By Neil Rubenstein
Observer Columnist
During the holiday season with large crowds scampering from store to store, my memory recalls the only establishments required by law to have defibrillators are fitness centers.
Perhaps you also remember the ruling of the California Supreme Court that was based on the death of a customer in a Target store because, in part, it took 16 minutes for the paramedics to get to the victim. Some from the business community felt they cannot be responsible for every medical emergency that happens on their premises. To this the court agreed. Now, hopefully, the legislature will move forward.
The National Association of Realtors recently said that from March 2013 to March 2014 $92 billion flew into the U.S. housing market and Southern California was a prime destination. Nearly one-fourth came from Chinese buying in the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles and Irvine. It’s reported some families are buying houses for their children attending California universities.
I am glad I spent the fourth of July here in Culver City watching the fireworks. I could have gone to Newport Beach but I heard it’s like an armed camp. They had their 141 officers working shifts, the city spent around $70,000 on outside help: 20 mounted officers from various agencies, 10 cops from Irvine on bikes, 20 Highway Patrol officers to keep traffic moving – and the Orange County Sheriff WILL book people arrested.
Do you have a need for a new car? Perhaps you can get a loan from the credit union and purchase a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat for $64,000. The Hellcat is every speed demon’s dream, what with 707 horsepower and top speed of 204 miles per hour. It can do a quarter mile in 11 seconds. With all that the car gets 22 MPG – unbelievable.
Dae-Hyeong Kim, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering at Seoul National University has found a synthetic material designed to mimic the elasticity and sensory capabilities of human skin. To do this Kim’s invention contains up to 400 sensors per square centimeter and is made from ultra-thin gold and silicon.
Ever hear of Kite Pharma? Well, neither have I, but those good people in Santa Monica have developed a way of genetically modifying a patient’s immune system to kill cancerous tumors. What a breakthrough!!!
Anybody want to guess what was once the world’s second largest coffee producer? Do I hear Columbia? Do I hear Viet Nam? Do I hear Turkey? All are darn good guesses but Haiti is the correct answer. Life in Haiti is going from bad to worse, and the Bill Clinton Foundation is working hard to revitalize the crop.
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest user of water in L.A. They use 2.5 billion gallons of water annually.
Veterans of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division known as “the Big Red One” will hold their 97th Annual Reunion in Lombard, Illinois from June 17 – 21 at the Westin Lombard, 215-654-1969 or 1stID.org.
When you are in Washington, DC stop by 1811 R Street NW to see the Jewish War Veterans National Museum of American Jewish Military History, which uses narratives, images, artifacts and multimedia to explore the place of Jews in the military heritage of the U.S. from the colonial period to the present.
Opening on Jan. 27 at the Kirk Douglas will be a revival of “Chavez Ravine,” first performed in 2003 by Culture Clash. It details what occurred so the Dodgers could build a stadium near downtown L.A. I’ve been here long enough to remember those events very well.
On Jan. 31 you can visit 25 museums free. See socal/museums.org.
On Jan. 27, 1973 the signing of the Vietnam Peace Accord took place.
On Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed.
On Jan. 17, 1991 Operation Desert Storm Began. As you all recall, my regiment, formed in 1843 to help the settlers across the Oregon Trail, led the British and French armored divisions in destroying Iraq’s army. The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, also known as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, is the third oldest unit on continuous active duty.
I just got through marking my 2015 calendar to remind myself of the terrific program with Marc Wanamaker entitled “The Making of Gone With the Wind.” It will be on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Veterans Memorial Building, 4153 Overland, as part of the Culver City Historical Society’s quarterly general meeting.
Theodorsia and I just recently received the January 2015 issue of the Harvard Health Letter from the Harvard Medical School, jam-packed with important information we all need to know. For example, “Is your medication affecting your thinking skills?” Some meds have a side effect that makes seniors confused and prone to falls. Treatments for blood pressure, allergies and incontinence may put oldsters at risk for confusion. It is recommended that patients keep good records as soon as they begin a new medication, noting any side effects. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist to find out about anticholinergic agents, and if your meds have those properties. Harvard suggests talking to your medical professional about all over-the-counter products, including herbal supplements and vitamins.
Many of us know fiber curbs hunger and helps with weight control, but did you know fiber also lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels, which can help fight diabetes and heart disease?
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