Category Archives: Bits & Pieces

Bits & Pieces

Afraid of Radiation in Nevada County? Not Much Reason to Worry

By John J. O’Dell

Dr. Richard Besser explains the affects of radiation on the body (Video courtesy of ABC News)

The possibility of dangerous levels of radiation hitting Nevada County is on the order of zero to none. However, herb shops and vitamin stores are stocking up on adult doses of potassium iodide. This is a very serious drug to take which according to Dr. Time Jorgensen, an associate professor of radiation medicine at Georgetwon University, said that giving an adult dose of potassium iodide to an infant would be toxic. (Along with allergies to iodine, shellfish, thyroid problems and  heart problems)

Further “There is no increased risk of harmful levels of radiation exposure in the United States based on the situation to date at the nuclear power complex in Japan,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles’ Director of Public Health. “Residents who ingest potassium iodide out of concern of possible exposure from this situation are doing something which is not only ineffective, but could also cause side effects.”

Dan Sprau, who teaches radiation safety at East Carolina University, said, “Potassium can lead to heart problems.”

Radiation Realty Check from ABC News

From the California Department of Health

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. What’s the risk for California from the current nuclear power emergency in Japan?
    A. At present, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) indicates Japan’s nuclear emergency presents no danger to California.
  • Q. What is being done to test for radiation that might be coming or is present in the environment?
    A. Both Federal and State monitoring is ongoing and will be supplemented as needed.
  • Q. Does California have a plan in place to respond to a radiological emergency?
    A. CDPH has a plan for response to radiological emergencies, called the Nuclear Emergency Response Plan.
  • Q. Does California stockpile supplies for such an emergency?
    A. California does stockpile emergency supplies, including potassium iodide (KI) tablets. Potassium iodide tablets are not recommended at this time, and can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems. Potassium iodide tablets should not be taken unless directed by authorities.
  • Q. Why are potassium iodide tablets used during emergencies involving radiation exposure?
    A. Potassium iodide tablets may be recommended to individuals who are at risk for radiation exposure or have been exposed to excessive radiation to block the body’s absorption of radioactive iodine. Using potassium iodide when inappropriate could have potential serious side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.
  • Q. Should I be taking potassium iodide to protect myself?
    A. No. Potassium iodide tablets are not recommended at this time, and can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems.
  • Q. Should I purchase potassium iodide as a precaution?
    A. No. Potassium iodide is only appropriate within a very close proximity to a nuclear event. Using potassium iodide when inappropriate could have potential serious side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.
  • Q. Are there any protective measures I should currently take?
    A. The best thing anyone can do is to stay informed. CDPH and other state and federal partners are monitoring the situation. If circumstances change, officials will alert the public to appropriate precautionary procedures. But, again, at this time, the NRC reports Japan’s nuclear emergency presents no danger to California.

For all your real estate needs, call or write:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty

(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

Bits & Pieces

Hands on iPad 2 Review

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_d6_gbb90I

I bought an iPad 2 on March 11 the first day they came out and at around 6 pm, one hour after they first went on sale.  Not knowing why I bought it, other then I’m a tech geek and have to have the latest and greatest toy that comes out, is the only excuse that I have. The iPad comes in 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB, with or without 3G. I bought the 16 GB iPad 2 without 3G.

So far, I’ve been really impressed with the tablet. For instance, I downloaded the Netflix app and it streams beautifully on a marginal wifi connection. I was able to watch the TV series “Bones” season five with no problems at all.

I was also able to download a Nook app, (I also have a color Nook tablet) and downloaded one of my books that I had started reading – Brian Greene’s “The Hidden Reality” and I also bought the book by Clive Sussler “The Jungle”  As an e-book reader, it’s wonderful, and I think it works better than the Kindle (yes, I have a Kindle also) and the Nook tablets. I downloaded the Kindle app but it does not work as well as the Nook app.

There is also an NPR app with which I can listen to prior programs or listen to KXJZ live.  Other apps that I like are Chess.com, Angry Birds,  Fruit Ninja,  PSExpress,  Yahoo Finance, Huffington Post,  Google Earth and my Spanish-English dictionary which I had on my Iphone . I noticed that some of the videos on CNN would not work since it needs Adobe Flash and the iPad does not support Flash.

Photo courtesy of My Gadget News. Showing benchmark speed iPad 1 compared to iPad 2.  Various other test results indicates that the iPad 2 performs 400 times faster than the iPad 1.

Related news:  Apple iPad 2 sells out – CNN

 

For all your real estate needs call or write:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE# 00669941

Bits & Pieces

Run, Walk, Just Don’t Sit Still!

by Lisa J. Lehr

Looking for the ideal exercise? Whether you’re still trying to make good on a New Year’s resolution, thinking about the upcoming swimsuit season, or looking for a way to add variety to your workout routine, walking and running rise to the top of the list of possible choices.

For overall fitness, nothing beats walking and running. You need no expensive equipment; you don’t have to join a club or travel to a special place; you can do it at pretty much any time of day or year.

