Healthcare Status; Answers from a panel of Experts, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at South County Civic Center, Jog Road, Delray Beach, opposite Morkami Gardens. Doors open at 9 A.M. Meeting begins at 9:30.

Featured Panelists:
...Michelle O. McGovern, from U. S. Senator Bill Nelson's office
...Dr. Fred Carlisle, AARP Volunteer and Advocate
...Tatiana Paradelo, Social Security Administration
...Moses Baskin, Area SHINE coordinator.

The public is welcome!

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We made the trip to the renovated Wal-Mart on Military Trail in Delray Beach on the day it opened in all its expanded glory, Wednesday Oct. 28th.

The Mrs. needed an item from the drug department and breakfast cereal from the grocery department. Bring your roller skates! Be prepared to walk what seemed like the length of Dolphins Stadium to journey from one end of the store to the other.

But the prices are good. They will probably do harm to the local Albertson’s and Winn-Dixie. Publix looks like they lowered some prices already.

Competition in the market place: That’s what benefits the consumer.

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If you bring Total Ink at 5028 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, (phone (561) 865-1323) your empty brand name printer cartridges they will refill them for you at handsome savings. They also sell toner cartridges and do computer and printer repairs. I've been using their cartridges for several months and find them serviceable.

I had a problem with a printer and brought it to them for repair. They charge $15 to look at the problem and add on additonal cost for the repair if necessary. They repaired my printer for only the $15 fee.

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Dear Friend: This year, Florida took a step forward in the war against prescription drug abuse when the Florida Legislature passed, and the Governor signed in to law, legislation creating a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) in Florida.

I feel very passionate about this issue, which is why I was a sponsor of the bill in the Florida House. In the next few months I will be working with experts in the field to look for ways to build and improve upon the PDMP legislation. I look forward to taking another step forward during the 2010 Legislative Session.

Florida is facing a growing prescription drug abuse epidemic that has devastated many Florida families. According to the Florida Office of Drug Control, the rate of deaths caused by prescription drugs in Florida is over three times as high as the rate of deaths caused by all illicit drugs combined. Over 742,000 Floridians illegally use prescription drugs each year. As of last spring, the top 50 dispensing practitioners of oxycodone, nationwide, were located in Florida. Now that Florida has a monitoring system, I hope our state will cease being a prime destination for criminals looking to buy and sell prescription drugs, spreading misery throughout Florida and other states.

I strongly recommend you watch the new documentary, “The OxyContin Express,” on prescription drug abuse and the role of pain clinics in Florida. This documentary by Current TV/Vanguard really hits home.
You can watch it here: http://current.com/groups/vanguard-the-oxycontin-express/. Get Involved!

This fight requires people in the community to get involved. If you are interested in joining the fight against substance abuse, please consider joining the NOPE Task Force, Narcotic Overdose Prevention and Education, for the 3rd Annual NOPE National Candle Light Vigil, which will take place in communities across the nation on Thursday, October 29th, during Red Ribbon Week, a week to raise awareness of drug abuse.

The Palm Beach County vigil will be held at Lynn University in Boca Raton. The Vigil Ceremony will be at 6:30pm in the Green Center. The Broward County vigil will take place at 6:30pm at Tradewinds Park in Pompano Beach. For more information and to find a vigil nearest you, please visit www.nopetaskforce.org or call 866-612-NOPE.

Lastly, you can get involved in the United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse, which includes a Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force. The UWBCCSA has regularly scheduled monthly meetings. For more information please contact: Joel Kaufman, Ph.D., Executive Director/Vice President, (954) 760-7007, Ext. 205 or jkaufman@unitedwaybroward.org. The website is www.drugfreebroward.org. In Palm Beach County you can contact the Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Coalition at (561) 844-5952 or send e-mail to info@pbcsac.org. The website is www.pbcsac.org.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593
Kelly Skidmore, State Representative, District 90

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Dear Friends,

I have very exciting news that will provide a tremendous boost for our campaign. Today, Congressman Robert Wexler endorsed me to succeed him in 19th Congressional District. In addition to Robert’s vote of confidence, I also received the endorsements of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Alcee Hastings and Rep. Ron Klein. I now have the unanimous support of four Democratic Members of Congress who represent Palm Beach and Broward Counties in Congress.

