Greg Walstra of Greg Walstra, Financial Concierge Services recognized for excellence in service to area medical professionals

Wheaton, IL (January 16, 2012) – According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 700,000 physicians in the United States who work in excess of 60 hours per week. While their earning potential is the highest among any profession in the US, a blizzard of government regulations and a host of clinical and economic issues leave little time for a doctor to manage their professional and personal lives.

In response, an elite group of professionals is emerging as specialists to the medical community. In recognition of his work with area health care executives and physicians, Greg Walstra of Greg Walstra, Financial Concierge Services has been named an MD Preferred Financial Partner. Each year, US Medical Specialties, Inc., a national medical consulting firm, recognizes excellence in service to the medical community in a number of disciplines including real estate, mortgage lending, insurance, accounting, banking, financial and legal services. The goals of the MD Preferred Program for financial partners include identifying, acknowledging and promoting professionals who provide service excellence to the medical community.
Greg Walstra remarks, “In a growing environment of physician shortage, I understand that many physicians considering a career in our community will make their decision based on life style issues. This is why I believe that concierge-level administrative and financial services that save the physician time are critical to their overall lifestyle, and greatly enhance work-life balance.”
ABOUT GREG WALSTRA

Greg Walstra, Financial Concierge Services was founded after six years of managing a private family office for a high net worth Chicago family. “Managing day to day financial and administrative affairs for individuals and families” is his core business. With unique insight of what busy people want in order to simplify their lives and preserve their valuable time, Greg offers a number of services geared towards those with demanding careers. In addition to bill payment, coordination of professional services and other daily money management, Greg is also expert in a wide array of tangible assets including real property, yachts, specialty vehicles and other collectibles. He has also branched out to serve those dealing with transitions into assisted living and those who find themselves dealing with complex financial responsibilities for the first time. He can be reached through his website at www.gregwalstra.com or by telephone at 630-561-4400.
ABOUT MD PREFERRED PHYSICIAN SERVICES

Each year the MD Preferred designation recognizes a diverse group of ‘doctor friendly’ professional service providers. MD Preferred providers can be found at an online resource center, www.MDPreferredServices.com. Access is available at no cost to the medical community. MD Preferred also manages one of the industry’s largest medical job boards, publishes a daily medical blog and distributes a monthly E-Newsletter to every residency and fellowship program in the country. For additional information contact Mike O’Malley at 800-260-8366.

Chicago Area Financial Concierge Receives National Health Care Recognition | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Aug. 16, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ – This August, Senior Lifestyle Corporation (SLC) will launch Brain Health University.  This unique program is designed to contribute to a brain-healthy lifestyle that stimulates engagement through novelty, variety, and challenge. Brain Health University offers a curriculum of 30 programs within a 60-day period and is intended to demonstrate that brain health and cognitive engagement can be pursued through an assortment of experiences and lifestyle choices. SLC, a leader in the senior housing industry, is dedicated to creating a brain health culture that celebrates aging as a time for growth and expression.

Corporate Director of Resident Programming Terry Fay played a key role in developing the university. She emphasizes, “Brain health can be sought at any age. Participants will learn and experience practices that can aid brain health, and support an independent lifestyle and greater quality of life, in a complex world.”

In order for residents to receive a certificate of completion from Brain Health University they are required to complete 18 of the 30 offered courses. A pre-course and post-course assessment is offered. Participants who complete the requirements are celebrated and receive a certificate of completion. Brain Health University classes include physical activity, nutritional information, stress management, cognitive stimulation and social interaction.

Brain Health University is offered at all Senior Lifestyle Communities located in: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

About Senior Lifestyle Corporation 

Chicago-based Senior Lifestyle Corporation, founded in 1985, is a leader in the development, operation and ownership of seniors housing and the implementation of innovative programs that help seniors enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives. With a portfolio of more than 70 communities, Senior Lifestyle offers independent living for every economic level, from luxury to mid-market to affordable. Daily services and activities are tailored to the needs and preferences of each community’s residents. For residents who require additional care, many communities also offer assisted living and skilled nursing care. Long recognized among the industry’s top companies by the American Seniors Housing Association, Senior Lifestyle is one of the largest owner of seniors communities on National Real Estate Investor’s list Additional information is at www.seniorlifestyle.com.

Contact: Lindsey Cherner
312.208.4960
lcherner@seniorlifestyle.com

SOURCE Senior Lifestyle Corporation

http://www.seniorlifestyle.com

Senior Lifestyle Corporation Launches Brain Health University | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

When making New Year’s Resolutions, consider lifestyle changes that encourage cardiovascular health

CHICAGO, Jan. 3, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — The start of a New Year is a popular time to make personal changes and better one’s self through New Year’s resolutions.  Northwestern Medicine preventive cardiologist Donald Lloyd-Jones, MD, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and medical director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute’s Center for Preventive Cardiology, recommends making heart healthy resolutions for 2011.

“Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, but in many cases it is preventable through lifestyle modification,” said Lloyd-Jones, who is also an associate professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Many of the most common New Year’s resolutions, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, are essential to fighting heart disease. Not only are these changes good for your heart, but they benefit your overall health.”

Lloyd-Jones recommends the following New Year’s Resolutions to make 2011 a year aimed at promoting cardiovascular health:

Quit smoking:  Quitting smoking is crucial to improving overall health and preventing premature death. Smokers are prone to a number of chronic health conditions, including atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Atherosclerosis contributes to coronary heart disease and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The benefits of quitting are immediate, with blood pressure dropping within 20 minutes and the risk of heart attack decreasing in the first 24 hours.

Eat smarter: A well-balanced, nutritious diet promotes overall health. Not only is it important to avoid foods that are high in sodium and trans fats, but it is crucial to make food choices that are rich in nutrients. Choose foods which are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but are also low calorie. A well-balanced diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and lean meats and poultry.  

Get physical:  Exercising 30 minutes per day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Exercise provides more energy and is shown to lower blood pressure, increase good cholesterol (HDL), control weight, regulate blood sugar, and help manage stress. Small changes can help incorporate more physical activity into everyday. In the office, consider walking to see a coworker rather than sending an email or calling. At the grocery store, choose a parking spot that is further from the door. When possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator. When using public transit, consider getting off a stop early and walking an extra block.

Drop the pounds: Obesity is a major contributor to heart disease. As Americans continue to gain weight, the number of people with cardiovascular disease will increase. Those who carry extra weight, especially in the waist, are at increased risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Combining a healthy, calorie-controlled diet with a structured exercise plan can help lose pounds and maintain a healthy weight.

