NAPSI)-A new national health campaign is working to remind the senior community about the value of eyesight.

“I truly understand the importance and value of eyesight. It is a precious gift that should not be taken for granted,” says multiple Emmy-winning actress Betty White, who has teamed up with EyeCare America to remind seniors: “Don’t Lose Sight of Your Independence.”

The three-month promotional campaign runs May 31 through September 1 and encourages people to call the EyeCare America Seniors EyeCare Program. This program offers eye exams and up to one year of medical care at no out-of-pocket cost for seniors who are without an ophthalmologist (a medical eye doctor).

EyeCare America’s Seniors EyeCare Program is designed for people who:

• Are U.S. citizens or legal residents

• Are age 65 and older

• Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years

• Do not belong to an HMO or the VA.

To supplement its award-winning referral program, EyeCare America has recently created a new Web site specifically designed to assist online users in learning more about vision-limiting diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

The site, eyecareamerica.org, contains up-to-date clinical information about eye diseases that is reviewed by certified ophthalmologists, with links to current treatments and even an interactive tour of the eye’s anatomy. Visitors can share important health topics with family and friends through a convenient e-mail forward function and order free brochures that give in-depth information on treatment, tests/diagnoses, causes and risks factors for a wide variety of common eye diseases.

Other easy-to-use functions include online tools such as a vision simulator, which allows users to see how vision would be affected from common eye diseases, and informative videos created by the American Academy of Ophthalmology that will provide visitors with a complete interactive experience.

“I’m happy that I can do my part in helping older Americans get the eye care they need,” adds White. “I only hope that seniors across the country will pick up the phone and take advantage of EyeCare America’s free eye exams. It’s a call that can save their sight.”

EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, operates one of the largest programs of its kind in American medicine. All eligible callers receive a referral to one of 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists. The seniors program–co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.–provides a comprehensive eye exam and care for any disease detected in the initial visit for up to one year, at no out-of-pocket cost.

For additional information on the “Don’t Lose Sight of Your Independence” campaign, call (800) 222-EYES (3937) or visit the Web site at www.eyecareamerica.org.

(ARA) – Times are tight for Americans. Around every corner lurks more news about rising fuel prices, expensive food and families forced to leave their homes to make ends meet. According to RealtyTrac, home foreclosures in the first quarter of 2008 increased 23 percent from the previous quarter and jumped 112 percent from the first quarter of 2007. These increases in foreclosures have given rise to an unexpected problem: pet abandonment.

There are no figures to estimate the number of animals being abandoned or surrendered due to current economic hardships, but animal shelters across the country are taking in more animals every day as families find themselves without other options. Some families are taking advantage of shelters to temporarily board their pets with the hope of picking them up in a few days or weeks. Meanwhile, local authorities are seeing an increase in the number of pets being abandoned by their owners.

In Arkansas, three dogs were found starved to death in their kennels. The homeowners had left the dogs behind when they moved. Two dogs in San Diego were left at a vacant home for several months, but survived. In Downy, Calif., four birds were found abandoned in their cages.

But abandonment is never the answer, animal welfare experts say. “Whether it’s asking a friend to pet sit, finding an apartment that accepts animals, finding a local shelter that can help or asking your veterinarian for low-cost boarding, there’s always a humane option,” says Allie Phillips, director of public policy for the American Humane Association, the 130-year-old child and animal welfare organization.

To help struggling families find options, American Humane has put together a list of tips to help homeowners either relocate with their pets or find other safe placement options for them. Some of those tips include:

* Look for apartments and rental homes that will take pets.
* If you cannot take your pet, ask your veterinarian if you can receive low-cost boarding for your pet or set up a payment plan.
* Check www.petfinder.com for a list of shelters and rescue organizations in your area that can help board your animal or will accept it for adoption.
* Strongly consider taking your pet with you. The comfort and companionship of pets can help ease the strain of a move.

