Interview

Complementary medicine is becoming a reliable alternative to westernized medicine due to practitioners, such as Penny Todd, who are able to use certain techniques to cure many illnesses.

            “ By practicing these techniques, we are able to address our patients as a whole and alter their mind, body, and spirit,” said Penny Todd, 52, owner and lead practitioner of Crofton Acupuncture and Wellness Center. “ With westernized medicine, you are changing your body’s chemistry by taking quick fixes such as antidepressants, compared to transferring your body’s own natural energy to heal itself with acupuncture.”

Many doctors are done writing their patients prescriptions for medication and advising them to visit complementary medicine practitioners to become healthier. With all of the benefits that these practices have with no risk involved, acupuncturists are busier than ever.

             “Within six weeks of therapy, I can guarantee that my patients will show improvement in whatever they are suffering with,”Todd said. “I have helped patients overcome migraines, depression, anxiety, addictions, infertility, and weight management issues.

Acupuncture is the process of moving your body’s chi, or natural energy, around by sticking needles into your skin at certain meridians, or areas or the body. Inserting the needles at these specific points causes energy to flow to different areas of the body. The goal is for your body to be in optimal balance to avoid illness.

“I sit down with each of my patients for an hour and a half on their first session to evaluate their lifestyles and diagnose their symptoms,”Todd said. I have been trained to pick up on certain smells, communication patterns, and behaviors to factor in where I should transfer their energy.”

Penny used to suffer like many Americans from stress, and turned to acupuncture for her cure. Once she showed immediate improvements, she wanted to help treat others who were struggling with their health, so she decided to become an acupuncturist.

“ I get so much personal satisfaction out of my job and am able to make a decent living because of it,” Todd said. “The hardest part about is the business aspects, such as advertising and accounting.”

Beside acupuncture, Penny recommends reiki, which is a “hands on healing” technique that focuses on the movement of energy. Practicing yoga, getting regular massages, and eating a balanced diet free from raw sugars and processed foods are also the key to good health.  

Slug: Wall

A 36-year-old Baltimore woman was severely burned Friday in her apartment from the ignition caused by spraying an aerosol can around her stove, fire invesigators said.

Arnetta Sands, of the 200^th block of North Aisquith Street apartment complex, was spraying an insecticide around 12:13 a.m when it combusted. As a result of the explosion, the connecting wall between the apartments collapsed and landed on a child sleeping in a crib. Sands suffered from first degree burns to her back and neck, and the fire  damaged her kitchen and furnishings, fire investigators said.

Andre Henderson, the 10-day-old new born, was saved by firefighters when they removed the portion of the wall off of crib.  Renee Henderson, 23, the mother of the infant, was taken to Hopkins’ hospital with her son to get tested for possible smoke inhalation, fire investigators said.

Sands visited a Church Home and Hospital where she was treated and released for burns.  Nobody was injured, and firefighters are reporting this incident as an accident. 

Slug: The Holdup

Three male suspects entered the Provident Savings Bank on 3111 Greenmount Avenue Thursday, Sept. 15^th at 12:22 p.m, where they ransacked several teller’s cases after pointing a .22 caliber rifle to the manger’s head and making everyone lie on the floor, the city polic said.

            The armed suspect covered the four employees and two customers while the other thieves jumped the counter and stuffed money in two white pillowcases. All of suspects fled with the undisclosed amount of cash. 

The suspects were last seen running east along the alley towards the north side of the bank, where they dropped their rifle before disappearing. One of the suspects was wearing a red football jersey and hat, another was wearing a white fishnet shirt, and the other was wearing red shoes.

There were no injuries nor arrests made yet in connection to this robbery. 

Writing Assignment #2

Universal education is on the rise with the assistance from video teleconferencing sales managers, such as Brian Gallagher, who supply these technologies to learning institutions.

" The International Academic Advancement Project brings together people from all over the world via distant learning technologies," said Brian Gallagher,52, Tandberg's leading sales manager." This helps everyone learn about different cultures,customs,languages, and learning techniques."

Many elementary to post-graduate schools, along with the military and medical fields, are scheduled to purchase these technologies in the near future. With the immediate learning improvements that this equipment brings to students, video conferencing is believed to be more than a fad. It is predicted that the majority of learning environments will be using these products by 2015.

"Through the advancements of technology, manufacturers will be able to cater to specific organizational needs," Gallagher said. " This will also result in less traveling, wasted money,and an improved environment."

Advancements that support universal education are rarely introduced or included in everyday learning, so when new technologies that are proven to not only be effective but convenient hit the market they can't be overlooked.

Baseball Scandal Continued...

The Washington Nationals are caught in a run-down due to their recent involvement with Dominican Republic prospect Esmailyn “ Smiley” Gonzalez due to falsified documents that stated his incorrect age.

I just hope that the other teams learn from the National’s mistake. It has been well known for years that agents oversea’s will do anything to make their players look as desirable as possible, even if it means they have to use unethical behaviors. All of the blame can’t be put on Gonzalez alone, this whole scandal is much bigger then him. Remember the 2001 Little League World Series when New York ‘s pitcher Danny Almonte was proven guilty with age-fraud, being two years too old to compete in the tournament? 

It is hard to blame all of the middlemen, street agents, players, and families of players oversea’s who are involved with this scandal. Is it ethical or politically correct in any way, shape, or form? No. Baseball is gateway for young, hopeless children in the Dominican Republic to earn money to help them and their families escape poverty. If they can play their respective sport at such a high level through hard work and dedication, than age should not matter. 

Gonzalez will be heading to Viera, Fla. for Washington’s spring training in a month, and will possibly have to face suspension. Now that the FBI is involved, investigating baseball players and other athletes over the world to prevent this from happening.

From Illegal Steroid use to age fraud, Major League Baseball has it all

The Washington Nationals are caught in a run-down due to their recent involvement with Dominican Republic prospect Esmailyn Gonzalez.

            Jim Bowden, the Nationals General Manager, offered Gonzalez a 1.4 million dollar signing bonus in July, 2006. Fabricated hospital and school documents stated that Gonzalez was 19 years old. After he was proven to be 23 years old, his value as a player declined and the Major League Baseball Association took a hit.

            The FBI has taken charge by beginning to investigate baseball scouting in Latin America. There were suspicions about Gonzalez’s age from Kasten, the National’s President, as well team mates from last summers Gulf Coast League. Gonzalez might face suspension when he arrives next month to camp in Viera, Fla. for Washington’s minor league spring training.