S4 Liquidations

MID-ATLANTIC GREAT DANE RESCUE LEAGUE

Lincoln

Distinguished gentleman looking for his forever companions. If you have a relaxing, calm demeanor and gentle touch, I will be your loving man for the rest of my days!

More about Lincoln: Six-year-old male Dane who can be a bit shy and gets anxious in high-activity situations. He warms up to people quickly and is a wonderful snuggler. He is friendly with dogs, but likes to chase cats.

The public relations industry often seems like a vast sea of ineptitude, studded with fetid islands of grotesquerie. No more so than when approaching Valentines Day. This is PR Dummies. The worst of the worst, on a weekly basis.

Among this press releases crimes:

1. Inability to avoid evoking the disturbing specter of forbidden man-pet love.
2. Horrible advice for single people.
3. Its existence.

From: Jen Tomasetti
Subject: Love Me, Love My Pet – Singles Can Take the Pressure Off Valentines Day by Doting on a Beloved Pet

Single on Valentines Day? Celebrate and appreciate the one you love – your faithful and beloved pet.

[snip]

Love Me, Love My Pet
Singles Can Take the Pressure Off Valentines Day by Doting on a Beloved Pet
DATELINE: NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS…
If youre a pet owner who is single, dating and not in a serious relationship, you probably wont be making or looking for a grand romantic gesture on Valentines Day. But, that doesnt mean you shouldnt celebrate and shower your affection on the one you love…your pet.
Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove Matchmaking, one of the largest professional introduction companies in the world whose dog Torin accompanies him to the office every day explained, When youre dating, but not in a committed relationship, Valentines Day can become a mine field of high expectations and disappointment. The best way to enjoy the day is to take the pressure off you and your date completely by placing the focus on your pet(s).
Whether only one of you has a pet or you both do, get together with your date and dote on your pet(s). Celebrate how much you love and appreciate Fido and Kitty by making your pets a special meal, giving them favorite treats and spending extra time with them.
If you both have pets, have your pets exchange funny Valentines Day cards and/or little tokens of affection, like a chew toy or new collar.
Head for a local hiking trail where you can stroll with your date while Fido romps around. Take your pet(s) on a picnic at the park or the beach (if pets are allowed). Or, how about putting on some cool music and getting take-out meal for you and your date while Kitty enjoys the climbing post and a catnip toy.
Falzone noted, Theres so much emphasis and hype on Valentines Day, single people really feel as though they are left out in the cold. Its a day to celebrate and appreciate the ones you love which includes our faithful and beloved friends – our pets. [...]

eLove is all you need

And since were on the subject of pets, an honorable mention:

From: (PR dummy at Ketchum)
Subject: Ten Foster Cats to Experience the ultimate Feline Playhouse
Importance: High [!]

Hi XXX,

I hope you are doing well! I thought you might be interested in the below information!

This is the true story of ten cats, picked to live in a house , play together and have their lives taped to find out what happens when felines stop being fuzzy and start getting catty! Okay, so this may sound the introduction for the next season of a reality show, but trust us it is way better because you can actually interact with the housemates… oh and did we mention they were cats?

Shut up.

[Thanks to everyone who submitted. Please send your own PR Dummies submissions here. Photo via Maslov Dmitry/Shutterstock]

Stanford researchers may have discovered a drug for a rare and often untreatable disease that leaves children with massive, and sometimes deadly, growths on their faces, necks and other parts of their bodies.

Heres the twist: The drug is Viagra.

In very early reports, sildenafil – best known under the brand name Viagra and sold as a treatment for erectile dysfunction – reduced the size of growths in three children with lymphatic malformation, a disease that causes spongy cysts to swell and clog up the lymphatic system.

Its too soon to say how effective Viagra could be in treating most cases of lymphatic malformation, but Stanford researchers are starting a clinical trial and currently seeking patients to test the drug.

