November 10

This Day in History: Nat Turner is hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, USA.
On this day in history, November 11, 1831, Nat Turner, a black American bondsman who led a slave bloody revolt three months prior, is hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia.
Turner, a slave and educated minister, believed that he was chosen by God to lead his people out of slavery. On August 21, 1831, he initiated his slave uprising by slaughtering Joseph Travis, his slave owner, and Travis’ family. With seven followers, Turner set off across the countryside, hoping to rally hundreds of slaves to join his insurrection. Turner planned to capture the county armory at Jerusalem, Virginia, and then march 30 miles to Dismal Swamp, where his rebels would be able to elude their pursuers.
During the next two days and nights, Turner and 75 followers rampaged through Southampton County, killing about 60 whites. Local whites resisted the rebels, and then the state militia–consisting of some 3,000 men–crushed the rebellion. Only a few miles from Jerusalem, Turner and all his followers were dispersed, captured, or killed. In the aftermath of the rebellion, scores of African Americans were lynched, though many of them had not participated in the revolt. Turner himself was not captured until the end of October, and after confessing without regret to his role in the bloodshed, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. On November 11, he was hanged in Jerusalem.
Turner’s rebellion was the largest slave revolt in U.S. history and led to a new wave of oppressive legislation prohibiting the movement, assembly, and education of slaves.
Tobacco use make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the US
Cancers linked to tobacco use make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States
Adult cigarette smoking is down, but tobacco use is still the most preventable cause of cancer
Forty percent of cancers diagnosed in the U.S. may have a link to tobacco use, according to this month’s Vital Signs Report. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths. It causes more than lung cancer — based on current evidence, it can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, and a type of leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia).
Each year between 2009 and 2013, about 660,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with, and about 343,000 people died from, a cancer related to tobacco use, according to a new report by CDC. Three in ten cancer deaths were due to cigarette smoking, but progress has been made. Since 1990, about 1.3 million tobacco-related cancer deaths have been avoided.
“There are more than 36 million smokers in the U.S.,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Sadly, nearly half could die prematurely from tobacco-related illnesses, including 6 million from cancer, unless we implement the programs that will help smokers quit.”
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data released today in a separate article in the same MMWR show that current cigarette smoking among U.S. adults declined from 20.9 percent (45.1 million) in 2005 to 15.1 percent (36.5 million) in 2015. During 2014-2015 alone, there was a 1.7 percentage point decline, resulting in the lowest prevalence of adult cigarette smoking since the CDC’s NHIS began collecting such data in 1965.
“When states invest in comprehensive cancer control programs—including tobacco control—we see greater benefits for everyone and fewer deaths from tobacco-related cancers. We have made progress, but our work is not done,” said Lisa C. Richardson, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.
Comprehensive cancer control programs are focused on reducing cancer risk, detecting cancer early, improving cancer treatments, helpingmore people survive cancer, improving cancer survivors’ quality of life, and better assisting communities disproportionately impacted by cancer. Comprehensive tobacco control programs coordinate efforts to implement proven strategies to prevent tobacco use initiation among youth and young adults, to promote tobacco users to quit, to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure, and to identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities. However, not all states or all people have experienced the benefits of these efforts; tobacco prevention and control resources, along with access to medical care and cancer treatment, vary widely across the U.S. The Vital Signs report on tobacco-related cancers shows that:
· Incidence and death rates were highest among African-Americans compared with other races or ethnicities, people who live in counties with a low proportion of college graduates, and people who live in counties with high poverty levels.
· By region, incidence rates were highest in the Northeast (202 per 100,000 persons) and lowest in the West (170 per 100,000 persons).
· Incidence rates for tobacco-related cancers are still higher among men (250 per 100,000 persons) than women (148 per 100,000 persons).
Preventing and reducing tobacco use and tobacco-related cancers take comprehensive approaches
Quitting smoking at any age has health benefits, including reducing the risk of getting or dying from cancer. Quitting smoking improves the prognosis of cancer patients and reduces the risk of getting a secondary cancer (a cancer that occurs in a different organ) in cancer patients and cancer survivors.
States and communities can help by making quitting resources available to people who want them and by funding comprehensive tobacco prevention and control programs at CDC-recommended levels.
Smokers can get free help quitting by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. There they can get free counseling and information about the seven smoking cessation medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign features real people living with the consequences of smoking-related diseases and offers additional quit resources at http://www.cdc.gov/tips, including cessation assistance developed by the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.
The United States Cancer Statistics contains the official federal statistics on cancer incidence (newly diagnosed cases) from each registry that met data quality criteria. CDC and the National Cancer Institute have combined their cancer incidence data sources to produce these statistics. Mortality data are from CDC’s National Vital Statistics System. The CDC provides support for states and territories to maintain registries that provide high-quality data through the National Program of Cancer Registries.
IAAF World Athlete of the Year 2016 Finalist
With less than a month to go until the IAAF Athletics Awards 2016, the IAAF can reveal the names of the finalists for the 2016 IAAF World Athlete of the Year awards.
The finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Men
Usain Bolt (JAM)
Mo Farah (GBR)
Wayde van Niekerk (RSA)
Women
Almaz Ayana (ETH)
Elaine Thompson (JAM)
Anita Wlodarczyk (POL)
The finalists were determined by a three-way voting process. The IAAF Council’s vote counted for 50% of the result, the IAAF Family’s* vote counted for 25% and a public vote, conducted via social media, counted for 25% of the final result.
The World Athletes of the Year will be announced live on stage at the IAAF Athletics Awards 2016.
IAAF Release
How Facebook Marketing May Help You Reach Highly Targeted Leads
Online ads have come a long way in the last few years. Gone are the days of needing an expensive ad agency to create effective ads for your business. Ad networks like Google Adwords and Facebook marketing have helped lower the barrier for creating profitable ads.
You, dear business owner, could create an ad in 15 minutes that could generate actual leads for your business. The best part is that, with Facebook marketing, you can test this process for as little as $5 a day.
The Power of Facebook Marketing
Facebook marketing had a significant impact on the advertising game with their highly-targeted native ads. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars each day to run a website ad for every visitor. You’re merely having your ads shown to exactly the people you want, and you only pay when someone clicks your ad.
When it comes to Facebook marketing (or any other marketing, for that matter), you have to be incredibly specific when targeting an audience. A big mistake many people make with Facebook ads is not being specific enough with who they want to reach with their ads.
Many business owners want to make the most impact from their money, so they try to show their ad to as many people as possible. This can work against you. When it comes to Facebook marketing, more is not necessarily better. The social media platform can give you incredibly fine-grained control when it comes to targeting. This audience specificity drives down cost. Facebook rewards ads that are efficient and effective by lowering the cost per click (or action).
Step 1: Get in Your Ideal Customer’s Head
Before you start thinking about crafting your ad, it helps to figure out your core demographic first. You can make a quick list of the attributes of your ideal customer:
- What do they read?
- What websites do they visit?
- How old are they?
- What products do they buy?
- Where do they shop?
- What other Facebook pages do they like?
Answering these questions (and more if you can) can help as you start shaping what your ideal customer will look like. You can use these attributes to help show your ad to the perfect people using Facebook marketing.