I am truly overwhelmed by this outpouring of support from these four impressive Members of Congress. I want to especially thank Congressman Robert Wexler, who has done such an extraordinary job representing the people of the 19th Congressional District over the last thirteen years. Every day in Congress, he fights for the seniors and families of Palm Beach and Broward Counties. His support and commitment to Israel is one that I will passionately continue. His commitment to the people is a model for how I want to serve in Congress.

Senator Ted Deutch is a talented legislator who has earned a national reputation for successful efforts to ensure that the retirement funds of Florida's workers do not support Iran's illicit quest for nuclear weapons or genocide in Darfur. Ted has also passed meaningful reforms protecting seniors and children, and he was recently honored by the American Cancer Society for passing legislation that will reduce smoking and fund nearly $1 billion in critical health care programs in Florida.
More information may be found at www.tedforcongress.com

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Palm Beach County – Palm Beach County traffic will be affected this week by ongoing construction projects and maintenance work, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials report. Weather permitting; closures will be in effect on I-95 and in other areas throughout Palm Beach County for construction activities.

For around-the-clock, real-time, I-95 traffic information, call 511. To view real-time video of I-95 in Palm Beach County, visit the Florida Department of Transportation’s Palm Beach SMART SunGuide Transportation Management Center (TMC) website at www.smartsunguide.com. FDOT and the SunGuide™ Partners provide these free services. For updated lane closure information, please refer to www.pbfdot.com.

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Consumer Traps & Tips: A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
Topic: Dietary Supplements

Trap: Health-conscious, 52-year-old Mary was looking to slow the effects of aging and improve her overall health. She ordered a free trial of a product she saw on the Internet. It promised to increase her energy and help her sleep at night too. After taking some pills for two weeks, she started having headaches and chest pains. Her doctor told her to stop taking the supplements immediately. What should Mary have done?

Tips: Many online companies offer dietary supplements, and while supplements can be used safely by most people, some can be harmful. Some important tips to consider before purchasing supplements are:
• Don’t be influenced by celebrity endorsements of a product. Check with your doctor first as some supplements may interact with your prescription drugs.
• Shop around before you buy from an out-of-state or foreign company. You may be able to find comparable products locally.
• Read all the terms and conditions of the purchase sale. A free trial may obligate you to buy additional product with automatic monthly billing and deliveries or convert to a membership if not canceled within the trial period.
• Be skeptical of “miracle” supplements, “wonder” cures or any product offering a “quick fix.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Do your own research with agencies such as National Institutes of Health, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dietarysupplements.html, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, http://www.fda.gov , and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, http://www.nutrition.gov .

Check on the company you are considering by going to the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Web site: http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer or call at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 1-888-852-7362 toll free).

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Dear Friends:

Legislative leaders have expressed concern about Governor Charlie Crist’s latest attempt to finalize a gambling compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe. The governor’s proposal would give the tribe a 20-year monopoly on blackjack games and slot machines outside of South Florida, and the proposal appears to delve into matters that go beyond what the Legislature approved during the 2009 session.

As a state representative from Palm Beach and Broward counties, which is home to several pari-mutuel facilities that employ hundreds of people locally, it is very important to me that any expansion of gaming provided to the Seminole facilities be paired with an acceptable expansion of gaming at the pari-mutuel facilities. Without receiving competitive benefits, the pari-mutuels may struggle to compete with the Seminole facilities, and could be driven out of business.

