eyelash growth

Several products were subjects of recalls by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today, including health items, food and hygiene treatments.

HAIR TREATMENTS

Perfect Image Solutions, LLC is voluntarily recalling all lots of Men’s Minoxidil 15% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL; Men’s Minoxidil 10% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL; Men’s Minoxidil 5% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL; Women’s Minoxidil 3% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL; and Hair regrowth shampoo enhanced with Ketoconazole and salicylic acid, 180mL, to the consumer level. the products are deemed “unapproved new drugs” under the law and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and may present potential health hazards. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking news alerts delivered right to your inbox use of these topical products containing 15% and 10% Minoxidil have not been shown to be safe, and could pose a risk to the general public due to the possibility of systemic absorption. Skin abrasions or irritations, such as psoriasis or sunburn, could increase the systemic absorption of topically administered Minoxidil. Minoxidil 15% and 10% could cause low blood pressure, heart palpitations and associated cardiac symptoms. Azelaic acid contained in the topical products could make the skin where it is applied more sensitive to sunburn. Ketoconazole contained in the shampoo product could cause hair discoloration and abnormal hair texture, removal of the curl from permanently waved hair, itching, rash, skin irritation and dry skin. Salicylic acid contained in the shampoo could cause mild, temporary burning, itching, irritation, or stinging. Perfect Image Solutions, LLC has not received reports of serious injuries associated with the products subject to this voluntary recall. these products are used to slow or stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth and are packaged in glass-dropper containers or plastic shampoo bottles, and are sold in single units. they are used by men and women generally in middle to late adulthood. the affected product lots include the following lot numbers and expiration dates:

Men’s Minoxidil 15% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL.

Up until Oct. 2013

Men’s Minoxidil 10% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL.

Up until Oct. 2013

Men’s Minoxidil 5% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL.

Up until Sept. 2014

Women’s Minoxidil 3% Azelaic 5% Hair regrowth topical, 60mL.

Up until Nov. 2013

Hair regrowth shampoo enhanced with Ketoconazole and salicylic acid, 180mL.

Up until Dec. 2013

the product can be identified by the name Perfect Image Solutions on the container. Product was distributed nationwide or worldwide via the internet. Perfect Image Solutions, LLC is notifying its distributors by phone and in writing, and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Consumers that have product which is being recalled should discard it. Consumers with questions regarding this voluntary recall can contact Perfect Image Solutions, LLC by phone number (916) 791-3230 or e-mail address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Monday–Friday from 9 AM–5 PM PST. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Online:www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Regular Mail: use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm. Mail to address on the pre-addressed form.

This voluntary recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

HEALTH SOFTWARE

CareFusion issued the following update regarding its voluntary recall of the Nicolet® Cortical Stimulator Control Unit, Nicolet® C64 Stimulus Switching Unit (SSU) Amplifier and NicoletOne Software with Cortical Stimulator License. the FDA has classified this action as a Class I recall.

The company initiated the voluntary recall, which affects 125 devices and 58 software licenses, in October 2011. the devices and software subject to the recall were distributed to 38 customers between May 7, 2009 and July 11, 2011. This action has no effect on the manufacture or distribution of current products.

There is no change to the remediation plan previously communicated by the company. CareFusion has already completed the majority of the corrective actions on affected products in the United States.

In October 2011, the company sent an urgent Medical Device Recall Notification to customers stating the identified potential risks associated with the Cortical Stimulator Control Unit, SSU Amplifier and related software applications. Affected units have the potential to develop a short circuit, and affected software licenses may display or capture the incorrect electrode annotation label on the Cortical Stimulator Control Unit screen and in the associated report. a Class I recall is defined as a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death associated with use of the defective units.

In the notification letter, customers were provided serial and version numbers of affected hardware and software. This information is available at http://www.carefusion.com/customer-support/alerts-notices/medical-device-recall-nicoletone-software.aspx.

