Results tagged “health”

In their annual warning to the public, the California Department of Public Health wanted to remind Californians "that collecting and eating wild mushrooms can cause serious illness and even death." Oddly enough, the message was sent today, the day before Halloween, but officials over the phone say there was no rhyme or reason to the warning's timing.

Limited supplies of the in-demand H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine are forcing the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to be very strict in deciding who can get the preventative treatment at area clinics, reports the Daily Breeze. Thousands of people hoping to ward off the infectious virus have swarmed clinics and special vaccination events, however now individuals "not deemed at risk for swine flu are being asked to stay away from county-run vaccination clinics until more supplies become available."

The newly proposed ordinance--the fourth to be considered--is reported to be the most strict version yet. "Under the measure, the shops will be open only from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., will be allowed to have only five pounds of marijuana on hand and no more than 100 plants," says the Daily News. "Also, all the marijuana provided must have been grown by the collective." Additionally, locations not following city rules will be forced to shut down immediately. But the proposal is not without potential controversy and lawsuit fodder. Dispensaries would be required to hand over the names of members and providers to police, owners of new locations will have to notify neighborhood councils and the city council, the sale or manufacture of edible marijuana treats will be banned...

A superior court judge today told Los Angeles city officials in a preliminary injunction that they were the ones breaking the law, not a medical marijuana dispensary that was told it could not operate under a 2007 moratorium--since extended twice--banning new medical marijuana facilities.

In a bright office on a Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills, Dr. Thom Lobe, the founder of Beneveda Medical Group, explains the importance of energy flow in my body. "Energy affects everything," he says, as I sit amidst Star Wars-y computer screens and lights. "What's the difference between being alive and dead? Chi. Prana. Life force. Energy."

The first batch of H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccinations have arrived in Los Angeles County, health officials announced at a noon press conference today. 92,000 doses are here with larger shipments expected in coming weeks. By the end of the month, 1 to 1.5 million doses should be in local clinics and doctors' offices.

A long summer of hot-hot-hot heat means lots of beach days for Southern Californians. Now that the season is wrapped up, Heal the Bay has released their annual Summer Beach Report Card [PDF]. The non-profit group graded nearly 500 beaches statewide based on bacterial pollution levels monitored from Memorial Day to Labor Day this year, according to their release, and the news is generally pretty good.

Are you following doctor's orders this year? “This year both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus will be circulating throughout the United States,” said Dr. Gil Chavez, acting chief deputy director of the California Department of Public Health, in a statement today. “I encourage Californians to get a seasonal flu shot now and an H1N1 flu shot when it becomes available later this fall. The seasonal flu shot will not protect you from the H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu. It will, however, protect you from the seasonal flu strains that we expect this year.”

When Orange County's independent TV station KDOC dumped Cannabis Planet, it wasn't too hard for executive producer Brad Lane to find a willing provider. As of August 13th, the half-hour show has been airing twice weekly on another local indie station, KJLA, which reaches around five million SoCal households, according to the New York Times in a profile of the show.

Tonight Cleveland-bred industrial rockers NIN will be closing out their final date of their final tour at the Wiltern. LA-based "fancy pop" songstress Obi Best (LAist Interview, Review, #2) is poised to grace Edgar Varela Fine Arts in Downtown. And, lastly, local experimental electronic duo Hecuba will be performing at the Echo with the equally exploratory Echo Park-bred electronic outfit Rainbow^Arabia. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Bootleg Theater to catch Chicago's own alt-country troubadour Cass McCombs. LAist favorites, San Francisco-based alt-pop act Girls.

It's safe to say that weed shops are more common than Pinkberry and Starbucks. Thanks to the LA Times, we know that there's about five "collectives" within a five-minute walk of us (how about you?). And look, the people in the Valley can't complain that their not getting their fair share. In fact, one neighborhood prosecutor told the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council earlier this summer that the LAPD's Van Nuys Division had the most dispensaries than any other in the city. Here are some other interesting facts, via the Times:

Tonight local classical-violinist-turned-singer-songwriter Emily Wells will be headlining the Echo. Stockholm-based Logh front man Mattias Friberg is poised to grace the Hotel Café. And, lastly, Austin's own indie rockers Loxsly will be performing at the Silver Lake Lounge. But we strongly suggest doing whatever it takes to get into the Troubadour to catch local noise-infused rock outfit HEALTH, who will be concluding their short-lived stint opening for NIN tomorrow at the Wiltern. LAist favorites, Culver City-based "Ambassador of Boogie Funk" DâM-FunK and Denver-bred experimental electronic musician Pictureplane are slated to kick things off.

Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini will be headlining the Wiltern. Local noise-infused rockers HEALTH will not only be opening for NIN a second time—this time at the Wiltern—but they will also be performing to a sold-out crowd at the Troubadour. Chicago's own alt-country troubadour Cass McCombs is poised to take on the Bootleg Theater with none other than San Francisco-based alt-pop act Girls. And, lastly, Raconteurs guitarist, Michigan-bred singer-songwriter Brendan Benson will be gracing the Troubadour.

UPDATE: Chris Bowers at Open Left has a much more detailed breakdown of the Baucus plan. It's far, far worse than implied yesterday. And if you care about this sort of thing, it also looks like Max let an insurance industry shill write the whole thing, and made sure that those overtly part of the insurance sector read the bill before the White House.

Once again, workers along Wilshire Boulevard's Miracle Mile are witnessing an LAPD crackdown on the popular trucks that populate the area throughout lunchtime. One tipster, calling it a "raid," describes the scene in an e-mail:

Tonight Cleveland-bred industrial rockers NIN will be performing, or rather making up for the last-minute cancellation, at the Henry Fonda Music Box with LA-based noise-infused rock act HEALTH (LAist Review). Detroit-bred indie rock outfit the Silent Years are poised to perform at the Roxy with LA's own female-fronted rock act Nico Vega. And, lastly, LA-based alternative rockers the 88 will be continuing their month-long residency at Spaceland. But we strongly suggest heading over to Amoeba Music in Hollywood to catch influential Brazilian psychedelic rock band Os Mutantes (LAist Review).

The Station Fire may be 56 percent contained, but its smoke is still affecting air in the San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains. "Air quality may reach Unhealthy levels, or higher, due to high concentrations of fine particulates in smoke-impacted areas," the South Coast Air Quality Management District announced this afternoon. "All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke."

Tonight Cleveland-bred industrial rockers NIN will be performing at the Echoplex with LA-based noise-infused rock act HEALTH. Prolific Bay Area punk rockers NOFX will be performing at Club Nokia with a slew of other prominent acts for the Vans Warped Tour 15th Anniversary Celebration. LA-based punk outfit the Germs are poised to headline the House of Blues Anaheim with none other than English punk band UK Subs in tow. And, lastly, Echo Park's own female rocker Queen Kwong will be gracing Silver Factory Studios. But we strongly suggest heading over to Tony’s Bar in Downtown to catch LAist favorites the Henry Clay People (Review, #2, #3, #4), who will be performing for this weekend's edition of Little Radio Summercamp. Local indie rockers the Monolators (LAist Review, #2) are slated to kick things off.

A motion from back when Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was a City Councilmember became reality today when he announced LA Rx, a discount prescription drug program for not just city residents, but L.A. County ones, too.

This week Cleveland-bred industrial rockers NIN will be performing not two, not three, but four farewell shows with Danish rockers Mew and local noise-infused rock outfit HEALTH in tow. Illinois-bred Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan will be playing to a sold-out crowd at the Hotel Café. And, lastly, the sixth annual F Yeah Fest, which boasts a bevy of artists including: the Black Lips, Tim & Eric, No Age, Lightning Bolt, Lucero, Converge, the Thermals, Glass Candy, Fucked Up, Matt Skiba, Times New Viking, Japanther, Mika Miko, Telepathe, Crystal Antlers, Darker My Love, AA Bondy, Wavves, Dios, Peanut Butter Wolf, the Strange Boys, Ninjasonik, Cold Cave, Har Mar Superstar, Avi Buffalo and Kurt Vile, will be taking place at Los Angeles State Historic Park. And, lastly, local indie rock act Division Day (LAist Review, #2, #3) will be gracing Spaceland with LA-based indie pop outfit and labelmates Bad Veins for this week's edition of Club NME.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's line item cuts to the state budget on Tuesday drastically reduced many programs, including state parks and domestic violence funding. AIDS/HIV programs were also hit particularly bad to the tune of around $85 million, leaving the California’s Office of AIDS with only 20 percent of its funding for programs like HIV education and prevention, HIV counseling and testing, home health and early intervention.

