Please join us in conjunction with the Assistance League of Bellingham on a bus trip to Bellevue Square, Seattle. The shopping center is chock full of all the stores one could ask for- Nordstroms, Macy's, Chicos and much more.

Here are the particulars:

DATE: Thursday, May 29th, 2008
TIME: 8:00 A.M. (Return around 6:00 P.M.)
COST: $35.00 per person
LOCATION: BIRCHWOOD/ NORTHWEST AVENUE, ALBERTSON'S SHOPPING CENTER, MEET AT BIG LOTS.

Your check will be your confirmation:
Kindly send your check,payable to ALB (Assistance League of Bellingham.)
Drop by or Mail to:

Pat Gilson
9156 Aerie Lane
Blaine, Wa.
98230
Tel: 371-6411
e-mail: patcgilson@comcast.net

Glenda Cunningham (Barnhart) is leading a special Doll and Dollhouse Miniatures Tour in Russia, October 16–26, 2008. This unique Russian journey is handcrafted around the international art of dolls, dollhouses, and toys. Along with touring the classic sights of Russia's two main cities, magnificent Moscow and St. Petersburg, travelers will attend Moscow's Fourth Annual International Doll Salon, where doll masters and doll houses miniatures artisans from around the worls exhibit their fabulous creations. Visit Sergiev Posad, an ancient town outside of Moscow where the matrioshka doll originated. View a collection of pre-revolutionary and Soviet toys: admire the Nashchokin Dollhouse, a faithful reproduction of a Moscow mansion; and take tea in the home of a St Petersbug doll master.

For more information contact: Countryside Tours at countrysidetours@hotmail.com or MIR Corporation at (800) 424-7289 or via email at margie@mircorp.com.

I have a website link below as well.

Monisha M. Brandt
Financial Advisor

Merrill Lynch & Co.
2950 New Market St-Suite 104
Bellingham,WA,98226
360 676 2484
800 866 6551
360 676 7610(FAX)

http://fa.ml.com/Monisha_Brandt

Dogs, Grapes, and Raisens

This week I had the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet.

My patient was a 56-pound, 5 yr old male neutered lab mix who ate half a
canister of raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday. He
started with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking about 1AM on Wednesday but the
owner didn't call my emergency service until 7AM.
I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure
but hadn't seen any formal paper on the subject. We had her bring the dog
in immediately.

In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet,and the doctor there
was like me -- had heard something about it, but....

Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and
they said to give I V fluids at 1 = times maintenance and watch the kidney
values for the next 48-72 hours.

The dog's BUN (blood urea nitrogen level) was already at 32 (normal less
than 27) and creatinine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal). Both are
monitors of kidney function in the bloodstream. We placed an IV catheter
and started the fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 PM and the BUN was
over 40 and creatinine over 7 with no urine production after a liter of
fluids. At the point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to
MedVet for a urinary catheter to monitor urine output overnight as well as overnight
care.

He started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his renal values have
continued to increase daily. He produced urine when given lasix as a
diuretic. He was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and they still
couldn't control his vomiting. Today his urine output decreased again, his
BUN was over 120, his creatinine was at 10, his phosphorus was very
elevated and his blood pressure, which had been staying around 150, skyrocketed to
220. He continued to vomit and the owners elected to euthanize.
This is a very sad case - great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins
could be a toxin.

Please alert everyone you know who has a dog of this very serious risk.
Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many
people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our
ex-handler's. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern.

For more info on items that are poisonous to our pets, check out this website:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_poisonsafe

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST

Subject: Emergency The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly

this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

Try it out.

SECOND

Subject: Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come

in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk). (You might want to try this out at home to convince yourself that it works.)

THIRD

Subject: Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.

FOURTH

Subject: How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totallyuseless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

And Finally....

FIFTH

Subject: Information Calls

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

This makes very interesting reading. It goes against everything you've probably been told about how to survive an earthquake. In this time of earthquakes, tsunamis, mud slides etc...read this...it may save your life. Then pass it along to anyone you would like to be alive after an earthquake.

EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE "TRIANGLE OF LIFE"
Edited by Larry Linn for MAA Safety Committee brief on 4/13/04.

My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.

I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.

The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under their desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something.

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the "triangle of life". The larger the object, the stronger, and the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the "triangles" you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. They are everywhere.

TEN TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" when buildings collapse are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.

2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.

3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.

4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.

5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.

6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!

7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.

8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.

9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.

10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.

Spread the word and save someone's life!

Concierge Service

Places to Go Near Semiahmoo

Lois Franco provided us with this list and descriptions of places to go near Semiahmoo just in time for the holidays when many of you may have guests visiting and ae looking for ideas for how to entertain them. Even if you don't have guests, you still might want to visit some of these interesting places.