Instructions to customers Customer inquiries related to this action should be addressed to the CareFusion NeuroCare Call Center at 800-356-0007 (press option 2 for Technical Support). 3750 Torrey View Ct San Diego, CA 92130 www.CareFusion.com

Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product, and/or quality problems should also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program: by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787; by phone at 1-800-332-1088; by fax at 1-800.FDA.0178 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

SPONGE CAKE

Last week, Rich Products Corporation expanded its January 5, 2012 recall of ¼ Sheet Vanilla Soaked Sponge Cake Artificially Flavored to include the 8” Vanilla Flavored Pre-Soaked Sponge Cake Artificially Flavored (Product Code: 62938) because of the possibility that small plastic fragments from the packaging were contaminating the product. Rich’s executed the expanded recall on January 12, 2012. Rich Products Corporation has not received any customer complaints or reports of injuries related to this product, and has issued this voluntary recall as a precautionary measure. the product is produced by Rich’s in Ocoyoacac, Mexico, and imported into the U.S. by Rich’s for sale. the UPC code is: 00049800629387. Product produced after July 10, 2011 is affected. the 8” Vanilla Flavored Pre-Soaked Sponge Cake Artificially Flavored is not packaged for retail distribution and is sold by the case primarily to in-store bakeries nationwide. On January 12, 2012, Rich’s notified all of its distributors and customers who have received the product in question, and directed them to remove and destroy the affected product. All other affected product under Rich’s control has been quarantined and will be destroyed. Upon investigation, Rich’s discovered the problem was caused by a change in the resin used by the supplier of the plastic packaging. Rich’s was not made aware of this change. the company is working closely with the supplier to ensure that all defective packaging is removed from distribution and that all monitoring systems are in place to eliminate the potential for this problem occurring again in the future. Consumers with questions may contact the Rich’s Product Helpline at 1-800-356-7094 (United States) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST. Voice mail is available after hours.

CHEESE

Kradjian Imp co, Glendale, CA is recalling 231 Cases, 22Lb / Cs of Cedar Tree  brand Tresse Cheese, 16 oz and Cedar Tree brand Shinglish cheese, 16 oz because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Tresse Cheese and Shinglish cheese were distributed in Southern California, Northern California, Washington State, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee,Arizona and Michigan to Mediterranean specialty markets. both cheeses Cedar brand Shinglish firm unripened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC: 78546 10000 and Cedar brand Tresse firm unripened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC 78546 01000 were manufactured and recalled by Fromagerie Marie Kade, in Quebec Canada.  both cheeses are vacuum packed and bear the picture of a green cedar tree, pictured at http://www.fromageriemariekade.com/Produits.htm. Kradjian has recently been notified by our supplier that the above lot number of this product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Consumers who have purchased Cedar brand Shingilish or Tresse cheese are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-866 825 2633 9AM to 5PM SPT Monday through Friday, except for holidays.

FEMININE HYGIENE

USA Far Ocean Group Inc. (U.S.a. Far Ocean), is voluntarily recalling the Company’s two products sold as cosmetic under the names Vagifresh Ball  and Vagifresh Gel. these two products were also sold under the mixed package named Female One, which contained Vagifresh Ball, Vagifresh Gel and Vagifresh Liquid (this recall does not involve Vagifresh Liquid). Vagifresh Ball and Vagifresh Gel products are applied by inserting deeply into the vagina for a prolonged period of time. the Company has been informed by representatives of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that lab analysis by FDA of Vagifresh Gel sample found the product contains benzocaine, the active ingredient for many anesthetic drug products. in addition, FDA analysis of Vagifresh Ball sample found the product contains bacteria including Staphylococcus lentus, S. sciuri, Bacillus Lantus, Alloiococcus otitis, Aerococcus viridans, Aeromonas salmonicid, Gemella spp, Leuconostoc spp.

The effect of the absorption of the amount of Benzocaine contained in Vagifresh Gel is unknown, but there is the possibility of an adverse reaction or unknown drug-drug interaction. the effect of the bacterial contamination in VagiFresh Ball is unknown and difficult to assess.  no illnesses have been reported to the Company to date in connection with these products.  the FDA has also determined that marketing material for these products contained unsubstantiated therapeutic claims related to various gynecologic conditions that could have caused women taking these products from seeking appropriate medical care for potentially serious medical conditions.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  following products are involved in this voluntary recall:

3 tablets individual pack/packed with Female One

2 fl.oz. tube individual pack/Packed with Female One

All lots of the listed products are affected by this recall.

