OBSERVATION
by Derek Reveron
WHAT’S HAPPENING
More than seven million Latino adults in the U.S., or 27%, have no personal doctor, hampering their ability to detect diseases early (MedPageToday.com 8.14.08)
Spanish-dominant Latinos were 32% less likely than English-dominant Latinos to have a personal doctor, according to a survey by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. [...]
OBSERVATION
by Katie Anderson
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Red wine may cause a healthy buzz, but the hangover is totally not cool. That’s where Embodi comes in. The juice drink promises all the health benefits of red wine in a booze-free format.
Embodi works because it’s made from the same raw ingredients as its boozy cousin: grape juice and red wine [...]
OBSERVATION
by Hans Eisenbeis
WHAT’S HAPPENING
We’ve watched as tattooing, bodypiercing and other fleshmods have exploded in the past 10 years. But now many of those freshly inked and pierced folks are having regrets (LATimesBlogs.LATimes.com 7.21.08).
According to the Archives of Dermotology, 25% of 18 to 30 year olds have tattoos, and that number is expected to rise as [...]
OBSERVATION
by Stefania Revelli
WHAT’S HAPPENING
This may be taking the dog days of summer a bit too literally. Pouncing off pet-sharing programs like Flexpetz, the hospitality industry is offering guests a rather unique amenity: pet leasing.
At select Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, guests can “rent” dogs for several hours. At Quebec City, Boston and Vancouver locations, dogs even [...]
by Sarah Fazio
This summer I hopped on the buyers’ market and bought a house. Forget the bedrooms, library and butler’s pantry — I was pumped for my own backyard compost heap.
Like other dark-greenies, I don’t consider the eco path to be a choice; it’s more of a compulsion. Bags? I’ve been BYO bagging for years [...]
OBSERVATION
by Derek Reveron
WHAT’S HAPPENING
A group of Chinese and Latino teenagers are going door-to-door in San Francisco to educate people about environmental pollution.
Common Roots Youth Organizing Program, a group of teenagers from low-income and immigrant neighborhoods, forms teams of Latinos and Asians to visit homes, businesses and organizations in poor and immigrant communities.
The group, a collaboration [...]
OBSERVATION
WHAT’S HAPPENING
With flavors including Maine Maple Lemon and Honey Love, and boasting ingredients such as chamomile, lemon balm and spearmint, Wise Acre’s line of squeezable, fat-free frozen treats was clearly concocted with a post-Flintstones palate in mind.
All five flavors take advantage of unrefined sweeteners like wild Maine honey and organic maple syrup.
A buzz from a [...]
OBSERVATION
WHAT’S HAPPENING
What to do when the body says dachshund but the ears talk terrier? The Canine Heritage Breed Test is a DIY, DNA-based kit that vets your mutt’s mix, identifying over 100 different breeds (Petco.com 8.08).
The kit includes a noninvasive cheek swab brush and prepaid envelope in which to send it. A frameable certificate of [...]
Last week it was once again time for the fashion elite to belly up to the catwalk at New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for Spring ‘09. Models strutted in soft and bold silhouettes, pastels and primaries, chiffon and leather, form-fitting pants and flow-y dresses. In short, the week showcased a tangle of trends.
Contrasting looks aren’t [...]
OBSERVATION
WHAT’S HAPPENING
They say a recession is when your neighbor loses her job and a depression is when you lose yours. What about when you both have your hours cut back? With inflation and cost of living rising and wages flat, American consumers are already between a rock and a hard place. Now millions are having [...]