“There’s a lot of news about the stock market and a struggling economy lately, but it’s not the economy that’s struggling. It’s you, us, our friends and neighbors,” says Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of American Humane. “It’s a tough place for any family to find themselves. Bills need to be paid and in order to make ends meet, sometimes sacrifices have to be made. It’s not easy, but pet abandonment isn’t the answer.”

Tip sheets for homeowners looking for ways to keep or care for their pets during a foreclosure can be found at www.americanhumane.org. Also available online are tip sheets for bank and mortgage companies that may find abandoned pets in vacated homes. In addition, local animal shelters may be eligible for grants from American Humane to help families stay with their pets.

Neighbors Can Help, Too
Often a neighbor can help authorities and animal welfare groups spot an abandoned animal before it’s too late. Neighbors should listen for animal sounds, look in windows, check with other neighbors and be on the lookout for signs that the previous homeowners had pets. If pets are known or suspected to be on the property, animal control should be called immediately. With a neighbor’s help, animal control can get a search warrant to enter the home and check for pets that are abandoned or neglected.

American Humane is quick to point out that animals left behind or simply set free will probably not survive. It can be weeks or months before a bank or mortgage company will visit an abandoned home to make an assessment or a neighbor notices that pets are trapped in a house. That’s too long for any animal to go without food and water. If abandoned, there is also a chance that the state criminal animal-cruelty laws might apply, even if arrangements are made for somebody to feed and water the animals after the home has been vacated.

“It’s a terrible situation for any family to find themselves in, but to leave an animal behind only makes it worse,” says Belew Wheatley. “It seems when times are tough we find the best in our friends, family and neighbors. If they’re unable to help there are always other options, from a vet to a local animal shelter. These are our family pets, and they count on us to take care of them.”

Visit http://www.americanhumane.org for more information.

(ARA) – School is out and across the country many families now face the perennial seasonal dilemma: What should the kids do with themselves this summer? For a growing number of community-minded youngsters, the answer is: “Make a difference.”

“Summer is all about fun in the sun and taking a break from the rigors of school,” says Liz Scott of Wynnewood, Pa. “But kids really benefit from doing something more with their summer, like getting involved in the community or raising funds for a cause they believe in. Not only do they stay occupied, engaged and excited throughout the summer, they gain a real sense of their own strength and worth.”

Scott should know. Her daughter, Alexandra, gained national attention for her efforts to raise money for pediatric cancer research by holding lemonade stands. What started as a simple but passionate idea inspired a worldwide grassroots fundraising effort. Sadly, Alex passed away Aug. 1, 2004. Parents Liz and Jay continue promoting Alex’s cause and raising money for pediatric cancer research through their foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), which has raised more than $19 million to date.

“Numerous studies show that volunteering holds many physical and mental health benefits for volunteers, regardless of their age,” says Pam Edwards of Volvo Cars of North America. To commemorate the life of Alex Scott, Volvo created the Alexandra Scott Butterfly Award to recognize exceptional child heroes.

Zach Bonner was named the 2008 Butterfly Award winner. To help victims of Hurricane Katrina Zach, 10, collected 27 truckloads of sundry items, raised $600 in donations for the Red Cross post-Katrina efforts and secured $7,000 worth of new toys and sporting equipment for homeless children living in Red Cross shelters. He also recently founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation, Inc., which collects and donates backpacks filled with food, school items and other supplies to disadvantaged children nationwide.

Getting kids involved can be as simple – or grand – as the children and parents wish. The efforts of past Butterfly Award winners can provide a roadmap for getting started:

* Look to the Internet.

“The Web is a great resource for finding a charity or volunteer opportunity that fits your child’s needs and personality,” Edwards says. For example, this year www.lemonadestandforlife.com, hosted by Volvo, gives visitors the chance to support ALSF. By visiting the site, you can make a direct donation by purchasing a cups of virtual lemonade for just $1. You can then share those cups via e-mail with others asking them to also visit and support the site’s mission.

* Look to current events.