The governor’s proposal would provide a 15-percent reduction in the tax that tracks and frontons pay the state, and facilities outside Broward and Miami-Dade counties could offer no-limit poker and extended cardroom hours. But representatives of the gaming industry have said that those changes may not be enough to offset the advantage the deal gives the Seminoles.

I am hopeful that any new proposal agreed upon by the House and Senate would allow pari-mutuels to remain competitive with the Seminole facilities and provide an opportunity to create jobs, generate revenue for the state and increase much-needed funding for education.

Toward this goal, Senate President Jeff Atwater and legislative advisers sent a nine-page document to the governor’s General Counsel, asking for answers to two dozen questions regarding the compact, including details of an exclusivity clause. I am eager to review the responses to those questions, and will be mindful of the needs of our local and overall state economies when I have the opportunity to debate and vote on this issue.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593.

All the best,

Kelly Skidmore
State Representative, District 90

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ALLIANCE SECURITY MEETING

Leaders of Member Associations Empowered by Updates and Instruction from Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and Vital Information from Guest Speaker Andrew Rosenkranz, Regional Director of Anti-Defamation League.

Host Community: Lakes of Delray. Meeting location: Starlight Theatre, Lakes of Delray Clubhouse.

Pictured from Left: PBSO Deputy R. Duran; Alliance Director Charles Laufer; PBSO Lt. P Ebel; Alliance 1st VP Mort Mazor; PBSO Capt. J. Calise; Alliance Pres. Bob Schulbaum; ADL Regional Director Andrew Rosenkranz; Detective Ryan Miller.

PHOTO: 2009 COPYRIGHT LORI VINIKOOR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Southern Palm Beach County Projects: Atlantic Avenue / S.R. 806, from NW/SW 12th Avenue to A1A

This $4.2 million construction project began January 5, 2009, from just east of I-95 to just west of A1A in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and landscaping. The work is being performed by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be completed November 2009.

Restrictions: Travel lanes will be closed between I-95 and Swinton Avenue from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. At least one lane will remain open in each direction. On-street parking and access to side streets may be temporarily restricted. Detours will be established when necessary. Access to local businesses and residences will be maintained at all times. Motorists should expect delays.

S.R. 7 / U.S. 441 from the Broward County Line to Glades Road--Construction on this 2.9-mile project began February 9, 2009. Work consists of milling and resurfacing, curb ramp replacement, guardrail, and signalization. The project will cost an estimated $4.7 million. The work is being performed by Hardrives of Delray, Inc. and is expected to be completed late 2009

Restrictions: Lane closures will occur at various locations, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, between Glades Road and the Broward County Line for project-related work. On Monday, October 19, the contractor will begin paving at night, between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Nighttime work will last approximately one week, weather permitting. Motorists should anticipate delays and seek alternate routes whenever possible.

Powerline Road / S.R. 845 from the Broward County Line to Glades Road--Construction on this 3-mile project began Tuesday, May 26, 2009. Work consists of milling and resurfacing, minor widening and reconstruction, signalization, lighting, drainage, bridge replacement, irrigation and landscaping. The project will cost an estimated $9.7 million. The work is being performed by Ranger Construction Industries and is expected to be completed summer 2011.

Restrictions: Travel lanes will be closed at various locations between Glades Road and the Broward County Line, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The contractor will install temporary barrier wall and establish continuous lane closures at various locations, as necessary, for drainage work. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times; however, turn lanes will be closed at various locations for safety reasons. Motorists should use caution and anticipate delays.

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If your association was affected at all by a hurricane in the last five years, we would like to alert you to a battle that our Firm, Katzman Garfinkel Rosenbaum (KGR), and our Community Advocacy Network (CAN) are currently waging to educate Florida's community associations about their rights to pursue unresolved Hurricane Wilma and other storm claims. There is a 5-year statute of limitations in Florida to pursue a casualty claim. Hurricane Wilma battered our state four years ago in October, 2005.