Some of these kids have no other hope, said Dr. Al Lane, a pediatric dermatologist at Packard Childrens Hospital at Stanford. The first child we treated, the malformation was so big and she was in such bad shape that there was nothing we could do for her. We gave her the sildenafil, and we were blown away.

Lane stumbled upon Viagra as a possible treatment for that child, a 5-month-old girl, by accident.

Blood pressure treatment

Sildenafil was first developed in the early 1990s to treat high blood pressure, but early clinical trials found that it was more useful in treating erectile dysfunction. Today, sildenafil is sold primarily under the name Viagra for erectile dysfunction, although its also used under the name Revatio to treat a rare form of high blood pressure involving the lungs.

About a year ago, Lane examined the infant girl, who had severe lymphatic malformation with growths that had swelled up in her chest and wrapped around her aorta. The pressure caused high blood pressure and, eventually, heart failure, so Lane gave her sildenafil.

The drug helped her heart problems – but Lane also noticed a massive reduction in the lymphatic malformation. Intrigued, he tried the drug on two other patients with lymphatic malformation and noticed similar results. One patient had a roughly 25 percent reduction in a growth that obstructed his vision, and another patient had a roughly 75 percent reduction in growths on her back.

Lane wrote up his findings in a short letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine last month. Since then, a fourth patient has been treated and also saw some improvement. In all four cases, the growths started to come back when the children were taken off sildenafil, and the parents opted to resume drug treatment.

Lymphatic malformation affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the circulatory system. The lymphatic system removes excess fluid from tissues and organs, and transports white blood cells. In patients with lymphatic malformation, the vessels that make up the system become clogged, and fluid builds up and creates large cysts or masses of spongelike tissue.

The disease mostly affects children, who are usually born with it, but its possible for older youngsters and adults to develop malformations, too. Scientists dont know what causes lymphatic malformation, and theres currently no way to prevent it or cure it.

Organs can be affected

Occasionally, the growths will disappear on their own after a few years, but many patients have them permanently. The growths are sometimes purely cosmetic, but they can also put pressure on internal organs, the eyes, the tongue and the throat, and lead to major complications including blindness, breathing problems and heart failure.

The growths are typically treated by either surgically removing them or by injecting a drug that causes the affected lymphatic vessels to shrink and collapse. But those treatments arent effective for all types of lymphatic malformations.

Lane isnt sure why sildenafil seems to work. The drug treats erectile dysfunction by smoothing and relaxing the muscles that make up blood vessels in the penis, allowing them to dilate and increase blood flow. Its possible that it also affects the muscles that line some lymphatic vessels, relaxing them and improving circulation in areas that have become clogged.

Other physicians who treat lymphatic malformation say Lanes work is intriguing, but not yet cause for major celebration. With only four patients treated so far, its too early to say just how effective sildenafil is, said Dr. Jonathan Perkins, an expert in vascular anomalies who treats children with lymphatic malformation at Seattle Childrens Hospital.

Honestly, I dont know what to make of this just yet, Perkins said. Is the drug safe? What does Viagra do to little kids? This is very interesting, and it needs further study.

But hes hopeful that the drug will give doctors one more option for treating difficult cases, or perhaps make surgeries and other treatments safer and more effective.

Thats the appeal of the drug for parent Jean Arnold of San Francisco. Her 3-year-old daughter, Olivia, has a lymphatic malformation on her face that makes her look like a chipmunk, Arnold said. Olivia is lucky in many ways because her malformation is mostly cosmetic, but shes had one major surgery already, and may have another one soon.

We know it will ultimately affect her if were not able to resolve it for her aesthetically, Arnold said.

JONAS GERARD: Live painting 2 pm today, Jonas Gerard Fine Art, River Arts District, 240 Clingman Ave., Asheville. 350-7711.