Step 2: Define the Specific Action
Now that you know who you’re making the ad for, it’s time to figure out what they’re going to do. What action is your ad going to have them take?
This can be a problem with Facebook ad campaigns: They lack a specific call to action. Businesses can often underestimate the motivation needed to actually click an ad.
If you’re trying to get a lead’s email address, you may want to send them to a subscribe form or lead magnet. If you want people to buy a product, consider sending them to the product page. (Though Facebook ads are generally suited better towards an offer like a coupon or an email signup than selling products.)
You may want to avoid just sending them to your homepage. The idea is that once people click on your ad, they’re sent to a page that a) matches the offer they saw in your ad and b) has a clear action for them to take.
Step 3: Create an Irresistible Offer
In order for people to click on ad, they need some sort of benefit for clicking it. What are you providing for them? How are you making their lives easier? How are you making them happier?
Many businesses believe that people will click on their ads because they like them or find them interesting. Consider this: How many Facebook ads have you clicked on in the last week? Probably less than one.
Great ads have an offer that people can’t pass up on. Oftentimes a great offer has an incentive like a coupon or a price break, or when it is a time-sensitive offer.
Using Facebook Marketing to Create Your Ad
Now head on over to Facebook Ads website, and you can start building your ad. (Note: Because Facebook often changes the actual steps and process for ad creation, you should follow along with Facebook’s own documentation while creating the ad. This article is meant to give you higher-level concepts rather than the actual ad-creation process.)
Ad settings. Once you’ve told Facebook your desired objective, you’re going to start telling Facebook who you want to reach. This is where you’ll use the data that you collected earlier when describing the attributes of your ideal customer.
If you’re a local business, you’ll want to give a radius around your business for the location. If you’re not a local business or your operate mostly online, then you may want to just target English-speaking countries (or countries that you ship to). You could also use Facebook’s Local Awareness Ads if you want to reach people who are physically near your business.
Ad targeting. For the rest of the targeting options:
- Gender: You’ll probably want to specify a gender, and craft the tone of your ad accordingly.
- Age: Age is important too, so fill in the ideal age of your customer
- Interests: Here is where your hard work earlier will pay off. Start plugging in all of those attributes of your ideal customer. Where they shop, what they do for hobbies, other Facebook pages they might like, etc. Remember to be specific, and stay away from generic suggestions that Facebook will try to give you, like “Cars.”
Potential reach. As you’re filling in these details, you’ll see on the right sidebar an “Audience Definition” heading. Under that, you’ll find “Potential reach.” You’ll want to keep this between 500,000 and 1 million. (If you’re a local business, don’t worry if this number is much lower.)
Other settings. Set your budget to $5 a day, or even lower if you need. The goal is to just get data. I’d also recommend setting a schedule so that your ads aren’t running at 3 a.m., unless that’s when your ideal customers are going to be awake.
Building Your Facebook Ad
Refer to Facebook’s documentation for building the ad. It consists of supplying a URL, an image, headline and description.
If you don’t have any good graphics for your ad, you can use Canva, which has pre-built social media images for free. Make sure the image stands out. If the image has text on it, the text can’t cover more than 20 percent of the image.
Because you’re just getting started, I would recommend using every placement available—in the Facebook feed or right column—just to get some initial data. You can always turn specific placements off later if they don’t convert.
That’s it! Now the important part: sit tight and don’t touch anything. Facebook will learn over time the best potential people to see your ad, and it takes a little time for it to figure it out. Consider letting the ad run for at least a few days before you start changing things.
You can try split tests of different ads by copying the original and changing only one thing at a time: the title, the picture, the description. Once you start getting data back on what is working, you can eliminate sections of people that aren’t clicking, and optimize for the ones that are. This can help drive costs down and conversions up even more.
After you start seeing some success, you could start using Facebook’s retargeting to reach people who have clicked your ad, but didn’t finish the objective.
If you want to increase your daily spend, consider only increasing by 20 percent every day. Raising your daily spend from $5 a day to $500 could negatively affect Facebook’s algorithm for showing your ad to the right people.
Setting up a Facebook ad is fairly straightforward and doesn’t require a huge ad budget or an entire ad team. You can set them up yourself for a few dollars a day. If the ads are profitable, then you can invest more time and money into the process.
Caribbean Leaders congratulate Trump
Caribbean Leaders congratulate Trump
Leaders from several Caribbean nations have extended to US President-elect Donald J.Trump following his election by American voters on Tuesday.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness extended congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica. In his congratulatory message Holness emphasized “The great value placed by Jamaica on the longstanding friendship and cooperation, which has shaped our bilateral relationship with the United States for more than 50 years.” He also stated he was looking forward to the relationship with Trump to build on existing initiatives, explore new opportunities, as well as strengthening US/Caribbean and Jamaican relations.
In her message Jamaica’s Opposition Leader, Portia Simpson Miller extended “sincere congratulation” and urged Trump to “quickly reach across the political divide in the US and try to build bridges in the global space so that we can continue to foster peace and development around the world”. She told Trump he “ joins a select group of men who have attained the distinction of becoming Leader of the Free World.”
Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris of St. Kitts-Nevis in his congratulatory message to the President–elect, said “My Government and I are looking forward to seeing you govern as the 45th President of the United States of America, as you work to execute your mandate of bringing jobs and prosperity to your country and protecting its interests around the world. Your stirring message of change has energized and electrified the American electorate and changed the political playbook.”
Guyana’s President Granger, also extended well-wishes to Trump saying he is looking forward to working with the new US administration. Granger said the US elections were conducted in a transparent manner and it is now an issue for the American people and Guyana to respect the democratic choice of the American people.
British tourist dies in cruise shore excursion in Dominica
British tourist dies in cruise shore excursion in Dominica
The Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal in Dominica says it has undertaken necessary measures to assist those persons who were involved in an accident that claimed the life of a cruise ship passenger on Wednesday afternoon.
“We are saddened by the loss of life of one of our British visitors and express our deepest sympathies to her husband, the family and friends,” the Ministry said, adding that another 11 people were injured in the incident, three locals and nine visitors.
“Our concerns have been with them and all is being done to ensure they are treated with the best care, to assist with a speedy recovery.”
According to the statement, the accident occurred at 1:30 pm (local) time when a passenger bus that was on a cruise ship excursion collided with a sedan.
The Ministry of Tourism says the health professionals moved quickly to ensure the safety of the passengers and drivers of the vehicles and the hospital initiated ‘their mass casualty protocols to receive and care for the injured.”
The Ministry of Tourism says it has also undertaken measures to provide “clear and concise information to the injured, their families, the Cruise line, the respective embassy, and the respective stakeholders.”
The Government, the Cruise Line and other key agencies have all been briefed on the situation.
The nine visitors involved in the crash were passengers on the P&O ship Azura that sailed from Southampton in the UK on October 29, with over 3,000 passengers on board.
Investigators to probe fatal crash of small plane in Kingston
Investigators to probe fatal crash of small plane in Kingston
A probe has commenced into the circumstances surrounding a fatal plane crash in the Corporate Area on Thursday afternoon.
The police report that the small plane, owned by the Caribbean Aviation Training Centre crashed into a yard in the community of Greenwich Town, shortly after take off from the Tinson Pen Aerodrome, shortly after 1:00pm (local time).