Many associations at that time were either bullied into believing they should not file a claim for storm losses for fear of having their rates raised or their coverage canceled or they were told that their claims did not meet their deductible. As a result, many associations were forced to specially assess their members to pay for necessary storm repairs and they did not pursue their insurance companies for everything they may have been owed. If you would like more information about your association's ability to reopen or file a claim for any storm damages you may have suffered four years ago, please don't hesitate to contact me at 954-315-0372 or via email at dberger@KGRlawfirm.com.

Donna D. Berger, Esquire, Managing Partner Katzman Garfinkel Rosenbaum

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A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division

Topic: How Do I Cancel a Contract

Trap: Jennifer asked a friend if she knew someone who could do some remodeling at her Lake Park home. Mike came highly recommended, and Jennifer’s friend said she never had any problems. However, after signing the contract and paying a $1,000 deposit, Jennifer did some checking and found the “contractor” was not properly licensed to do the work. Worried, she called the contractor to cancel the job, but he told her he already purchased the materials! She considered contacting a lawyer but couldn’t afford the cost. How could Jennifer have protected herself?

Tips: Here are some important tips to consider before signing on the dotted line:
• Never sign a contract before reading and understanding it. If you feel pressured, ask for a copy to review when you have the time, or just walk away.
• If the contract contains a cancellation clause or refund policy, follow the terms exactly. Usually, cancellation notices are required to be sent by certified mail. Ask for a return receipt to verify delivery, and keep a copy for your file.
• The Federal Trade Commission has a “Cooling-Off Rule” but it doesn’t cover everything. Generally, if you buy an item in your home or at a location that is not the seller’s place of business, you may have the option to cancel three days after the sale. Check http://www.ftc.gov for details.
• Businesses must be properly licensed or certified to do the job. Verify their contractor’s license status with the State Department of Business and Professional Regulation at: http://www.myfloridalicense.com.
• And never believe anyone who says it’s OK to cancel by telephone.

Check for consumer complaints and get more information about contracts at the Consumer Affairs Web site: http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer or call 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 1-888-852-7362) for more information.

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First meeting of the new season of the South Palm Beach County Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America, 9:45 A.M., Friday Oct. 16 at the South County Civic Center. Listen to important information from President Oscar Segal, the dedicated leader in the fight to help the hearing impaired.

The public is welcome.

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The Tax Collector’s office will mail 2009 property tax notices on October 31. Property taxes are collectable November 1 - March 31. Discounts for early payment are allowed as follows:
• 4% in November
• 3% in December
• 2% in January
• 1% in February
No discounts are allowed in March. Taxes become delinquent on April 1st. The discount is determined by postmark of payment. The Tax Collector’s website offers a new and improved fast payment system to process property tax payments at www.taxcollectorpbc.com.
Please read the “Important Information About Your Property Taxes” brochure included in your property tax notice. It includes an explanation of the tax notice, Installment Payment Plan Application, Address Change Notice and other important property tax information.
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First meeting of the new season of the South Palm Beach County Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America, 9:45 A.M., Friday Oct. 16 at the South County Civic Center.

Listen to important information from President Oscar Segal, the dedicated leader in the fight to help the hearing impaired.

Learn how and where you can participate in a Lip Reading Class given by board member Merry Rubinstein. She has been helping people to do this for the past eight years.

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First meeting of the new season of the South Palm Beach County Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America, 9:45 A.M., Friday Oct. 16 at the South County Civic Center.

Listen to important information from President Oscar Segal, the dedicated leader in the fight to help the hearing impaired.

Learn how and where, as a member of the chapter you can participate in a Lip Reading Class given by board member Merry Rubinstein. She has been helping people to do this for the past ten years.

