NewsUSA Recreation
Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:17:06 +0100
A Pill-Free Choice for Athletes, Arthritis Sufferers
 (NewsUSA) - Pain relievers commonly taken by athletes for sports-related injuries and by arthritis sufferers can lead to ulcers, other gastrointestinal problems, and kidney and liver damage. These drugs, called nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are available over-the-counter and by prescription.
In recent years, several professional athletes have reportedly been apprehensive about the potentially harmful long-term effects of anti-inflammatory medications and some have even refused to take them.
But others, such as former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer, are choosing topical pain relievers to cope with their pain. Topical analgesics are creams, lotions or sprays that are applied to your skin to help relieve muscle and joint pain, including minor arthritis pain. Their active ingredients can be capsaicin, salicylates or counter-irritants.
Capsaicin blocks the "pain message" from reaching the brain. Salicylates inhibit the hormonelike substances that contribute to pain and inflammation by seeping through the skin. Counter-irritants "fool" the pain by creating a feeling of cold or heat over sore muscles, thus masking the pain.
Plummer, who has had 17 surgeries throughout his NFL career and one hip replacement since his retirement, uses a menthol-based pain relieving ointment when aches and pains hinder his everyday activities.
"I have arthritis in my wrists, in one of my ankles and six of my fingers," Plummer said. "So I just put Joint-Ritis on there."
With the help of this topical pain reliever, he said he is now able to do more everyday activities without worrying about pain.
"It's liberating to be able to do things that you basically had taken for granted," Plummer said.
Now he is able to walk longer distances and even coach.
"I'm out there working with kids for almost six hours, five days a week," he said. "I'm able to demonstrate hitting positions. Put Joint-Ritis on and I'm good to go coach my boys and practice. That's always been important to me ... to spend time with my kids."
Plummer said he often recommends this method to other people, including his wife whose hands often ache after hours of gardening.
Joint-Ritis is available in stores where you buy your health care products. For more information, log on to www.jointritis.com.
Sun, 2 Feb 2020 00:00:00 EST
Score a Touchdown With Your Football Party
 (NewsUSA) - Football season is here, and Sundays are full of game day cheers. Whether you are tailgating or hosting friends to watch the big game on your HD TV, savory snacks and drinks go hand in hand with the game day experience.For your next football party, impress friends and family with a simple, yet easy, addition to the usual six-packs, chips and dips on-hand, and spring for a refreshing, easy-to-make tequila cocktail to jumpstart the party's energy.As official sponsors of four NFL teams, including the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, Familia Camarena Tequila is a natural tequila of choice for football parties and tailgates this season. Made from 100 percent agave, the core of any good tequila, Camarena Tequila's smooth and soft agave flavor mixes great in a variety of cocktails.While Camarena Tequila is a growing staple in football stadiums across the country, it is also a widely available, affordable choice for entertaining at home. For the same price and same amount of servings as a case of beer, create your own stadium experience with the following recipe for a simple but delicious drink: CAMARENA PALOMA1 oz Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila2 oz grapefruit juiceSplash of club soda Serve tall, over ice, and top with a splash of club soda. Garnish the beverage with a lime wedge, and enjoy.Camarena Tequila has a 250-year legacy of crafting their tequila by hand. It uses painstakingly traditional methods from field to finish, which only adds to the smooth taste. For more tequila recipes, visit www.tequilacamarena.com.
Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST
Take the Bite out of Pesky Mosquitoes
 (NewsUSA) - Mosquitoes are breeding by the billions, and they are more than a minor outdoor nuisance. These blood-suckers can spread diseases such as West Nile virus, encephalitis, dengue fever and malaria. In the United States, West Nile virus is of most concern, which is why most municipalities monitor and sample mosquitoes and treat known mosquito breeding areas.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. documented 1,021 cases of West Nile Virus in 2010, of which 57 resulted in death.
Because of the ease with which mosquitoes can breed and spread disease, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reminds homeowners to be vigilant about mosquito prevention, especially as excessive rain and flooding experienced by much of the country in recent weeks provides perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Many people may not be aware that mosquito season does not end when summer does, but actually lasts through October. The NPMA recommends the following preventive measures to safeguard you against mosquitoes:
* Prevent mosquito nesting and breeding sites by eliminating standing water and other sources of moisture in and around the home in flowerpots, water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, baby pools, sandboxes, children's toys and other objects that can collect water. Mosquitoes need only about 1/2 inch of water to breed. To keep birdbath and pond water fresh, homeowners should add a fountain or drip system.
* Keep windows and doors properly screened. Repair even the smallest tear or hole.
* Clean clogged gutters, and periodically check them to ensure water is flowing freely.