These products were sold via herbal stores, beauty shops, drug stores, internet and mail order. U.S.a. Far Ocean is taking necessary steps to contact wholesalers, retailers and customers for the return of these products. Consumers in possession of these products should stop using it immediately and contact their physician if they experienced any problem that may be related to using any of these products. Consumers in possession of products should also return any unused products to their immediate supplier for a direct refund. Customers with questions can call USA Far Ocean Group, Inc. at 626-560-2435 Monday through Sunday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (PST) for further instructions or information with respect to the return and refund process.

U.S.a. Far Ocean is committed to providing our customers with high quality, pure and safe products. We are investigating the root cause in the manufacturing processes that has lead to this voluntary recall. We are taking every measure to ensure the quality and purity of any product made by our manufacturers so that this will never happen again in the future. We are extremely sorry and hope that you will not lose faith in our brand.

Any adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of any of these products may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm

Regular Mail: use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA 3500 available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm.

<a href="http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27827:cheese-cake-vagiballs-clarita-2012-01-20-11-02&catid=26:local-news&Itemid=97tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content”>Hometown Station AM 1220 – Santa Clarita Radio – Recalled Products Include Health, Food, Hygiene Items

As we kick off our 2012 NFL Draft coverage, Jamie Dukes goes through the first round to determine what needs each team would best be served to fill.

1. Indianapolis Colts – the Colts are in uncharted territory with the departure of bill Polian and the uncertainty of Peyton Manning’s future. as such, drafting the next Peyton Manning, a.k.a. Andrew Luck, makes sense. In addition to Manning’s uncertainty, Reggie Wayne is also a free agent. Anthony Gonzalez has been a bust and Lassie (Austin Collie) and the Waiter (Pierre Garcon) are ancillary pieces. getting the next Wayne or Marvin Harrison also makes sense. Jamie’s Judgment: Draft a quarterback, wide receiver or the best defender available.

2. St. Louis Rams – It’s Dr. Seuss time with Sam (Bradford) I am in Rams Land. Sam is sad and needs a receiver to make him glad. He spent much of last year sitting on the sideline mostly because of hits from the blind side. Sam wasn’t alone in his feeling of loss but little can be done without a vision from the Rams’ new boss. Jamie’s Judgment: Trade the No. 2 pick with Cleveland, which has two first-round picks (one via Atlanta).

3. Minnesota Vikings – the welcome that NFL defenders gave Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder has been anything but Christian. the best strategy for the Vikes is to add weapons around their young signal-caller and prized running back Adrian Peterson, who’s recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. If USC tackle Matt Kalil is there, take him. If Kalil isn’t available, grab Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon. Jamie’s Judgment: In addition to getting Ponder more weapons, cornerback is a need.

4. Cleveland Browns – If the Browns don’t do what it takes to get Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, shame on them, considering they have the additional picks from the Julio Jones trade last year. If they stick with the slot and Blackmon is available, Colt McCoy needs another round in the chamber. Jamie’s Judgment: Trade the selection and get more picks.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ronde Barber just lost his BFF in Raheem Morris. the good news is that Barber just received his AARP card. considering Aqib Talib always seems within an eyelash of a long-term suspension, cornerback makes the most sense. Jamie’s Judgment: Take the pick of the litter, which would be LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne or Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. If by some unnatural act Blackmon is there, Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman needs him.

6. Washington Redskins – There’s a saying that states a house divided against itself cannot stand, and although it’s admirable that a coach like Mike Shanahan wants to position his son to be his successor, success must first occur. THE SKINS NEED a QUARTERBACK… Jamie’s Judgment: Draft the best available offensive skill players.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – THE JAGS NEED a WIDE RECEIVER! THE JAGS NEED a WIDE RECEIVER! Jamie’s Judgment: Pass rusher is a glaring area of need, and it’s time to find some other legs to tote the rock from the running back position.

8. Carolina Panthers – the Cam plan was a smashing success. now I wonder if he can rush the passer. for most of the 2011 season, the toothless Panthers defense gummed their offensive opponents. the ferocity should return along with injured linebacker Thomas Davis. Defensive end Charles Johnson broke the bank in free agency and needs some help on the other side. Jamie’s Judgment: In addition to an edge rusher, cornerback and safety are spots to target.