The aircraft burst into flames on impact and also ignited a house.
The flight instructor and one of the students were pronounced dead on the scene, while another student who was rushed to hospital died early Friday.
passengers died on impact, while the third person died in hospital.
According to Transport Minister Mike Henry, his Ministry will be appointing an “Investigator In Charge” , in keeping with the requirements of the Civil Aviation Act.
The investigator will determine the cause of the crash by gathering information available from all sources including the aircraft records, eyewitness statements and air traffic control reports.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Nari Williams Singh says major changes could be made to the protocol for Jamaica’s air safety based on the probe.
“This is a safety investigation so the information that we want to come out with at the end is to prevent any other such occurrence,” said Williams Singh
US quietly deporting Haitians, again
US quietly deporting Haitians, again
Despite the continuing aftermath of Hurricane Matthew’s Category 4 impact on the Caribbean nation of Haiti, the U.S. government has once again begun deportation flights to the devastated region after temporarily halting them to give Haiti time to recover.
Following Hurricane Matthew, Homeland Security Secretary, Jeh Johnson made the announcement that the United States would temporarily halt deportation flights to Haiti, this just weeks after the U.S. government announced on September 22 that it was ending a six-year moratorium on deportations to Haiti. Miami Herald confirms the deportation with Haiti human rights officials and a spokesman for the Haiti National Police who are responsible for meeting deportees when they are sent back.
The first flight arrived last month in Port-au-Prince with 30 people on board and another flight arriving the following week carrying 40 people.
“These are not criminal deportees but people who went to Brazil and transited through Mexico to San Diego, California,” said Pierre Esperance, executive director of the National Network Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH).
He said the resumption of the flights while Haiti is struggling to rebound after the storm is “unacceptable. Frankly, the American government isn’t showing solidarity with Haiti,” Esperance said. “Haiti is in an extremely complicated situation. You have a hurricane, ongoing flooding, elections that are coming and a bankrupt public treasury.”
In the 5 weeks since Matthew made landfall in Haiti’s, some 160 communities still inaccessible and more than 1.4 million people in urgent need of real assistance.
4 reasons why you should fill your shopping cart with store brands
4 reasons why you should fill your shopping cart with store brands
Price isn’t the only reason 97 percent of millennials say they buy store brands. Shoppers age 18-36 say store brand products are also more innovative than brand name ones, deliver better value and are higher quality than ever, according to a report by Mintel.
What’s more, millennials aren’t the only group driving the growing demand for store brands. Private label brands now account for nearly 18 percent of all sales — $115.3 billion, according to the Private Label Manufacturer’s Association. In supermarkets, store brands make up 23 percent of all products sold and more than 17 percent of all products sold in drug stores, the PLMA says.
Performance and innovation
Early store brands had a reputation for mimicking the winning qualities of national brands, but many of today’s private labels are leading the way. In today’s market, it’s not unusual to find store brands launching their own innovations and bringing a new standard of performance to both national and competitive private label brands.
For example, some store brand incontinence and feminine care products now incorporate Dri-Fit innovations — the same absorbency technology found in the Prevail national brand of adult incontinence products. With a unique blend of natural and synthetic fibers, Dri-Fit innovations provide the comfort of cotton and the protection of synthetics in protective underwear, bladder control pads/liners, ultrathin maxi pads, thick maxi pads and panty liners. Independent lab testing found that products incorporating Dri-Fit innovations lock in 20 percent more wetness than other leading bladder control brands, based on retention capacity. To learn more, visit MadewithDriFit.com.
Quality and value
Innovation by store brands could explain why, globally, 71 percent of store brand buyers say the quality of private label brands has improved, according to one Nielsen study. And while this study also found that a quarter of American shoppers describe store brands as an extremely good value, it’s clear that cost is no longer the only benefit of private label products.
For food items in particular, one major consumer study found most taste-testers felt store brands tasted as good as, and in some cases better than, national brands, Time magazine and Money Manifesto both reported.
Choice and convenience
Today’s store brands are available in virtually every product category. From prepared foods and dry goods, to fresh and deli meats, dairy and eggs, as well as health and beauty items and even baby formula, it’s possible to find alternative options for many popular name-brand products.
What’s more, nearly every major department, grocery and pharmacy chain now has its own store brand, meaning you can find innovative and value-oriented alternatives no matter where you prefer to shop.
Same sources and standards
Food and beverage and consumer products are regulated in the U.S., and store brands are held to the same regulatory standards of quality, safety and source as national brands. What’s more, some store brands not only offer the same quality as national brands, they come from the same place.
Store brands may come from national brand manufacturers who use their excess plant capacity to produce and supply store brands to retail chains. Others are made by specialized producers that concentrate their business on providing products for store brands. Still others, such as retailers and wholesalers, may own their own manufacturing facilities that supply product exclusively to their stores.
In a report on private labels, Nielsen noted that “Long gone are the days of no-frills packaging intended only for those on a tight budget — private label, also known as store brands, are no longer viewed simply as low-cost alternatives to name brands; they’re increasingly high-quality products that fulfill consumer needs across a variety of price points.”
brandpointcontent.com
Weekly Roundup
Weekly Roundup
“Honoring our Veterans”
Who: The City of Lauderdale Lakes city officials and staff
What: This Federal Holiday honors the brave men and women of the armed forces who risked their lives to protect our freedom. They include the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine corps, Air Force, and the Coast Guard. Veterans Day recognizes all those who served honorably in the Military in War or in peace. Its primary purpose is to thank the living veterans for their bravery and contributions to our national security.
When: Friday, November 11 10 a.m.
Where: The Samuel Brown Monument, located at the entrance to City Hall
300 BCPS Immigrant Students to Showcase Legislative Youth Agenda
Who: Broward County Public Schools Students, School Board Members, Superintendent Robert W. Runcie, District Staff, Elected Officials and Community Members
What: Over 300 immigrant students from high schools throughout Broward County will exhibit and present their Florida legislative policy proposals and share ideas on how to improve their communities as part of the Close Up – Broward Youth Policy Summit Expo.
When: Friday, November 18 10 a.m. – noon
Where: Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale
Troops to Education: M-DCPS Wants You!
Who: Some 250 attendees, including veterans, military spouses and district representatives; 15 exhibitors
What: Troops to Education – Military Veterans & Spouses Career Expo where urban school districts are finding new sources of effective teachers and education related support staff while providing opportunities for veterans and spouses to continue to serve in their own communities.
When: Saturday, November 19 (Registration at 8:30 a.m. and event at 9 a.m.)
Where: Coral Gables Senior High School
Miami Minority Homeowners sue banks for prejudice loan practices
Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world today is Wedneday, November 8th, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida, this is CNW 90, and I’m Suzette Speaks.
Today’s news is brought to you by Grace Aloe, Aloe Vera Drink, Refreshingly Delicious.
Here’s a look at our top stories:
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated it could allow Miami to pursue lawsuits accusing major banks of destructive mortgage lending to black and Hispanic home buyers. The eight justices heard arguments filed by Bank of America and Wells Fargo challenging the decision made by a lower court, however, under the Fair Housing Act, a federal law outlawing discrimination in housing, it was deemed illegal.