Know your numbers: There are three numbers that everyone should know: blood pressure, total cholesterol (LDL and HDL) and blood sugar. Each of these numbers contributes to a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure and LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Blood sugar is an indicator of diabetes, which the American Heart Associate considers one of six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Start by scheduling a screening, and then make a plan for diet and exercise to keep these numbers within the healthy range.  

Taking a proactive approach and making lifestyle modifications are both key in preventing cardiovascular disease and it’s the focus of “Hearts a Bluhm” an awareness campaign spearheaded by Northwestern’s Bluhm Institute. In partnership with Columbia College Chicago, one of the primary artistic contributors to the campaign, during the month of February, over-sized hearts embellished by various artists will adorn North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. The decorated hearts will “bloom” from planters that align the sidewalks.

“Instead of waiting to see the doctor until you have symptoms, go annually and build a relationship,” said Lloyd-Jones. “If you have yearly check-ups, both you and your doctor will be more aware of your overall health. Preventive care can help avoid heart disease or catch it in its early stages.”  

To learn more about how you can support Hearts a Bluhm visit us online at www.heartsabluhm.org. For more information about Northwestern’s cardiovascular programs and services visit the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute website.

About Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial is one of the country’s premier academic medical center hospitals and is the primary teaching hospital of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.  Along with its Prentice Women’s Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry, the hospital comprises 854 beds, 1,603 affiliated physicians and 7,144 employees.  Northwestern Memorial is recognized for providing exemplary patient care and state-of-the art advancements in the areas of cardiovascular care; women’s health; oncology; neurology and neurosurgery; solid organ and soft tissue transplants and orthopaedics.

Northwestern Memorial possesses nursing Magnet Status, the nation’s highest recognition for patient care and nursing excellence, and it is listed in 12 clinical specialties in U.S. News & World Report’s 2010 “America’s Best Hospitals” guide. For 10 years running, it has been rated among the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” guide by Working Mother magazine. The hospital is a recipient of the prestigious National Quality Health Care Award and has been chosen by Chicagoans as the Consumer Choice according to the National Research Corporation’s annual survey for 11 years.

SOURCE Northwestern Memorial Hospital

http://www.nmh.org
http://www.heartsabluhm.org/

Resolve to Be Heart Healthy in 2011 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Originally reported by WISH-TV News. Read the original article here.

Durham Files: Man loses savings, mother | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Originally reported by WISH-TV News. Read the original article here.

Family lost life savings in Durham case | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

New Online Community is a Social and Digital Teen Experience

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 31 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Kmart announced today the launch of Stylesip.com, a new online community built around the fashion-loving lifestyle of teen girls.  The online experience is more than just a place for teens to learn about new apparel.  The Stylesip blog will be a destination to share their thoughts on trends, entertainment, music and gossip via social media platforms.  The opportunity to chat live with designers, style experts and celebrities is one of the key features of the experience.

“Stylesip is all about connecting with our customers and letting them drive the conversation,” said Tara Poseley, president, Kmart Apparel. “It’s a fun place for girls to share their thoughts and be inspired. The launch of the site also enables us to broaden that dialogue through Facebook and twitter.”

“We are inviting readers to become writers by sharing their latest style stories. Some will even have the opportunity to become featured Stylesip Bloggirls,” said Robin Creen chief marketing officer, Kmart apparel. “It’s a new forum for teens to gossip about all things fun—trends, events and pop culture news.”

The Stylesip website will serve as the Kmart hub for all of its exclusive lines: Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez, Rebecca Bonbon, Bongo and GLO.  The Facebook experience is both a conversation hub as well as a fully integrated shopping experience with kmart.com.  Facebook users can browse and shop the full juniors catalog without leaving the experience through the use of a shoppable widget.  

For more information and to shop online, visit www.Kmart.com/Stylesip or www.facebook.com/Stylesip. Follow Stylesip on twitter at www.twitter.com/Stylesip.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:  SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living and Route 66. For more information visit the company’s website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

SOURCE Kmart

http://www.kmart.comhttp://www.searsholdings.com

Kmart Opens Social Hub – ‘Stylesip’ – Connecting Teen Girls With the Latest in Fashion | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Company Opens New European Headquarters and Distribution Center Facility in Amsterdam, London-Based Product Showroom

LEXINGTON, Mass. and AMSTERDAM, June 29 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group (PLG), a division of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS), announced today that it has opened a new combined European Headquarters and Distribution Center facility in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands (near Amsterdam), as well as a new London-based product showroom — enhanced facilities and infrastructure designed to help the company better meet the strong and growing European appetite for its portfolio of iconic American brands: Saucony, Keds, Sperry Top-Sider, Stride Rite and Robeez.

“We’ve seen growing international demand for our Performance + Lifestyle Group brands over the past several quarters, especially from the European market, and our investment here in Europe in these new facilities, as well as expanding our European associate base, will help us meet this increasing demand head on,” said Matt Rubel, CEO of Collective Brands, Inc.

“We have a solid presence here, but see more demand across the continent. Through premium retail partners, we are thrilled to bring more consumers across Europe our American original brands including Sperry Top-Sider, which invented the boat shoe 75 years ago and today represents a Passion for the Sea nautical lifestyle, to Saucony with its intense focus on technical innovation and performance products for runners and athletes, Keds iconic sneakers representing a blank canvas and creative possibilities, and Robeez and Stride Rite, high-quality children’s shoes that mom’s trust and kids love.”

PLG brands have a broad presence across Europe including in such key countries as the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France with plans to continue its expansion across Europe by working closely with distributor partners in certain countries, as well as working directly with retailers.

“We are excited by the growth we are experiencing and our retail and distributors partners are equally excited about our current product collections and our strong prospects across the European market place,” said Gregg Ribatt, CEO of Collective Brands PLG.

The European headquarters in Heerhugowaard has been expanded to consolidate several warehouses and a main Distribution Center into a single, larger facility – more than triple the capacity of the former facilities. It includes 80,000 square feet of warehouse space and 13,600 square feet of office and showroom space. This move will improve the operational efficiency — enhance the volume and speed of product distribution — to an expanding group of retail partners and distributors for the company’s branded products, which include primarily footwear, as well as accessories and apparel items. The Heerhugowaard facility will also house headquarters office space, creating a single focal point for the Collective Brands PLG operations in Europe.

Over the past two years, PLG has more than doubled its European operations employee base. The company said it expects to hire approximately 20 additional employees by the end of 2010 and will focus those roles primarily on merchandising, marketing and distribution center positions across Europe.

