CAPITOL HILL BEACON, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, MAY 31 2012

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From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I understand there is good news about the recovery of bird species like the Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle and others owed to the 1972 ban on DDT. Can you explain? -- Mildred Eastover, Bath, ME Rachel Carson's seminal 1962 book, Silent Spring, told the real-life story of how bird populations across the country were suffering as a result of the widespread application of the synthetic pesticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), which was being used widely to control mosquitoes and others insects. Carson reported that birds ingesting DDT tended to lay thin-shelled Without the 1972 ban on DDT and ensuing protections, the bald eagle (left) and eggs which would peregrine falcon (right), let alone dozens of other bird species, would likely be in turn break pre- gone now in the continental U.S. maturely in the Credit: iStockPhoto nest, resulting in with the federal government fi- factors and the hard work of bird marked population declines. lovers and scientists, peregrine The problem drove bald ea- nally banning DDT. falcons are once again common gles, our national symbol, not to But with lots of the pesticide across the U.S., graduating off mention peregrine falcons and already dispersed through eco- the national endangered species other bird populations, to the brink of extinction, with popu- systems far and wide, not to list as of 1999 lations plummeting more than mention myriad other threats to bird habitats and the environThe bald eagle's recovery is 80 percent. ment in general, no one could perhaps the best known examLuckily for the birds, Silent be sure whether populations of ple of how our environmental Spring caused a stir, and many eagles, falcons and other preda- laws worked to restore not just credit it with launching the mod- tory and fish-eating birds would a resource but our very national come back from the brink. symbol. em environmental movement. While the federal Endangered In the mid-1960s fewer than Indeed, one of the world's Species Act went a long way to 500 nesting pairs of bald eagles leading environmental non-profits, the Environmental Defense protect these at-risk species and existed in the continental U.S.; Fund (EDF), initially formed some of their habitat, non-profits today, thanks to the DDT ban in 1967 in reaction to the DDT also played a key role in helping and other conservation efforts, specific species recover. some 10,000 pairs of bald eagles problem. To wit, the Peregrine Fund inhabit the Lower 48-that's a The group's first order of was founded in 1970 by a lead- 20-fold population increase in business included filing lawsuits in New York, Michigan, ing Cornell ornithologist to help just four decades! In 2007 the Wisconsin and Washington DC nurse peregrine falcon popula- federal government removed to force a ban on DDT. EDF en- tions hit hard by DDT back to the bald eagle from the Endanlisted the help of dozens of sci- their once abundant numbers. gered Species List. Without the 1972 ban on DDT entific experts - ornithologists, Researchers with the group ecologists, toxicologists, car- pioneered methods of breed- and ensuing protections, the cinogenesis experts, and insect ing peregrines in captivity and bald eagle, let alone dozens of control specialists -to testify at releasing them into the wild; other bird species, would likely multi-month hearings to prove such techniques have since been be gone now in the continental its point in regard to the dangers adopted widely by biologists U.S. trying to bring other wildlife And without the song of the of DDT. species back from the brink of birds, the spring would be a very In 1972 environmentalists' silent time indeed. prayers were answered-and extinction. Thanks to a combination of their hard work vindicated-

