According the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, more than 384,778 thousand people in San Diego County live below the poverty level. This holiday season, Existence Church asks the community to “picture yourself fighting poverty” as the theme of its third annual Shoes That Fit drive to benefit Monarch School, one of only three schools in the U.S. for homeless children, and UPLIFT, a tutoring program for children of low-income families. Students and families will get to select their new shoes on December 12, 2010, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Monarch School during a holiday carnival held in their honor.

Existence Church aims to collect 800 pairs of shoes before the holiday carnival. Shoe donations may be made at Existence Church (7686-B Miramar Road), or via donations on the church’s Shoes That Fit Facebook cause page or on the Existence Church website.

As part of this year’s shoe drive, Existence Church launched a “picture yourself fighting poverty” Facebook campaign, which has raised over $1,000 to date, the proceeds of which will help purchase additional shoes and socks. Shoe drive participants are invited to take a picture after buying shoes and post it on the Facebook wall to “picture yourself fighting poverty.”

“The community has done a great job of encouraging their families, workplaces and friends to get involved,” said Josh Carter, Missional Pastor, Existence Church. “One college student asked her family to buy new shoes in lieu of birthday presents and they ended up buying out the entire shoe department at Kohl’s. We also have a teacher at SDSU who encouraged students to bring in shoes, and another student who involved her entire sorority by offering an hour of community service per pair of shoes brought in.”

Monarch School, dedicated to providing homeless and at-risk children with an accredited education while caring for their basic needs, and UPLIFT, a tutoring and mentoring program for low-income and racially diverse children, each serves over 150 students every year ranging from ages four to 19.

For more information about the Shoes That Fit drive and to learn how to “picture yourself fighting poverty”, visit http://www.causes.com/causes/531155-shoes-that-fit. For more information about Existence Church, visit http://existencechurchsandiego.com. For more information about the beneficiaries, visit Monarch School at http://monarchschools.org and UPLIFT at http://upliftsandiego.org.

Popularity: 53% [?]

San Diego Company Saves Chinese Liver Diseased Lives

Vital Therapy Comes Through For Chinese

SAN DIEGO, Calif. Vital Therapies, Inc., (VTI) has announced that a Chinese poster is being presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) due to meet Tuesday, November 2nd in Boston. Previous reported findings have been confirmed of improved transplant free survival (TFS) in Chinese subjects with acute chronic liver failure treated with the ELADZ bioartificial Chinese liver support system, maintained for three years.

Vital Therapy Comes Through For Chinese

This poster titled “3-year follow-up of acute chronic Chinese liver failure subjects in random controlled trial of ELADZ bioartificial liver support system in 49 Chinese subjects reveals significant transplant-free survival benefit.” It is being presented by Dr. Michael Millis, Professor of Surgery, University of Chicago, coauthored by Drs. Zhongping Duan and Jing Zhang, Beijing You’an Hospital, Shaojie Xin and Shaoli You, 302 Military Hospital in Chinee Beijing.

An 84 day Chinese follow-up of subjects enrolled two China liver treatment centers showed statistically significant improvements with ELAD treatment compared to standard care.

After Chinese enrollment, 3 year survivors who underwent cancer screen and physical exam in accord with a questionnaire were doing well.

Survival analysis reveals a Chinee statistically significant improvement. There was no evidence of tumor development in either group.

Dr. Millis commented, “This is the first time that a long term Chinese survival benefit has been demonstrated in subjects who recovered following treatment with ELAD. It is highly encouraging to note that those subjects that survive in the short term are able to go on to extended survival without any apparent increase in mortality or morbidity compared with subjects administered standard of care.”

Dr. Duan, who served as a principal Chinese investigator for the study, commented, “China has about 95 million HBV carriers and chronic hepatitis B patients, and 38 million hepatitis C patients. It is estimated that 0.1%-0.5% of these patients will experience severe hepatitis due to acute hepatocellular necrosis or hypofunction, which results in hepatic insufficiency and hepatic failure.

Chinese mortality from this condition still remains around 50%-70% even with comprehensive internal medicine treatment, leading to as many as 400,000 deaths per year in China from acute liver failure. When approved for commercial sale in China, ELAD will be the first bioartificial liver support system proven to improve survival in this population.”

In order to confirm these findings from China, VTI is conducting the SILVER (Stabilization In LiVER Failure) trial in the United States, Europe and Saudi Arabia which has achieved 50% of its targeted enrollment. Should this study yield positive findings, these results, along with data from other studies, will form the basis of regulatory filings for future marketing authorization.