The company also announced the opening of a product and marketing showroom in central London, located at the corner of Maddox and Regent Streets, which is designed specifically to showcase its branded products for retail partners, the press and other European fashion and lifestyle influencers.

About Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group

Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group is a leading provider of iconic performance and lifestyle brands, each with unique personalities and strong marketplace positions focused on distinct and targeted consumer segments. The company’s brand portfolio includes Saucony®, a top global running specialty brand; Sperry Top-Sider®, a global nautical lifestyle brand reaching consumers who share a passion for life in, on and around the sea; Keds®, an iconic American lifestyle fashion brand that launched the first sneaker brand in 1916; and Stride Rite, the leading provider of premium children’s footwear in the United States. With an expanding global presence in more than 80 countries, Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group sells its products predominantly through wholesalers in a wide variety of retail formats, including premier department stores, independent shoe stores and specialty and boutique retailers. The Stride Rite unit also sells its children’s products through more than 350 wholly-owned Stride Rite stores that are located in malls and select factory outlet centers.

About Collective Brands, Inc.

Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units covering a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points and selling channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands Airwalk®, Dexter®, Champion®, Zoe & Zac™, the first-ever affordable green footwear brand, and designer collections Lela Rose for Payless, Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose, Christian Siriano for Payless, Isabel Toledo for Payless, and STLPxAirwalk, among others; Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group, focused on lifestyle and performance branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

SOURCE Collective Brands, Inc.

http://www.paylessinfo.comhttp://www.collectivebrands.com

Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group’s Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider, Keds, Stride Rite and Robeez Brands See Strong Growth in Europe; Company Bolsters Infrastructure and Organization to… | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

LONDON – Genes that make women more susceptible to breast cancer don’t have any link to lifestyle factors that also raise their risk, a new study says.

Some experts previously thought there might be dangerous interactions between breast cancer mutations and other risk factors for the disease, like taking hormone replacement therapy — and that these women had a particularly high risk of breast cancer.

According to a study published Wednesday in the medical journal, Lancet, that isn’t the case.

British researchers studied 7,610 women with breast cancer and 10,196 women without it. All of the women provided a blood sample for genetic testing and information about other risk factors like obesity, alcohol consumption and hormone replacement therapy. that caus

Breast cancer genes not worsened by lifestyle | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

VIENNA, Austria and FRANKFURT, Germany, April 30, 2010 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ –
The global fashion and lifestyle channel Fashion TV, founded by Michel Adam
Lisowski, was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 30th April 2010 and
now offers an interesting opportunity for qualified investors.

The dynamic growth of FTV in recent years has generated great interest
among investors wishing to be a part of the success story. On behalf of owner
Michel Adam Lisowski, CEO Yaron Jakubowicz therefore restructured the
business in order to prepare it for a stock market listing. The listing on
the Open Market of the Frankfurt Exchange took place on 30th April 2010 and a
total of 5,257,260 shares in the company are now approved for trading by
qualified investors.

About fashiontv

Fashiontv (SD), the only global, 24/7 channel for fashion, beauty and
style, is available in more than 400 million homes via cable and satellite.
With state-of-the-art technology, FTV also already reaches 23 million
households with its FTV HD signal. FTV is the largest fashion medium in the
world and its programmes are shown in seven million public places such as
bars, fitness studios, beauty parlours and fashion stores. The globally
successful broadcaster was founded in 1997 by Michel Adam Lisowski from
Vienna. The channel broadcasts current fashion shows and background stories
with star designers and top models. FTV creates 500 hours of new programmes
each year, with 300 new shows and 600 new clips per season. Its online
presence at http://www.ftv.com is well visited (700,000 hits) and boasts the
world’s largest online fashion library. Its branding is extended via fashion
bars and clubs as well as FTV’s own fashion line and recently launched vodka.
Branded champagne and energy drinks are also being prepared for imminent
market launch and are aimed at increasing revenues and brand value. A further
market segment still at the negotiation stage is Fashion TV Hotels & Resorts.

    Contact:

    Fashion TV
    Yaron Jakubowicz
    CEO
    Tel: +43-1-513-12-67
    E-mail: yaron@ftv.com

SOURCE Fashion TV

Fashion TV Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“I was surprised because it felt so comfortable and I wasn’t afraid to ask questions,” the 29-year-old said. “I mean, I’d finally met the right match.

“This gynecologist was exactly who I wanted.”

Call it speed dating for doctors. Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, near Fort Worth, has launched a program called Doc Shop that invites prospective patients to casually meet and size up a lot of doctors in a short amount of time.

“It is about chemistry in some ways. Most of the time you have to rely on referrals from your friends and you really just don’t know what that first visit is going to be like,” said Preston. “Am I going to have wait three hours to see you? With the kind of doctor I was looking for — am I going to feel judged when I give you information about my lifestyle?”

Much like its romantic predecessor, speed dating, Doc Shop lets patients spend five minutes each with more than a dozen doctors. The physicians are seated at tables spaced far enough apart to insure privacy. The free event, sponsored by the nonprofit hospital, lasts about an hour and includes lunch.

Dr. Manisha Parikh, a 33-year-old OB-GYN, has drawn six new patients to her practice at Texas Health Harris by participating in four Doc Shop events since last fall when the program launched.

“There’s a new attitude in medicine where patients want to feel like their doctor is their friend,” she said. “They truly want to be listened to. They don’t want to feel like their doctor was there for two minutes and didn’t even look at them and had one hand on the doorknob the whole time.”

Notices about Doc Shop, the brainchild of a hospital marketing specialist, are sent to e-mail addresses in the hospital’s database, posted on its Facebook and Twitter accounts, and showcased on fliers posted at Fort Worth businesses. Four sessions have been held since last fall with OB-GYNs. Ten more are scheduled for 2010, expanding to include pediatricians on March 23.

Doc Shop appears to be one of a kind. The American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association don’t know of any similar programs across the country.

“People know that hospitals are places to go when they are sick, but many actions by hospitals are also about making sure patients and consumers have the tools and information they need to lead healthier and better lives,” said Matt Fenwick, AHA spokesman. “This hospital showcases one more way that this can be achieved.”

Still, the program isn’t without its critics. Five minutes is not enough time to get to know a doctor, said pediatrician Dr. Oscar Brown, who has practiced 30 years in suburban Longview, Texas, and has for years offered 30-minute free lunchtime sessions about prenatal care. “It seems fairly superficial because everybody can put on a good face for five minutes,” he said. “I wonder if the consumer is really getting everything they can out of the experience.

“But I see the good in this, too,” Brown added. “I could see this working in a larger community where you can get a lot more practitioners together, if there’s more time allowed. If I were a young doctor, I would probably be open to this.”