ERIN FUSSELL?S ?Twenties: Decade in Polaroid, 1999-2008?: The Artery, 121 Roberts St., Asheville. Photographs chronicle the decade of her twenties, ending in 2008 when Polaroid stopped making instant film and the artist turned 29. Opened Feb. 3. Contact Rachel Berry at rachel@ashevillearts.com or 258-0710, ext. 103.

THE CLICK! PROJECT Photography Show: Reception 5:30-8:30 pm Tuesday. The Fabulous 14: 14 photographers, 14 weeks, 14 free mini-workshops. The Conn-Artist Studios Art Gallery, 611 Greenville Highway (South Main), Hendersonville. To May 22. 329-2918 or www.conn- artist.com.

ANNUAL CREATIVE ARTS SHOW COMPETITION FOR VETERANS: 10 am-3 pm Thursday, Medical Center Atrium at VA Medical Center, Tunnel Road, Asheville. Held in conjunction with National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, a celebration honoring hospitalized veterans.

CERAMIC WORKSHOP ARTIST?S TALK: All-day workshop 9:30 am Thursday in UNC Asheville?s Owen Hall, room 143, lunch-time talk with Alice Ballard at 12:15 pm in room 302. Exhibition featuring Ballard and Roger Dalrymple on view to Feb. 29 in S. Tucker Cooke Gallery. 251-6559.

CONTEMPORARY ARTIST KENN KOTARA: ?You Can Have It All-A Group of One? at Weizenblatt Gallery, Mars Hill College. Reception 4-6 pm Thursday. Show continues to March 9. www.kotarastudio. com.

RON LABORAY: Interview with artist 4 pm, reception 5 pm Thursday, Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum, Cullowhee. To March 30. ?Surveying Imagination Land: Ron Laboray? offers an archeological perspective of art, with subjects taken from pop culture past and present. 227-2553.

PASTEL ARTISTS: ?On Common Ground: From the Mountains to the Sea? statewide pastel exhibition, June 1-30 in Raleigh. Deadline for entries March 24. For prospectus, visit www.pastelsociety ofnc.com.

Funeral Announcements: Jan. 26

Death notices and funeral announcements for Thursday, Jan. 26. Click on the names of the deceased to be taken to their full obituaries posted on the funeral homes websites.

The lights already are up on a number of notable shows during the theater seasons second half – Body Awareness at the Wilma, the Philadelphia Theatre Companys Scottsboro Boys across the street, The Mousetrap at the Walnut, Clybourne Park at the Arden and InterActs Microcrisis are among them – and they herald a busy seasons finish for the regions 51 professional theater companies.

Productions include a heady mix of main-stage world premieres by established locally based playwrights, established shows that bear restaging, and plenty of curiosities thrown in. As usual, we cant vouch for most of these because theyre not yet running, but they whet our appetite for a promising season finale.

ANIMALS can feel the cold as much as we do and charity Blue Cross is warning pet owners of winter dangers to their pets.

Several cats died from salt toxicity in the last icy snap from gritter salt, and in the last few days a cat died from suspected antifreeze poisoning.

Salt and grit can also be harmful to dogs and irritate their paws.

Chief Blue Cross vet Mark Bossley said: “If it is icy outside and salt is being used to grit the streets it is wise to keep your pet indoors. Salt is poisonous to cats and it can easily get on their paws or fur and be swallowed when they groom themselves.”

Signs of poisoning include lethargy, vomiting, appetite loss and drinking excessively.

Consider keeping cats indoors, as well as small pets like rabbits and guinea pigs which are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia, or at least make sure they have extra bedding to keep them warm.

Download a free ‘Surviving winter’ advice leaflet and see more pet care advice at www.bluecross.org.uk.

PITTSBURG, Kan.
If all goes as Steve Robb hopes, at least 24 sculptures in downtown Pittsburg could serve a dual purpose: drawing tourists, which translates to spending; and raising money to support local arts efforts.

Last week, Robb pitched his idea to the Downtown Revitalization Committee and received favorable reaction. The proposal also has the endorsement of the Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation. Next, hell pitch it to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with anyone who will listen, he said.

