHMA MAGAZINE
By Pamela Appea
Starting your child on inhaled corticosteroids, asthma and allergy experts say, can be one of the most important steps in helping your child better manage his or her persistent asthma.
However, in 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began to require inhaled corticosteroids, commonly referred to as steroids, to bear a label stating that kids who take the drug may experience delayed growth. Although parents may be concerned about giving their children these drugs, pediatric asthma and allergy specialists say this concern is unwarranted.
Allergy and asthma experts have found it challenging enough to get their young patients--around 5 million U.S. children have asthma--to use inhaled corticosteroids on a daily basis as recommended by national experts.So with the FDA-mandated labeling change, many experts fear parents are discouraged from choosing to give their children this medicine.
"There is a lot of steroid phobia," says Michael Blaiss, MD, vice president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and clinical professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.
Some older studies have shown that, when kids take these corticosteroids, they may experience a slowed rate of growth. The FDA thinks it is still unclear as to whether inhaled corticosteroids pose any long-term risks to a child's final height. These and other questions about corticosteroids are enough to make a parent ask: Are inhaled corticosteroids necessary? Among most pediatric asthma and allergy experts, the answer is a resounding yes.
Asthma experts say the first step is to know what inhaled corticosteroids are. For example, Blaiss explains that the steroids some athletes take to increase performance are in an entirely different class of medication than corticosteroids used for asthma.
When parents hear the doctor say inhaled steroids will be part of their child's asthma treatment, they may negatively associate that medicine with the kind of steroids athletes use.Parents often don't understand the difference and are afraid for no reason, Blaiss says.
"Estrogen is a steroid, yet there is no fear about taking estrogen," says William Berger, MD, president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California in Irvine.
Taking their inhaled steroids may help children with asthma live fuller lives, he emphasizes, which is why it's important for parents to take their child's asthma seriously. It's important to understand the long-term benefits of inhaled corticosteroids, just as a diabetes patient knows that continuous treatment and medical care are essential.
How inhaled corticosteroids work.Inhaled corticosteroids, delivered through a small asthma inhaler (either a traditional metered dose inhaler or a newer dry powder inhaler), reduce and prevent swelling and inflammation in the bronchi, the airways of the lungs.
Specialists will prescribe specific medications so that kids can have better relief for long-term control of asthma symptoms.
Corticosteroids also come in a nasal inhaler preparation for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. Inhaled corticosteroids are preventive medicines.
They do not work like quick-relief inhalers and will not stop or relieve symptoms for a child in the middle of an asthma attack. They must be taken on a daily, long-term basis to be effective.
What research shows:Recent studies, including two published reports in The New England Journal of Medicine, found the definitive benefits of inhaled corticosteroids far outweigh the risks. Although children in the study did measure about 0.4 inches shorter than children on nonsteroid drugs after the first year of treatment, the researchers found that this growth lag disappeared in the following years.
So, as Finegold points out, the kids caught up and suffered no permanent loss from their adult height.
In addition, research from the Childhood Asthma Management Program funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute showed inhaled corticosteroids provided superior asthma control.
Compared with children on placebo, kids treated with corticosteroids had: 45% fewer urgent care visits 43% hospitalizations 45% less use of oral corticosteroids (used to treat severe exacerbations) 30% fewer days in which additional asthma medication was needed 22% more episode-free days.
Parents can take steps to ensure their child takes inhaled corticosteroids as safely as possible to minimize side effects. When taking these medicines with a traditional inhaler, it is important for the child to use a spacer attached to the inhaler. This device allows more medicine to be breathed into the lungs and less to end up in the mouth and throat, where it is swallowed and produces more systemic side effects. It is also important for the child to rinse, gargle, and spit after taking this medicine.
The focus on the inhaled steroid debate, Berger says, has approached the issue from the wrong angle."
Untreated asthma really hurts a child early growth," he says, a fact that physicians have known for years. Kids will be smaller and weaker if they don't take medications they need, he says.
Also, specialists most often prescribe inhaled corticosteroids to kids who have developed a moderate-to-severe chronic form of asthma, which means the asthma episodes are frequent, debilitating, and affecting quality of life. Most kids do extremely well when given low dosages of inhaled corticosteroids and regular check-ups.
"Five thousand people die from asthma every year," Berger says, including many children.
The best way parents should show their concern is to take the disease seriously and get their kids the treatment they need. Asthma specialists agree that research from the past 25 years has shown inhaled corticosteroids effectively help kids control asthma and lead a productive life in school, on the playground, at home, and beyond.
"These are lifesaving drugs," Berger emphasizes."As with all medications, there are some risks. However, the risks are minimal compared with the benefits."Guidelines to help your child use his or her medications.
Always give medicines as prescribed by your child's doctor.
Do not use medicines after the expiration date on the package.
Have your child rinse and gargle with water after each use to limit the amount of medication
that enters the body by being swallowed. This activity reduces the likelihood of side effects.
Keep medications out of the reach of children.
Understand that it may take a few weeks for these medicines to begin to work.
Using a spacer can help more medicine reach the lungs and less to collect in the mouth and throat, where it will be swallowed.
Source: The Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati
Copyright 2002 by Pamela Appea for Asthma Magazine.
Reprint orders: Mosby, Inc., 11830 Westline Industrial Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146-3318; phone (314) 453-4350. Reprint no. 78/1/123558doi:10.1067/mas.2002.123558.http://www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=full&id=a123558
ASTHMA MAGAZINE
By Pamela Appea
Starting your child on inhaled corticosteroids, asthma and allergy experts say, can be one of the most important steps in helping your child better manage his or her persistent asthma.