9. Miami Dolphins - the ‘Fins need to put a call into Iron Mike Ditka to discuss how to orchestrate the Ricky Williams deal for RG3. This is radical, but the point is the Dolphins need a Hail Mary or it will be (Matt) Moore of the same. Jamie’s Judgment: Take an edge rusher to compliment Cameron Wake, or find a speedy wide receiver.

10. Buffalo Bills - To Fitz or not to Fitz, that is the question. the Bills have hope, but baring a major roster and coaching turnover, Ryan Fitzpatrick, at best, is an average quarterback. Mystery abounds on the other side of the ball, as they can’t stop anyone and some genius has decided to reduce potential sack-machine Marcell Dareus into an underachieving, 5.5 sack-tallying, 5-technique player. Jamie’s Judgment: Find a tackle to keep Fitzpatrick upright, or a defensive end who can rush the passer.

11. Kansas City Chiefs - Romeo… Romeo… wherefore art thou quarterback, Romeo? Kyle Orton and Matt Cassel are serviceable quarterbacks, but serviceable only wins Super Bowls once a millennium. that is the primary weakness of this team that routinely has been at the top of the draft for a decade. Jamie’s Judgment: look for a franchise-caliber QB, WR or OT.

12. Seattle Seahawks - Pied Piper Pete Carroll picked a pair of pickled quarterbacks. Though Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst haven’t been awful, their games have worms. see the above comments on serviceable quarterbacks. Jamie’s Judgment: Find a franchise quarterback, wide receiver or cornerback.

13. Arizona Cardinals - Ken Whisenhunt, the Wizard of the Desert, worked some magic covering up his quarterback deficiencies. Kevin Kolb raised more questions than answers, and the Cardinals are in a Scott Mitchell-type no man’s land, as they don’t know what they have. Jamie’s Judgment: Draft some offensive line help or a No. 2 wide receiver to play opposite Larry Fitzgerald.

14. Dallas Cowboys - the Jones Boys are the most competitive rebuilding team in the NFL, despite what you may hear from the skeptics. I suspect they are jealous because the general manager is a billionaire. the Cowboys retooled the offensive line, and now the secondary is up on the docket. Jamie’s Judgment: Draft a franchise free safety, strong safety, cornerback or a thumper at linebacker.

15. Philadelphia Eagles - Andy Reid is the NFL’s Iron Chef, but throwing ingredients in a bowl doesn’t make a dish. it takes time in the oven, and at the end of the year the yeast was rising to the top. the missing ingredient for the defense is a thumper at middle linebacker, and there is no better fit than the Cookie Monster Luke “Keebler” Kuechly. Cinnamon and chili peppers don’t mix, which is the case with Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Jamie’s Judgment: a strong safety or cornerback is a must this year.

16. New York Jets - the signing of Tony Sparano is an indication the Jets view mark Sanchez as a goodfella quarterback and not a guy who can carry the franchise. the Jets need pass rushers, and that means Rex Ryan needs to go courting Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw. Jamie’s Judgment: Draft a defensive end, free safety, strong safety or outside linebacker.

17. Cincinnati Bengals - Marvin “The Magician” Lewis pulled a rabbit out of his hat this season. the Dalton Gang needs another year of seasoning and, more importantly, OTAs. on the defensive side of the ball, adding a pass rusher or a cornerback, like Nebraska’s Alfonzo Dennard, is imperative to the growth of this ravenous pack of striped tigers … or is that a den? Jamie’s Judgment: look for a free safety, running back, cornerback or a defensive end.

18. San Diego Chargers - an executive pardon was given to general manager a.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner. the franchising of Darren Sproles a few seasons ago proved to be a huge strategic error, as he eventually took off to New Orleans and just set the NFL record for all-purpose yards this season with the Saints. Last year’s franchising of Vincent Jackson will probably have the same dire consequence, as the Chargers are not likely to pay the wide receiver the $14-plus million due with a successive franchising. thus, Phillip Rivers would be losing two of his most productive weapons in back-to-back years. Jamie’s Judgment: Wide receiver, outside linebacker, cornerback and defensive end are all possibilities.

19. Chicago Bears - It’s time for the cruel and unusual punishment to end for Jay Cutler. It’s time for coach Lovie Smith to find a wide receiver to cuddle up to Jay. Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd makes a lot of sense because he’s a chiseled beast of a wide receiver. Despite a Pro Bowl season, there were times where Charles “Peanut” Tillman was turned to peanut butter. Jamie’s Judgment: consider targeting two wide receivers or a top-tier defensive back.