The plan is to mimic CowParade, which originated in West Hartford, Conn. CowParade is one of the largest and most successful public art events in the world, having been staged in more than 50 cities worldwide since 1999, including Kansas City, Chicago, San Antonio and Atlanta.

Life-size cows, made of flame-retardant fiberglass, are mounted to cement bases for display. They are sponsored by organizations or businesses and painted by professional and amateur artists through an open call to artists.

Organizers estimated that more than 100 million people have seen the cows, which have raised more than $20 million for charitable organizations through the auction of the cows as well as the sales of books and other materials.

Pittsburg wouldnt be limited to cows, however.

The town we found that is probably most like Pittsburg is Jasper, Ala., population 15,000, and a mining town. They chose to do mules, because of their association with going down into the mines, Robb said. They started with 20 the first year, and it was such a hit the next year they did it they ordered 50.

Several years ago, Pittsburg State University organized a paint the gorilla statue on the oval, and Robb does not discount gorillas as a possibility. Or, perhaps a bison, the state animal.

The project most likely would be planned to coincide with the Smithsonian exhibit, The Way We Work, slated for Franklin, Kan., in 2013. Organizers anticipate it will attract several thousand visitors to the Pittsburg area.

Deena Hallacy, a board member of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, suggested providing small versions of the sculptures for schoolchildren to paint, putting them on display at Memorial Auditorium and then selling them at auction.

Robbs proposed budget indicates as much as $69,000 could be raised. It would be placed in a fund in the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas designated for the arts as a way to replace revenue that was lost with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownbacks elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission last year. Funds could be used to support arts organizations, art presentations in schools, performances at Memorial Auditorium and scholarships.

The governor thought arts should be funded privately, and this is a way to do that, Robb said.

A board of directors, comprised of representatives from the city, school arts and drama departments, and community members, would govern the festival.

Robb would like it to evolve into the formation of a community arts alliance to replace the now-defunct Pittsburg Arts and Crafts Association.

Robb has pledged to buy the first sculpture in memory of his sister, Yvonne Eckert, an artist, art teacher and arts supporter who died nine years ago. I want the arts in this community to get pulled together. I think my sister would look down and smile and say, Way to go, brother.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. This is a good time to increase awareness about our pets dental care.

As Fido and Fluffy age, they have many of the same oral issues as their human counterparts. They can suffer from gingivitis, periodontal disease, tartar, broken teeth, root abscesses and a whole host of other painful conditions.

What about when pets are babies? Puppies and kittens have special dental considerations, just as children do.

Unless you watch closely, you may not be aware that your puppy or kittens mouth is undergoing a rapid transformation. The tooth fairy wont make an announcement, and little Fido and Fluffy arent going to tell you. You probably wont even find the loose baby teeth they are usually swallowed or lost.

The first six months of life are busy for pet mouths. Like newborn human babies, puppies and kittens have no teeth at birth. Their deciduous, or baby, teeth erupt within the first month. They begin to fall out at four months.

But within two months, the baby teeth should be gone and all the adult teeth will have erupted. Your puppy or kitten is now barely 6 months old. Hopefully, nature will have taken its intended path and the adult bite will be perfect.

All too often, though, especially with the domesticated breeding of pets, some teeth will have problems. Sometimes, its not significant. Other times, it can lead to painful conditions.

Some pets do not lose all their baby teeth. These are called retained deciduous teeth. The adult tooth emerges next to the corresponding baby tooth and causes crowding. The extra teeth increase the risk of oral trauma and periodontal disease.

Retained deciduous teeth are typically an inherited disorder and are most common in small-breed dogs. If you have a little dog, look at his teeth, especially the fangs. They should occur singly. If your dog has two adjacent, or double, fangs, he likely has retained deciduous teeth.