News accounts of the need caused by Katrina inspired Zach Bonner to get involved. When Congress designated November National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Zach launched a marathon walk from Tampa, Fla., to the state capital 250 miles away in Tallahassee. He and his team raised money and awareness for the nation’s estimated 1.3 million homeless children.

* Draw inspiration from your own life.

Alex Scott founded her lemonade stand as she was recovering from cancer treatment. Grace Farnan, 14, of South Hamilton, Mass., decided to become involved in hospice care after her grandmother peacefully passed away in hospice care. Her work with the Hospice of the North Shore has included collecting hundreds of new picture frames for patients to keep photos of loved ones close at hand, and the creation of more than 500 guest books in which visitors, family and staff can write encouragement for patients. Grace was recognized as the 2006 Butterfly Award winner.

* Don’t be afraid to reach far.

In addition to efforts to help Florida’s hurricane-affected residents, Samita Mohanasundaram, 16, of Nashua, N.H., also helps disadvantaged children in India. When she was just 7, she visited a small, impoverished village in southern India and was moved by the local school’s need for books, supplies and materials. Upon returning home, she launched a book drive that drew support from all over New England. In 2007, Samita became the third child to win the Butterfly Award.

To learn more about the Butterfly Awards and to help raise funds to fight pediatric cancer, visit http://www.lemonadestandforlife.com  .

(ARA) – The most dangerous risk most people face at work is getting their tie caught in the copy machine. Not Bill Gratzianna. He and his wife Marci own the Chicago-based O’Hare Towing and Recovery. He knows first-hand that accidents happen and cleaning up isn’t for the faint of heart.

While most people are familiar with the tow truck if their car breaks down or if they’ve parked illegally, the towing and recovery business can be a very dangerous one. According to the Tow Truck Association of America, more than 60 operators are killed on the job each year. Some reports put the number as high as 100.

The crew from O’Hare Towing puts their lives on the line during each recovery–and they respond to more than 200 calls each day. “This is a very dangerous job,” says Bill. “We lose a lot of towing operators on a regular basis…every response is delicate and can be volatile.”

Calls may be as mundane as a flat tire on the side of the road or cleaning up the remnants of a major wreck. “Seeing teen bodies being pulled out of a wrecked car after drinking and driving will haunt me forever,” says Katie Gratzianna, Bill and Marci’s 16-year-old daughter.

Keeping a busy towing business functioning in the middle of chaos is in Bill and Marci Gratzianna’s blood. Their parents are in the business and Bill’s brother (who also happens to be married to Marci’s sister) owns a rival shop. The best thing about the job, says Marci, is working with her family.

A typical day at O’Hare Towing and Recovery includes 12-hour shifts filled with adrenaline, accidents, yelling and lots of coffee and doughnuts.

“This is a world similar in many respects to that of a major urban firehouse,” says Robert Ecker, vice president of programming for SPEED. “Until the phone rings and that emergency call comes in, there’s simply no way of knowing what any given day will bring and when it does come, lives can literally hang in the balance.”

Viewers can follow the Windy City’s toughest (and most colorful) towing family as their new show “Wrecked” debuts on SPEED July 17 at 10 p.m. Eastern/9 p.m. Central. The show is Bill’s latest pride and joy. “We gave them the ammo for the best tow show ever,” he says.

For more information or for a programming schedule, visit www.SpeedTV.com

Author and prostate cancer survivor Robert Marckini.

(NewsUSA) – When Robert Marckini was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he had no trouble finding information about his disease. Instead, Marckini experienced a different kind of dilemma: The more information he gathered, the more confused and anxious he became.

Marckini resolved to help men experiencing a similar predicament. After receiving proton beam radiation therapy from southern California’s Loma Linda University Medical Center, Marckini wrote a book that he hopes will serve as a one-stop source for information about prostate cancer and the different steps in coping with it.

The book, “You Can Beat Prostate Cancer,” is a memoir-like account of Marckini’s cancer experience that additionally describes the specific facts about testing processes, diagnoses and available treatment options.