However, in 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began to require inhaled corticosteroids, commonly referred to as steroids, to bear a label stating that kids who take the drug may experience delayed growth. Although parents may be concerned about giving their children these drugs, pediatric asthma and allergy specialists say this concern is unwarranted.
Allergy and asthma experts have found it challenging enough to get their young patients--around 5 million U.S. children have asthma--to use inhaled corticosteroids on a daily basis as recommended by national experts.So with the FDA-mandated labeling change, many experts fear parents are discouraged from choosing to give their children this medicine.
"There is a lot of steroid phobia," says Michael Blaiss, MD, vice president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and clinical professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.
Some older studies have shown that, when kids take these corticosteroids, they may experience a slowed rate of growth. The FDA thinks it is still unclear as to whether inhaled corticosteroids pose any long-term risks to a child's final height. These and other questions about corticosteroids are enough to make a parent ask: Are inhaled corticosteroids necessary? Among most pediatric asthma and allergy experts, the answer is a resounding yes.
Asthma experts say the first step is to know what inhaled corticosteroids are. For example, Blaiss explains that the steroids some athletes take to increase performance are in an entirely different class of medication than corticosteroids used for asthma.
When parents hear the doctor say inhaled steroids will be part of their child's asthma treatment, they may negatively associate that medicine with the kind of steroids athletes use.Parents often don't understand the difference and are afraid for no reason, Blaiss says.
"Estrogen is a steroid, yet there is no fear about taking estrogen," says William Berger, MD, president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California in Irvine.
Taking their inhaled steroids may help children with asthma live fuller lives, he emphasizes, which is why it's important for parents to take their child's asthma seriously. It's important to understand the long-term benefits of inhaled corticosteroids, just as a diabetes patient knows that continuous treatment and medical care are essential.
How inhaled corticosteroids work.Inhaled corticosteroids, delivered through a small asthma inhaler (either a traditional metered dose inhaler or a newer dry powder inhaler), reduce and prevent swelling and inflammation in the bronchi, the airways of the lungs.
Specialists will prescribe specific medications so that kids can have better relief for long-term control of asthma symptoms.
Corticosteroids also come in a nasal inhaler preparation for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. Inhaled corticosteroids are preventive medicines.
They do not work like quick-relief inhalers and will not stop or relieve symptoms for a child in the middle of an asthma attack. They must be taken on a daily, long-term basis to be effective.
What research shows:Recent studies, including two published reports in The New England Journal of Medicine, found the definitive benefits of inhaled corticosteroids far outweigh the risks. Although children in the study did measure about 0.4 inches shorter than children on nonsteroid drugs after the first year of treatment, the researchers found that this growth lag disappeared in the following years.
So, as Finegold points out, the kids caught up and suffered no permanent loss from their adult height.
In addition, research from the Childhood Asthma Management Program funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute showed inhaled corticosteroids provided superior asthma control.
Compared with children on placebo, kids treated with corticosteroids had: 45% fewer urgent care visits 43% hospitalizations 45% less use of oral corticosteroids (used to treat severe exacerbations) 30% fewer days in which additional asthma medication was needed 22% more episode-free days.
Parents can take steps to ensure their child takes inhaled corticosteroids as safely as possible to minimize side effects. When taking these medicines with a traditional inhaler, it is important for the child to use a spacer attached to the inhaler. This device allows more medicine to be breathed into the lungs and less to end up in the mouth and throat, where it is swallowed and produces more systemic side effects. It is also important for the child to rinse, gargle, and spit after taking this medicine.
The focus on the inhaled steroid debate, Berger says, has approached the issue from the wrong angle."
Untreated asthma really hurts a child early growth," he says, a fact that physicians have known for years. Kids will be smaller and weaker if they don't take medications they need, he says.
Also, specialists most often prescribe inhaled corticosteroids to kids who have developed a moderate-to-severe chronic form of asthma, which means the asthma episodes are frequent, debilitating, and affecting quality of life. Most kids do extremely well when given low dosages of inhaled corticosteroids and regular check-ups.
"Five thousand people die from asthma every year," Berger says, including many children.
The best way parents should show their concern is to take the disease seriously and get their kids the treatment they need. Asthma specialists agree that research from the past 25 years has shown inhaled corticosteroids effectively help kids control asthma and lead a productive life in school, on the playground, at home, and beyond.
"These are lifesaving drugs," Berger emphasizes."As with all medications, there are some risks. However, the risks are minimal compared with the benefits."Guidelines to help your child use his or her medications.
Always give medicines as prescribed by your child's doctor.
Do not use medicines after the expiration date on the package.
Have your child rinse and gargle with water after each use to limit the amount of medication
that enters the body by being swallowed. This activity reduces the likelihood of side effects.
Keep medications out of the reach of children.
Understand that it may take a few weeks for these medicines to begin to work.
Using a spacer can help more medicine reach the lungs and less to collect in the mouth and throat, where it will be swallowed.
Source: The Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati
Copyright 2002 by Pamela Appea for Asthma Magazine.
Reprint orders: Mosby, Inc., 11830 Westline Industrial Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146-3318; phone (314) 453-4350. Reprint no. 78/1/123558doi:10.1067/mas.2002.123558.http://www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=full&id=a123558
Rural Poor, Uninsured Are Half the Visitors to Health Centers, Community Health Funding Report
Rural Poor, Uninsured Are Half the Visitors to Health Centers
Expanding community-health centers to make it easier for patients to visit their doctors would strengthen the U.S. health-care safety network and enhance continuity of health care for medically underserved individuals and families, a new study indicates.