20. Tennessee Titans - It’s time for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to call his sister-in-law to see what the View will be from the bench. the Titans are a young team, and any further delay in handing the reins to Jake Locker is a mistake. Jamie’s Judgment: Concentrate on the defensive side with the best available defensive back or pass-rushing defensive end.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - there must be some unwritten rule that owners look in the phone book for prospective coaches. unfortunately for Mike Zimmer they never get to the back of the directory. the Bengals also have a decision to make with Cedric Benson. Depending on the Bengals’ draft board, a running back like Lamar Miller from Miami would be a viable option. Jamie’s Judgment: Draft a free safety, running back, cornerback or defensive end.

22. Cleveland Browns - If by some strange chance the Browns have this pick instead of the Rams, that means Colt McCoy is still the guy. that should also mean Blackmon is on the squad. Jamie’s Judgment: Try to target a wide receiver, running back, cornerback or defensive end.

23. Detroit Lions - Martin Mayhew has done a great job rebuilding this team by taking the best available player on the board. enough already — the Lions should be allowed to draft cornerbacks a day before the draft. Jamie’s Judgment: look for a cornerback or a running back. did I mention cornerback?

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - How ironic is it that the Steelers are selecting at the number that was set on fire during the Tim Tebow coming-out party? Steelers fans have been complaining for years about the inconsistent play of the corners. Jamie’s Judgment: Think about a tackle, running back, cornerback or defensive end.

25. Denver Broncos - Tebowmania has ramifications for the Broncos’ draft room. for continuity’s sake, they must draft a spread-option quarterback as a backup. Elway also has to bring in a college coach who has expertise. the Broncos are set at wide receiver, but need a tight end to who can hit the seam and work the flat. Stanford’s Coby Fleener would be a great fit. Jamie’s Judgment: Seriously take a look at a tight end, running back, cornerback or defensive end.

26. New York Giants - Jerry Reese’s pieces overcame injuries to have a great season. the quiver is full of arrows, but cornerback is an area of need because it will allow Aaron Ross to move to safety. Brandon “The Tiptoe Burglar” Jacobs ran with purpose down the stretch, but because he never stopped running his mouth, a running back may be higher on the priority list. Jamie’s Judgment: look for big Blue to target a free safety, running back or cornerback.

27. Houston Texans - the Texans’ Pony Express lost a few horses along the way due to injury but the roster is in great shape. Today’s NFL is all about improving the skill players, so it makes sense to grab the best cornerback or wide receiver on the board, which could be Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu or North Alabama cornerback Jenoris Jenkins.

28. New England Patriots - Once again, the Hoodie has 30 of the first 50 picks … just kidding. With the 28th and 31st picks, the Pats have the luxury of deciding whether to move forward or backward. that said, the Wizard of Beantown has not been able to solve his secondary woes. but an elite edge rusher is equally in need. Jamie’s Judgment: It’s time to draft a free safety, cornerback or defensive end.

29. Baltimore Ravens - see Ozzie Newsome’s “No comment.”

30. San Francisco 49ers - Jim Harbaugh has been the harbinger of great things in the Bay Area. Alex Smith has proven he’s the man for the job, but to help his growth, providing him with a shiny new wide receiver would be like Christmas in April. Jamie’s Judgment: some skill position upgrades on offense are necessary, like a wide receiver or running back. Another cornerback wouldn’t hurt.

31. New England Patriots - see 28th pick

32. Green Bay Packers - what do you give the best-coached team from top to bottom, with the best personnel top to bottom? MORE! If we were to nitpick, Aaron Rodgers could use a feature running back. Jamie’s Judgment: Target a playmaking running back, cornerback, defensive end or defensive tackle.

<a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d8260f1be/article/skill-positions-will-be-a-need-throughout-this-years-drafttag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d8260f1be/article/skill-positions-will-be-a-need-throughout-this-years-draftTue, 17 Jan 2012 01:30:21 GMT”>Skill positions will be a need throughout this year’s draft

How a broken collective bargaining system has kept a ridiculous, multimillion-dollar perk alive. 