The book also includes helpful hints throughout its text as well as a list of 10 things that men can do to take control of the detection and treatment of their cancer. Here are a few of those suggestions:

* Have an annual digital rectal exam. Marckini writes that it’s unwise to rely solely on one test to diagnose prostate cancer. He suggests that men receive several tests, including annual DREs.

* Talk to others. Marckini suggests that prostate cancer patients speak with other men who have had each of the treatments they are considering. Marckini created a Web site, www.protonbob.com, that partly serves as a means for prostate cancer survivors and patients to interact.

* Personally choose your treatment. Weigh the pros and cons of each available cancer treatment and then make a decision based on your own criteria.

Marckini says that he chose to receive proton beam therapy for a variety of reasons, including the painlessness of the treatment and the 89 percent disease-free survival rate of patients.

By shaping a beam to match the specific shape of a tumor, proton beam therapy delivers high-energy particles to a tumor site while sparing healthy surrounding tissue. The facility at Loma Linda University Medical Center remains the world’s largest proton treatment center, treating 140 to 150 patients per day.

For more information on proton therapy, call 800-PROTONS (800-776-8667) or visit www.proton-therapy.org. To learn more about the book, log on to www.protonbob.com.

(NewsUSA) – In an increasingly technological world, the ability of our environments to be “smart” is becoming increasingly important.

Smart environments delivered by Johnson Controls, a global diversified, multi-industrial company, use products, systems and technologies that make our lives more comfortable, safe and sustainable through user-friendly interfaces and intelligent design.

Advances in technology are driving consumers to expect greater levels of personalization, customization, productivity and environmental sensitivity in their everyday lives. People want to feel more secure and at ease; they want to reduce their carbon footprint and prefer to do business with eco-friendly companies.

Geopolitical factors, including the drive for energy independence and the potential impact of climate change, are thought to be triggering increased attention to products and services that optimize energy use. Johnson Controls’ smart environments align with these expectations.

These technologies affect many aspects of our everyday lives.

* An improved automotive experience. Johnson Controls’ systems that link mobile electronic devices – including cell phones, navigational devices and MP3 players – to the vehicle allow the driver to interface with these devices safely and easily.

The company also provides a number of safety-oriented features, including the riACT head restraint, which optimizes the anti-whiplash performance of seats, and soy-content foam for vehicle seating pads that reduce the levels of harmful chemicals required to produce current seat-grade foam.

* Eco-friendly, efficient homes. Making a home into a smart environment means implementing sustainable, cost-saving measures, but it can also enhance the home’s decor and exterior. Johnson Controls’ York Affinity Series air conditioners not only offer an energy-efficient solution to homeowners’ cooling needs, but also enable individuals to customize unit colors to match their home’s exterior. Its quiet-drive system provides unobtrusive, energy-efficient performance contributing to up to 60 percent savings on a homeowner’s energy bills.

* Hybrid solutions for a more sustainable world. Vehicles with hybrid technology are the future of sustainable transportation. Hybrid vehicle technology greatly improves fuel-economy by using battery power to propel the car at lower speeds.

The lithium-ion battery is the most advanced hybrid-vehicle battery available and a critical link to the mass production of hybrid electric vehicles. They are key to reducing our carbon emissions and fuel costs. Johnson Controls’ joint venture with Saft Advanced Power Solutions is a global leader in developing this technology and supporting its acceptance in the marketplace. Additionally, Johnson Controls is the world’s largest recycler of lead-acid batteries and manages a closed-loop recycling system that contributes to a “smart environment” while minimizing the use of virgin lead.

(NewsUSA) – During the 1963 March on Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered what would become his most famous public words. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech left an indelible imprint on hundreds of thousands of civil rights demonstrators that day and would continue to do so for generations to come. Now, more than 45 years after King’s inspirational words rang through the crowd of more than 200,000 people, plans for King’s legacy to be immortalized in a large-scale memorial are fast becoming a reality.