Goldson Spine and Rehabilitation Center held a Grand Opening last night for their first office located in Miami. With four locations now serving the community, Goldson Spine is the largest Caribbean owned Chiropractic center operating in South Florida.
Join commissioner Darlene Riggs for the thanksgiving turkey giveaway event held at Walmart on South University drive in Miramar Saturday. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. with Flu vaccinations for the upcoming cold season will be available for those with and without health insurance.
In Sports:
The West Indies Cricket Board is defending recent legislation which demands a 20 percent levy on player salaries from overseas boards. The controversial proposal, which has so far drawn ire in many circles, seeks to tax boards that wish to enlist the services of West Indies players for several T20 tournaments around the world.
Now, here’s what’s trending:
Celebrities including Snoop Lion, took to Twitter yesterday to celebrate the passage of California’s Proposition 64, which allows all state residents who are 21 and older to possess, transport and buy up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational purposes, According to CNN.
For today’s weather forecast:
Partky Cloudy in Broward County with a high of 82 and a low of 62. Partly Cloudy in Miami-Dade, with a high of 79 and a low of 66.
For more information on these and other stories, visit
Caribbean national weekly.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean – American outlet. Today’s news is brought to you by Grace Aloe. Aloe Vera drink, Refreshingly Delicious.”
You’ve been watching CNW90, I’m Suzette Speaks.
Heavy rains pound St. Vincent – one killed
Heavy rains pound St. Vincent – one killed
Heavy rains in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, resulted in the death of a boy while another one is reported missing. Early Wednesday, security officials reported that the body of Phillip Compton, 12, from the Grenadine island of Bequia was found after he was swept away by floodwaters as he tried to clear a drain.
The police in confirming the death said Coast Guard had joined in the search for a missing six-year-old boy, who along with his elder brother, had been swept away by a river as a result of the heavy rains that The missing boy has been identified as Jayquan May, however, the police reported that his 10-year-old brother, Jafon, was found at sea on Wednesday, nearly half a mile from the spot where he had been swept away.
He has been taken to hospital suffering with a broken right foot and an injury to the head.
The boys’ mother, whose name was not disclosed, fainted on the beach and had to be rushed to hospital.
Heavy rains, stemming from a surface trough in the vicinity of the country, has dumped close to five inches of rain over the past 24 hours, resulting in floods and landslides across the islands.
On Wednesday, the Meteorological Office said the system would continue to affect the country and non-essential public servants were told to stay home and several privately owned businesses remained closed.
3 ways to revamp your winter skincare regimen
3 ways to revamp your winter skincare regimen
Smart skincare is essential year-round to maintain healthy, youthful looking skin. During the colder months, it becomes especially critical as temperatures, humidity and air quality are in flux — not to mention your calendar, which is sure to be packed with seasonal festivities.
By upgrading your skincare regimen this winter, you can better protect your skin through dry conditions and maintain a healthy glow between your daily activities and holiday happenings. Whether you’re getting glam for a gathering, hitting the ski slopes or holiday shopping for that special someone, taking care of your skin is key to looking and feeling your best!
Shine with refined, smoothed skin.
The secret to maintaining healthy looking, dewy skin is to find skincare products that help refine the appearance of pores. While cold air visibly shrinks pores, lower humidity levels can actually increase excess oil production and cause irritated, clogged pores.
When choosing your skincare products, look for those designed to retexturize your skin. Formulas with scientifically proven ingredients like oat extract help exfoliate the skin to unclog pores, while lentil seed extract, which is high in antioxidants, can reduce the appearance of pores. Additionally, java tea extract is known for its oil control properties. Such ingredients are used in products like Artistry Advanced Skin Refinisher, which is a great addition for your skincare regimen.
Always remember to moisturize skin and stay hydrated.
This goes for every climate and season, as skin cells require water to stay healthy and resist environmental damage. In the winter, harsher climates often see lower humidity, which requires extra hydrating skincare for defense.
Moisturize at least twice daily. In the morning, moisturizers are the perfect base for your makeup to avoid flaky skin while you’re out and about. Complement it with nourishing foundations for smooth, flawless coverage, and toss a compact foundation with moisturizer in your bag to reapply on the go.
For intensive hydration, consider denser moisturizing creams like Artistry Supreme LX Regenerating Cream and Eye Cream, which also have anti-aging benefits. “These formulas contain multi-phase technology to replenish, energize, repair and protect skin so it looks and performs more like it did when it was younger,” says Dr. Sumita Butani, global product innovation lead for Artistry by Amway. “Using moisturizers with an added anti-aging effect from powerful ingredients like gardenia grandiflora stem cell extract is particularly crucial in dry weather, when your skin is more susceptible to dullness and dryness.”
If moisturizing creams feel too heavy on your skin during the day, opt for a lotion for a light and refreshing boost. Then, as you’re unwinding at night, reapplying moisturizers after removing makeup and cleansing is a great way to revitalize the skin for the day ahead. It’s like giving your skin a big glass of water!
Of course, don’t forget to drink water as well. Eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about two liters, gives your skin a refreshing reservoir. Coffee, tea and soda have a diuretic effect that counteracts hydration, so try to limit your intake of those beverages.
Indulge once in a while, inside and out.
In addition to your daily skincare regimen, pick a day or two each week to pamper your skin even further with a revitalizing mineral-based mask or peel. Try moisturizing masks packed with hydrolipids to lock in moisture, and soothing fragrances, like cucumber and lavender, for a full, relaxing experience.
Every now and then, take time to truly self-indulge, such as by making yourself a cup of herbal tea, soaking in a hot bath or diving into that book you’ve put on hold.
“The holidays are all about focusing on quality time with family and friends, but it’s also so important to invest energy into my own physical and emotional wellness so I can feel my best,” says Amway Independent Business Owner Carrie Bohlig. “I practice good self-care by keeping on top of my skincare regimen and making time for my at-home spa treatment using Artistry Renewing Peel. I also hit the gym, get outside and eat a well-rounded diet so I can really make the most of special holiday time with my loved ones!”
By taking care of yourself from the inside out and investing in high quality skincare, you’ll be able to feel and look great as you enjoy the winter months and make memories to cherish.
brandpointcontent.com
Food trends: Changing tastes bring out the best
Food trends and a tempest in a teapot: Changing tastes bring out the best
Tea has been a beverage of choice since ancient times, although it is not immune to changing tastes. With the introduction of new microbrews joining the craft movement, tea is the latest category to bring blending to a new level.
This trend is much to the delight of tea drinkers, who account for over 158 million Americans or approximately four out of five people. And with 87 percent of millennials drinking tea, according to the Tea Association of the USA, microbrews are in demand, with many desiring to try new flavors.
The craft trend started with microbreweries that first applied the term to the small batches of beer they produced using traditional brewing processes. Consumers are enthusiastically toasting the craft beer movement as the number of operating breweries grew 15 percent in 2015 for a total of 4,269 in the U.S. alone, according to the Brewers Association. The increased demand for such diverse taste sensations is not only driving selection but also quality.
Tea-lovers can also look forward to a heightened sensory experience in their tea cups, especially since companies like Bigelow Tea continue to emphasize quality, flavor and unique blends as craft blended specialty teas join the ranks of other popular craft brews.