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I attended an interesting and enlightening all day seminar conducted by Act for America's founder Brigitte Gabriel and her staff this past Saturday at the South County Civic Center

This is her story:
I founded ACT! for America because Islamic militants have declared war on America. I know what this means. For years, I witnessed first-hand how brutally jihadists treat non-Muslims.
We are in for the fight of our lives and we must ACT! - before it's too late.
WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST
Islamic extremists have proclaimed jihad against Christians, Jews, non-Muslims and secularists - simply because they regard us as infidels.
The warriors of Islamofascism are not only "over there". Tens of thousands of Islamic militants now reside in America, operating in sleeper cells, attending our colleges and universities, even infiltrating our government. They are here - today. Many have been here for years. Waiting. Preparing.
They are being aided and abetted by the purveyors of political correctness - those in government, the media, academia and Hollywood who are apologists for Islamofascism, who outrageously blame America for the cruel and brutal actions of those who want to kill us and destroy our way of life.
Political correctness can be annoying, frustrating, even exasperating. In the battle against Islamofascism, political correctness will literally kill us.
WHAT IS ACT! FOR AMERICA?
ACT! for America is an issues advocacy organization dedicated to effectively organizing and mobilizing the most powerful grassroots citizen action network in America. We are committed to informed and coordinated civic action that will lead to public policies that promote America's national security and the defense of American democratic values against the assault of radical Islam.
The fight against Islamofascism is a fight I know all too well. I was born in Lebanon and raised as a Christian. When the Lebanese Civil War broke out, our family and our Maronite community came under vicious attack by Islamic extremists. They promised to destroy us, and today the country is nearly all Islamic.

I was nearly killed by a mortar. Our home was destroyed. We lived in a bomb shelter for seven years. Most of my childhood friends were killed. That's how I know about this fight.
The democratic values of Western Civilization, exemplified by the celebration of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, are under attack from militant Islam, exemplified by its celebration of death, terror and tyranny. This is an enemy that is determined, relentless and intent on imposing its ideology and values on all freedom-loving people everywhere - including the United States.

You can learn more at their website: www.actforamerica.org.

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Dear Friends, It is absolutely essential that we act now to protect our environment and economy and slow down the runaway campaign to drill off of Florida’s coast. Our current system fails Florida because critical decisions are too often made by lobbyists and politicians without the public’s input or knowledge. This system must end, and I have the plan to end it.

Earlier this week, State Senator Dave Aronberg and I introduced legislation that that will deliver genuine accountability to our system in order to prevent the irresponsible efforts to immediately drill off of our pristine coasts.

Proponents of off-shore drilling are making every attempt to relax the off-shore oil drilling ban in the waning days of Governor Crist’s term of office. The lack of independent evaluation of such a change is simply unacceptable. The potential negative ramifications to new off-shore drilling include damage to our environment, tourism industry, and our fragile economy in general.

Through this new legislation, Senator Aronberg and I will ensure the public gets a larger voice in these critical decisions. To get the information we believe is required to make an informed decision – our bill would create the “Florida Energy Independence and Coastal Protection Task Force” – and require the legislature to do its due diligence before a bill is passed.

This group would be dedicated to studying and reporting on the economic and environmental impacts of – and alternatives to – lifting the ban on oil drilling in Florida waters. The Task Force will consist of nine non-governmental members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the House and Senate Minority Leaders. There will also be several ex-officio designees from relevant governmental agencies.

Through the task force, public hearings would be held throughout the state, and a technical advisory committee would convene to provide independent analysis of the issue as part of a Final Report provided to the public by December 15, 2010.

Should Governor Crist include off-shore drilling as part of the agenda for any special session, I will do everything in my power to enact our proposal into law during the special session.

Florida’s future shouldn’t be needlessly endangered by making rash and potentially irresponsible policy decisions. Any decisions of this magnitude should be able to withstand scrutiny and independent evaluation.

To read the bill we are proposing, access this website: http://www.tedforflorida.com/images/oiltaskforce.pdf

More soon. Thanks always for your kind support.