But which is better? Well, it depends. Here are the pluses and minuses of both.

Running:

  • burns more calories than walking in the same amount of time—because you travel farther running than walking. Mile for mile, however, the calories burned are the same. That’s because carrying your weight over a given distance burns the same number of calories regardless of speed.
  • raises your heart rate more than walking.
  • strengthens your bones more than walking because of the strain it creates.
  • strengthens your muscles more than walking—but only if you’re actually running, not jogging. In that sense, power walking (walking as fast as you can without breaking into a jog) is actually more effective than slow running.
  • is more likely to cause injury. When running, you impact (hit the ground) with three times your body weight on each step. Especially for people who are overweight, out of shape, or pregnant, the strain on the knees, hips, and ankles can be a problem. If you’re going to begin a running program, start slowly and gradually increase your distance and/or frequency.

Walking:

  • may be better for fat burning. According to Dr. Dean Ornish, a clinical professor of medicine at UC San Francisco: “When you run a mile, you’re burning mostly sugar, or carbohydrates, which is how your body gives you fast energy in bursts. When you walk a mile, it gives your metabolism time to switch from burning carbohydrates to burning fat.”
  • is easier on your joints. Walking causes an impact of only 1.5 times your body weight, yet is still a weight-bearing exercise that will prevent bone loss.
  • is easier to fit into many people’s schedules. You can do it on your lunch hour at work; you may need to change only your shoes and probably won’t need to shower afterward.
  • has a benefit if you live in the city and have to stop at traffic signals: the sudden stop from a running pace can be dangerous for your heart. It’s much safer to stop from a walk. If you have to stop at a light while running, try jogging in place.
  • allows you to enjoy the scenery more than running, which in turn may keep you from burning out as soon.

I’m going to add a reminder to vary your terrain to avoid one-sided leg pain, and try to disconnect from your iPod. We live in a friendly community full of natural beauty. Say hello to the neighbors you pass; listen to the frogs croak and the birds chirp; be alert to approaching cars.  So…walking or running? It’s really a matter of what works best for you. Walk, run, or do something else. Just do it.

 

Lisa J. Lehr is a writer, copywriter, and fitness enthusiast living in Grass Valley. She can help you promote your business with a full range of online and offline marketing pieces. A member of Empire Toastmasters, she’s available to speak to your business or professional group. Visit her website www.justrightcopy.com for more information, opt in for a message series, and receive a free Marketing Guide.

—
Lisa J. Lehr
I write words that make you money–just ask me how.
www.justrightcopy.com
Visit my website and sign up for my fr~ee marketing tips.
New! No~cost Marketing Guide now available at my website.

For all your real estate needs, call or e-mail
John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE# 00669941


Bits & Pieces, Environment, Grass Valley

Snow in Nevada County February 25, 2011

logan-hiking1

Image 1 of 8

 

By John J. O’Dell

I awoke this morning to having the power go out for the third time this winter. Not only that, but as I looked out my window, there was three feet of snow. Within the next hour, it was about 4 inches over the top of the handrail. Now I don’t have a wood stove so there is no way to heat my house when the power goes out. So needless to say, it was starting to get cold.

The best thing to do when this happens is to get out of there and go somewhere else.  I thought I could work at my new office located in the Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, but guess what?  Power was out in Nevada City, the Brunswick Area and Grass Valley. So much for working today.

I’ve taken a bunch of pictures of my trip from my house in Cascade Shores to Grass Valley.  On the trip down the hill (I’m at the 3,700 foot elevation) there were power lines and trees down again as in the last snow storm.  There was even a power line down on S. Auburn Street in Grass Valley where a tree came down and took the line down from a power pole to a house across the street.

Hopefully the power will come back sooner than the 4-5 days it took PG&E to restore power in the last snow storm.

For all your real estate needs Call
John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE# 00669941

Bits & Pieces

Tibetan Monks in Roseville Februrary 4th to 13th

The center of the mandala. When finished it will be about 4 feet across. Photo by John J. O'Dell
The center of the mandala. When finished it will be about 4 feet across. Photo by John J. O'Dell

By John J. O’Dell

Sunday I visited the Tibetan Monks who are in Roseville. They are there making a mandala, which if you haven’t seen one, is truly a work of art.  Made entirely out of colored sand, the mandala is made one grain of sand at a time!

Mandalas created from sand are unique to Tibetan Buddhism and are believed to effect purification and healing.  Typically, a great teacher chooses the specific mandala to be created. The monks assigned to make the mandala construct the mandala completely from memory, including the color of sand for each line!

This completed mandala was made by the monks when they visisted Grass Valley
This completed mandala was made by the monks when they visisted Grass Valley

Over a period of days, the design is filled in with millions of grains of sand. At its completion, the mandala is consecrated. The monks then enact the impermanent nature of existence by sweeping up the colored grains and dispersing them in flowing water.

According to Buddhist scripture, sand mandalas transmit positive energies to the environment and to the people who view them. While constructing a mandala, Buddhist monks chant and meditate to invoke the divine energies of the deities residing within the mandala. The monks then ask for the deities’ healing blessings.