Primary-care visits by uninsured or Medicaid-insured patients accounted for 65% of visits to community health centers and 43% to hospital outpatient departments, says the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In 1998, about 33 million adults in the United States ages 18 to 64 lacked health insurance and benefits.
The study also shows most patients using HHS-supported health centers are racial or ethnic minorities, people with Medicaid or no health insurance and people living in rural areas, says Dr. Claude Earle Fox, HRSA administrator.
HRSA invests $4.6 billion annually as the main HHS agency in charge of improving health care access for uninsured individuals and families in the United States.
Uninsured individuals say they cannot see a doctor when necessary because of the cost and are less likely to get routine physicals. The report shows long-term uninsured adults often were unable to see a health-care practitioner for cancer screenings, cardiovascular risk-reduction and diabetes care, though they may be at a higher risk of developing chronic disease or other health problems.
“Continuity of care is the heart and soul of wellness for patients, particularly with chronic conditions. Continuos and timely treatment can curb complicated , costly procedures down the road,” says Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston, HRSA associate administrator for primary care and assistant surgeon general.
Christopher Forrest and Ellen-Marie Whelan are the lead authors of the study, Primary Care Safety-Net Providers in the United States: a Comparison of Community Health Centers, Hospital Outpatient Departments and Physician Offices.
Info: HRSA, http://www.hrsa.gov;/ http://jama.ama-assn.org/.
Community Health Funding Report
October 27, 2000
Expanding community-health centers to make it easier for patients to visit their doctors would strengthen the U.S. health-care safety network and enhance continuity of health care for medically underserved individuals and families, a new study indicates.
Primary-care visits by uninsured or Medicaid-insured patients accounted for 65% of visits to community health centers and 43% to hospital outpatient departments, says the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In 1998, about 33 million adults in the United States ages 18 to 64 lacked health insurance and benefits.
The study also shows most patients using HHS-supported health centers are racial or ethnic minorities, people with Medicaid or no health insurance and people living in rural areas, says Dr. Claude Earle Fox, HRSA administrator.
HRSA invests $4.6 billion annually as the main HHS agency in charge of improving health care access for uninsured individuals and families in the United States.
Uninsured individuals say they cannot see a doctor when necessary because of the cost and are less likely to get routine physicals. The report shows long-term uninsured adults often were unable to see a health-care practitioner for cancer screenings, cardiovascular risk-reduction and diabetes care, though they may be at a higher risk of developing chronic disease or other health problems.
“Continuity of care is the heart and soul of wellness for patients, particularly with chronic conditions. Continuos and timely treatment can curb complicated , costly procedures down the road,” says Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston, HRSA associate administrator for primary care and assistant surgeon general.
Christopher Forrest and Ellen-Marie Whelan are the lead authors of the study, Primary Care Safety-Net Providers in the United States: a Comparison of Community Health Centers, Hospital Outpatient Departments and Physician Offices.
Info: HRSA, http://www.hrsa.gov;/ http://jama.ama-assn.org/.
Community Health Funding Report
October 27, 2000
Kids Learn to Break Cycle of Addiction
Kids Learn to Break Cycle of Addiction
New York—Many children end up homeless because of parental substance abuse; studies show these kids are themselves at high risk of drug or alcohol dependency.
The Dallas-based nonprofit Rainbow Days works to break this cycle by giving homeless and nonhomeless kids individualized life-skills training and support in their schools, communities and homes, Cathy Brown, Rainbow Day’s executive director, tells attendees at an Institute for Children and Poverty conference.
Rainbow Days’ Family Connection program works with kids in small groups to help them deal with decision-making, family, friends and school. Each group gives kids age-appropriate ways to deal with substance-abuse issues.
Program participants also enroll in short-term university camps, summer camps and art groups, where they develop life skills and a strong conviction against using drugs or alcohol. Parents and guardians can participate.
Part of Rainbow Day’s strategy is giving children community-service obligations. Brown says people come to her, asking incredulously, “You have homeless children doing community service?” Brown’s reply: “You bet.” Over 32,000 children and youth have enrolled in Rainbow Days-sponsored programs since its inception, Sandi McFarland, a training administrative specialist tells CYF.
How Rainbow Days got started
After coming to terms with her own alcoholism 19 years ago, Brown realized that her young daughter was also at risk. Using her experience as a teacher and counselor, Brown started working with a small group of children, including her daughter, affected by parental addiction. Rainbow Days became incorporated in 1982.
Soon after, Brown began working with children at a Dallas shelter. Since then, Rainbow Days has spread to homeless shelters across the city.
The program has been honored by the federal Housing & Urban Development Dept.
Some 80% of Rainbow Days’ $2.5 million operating budget comes from federal grants; the rest comes from sources such as the Texas Commission on Alcohol & Drugs, the Texas Criminal Division and the United Way.
Info: Brown, 214/887-0726; www.rdikids.org.
Written by Pamela Appea
Children & Youth Funding Report
Community Development Publications
April 18, 2001
New York—Many children end up homeless because of parental substance abuse; studies show these kids are themselves at high risk of drug or alcohol dependency.
The Dallas-based nonprofit Rainbow Days works to break this cycle by giving homeless and nonhomeless kids individualized life-skills training and support in their schools, communities and homes, Cathy Brown, Rainbow Day’s executive director, tells attendees at an Institute for Children and Poverty conference.