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver is a fascinating place for folks who are interested in the Northwest Coast First Nations (or, First Peoples) art and culture. It's a beautiful museum, architecturally, and since it's a teaching museum, information about each piece can be accessed through their reference catalogs. They have a truly impressive collection of totem poles and other carvings, ceremony boxes, textiles, jewelry and many other items. All but the most fragile of their collections (which is truly amazing) are accessible to visitors, either the regular museum, or in the "stacks." The stacks are organized so that items are displayed either on shelves, or in drawers that can be pulled out to view contents. And, although the museum's primary focus is on the NW cultures, the collections include both archaeological material and ethnographic objects from around the world. It's a truly impressive collection and has been greatly appreciated and enjoyed by the several folks we've taken there. Sooo, we'd highly recommend a drive north. (With no back up at the border, it takes us about an hour to get there.) There's meter parking in front of the museum. It's a good place to take folks when it's raining. . . . Can be checked out online at www.moa.ubc.ca .

Another "hit" with visitors has been Bellingham's own American Museum of Radio and Electricity, at 1312 Bay Street, in B'ham. This would be a great place for children, as well as adults, and there are several exhibits expressly for children. The museum "is dedicated to the preservation of important artifacts and the stories behind them because of their immense cultural, historic, aesthetic, and scientific importance. . . Included in the collection are many rare artifacts and books. Early works by some of the greatest scientific minds of our modern era, magazines, hard-to-find schematics, and recordings support and supplement the objects on display." the Museum also sponsors special events, such as the Halloween reenactment of the radio show, "The War of the Worlds." We saw that last year and loved it! On Tuesday, December 27, there is a special workshop for kids and adults on STATIC ELECTRICITY. It's from 1 - 3 p.m., Registration fee $10, $5 for Museum members
Hands-on workshop fun. "We will teach how you can create electricity from everyday things. All materials are provided by the Museum, and you can take home your projects along with many more ideas. Participants should pre-register by calling the Museum." Check out the website at www.americanradiomuseum.org for more information..

Another, perhaps more generally known place to visit, and a great place for curious minds, is Mindport Exhibits 210 West Holly Street, in Bellingham. Here's a bit of what they say about themselves:

". . . .Mindport visitors with an artistic orientation view the hands-on section of the museum as a collection of fascinating kinetic art pieces, and, of course, feel right at home in the familiar ground of the Fine Arts area. Those with a scientific or mechanical bent sometimes compare the museum to the Exploratorium in San Francisco, or OMSI in Portland. Yet others view Mindport simply as a calm haven in a chaotic world; a friendly place to relax and explore new ideas.
"Important themes at Mindport are exploration, observation, creativity, play, and, last, but not least, fun. The world view commonly referred to as “scientific” is represented here, but we consider it to be only one aspect of a more holistic way of experiencing reality, one which also includes art, and esthetics.

"At Mindport, as a serious aim, we bring attention to phenomena that conventionally might be considered “trivial,” or “silly.” We refuse to neglect the humorous and the personal, which are at the root of what it is to be human. Unconventional imagination, after all, underlies the inventiveness that has enriched our lives in countless ways.
"We hope the accessibility of Mindport’s exhibits will make it obvious that sophisticated machinery and electronic equipment are not necessary for human beings to lead fulfilling lives, and that creativity is an option for everyone, not just a select few. . . ."

It's great fun, and visitors love this place too! Watching kids here is a marvel! Check it out at the website, www.mindport.org .

And finally, I'll include a place we were too late to visit, but that promises to be really fun and interesting: The Granville Island Model Trains/Model Ships Museum(s). Their brochure says "The Model Trains Museum is the largest international collection of model and toy trains on public display in the world. . . ." and that "The Model Ships Museum is comprised primarily of exquisitely detailed, large scale model warships and coastal B.C. working vessels. This collection features several well known military ships. . . turn of the century steamers and tugs. . .Modern day tug fleets are also represented along with an impressive international collection of submarines (including Captain Nemo's favorite). Sooo. . . .check these out at www.modelshipsmuseum.com, and www.modeltrainsmuseum.com , and take their "virtual reality" tour. (This would be great, in combination with the tour through the Granville Island Market!

Hope this will bring some good ideas and fun to share with visitors during this upcoming Holiday Season, and later.  Lois Franco

I'd like to add one more activity to the list. Last year George and I went to Butchart Gardens for their annual Festival of Lights show. We went early enough in the day so we could take a leisurely stroll around the park late in the afternoon (dusk in December). Then we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the restaurant. (Be sure to make reservations.) Afterwards we walked through the garden again. You will find a lighted display of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" hidden throughout the garden, waterfalls and rivers done with moving lights, and even "snow" lights. It is truly magical. We went on the 23rd of December and had no trouble getting reservations in the Best Western Motel in Sydney. We had reservations on the ferry, but they weren't needed. One advantage we have living so close is that we can chose the best night weatherwise to go although we have friends who will go rain or shine. Get all the details at www.butchartgardens.com. To download a brochure about their Christmas show, click here. If you're taking children, read about their snowflake promotion.

Seattle Hotel Recommendation

Gail Todoroff reports that she just stayed at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle and recommends it. Here's what she said about it, "Had a nice corner room with a sitting area and booked through Seattle Super Saver. Had dinner at the hotel's Mediterranean restaurant, Andaluca, and it was very good. The hotel is on Olive Way and easy walking distance to 5th Avenue Theater."

ICE your Cell Phone

Paramedics will turn to a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity. You can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: ICE.

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the name and phone no. of the person that the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted quickly.

It only takes a few moments of your time to do.   Paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it immediately.