Ted

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09/24/09
Washington, D.C. – One day after Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) called for urgent action to prevent reductions in benefits for seniors and other Social Security recipients, the U.S. House passed a fix by a broad, bipartisan majority.

Klein helped lead the fight to ensure that seniors, who are not scheduled to receive a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the upcoming fiscal year, are protected from increases in Medicare Part B premiums. Without this Congressional fix, certain Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B, as well as new enrollees in Social Security and Medicare, would have faced a reduction in monthly social security benefits.
“Our seniors in South Florida and around the country face skyrocketing medical costs,” Klein said. “I have been fighting for a quick solution to ensure that Medicare premiums, which are rising every year, do not take an even larger bite out of Social Security benefits. I am extremely proud that my colleagues in the House heard the concerns of our seniors and acted quickly to ensure that their benefits are safe and secure.”

The legislation passed by the House today, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act (H.R. 3631), will protect seniors and people with disabilities from increases in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. The legislation, which is fully paid for and does not add to the deficit, makes sure that seniors can still access Medicare Part B services at no additional cost. Without today’s Congressional action, premiums for seniors who need services like doctor visits or home oxygen equipment would have risen from $96 to $120 per month.

“For the first time in 35 years, seniors will not receive a cost of living adjustment in their Social Security payments because inflation has not increased,” Klein said. “But if you tell our seniors inflation isn’t a concern, they’ll show you their medical bills and prove you wrong. The fact is, seniors have fundamentally different expenses than a typical family of four.”

Speaking in support of the bill on the House Floor, Klein added that “During these tough economic times, we cannot ask seniors who face staggering losses in the value of their homes and retirement plans and increased medical costs to make additional sacrifices. That is why the Medicare Premium Fairness Act is so important. This bill will ensure that next year’s premiums for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will not increase by a dime.”

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A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
Topic: MVP = Consumer Confidence

Trap-- The Thompsons recently moved to Palm Beach County. They purchased a 1950’s style home that was in foreclosure and desperately needed remodeling. The expensive project will include new kitchen cabinets, painting, tile floors and upgrades to the old plumbing and electrical systems. They plan to save money by dealing directly with various contractors. They’re new to the area and apprehensive about which businesses to use. Here are some tips they should consider:

Tips-- Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division has its MVP Program which is a prototype public-private endeavor designed to promote consumer confidence and trust. The Division maintains a list of home service providers and other businesses which have voluntarily agreed to high standards in customer service.
• Participants in the program can easily be recognized by the MVP logo. The list of MVP members can be obtained from the Consumer Affairs Web site at http://www.pbcgov.com/mvp or by calling 561-712-6MVP (6687).
• Consumer Affairs also maintains a data base that in 2009 had over 1.2 million “look-ups” of its Business Information Reports which provides detailed information about 20,000+ companies.
• Extensive renovations require a licensed or certified contractor. Contact the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation by calling 850-487-1395 or checking their Web site at: http://www.myfloridalicense.com. To determine if a business needs to be certified, check the Palm Beach County Contractor’s Certification Web site at http://www.pbcgov.com/pzb/contractors or call 561-233-5525.

For more information, call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 1-888-852-7362), or visit http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer.

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Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an older adult is treated in a hospital emergency room for a fall every 18 seconds, and every 35 minutes an older adult dies as a result of a fall related injury. In Florida, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospitalizations for residents 65 and over.

The good news is that falls are preventable. It is time we bring the issue of falls to light and address it as a community. The South Florida Fall Prevention Coalition, formed April, 2009, celebrated their first Fall Prevention Awareness Day this past September 22, the first day of fall 2009.

Whether you’re at risk, you know someone at risk, or you care for people who are at risk of falling, you can make or suggest a few changes to lower the chance of a fall. Experts recommend a physical activity regimen with balance, strength training, and flexibility components; consulting with a health professional about getting a fall risk assessment and making sure the home environment is safe and supportive.
For more information check online at http://www.miamidade.gov.
Also, take a moment to visit the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and read more on falls. http://cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html There are some useful podcasts to listen to as well.