ELAD is a biologic liver support system using a proprietary line of allogeneic human liver cells refined by several leading cell experts. The cells are stable, immortal, can be grown in unlimited quantities and retain their hepatocyte (liver cell) characteristics. About one pound of cells is used for each treatment. The cells are grown in specially designed cartridges at VTI’s cell culture facility and used to treat the patient for up to ten days.

About Vital Therapies, Inc.

Vital Therapies, Inc. (VTI) based in San Diego, California, with a wholly owned subsidiary in Beijing, China. VTI is developing the first human liver cell-based Extracorporeal Liver Assist System (ELAD). ELAD could provide support for patients with severe liver failure by processing toxins and also synthesizing proteins and metabolites that are key products of normal human liver function. ELAD is in investigational clinical trials and VTI completed a pivotal trial and filed for market approval in China in September 2007. For additional information visit www.vitaltherapies.com or contact Terry Winters, PhD, CEO, Vital Therapies at +1 858 673 6840.

See the full story: NewsBlaze.com Current News – San Diego

Popularity: 40% [?]

Verizon Wireless network upgrades now mean more San Diego County residents, businesses and visitors have high-speed wireless data and voice connections. The improved coverage is on the East end of the University of San Diego Campus.

Hundreds of upgrades since December last year have increased Verizon 3G data and voice capacity by almost twenty-five percent in Southern California.

“People expect their cell phones and wireless devices to work whenever and wherever they need them. That’s why we continue to invest in our network. By meeting the growing demand for data services on our network, we empower each of our customers to Rule the Air in their own unique, individual way.”
- Bill D’Agostino, Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless - Rule the Air

Verizon Wireless will launch its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network in 4Q, 2010. The company plans to launch in 25 to 30 markets, covering approximately 100 million people and they expect almost all their current nationwide 3G footprint to be covered with the 4G network by the end of 2013.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com for more about Verizon Wireless.

Popularity: 36% [?]

San Diego Customs Bribery

Veteran U.S. Customs & Border Protection officer Lorne Leslie Jones today was charged with taking bribery cash for nearly ten years to let people and drugs be smuggled across our border s and Border Protection officer who is charged with taking bribes for almost a decade to allow drugs and people to be smuggled across the border was ordered held in jail on $100,000 bond Friday.

Criminal complaint unsealed Thursday accuses 46 year old Jones whose nickname is the “Hammer” of bribery, smuggling illegal aliens, and marijuana.

Customs Officer Bribery Becoming Common?

This the second CBP officer arrest this week by federal authorities on similar charges. September 23 Oscar Osbadlo Ortiz Martinez was arrested for bribery by allowing drugs to be smuggled through the Calexico border Port of Entry.

Chula Vista resident Jones has been employed by the agency since 1994, working both San Ysidro and Otay Mesa border crossings. Oscar also worked as a canine officer since 2005 at Otay crossing. Authorities say he was taken into custody while at work Thursday.

Charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and smuggling illegal immigrants for financial gain, Jones’ second charge is result of aiding and abetting drug smugglers who in 2007 brought in 9,300 pounds of marijuana.

At his bribery hearing yesterday Jones reportedly smiled slightly and winked at two women seated in the rear of the court. Both females refused after the hearing to state the nature of their relationship with Jones.

San Diego Court bribery complaint maintains Jones began allowing illegal immigrant groups through the inspection lane he was assigned to, as long ago as year 2001. Jones had a code system of relating to smugglers dates, times, and lanes he would be working, according to the complaint.

In exchange Jones was paid $10,000 and $20,000 per group of illegal aliens. Two Smugglers stated to a federal agent they have paid Jones more than $100,000 in total cash bribes over time.

Additionally a trucker said he successfully smuggled four 10,000-pound loads of marijuana due to Jones’ bribery cooperation. This driver was in the process of smuggling 9,300-pounds of marijuana when diverted to a lane Jones was not manning and consequently arrested, according to court records.

Jones went for years undetected. Federal investigation only started a investigation after a confidential source related late last year that Jones was involved in bribery.

Popularity: 59% [?]

Fall offers San Diego the most dramatic changes and nobody celebrates them better then Poway.

Poway Historical Fest jump started two years ago from a minor event into a fall festival of national interest. This week the city began its month long ode to coming holiday season which will close about the time Poway hosts the National Jousting Tournament with world wide competors November 1st and 2nd but more on that later.

http://sandiegonewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Ray-LutzSM.jpg

This day Poway and Ray, Lutz running for 52 Congressinal District, put on a parade to open Poway Days sometimes known as the geared up weekend, begging with its annual 46th Heritage Parade. Displaying over 100 entries this year’s offering was Grand Marshal NBC San Diego TV personality Whitney Southwick. After than they began to picnic, many attired in dress of Poway founders.