Rainbow Days’ Family Connection program works with kids in small groups to help them deal with decision-making, family, friends and school. Each group gives kids age-appropriate ways to deal with substance-abuse issues.
Program participants also enroll in short-term university camps, summer camps and art groups, where they develop life skills and a strong conviction against using drugs or alcohol. Parents and guardians can participate.
Part of Rainbow Day’s strategy is giving children community-service obligations. Brown says people come to her, asking incredulously, “You have homeless children doing community service?” Brown’s reply: “You bet.” Over 32,000 children and youth have enrolled in Rainbow Days-sponsored programs since its inception, Sandi McFarland, a training administrative specialist tells CYF.
How Rainbow Days got started
After coming to terms with her own alcoholism 19 years ago, Brown realized that her young daughter was also at risk. Using her experience as a teacher and counselor, Brown started working with a small group of children, including her daughter, affected by parental addiction. Rainbow Days became incorporated in 1982.
Soon after, Brown began working with children at a Dallas shelter. Since then, Rainbow Days has spread to homeless shelters across the city.
The program has been honored by the federal Housing & Urban Development Dept.
Some 80% of Rainbow Days’ $2.5 million operating budget comes from federal grants; the rest comes from sources such as the Texas Commission on Alcohol & Drugs, the Texas Criminal Division and the United Way.
Info: Brown, 214/887-0726; www.rdikids.org.
Written by Pamela Appea
Children & Youth Funding Report
Community Development Publications
April 18, 2001
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Martino Atangana and the African Blue Note
Martino Atangana and the African Blue Note
Amandla Newspaper
By Pamela Appea
If you thought the African music scene in New York was close to dead, think again.
Martino Atangana and the African Blue note, a five-member band, have been playing regularly in New York over the past decade. The band's music, a delicious blend of soukous from Cameroon, Nigerian juju music and Ghanaian highlife, among other musical styles, offers something for everyone.
Lead member of the African Blue note, Martino Atangana, a native of Cameroon, has been a musician since the 1970s. Atangana has lived and worked as a musician spanning three continents in almost three decades. While living in Paris in the 1980s and early 1990s, Atangana's music appeared on Paul Simon's 1990 album, The Rhythm of the Saints.
Atangana has also toured with Jean-Luc Ponty from 1991 to 1993, collaborating with two of Ponty's albums, Tchokola and No Absolute Time.
Today, Atangana lives and works in New York.
In addition to Martino Atangana, Azouhouni Adou (keyboards/vocals); Lawrence Flavius (drums); Mamadou Ba (Bass); and Todd Horton ( trumpet/flugelhorn) are all talented veteran musicians.
All of the members of the group are all veterans of international musical tours with everyone from Fela Kuti to Harry Belafonte to the Spin Doctors. They have also performed at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Museum for African Art, New Jersey Performing Art Center (NJPAC), and countless other venues in the New York/New Jersey areas.
Martino Atangana and the African Blue Note perform regularly at the Zinc Bar in downtown New York on Houston every month. Their next gig will be on August 26th.
http://www.amandlanewspaper.com/html_pages/artcultainment.html
Originally published August 18, 2005
Amandla Newspaper
By Pamela Appea
If you thought the African music scene in New York was close to dead, think again.
Martino Atangana and the African Blue note, a five-member band, have been playing regularly in New York over the past decade. The band's music, a delicious blend of soukous from Cameroon, Nigerian juju music and Ghanaian highlife, among other musical styles, offers something for everyone.
Lead member of the African Blue note, Martino Atangana, a native of Cameroon, has been a musician since the 1970s. Atangana has lived and worked as a musician spanning three continents in almost three decades. While living in Paris in the 1980s and early 1990s, Atangana's music appeared on Paul Simon's 1990 album, The Rhythm of the Saints.
Atangana has also toured with Jean-Luc Ponty from 1991 to 1993, collaborating with two of Ponty's albums, Tchokola and No Absolute Time.
Today, Atangana lives and works in New York.
In addition to Martino Atangana, Azouhouni Adou (keyboards/vocals); Lawrence Flavius (drums); Mamadou Ba (Bass); and Todd Horton ( trumpet/flugelhorn) are all talented veteran musicians.
All of the members of the group are all veterans of international musical tours with everyone from Fela Kuti to Harry Belafonte to the Spin Doctors. They have also performed at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Museum for African Art, New Jersey Performing Art Center (NJPAC), and countless other venues in the New York/New Jersey areas.
Martino Atangana and the African Blue Note perform regularly at the Zinc Bar in downtown New York on Houston every month. Their next gig will be on August 26th.
http://www.amandlanewspaper.com/html_pages/artcultainment.html
Originally published August 18, 2005
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Gossip Blog on American Idol Column-KPTV Fox 12 Oregon TV Website
Fox 12-Oregon
KPTV
By Pamela Appea
Gossip Blog on American Idol Column
And Then There Were Four (Who is Going Home.)
Originally Published April 30, 2003
I was really shocked when Ruben ended up in the bottom two on Wednesday night. What happened?
To quote Simon (who along with Randy and Paula was utterly shocked), ‘This is a singing competition people.’
It’s hard to eliminate people, and Joshua, however cute he may be, is not as strong as a singer as Ruben. Anyone can tell you that. So Trenyce was the one to go. She took it well. Someone said Ruben was taking his audience for granted. I disagree. I think he isn’t and he is a great, an amazing singer. He looked really worried before Ryan pulled him out of the general group.
**
I just watched American Idol and I am still thinking—wow!