In 1945, Ruth Bigelow challenged established tea brands and created specialty tea in America with the iconic “Constant Comment”. Now, over 70 years later under third-generation family leadership, the company is embracing the craft movement with the launch of a new organic line of craft-inspired teas.
“Today’s consumers are looking for unique products that deliver a complex, full-flavor experience,” says Cindi Bigelow, third generation president and CEO, “and our new line was created to do just that.”
For example, ‘steep by Bigelow’ is a microbrew tea, rich in flavors that connect more exotic flavors and ingredients by combining such taste counterparts as sweet peachy notes with earthy dandelion, smoky and nutty oolong with delicate floral jasmine and smooth, malty teas with flowery top notes.
The ongoing trend toward healthier eating has spurred an increased interest in artisanal ingredients and specialty foods. The way society views food today versus the 1950s when processed foods were considered evolutionary can almost be seen as a nod back to the way our ancestors fed families from farm to table, hand-made or what is now considered craft.
Today, the concept of craft has come to stand for high quality, unique flavors and an artisanal experience.
Reading the tea leaves for the next trend may be a thing of the past as cultural influences and technology play an enormous role in driving this appetite for new flavors. From cooking shows to cooking apps, recipes and food photos are shared freely, fueling a frenzy of excitement for the next tantalizing experience.
Intimacy & chronic illness: Redefining “normal”
Intimacy & chronic illness: Redefining “normal”
Creating and sustaining both emotional and physical intimacy (closeness and affection with another person) in any relationship can be difficult. For people living with a chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – an autoimmune disease of the joints that impacts 1.6 million people in the United States – it can be even more challenging.
In fact, a study of those living with RA revealed that more than half feel that their disease places limitations on intimacy and more than a third say that living with RA has strained their relationship with their partner.
For many people, browsing the self-help section of a book store, an internet search, or picking up a women’s magazine can help provide some suggestions for how to build or repair intimacy. However, for those with RA, help and advice is more limited and there’s a real need for support for those with a chronic disease looking to address intimacy challenges.
So, let’s start here. The best first step to addressing any challenge — whether it’s related to RA or not — is to take a look at it from a higher perspective and evaluate the bigger picture. When we step back and look at relationship “issues,” the first thing we realize is that when it comes to relationships, “normal” doesn’t exist. There is no one way to define a healthy relationship.
Once you’ve accepted that there is no “normal,” you can start to focus on redefining your relationships in the face of a chronic disease, like RA. Here are a few tips that may help address intimacy with RA:
- Focus on self-love. The old adage “you must love yourself first before someone else can love you” rings true. While it can be difficult to love yourself when it feels like you are fighting against your body, it is even more important to exercise healthy self-love behaviors when dealing with a chronic disease. Focus on things that you love about yourself, practice positive affirmations, and take the time to do things that make you feel good.
- Communicate with your partner. An open dialogue is a critical component to intimacy — both physically and emotionally. Communicating openly and honestly paves the way for a feeling of closeness that comes from shared expectations and understanding. It’s also important to know that intimacy doesn’t require physicality, and if there are times you can’t be physical due to RA symptoms such as fatigue or swollen joints — that’s okay as long as you are open and honest with your partner. Make sure the intimacy in your relationship is maintained by enjoying shared interests or hobbies – have pillow talks or compliment one another out of the blue!
- Work as a team. There are times in every relationship when each person faces his or her own challenges. You and your partner are in this together. You are each other’s advocates. Maintaining a healthy and successful relationship is all about balance and understanding that challenges come in all shapes and forms. Living with RA is no exception.
- Talk to a professional. If your RA symptoms are inhibiting your relationship, talk to a professional. The right professional probably has some good ideas of how to address the impact on intimacy. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your rheumatologist, try speaking with someone who specializes in intimate relationships such as a relationship counselor or sex therapist.
If you have a chronic disease like RA, it’s important to remember that it does not define you and there are steps you can take to better manage lifestyle challenges as a result of your condition. With a little research and communication with your rheumatologist or other healthcare professional, there are ways to prioritize your health, but not sacrifice your relationships and ability to enjoy life with the people closest to you.
For more tips on relationships while living with RA from intimacy and relationship expert Logan Levkoff, Ph.D., visit www.Arthritis.com.
brandpointcontent.com
Turn Thursdays into together time this holiday season
Turn Thursdays into together time this holiday season
Holiday busyness can occupy your weekends, making it difficult to find time to prepare and share a special meal. Instead, why not commit to making Thursday evenings special throughout the season? Instead of trying to do one more thing on the weekend, organically fit together-time into Thursdays, and fill the evening with your closest friends, TV shows, board games or other favorite entertainment — and don’t forget your favorite foods!
The wholesome holiday fare professionals at Simply Organic offer four simple ideas for turning Thursday night into your favorite time of the week this holiday season:
* Make it a movie night. Whether you choose a timeless holiday classic or the hottest new release, an evening of movie watching can break the stress and monotony of the week. You can opt for something kid-friendly and let the kids stay up a little bit later, or put them to bed on time and settle in with more sophisticated viewing fare. Pair the movie with your favorite takeout (instead of popcorn) and a warmth-inspiring seasonal beverage.
* Serve a wholesome, organic meal. Invite friends to each bring a dish for an evening potluck. Eating together is a favorite way to share the spirit of the season, and serving organic fare communicates your values and caring. You can find plenty of seasonal recipes that incorporate organic ingredients at www.simplyorganic.com.
* Stage a baking party. You probably planned to do some holiday baking this season, so why not turn it into a fun event? Invite one or two good friends over, and ask them to bring their favorite holiday treat recipe to make. Pool your efforts — and results — to expand your holiday baked goods menu this year. Be sure to get an ingredients list from everyone ahead of time!
* Host a holiday appetizer and cocktail dinner. Instead of serving a big meal of foods that everyone’s going to overindulge in this holiday season, an appetizer gathering can be a fun, creative alternative. Whip up holiday appetizers and seasonal cocktails (liquor optional) to capture the spirit of the season.
WICB defends decision to tax players
WICB defends decision to tax players
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has continued to defend recent legislation, which demands a 20 percent levy on player salaries from overseas boards.
The controversial proposal, which has so far drawn ire in many circles, seeks to tax boards that wish to enlist the services of West Indies players for several T20 tournaments around the world. The amount, which would be paid per player, would be equivalent of 20 percent of the cricketer’s salary.
The WICB insists that the move is meant to make up for lost revenue and a talent drain as it relates to the availability and investment put into players.
“We would always like all eligible players to participate in our regional tournaments to ensure the highest quality of competition. We are aware that over the last three years, the number of domestic Twenty20 leagues has increased and there are now eight, including our own Caribbean Premier League. This means that there are now year-round lucrative opportunities around the world for West Indian cricketers, competing with WI regional competitions and sometimes even with WI international cricket. At present, there are 18 players in seven leagues,” the Board states.
Unlike some of the other ICC Full Members, WICB says it is unable to match the level of contracts that players can earn playing outside of the West Indies, “while maintaining the levels of investment necessary to ensure and nurture future generations of West Indian cricketers and the sustainability of West Indies cricket.”
