Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S., Editor roger@iawareables.com
[Note: We mail this E-Borne newsletter 4x/year +/- to friends, colleagues and suspecting customers of record. If we have mistakenly included you in this mailing, or you wish to be removed from our subscriber list, please refer to end of the newsletter for instructions. We'll miss you, but we promise to honor your request.]
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Dear friends and colleagues,
How does this happen? The New Year's thing, celebrations for Moms and Dads, fitting tributes to our Fallen, Veterans and Labor-folk, and now...yikes...Equinox, the fest of October is back and holiday madness looms large. Arguably the most satisfying month of the year...October gifts us time to go dormant, take a breather, smell the... leaves (?!) Apparently, roses just don't happen in autumn...but you get the idea. Fall back and take it all in!  Visit the IA Showroom: A very cool bird's eye view of the complete Awareables necktie and scarf collection, past and present. http://www.iawareables.com/shopping/neckties_showroom.htm
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 We were smart alecky "early adapters" online, starting the iAwareables website in 1999. Humbly catching up now to 21st century, so stay in touch!
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1. DIABETES: EPIDEMIC NEW DESIGN
| Balancing insulin and glucose
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Diabetes Scarf
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Diabetes Necktie
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Presenting our newest design (available mid-October). The creative pattern features complex INSULIN molecules accented by random - gulp - SUGAR cubes, symbolizing the balance required for the critical task of regulating carbohydrate metabolism. This new design is stunning in appearance and imminently wearable with a wide variety of your spiffiest duds.
The "Awareness Note" incorporated into the pattern on the Back-of-Tie reads as follows:
"DIABETES is a metabolic disease characterized by high levels of blood SUGAR caused by either lack of the hormone INSULIN or inability of cells to utilize insulin produced. Obesity is often a major cause of the imbalance. Management typically includes weight loss, healthy diet, physical exercise and monitoring."
"Start the conversation" about this major public health issue which has reached epidemic proportions in our culture.
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2. THE MICROBIAL MALL
| Don't bring them home for the holidays!
Here are results of a recent expert environmental panel that ranked the major sources of unwanted "gifts" hanging out at your local shopping temple...along with fixes and preventive tips. Valley girls beware! We're for leaving the paranoia at home, but a little caution and some common sense never hurt.
Culprits and corrections:
- Restroom sink handles, soap dispensers. (Use paper towels for handling.)
- Food court tables. (Wipe down with hard surface disinfecting wipes.)
- Escalator hand rails. (A squirt of hand disinfectant for sure!)
- ATM keypads - "Enter" button is the worst offender. ( "Knuckle 'em" and squirt.)
- Toy Stores. (Unless sealed, wipe down with soap and water or wipes).
- Fitting rooms - try-on clothes. Skin cells, anyone? (Cover sensitive body parts. Bandage cuts. Be sure to wash items before wearing.)
- Gadget Shops. (Wipe down those not-that-smart phones.)
- Makeup samples, testers. (Use only single use samples. Or use back of hand, wipe down.)
Investigative Panel included: Philip Tierno, Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology at NYU Langone Medical Center; Charles Gerba, Ph.D., professor of environmental microbiology, U. of Arizona; Elaine Larsen, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.
As reported by CNN.com; health.com.
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3. COLLABORATIONS, CONNECTIONS AND COMMUNITY
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How can iAwareables help you or your organization?
IA takes pride in outreach programs, including fund raisers, silent auctions, special occasion and appreciation gifting...and some very creative marketing campaigns. Whether developing custom designs, or mining the IA Collection, these projects make life on our own "silk road" both exciting and gratifying.
Here is one of our custom design projects:
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Nationwide Children's Hospital Signature Butterfly Scarf
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Nationwide Children's Hospital Signature Butterfly Necktie
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Nationwide Children's Hospital: Custom design incorporating NCH signature Butterfly logos on neckties and scarves for a very Special Event.
A few other 2012 collaborations:
University of California, Davis. Infectious Disease Conference, Guests of Honor.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Prizes for winners at Annual Conference.
University of Texas, Austin, School of Biological Sciences. Prizes for staff.
Community Memorial Foundation, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Auction gift fundraiser.
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Advisory Board gifts.
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4. FUNGUS AND THE CONCERT HALL
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A moldy Stradivarius?
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Mold/Fungi Scarf
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Mold/Fungi Necktie
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Not exactly...but a Swiss researcher has found that applying a couple of fungi (names too long and obscure to repeat) to the wood used in constructing a modern violin caused the newly minted instrument to sound as rich in tone as the classic Stradivarius. So it was judged in a blind competition by a knowledgeable music audience, and now, lo and behold, the researcher is working on 30 more fungally crafted violins. The ghosts of Guarneri and Stradivarius are not happy about this...
Our Mold/Fungi design will make music of its own. Who knew fungi could look this good?
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5. SARS AND WEST NILE VIRUS: THEY'RE BAAAACK
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Just when you thought it was safe...
 | | West Nile Necktie |
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West Nile Scarf
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While it may have started on the West Nile, WNV is now a permanently established resident of the Western Hemisphere. Transmitted by mosquitoes after high tea on infected birds, the WNV 2012 epidemic has had a record-breaking run. The virus has been detected in humans in all but five states, Texas hit especially hard, with more than 35 deaths to date. The epidemic appears to have subsided now, but keep an eye out for warnings that may be posted in public areas where standing water is common.
Design in collaboration with scientists at Purdue University. Note the "Black and Gold!
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SARS Necktie Navy/Blue
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SARS Necktie Black/Ecru
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A new SARS-like virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) has been detected in two unrelated cases in the Middle East. Both cases were found to be infected with a mysterious virus identified as a member of the same family of viruses that reached epidemic proportions in 2003. The World Health Organization is keeping a close watch on this new virus, which so far, unlike original SARS, has not spread from person to person.
Fortunately, gene-sequencing techniques are now sophisticated enough to rapidly identify new microbes, and to connect to previous cases even if in small numbers.
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6. UNSOLICITED AND TOTALLY OBJECTIVE TESTIMONIAL
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We get a lot of these
"Felice - Thank you for your follow-up after the theft (!) of the scarf I ordered. It arrived this morning just in time to be given as a farewell gift to an Infectious Disease Doctor who is leaving our hospital. She loved it. Your prompt attention is very much appreciated. I'll be telling the story of how you went out of your way to save the day for me. Thanks, M.A., Oak Park, IL."
Personal Service: what separates IA from just-any-other-necktie-and scarf-company-with-scientific-images-on-silk!
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7. HOLIDAY POSTCARD REMINDERS
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Watch for them in early November
The IA Collection has grown to the point where it is pandemically impossible to stay current in print. So please stay in touch with us at iAwareables.com, where the microbes never rest.
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Enjoy the fall, our favorite season. That rumbling you hear is likely the stirring of elves.... Awareably yours,
RPF
Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S. and the IA Team
Copyright 2012 Infectious Awareables, Inc.
NOTICE: To subscribe to the IA newsletter: www.iawareables.com
Please feel free to pass this Ezine along to your friends. All we ask is that you keep it intact and forward it in its entirety.
Email: roger@iawareables.com
Phone: 818.990.6264
Web: www.iawareables.com
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