WM TALE

9 Tips for a More Proactive Health and Wellness Lifestyle

1. Be Honest with yourself: Are you Overweight, Obese or Close to it? Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI)--a measure of height to weight--of 30 or greater. Overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25-29. Eat real food: fruits, vegetables, whole grains and less processed foods; and limit the size of your meals. All portions have been "supersized" in the last 30 years. A portion is the size of your palm-not your forearm. Obesity also affects more than your weight: Annual earnings are usually less for obese employees, especially for women. Inflammation and infection following surgery is more common for obese people. The more overweight you are, the more likely you are to experience pain. Obesity may decrease mental abilities. 2. Find a Primary Care Physician who Emphasizes Preventive Care. Find a doctor who "gets" it, someone who expects to prevent as a primary role, rather than as an afterthought. Your physician should treat helping you improve behavior as their goal too! If your doctor writes a prescription for high-cholesterol, depression or weight control medicine within the first 5 minutes of seeing you, unfortunately your physician cares more about quantity of patients than quality of care. One or all of these medications may be necessary, but too many people are prescribed drugs without a proper exam. 3. Get a Physical Exam Once a Year. Effective preventive care is proven to save lives--why not yours? According to a University of Pittsburgh study, only 1 in 5 adults get a preventive physical exam annually. EHE International has found approximately 18% of patients are diagnosed with a significant finding at their annual exam (a finding that needs immediate attention, e.g., prostate mass, hypertension, carotid finding); of the remaining 82%, 85% have significant health risks (pre-hypertension, pre-diabetic, poor nutrition, strong family health histories of disease). Find out what is wrong and take the necessary steps to get healthy. 4. Come to your Annual Physical Exam Prepared. Share in every decision about your health with your doctor. It's your life--not theirs! Be informed, engaged and positive in your partnership with your physician. Better health is a choice we all can make with our doctor as our teammate and coach--not our salvation! Be ready with: A history of your health: a complete health history is a critical cornerstone of all clinical care. A record of your records: you're entitled to copies of all medical reports and diagnostic and lab test results. All medications and supplements you are taking. A detailed family history, including new conditions or diseases among family members. Questions for the doctor, including current concerns. 5. Take Prescribed Medications Properly. 1 in 4 patients prescribed medication for a new illness fail to fill their initial prescription. The more information you have about a new drug, the greater the chances you follow your doctor's orders. If you take prescription drugs, understand what your lifestyle choices are to reduce them or replace them. Ask your doctor the following: What is it supposed to do? How and when do I take the medicine? For how long? What are the possible side effects? What do I do if they occur? When should I expect the medicine to begin to work? How will I know if it is working? 6. Know your Blood Pressure and What it Means. Know your numbers and face the facts. Approximately 74.5 million people in the United States have high blood pressure. An EHE International study found that 80% of a company's employees did not know their blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading indicator of heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. The following steps will have a dramatic effect in lowering your blood pressure: Cut down on sodium (salt) and add more potassium to your diet. Stop smoking and drink less alcohol. Exercise more and lose weight. 7. Stay Current with Vaccines. Sadly, nearly 45,000 Americans die from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines. All adults should be immunized against tetanus and diphtheria. Depending on age and health, an individual may also need additional protection. Ask your doctor what vaccines are appropriate. Begin a Personal Exercise Program. 8. Get Moving; anyway, anyhow, anytime. We're all too sedentary and it's literally killing us. Adults should engage in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day. Studies have proven being physically active reduces your risk of developing two major cancers: colon and breast cancer. Exercise will also: Decrease the risk of developing CHD, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain forms of cancer. Lower blood pressure. Improve cholesterol levels, C-reactive protein and other CHD indicators. 9. Limit the Risks; Is your Lifestyle Contributing to an Early Death? Every choice you make can improve the duration, quality and vitality in your life. It's serious and the choices you make in the next minute, hour, day and week all matter more than you know. Five chronic diseases -heart disease, cancers, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and diabetes - account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in the United States. Although chronic diseases are among the most prevalent and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventive. To a large degree, the major chronic disease killers are an extension of what people do, or not do, as they go about the business of daily living.

Airman Cory A. Hendrix

Air Force Airman Cory A. Hendrix graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Hendrix is the son of Detricia Taylor of Oklahoma City. He is a 2008 graduate of Capitol Hill High School, Oklahoma City.

Free Meal at Asbury United Methodist Church

Come join us on June 2, 2012 at 5:00PM at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1320 SW 38th, for encouraging praise music followed by a wonderful meal! The best part it is FREE!

Sheriff, AT&T Launch 100 Deadliest Days Campaign

AT&T* and Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel joined forces today to kickoff the "100 Deadliest Days" campaign highlighting the dangers of texting while driving. Whetsel and AT&T Oklahoma Director of Sales Ryan Stafford spent the morning at Quail Springs Mall in Edmond, allowing mall-goers the opportunity to utilize a texting and driving simulator that stopped at the mall today as part of a national tour. The timing couldn't be more critical, as the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day have been dubbed the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers on the road.1 A new survey commissioned by AT&T indicates that while 97 percent of teens know texting while driving is dangerous, 43 percent of them admit to sending a text while driving - and 75 percent say the practice is common among their friends.