Shutterstock / Sheff 

In Buffalo, New York, the heart of the American rust-belt, the public school system pays for its teachers to get plastic surgery. Hair removal. Miscrodermabrasian. Liposuction. if you can name the procedure, it’s probably covered.

No, I am not exaggerating. and no, this article is not an excuse to make “Hot For Teacher” cracks. When I write that Buffalo’s school system pays, I mean it literally. The perk is included as a self-insured rider in its teachers’ contract. Therefore, the district has to cover the cost of each nip and tuck itself. There’s no co-pay, so the school district ends up footing the entire bill. It estimates the current annual cost at $5.2 million, down from $9 million in 2009.

This in a city where the average teacher makes roughly $52,000 a year. The plastic surgery tab would pay salaries for 100 extra educators. 

If Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s legislative assault on public sector workers was a prime example of right-wing excess on the issue of organized labor, the story of Buffalo’s teachers and their botox should be looked at as cautionary tale for the left. you see, nobody particularly wants to keep the plastic surgery rider. It’s an embarrassing mole everybody agrees should be removed, a vestige of an earlier era that the school board would love to scrap, and that the teacher’s union has said it’s willing to give up. But because of New York’s broken collective bargaining system for government employees, it’s survived, ugly and in tact. 

As The Buffalo News has reported, the rider existed for years with little notice. It dates back at least to the 1970s, when “getting a little work done” wasn’t par for the course among women (and some men) of a certain age. instead, it was intended to cover serious reconstructive surgery, on burn victims, for instance. in 1996, the rider was nearly cut. But after the daughter of a district employee was hurled through a windshield during a car wreck, requiring surgery to repair scars on her face and body, union officials lobbied to keep the benefit in place. 

That was then. in the years that followed, plastic surgery boomed in the United States thanks to non-invasive procedures like Botox and laser-skin treatments. Buffalo doctors began advertising directly to teachers through their union’s newsletter. Predictably, the school district’s tab fattened. in six years, usage of the perk tripled, and by 2009, about 500 employees were taking advantage of the opportunity to get free cosmetic surgery. a single doctor billed the district $4 million. 

When news of the doctors’ bills broke, there was, predictably, a public outcry. Buffalo Teachers Federation President Philip Rumore, who did not return calls for comment, said then that his union would be happy to drop the rider during the next round of contract negotiations. But therein lay the problem. 

Buffalo’s teachers haven’t had a new contract since the last one expired in 2004. That’s because they haven’t needed one, thanks to a 1982 state law known as the Triborough Amendment. under the law, when a public employee’s contract expires, they are allowed to continue working under its terms until their union reaches a new agreement with the state. they get to keep all their benefits, along with any yearly salary increase built into the old deal. in the case of the Buffalo schools, teachers have been getting yearly 2.5% “step increases” since 2007, when the state-imposed control board that oversees Buffalo’s municipal finances unfroze salaries. 

As a result, there isn’t much incentive for the union to sit down and hash out a new contract. Not in these days of government austerity, and not when they might be asked to make additional concessions on fundamental issues such as teacher evaluations. 

“The urgency of negotiating a new contract isn’t really there,” said Amber Dixon, interim-superintendant for Buffalo’s schools. “You get to keep your benefits. you get to keep your cosmetic rider. Youget to keep your 2.5% step increase. It makes getting back to the tabledifficult.” 

Collective bargaining only works if both sides have an incentive to deal. That’s not conservatism. It’s realism. and New York’s dysfunctional system is Exhibit a. It’s created a trap for cities by requiring them to keep paying out indefinitely on old contracts negotiated in flusher times. Without the ability to work out new terms, local governments are left to resort to layoffs.

Such was the case in Buffalo, where at one point the school board offered to avoid 100 layoffs if the union suspended the cosmetic surgery rider for a year. as Dixon explained to me, the union declined. It only wanted to deal with the rider during a full contract negotiation. 

Those teachers who got to keep their jobs? well, at least they’re still sitting pretty.  

<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/01/why-does-buffalo-pay-for-its-teachers-to-have-plastic-surgery/251533/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/01/why-does-buffalo-pay-for-its-teachers-to-have-plastic-surgery/251533/Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:06:29 GMT”>Why Does Buffalo Pay for Its Teachers to Have Plastic Surgery?