Everyone Ruben, Clay, Trenyce, Kimberley and Joshua were truly good, better than good in a mostly 10 out of 10 kind of way. Still I get a feeling, a strong feeling, that this season’s winner will be a man (a Southern man, sorry Josh!)
So, on Tuesday night, we all got to hear the American Idol finalists sing not just one—but two—songs. I suppose the show producers wanted to start off with a bank, which is why the producers chose the lively 60s songs to go on first, and the quieter, gentler crooning tunes of Neil Sadaka came second. And of course, all of the singers needed a rest break. I would have arranged it so that the Sadaka songs came on first, and the more energetic 1960s came on second, so we could have ended with a bank, but Nigel and his crew didn’t call and consult me.
Do I mention the guest judge was the one, and only Neil Sadaka.
And I suppose the fact that I haven’t heard of him before shows that I need to do some serious music and entertainment cramming. (I do know the 1970s song they played during the introductory clip. As for all the other songs, blame it on a generation gap.) Neil Sadaka is a gentlemen, and I like his positive spirit. He wasn’t quite a Paula, but almost.
Now, let’s get the bad news out the way! All of the judges are ganging up on my Joshua—and that is so unfair! It seems totally unrelated, but Joshua is the only non-Southerner left, like I said already in a previous column.
Simon came right out and said Joshua wasn’t good enough. It was what the other judges didn’t say that was telling. And poor Joshua’s wife looked kind of sad at times too. Was it just me or did they keep on zooming in on Josh’s wife—more than usual?
To his credit, Joshua did do a good job at being a crooner (parts 1950s, part county, part Josh) when he sang the “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” song and then the more upbeat “Bad Blood.” (It’s hard for Joshua to look truly pissed off when he’s singing, as he seems like a pretty low-key guy.) I’ll give my Joshua an 8 or 9 out of 10 (as I am as bad as, if not worse than, Paula) for both songs, but that just wasn’t good enough for the majority of the judges.
Ruben started out with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Simon was quick to say that the outfit was kind of interesting in a shiny way. Well, actually, I thought the outfit was interesting in a shiny kind of way. Simon didn’t think the outfit was shiny or interesting. He said he gave the outfit a 2 (although he also became the show’s resident expert in drag show apparel when evaluating Trenyce.)
Moving on, Randy thought Ruben was great saying, “You sound like a winner.” Neil said, “I don’t ever get nervous” when Ruben comes on. I am like Neil. Sometimes I do worry whether an American Idol contestant will sing well (like Trenyce or Joshua) although Neil was too much of a gentleman to name names.) Then Ruben picked up the Neil Sadaka song “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” Paula said “stellar,” and Simon said, “absolutely sensational.”
Kimberley Locke sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and the Neil Sadaka song “Where the Boys Are.” Randy said “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” was “Good” and Neil said she was “ear delicious.” For the second song, Neil told Kimberley “You did me proud.” And Simon, of all people, told Kimberley, “You’ve raised the bar.” Kimberley looked and sounded great to me and her look is becoming almost diva-ish.
Clay’s songs got a lot of praise—from everyone. For the first song, Clay picked the right song for his voice, “Build me Up, Butter Cup.” (You should probably remember this song from the Something about Mary movie.) Clay danced! (Didn’t you see that Paula?) And he seemed to be having fun in a way that almost approximated Ruben. All in all, Clay did an amazing job. Clay got his highest praise from Neil who told him, “I would kill to produce your first CD.”
But for the second song, “Solitaire,” Clay looked a little sleepy. Did Clay take a nap between the other singers? Or maybe he didn’t have Trenyce’s olive oil to wake him up? Who knows? Anyway, Paula said Clay showed a “vulnerable” side during his “Solitaire” performance (the second song), while Simon said, “You lost some of the facial things.” (Trust Simon to focus on something when he can’t think of anything else to say.
So, let’s sum up. Clay and Ruben are still on top. They were both in top form on Tuesday night and didn’t waver.
If the show is going to continue to rate the bottom three, I guess Joshua, Trenyce and Kimberley Locke will end up there. Not to Ryan: at this point, you guys really shouldn’t call it bottom three. But, that’s just me.
As for other fun and quirky things about Tuesday’s show …
Rickey was happily part of the audience, wearing sunglasses because?
Trenyce looks like a toothpick in the second outfit she wore. You need a little more meat on your bones Trenyce! I’m surprised the olive oil shots aren’t packing on the pounds.
Tia and Tamara (from the show Sister Sister) are definite American Idol groupies these days.
What else?
Ryan had jokes up his sleeve all night, calling Ruben “Big Boy,” changing the music when introducing Simon and picking that bright lime green (I think that was the color. All I know is that my eyes were overcome by the brightness) shirt for Tuesday’s show. Ryan you can’t blame the fashion stylist for everything. I am sure you must own some of these interesting shirts you like to wear!
Tune in on Wednesday night to see who’a going to get voted off!
Originally Published April 30, 2003
KPTV
By Pamela Appea
Gossip Blog on American Idol Column
And Then There Were Four (Who is Going Home.)
Originally Published April 30, 2003
I was really shocked when Ruben ended up in the bottom two on Wednesday night. What happened?
To quote Simon (who along with Randy and Paula was utterly shocked), ‘This is a singing competition people.’
It’s hard to eliminate people, and Joshua, however cute he may be, is not as strong as a singer as Ruben. Anyone can tell you that. So Trenyce was the one to go. She took it well. Someone said Ruben was taking his audience for granted. I disagree. I think he isn’t and he is a great, an amazing singer. He looked really worried before Ryan pulled him out of the general group.
