CommuNiTY
NoVemBer 25, 2011
SiGNAL TriBuNe
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Homeboy industries founder to discuss his award-winning book Father Greg Boyle, founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries, whose award-winning memoir Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion spent more than a year on the Los Angeles Times bestseller charts, will discuss and sign his book as part of the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library Blanche Collins Forum on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2pm. The doors of the Main Library Auditorium at 101 Pacific Ave. will open at 1:30pm. Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell will introduce Father Boyle. This free event is open to the public. Homeboy Industries traces its roots to “Jobs For A Future” (JFF),
a program created in 1988 by Boyle at Dolores Mission parish in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. The church sits between two large public housing projects known for decades as the “gang capital of the world.” In an effort to address the escalating problems and unmet needs of gang-involved youth, Boyle and the community developed positive alternatives, including establishing an elementary school, a daycare program and finding legitimate employment for young people. JFF’s success demonstrated the model followed today– that many gang members are eager to leave the dangerous and destructive life on the “streets.”
Homeboy Industries is a series of nonprofit economic development enterprises. The programs assist at-risk and former ganginvolved youth to become positive and contributing members of society through job placement, training, and education. Above all, Homeboy Industries provides the opportunity for rival gang members to work side-by-side, enabling young men and women to redirect their lives. As a nationally renowned expert on gangs and intervention approaches, Boyle relates his experiences working within this neighborhood in his book. Tattoos on the Heart, his first book, was awarded the 2010 Southern California Inde-
pendent Booksellers Association Non-Fiction Award and also named one of the “Best Books of 2010” by Publishers Weekly. Boyle recently received the 2011 PEN Center USA Creative Non-fiction Award. Boyle has received numerous accolades and awards on behalf of Homeboy Industries, including the California Peace Prize granted by the California Wellness Foundation and a Lifetime Achievement Award from MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund). Boyle was honored with the Civic Medal of Honor by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Irvine Leadership Award conferred by the James Irvine Foundation.
Knowing one’s medications can help ensure safe, healthy holiday and winter travels As the winter travel season approaches, the American Pharmacists Association is encouraging consumers to talk with their pharmacists about their medications before they pack their bags. This will help ensure each person knows the best way to pack their medications, what to do if the medication is lost and anything to be aware of with travel and the medication. The short conversation could save each person a lot of holiday trouble further down the road if they do not prepare correctly. Americans are known to travel a lot during the holiday and winter season. According to the Bureau of Transportation and Statistics, the number of long-distance trips– more than 50 miles– just during the sixday Thanksgiving travel period, increases by 54 percent. Travel disrupts healthcare routines and the normal things consumers do to take care of themselves– such as adhering to a medication regimen– can sometimes fall from the top list of priorities. Here are some tips to help maintain a healthy medication regime throughout the travel season: • Organize a health kit that contains all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals. Ensure that you store medications correctly and pack ample medication and equipment. Some medications have special storage instructions or require specific dosing equipment. If flying to your destination or crossing borders, always carry your medications in the original bottles in your carry-on luggage. • Bring more medication than you expect to use. Talk to your pharma-
cist about the possibility of obtaining a medication “vacation supply” from your insurance company; he/she may be able to help. Being prepared for unexpected extended travel helps ensure safe and effective medication use. It is also good to know your insurance company’s policy on medication transfers and replacement supplies if your medication is lost. • Pack a “preventative medicine” kit. Talk with your pharmacist about any over-the-counter medications you should pack for the area of the world you are traveling to or what you are planning to do. Basics include: anti-diarrhea, anti-nausea, antihistamine, anti-motion sickness, mild laxative or stool softener, medicine for pain or fever and antibacterial/antifungal cream/ointment. • Get up-to-date on any vaccines you may need. Over the holiday season you will run into many people who could possibly be sick. Make sure to get your annual flu shot. If you are traveling overseas, make sure you have met all of the travel vaccine recommendations put out by the CDC. • Beware of “drugged driving.” Certain medications can impair perception, judgment and reaction times causing a hazardous driving situation. Talk with your pharmacist about side effects your medication may cause and whether you can adjust your dosing schedule to avoid times you may need to operate a vehicle. • Carry an updated personal medication and vaccination record with you. This is a list of your prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medications, how you take them, and
why. This list should also contain an up-to-date history of your vaccinations. If you are unexpectedly admitted into a hospital, or must see a healthcare provider while traveling, the list can help them understand your current treatments. To download a personal medication list, visit pharmacist.com/pmr. • Have a plan for adjusting your medication regimen. Travel may require you to adjust your medication regimen, or when you take your medication, for time and routine changes. If you are traveling across the country and would normally take a medication twice a day, for example, you may need to adjust that schedule to take your medications approximately twelve hours apart—which may be earlier or later than your first bedtime or morning on another coast. Ask your pharmacist about how to alter your schedule to fit your health-care needs. • Be careful or avoid drinking alcohol, especially when flying or visiting cities in higher altitudes. Alcohol can interact with many prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
• Ask your pharmacist if there are any foods or beverages that conflict with your medicines. You may be more inclined to eat unfamiliar foods when traveling to new cities or foreign countries. • Practice good hygiene, get rest and eat well. Frequent hand-washing/cleansing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and coughing /sneezing into your sleeve or a tissue will protect you and others. In addition, try not to overdo it and not get run down, eat right and drink plenty of water (and depending upon the location you may need to use bottled water) are good practices that can reduce your risk of getting sick. The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, is a 501 (c)(6) organization, representing more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others interested in advancing the profession.
NOW PLAYING AT
LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE
Where everyone Plays a Part.
JESUS: His Life in Art
By Gregorio Luke
!
AboutU
ating Celebr-year our 1 rsary! annive
Sunday, Dec.18, 2011
About "U" Boutique offers great gifts...or treat yourself!
!
Exclusive Murano Italian Glass Jewelry, Shabby Chic, Rustic, Collectibles, Home Elements, Fine Art, Sterling Silver Jewelry, Spiritual Iconic Art, Small Furniture
••••••
8pm • $20 - $30 Students, teachers, & seniors receive 10% discount
boutique
We now offer layaway!
Unique, Handmade, Creative••••••
Bring this ad and receive 20% off a purchase of $25 (one per customer). Also, a surprise gi bag will be given on purchases over $25.
Repurpose • Recycle • Reuse 4342 Atlantic Avenue Uptown Bixby Knolls
Courtesy lB Public library
As a nationally renowned expert on gangs and intervention approaches, Boyle relates his experiences working within the “gang capital of the world” in his book Tattoos on the Heart.
(310) 200-0298 Dealer Spaces Available!
Long Beach Repertory Theatre and LB Playhouse presents:
Talking With… written by Jane Martin, and directed by Fred Ponzlov
Ten women talk about life and personal ordeals. Touching, often intensely emotional, and sometimes very comical, each one presents an underlying depth that gives a sensitive insight into each of the characters involved.
5021 E. Anaheim St., long Beach
Tickets can be purchased 562-494-1014, opt. 1 - www.lbplayhouse.org online or at the door