Watching Bats at Selman Bat Cave Near Freedom, OK Requires Registration

By Sean Hubbard STILLWATER, Okla. - It will look like Halloween as things get a little batty near Freedom, Okla., in July. More than a million Mexican free-tailed bats will be coming out nightly and flapping around to have a buffet of insects. This annual event is known as the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Selman Bat Watches, where visitors can watch the feeding frenzy. "The Mexican free-tailed bats at the Selman Bat Cave congregate to give birth. Thus, this is a maternity cave," said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist. "Visitors can expect to see more than 1 million bats exit the cave at dusk." Each night's viewing activities are limited to 75 visitors who are randomly drawn from a pool of mailed-in registration forms, which will be available online at wildlifedepartment. com beginning May 29. Hopeful viewers must print, complete and mail their registration form to the Wildlife Department at Bat Watch Program, P.O. Box 53465 Oklahoma City, OK 73152 between May 29 and June 7. Only mailed registration forms postmarked by June 7 will be accepted, and instructions for completing the form should be read carefully to ensure correctly completed registration. Successful registrants will receive an e-mail confirmation and a packet in the mail. The cost is $10 for admission ($5 for children 8 - 12 years old). The Wildlife Department has owned the area around the cave for more than 15 years and does its part to protect this site, which is one of only five major areas in the state used by female bats to raise their young. There is not much to see during the day, but the amazing show begins at sunset. "There will be great living waves rising high into the night sky like a school of fish," Elmore said. "It's an impressive sight." The bats will eat approximately 10 tons of insects each night, according to the Wildlife Department.

OKC Teens With Solutions To Homelessness

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (May 15, 2012) - The Oklahoma ArtScience Prize winning team was announced on May 11, 2012 at the Oklahoma ArtScience Awards and Announcement Ceremony at the Metro Technology Center Auditorium. Team Virtual Hope, whose project is entitled One Step Up, seeks to bring together resources needed by homeless families. Their decision to address this particular issue stemmed from the fact the two of the students have experienced homelessness first-hand.

Feed Those Babies!

Babies are everywhere this time of year, and high-protein foods are a must if we want them to grow healthy. Five foods you can put out on tray feeders are: 1.Meal worms. 2. Suet nuggets (any flavor). 3. Whole grain bread. 4. Sunflower chips. 5. Peanuts (no salt!).
2012 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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Team Virtual Hope is comprised entirely of sophomores making it the youngest team in the competition. Members of Team Virtual Hope are Anant Attamakulri Pathways Middle College High School, Thomas Hernandez and Vivianne Garcia Santa Fe South H.S., Ken Higuchi Northeast High School, Weight [pounds] Victoria Washington - Harding Fine Arts Academy, and Sadee 110 130 150 170 199 210 230 350 210 290 310 330 350 I I I I I I I 1 1 I 1 P .1 66 1 :1 I. Parker U.S. Grant High School. ' Mentors for the team are Kara r' i ? / / Whitmire-Floyd, an artist-inUnderwe'ight i Normal range:iv . rvueigkit / ,Obese` resident at City Arts Center and ami rt 1E1.5 : 8M111.5-25 ..- 8, 125-39' .. e. / 3MI F 31 6'3 1 art teacher at St. Eugene School, ' i / ,. 4 .. ' / .4 1 and Kaitlin Agel, a biology .! il f / e / I -5 teacher at Santa Fe South High I ,/ ..' , I ... I,' . i . School. r . 1 I
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4-, The winning team earns a trip to the International Innovation Workshop in Paris, France the " last week of June where they will be joined by teams from Harvard University along with ArtScience teams from Minne5'3 apolis, Boston, Paris, Dublin, Singapore, and Dhahran. Teams placing 2nd 4th in the Oklahoma ArtScience Prize, will at411 tend the Oklahoma Innovation 160 Workshop at the University of Oklahoma from June 4-8.

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