Physicians who’ve attended Doc Shop events say they’re worth it, if only to break the ice earlier with a new patient. “We’re in a field where people have partners who have cheated and they’re concerned they might have an STD,” said Dr. Rebecca Guinn, an OB-GYN at Harris Health who has acquired 11 new patients through the service.

“I’ll often go through an entire examination and be finishing up and then they’ll tell me the real reason that brought them there and I’ll have to begin again. If I can establish even a bit of a rapport with someone before they are in my office, it’s going to help.”

Guinn was impressed by the age range of people who attend Doc Shop. She talked to a pregnant teenager and the girl’s family who had not yet found a doctor they trusted. An older woman wanted to discuss her family’s history of cancer and hear what Guinn knew about the latest treatments.

“I want a doctor who is up on all the new studies,” said Ann Williams, a 52-year-old mother of three girls ages 18 to 22. She attended a session to find a doctor for herself and them.

It had never before occurred to her to research a doctor, she said. When she was pregnant with her first child, and throughout “baby life,” she just went to the “first old man” a friend recommended.

“Back then, I just didn’t even think I had control — many women probably felt that way — and I want my daughters to know they have it,” she said. “I don’t want them to experience what it’s like when you determine that you don’t like your doctor but you’re already in a, uh, compromised position and you can’t get up and walk out.”

“With this program, if my daughters think a doctor isn’t for them, they don’t have to reject that person, they just don’t choose them,” said Williams. “Like speed dating, no one’s feelings get hurt.”

Read the original article from CNN Health.

‘Speed-dating’ doctors woo patients | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

(CNN) — Actor Ed Begley Jr., best known for his roles in “St. Elsewhere”, “The West Wing”, “Best in Show” (he’s also twice appeared on “The Simpsons”) is the star of “Living with Ed”.

It’s a reality show that follows him and his wife Rachelle Carson as they attempt to live the green life on the outskirts of LA, while competing to out-eco neighbor Bill Nye.

Begley has been a committed environmentalist for decades, and is the author of “Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life”.

CNN asked him what it takes to “live like Ed” and his take on the current state of environmentalism.

CNN: What do you hope to achieve with “Living with Ed”?

Begley: To engage viewers with entertainment, then give them a “take-away” or two every show that will save them money and help the environment.

CNN: When did you “go green”, and why?

Begley: I did it because my father, Ed Begley, Sr. was a conservative that liked to conserve. We always lived in a modest home. We turned off the lights, turned off the water, saved string, tin-foil, we threw precious little away.

So, by the time Earth Day came around in 1970, I was primed and ready to take some additional steps, and do more. It’s worth noting that my father died a few days before the first Earth Day, so I did it to honor him, as much as anything else.

CNN: The show has been very successful — have you been surprised by the level of interest?

Begley: Yes. I’ve tried other “green” shows in the past. None of them worked. I credit “Living With Ed” success to the addition of my wife to the mix.

CNN: Right now it seems like environmentalists are losing ground to climate change deniers over global warming, with the email scandal at the University of East Anglia. Some polls show less people believe the science than a year ago. Do you ever get despondent? What gives you hope?

Begley: I find it a bit unsettling that the deniers are winning, for now. But, I think more people will understand our role in climate change over time. I just hope it’s not too late.

CNN: Do you think one of the problems is that people feel overwhelmed – both with fear for the future, and the level of effort required to think about the moral, ethical dimension of all their consumer choices? If so, how can we move beyond this?

Begley: It’s human nature to resist change. We did with our efforts to combat smog in the early 1970s. But finally people realized that we wouldn’t go broke cleaning up the air, if we did it right.

They soon became aware that there were jobs making catalytic convertors, combined-cycle gas turbines, spray-paint booths and cleaner fuels. We need to remind folks of our success in improving air quality and how similar clean-tech industries can spur the economy again today.

CNN: If you could ask CNN readers to do one thing, what would it be?

Begley: Get out of your car as much as you can. Ride a bike, if weather and fitness permit. Take public transportation, if it’s available near you.

CNN: Do you think we should stop eating meat? Begley: I stopped eating meat in 1970, and I’m a very healthy 60-year old man. It can be good for our health, and the health of the planet. CNN: In the end, do you think making personal changes to our lifestyle will be enough? Or do we need a lead from government?

Begley: Personal action is one important component [but] Government and industry must also do their fair share.

CNN: Do you think that any big environmental legislation is likely in the U.S., given the scale of opposition?

Begley: Sadly, there will be no strong environmental laws passed anytime soon, as the extractive industries have been successful at convincing folks that we can’t afford them. To give another prospective, [I'll not] only quote an oil man but the name of T. Boone Pickens who said, “We can’t drill our way out of this problem”.

CNN: If you had the chance to whisper some advice in President Obama’s ear, what would it be?

Begley: Be true to the environmental ethic that you forged in the Senate. Do what’s right, and great good will come of it; hopefully, sooner, rather than later.

CNN: Do you have a message for climate change skeptics?

Begley: Let’s agree to disagree. Let’s pursue fiscally sound green technology for the following reasons: To lessen our dependence on foreign oil; to clean up the air in our cities; to put money in our pockets. And, if you do it right, you just bought an insurance policy to protect you against climate change, if the many scientists who believe in it are correct.

CNN: Arguably, we are moving into politically uncharted territory now, and the scale of the global co-operation required to deal with global warming, biodiversity loss and the other environmental problems we face is unprecedented in human history. Do you think we can do it?

Begley: Yes. But, we must act now. Tomorrow is too late.

Read the original article from CNN Technology.

Green living with Ed Begley Jr. | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Museum of Science and Industry’s Smart Home has gotten a 2010 makeover by interior designers for Midwest Living magazine.

The popular Chicago exhibit reopens on Thursday. Its new design reflects the lifestyle of empty-nesters looking to minimize home maintenance and maximize efficiency. The redesign features soft, organic textures and colors, and aims to combine beauty with function.

The eco-friendly exhibit’s green technology and materials are a showcase of ideas for homeowners seeking to make their own spaces more environmentally friendly.

The Smart Home first opened in May 2008. It has drawn more than 200,000 visitors since then.

—

On the Net:

Smart Home: http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/smart-home/

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Museum’s Smart Home still green but gets makeover | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Residents of Chicago and the South Suburbs can ring in the New Year with a FREE heart exam, including comprehensive tests and blood work on Jan. 1, 2010, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MetroSouth Fitness and Lifestyle Center in the MetroSouth Doctor’s Pavilion, 2310 York St., Blue Island.