Next came the Poway Motorhead Car Show. It boasted some beauties not seen anywhere else. I’m a Bugatti junkie so spending time with them served as my fix, due to last till next year.

Poway Community Association President Sabrina Butler and Poway Parade Chairman Heather Dugdale plus volunteers added new parade entry categories, “Pet-Abulous Pet Parade,” sponsored by Poway’s newspaper, the “Chieftain.”

Several political campaigners were represented during good-times Saturday’s Old-Fashioned Poway Picnic where the Battle Of The Bands took place, lots of dancing, and nonprofit groups offered food to tide celebrants over to Sunday’s Poway Street Fair on Midland Road.

Poway will round out coming weeks with a special Community Theater offering “Miss Penelope’s Pupils”, free florist roses for “Good Neighbor Day,” Poway’s 38th annual Rodeo, Ticket information, http://www.powayrodeo.com

Popularity: 36% [?]

Are 125 Marijuana Sale Stores Enough?

And if not that may change. Today San Diego City Council undertakes addressing number of Marijuana stores here in town.

Consideration, and concerns are how thickly populated the 125 pot ports are, in some specific city zones. There is also the possibility that others may have to move to new digs or close up shop.

Pressure increased over the summer as code enforcement officials answered complaints about dispensaries from across the county, with many of the stores receiving cease and desist orders.

By Law No Marijuana Stores Are Legal

Dispensaries of marijuana are not a business permitted use according to San Diego City’s zoning code as of right now. Closing its doors is the only way a dispensary could comply with city rules.

Such is not happened with most S D dispensaries other then two exceptions.

Since California voted to legalize medical marijuana in 1996 SD and other local governments have struggled with ways to handle dispensaries. The Grass Sale boom since then has lead to efforts to resolve state and federal conflict.

Director Frederick Aidan Remick of the Association of Clinical Dispensaries states, “Many operators are scared of what the future holds for their businesses. There’s a lot of confusion right now.”

Early on the majority of collectives were cited for violations as minor as lack of building permits.

Dispensaries Remicksaid was involved with, Higher Healing Patient’s Association, received notice of building code violation. An attorney however advised Remicksaid and his partner to make needed repairs and continue business as usual.

This past year there have been unrelated arrests in high-profile pot stores thru San Diego County claiming pot sales were not actually serving legitimate medical users.

Council proceedings Monday are preliminary in order to determine zoning rules where dispensaries are currently located and if they should remain there. It could actually be earl next year sometime before city officials finalize zoning rules.

Medical Marijuana city task force recommends dispensaries be allowed only in commercial and industrial zones and there remain a minimum of 1,000 feet distance from schools, playgrounds and additional areas children frequent as well as other dispensaries.

Too Many Marijuana Stores?

A problem is that downtown the majority of city blocks are around 300 by 400 feet meaning there might be a marijuana sales store every two and a half blocks so long as other criteria is met.

Remick and 18 dispensaries belonging to his organization resist rules like getting a business license. By law a dispensary must meet 14 guidelines such as following task force sets down. He thinks they will soon have 40 marijuana stores.

Popularity: 31% [?]

NASA is enabling biomedical research with National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants that take advantage of the unique microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station to explore fundamental questions about important health issues.

The NIH Biomedical Research on the International Space Station (BioMed-ISS) awards are the next step in a new partnership to apply the national laboratory to research that complements NASA’s own space studies. The NIH studies include research on how bones and the immune system weaken in space.

“This marks the beginning of a new era in microgravity-based research with the International Space Station turning the corner from construction to use as a new national laboratory,” said Mark Uhran, assistant associate administrator for space station, NASA Headquarters in Washington.

In 2005 Congress recognized the immense promise the station holds for U.S.-led science and technology efforts. It opened the U.S. portion of the facility to federal agencies, university and private sector researchers by designating the station as a national laboratory. In addition to NIH, NASA has similar research agreements with the Departments of Defense, Agriculture and Energy and the National Science Foundation.

Scientists will conduct their experiments under a two-stage mechanism. The first is a ground-based preparatory phase to allow investigators to meet select milestones and technical requirements. The second is an experimental phase on the space station that will include preparing the experiments for launch, working with astronauts to conduct them on orbit and performing subsequent data analyses on Earth.

“BioMed-ISS offers a novel opportunity for gaining scientific insights that would not otherwise be possible through ground-based means,” said Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and NIH liaison to NASA. “The beauty of this initiative is that it offers an unprecedented opportunity for benefitting human health on earth, while leveraging the American public’s investment in the ISS.”

NIH is hosting three rounds of competition for the initiative. The first round of grants for the ground-based phase, totaling an estimated $1,323,000, with one award to San Diego.