**
I just watched American Idol and I am still thinking—wow!
Everyone Ruben, Clay, Trenyce, Kimberley and Joshua were truly good, better than good in a mostly 10 out of 10 kind of way. Still I get a feeling, a strong feeling, that this season’s winner will be a man (a Southern man, sorry Josh!)
So, on Tuesday night, we all got to hear the American Idol finalists sing not just one—but two—songs. I suppose the show producers wanted to start off with a bank, which is why the producers chose the lively 60s songs to go on first, and the quieter, gentler crooning tunes of Neil Sadaka came second. And of course, all of the singers needed a rest break. I would have arranged it so that the Sadaka songs came on first, and the more energetic 1960s came on second, so we could have ended with a bank, but Nigel and his crew didn’t call and consult me.
Do I mention the guest judge was the one, and only Neil Sadaka.
And I suppose the fact that I haven’t heard of him before shows that I need to do some serious music and entertainment cramming. (I do know the 1970s song they played during the introductory clip. As for all the other songs, blame it on a generation gap.) Neil Sadaka is a gentlemen, and I like his positive spirit. He wasn’t quite a Paula, but almost.
Now, let’s get the bad news out the way! All of the judges are ganging up on my Joshua—and that is so unfair! It seems totally unrelated, but Joshua is the only non-Southerner left, like I said already in a previous column.
Simon came right out and said Joshua wasn’t good enough. It was what the other judges didn’t say that was telling. And poor Joshua’s wife looked kind of sad at times too. Was it just me or did they keep on zooming in on Josh’s wife—more than usual?
To his credit, Joshua did do a good job at being a crooner (parts 1950s, part county, part Josh) when he sang the “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” song and then the more upbeat “Bad Blood.” (It’s hard for Joshua to look truly pissed off when he’s singing, as he seems like a pretty low-key guy.) I’ll give my Joshua an 8 or 9 out of 10 (as I am as bad as, if not worse than, Paula) for both songs, but that just wasn’t good enough for the majority of the judges.
Ruben started out with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Simon was quick to say that the outfit was kind of interesting in a shiny way. Well, actually, I thought the outfit was interesting in a shiny kind of way. Simon didn’t think the outfit was shiny or interesting. He said he gave the outfit a 2 (although he also became the show’s resident expert in drag show apparel when evaluating Trenyce.)
Moving on, Randy thought Ruben was great saying, “You sound like a winner.” Neil said, “I don’t ever get nervous” when Ruben comes on. I am like Neil. Sometimes I do worry whether an American Idol contestant will sing well (like Trenyce or Joshua) although Neil was too much of a gentleman to name names.) Then Ruben picked up the Neil Sadaka song “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” Paula said “stellar,” and Simon said, “absolutely sensational.”
Kimberley Locke sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and the Neil Sadaka song “Where the Boys Are.” Randy said “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” was “Good” and Neil said she was “ear delicious.” For the second song, Neil told Kimberley “You did me proud.” And Simon, of all people, told Kimberley, “You’ve raised the bar.” Kimberley looked and sounded great to me and her look is becoming almost diva-ish.
Clay’s songs got a lot of praise—from everyone. For the first song, Clay picked the right song for his voice, “Build me Up, Butter Cup.” (You should probably remember this song from the Something about Mary movie.) Clay danced! (Didn’t you see that Paula?) And he seemed to be having fun in a way that almost approximated Ruben. All in all, Clay did an amazing job. Clay got his highest praise from Neil who told him, “I would kill to produce your first CD.”
But for the second song, “Solitaire,” Clay looked a little sleepy. Did Clay take a nap between the other singers? Or maybe he didn’t have Trenyce’s olive oil to wake him up? Who knows? Anyway, Paula said Clay showed a “vulnerable” side during his “Solitaire” performance (the second song), while Simon said, “You lost some of the facial things.” (Trust Simon to focus on something when he can’t think of anything else to say.
So, let’s sum up. Clay and Ruben are still on top. They were both in top form on Tuesday night and didn’t waver.
If the show is going to continue to rate the bottom three, I guess Joshua, Trenyce and Kimberley Locke will end up there. Not to Ryan: at this point, you guys really shouldn’t call it bottom three. But, that’s just me.
As for other fun and quirky things about Tuesday’s show …
Rickey was happily part of the audience, wearing sunglasses because?
Trenyce looks like a toothpick in the second outfit she wore. You need a little more meat on your bones Trenyce! I’m surprised the olive oil shots aren’t packing on the pounds.
Tia and Tamara (from the show Sister Sister) are definite American Idol groupies these days.
What else?
Ryan had jokes up his sleeve all night, calling Ruben “Big Boy,” changing the music when introducing Simon and picking that bright lime green (I think that was the color. All I know is that my eyes were overcome by the brightness) shirt for Tuesday’s show. Ryan you can’t blame the fashion stylist for everything. I am sure you must own some of these interesting shirts you like to wear!
Tune in on Wednesday night to see who’a going to get voted off!
Originally Published April 30, 2003
Gossip Blog on American Idol Column, And Then There Were Four (Who is Going Home.)-- Fox 12-Oregon KPTV
Fox 12-Oregon
KPTV
By Pamela Appea
Gossip Blog on American Idol Column
And Then There Were Four (Who is Going Home.)
Originally Published April 30, 2003
I was really shocked when Ruben ended up in the bottom two on Wednesday night. What happened?
To quote Simon (who along with Randy and Paula was utterly shocked), ‘This is a singing competition people.’