The heart check up, for those 40 and older, will include a series of tests, including an electrocardiogram (EKG)-monitored exercise test, blood pressure test, and blood work to measure cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels.

Percentage of body fat will be measured and participants will receive a comprehensive report including a summary of their cardiac risk factors.

The value of the “Healthy Heart Exam” is more than $200. Refreshments and healthy snacks will be served and all those who attend will be eligible for raffle prizes, including gift certificates to local retailers.

The Fitness and Lifestyle Center also will offer new memberships for $20 a month, a 20% discount.

“This complimentary exam is our gift of health to residents,” says Dr. Robert Iaffaldano, MetroSouth interventional cardiologist.

“If we do diagnose patients with heart problems, we can refer them to one of MetroSouth’s excellent cardiologists and primary care physicians.” A MetroSouth cardiologist will also be on-hand on New Year’s Day to answer questions regarding more significant findings.

In addition to the free screening, MetroSouth is offering a discounted $30 “Healthy Heart Exam” during the months of January and February. The “Healthy Heart Exam” also makes a great holiday gift for loved ones that might be at risk for heart disease.

Friends or family members with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, who smoke or are overweight, or who frequently experience shortness of breath would especially benefit from this gift of life.

Women, who often experience atypical symptoms or no symptoms at all, should consider the heart exam if they fall into one of the at-risk categories.

To schedule a complimentary appointment for a “Healthy Heart Exam” on Jan. 1, please call 708-597-2000, ext. 5615 or visit metrosouthmedicalcenter.com.

Reservations are being taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free Heart Screenings on New Year’s Day at MetroSouth Medical Center’s Fitness and Lifestyle Center in Blue Island | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

From never-ending security lines and Scrooge-like employees, to howling children and rude cellphone users, holiday travel may fall just behind a visit to the dentist on the list of life’s most unpleasant experiences.

But it doesn’t have to be all bad. Spot the silver lining with the 2009 AXE “Best and Worst Airports to Make a Connection” study, which was announced today.

In 2007, AXE looked at the domestic airports that gave travelers the best chance for meeting someone special, and this year, the study has expanded beyond the U.S. to recognize the best international airports around the world to “make a connection.”

So whether you’re traveling home or jetting off to Paris, you’ll be ready to mix and mingle with the good-looking single at Gate E.

AXE, a leader in men’s grooming and known commentator on the chemistry between guys and girls, partnered with Sperling’s BestPlaces to commission the second undertaking of the study, this year targeting the world’s 33 largest metropolitan airports.

Criteria for ranking the airports included on-time flight statistics, historical weather conditions, and amenities per capita in each airport such as coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and retails stores, among others.

AXE’s Best U.S. and Global Airports to “Make a Connection”

1. Liberty Int’l (Newark, N.J.)
2. John F. Kennedy Int’l (New York)
3. Philadelphia Int’l
4. Dallas/Ft. Worth Int’l
5. Minneapolis – St. Paul Int’l
6. San Francisco Int’l
7. Charles de Gaulle (Paris, France)
8. O’Hare Int’l (Chicago)
9. London Heathrow Airport
10. Rome Fiumicino Airport

AXE’s Worst U.S. and Global Airports to “Make a Connection”

1. Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l
2. Madrid Barajas Int’l Airport
3. Los Angeles Int’l
4. Charlotte Douglas Int’l
5. Dubai Int’l (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
6. McCarran Int’l (Las Vegas)
7. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
8. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l
9. Toronto Pearson Int’l
10. Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand)

Find Love in a New York Minute (or 65 of Them)

Climbing the charts and overtaking 2007 winner Philadelphia International for the number one and two spots are Newark Liberty International and John F. Kennedy International, two of the busiest airports in the United States, both located in the New York metropolitan area.

And, thanks to some of the nation’s longest and most frequent delays (average delay time is 65 minutes) and a plethora of amenities, they are also two of the best airports to make a connection.

The next time you’re stuck in either of these East Coast travel “hubs of love,” don’t despair. Find a fellow flyer and grab a gingerbread latte in one of JFK’s 17 coffee shops, or share a bite to eat in one of Newark’s 52 restaurants.

If you’ve got an extra-long layover, treat someone special to a massage at one of Newark’s two airport spas (available in Terminals B and C), or show off your cultured side at JFK’s art gallery store.

Best Chance for Romance

Other top airports in the AXE “Best and Worst Airports to Make a Connection” study include Minneapolis (with an annual average of 85 days of snow plus 16 bars to kill time), Dallas (30 percent of all flights are delayed) and San Francisco, which has moved up since the 2007 study due to its increase in fog-related delayed flights and abundance of date-inducing amenities, including wine tastings and massage spas.

Philadelphia, which received top-honors in 2007, dropped slightly to number three in this year’s study thanks to an increase in on-time flights. But Philly flyers shouldn’t fear – with an average of 247 days of obscured visibility per year, there should still be plenty of delays to give passengers time to play.

On the global front, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport ranked eighth overall, but is the top spot for making connections overseas (ooh la la!).

Other cities to begin a long-distance romance include Rome (which tops the list in delayed and cancelled flights), London’s Heathrow Airport (boasts short-term hotel cabins in case you really hit it off) and Montreal-Pierre Int’l (an average of 92 days of snow to keep you grounded).

On-Time = No Time for Mingling

While you might be excited to get a jump on that winter tan, the worst airports on the list don’t leave you much time for first-class flirting.

Which airports will leave you out in the cold this season? Steer clear of dead-last Phoenix (80 percent of flights are on time), Charlotte (too few amenities), and Los Angeles (hot weather, cold-shouldered celebs).

And while Las Vegas might be lucky for some, McCarran International is the 6th worst airport in the world to score a date.

Survey Says

In addition to the study, AXE commissioned research firm StrategyOne to survey 1,000 adults ages 18-34 about their habits when it comes to travel and romance – and the results show that travelers are getting more out of their flights than just an extra pack of peanuts.

Two out of three respondents (66 percent) said they would consider going on a date with someone they met while traveling, and 59 percent have flirted with someone while at the airport or on a plane.

Surprisingly (or not?), more than half of respondents would consider joining the Mile High Club if given the opportunity.

Airport “Connection” Tips

Robert Reid, U.S. Travel Editor of Lonely Planet, understands the rigors and rewards of airport travel, and says meeting new people can be one of the biggest perks. “Making connections while traveling isn’t difficult, you just have to know what rules to follow” says Reid.

“Sitting in an airport lounge or bar isn’t exactly the same as bumping into someone at a neighborhood pub.” Reid recommends taking advantage of natural opportunities to initiate conversation.