US Supreme Court rules on lawsuit from minority homeowners in Miami
US Supreme Court to rule on lawsuit filed by Miami minority homeowners
Following an initial lawsuit filed by a group of Miami minority homeowners the US Supreme Court earlier this week heard arguments that could result in large compensations paid from commercial banks, Well Fargo, Bank of America.
The lawsuit was filed under the Fair Housing Act and claim the banks exercised unfair lending practices in making mortgage loans to black and Hispanic home buyers resulting in loan defaults. These defaults resulted in foreclosures on homers which decreased Miami’s tax revenues and property values, plus resulting in the city spending more to maintain property that were abandoned as a result of foreclosure.
Specifically, the lawsuit claims the banks persuaded black and Hispanic applicants for mortgages to borrow higher-cost loans that they eventually had problems in repaying, although most of these borrowers had good credit that would have qualified them for loans with lower interest and more advantageous terms.
Although the lawsuit was filed in 2014, it was dismissed by a local court. Then in September 2015, based on an appeal by the group of homeowners the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the lower court’s decision to dismiss the law suit. Following this ruling Bank of America and Wells Fargo appealed to the US Supreme Court.
Earlier this week the eight justices heard arguments from attorneys representing Bank of America and Wells Fargo. According to reports on the Supreme Court hearing, it appeared unlikely the banks would gain the required majority votes needed to rule favorable on the bank’s behalf. Such a vote would allow the lawsuit to proceed.
However, the group filing the lawsuit have a long time to wait for the Court’s ruling as it is won’t be handed down until June, 2017. Whichever way the ruling is made it will set a precedent for similar lawsuits filed by other cities like Los Angeles and Oakland in California, that suffered large percentages of foreclosures resulting from banking practices that lead to the housing crises that began in 2008.
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Florida voters approve medical marijuana
Florida voters approve medical marijuana
Needing 60 percent of the votes of Florida voters, Amendment 2 – “the use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions” received 71.29 percent of the votes in the November 8 general elections to be to be overwhelmingly approved.
The support of the amendment was particularly strong in South Florida where votes in favor averaged 72.82 percent. The strongest support came from voters in Broward County with 75.57 percent of the votes. In Palm Beach County votes in support were 74.69 percent and in Miami-Dade where opponent to the amendment seem strongest, 68.21 percent of voters voted in favor.
With approval of the amendment patients with a variety of medical conditions including epilepsy, asthma, glaucoma and certain cancers, can legally access and use medication derived from marijuana extract for treatment.
Florida now joins 24 other states that have already legalized medical marijuana.
The approval of the use of medical marijuana is a welcome, albeit long sought victory, for the proponents of the initiative. Led by Orlando attorney John Morgan, the organization United For Care, have been pushing for legalization of marijuana for medical purposes since 2014. That year the amendment also appeared on the general election ballot but received 58.1 percent of the votes and was defeated. Morgan and organizers for the amendment spent some $7 million over the last two years in the effort to have the amendment approved. The campaign to approve the initiative cast an estimated $12 million.
Now that the amendment has been approved, the Florida Department of Health has until July 2017 to establish the regulations to govern the policy. By October 2017, the policy is expected to be fully underway with registration of growers and medical marijuana dispensaries, and issuing of identification cards for patients approved to use marijuana.
Ben Pollara who led the United For Care’s campaign to approve the amendment called the victory, “a gigantic victory for thousands of sick and suffering Floridians who will be able to see the benefit of this law very, very soon.”
United For care estimates that some half-million Floridians suffering from diseases like glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Parkinson’s Disease, HIV/AIDS and cancer will be eligible for treatment with extracts derived from marijuana.
When the drug is on the market it is projected that Florida will be the second largest market in the nation for medication from marijuana.
This Day in History: Michael Manley was born
On this day in history, November 10, 1924, Michael Manley, a Jamaican pilot, politician, and the 4th Prime Minister of Jamaica was born. Coming from a prosperous background, Manley was a democratic socialist. According to opinion polls, he remains one of Jamaica’s most popular Prime Ministers since independence.
He instituted a series of socio-economic reforms that produced mixed results. Though he was a Jamaican from an elite family, Manley’s successful trade union background helped him to maintain a close relationship with the country’s poor majority, and he was a dynamic, popular leader. Unlike his father, who had a reputation for being formal and businesslike, the younger Manley moved easily among people of all strata and made Parliament accessible to the people by abolishing the requirement for men to wear jackets and ties to its sittings. In this regard he started a fashion revolution, often preferring the Kariba suit, a type of formal bush or safari jacket with trousers and worn without a shirt and tie.
Under Manley, Jamaica established a minimum wage for all workers, including domestic workers. In 1974, Manley proposed free education from primary school to university. The introduction of universally free secondary education was a major step in removing the institutional barriers to private sector and preferred government jobs that required secondary diplomas. The PNP government in 1974 also formed the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL), which administered adult education programs with the goal of involving 100,000 adults a year.
Manley wrote seven books, including the award-winning A History of West Indies Cricket, in which he discussed the links between cricket and West Indian nationalism. Michael Manley died of prostate cancer on 6 March 1997, the same day as another Caribbean politician, Cheddi Jagan of Guyana. He is interred at the National Heroes Park, where his father Norman Manley is also interred.
wikipedia.com
2016 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS – FLORIDA
2016 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS – FLORIDA
PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STAES OF AMERICA
Donald Trump/Mike Pence – REP
UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM FLORIDA
Marco Rubio – REP
FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVES IN THE US CONGRESS
District 18
Brian Mast – REP
District 20
Alcee Hastings – DEM
District 23
Debbie Wasserman Schultz- DEM
District 25
Mario Diaz-Balart – REP
District 26
Carlos Curbelo – REP
District 27
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen – REP
FLORIDA SENATORS
DIST 25 – Palm Beach County Ballot
Joe Negron – REP
DIST 30
Bobby Powell – DEM
DIST 34
Gary Farmer – DEM
DISTRICT 36
Rene Garcia – REP
DISTRICT 37
Jose Javier Rodriquez- DEM
District 38
Daphne Campbell – DEM
DISTRICT 39
Flores Anitere – REP
DISTRICT 40
Frank Artiles – REP
FLORIDA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE
DISTRICT 82
Mary Lynn Magar – REP
DISTRICT 85
Rick Roth – REP
DISTRICT 86
Marty Willhite – DEM
DISTRICT 93
George Moraitis – REP
DISTRICT 103
Manny Diaz, Jr. – REP
DISTRICT 104
Richard “Rich” Stark – DEM
DISTRICT 110
Jose Oliva – REP
DISTRICT 111
Bryan Avila – REP
DISTRICT 112
Nicholas Duran – DEM
DIST 113
David Richardson – DEM)
DISTRICT 114
Daisy Baez – DEM
DISTRICT 115
Michael Bileca – REP
DISTRICT 116
Jose Felix “Pepi” Diaz – REP
DISTRICT 118
Robert Ascencio – DEM
DIST 119
Jeanette M. Nunez – REP
DISTRICT 120
Holly Raschien – REP
JUSTICES OF THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
Retained:
Justice Jorge Labarga
Justice Charles T Canady
Justice Ricky Polston
RETAIN DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL JUDGES
DIST 4 – PALM BEACH COUNTY
Cory J. Ciklin
Dorian K. Damoorgian,
Jonathan D. Gerber,
Robert M. Gross,
Spencer D. Levin
Melanie G. May
DIST 3 – MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Edwin A. Scales
Linda Ann Wells
CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES
Miami-Dade
Group 11/34
Mark Blumstein
Group 11/52
Oscar Rodriquez-Fonts
Broward
Group 17/9
Andrea Ruth Gundersen
Group 17/15
Barbara Roseann Duffy
Palm Beach County
Group 15/4
Luis Delgado
FLORIDA BALLOT QUESTIONS OR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
- 1 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice
Approved
- 2 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions
Approved
- 3 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Tax Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled First Responders.