In the upcoming months, the South Florida Fall Prevention Coalition will be in contact with you providing additional resources and information on local fall prevention programs that currently exist in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Additionally, we want to find out what fall prevention action is currently taking place by you, your organization, or your community. Please send any questions or information to magec@med.miami.edu or call 305-355-9123.

Mamie Brisker, Coordinator
South Florida Fall Prevention Coalition

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Dear Friend: In preparation for an unpredictable flu season, local health departments are collaborating closely with schools and senior centers to reduce illness and limit disruption of day-to-day activities. The best prevention and protection is to stay informed of the latest guidelines, updates and recommendations from public health officials. We will be updating you in the near future on locations for flu shots through our local health departments.

The Florida Discount Drug Program--The Florida Discount Drug Card has been designed to lower the cost of prescriptions for Florida residents. This card is available to the following individuals:

• Anyone age 60 and older who is without prescription drug coverage or those who fall into the Medicare Prescription Drug Gap.
• Anyone under age 60 without prescription drug coverage, and with annual qualifying family income levels.
The Discount Drug Card can be used at participating pharmacies and eligible participants receive a discount on virtually all drugs. For more information on qualifying incomes and to learn more about the program, visit www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com/.

Long-Term Care in Florida

Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs provides free and unbiased counseling and assistance regarding long-term care planning and insurance options through its SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program. The goal is to help people understand and receive the health insurance coverage they need through Medicare, Medicaid, Prescription Assistance, Long-Term Care Planning and Insurance. Various resources and Internet links are available at its website http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/shine/
You may also contact the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 to speak directly to a SHINE counselor or email any questions to information@elderaffairs.org.

Florida Unclaimed Safe Deposit Box Auction October 24th--The Department of Financial Services will be holding an unclaimed property auction in Ft. Lauderdale at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The event is open to the public and includes tangible items such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles from abandoned safe deposit boxes. A free catalog is available on the Bureau of Unclaimed Property’s website. For more details visit www.FLTreasureHunt.org.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593.

Kelly Skidmore, State Representative, District 90

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The H1N1 “swine flu” is a hot topic and I would like to update you on how your county and communities are responding.

There will be an initial 3.4 million doses of H1N1 vaccines to the United States. Palm Beach County (PBC) can expect 64,100 doses of that first round. Vaccinations will be distributed throughout Florida following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines. This priority list contains five target groups that are more susceptible to the virus. They are: pregnant women; persons who live with or provide care for infants aged less than 6 months such as parents, siblings and daycare providers; health-care and emergency medical services personnel; persons aged 6 months to 24 years; and persons aged 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

Dr. Alina Alonso, Director of the PBC Health Department, recommends that people with respiratory illnesses stay home from work and school to avoid spreading infections. The health department has developed a checklist of items that will be distributed at Publix, Walgreens and CVS urging people to prepare for illness as they would a hurricane. Other helpful tips include:
• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illnesses
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities and that you stay away from others to keep from making others sick

It is important to know that even if you receive the seasonal flu shot you will not be protected against H1N1, or vice versa. Many of you are already planning on getting your seasonal flu shot shortly by way of the Alliance of Delray Beach, the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Association (COBWRA) or by another means. Throughout the month of October the Alliance of Delray Beach will be supplying the serum to 40 communities within their membership and COBWRA is scheduled to administer the serum to 9400 residents in 47 Boynton communities. Both organizations are planning on providing similar services with the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes more readily available. The PBC Health Department is strongly recommending that people get both vaccinations and will be hosting outreach events to get vaccines to residents. For more information on these events, visit www.PBCHD.com or call 561-840-4500.

I would also like to suggest that individual communities make instant hand sanitizer available to its residents in all your common areas such as clubhouses, pool sides, card rooms, dining halls, etc.