These baby teeth should be radiographed and carefully extracted. The best time to do this is before the six-month birthday in order to give the adult teeth a chance to shift into the correct position. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the adjacent tender adult tooth.

Some animals have an overbite or underbite. This occurs when the lower jaw is either too short (overbite) or too long (underbite). In either case, the teeth do not have normal occlusion. This will increase the rate at which periodontal disease occurs.

In some cases, the abnormal jaw causes teeth to bite the gums or other soft tissues. This is very painful. Imagine biting your lips or gums in the same place every time you close your mouth. The teeth that cause constant pain need to be extracted.

Overbites and underbites have a strong inherited component. In fact, some breeds are prone to this trait. Short-nosed animals, such as bulldogs or Persian cats, typically have the characteristic underbite. This may look cute in pets, but its not what Mother Nature intended. These animals need special attention to ensure their mouths are pain-free.

Another common pediatric dental condition for cats and dogs is when the lower fang erupts too far inward. This is called a base narrow tooth. It leans inward instead of sliding into position next to the upper fang. The lower fang traumatizes the upper gums or hard palate with every bite.

Base narrow teeth can be excruciatingly painful. Some pets will try to shield the tender area with their tongue. They may look like they are sticking their tongue out, but it is actually a protective behavior. Fortunately, base narrow teeth may be corrected if they are identified at the right time.

Every pediatric pet should have an oral exam by a veterinarian at five months. This is when the fang teeth are beginning to erupt. If a base narrow tooth is identified, it may be corrected simply with an inexpensive toy. After six months of age, it is too late to intervene with toys. Oral surgery will be required to avoid a lifetime of pain.

Dogs and cats should have their teeth counted soon after they turn six months old.

A cat should have 30 teeth, and a dog should have 42. Missing teeth need x-rays. Unerupted, but formed, teeth can lead to dentigerous cysts. These high-pressure cysts are destructive and can cause jaw fractures. Fortunately, when unerupted teeth are identified in puppies or kittens, they can be easily extracted before cysts form.

Puppies and kittens have teeth, too. A little extra attention to their mouths will give them something to smile about later.

Dr. Heidi Bassler practices at Bassler Veterinary Hospital (www.BasslerVet.com). She hosts a radio show, Your Pets Health, every Sunday morning at 8:30 on AM-1450 WNBP. Do you have questions for Dr. Bassler? Send them to heidibasslerdvm@comcast.net.

Artists from all over the world are in Harlem this weekend showcasing their art for the Third Annual Harlem Fine Arts Show. NY1′s Rocco Vertuccio filed the following report.

Visiting the Harlem Fine Arts Show is like taking a trip back in time to the Harlem Renaissance of the early 1900s. James Van Der Zee was the first photographer to focus on the emerging black middle class of that era.

People were very much needing to show that they were arriving. They were coming into themselves, into this opportunity that was here, says Donna Van Der Zee, James’ widow.

The third annual show brings together 100 established and up-and-coming artists from all over the world this weekend at the Riverside Church.

During this Black History Month, the photographs and paintings are like pages of a history textbook. Most of the art focuses on the positive parts of the past.

Its a great way to see like images, positive types of images, like images that can motivate you and make you want to step up in terms of your opportunities in life, says Dion Clarke, founder of the arts show.

By using shoe polish in some of his artwork, Frank Frazier turns one of the negatives of black history into a positive lesson for young people.

Back then, they used to paint their faces, and the Ku Klux Klan used to use the shoe polish brush, the little brush to do the KKK, so I just wanted to turn it around, says Frazier.

As for modern day Harlem, it is going through a renaissance again. Organizers of the art show say artists play a key role in keeping this neighborhood thriving.

They hang out in the new cafes and the new stores in the Harlem area like the Red Rooster, and they still go back to the Sylvias, and theres the Apollo theater, so its a nice blending, the reemergence of the community itself, says Clarke.

It’s a community where the future is rooted in a rich past.