Approved
- 5 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Homestead Tax Exemption for Certain Senior, Low-Income, Long-Term Residents; Determination of Just Value.
Not Approved
BROWARD COUNTY BALLOT
Clerk of the Court – Brenda Foreman (DEM)
County Sheriff – Scott Israel (DEM)
Supervisor of Elections – Brenda Snipes (DEM)
BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSION
DIST 3 – Michael Udine (DEM)
DIST 5 – Steven Anthony Geller (DEM)
BROWARD COUNTY COURT JUDGES
Group 3 – Florence Taylor Banner
Group 7 – Nina Weatherly Di Pietro
Group 14 – Kim Theresa Mollica
BROWARD MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
City of Lauderdale Lakes
Mayor – Hazelle Rogers
Commissioners
Seat 3 – Veronica Edwards Phillips
Seat 4 – Sandra “Sandy” Davie
City of Lauderhill
Commissioners
Seat 1 – Howard Berger
Seat 2 – Kenneth Thurston
Seat 3 – Margaret Bates
City of Margate
Commissioners
Seat 1 – Anthony Ciggiano
Seat 2 – Arlene R. Schwartz
City of North Lauderdale
Commissioners
District D – Samson Borgelin
City of Plantation
Commissioners
Group 3 – Ron Jacobs
Group 4 – Mark Hyatt
Group 5 – Jerry Fadgen
City of Sunrise
Commissioners
Group A – Mark Douglas
City of Tamarac
Commissioners
Dist 1 – Marlon Bolton
Dist 2 -Julie Fishman
City of Hollywood
Mayor – Joshua Sobel
Commissioners
Dist 1 – Debra A. Case
Dist 2 – Peter Hernandez
Dist 4 – Richard Blattner
Dist 5 – Linda Sherwood
City of Coral Springs
Commissioners
Seat 3 – Larry Vignola
City of Pompano
Mayor – Lamar Fisher
Commissioners
Dist 1 – Michael Sobel
Dist 2 – Charlotte Burrie
Dist 3 – Rex hardin
Dist 4 – Beverly Perkins
Dist 5 – Barry Moss
City of Dania
Commissioners
Open Seat – Tamara James
Broward County Ballot questions
- Broward County Charter Review commission member terms and future appointment.
Approved
- Amend Broward County Charter to eliminate the management and efficiency study committee.
Approved
- Half cent tax increase to support improvement of the county’s transportation (bus, rail system, etc.) to reduce traffic congestion.
Approved
- Half cent tax increase to fund improvement of the county’s local government infrastructure, including public buildings, roads, recreation facilities, purchase public, safety vehicles, etc.
Not Approved
PALM BEACH COUNTY BALLOT
County Commission
DIST 1 – Hal R. Valeche – REP
DIST 3 – Dave Kerner – DEM
DIST 5 – Mary Lou Berger – DEM
PB County School Board – DIST 1 – Barbara McQuinn
PB County Ballot Question
Implement 1 cent sales sur-tax (to improve school buildings, roads, etc.)
Approved
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BALLOT
County Mayor – Carlos Giminez
Clerk of the Circuit Court – Harvey Ruvin – DEM
Miami-Dade School Board
Dist 1 – Steve Gallon III
Dist 6 – Maria Teresa Rojas
Miami Dade County Questions
Charter Amendment on Control of Special Purpose Districts in Municipalities
Approved
Charter Amendment Including Right to Copy Public Records in the Citizens’ Bill of Rights
Approved
Losing weight to maintain a healthier lifestyle
Advice from a board-certified endocrinologist
This piece is brought to you by Eisai Inc.
Did you know more than two-thirds of American adults are considered either overweight or obese? In fact, obesity rates in the US are dramatically higher than they were 30 years ago, making obesity a growing public health concern. Obesity is linked to conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer — some of the leading causes of preventable death in the US. Without appropriate interventions, about half of the adult population in this country could be obese by 2030, leading to significant increases in associated health problems.
The good news for those struggling with obesity is that even losing 5 percent of your body weight can be meaningful. Cheryl R. Rosenfeld, DO, FACE, FACP, clinical assistant professor of medicine at the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, New York, and practicing endocrinologist at North Jersey Endocrine Consultants in Denville, New Jersey, frequently works with patients trying to lose weight. She shares the following tips for starting a weight loss regimen:
Q: How do I know if I am overweight or obese?
DR. ROSENFELD: We look at what is considered a healthy weight based on a person’s height. For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the “body mass index,” or BMI. An adult with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, and an adult with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Once your BMI has been determined, you can work with your doctor to identify weight loss strategies.
Q: What is the first step I should take in starting a weight loss program?
DR. ROSENFELD: If you are looking to lose weight, especially due to related health problems, the best way to start is by talking to your doctor. Together you can assess the state of your health and identify appropriate weight loss goals and methods for you. In the beginning, your goal may not even be a number on a scale; it could be something like “adopt a healthier lifestyle, including increased physical activity and mindful eating habits.”
It’s important, especially in the beginning, to keep your goals small and realistic, and to check in with your doctor to review your progress. Don’t think of weight loss in terms of the total amount you’d like to lose — that can be intimidating and discouraging. Instead, focus on short-term goals, like smaller amounts of weight loss or having more energy, to help you achieve your ultimate goal.
Your doctor can advise you on the appropriate weight loss strategies for your health needs and lifestyle. Most weight loss plans include healthy eating (which may mean reducing overall calorie intake and eating unprocessed foods, including fruits and vegetables) and increasing physical activity. Your doctor may also recommend medication to supplement your weight loss program.
Q: How can I change my eating habits to make them healthier?
DR. ROSENFELD: There are a number of ways you can make healthy choices when it comes to food. Your doctor will likely advise you to reduce the number of calories you consume in a day, and make sure that those calories are coming from nutrient-dense foods that contain a good balance of carbs, fat and protein.
Planning ahead is key when it comes to healthy eating. If possible, try to set aside some time to prepare food at the start of the week. That way, if you’re in a time crunch, it will be easy to grab the nutritious food choices you’ve already prepared, rather than junk food.
It’s also important to take your lifestyle into account. For example, do you work multiple jobs? Are you always on the go? If time is your issue and budget allows, you could benefit from enrolling in a weight loss program that provides pre-made meals. If you find you need to rely on fast food for your meals, look for the healthier options on the menu or find ways to downsize your regular order; rather than a deluxe burger, large fries and a soda, you can get a regular burger, small fries or a side salad and water.