* Ensure there is no standing water pooling under decks.
* Minimize outside activity between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
* If you must spend time outdoors during peak mosquito times, avoid wearing shorts or short-sleeved apparel, dark colors, loose-fitting garments, open-toe shoes and sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes. Instead, wear long pants and sleeves, and be sure to use an insect repellant containing DEET.
* If you are concerned about mosquito activity on your property, contact a pest management company or local mosquito abatement district that may be able to treat your back yard, specifically trees and shrubs where mosquitoes hide during the day.
For more information, visit www.pestworld.org.
Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST
Refreshing Communities Through Outdoor Gardens
 (NewsUSA) - Whether you live in an urban or rural area, enjoying the outdoors is something many Americans have in common, and we experience it in different ways -- both big and small -- from growing herbs on the back porch to perusing the community farmer's market in town.
But why not take it a step further and take action to make your community a little greener? Creating an outdoor oasis helps preserve green space, beautifies neighborhoods, and can also bring together the community through a shared cause.
One way to do this is through The Pepsi Refresh Project, which through the input of people across the country, awards grants to projects, for both individuals and organizations, that do good for the community. This month Pepsi is challenging America, asking "How can you upgrade your hometown with a new community garden?" Go to www.refresheverything.com and give Pepsi your best answer, or click through the hundreds of other entries to vote on your favorite ideas to help ensure worthy organizations receive the funding they deserve. Since last year, Americans have chosen to award more than 20 million dollars to community-supportive ideas that receive the greatest number of votes through this landmark fundraising effort.
Take Central Elementary Gardens for example, started by teacher Christy Cuthbert, who used the $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grant to create an outdoor learning center and garden for her school. Students not only get their hands dirty in the garden, but also learn skills to promote and manage a community farmers market. There's also the Brigit's Bounty started by a Colorado resident, Brandi-Lynn Greig. She used her $25,000 grant to provide fencing, seeds, trees, and educational programming for a community garden, which provides fresh vegetables to over 200 families in need each month.
Other ways to get involved are to join an already established community garden or farm in your area. From planting to managing sales, there are several ways you can contribute.
Every action helps to create major impact on communities, whether you choose to vote for your favorite idea or put your own idea into action. Even as the summer days start to shorten and we head back to school, Pepsi will continue to challenge Americans with the next question, asking, "How would you make learning fun?" No matter the season, ideas can always inspire change in communities and the Pepsi Refresh Project encourages just that.
Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST
Learning the History Behind Your Strings
 (NewsUSA) - It's nearly every kid's dream at some point in life -- to someday become a music star just like the legends they watch and hear at concerts, on the radio and in music videos. But none of that is possible without a good understanding of the guitar.
Yes, understanding music theory and composition is vital, but just like any other profession in life, it's also a good idea to be aware of the history surrounding the tools you use. What you may not realize about that Fender Strat you're holding in your hands is that it is the descendant of a long line of science and trial and error from many generations of mechanical engineers and musicians.
The early beginnings of musical instruments that most resemble today's guitar can be traced back to 4th-century Greece. Known as the "lute," this instrument only had two strings -- a far cry from today's six-string Les Pauls and 12-string behemoths. Yet, it produced tones that people could arrange into melodies. Since then, the race to create the "perfect" guitar has been full throttle.
By 1000 A.D., forms of the guitar made their way to Europe. As more advancements were made throughout the 15th and 17th centuries, engineers began trying to increase the volume of guitars. They experimented with different shapes and sizes, sound holes and stringing techniques -- such as the use of brass strings and equally tuned double strings. By the early 20th century, mechanical engineers developed wire-drawing technology, which allowed manufacturers to produce the steel strings that are used on most guitars today.
Even modern-day engineers, like Dr. Richard Schile, have tried to fine-tune the acoustic capabilities of the guitar by modifying the bracing. According to Schile, there is a fine line to creating a "perfect" guitar -- especially when it comes to the acoustic variety.
"While ... guitars, built with the application of engineering principles, are exceptional at producing clear, loud sound, they are somewhat unforgiving," writes Schile in the article "Engineering a Better Guitar" in "Mechanical Engineering" magazine. "A performer must play these guitars with extreme discipline because the smallest mistakes can be heard."
Guitar- and instrument-making represent only one area in which mechanical engineers are making contributions to better lives. Currently, engineers are also developing high-tech products particularly in the areas of energy, medical diagnostics and biotechnology. To learn more about how engineers are advancing technologies today, visit www.ASME.org. "Mechanical Engineering" is a publication of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST
Keep Gnats From Becoming A Pain in the Neck
 (NewsUSA) - Swatting at gnats and bugs all day is literally -- and figuratively -- a pain in the neck. But did you know that the same product you use to massage away those aches and pains can also keep those pesky bugs away in the first place?
