CDPH Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain WinCo Ground Beef

SACRAMENTO (CDPH) — California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director Dr. Mark Horton warned consumers April 18 not to eat ground beef products being recalled by WinCo Food stores.

The recalled ground beef may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, which can cause serious illness.

The recalled ground beef was sold at WinCo Food stores in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The ground beef is packaged in Styrofoam trays and the packaging is marked with sale dates from March 28 to April 9.

Earlier this month, WinCo recalled some ground beef products sold by its Modesto store after two surveillance samples tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. On April 16, an additional surveillance sample tested positive for E. Coli 0157:H7.

E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea, sometimes bloody. People with severe infections may be hospitalized, suffer kidney damage and possibly die. Those most at risk for serious complications include young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Consumers with any of these symptoms should contact their health care provider.

Consumers with recalled products should either throw the product away or return it to the point of purchase for a refund. Under no circumstances, should consumers eat this recalled beef.

Information: www.cdph.ca.gov.

Lupus Ball to Take Place  at Beverly Wilshire

(Save the Date) — The 2010 Lupus L.A. Orange Ball will take place May 6, 6:30 p.m., at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel.

Comedian George Lopez will host this event, which will include cocktails, dinner, a live auction and a special performance by Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh.

Honorees will include Frey and his wife, Cindy, and Dr. Renee Rinaldi.

Lupus L.A. partners with the Lupus Research Institute (LRI) to fund novel lupus research that will prevent, treat and cure the disease.

Information: www.lupusla.org.

Californians Support Soda Tax

(New America Media) — A majority of Californians would support an additional tax on sugary beverages, according to a new Field Poll released April 20. The legislation would impose a one cent tax per teaspoon of added caloric sweetener.

The telephone survey of 503 registered California voters found that 56 percent support the tax, which would include carbonated beverages such as soda, as well as iced tea, energy drinks and vitamin water.

But support was not universal. Although a majority of respondents from cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles supported the tax, only 43 percent of those in California’s Central Valley supported it.

Under state Sen. Dean Florez’s bill, all monies generated by the tax would be deposited into a Children’s Health Promotion Fund, which would in turn distribute grants to local school districts for childhood obesity prevention programs.

Across the country, 15 to 20 other states are considering a soda tax.

Cancer Survivor Education Day at UCLA to Feature Information and Research on Cancer Survivorship

(UCLA) — The UCLA-LiveSTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center will present the fourth annual Cancer Survivor Education Day 2010 May 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Tamkin Auditorium, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, B-level.

The event will feature talks by survivorship experts who will share the latest information and research regarding adult and pediatric cancer survivorship.

Topics include long-term physical effects of cancer treatment, survivorship care planning, nutrition and supplements for survivors and managing psychosocial issues after cancer. Coffee, tea, juice and light snacks will be provided. Admission is $5.

Registration is required. Information: www.uclasurvivorday.eventbrite.com, www.cancer.ucla.edu/survivorshipcenter, (310) 825-9781, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Town Hall for the Alzheimer’s State Plan Taking Place

A town hall for the Alzheimer’s state plan will take place May 11, 5:30 p.m., with refreshments and appetizers served from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at Graceful Senescence Adult Day Health Care Center, 120 W. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles.

There will be a presentation by health professionals and discussion. Respite care will be available.

African Americans are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Public input is needed on the best ways to manage this disease. There are several risk factors that can be prevented, including managing diabetes and heart disease.

Those with loved ones with memory loss are encouraged to come join other family members and caregivers at the town hall meeting.

Information: (310) 538-5808.

(TDJFF) — The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation has partnered with Vista Del Mar’s Inspire Program to create the foundation’s Life Skills and Self Advocacy Program. The program is for children and young adults with developmental disabilities, particularly autism.

This new offering creates the opportunity for adolescents and young adults, ages 13 to 22, to focus on self-advocacy, inclusion in the community, and building of self-esteem.

Participants in the program will attend weekly classes that focus on enhancing verbal and augmentative communication using the musical and theatrical techniques of Elaine Hall, director of the Vista Inspire Program and an expert in creative programming for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Peer mentors will also participate as friends and role models to maximize participants’ abilities to integrate within the community.

The foundation was established to develop, advocate for and support programs through grant awards that enrich the lives of adolescents and adults with ASD.

ASD affects individuals differently but is generally characterized by impairments in social interactions and communication skills.

Information: www.VistaDelMar.org, (310) 836-1223, ext. 322.

VH1 Celebrity Physician Ian Smith Empowers L.A. to be Sickle Smart

More than 100,000 Americans live with sickle cell disease, a painful, genetic condition that disproportionately affects African Americans and causes red blood cells to become “sickle shaped,” significantly limiting blood flow to body organs.

To raise awareness about the disease, Dr. Ian Smith of VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” will host a Be Sickle Smart Empowerment day event May 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel, 711 South Hope St., Los Angeles.

Attendees will participate in educational workshops, enjoy a free catered lunch, participate in an interactive presentation, have a meet and greet with Smith, and those with sickle cell disease can receive free blood tests to determine iron overload risk.

Children are also welcome, as there will be Wii games and art workshops to keep them entertained.

Visit www.BeSickleSmart.com or text “BSS+your zip code” to 74139 to learn more.Information: (310) 693-0247.