When it comes to healthy eating, making small changes and healthy choices throughout the day can add up to big results.
Q: How can I integrate physical activity into my lifestyle?
DR. ROSENFELD: If physical activity is new to you, make sure to discuss with your doctor what type of activity will be appropriate for you. Again, you can start small and work your way up to bigger goals. You can also find ways to work fitness into your everyday activities. For example, you can take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk a lap around the office each time you go to refill your coffee or water cup.
Walking is a simple and free way to increase your physical activity, plus it’s something you can do with a friend, partner, or even your whole family. Having a “fitness buddy” is a good way to stay accountable for your fitness goals.
Q: What if I still can’t lose weight after eating healthy and exercising?
DR. ROSENFELD: If, despite reducing your calorie intake and increasing your physical activity, you aren’t seeing any weight loss results, your doctor may recommend adding a medication to help with your weight loss. One option is BELVIQ® (lorcaserin HCl) CIV, an FDA-approved prescription weight-loss medication that, when used with diet and exercise, can help some overweight (Body Mass Index [BMI] =27 kg/m²) adults with a weight-related medical problem, or obese (BMI =30 kg/m²) adults, lose weight and keep it off.
The safety and efficacy of coadministration of BELVIQ with other products intended for weight loss including prescription drugs (e.g., phentermine), over-the-counter drugs, and herbal preparations have not been established. The effect of BELVIQ on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been established.
Starting on your weight-loss journey can be challenging. But by sticking with manageable and measurable goals, and working closely with your doctor, you can make a difference. If you have an “off” day or fail to meet a particular goal, don’t get discouraged! Just focus on what you can do right now, and make your next choice a healthy one.
For more information on weight loss and patients’ experiences using BELVIQ, visit www.belviq.com.
Important Safety Information about BELVIQ®
Pregnancy: Do not take BELVIQ if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as weight loss offers no potential benefit during pregnancy and BELVIQ may harm your unborn baby.
Serotonin Syndrome or Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)-like reactions: Before using BELVIQ, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, especially medicines that treat depression, migraines, mental problems, or the common cold. These medicines may cause serious or life-threatening side effects if taken with BELVIQ. Call your doctor right away if you experience agitation, hallucinations, confusion, or other changes in mental status; coordination problems; uncontrolled muscle spasms; muscle twitching; restlessness; racing or fast heartbeat; high or low blood pressure; sweating; fever; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; or stiff muscles.
Valvular heart disease: Some people taking medicines like BELVIQ have had heart valve problems. Call your doctor right away if you experience trouble breathing; swelling of the arms, legs, ankles, or feet; dizziness, fatigue, or weakness that will not go away; or fast or irregular heartbeat. Before taking BELVIQ, tell your doctor if you have or have had heart problems.
Changes in attention or memory: BELVIQ may slow your thinking. You should not drive a car or operate heavy equipment until you know how BELVIQ affects you.
Mental problems: Taking too much BELVIQ may cause hallucinations, a feeling of being high or in a very good mood, or feelings of standing outside your body.
Depression or thoughts of suicide: Call your doctor right away if you notice any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings, or if you have depression or thoughts of suicide.
Low blood sugar: Weight loss can cause low blood sugar in people taking medicines for type 2 diabetes, such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Blood sugar levels should be checked before and while taking BELVIQ. Changes to diabetes medication may be needed if low blood sugar develops.
Painful erections: If you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours while on BELVIQ, stop taking BELVIQ and call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Slow heartbeat: BELVIQ may cause your heart to beat slower.
Decreases in blood cell count: BELVIQ may cause your red and white blood cell counts to decrease.
Increase in prolactin: BELVIQ may increase the amount of a hormone called prolactin. Tell your doctor if your breasts begin to make milk or a milky fluid, or if you are a male and your breasts increase in size.
Most common side effects in patients without diabetes: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, and constipation.
Most common side effects in patients with diabetes: Low blood sugar, headache, back pain, cough, and fatigue.
Nursing: BELVIQ should not be taken while breastfeeding.
Drug interactions: Before taking BELVIQ, tell your doctor if you take medicines for depression, migraines, or other medical conditions, such as: triptans; medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, including tricyclics, lithium, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or antipsychotics; cabergoline; linezolid (an antibiotic); tramadol; dextromethorphan (an over-the-counter (OTC) common cold/cough medicine); OTC supplements such as tryptophan or St. John’s Wort; or erectile dysfunction medicines.
BELVIQ is a federally controlled substance (CIV) because it may be abused or lead to drug dependence. BELVIQ® is a registered trademark of Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH.
brandpointcontent.com
Sunrise elect, Mark Douglas makes history as Caribbean American
Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world today is Wedneday, November 8th, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida, this is CNW 90, and I’m Suzette Speaks.
Today’s news is brought to you by Grace Aloe, Aloe Vera Drink, Refreshingly Delicious.
Here’s a look at our top stories:
In a shocking result for South Florida’s Caribbean American Community Republican Donald Trump prevailed to be elected the President of the United States over Democrat Hillary Clinton in general elections held yesterday. Needing 270 electoral votes to win the presidency, Trump had won 289 votes and Clinton 218. The outcome of the race in Michigan, New Hampshire and Minnesota were too close to call as of Wednesday morning, but the results will not change the election of Trump.
In local elections, Caribbean American candidates, former State Representative Hazelle Rogers won her seat as the Mayor of the city of Lauderdale Lakes; Attorney Mark Douglas won a seat on the City of Sunrise commission to become the first Caribbean American and first Black representative on that city’s commission. In the City of Tamarac another candidate of Caribbean-American heritage, Marlon Bolton, won a seat to that city’s commission.
Reggae superstar, Mr. Boombastic himself will be headlining the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival this Sunday at Markham Park in Sunrise. Shaggy will be performing all his classics including ‘It wasn’t me’ ‘Boombastic’ along with his latest song ‘That Love’. Gates open at 10 am and there will be $5 food specials between until noon.
In Sports:
Spot Valley High School in Montego Bay, St James is mourning the loss of student athlete Saymar Ramsay who collapsed and died of a heart failure. a The basketball player died shortly after a match with Cornwall College. Dr Walton Small, President of the Inter-Schools Sports Association, said rigorous medical screenings will be mandatory as of next year for student athletes.
Now, here’s what’s trending:
Despite a very high turnout of Caribbean American and other Democrats in South Florida in yesterday’s general election, Florida voted for Donald Trump as president. Trump received 49.06 percent of Florida votes and Hillary Clinton 47.79 percent. Meanwhile in the US Senate race, California’s two-term Attorney General Kamala Harris, who is of Jamaican descent, defeated her opponent Loretta Sanchez to represent the state of California.
For today’s weather forecast:
Mostly Cloudy in Broward County with a high of 81 and a low of 65. Partly Cloudy in Miami-Dade, with a high of 78 and a low of 68.
For more information on these and other stories, visit
Caribbeannationalweekly.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean – American outlet. Today’s news is brought to you by Grace Aloe. Aloe Vera drink, Refreshingly Delicious.”
You’ve been watching CNW90, I’m Suzette Speaks.


























