David Steward recently attended Dinner With the Stars as the current board president of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis. As president, he leads Variety on its mission to help St. Louis children with disabilities reach their full potential. Steward and his wife of 32 years, Thelma, have been involved with Variety for many years. David was Variety’s Man of the Year in 2006 and, along with his company World Wide Technology Inc., has been a donor and sponsor. Thelma serves on the board and acts as the Variety Children’s Chorus representative. Together, the couple undertook a successful fundraising campaign to send the Variety Children’s Chorus to a White House performance in Washington, D.C., in December 2008.
Beware fake flu drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission are alerting the public to be wary of internet sites and other promotions for products that claim to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
“Consumers who purchase products to treat the novel 2009 H1N1 virus that are not approved, cleared or authorized by the FDA for the treatment or prevention of influenza risk their health and the health of their families,” said Michael Chappell of the FDA.
These fraudulent products could include dietary supplements or other food products, or products purporting to be drugs, devices or vaccines. Such fraudulent products will not prevent the transmission of the virus or offer effective treatments against infections caused by the H1N1 influenza virus.
The two antiviral drugs approved by the FDA for treatment of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus are Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and Relenza (zanamivir). Tamiflu and Relenza, in addition to their approved labeling, have Emergency Use Authorizations that describe specific authorized uses during this public health emergency.
For more information about FDA-approved antiviral drugs for influenza, see http://tinyurl.com/dl5dpq. For more information on CDC recommendations regarding use of antiviral drugs against the current novel 2009 H1N1 influenza strain, see http://tinyurl.com/cm5sqe.
At present, there are no licensed vaccines approved for this new H1N1 influenza virus.
Consumers are urged to report any suspected fraudulent products or criminal activity relating to FDA regulated products associated with H1N1 Flu Virus (Swine Flu), including the names of we sites that may be offering these products for sale, to the FDA by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/dc3od6.
Security for assault survivors
“Just one year ago, in April of 2008, there were almost 3,000 reports of domestic violence in Missouri alone,” says Missouri of State Robin Carnahan.
“Survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, rape and stalking have enough to face, they shouldn’t have to worry about their assailant finding their address on a government document or piece of mail.”
That is why Carnahan urges survivors to learn about the Safe at Home program, which has helped more than 350 men, women and children find some sense of security as they continue to live their lives.
The Safe at Home program provides participants a designated address to use when creating new records with state and local government agencies and the courts. In addition, it allows them to have their first-class, legal and certified mail from these entities forwarded to them confidentially.
The Safe at Home program has more than 400 application assistants across the state and that number continues to grow. Several law enforcement agencies now carry information about the program and many shelters, schools and hospitals also provide information.
To learn more about Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program, visit www.MoSafeAtHome.com.
Symphony Chorus auditions for singers
The Saint Louis Symphony Chorus is holding auditions for singers of all voice types for its 34th season. Auditions to be held in mid- to late-May. To receive detailed information regarding the auditions, send an email to RichardA@slso.org, or call Richard Ashburner, chorus manager, at 314-286-4130.