“There is tons of on-hand material for small talk: flight delays, funny people-watching, how bad the bagels are – all which could lead to a deeper conversation.”

Whether you’re stuck at JFK waiting for your (delayed) connecting flight, or trying to comprehend French instructions at Charles de Gaulle, just remember that holiday “connections” can happen when you’re least expecting them.

So grab a coffee, a comfy seat and check out who’s stranded with you; it just might lead to kissing in coach this holiday travel season.

Complete List of International Airport “Connection” Rankings

1. Liberty Int’l (Newark, N.J.)
2. John F. Kennedy Int’l (New York)
3. Philadelphia Int’l
4. Dallas/Ft. Worth Int’l
5. Minneapolis – St. Paul Int’l
6. San Francisco Int’l
7. Charles de Gaulle (Paris, France)
8. O’Hare Int’l (Chicago)
9. London Heathrow Airport
10. Rome Fiumicino Airport
11. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
12. Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Int’l
13. Miami Int’l
14. Frankfurt am Main Airport
15. Singapore Changi Int’l
16. Capital Airport (Beijing, China)
17. Hong Kong Int’l
18. Sydney Airport
19. Narita Airport (Tokyo, Japan)
20. George Bush Intercontinental (Houston, TX)
21. Vancouver Int’l
22. Orlando Int’l
23. Denver Int’l
24. Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand)
25. Toronto Pearson Int’l
26. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l
27. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
28. McCarran Int’l (Las Vegas)
29. Dubai Int’l (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
30. Charlotte Douglas Int’l
31. Los Angeles Int’l
32. Madrid Barajas Int’l Airport
33. Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l

AXE-ology

The AXE “Best and Worst Airports to Make a Connection” study, conducted by Sperling’s BestPlaces, was based on the 33 largest international airports in terms of passenger volume and aimed to show which airports provide the best opportunities for “making a connection” with a fellow traveler.

The study considered everything from the number of connecting, delayed and missed flights in each airport, to the airport’s historical weather conditions, to the number of bars, restaurants and activities per passenger per airport.

About AXE

AXE, the leader in men’s care, is an iconic personal care brand around the world that helps guys look, smell and feel their best.

The Unilever-manufactured brand is available in a line of deodorant bodysprays, deodorant and antiperspirant sticks, shower gels and hair care products.

AXE is the No. 1 men’s grooming brand in the U.S., excluding shaving hardware and achieved this status only seven years after launch.

Including deodorant bodysprays, AXE is the largest men’s deodorant brand in the U.S. AXE shower gel, launched in 2005, reached No. 1 status five months after hitting shelves.

The brand’s mission is to help guys get the girl with grooming products that reflect individual personality and lifestyle.

For more information, visit theaxeeffect.com.

Sperling’s BestPlaces

For over 20 years, Bert Sperling has been helping people find their own “Best Place” to live. His firm, Sperling’s BestPlaces, puts facts about cities and quality of life in the hands of the public, so they can make better decisions about best places to live, work, retire, play, or relocate.

Sperling’s has authored two best-sellers, “Cities Ranked and Rated” and “Best Places to Raise your Family,” published by John Wiley.

More information about Bert Sperling and Sperling’s BestPlaces is available at bestplaces.net.

About Lonely Planet:

Lonely Planet started in 1973 and has gone on to become the world’s most successful travel information provider. Lonely Planet covers the must-see spots, but also encourages travelers to get off the beaten track and understand more of the nature, culture and environment in each destination.

For more information, visit lonelyplanet.com.

Chicago O’Hare Airport Makes AXE “Best Airports to Make a Connection” List | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Please join the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute’s Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Health and the Health Learning Centers on Feb. 24, 2010, at the Third Annual Heart Symposium: Heart Health—What Smart Women Need to Know.

This unique symposium will provide the latest information on cardiovascular health for women, including a debate on hormone replacement therapy.

Be there as we explore heart disease risk factors, and learn how you can fit a heart-healthy lifestyle into your busy schedule.

Heart Health: What Smart Women Need to Know

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010
8am – 11:30am
Prentice Women’s Hospital
250 E. Superior Street, Chicago, Ill.
Third Floor, Conference Center

Registration fee of $25, per person, includes lectures, materials, refreshments and discounted parking.

To register or for more information, call Health Resources at 312-926-8400. Space is limited.

A portion of this program was funded by the Nancy and James Farley Women’s Heart Health Lecture Series.

Symposium Programs:

Debate on Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to relieve menopausal symptoms but has been linked as a risk factor for cardiovascular health. During the symposium a gynecologist and cardiologist discuss the pros and cons of this treatment.

The presenting gynecologist is Lauren F. Streicher, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and assistant professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The presenting cardiologist is Nanette K. Wenger, MD, chief of Cardiology, Grady Memorial Hospital and professor at Emory University School of Medicine. Marla A. Mendelson, MD, cardiologist and medical director of the Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Health, will moderate the debate.

Heart at Work: Keeping on Target with Heart Disease Risk Reduction

A general overview of cardiovascular risks for women and prevention will be presented by Vera H. Rigolin, MD. Dr. Rigolin is a cardiologist and associate medical director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute’s Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Health.

Groove is in the Heart: Moving Your Way to a Healthy Heart

Martha Gulati, MD, lectures on fitting heart health and physical activity into your daily schedule. Dr. Gulati is a cardiologist and associate medical director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute’s Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Health.

Recipe for Life: Eating Well for Heart Health

Learn to improve your nutrition and maintain a heart healthy weight with this program presented by Robert F. Kushner, MD. Dr. Kushner is the clinical director for the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity.

Heart Healthy Cooking Demonstration

Watch and learn from experts how you can improve your diet and cooking techniques.

This demonstration is presented by registered dieticians from the Center for Lifestyle Medicine, Holly Herrington, MS, RD, LDN and Erin McCarthy, MS, RD, LDN.

Third Annual Women’s Cardiovascular Symposium Open to the Public Feb. 24 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) lauds the recent news of the decline in U.S. colorectal cancer death and incidence rates.

The report, released this week, shows that from 1975 to 2000, incidence rates dropped 22 percent and death rates dropped 26 percent.

The decline reflects the impact of increased colorectal cancer screening, changes in lifestyle and diet, and improved treatments.

ASGE, representing the specialists in colorectal cancer screening, is also encouraged by the report’s statement that if current trends persist, death rates from colorectal cancer could decline 36 percent by 2020 and there could be as much as a 50 percent decline if there are further improvements in risk factor control, screening, and treatment.

The study, by the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, has been issued annually since 1998 on the status of cancer in the U.S.