W.F. Young, Inc., the marketers of Absorbine Jr. Pain Relieving Liquid, often hear just that.
"We noticed an increase in the number of inquiries to our customer service department regarding Absorbine Jr. and its ability to help with gnats," said Robert J. Wallace, Vice President of Sales at W.F. Young, Inc. "We do not market or make any claims that Absorbine Jr. helps in this way, but it became a word-of-mouth phenomenon. We also heard from our retailers that they couldn't keep the product on their shelves."
Shinn Bussel, a general merchandise/drug manager at the Schnuck's supermarket in Betendorf, Iowa, is just one of those retailers amazed at the product's popularity. "After watching Absorbine Jr. fly off the shelves, I decided to try it myself and was amazed," she said. "I don't know what makes the product so effective, but the swarming gnats left me alone."
So what's the secret? The product, originally intended to provide temporary relief of muscle aches, pains, strains, backache and arthritis, is believed to drive gnats away with its unique scent, which comes from natural menthol, absinthium oil, wormwood oil and other herbal ingredients.
The discovery of Absorbine Jr.'s dual purpose has left the pain reliever in high demand. Luckily, the makers have dramatically increased production to meet the influx of new customers eager to experience its many benefits.
"People now know that they can depend on Absorbine Jr. to be there to help them not only with their muscle aches and pains, but those pain-in-the-neck gnats," said Wallace.
For more information, visit www.absorbinejr.com.
Fri, 8 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST
Team Pride Showing Up On Window Shades
 (NewsUSA) - What do you get for the sports fan who has everything? Glare-blocking window shades customized with team colors, logos and mascots.
The Major League Baseball Collection of roller shades from Comfortex Window Fashions includes licensed logos from all 30 major league baseball teams. The shades are available in custom-made sizes, so they can be tailored to suit any size room, from a bedroom to a large den or home theater. Choose a shade with a single, dramatic team logo for a media room, or a shade with an all-over print of the team logo and mascot for a young baseball star's bedroom.
For the college sports fans, choose from the Collegiate Collection of roller shades. Choose shades that feature the university team logo, mascot or both. The Collegiate Collection is expanding every day to include more teams, so visit www.comfortex.com to look for your alma mater. Teams for which roller shades are currently available include the U.S. Military Academy, Stanford University, the University of Maryland, the University of Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Villanova University and the University of Connecticut.
In addition to showing your team spirit, the roller shades are designed to block excess glare. Pull down the shades and enjoy every play of the big game without excess light reflecting on your TV. Even when the TV is off, the team-themed window shades create a festive atmosphere for any pre-game or post-game party.
According to John C. Fitzgerald, executive vice president of Comfortex, "The shades are also designed for school facilities such as alumni halls, dormitories and campus centers."
Customized roller shades from either the Major League Baseball Collection or the Collegiate Collection make great gifts for the sports fans in your family or for your favorite college student.
Comfortex Window Fashions has been an innovator in the window treatment field since 1986. For more information about the Major League Baseball Collection or the Collegiate Collection of roller shades from Comfortex, visit www.comfortex.com.
Thu, 3 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST
The Perfect Condiment to Your Sports Experience Is the Internet, Not Ketchup
 (NewsUSA) - It's that time of the year again. The mornings are filled with crisp, cool air, and football stadiums are brimming with school color pride. Students, alumni and families all over the U.S. are in the throes of college football season, but with the rising costs of tuition and dorm living compounded by a struggling worldwide economy, it is becoming more difficult for students and fans to enjoy watching their favorite sports events without breaking the bank.
Attending live sports events can often be costly. While college football tickets can be affordable for matriculated students attending home games, regular college event tickets can run fans up to $60 per game. Additionally, each visit to the stadium can include up to $20 per person spent on drinks and food, if not more.
Recognizing these limitations, technology companies are finding alternative ways to provide consumers with more options at home through the Internet -- from movies to TV shows, and now even sports.
One of the most widely recognized of these is Hulu, which has seen tremendous success as an online video service offering hit shows, clips and movies. According to comScore, an Internet marketing research firm, the online video service reached 43 million monthly users at the end of 2009, doubling the number from the year before. Earlier this year, Hulu launched a subscription service, Hulu Plus, on several TV-connected devices for $9.95 a month.