By MARC FOLCO January 29, 2012 12:00 AM

Wildlife has always fascinated me ever since I was a kid. when I was growing up, my favorite books, besides hunting and fishing publications, were always on wildlife and natural history, and I still have all my field guides to birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians. when other kids were in the house watching TV or outside playing Little League, I’d be out in the woods, fields and waters, searching for and collecting all kinds of critters, including but not limited to snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, fish, field mice, a myriad of insects and the occasional wounded bird or orphaned cottontail or squirrel.

My mother had immense patience and nerves of steel, allowing me to keep cages, aquariums and terrariums, some containing snakes, in my room and in the basement, and larger galvanized wash tubs in the yard with screen covers to keep the frogs and turtles from escaping. I say nerves of steel because have you ever seen the look on a mother’s face when you walk into the kitchen holding an empty terrarium and say, “All right, who took my snake?”

The menagerie was also supplemented with store-bought gerbils, chameleons, tropical fish and later, a dog. Gerbils aren’t very cuddly, like puppies are, and when you let them loose on the living room floor they don’t come back when you call them. They are very dumb animals and quite slow at learning their names. we lost a gerbil in the house once, after I thought it might want to sleep in bed with me. In the morning it was gone. a couple of days later, when it was hungry, it came scurrying out from behind the TV and after a quick chase and tackle, I put it back in its cage — after it bit me. so much for cuddly little rodents. Fish aren’t very cuddly either. They’re cold and slimy and they never keep still, so you have to get out of bed and put them back in the tank.

Being so intrigued with animal life, I used to study insects under a microscope. It’s quite interesting to skillfully remove a live, angry wasp from its jar (with air holes punched in the lid) without getting stung (my average was a good 90 percent), then hold it with tweezers by its thorax under the microscope and push on its abdomen to watch the stinger and venom come out.

A praying mantis is another spectacular creature and if you put two together in a jar, the bigger one will tear the smaller one’s head off. you learn this the hard way. They are savage insects and we used to feed them ground beef. a spider’s kaleidoscope-ish eyes (all eight of ‘em) are impressive when viewed under magnification and its mandibles are intimidating so it’s no wonder spiders are big stars on Creature Double Feature movies in greatly enlarged and exaggerated forms.

Even today, given the hunter instinct in me, if I see a snake, frog or other non-game critter, I have this primeval urge to give chase and capture it, even if it’s just to hold it and admire it for a while before letting it go. or bop it on the head, skin it from the waist down and eat its legs, fried in garlic butter. Frog legs look and taste like the best little chicken wings you ever had.

I still like the animal shows on TV, and marvel at big horn sheep butting heads, the courtship rituals of birds of paradise, cheetahs giving chase in excess of 70 mph and piranhas devouring an unfortunate victim into a mere skeleton in just minutes. The names for groups of animals are also very amusing to me.

We’re all familiar with schools of fish, herds of deer and flocks of birds, but what about the other names, only a few of which are in use today. a flock of quail is a covey, while a flock of ducks on the water is a raft and a flock of turkeys is a rafter. and while that gang of ducks on the water is a raft, a flock of seabirds is a wreck. a flock of geese flying is a skein, but also called a wedge when in V formation. when they’re on the ground, they’re a gaggle. a flock of crows is a murder, aptly named. if you’ve ever seen a large flock of raucous crows, they appear to be either plotting a murder or sound like they’re committing one. In sharp contrast, a flock of doves is an exaltation. Hallelujah! a group of owls is a parliament, while a group of wombats is a wisdom, but I would’ve cast my vote for owls getting the lofty title of “wisdom.”

A pride of lions is still in use today, but not a coalition of cheetahs, a crash of rhinos or a clan of hyenas. a bunch of mice is a mischief. Aw, so cute. and a bunch of rabbits is a colony, also called a warren.a congregation of whales or dolphins is a pod.

Also well-known is a swarm of bees, a bed of clams or oysters and a pack of wolves or coyotes, but not so common is an army of ants, a sleuth of bears and a lounge of lizards. However, at seedy bars and dives, there are likely to be many sightings of lounge lizards.

In their collective form, gorillas are known as a band. a group of baboons however, which have a reputation for being unintelligent, loud, obnoxious and dangerous, is called a congress (or troop). Big surprise.