With parts of the Valley at 83 degrees at noon, it was a welcome surprise after yesterday's blistering temps and with LA County public health officials extending a week long heat alert through today. Of course, the Antelope Valley has already hit triple digits with the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys to follow, but the National Weather Service is no longer predicting that nor are they reporting high temperatures at the height of the day. Temperatures for both valleys are in the 80s. However, an air quality adivosry has been sent out for the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys stating the air is unhealthy for sensitive--old, young, sick prone--individuals.

Surprisingly, this didn't happen earlier. A new iPhone App simply called Cannabis, which will "let users search by city for their nearest medical cannabis suppliers, doctors, clinics, lawyers and other relevant organisations," explains The Sun. "Makers the campaign group Ajnag.com hope to add cannabis related news, menus, reviews and videos soon." Also: A few months ago, the iPhone compatible Weedmaps launched. It uses Google Maps and is also like the Cannabis app, being all social networky and all. There's even a community section so patients can find marijuana related jobs, 420 friendly roommates and more.

In sad news today from the Beastie Boys, Adam Yauch has a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland which means the group will be canceling their current tour which includes the Hollywood Bowl on September 24th. In a video announcement--embedded below--Yauch expresses healthy optimism about his recovery, because the cancer is localized and will not affect his vocal chords. He's expected to have surgery next week, to be followed by radiation treatment. This will also delay the release of their next album. Those with tickets to the Hollywood Bowl show should check this website for details.

A tip for those who struggle with small talk: Open with "Ohmigod it's too hot these days!" and the conversation will flow from there. We are, indeed, in a heat wave, and we can expect "several more days of torrid temperatures," along with "an excessive heat warning," from the National Weather Service, according to the Daily Breeze. Today we can add humidity to the high temps, causing a heat index that is a veritable hotbed for heat-related illnesses. Keep it cool, Los Angeles! Stay hydrated, avoid long periods of time outdoors, and pay close attention to the elderly, pets, and kids. Downtown temps will be in the high 80s, 90s to 100s in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, and high 70s at the beaches.

Seventeen restaurants tomorrow will donate 10 percent of their gross profits for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner service to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Los Angeles County. “Breast cancer awareness and prevention education is a cause close to my heart,” said Chef Ben Ford, Proprietor and Executive Chef at Ford’s Filling Station in Culver City. “I admire the work the Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County Affiliate has done in making strides to find a cure for this all-too-common disease, and I am thrilled to be able to have my restaurant and craft contribute toward this.”

                     

Inspired by a panel we caught at the recent Dwell on Design conference, and some time spent ogling recipes in three beloved cookbooks (The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook, The San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market Cookbook, and Fresh From the Farmers' Market) last Thursday we headed over to Glendale to check out their weekly market. Occupying a stretch of Brand Boulevard, the market was focused mostly on multiple tables of fresh locally-sourced produce, and enriched by the presence of folks with breads, nuts, and fresh juices. It's a modest market, but we were able to work our way from one end to the other efficiently, sample some of the best items the growers had to offer, and fill our bag with what wound up being a week's worth of fresh produce (and bread) for less than $20.

According a recent study conducted by condom manufacturer Trojan, we're at least in the top ten for US cities based on how often we have sex and how often we're satisfied with it. Their study has us ranking number 4 in the nation, with Angelenos getting lucky an average of 82 times a year--that's just a few times shy of the action in Atlanta and Washington DC, but well behind Houston, where the Texans are gettin' it on 101 times a year (is there anything else to do there?).

House Rep Henry Waxman was admitted to the hospital yesterday for "routine testing" after he was not feeling well Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. However, this morning he's "feeling much better," a Cedars-Sinai Medical Center spokeswoman said. Waxman, 69, has held office since 1975, representing California's 30th District, which covers the Westside, Malibu, parts of the Valley and into Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Hollywood. He's the chairman of the all-powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee and just finished pushing through major climate change legislation and has been gearing up for a summer of health care reform.

Seeing a rise in influenza cases and outbreaks in Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health is asking residents to heed caution. “During this summer, the recommendations for avoiding illness are the same as during the fall or winter months: wash your hands, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and stay home if you are sick,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, Director of Public Health and Health Officer, in a statement.