In early 2008, construction will commence at the site of the the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, a four-acre plot located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. For the past 10 years, the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation has led this historic effort, taking the helm after it was conceived more than two decades ago. Throughout this time span, the Foundation has remained committed to King’s legacy, virtues and humanity for all people -; regardless of race, color or creed.

“This year we will see the culmination of a decade’s worth of work,” said Harry E. Johnson, Sr., president and CEO of the MLK National Memorial Project Foundation. “We enthusiastically anticipate reaching a number of key milestones that will bring the national MLK Memorial one step closer to taking its permanent residence on the National Mall in our nation’s capital.”

The MLK Memorial will be situated adjacent to the FDR Memorial, directly between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. The centerpiece of the MLK Memorial is the “Stone of Hope,” a three-story statue of King that emerges from a stone wall of granite. A grove of cherry trees will also encompass the landmark to underscore themes of justice, love and hope.

“To date, we have raised nearly $90 million for the MLK National Memorial Project -; but we are still working tirelessly to meet the $100-million goal required to actually build and maintain the memorial,” Johnson said.

For more information on the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project, or to find out how to contribute, visit www.BuildtheDream.org or call 1-888-4-THE-DREAM.

(NewsUSA) – Farmers’ markets are not new, but they are gaining popularity in the United States.

In general, farmers’ markets comprise area farmers convening in one location, indoors or outdoors, to offer the freshest food available, including many canned or bottled goods and handcrafted items such as soap and clothing. Specialty items like jam and honey are also prominent at year-round markets.

The number of farmers’ markets has recently seen a dramatic increase. According to the USDA, the number of farmers’ markets in the U.S. increased almost 20 percent between 1994 and 2006. And in 2000, 19,000 farmers reported selling their produce only at farmers’ markets.

Honey, a year-round mainstay at most markets, is an all-natural food that leaves a small eco-footprint. Purchasing local honey may be beneficial to the environment because it promotes sustainability. Many farmers have hives on their land, in part because bees are responsible for one out of every three bites we consume. If there were a decline in honey bees, we could suffer from a limited supply of oranges, apples, blueberries, cucumbers, strawberries and other farmers’ market staples.

There are more than 300 different types of honey in the United States, each with a unique flavor and color profile influenced by the types of blossoms bees visit when searching for nectar. Floral source, location and climate affect local honey production. Regionally, one can find avocado honey in the west, blueberry honey in the northeast, cotton honey in the south, and one of the country’s favorites, clover, around the globe.

The following recipe, courtesy of the National Honey Board, highlights some of the freshest ingredients available at local farmers’ markets.

Yellow Tomato Gazpacho

Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds ripe yellow tomatoes, seeded and chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup chopped red onion

3 cups tomato juice

1 can (14 1/2 oz.) chicken broth

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients; whisk together until well blended. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover and refrigerate one hour or overnight.

(ARA) – The ideal of a “paperless office” is still more fantasy than reality for many of us – whether we’re working for someone else or running our own business. In fact, since the arrival of the Internet and e-mail – the two vehicles that were supposed to make the paperless dream a reality – paper use in offices has actually increased.

In “The Myth of the Paperless Office,” authors Richard Harper of Surrey University and Abigail Sellen of Hewlett-Packard report that offices are now using 40 percent more paper than before the Internet. Even so, large companies do recognize the value of less paper, as evidenced by the millions they pour into document management systems.

Smaller offices, however, have been slower to pursue the dream, in part because the technology to reduce paper has been costly and geared for use by large companies. Yet small offices would seem poised to reap the most benefits from document management. Organization expert Eileen Roth, author of “Organizing for Dummies,” has said 80 percent of the papers people file is things they’ll never use again.

“Time is their most important asset for many small businesses,” says document management expert Jeremy Petty, developer of Dymo File document management software. “Small companies can save time – and dollars – with digital document management. And new software makes it easier than ever for a small office to go digital, even if they don’t have a document management expert or IT specialist on staff.”