A mandala’s healing power extends to the whole world even before it is swept up and dispersed into flowing water—a further expression of sharing the mandala’s blessings with all.

Tibetan Monks will be in Roseville from February 4th – 13th, 2011 at The Children’s Art Center 190 Park Drive, Roseville, CA. Viewing hours are 10 am to 6 pm.

Bits & Pieces

Dave McLellan Designs – Art Gallery – Nevada County

Smooth Current - Spring Creek, South Fork Yuba River (Note this picture is copyrighted and cannot be used without permission of David McLellan Designs)
Smooth Current - Spring Creek, South Fork Yuba River (Note this picture is copyrighted and cannot be used without permission of David McLellan Designs)

By John J. O’Dell

While sitting in the Flour Garden I met Dave McLellan of Dave McLellan Designs.  Dave was putting up an exhibit of his art work which looks very impressive.  For a little background on Dave, he is a photographer, graphic artist, bicyclist and a musician.

On his website you can find many images of Nevada City, Grass Valley and California Gold Rush towns with a Victorian feel in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

If you have time, check out his work while it’s still in the Flour Garden located in the Brunswick Area next to the CVS drugstore.

To see his gallery Click Here

For all your real estate needs Call
John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
(530) 263-1091

DRE# 00669941

Bits & Pieces, Recreation

Exercise: Good, Leg Pain, Bad – Here’s How to Get One and Avoid the Other

by Lisa J. Lehr

Exercise is good. Some of us have undoubtedly made a New Year’s resolution to exercise more. And walking is, for most people, the best choice because it:

1. Doesn’t require much training;

2. Doesn’t require special equipment;

3. Doesn’t (usually) require travel to a special place, such as a gym, pool, or recreational area.

Now, number 3 is somewhat qualified because, while most people in Nevada County live on or near a road with reasonably little traffic, walking on a paved road poses its own set of problems. If you get your regular exercise by walking along a public roadway, you may have noticed persistent or intermittent pain in the joints or muscles of your right leg.

In most places, public roads are constructed with “crowning”; that is, the road is higher at the center and slopes down to the sides. This is to help rain and melting snow run off more quickly instead of pooling in the middle, creating a driving hazard and damage to the road.

We learned as children to walk facing traffic, for obvious safety reasons: if an approaching car is too close to you, you can see it in time only if it’s approaching from the front—unless you have eyes in the back of your head (or wear a little tiny rear-view mirror, as cyclists sometimes do). The problem for walkers is that, as you walk along the edge of the road, one foot is always landing on a higher surface than the other. And over time, this can lead to pain in the hip, knee, and/or other parts of your leg. That, in turn, may discourage you from exercising; or you may just “live with” the pain, having no idea that it’s fixable. I actually lived with this problem, off and on, for a couple decades before it dawned on me what might be causing it!

Here are some suggestions to avoid one-sided leg pain:

1. Traditional wisdom suggests that pedestrians “should” walk on the side facing traffic. Laws may vary from one locality to another, although I’ve never heard of anyone being ticketed for walking on the “wrong” side of the road—and I certainly see lots of people doing it. Safety is our primary concern; however, I spoke to a physical therapist about this matter, and he recommends alternating sides every quarter mile.

2. If you walk on a rural road and/or exercise very early in the morning or late in the evening, you may be able to get away with walking in the middle of the road. Be aware of your surroundings, turn off your iPod so you can hear any approaching vehicles, and get out of the way if one comes.

3. Look ahead as you walk and try to spot places where the shoulder flattens or slopes back up; adjust your path to give your right leg a rest. Much of Nevada County’s roadways have irregular curbing (meaning none, or covered with dirt, etc.), and there are often places where you can walk off the pavement.

4. Whenever possible, walk at a park or other place that has designated walking paths. Yes, this may require a trip in a car, but it may be the solution for you.

5. Do not walk on the sidewalk. Sidewalks may be flat, but concrete is an even harder surface than blacktop, and the resulting foot and leg pain may be even worse.

6. Make sure you’re wearing good shoes—shoes that are designed specifically for walking and not for some other sport. Wear good socks too (not too thin). Interestingly, I just read an article in the Sunday Bee about running barefoot. The practice seems to have a lot of followers! Speaking for myself, the fear of foot injury is too great, but feel free to investigate this.

Whatever you decide to do, don’t use one-sided leg pain as an excuse to stop exercising. Simply try the above suggestions to work with the problem. See a physical therapist if necessary. As a last resort, choose another type of exercise, at least until the leg pain eases.

Lisa J. Lehr is a writer, copywriter, and fitness enthusiast living in Grass Valley. She can help you promote your business with a full range of online and offline marketing pieces. A member of Empire Toastmasters, she’s available to speak to your business or professional group. Visit her website www.justrightcopy.com for more information, opt in for a message series, and receive a free Marketing Guide.

—
Lisa J. Lehr
I write words that make you money–just ask me how.
Vist Just Right Copy
Visit my website and sign up for my free marketing tips.
New! No cost Marketing Guide now available at my website.