This year’s report states that “screening appears to have had a considerable impact on reducing CRC incidence and mortality.” It notes, however, that the greatest decline in new diagnoses were among those 65 and older, while people younger than age 50 showed an increase in diagnoses.

This represents a minority of colorectal cancer deaths as six percent of deaths in 2006 were among individuals under age 50.

The good news is that overall colorectal cancer incidence and death rates are declining steadily.

The causes for the increase in those under 50 with colorectal cancer are still unknown, but possibilities may include increased screening among people before age 50 due to family history or genetic factors, increased awareness of colorectal cancer symptoms, which prompts people to see their doctor, and the increasing prevalence of obesity and poor diet and lifestyle habits.

Modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer include physical inactivity, obesity, a diet high in red and processed meats, and tobacco use.

“This report is a testament to the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening. Everyone should get screened for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50,” said Jacques Van Dam, MD, PhD, FASGE, president, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

“African-Americans, and people with certain risk factors, including a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, may need to start screening at an earlier age. While these statistics are very encouraging, too few people are being screened for this largely preventable disease. Patients should talk to their doctor about an appropriate screening schedule.”

ASGE recommends colonoscopy screening beginning at age 50 and repeating every 10 years after a normal exam.

Some studies have shown that African-Americans are more frequently diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a younger age, leading some experts to suggest that African-Americans should begin screening at age 45.

Colonoscopy plays a very important role in colorectal cancer screening and prevention because it is the only method that allows for the detection and removal of precancerous polyps during the same exam and before the polyps turn into cancer.

Other screening methods, such as CT colonography or fecal occult blood tests, are less invasive and may also indicate the presence of precancerous and cancerous polyps, but they do not allow the removal of these polyps at the time of the exam.

Patients with polyps found during these exams would then need to be referred for a colonoscopy.

Colorectal cancer kills nearly 50,000 people each year. Many of those deaths could be prevented with earlier detection. The five-year relative survival rate for people whose colorectal cancer is treated in an early stage is greater than 90 percent.

However, only 39 percent of colorectal cancers are found at that early stage. Once the cancer has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, the five-year relative survival rate decreases dramatically.

ASGE screening guidelines recommend that, beginning at age 50, asymptomatic men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should have a colonoscopy every 10 years. People with risk factors, such as a family history of colorectal cancer, should begin screening at an earlier age.

Patients are advised to discuss their risk factors with their physician to determine when to begin routine colorectal cancer screening and how often they should be screened. Colorectal cancer is often present in people without symptoms.

This is why screening for colorectal cancer is so important. The following signs or symptoms, however, might indicate colorectal cancer: blood in your stools, narrower than normal stools, unexplained abdominal pain, unexplained change in bowel habits, unexplained anemia, and unexplained weight loss.

These symptoms may be caused by other benign diseases such as hemorrhoids, inflammation in the colon or irritable bowel syndrome. If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few days, talk with a gastrointestinal specialist about them.

For more information about colorectal cancer screening or to find a qualified physician, visit ASGE’s colorectal cancer awareness Web site at screen4coloncancer.org.

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

ASGE, with more than 11,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education.

Visit asge.org and screen4coloncancer.org for more information and to find a qualified doctor in your area.

About Endoscopy

Endoscopy is performed by specially-trained physicians called endoscopists using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices.

Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Anne Brownsey, 630-570-5635
abrownsey@asge.org

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Lauds Drop in Colorectal Cancer Deaths | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

This Goodman commission and world-premiere co-production with Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) garnered rave reviews, amassed critical acclaim and earned 13 awards and 17 nominations, including the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and (in alphabetical order): the Clarence Derwent Award; two Drama Desk Awards (including Outstanding New Play); two Lucille Lortel Awards (including Outstanding Play); New York Drama Critics Circle’s Best Play Award; four OBIE Awards (including Best New American Play); Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play; Theatre World Award; and two Drama League Award nominations (including Distinguished Production of a Play).

With a total of 22 preview performances and 198 regular performances as of August 2, Ruined becomes the longest running production at MTC.

During a distinguished luncheon May 28 at Columbia University’s Low Library, playwright Lynn Nottage accepted the 78th Pulitzer Prize in Drama and became the second African American woman ever to receive it. In attendance to celebrate Nottage’s honor were director Kate Whoriskey, Goodman Theatre Executive Director Roche Schulfer and Manhattan Theatre Club’s Artistic Director Lynne Meadow, Executive Producer Barry Grove and Associate Artistic Director Mandy Greenfield. This award marks the first world-premiere production from Goodman Theatre to receive a Pulitzer Prize in Drama—the Goodman’s American premiere production of Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet won in 1984—and the second consecutive Prize awarded for a play hailing from Chicago (Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County in 2008).

Ruined played to 93% of capacity during its extended Goodman run (November 8 – December 14, 2008) and moved to Manhattan Theatre Club’s New York City Center – Stage I on January 21, 2009. With the exception of two casting changes—Portia replaced Saidah Arrika Ekulona as Mama Nadi on May 26 and Ron McBee replaced Ali Amin Carter as Soldier—the original company of Ruined remains intact, including Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Salima), Cherise Boothe (Josephine), Chris Chalk (Jerome Kisembe), William Jackson Harper (Simon), Chiké Johnson (Fortune), Russell G. Jones (Christian), Simon Shabantu Kashama (Soldier), Kevin Mambo (Commander Osembenga), Tom Mardirosian (Mr. Harari) and Condola Phyleia Rashad (Sophie). The creative team includes Derek McLane (set), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting), Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (sound), Dominic Kanza (original music), and Randy Duncan (movement director).

Chicago critics hailed Ruined a “remarkable theatrical accomplishment! Dazzling!” (Chicago Tribune) and “explosive…brash, searing” (Chicago Sun-Times). New York critics declared it “an intense and gripping new drama from one of our finest playwrights…the kind of play we desperately need” (NY1) and “a vibrant…superbly acted…deeply moving new play” (New York Post).

Set in the present civil war-ravaged Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ruined is the captivating story of Mama Nadi, the owner of a canteen who serves up everything from a cold beer and a warm meal—to the company of a woman. Through the eyes of this savvy businesswoman who both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds, Nottage captures the constantly shifting allegiances and tragic consequences that marks the civil war in the DRC. Ruined was developed through Nottage and Whoriskey’s pilgrimage to Uganda—where countless interviews and interactions resulted in a portrait of the lives of the women and girls caught in the devastating armed conflict in the DRC.

Artistic development programs at Goodman Theatre were initiated in 1988 through a gift from The Lester and Hope Abelson Fund for Artistic Development. Funding for artistic development has been provided, in part, by the Leading National Theatres Program, a joint initiative of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust..