For sports fans, Microsoft Corp. recently introduced a new way to watch popular sports, like college football and bowl games, college basketball, MLB and NBA, and more, through a customized ESPN app on Xbox 360, the company's video game and entertainment system. The new application allows users to access over 3,500 live and on-demand sport events from ESPN3.com, including out-of-market games, with an Xbox LIVE Gold membership, which costs $59.99 per year -- or $5 per month -- to users who receive their Internet connection from an affiliated service provider. The system also offers streaming through Netflix.
The blending of television and the Internet has been a developing trend over the past few years. More Americans have become used to relying on the Internet for TV viewing, and broadband adoption has continued to rise. A recent study by Integrated Media Measurement Inc. found that 20 percent of 3,000 primetime TV viewers surveyed watched some primetime programming online.
Beyond watching videos on the web, Internet-powered television services may be the future for people who prefer to watch movies, and especially live sports, on a large TV with surround sound in the living room. Students and fans operating on a budget may want to consider staying in for the next big sports event.
Wed, 3 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST
Include Recovery Time In Your Exercise Plan
 (NewsUSA) - When you think about getting in shape, you might flash back to '80s movie montages of jogging up stairs, hitting punching bags and practicing martial arts moves. But if the movies had it right, they'd also show the hero kicking back with a glass of chocolate milk -- when it comes to getting in shape or improving performance, recovery time is just as important as working out. Exercise creates micro-tears in muscle fibers. The body repairs those muscles, making them stronger than they were before the workout. But muscle repair takes time. If you exercise before your muscles recover, you increase the damage. Over a period of time, you'll actually sabotage your performance by repeatedly breaking down muscle without giving it a chance to rebuild.
The faster your body can recover after exercise, the stronger you'll get, because you'll be able to exercise at a higher level more frequently. Here are some tips for improving muscle recovery for better performance:
* Fuel your muscles. Muscle recovery starts right after a workout, so you should give your body the nutrients it needs to rebuild muscle as soon as possible. Drink water and electrolytes immediately after exercise. Exercise uses up muscles' glycogen energy stores, so replenish them with simple carbohydrates. Make sure to eat protein within two hours after working out. In one study, those who drank chocolate milk after exercise recovered more quickly than those who drank a sports beverage, probably due to milk's balance of minerals, carbohydrates and protein.
* Increase circulation. The more blood going to your
legs, the better. Stretching
and massage can help your muscles release toxins. You may also want to try a pain-relieving liquid, such as Absorbine, Jr. (www.absorbinejr.com). The natural herbal formula provides temporary relief from muscle aches by improving circulation and reducing pain, so you can speed up your recovery time and get back to your sport.
* Rest. Getting a full eight hours of sleep will help your body recover. On a similar note, give your body time to rebuild between workouts. Most athletes include one or two recovery days in their training programs, when they will either not exercise or will perform a low-intensity activity, such as walking.
Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST
After the Games, Olympic Venue City Comes to Life
 (NewsUSA) - Nearly 3 billion people watched the 2010 Olympic Winter Games on television. Those who tuned into the long track speed skating competition received what was probably their first view of Richmond, British Columbia, the city that hosted the competition in its Richmond Olympic Oval.
But as visitors to the games can attest, there's more to Richmond than the Richmond Olympic Oval. The Games gave visitors a chance to discover a unique city with plenty of dining, shopping and multicultural attractions -- and more are following in their stead. The city is fast becoming a growing tourist destination with a variety of activities for all ages and abilities.
Richmond, which is located where the Pacific Ocean and the Fraser River meet, is home to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), a vibrant city center and the new Canada Line rapid transit system, which connects visitors to Richmond and Vancouver in under 25 minutes.
The city offers attractions all its own. Richmond's 65 percent Asian population results in one of the most authentic Asian food scenes in North America. On Alexandra Street, which is known colloquially as "Food Street," visitors can enjoy dim sum, as well as Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghainese, Northern Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine. Richmond has over 375 Asian restaurants and three modern Hong Kong-style malls, where a day of shopping can include a tea ceremony and karoake.
History buffs won't want to miss picturesque Steveston Village. The historic fishing village has two national heritage sites, as well as London Heritage Farm, which recreates life in Steveston from 1880 to 1930 with furniture, clothing, quilts, farm implements and a garden. Today, Steveston houses the largest commercial fishing fleet in Canada, not to mention boutiques, views and local seafood. Animal lovers should book a whale-watching tour to see orcas, as well as seals, sea lions and porpoises.
There are opportunities for recreation as well. In the months following the Olympics, the city transformed the Richmond Olympic Oval into a sports and wellness facility, where families can take a walking tour or get involved in other activites. Visitors can also enjoy 1,500 acres of parks and open spaces, including 80 kilometers of interconnecting dike trails, cycling routes and walkways.
For more information, visit www.allinrichmond.com.
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST
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