For more information on H1N1 and the availability of vaccines, visit the CDC online at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or by calling 800-232-4636. Updates can also be found through the Florida Health Department at www.myflusafety.com or by phone at 877-352-3581.

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Consumer Traps & Tips A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division

Topic: Non-Medical Transportation Services

Trap-- Mike is wheelchair-dependant, and due to his condition he requires many visits to doctors and other medical facilities. He tries to schedule appointments around activities of friends and family, but sometimes this is very difficult. He was starting to feel trapped and less independent because he thought he had no other alternative. While on the way to his doctor’s office, Mike saw a van advertising wheelchair and stretcher service. He quickly made note of the telephone number and made plans to call. But who are they? Mike had lots of questions and was very interested in receiving more information.

Tips—Non-medical, wheelchair and stretcher transportation services are licensed and regulated in Palm Beach County. Here is some important information to consider:
• Palm Beach County Palm Tran Connection provides prearranged, shared-ride, door to door transportation. Services are provided under the following: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), PBC Division of Senior Services (DOSS) and Transportation Disadvantaged (TD).
• Non-medical transportation providers are required to be licensed and insured. Permitted vehicles are inspected and are specially equipped to safely transport passengers who are wheelchair or stretcher-bound.
• Drivers must pass a criminal background check and driver history review before being issued a special Consumer Affairs Driver ID Badge. Drivers are not authorized to provide medical assistance to riders who need medical assistance while in transit.
• Taximeters are not used, and most fares are determined by a flat rate.
Check out licensed non-medical, wheelchair and stretcher transportation companies at the Consumer Affairs Web site: http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer or call 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 1-888-852-7362) for more information.

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by Judi Gray

Confused about what can be placed in the yellow and blue recycle bins or the amount of trash that can be placed at the curb for weekly pickup? Hopefully the following information will help banish that uncertainty.

Paper products are to go in the yellow recycle bins. This would include newspapers, magazines/catalogs, unwanted mail, school/office papers, phone books, paper bags and all cardboard boxes (including beverage cartons, tissue boxes, dry food boxes, corrugated cardboard. Boxes must be flattened and cut to 3’ x 3’ maximum.

Recyclable containers go in your blue recycle bin. These include plastic containers, steel cans, aluminum cans, foil pie plates, drink boxes, milk and juice cartons and glass bottles and jars.

Contamination affects the marketability of the materials collected so be careful not to place plastic grocery bags, Styrofoam or food waste in your recycle bins.
If you need to replace your recycle bins or if you would like to order a set of bins you can call the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) at 561-123-4567

Residential Yard Waste (Vegetation) Collection
The limit allowed for the collection of yard waste (loose and containerized combined) is 6 cubic yards per week, which is equivalent to 3 standard size refrigerators. With the exception of tree branches and palm fronds, yard waste must be containerized in standard 32-50 gallon cans or sealed in plastic bags. Weight is not to exceed 50 pounds and branches must be less than 6 feet in length. Do not mix yard waste with garbage or other debris.

Construction Debris
Home construction rubbish is limited to 2 cubic yards per collection (equal to a standard size refrigerator). Items must be containerized in standard 32-50 gallon cans or sealed in plastic bags and weigh no more than 50 pounds. Carpeting must be cut to 4-foot lengths, and rolled up. With the exception of carpeting, any construction debris from minor home repairs placed on the ground and not containerized will not be collected. Major construction debris such as roofing shingles, fencing, concrete blocks, bricks, and asphalt are never collected curbside.

Hazardous Waste Material Disposal
Household hazardous wastes such as propane tanks, fluorescent light bulbs, oil based paint, auto batteries and pesticides are not collected curbside. You may drop off your hazardous waste at any designated SWA site at no charge. The closest drop off site for Lakes residents is located at 6161 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach 33412. Operation hours are Monday through Friday from 7 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm.

For additional information about the Solid Waste Authority please visit their web site at www.SWA.org

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