Because of this warm winter, ice fishing remains nonexistent in Southeastern Mass., but there was a brief period of safe ice in some parts of central Mass. and areas north and west. But after the warm weather again this week, even areas of central Mass. aren’t safe anymore. last weekend, Farell Plank and I met Kevin Hazelton and his son, Joe, at Moosehorn Pond in Hubbardston, where we drilled through a solid eight inches of clear ice.

Success was high for fishing a new place. we fished a dropoff near the railroad tracks directly across the pond from the public access area. we set our tip-ups from eight to 12 feet of water and the most action came on the sets in the deeper water.

Using a range of small, medium and pike shiners, we had flags all day long and caught a mixed bag of 10 largemouth bass, the largest being three pounds, about a half-dozen yellow perch and a large number of hatchet handle-size pickerel (20 maybe). not bad for a day that started out at three degrees with temps soaring to the low 20s.

Sitting on the ice, telling jokes and funny stories between flags, Kevin said that he had just bought one of those flotation jackets and was wearing it. In case he falls through the ice or falls overboard while open-water fishing, it will keep him afloat. Wearing my plain old ice fishing jacket, I answered with, “Mine floats too, after the third day.”

This prompted Farell to recall the story about the three guys from up Maine, who were fishing from a boat in early spring, not long after ice-out. one of the guys fell overboard and the other two waited for him to come back up, but it was taking a while.

One said, “You think one of us should go in after Lem?”

The other said, “Yup, I’ll go,” and dove in.

He was gone a short while and came up with Lem. They pulled him into the boat, but he wasn’t breathing so the first one began giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. after the first try, he was huffing and puffing, took a break and said, “I don’t remember Lem’s breath being this bad before he fell in.”

And the second one said, “And I don’t remember him wearing a blue smowmobile suit.”

Marc Folco is the outdoor writer for The Standard-Times.Contact him at openseason1988@aol.com

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<a href="http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120129/SPORTS/201290314/-1/NEWSMAPtag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120129/SPORTS/201290314/-1/NEWSMAPSun, 29 Jan 2012 05:12:44 GMT”>Open Season: Fascinated with all kinds of creatures

Reese Witherspoon is one stylin’ lady who likes to change things up. the 35-year-old actress looked effortlessly chic and sexy at the Golden Globes just a few weeks ago; her blonde, wavy hair looked bouncy and playful. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to get her mane to do such things; she probably sprayed the crap out of it with beach curl enhancers, root thickeners, and lightweight hairspray, then parted it in the middle, blew it dry, curled it a bit, maybe said a prayer or two, and, finally, poof! Reese looked gorgeous with bed-head on the red carpet. Now, after all that work, she’s taken her hair in the opposite direction. She was spotted at an airport in Paris with a new ‘do. Girl got bangs.

Her hair now pin-straight, Reese has forgone her California surfer girl waves and now has longish bangs that dust the top of her eyelids. and you know something? She pulls it off. Reese always pulls it off, though — there’s really nothing she can’t do when it comes to her golden locks. Lucky “b” word.

Her red carpet hair was sexy, her new bangs look is girly, and both look good on her. Not many people have that sort of versatility, but Reese is able to change up her look with a few clip-clips of the scissors and viola! New, great ‘do.

Reese has worn bangs before, perhaps most memorably on the Golden Globes red carpet back in 2007, so she’s no stranger to the hairstyle. It must be awesome to be able to keep experimenting with new and old haircuts operating with the knowledge, as Reese must, that there’s no wrong answer.

If I had to choose, though, if someone put a hair dryer to my ear and was slowly burning me until I yelled out an opinion, I suppose I’d say that I like her lo-fi, beachy waves more than I do the blunt bangs. But until that hair dryer-wielding hostage-taker comes around, I’ll just say that I love all her looks. Can’t wait to see what she does next.

Which style do you like better on Reese?

Photo via Splash News

<a href="http://thestir.cafemom.com/beauty_style/132145/reese_witherspoons_new_haircut_istag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://thestir.cafemom.com/beauty_style/132145/reese_witherspoons_new_haircut_isFri, 27 Jan 2012 20:36:25 GMT”>Reese Witherspoon’s New Haircut Is Totally Bangin’