News Briefs - July 2009
The North Carolina Medical Practice Act currently restricts to licensed physicians: “to prevent or diagnose, correct, prescribe for, administer to, or treat in any manner or by any means, methods, or devices any disease, illness, pain, wound, fracture, infirmity, defect, or abnormal physical or mental condition of any individual.” This excludes alternative professionals not licensed as medical doctors or other medical specialties. Opponents seek to have the language criminalizing these alternative practitioners removed from this bill.
The Consumer Health Freedom Act (HB842) -an amendment to the NC medical licensing law- seeks to protect the right to choose nutritional supplements and access alternative, holistic, complementary, or natural health providers or practitioners.
The legislation would protect the right of health care providers to offer their services legally and safely, without fear of being prosecuted for “practicing medicine without a license” in NC. Alternative health professionals would have the freedom to advertise and practice their occupation legally, while consumers could choose the alternative services and practitioners they prefer.
In March, HB842 was reintroduced to the NC House of Representatives with the support of ten co-sponsors and four representatives after gaining widespread public support. The bill was opposed by the NC Medical Society and they have been asked by a main sponsor of the bill to propose specific changes. HB842 has been tabled until negotiations occur, but could be activated and voted on during the next legislative session.
Proponents of the bill believe legalizing alternative therapies would assure even safer and more professional provision of these services in our state. The bill requires that practitioners give consumers information about their education, professional training, and certification, and to refrain from certain acts and services, such as prescribing drugs or performing surgery, x-rays, etc. Proponents are encouraging concerned citizens to contact their representatives to vote for the bill.
For more information visit www.healthfreedomnow.net or www.ncchf.org. Dr. Doug Tallamy at CPCC “How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife”
Habitat and Wildlife Keepers, the NC Native Plant Society and the CPCC Center for Sustainability will sponsor a presentation by Dr. Doug Tallamy. His book Bringing Nature Home; How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens was awarded the 2008 silver medal by the Garden Writer’s Association.
Dr. Tallamy will explain why we must change our approach to gardening and landscaping if we hope to share the spaces in which we live and work with other living things. Tallamy is Professor and Chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, where he has authored 69 research articles and has taught Insect Taxonomy, Behavioral Ecology, and other courses for 28 years. His research goal is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities.
The presentation will be held July 21st at 7pm at Pease Auditorium at Central Piedmont Community College. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at 704-330-6534 or www.carolinatix.org. For more information visit www.habitatsteward.org or www.ncwildflower.org.
Blue Restaurant and Bar Offers “Farm to Table” Cooking Demonstrations
Blue Restaurant and Bar’s Executive Chef Gene Briggs is well-known for taking diners on a multi-cultural tour of the taste buds with his authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Using the freshest ingredients and creative presentation for a menu that features dishes from Spain, France, Greece, Sicily, Italy, and Morocco, Blue was voted as one of the top restaurants in America in 2009 by Zagat.
This summer Chef Briggs will offer “farm to table” cooking demonstrations. Learn the simple steps on how to prepare his delicious recipes. Each dish is served and paired with fine wines available for purchase at discount price. Themes include: July 11th - BBQ, August 1st – Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes and on Sept 5th - A Visit to the Greek Isles.
For more information visit www.bluerestaurantandbar.com.
Rain Gardening in the South Presentation at Gaston County Public Library
Learn how to create beautiful gardens that capture and use water that runs off roofs, driveways, and other hard surfaces in our landscape. The Gaston County Public Library will host Rain Gardening in the South: Ecologically Designed Gardens for Drought, Deluge, and Everything in Between on August 8th.
The presentation will be led by horticulturalists Helen Kraus and Anne Spafford, authors of Rain Gardening in the South. Rain gardens maximize rainwater, enhance the landscape, and promote environmental stewardship. Runoff water contributes more than a third of the pollution that ends up in our nation's waterways. Rain gardens, which function as miniature water reservoirs and filtration systems, offer effective and visually-pleasing solutions that dramatically reduce toxic runoff, resulting in cleaner rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Ironically, rain gardens are more drought-tolerant than most conventional gardens. Because of plant selection and their ability to store water, rain gardens flourish during dry spells as well as rainy seasons, making them particularly appropriate for the South and its unpredictable rainfall.
This free presentation starts at 2pm. For more information call 704-868-2164 / Dial 4.
    Feng Shui Consultant Certification Coming to Charlotte
Have ever considered making Feng Shui a career? In August, Steve Kodad, owner of The Feng Shui Cure, will offer a 5-day workshop to become a Certified Feng Shui Professional. What makes this course unique is that Kodad will focus on ways to make a living and still enjoy working with this amazing environmental science.
Called the “Art of Placement,” Feng Shui has been used effectively for thousands of years to create an environment that promotes health, tranquility, comfort and success. A business owner might hire a Feng Shui Practitioner to improve the bottom-line by helping to attract more customers. A homeowner may use a consultant to analyze an existing home or a building site to make sure it has no problems or to identify corrections that will allow it to work for their benefit.
Kodad and his wife, Gwen, create certification programs that they conduct all over the country. They will offer their 3-day Home Staging with Feng Shui workshop in Raleigh, NC, on September 10-12. This class leads to the designation of Feng Shui Staging Professional.
The Certified Feng Shui Professional course will give students two options to attend: August 8 -12, or of August 8, 9, 15, 16, and 22. For more information visit www.TheFengShuiCure.com.
The Consciousness Gathering Room Open and ready to receive you
The Consciousness Gathering Room recently opened in the SouthPark area and offers a place for both facilitators and students to experience unique opportunities to expand self-awareness and consciousness. Situated in a tranquil nature setting, the CGR will host small to medium-sized events.
Owner Christine Flannery says the CGR is “a place that encourages you to reach out beyond your known into the Great Unknown, and bring back precious gems of new knowledge to increase your joy in your physical life experience.”
For more information or to see a list of upcoming events, visit www.consciousnessgatheringroom.com.
Non-Toxic CleanStay Vacation Villa Accepting Summer Reservations
With a strong desire to help their daughter overcome severe allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities, a non-toxic environment was created by the Gentile family in this charming vacation home. Located in Litchfield Beach, this healthy villa offers a refreshing alternative to standard rental accommodations.
"The conversion of our personal residence was both our training ground and eventual model for what would become Clean Stay," says Melanie Gentile. "After experiencing measured results in our entire family’s overall health and well being, Clean Stay was born as a home away from home vacation destination."
Nestled in the Litchfield Beach & Golf Resorts private gated community in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, Clean Stay features all hardwood floors, with ceramic tile in the kitchen and baths. Furniture and bedding has been off-gassed and treated to remove harmful chemicals. Â All non-toxic water based VOC free paints and sealers were used. A whole house water filtration system is provided to ensure purified water free of chemicals, bacteria, chlorine and odors. The air is purified by Austin Air Healthmate and cleanses the air of mold and allergens. Or just open the windows and enjoy the healing ocean air!
For more information, reservations or to take an online tour visit, www.cleanstay.com or call 704-236-2510.