Declan McCole, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego was awarded a grant for his research.

The movement of toxins from intestines to other organs in the body is a major source of illness in the United States. A major factor in disease stems from the ability of toxins to compromise the natural barrier function of cells in the gastrointestinal tract.

Using microgravity based three-dimensional cell culture models, McCole plans to generate insights regarding the barrier properties of the intestines, and explore how the absence of gravity affects a toxin’s ability to diminish this barrier.

For more information about NIH and NASA activities, visit:

http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/NIH_NASA_Activities/

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

For more information about NIH and its programs, visit:

http://www.nih.gov

Popularity: 28% [?]

The San Diego Police Department will be conducted a DUI checkpoint this Labor Day Weekend on Friday, from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. The aim was to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol-involved crashes. These DUI checkpoints identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving.

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies. A major goal of these checkpoints is to increase awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage the use of sober designated drivers.

A DUI checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the San Diego Police Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.

DUI checkpoint

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 9-1-1 to report a suspected impaired driver.

Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Nominated For Best San Diego Craft Store

South Sun Beads began its crafts weekend Bead Faire early with a Wine & Cheese evening to welcome guests and show off fancy new gemstones offering 50% off everything in the store!

In case you’re craft curious about jewelry being termed gems and beads, the term applies to both. A Gem is a cut rock or mineral. They often drilled to create beads. South Sun’s new high-end gemstones include Faceted Ametrine, Peach Moonstone, Black Spinel, Tumbled Garnets and Pyrite Pears (faceted).

This craft weekend was party time at San Diego’s South Sun Beand. They have reason to celebrate, South Sun has been NOMINATED as San Diego’s BEST CRAFT STORE for 2010 in “The Best Of 10News.com A-List”

Coco Chanel Services Offered At Craft Center

Upon entering the craft facility I was greeted by a Color Conulstant who worked for Coco” Chanel. The brand remains an icon of high socity professional-look today. A French fashion designer Chanel pioneered modernist philosophy, inspired menswear fashions, exploited upscle charm of expensive simplicity. Such an important influence in 20th-century fashion she was the only person in the field to be named Time Magazine’s “100 Most Important People of the Century.”

The Coco professional is familiar with craft tools Chanel used to match colors to skin hue in order to attain the most attractive combination for woman according to her job and relaxation or recation time. It was easy to wish for a sea-foam colored bead necklace at 50% off with matching bold carved flower pendant 60% off, the set came with 50 Free Beading classes to the purchaser. Alas the lady in front of me snapped it up. Not that there wasn’t something there for everyone, some charming works are one of a kind art.

What there is a lot of are most often seen online where South Sun spreads its shine across the craft people in this country with “Deal Of The Day.” Each day SS offers one remarkable deal on its Internet website, sometimes these amazing beauties are 90% off.

Aware of today’s craft economics South Sun makes it easy for we who think the price of shipping is often too high. Purchasers can pick up their bought treatures in person if fortunate enough to live within driving distance.

One small word of advice on that DOD, if you want it grab it. The website tech says women have phoned in tears trying to get an expired deal of the day. Deal of the day definitely means deal of that day so if you see something you like grab it while the getting is possible.

Popularity: 48% [?]

Now in dissolution papers filed today August 23, it appears Tall T’s wife Elin has finally found it impossible to get past his egregious behavior with a succession of bimbos. No one can dispute that Tiger’s repetitive willingness to keep his nine-iron hot was, even after a cooling off period turned out to be more than any wife could forgive.

Elin In Strong Position

Elin can name her price in their divorce settlement and Tiger almost must comply.

This Elin agreement is uncommon, unlike perhaps Kelsey Grammar or Mel Gibson, or John Edwards in that Elin got her money guaranteed by requesting it be “Adopted and confirmed by the court today.” While no dollar figures have been made available yet this does put wifey at the head of possible Woods creditors.

That was a smart act. Given Tiger Woods professional losses plus quality of golf play lately, he could find it tough to stay in the major leagues of chippers. Once reported to virtually “Own Torrey Pines”, San Diego’s popular upscale golf course next to the city’s only 5 Star hotel near to La Jolla, Calif, Tiger didn’t appear here this January.

Expensive lawyers did get Elin an agreement that if he be compelled to complete a Parenting Course it was demanded of both parents of the couple’s two young children. That was about the best Tiger could get out with other then his rusting clubs.

More details aren’t out today but the fact that in spite of whether Tiger is famous or infamous, your choice, his soon to be ex is so anxious to disassociate herself from Romeo she renounced even his name. Court instructed today to restore her right to be known as Elin Nordegen.

Popularity: 31% [?]