It’s hard to eliminate people, and Joshua, however cute he may be, is not as strong as a singer as Ruben. Anyone can tell you that. So Trenyce was the one to go. She took it well. Someone said Ruben was taking his audience for granted. I disagree. I think he isn’t and he is a great, an amazing singer. He looked really worried before Ryan pulled him out of the general group.
**
I just watched American Idol and I am still thinking—wow!
Everyone Ruben, Clay, Trenyce, Kimberley and Joshua were truly good, better than good in a mostly 10 out of 10 kind of way. Still I get a feeling, a strong feeling, that this season’s winner will be a man (a Southern man, sorry Josh!)
So, on Tuesday night, we all got to hear the American Idol finalists sing not just one—but two—songs. I suppose the show producers wanted to start off with a bank, which is why the producers chose the lively 60s songs to go on first, and the quieter, gentler crooning tunes of Neil Sadaka came second. And of course, all of the singers needed a rest break. I would have arranged it so that the Sadaka songs came on first, and the more energetic 1960s came on second, so we could have ended with a bank, but Nigel and his crew didn’t call and consult me.
Do I mention the guest judge was the one, and only Neil Sadaka.
And I suppose the fact that I haven’t heard of him before shows that I need to do some serious music and entertainment cramming. (I do know the 1970s song they played during the introductory clip. As for all the other songs, blame it on a generation gap.) Neil Sadaka is a gentlemen, and I like his positive spirit. He wasn’t quite a Paula, but almost.
Now, let’s get the bad news out the way! All of the judges are ganging up on my Joshua—and that is so unfair! It seems totally unrelated, but Joshua is the only non-Southerner left, like I said already in a previous column.
Simon came right out and said Joshua wasn’t good enough. It was what the other judges didn’t say that was telling. And poor Joshua’s wife looked kind of sad at times too. Was it just me or did they keep on zooming in on Josh’s wife—more than usual?
To his credit, Joshua did do a good job at being a crooner (parts 1950s, part county, part Josh) when he sang the “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” song and then the more upbeat “Bad Blood.” (It’s hard for Joshua to look truly pissed off when he’s singing, as he seems like a pretty low-key guy.) I’ll give my Joshua an 8 or 9 out of 10 (as I am as bad as, if not worse than, Paula) for both songs, but that just wasn’t good enough for the majority of the judges.
Ruben started out with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Simon was quick to say that the outfit was kind of interesting in a shiny way. Well, actually, I thought the outfit was interesting in a shiny kind of way. Simon didn’t think the outfit was shiny or interesting. He said he gave the outfit a 2 (although he also became the show’s resident expert in drag show apparel when evaluating Trenyce.)
Moving on, Randy thought Ruben was great saying, “You sound like a winner.” Neil said, “I don’t ever get nervous” when Ruben comes on. I am like Neil. Sometimes I do worry whether an American Idol contestant will sing well (like Trenyce or Joshua) although Neil was too much of a gentleman to name names.) Then Ruben picked up the Neil Sadaka song “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” Paula said “stellar,” and Simon said, “absolutely sensational.”
Kimberley Locke sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and the Neil Sadaka song “Where the Boys Are.” Randy said “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” was “Good” and Neil said she was “ear delicious.” For the second song, Neil told Kimberley “You did me proud.” And Simon, of all people, told Kimberley, “You’ve raised the bar.” Kimberley looked and sounded great to me and her look is becoming almost diva-ish.
Clay’s songs got a lot of praise—from everyone. For the first song, Clay picked the right song for his voice, “Build me Up, Butter Cup.” (You should probably remember this song from the Something about Mary movie.) Clay danced! (Didn’t you see that Paula?) And he seemed to be having fun in a way that almost approximated Ruben. All in all, Clay did an amazing job. Clay got his highest praise from Neil who told him, “I would kill to produce your first CD.”
But for the second song, “Solitaire,” Clay looked a little sleepy. Did Clay take a nap between the other singers? Or maybe he didn’t have Trenyce’s olive oil to wake him up? Who knows? Anyway, Paula said Clay showed a “vulnerable” side during his “Solitaire” performance (the second song), while Simon said, “You lost some of the facial things.” (Trust Simon to focus on something when he can’t think of anything else to say.
So, let’s sum up. Clay and Ruben are still on top. They were both in top form on Tuesday night and didn’t waver.
If the show is going to continue to rate the bottom three, I guess Joshua, Trenyce and Kimberley Locke will end up there. Not to Ryan: at this point, you guys really shouldn’t call it bottom three. But, that’s just me.
As for other fun and quirky things about Tuesday’s show …
Rickey was happily part of the audience, wearing sunglasses because?
Trenyce looks like a toothpick in the second outfit she wore. You need a little more meat on your bones Trenyce! I’m surprised the olive oil shots aren’t packing on the pounds.
Tia and Tamara (from the show Sister Sister) are definite American Idol groupies these days.
What else?
Ryan had jokes up his sleeve all night, calling Ruben “Big Boy,” changing the music when introducing Simon and picking that bright lime green (I think that was the color. All I know is that my eyes were overcome by the brightness) shirt for Tuesday’s show. Ryan you can’t blame the fashion stylist for everything. I am sure you must own some of these interesting shirts you like to wear!
Tune in on Wednesday night to see who’a going to get voted off!
Originally Published April 30, 2003
KPTV
By Pamela Appea
Gossip Blog on American Idol Column
And Then There Were Four (Who is Going Home.)