If you’re not sure that digital document management will work for you, consider this:

* In 2006, more than 1.5 billion pages of documents were printed, according to industry analysts Lyra Research. Every man, woman and child in the United States uses 700 pounds of paper per year, and the average office worker generates 2 pounds of paper waste every day.

* Paper documents can be hard to find when needed. Software like Dymo File, a document management system specifically designed for use by small offices, converts paper documents to digital files that can be retrieved quickly and efficiently. DymoFile actually allows the user to search for a file with no more than a keyword that might be found in the text of the document.

* Paper documents require storage space. Digital document management eliminates the need for filing cabinets, boxes or any other filing system that takes up physical space in your office. Documents reside in your virtual office, where they create no clutter.

* Disaster recovery for paper documents can be difficult. If your office experiences a fire or flood and your paper documents are destroyed, you’ll have little recourse for recovering them. Digital documents, when backed up properly on a regular basis, allow for much quicker, more reliable recovery. Back up your documents daily to a zip drive that you can take with you at the end of the day, or, better yet, use an online service that allows you to back up your documents to the provider’s server.

* Sharing paper documents with clients or vendors via fax or courier can be costly and cumbersome. Digital documents can be shared and sent via e-mail with a few mouse clicks, for no cost at all.

* It’s difficult to protect the privacy and security of paper documents. “If someone can put their hands on a piece of paper, he or she can walk away with that piece of paper,” says Petty. Digital files can be protected with passwords and security software.

If you’re ready to go digital, Petty offers some advice for getting the process started:

* Don’t go completely paperless right away. Start out with the documents that are most critical to your business.

* Establish who will control the digital process. One person should lead the process and train others.

* Review your equipment. You’ll want to be sure you choose software that is compatible with the software and equipment you already have. If you already own a multi-function printer, you may be able to use the scanning feature to work with software like Dymo File. If your work volume will exceed what your current equipment can handle, invest in new equipment that will be able to keep pace with the work load.

* Consider software that will allow you to back up your software quickly and easily.

To learn more about DymoFile, visit http://www.DymoFile.com   .

(NewsUSA) – Spring and summer plants provide color and scent, but they can also mean upset stomachs for the family pet.

As the growing months hit, homeowners enjoy watching their garden flowers bloom. But according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA),common plants like lilies, sago palms, tulips, azaleas and oleander can poison Duke or Lassie.

Americans don’t have to choose between keeping a dog or planting flower pots. Yes, more than 700 plants cause toxic symptoms, ranging from mild nausea to death, in animals.

But homeowners can put poisonous house plants, like lilies and ferns, out of pets’ reach. High tables or window ledges can keep dogs from ingesting the roses, while hanging baskets stop cats from frisking in fronds.

Animals need their exercise. While some cats stay inside, locking the dog indoors will only cause behavior problems.

Canines and landscaping can co-exist. In outdoor areas, fencing keeps animals away from gardens, where everyday food plants like corn and tomatoes can poison pets.

For owners who cannot install wood or wire fences, or who want to see their landscaping without peering through wooden slats, electronic pet-containment systems provide a great option.

One system, Invisible Fence Brand Outdoor Solutions, uses a concealed wire to keep animals within safe areas. A professional installs the wire around the property line. The wire can also block off danger zones like gardens, pools and driveways.

The homeowner puts a transmitter in an out-of-the-way location. The transmitter sends radio signals to a collar. When Rover approaches the azaleas, his collar beeps a small warning. Thanks to a certified training program, Rover knows not to go near the flower beds.

The Invisible Fence Brand can be laid across pavement, water and rocky terrain. It allows avid gardeners and landscapers to enjoy their favorite summer plants without worrying about their animals’ health. In turn, cats and dogs can enjoy fresh air and exercise in safety.

For more information about the Invisible Fence Brand, visit www.invisiblefence.com.