Artistic research and development for Ruined was sponsored by The Davee Foundation. Production support was provided by the Sara Lee Foundation, the Owen Season Corporate Sponsor; the World Premiere Season Sponsors; New Works Season Sponsors and the Director’s Society Sponsors.

About Goodman Theatre

Named the country’s Best Regional Theatre by Time magazine (2003), Goodman Theatre is a leader in the American theater, internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs since its founding in 1925. Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer’s forward-thinking leadership has earned the Goodman unparalleled artistic distinction, garnered hundreds of awards—including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992) and Pulitzer Prizes for Ruined by Lynn Nottage and Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet—and moved dozens of plays from Chicago to stages in New York and abroad.

Central to its commitment to the reinvestigation of classics and development of new plays and artists is the Goodman’s Artistic Collective, including Brian Dennehy, Frank Galati, Henry Godinez, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman. The largest not-for-profit theater in Chicago, the Goodman moved in 2000 into a brand new state-of-the-art complex which houses two principal theaters: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre and the 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre. Board Chairman is Shawn M. Donnelley and Karen Pigott is president of the Women’s Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Carly Leviton, 312-443-5151
Press@GoodmanTheatre.org

Lynne Nottage Becomes Second-Ever African American to Receive Pulitzer Prize in Drama for “Ruined” | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Proposals for Major Grants (up to $10,000) and Mini Grants (up to $2,000) are due by July 15, 2009 (postmark). Any non-profit group, organization, or institution in Illinois is eligible to apply for funding from the Illinois Humanities Council for a public project in the humanities. These projects can include documentary films, local and community history projects, literary symposia, and oral history projects.

Prospective applicants may review and download grant guidelines and applications by visiting prairie.org/grants. Grant information may also be requested by calling 312-422-5580 or by sending an email to ihc@prairie.org. IHC program officers are available for consultation, and new applicants are encouraged to seek consultation and submit a draft proposal prior to the final deadline.

The Illinois Humanities Council is a nonprofit educational organization [501 (c) 3] dedicated to fostering a culture in which the humanities are a vital part of the lives of individuals and communities. Organized in 1973 as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the IHC creates programs and funds organizations that promote greater understanding of, appreciation for, and involvement in the humanities by all Illinoisans, regardless of their economic resources, cultural background, or geographic location. The IHC is supported by state, federal, and private funds.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Illinois Humanities Council, 312-422-5580
ihc@prairie.org

The Illinois Humanities Council Announces July 15 Deadline for Grant Proposals | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Directed by ensemble member Tina Landau, Superior Donuts makes its Broadway debut direct from its sold-out world premiere at Steppenwolf last summer. Casting for the Broadway engagement will be announced shortly. August: Osage County closes its run at The Music Box this Sunday, June 28, 2009.

Tickets for Superior Donuts will go on sale through Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200 beginning on Friday, June 26, 2009 and The Music Theatre box office will open on Wednesday, August 19, 2009.

Arthur Przybyszewski owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Franco Wicks, a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. This provocative comedy, set in the heart of one of Chicago’s most diverse communities, explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship.

The Steppenwolf production of Superior Donuts is produced on Broadway by Jeffrey Richards, Jean Doumanian, Steve Traxler and Jerry Frankel, the producing team behind Steppenwolf’s August: Osage County.

Tracy Letts (Playwright) received the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his critically-acclaimed play August: Osage County, currently playing on Broadway at The Music Box Theatre following sold-out runs at Steppenwolf in 2007 and the National Theatre in London in 2008. Mr. Letts is also the author of Man from Nebraska, which was produced at Steppenwolf in 2003 and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize; Killer Joe, which has been produced in Chicago, London and New York; and Bug, which has played in New York, Chicago and London.

Tina Landau (Director) most recently directed The Tempest and Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where she is an ensemble member, as well as The Time of Your Life (also Seattle Rep, A.C.T.), The Diary of Anne Frank, The Cherry Orchard, and Charles Mee’s Berlin Circle and Time to Burn, among others. She recently directed the world premieres of Tarell McCraney’s In the Red and Brown Water at the Alliance and McCarter Theaters, Paula Vogel’s A Civil War Christmas at Long Wharf Theatre and the Off-Broadway premiere of McCraney’s Wig Out! at the Vineyard Theatre.

Tina’s work as a writer and director include Of Thee I Sing (Paper Mill Playhouse), Beauty (La Jolla Playhouse), Space (Steppenwolf, NY’s Public Theatre, Mark Taper Forum), Stonewall (En Garde Arts), 1969 (Actors Theater of Louisville), Floyd Collins with composer Adam Guettel (Playwrights Horizons, Prince Music Theatre, Old Globe, the Goodman) and Dream True with composer Ricky Ian Gordon (Vineyard Theater). Other directing credits include Iphigenia 2.0 (Signature), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (McCarter/PaperMill), and the Broadway revival of Bells Are Ringing. Ms. Landau teaches at Yale School of Drama and is the co-author, with Anne Bogart, of The Viewpoints Book.

About the Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of 42 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation.

For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

David Rosenberg, 312-654-5656
drosenberg@steppenwolf.org

Steppenwolf Theatre Announces American Play “Superior Donuts” to Replace “August: Osage County,” Tickets On Sale June 26 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

City Grants were awarded in amounts ranging in size from $1,000 to $8,000 by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs through the City Arts program to 277 organizations throughout the city representing a variety of artistic disciplines, including theater, dance, visual arts, photography, mixed media, music, and literature.

In announcing the awards, Mayor Richard M. Daley stated, “Arts organizations supported by CityArts grants employ thousands of artists, designers and musicians, all of whom help make Chicago the most vibrant, exciting city in which to live, work and visit.”

Among the CityArts grantees are:

• Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, an organization which seeks to preserve and promote the knowledge and appreciation of contemporary Ukrainian art and culture, located in the West Town community
• Ensemble Español, a dance company which shares the rich traditions of Spain through classical, folkloric and Flamenco styles, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University
• eta Creative Arts Foundation, which preserves and perpetuates the African American aesthetic through theater education and performance, located in Great Grand Crossing
• Chicago Children’s Choir, a multicultural choir housed in the Chicago Cultural Center which seeks to make a difference in the lives of young people through high-quality music education and performance

Visit CityofChicago.org/CulturalGrants for more information about DCA grant opportunities.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kennon Brown, 312-744-8948
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
kennon.brown@cityofchicago.org

City of Chicago to Award $1 Million in Grants to Arts and Cultural Organizations in 2009 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.