Originally Published April 30, 2003
I was really shocked when Ruben ended up in the bottom two on Wednesday night. What happened?
To quote Simon (who along with Randy and Paula was utterly shocked), ‘This is a singing competition people.’
It’s hard to eliminate people, and Joshua, however cute he may be, is not as strong as a singer as Ruben. Anyone can tell you that. So Trenyce was the one to go. She took it well. Someone said Ruben was taking his audience for granted. I disagree. I think he isn’t and he is a great, an amazing singer. He looked really worried before Ryan pulled him out of the general group.
**
I just watched American Idol and I am still thinking—wow!
Everyone Ruben, Clay, Trenyce, Kimberley and Joshua were truly good, better than good in a mostly 10 out of 10 kind of way. Still I get a feeling, a strong feeling, that this season’s winner will be a man (a Southern man, sorry Josh!)
So, on Tuesday night, we all got to hear the American Idol finalists sing not just one—but two—songs. I suppose the show producers wanted to start off with a bank, which is why the producers chose the lively 60s songs to go on first, and the quieter, gentler crooning tunes of Neil Sadaka came second. And of course, all of the singers needed a rest break. I would have arranged it so that the Sadaka songs came on first, and the more energetic 1960s came on second, so we could have ended with a bank, but Nigel and his crew didn’t call and consult me.
Do I mention the guest judge was the one, and only Neil Sadaka.
And I suppose the fact that I haven’t heard of him before shows that I need to do some serious music and entertainment cramming. (I do know the 1970s song they played during the introductory clip. As for all the other songs, blame it on a generation gap.) Neil Sadaka is a gentlemen, and I like his positive spirit. He wasn’t quite a Paula, but almost.
Now, let’s get the bad news out the way! All of the judges are ganging up on my Joshua—and that is so unfair! It seems totally unrelated, but Joshua is the only non-Southerner left, like I said already in a previous column.
Simon came right out and said Joshua wasn’t good enough. It was what the other judges didn’t say that was telling. And poor Joshua’s wife looked kind of sad at times too. Was it just me or did they keep on zooming in on Josh’s wife—more than usual?
To his credit, Joshua did do a good job at being a crooner (parts 1950s, part county, part Josh) when he sang the “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” song and then the more upbeat “Bad Blood.” (It’s hard for Joshua to look truly pissed off when he’s singing, as he seems like a pretty low-key guy.) I’ll give my Joshua an 8 or 9 out of 10 (as I am as bad as, if not worse than, Paula) for both songs, but that just wasn’t good enough for the majority of the judges.
Ruben started out with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Simon was quick to say that the outfit was kind of interesting in a shiny way. Well, actually, I thought the outfit was interesting in a shiny kind of way. Simon didn’t think the outfit was shiny or interesting. He said he gave the outfit a 2 (although he also became the show’s resident expert in drag show apparel when evaluating Trenyce.)
Moving on, Randy thought Ruben was great saying, “You sound like a winner.” Neil said, “I don’t ever get nervous” when Ruben comes on. I am like Neil. Sometimes I do worry whether an American Idol contestant will sing well (like Trenyce or Joshua) although Neil was too much of a gentleman to name names.) Then Ruben picked up the Neil Sadaka song “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” Paula said “stellar,” and Simon said, “absolutely sensational.”
Kimberley Locke sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and the Neil Sadaka song “Where the Boys Are.” Randy said “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” was “Good” and Neil said she was “ear delicious.” For the second song, Neil told Kimberley “You did me proud.” And Simon, of all people, told Kimberley, “You’ve raised the bar.” Kimberley looked and sounded great to me and her look is becoming almost diva-ish.
Clay’s songs got a lot of praise—from everyone. For the first song, Clay picked the right song for his voice, “Build me Up, Butter Cup.” (You should probably remember this song from the Something about Mary movie.) Clay danced! (Didn’t you see that Paula?) And he seemed to be having fun in a way that almost approximated Ruben. All in all, Clay did an amazing job. Clay got his highest praise from Neil who told him, “I would kill to produce your first CD.”
But for the second song, “Solitaire,” Clay looked a little sleepy. Did Clay take a nap between the other singers? Or maybe he didn’t have Trenyce’s olive oil to wake him up? Who knows? Anyway, Paula said Clay showed a “vulnerable” side during his “Solitaire” performance (the second song), while Simon said, “You lost some of the facial things.” (Trust Simon to focus on something when he can’t think of anything else to say.
So, let’s sum up. Clay and Ruben are still on top. They were both in top form on Tuesday night and didn’t waver.
If the show is going to continue to rate the bottom three, I guess Joshua, Trenyce and Kimberley Locke will end up there. Not to Ryan: at this point, you guys really shouldn’t call it bottom three. But, that’s just me.
As for other fun and quirky things about Tuesday’s show …
Rickey was happily part of the audience, wearing sunglasses because?
Trenyce looks like a toothpick in the second outfit she wore. You need a little more meat on your bones Trenyce! I’m surprised the olive oil shots aren’t packing on the pounds.
Tia and Tamara (from the show Sister Sister) are definite American Idol groupies these days.
What else?
Ryan had jokes up his sleeve all night, calling Ruben “Big Boy,” changing the music when introducing Simon and picking that bright lime green (I think that was the color. All I know is that my eyes were overcome by the brightness) shirt for Tuesday’s show. Ryan you can’t blame the fashion stylist for everything. I am sure you must own some of these interesting shirts you like to wear!
Tune in on Wednesday night to see who’a going to get voted off!
Originally Published April 30, 2003
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