SmartLipo365 Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Smart Lipo

Posted on by

Dallas, TX, SmartLipo365 is voluntarily recalling 122 lots of Smart Lipo (800, 900, 950 mg) capsules, to the consumer level. FDA received samples of 800 and 900mg capsules of Smart Lipo and the lab results found the Smart Lipo products to contain undeclared sibutramine, desmethylsibutramine, and phenolphthalein.

Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant that was withdrawn from the U.S. market in October 2010. Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke. Phenolphthalein is an ingredient previously used in over-the-counter laxatives, but because of concerns of carcinogenicity, it is not currently approved for marketing in the United States. Health risks associated with phenolphthalein could include potentially serious gastrointestinal disturbances, irregular heartbeat, and cancer with long-term use. These undeclared ingredients make these products unapproved new drugs for which safety and efficacy have not been established. These products may also interact in life-threatening ways with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Smart Lipo is marketed as a dietary supplement and is packaged in bottles of 30 capsules, with 22 bottles of 800mg, 77 bottles of 900mg, and 23 bottles of 950mg.The affected Smart Lipo products include the following expiration dates: 800mg capsules – 9/15/2017, 900mg capsules – 7/30/2017, 950mg capsules – 7/30/2017 & 7/30/2018. Smart Lipo was sold in stores, Centro Naturista in Richardson, TX, SmartLipo365 in Arlington, TX, as well as distributed nationwide via the Internet, SmartLipo365.com.

SmartLipo365 is notifying its distributors and customers by e-mail and letter and will not continue the distribution of Smart Lipo. Consumers, distributors, retailers that have Smart Lipo which is being recalled should stop using the recalled product and asked to please dispose it.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact SmartLipo365 by 1-(800)-547-6365 or info@smartlipo365.com on Monday through Friday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. (Central time). Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

Kaibab National Forest announces release of wildland fire video

Posted on by

firevideo-1WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is announcing the release of an informational video explaining the importance of wildland fire in the ecosystems of northern Arizona from the perspectives of various natural and cultural resource specialists.

Over the last decade, the Kaibab has managed both wildfire and prescribed fire to treat approximately 300,000 acres for a variety of objectives. That work wouldn’t have been possible without employees from all program areas actively engaging in the management of fire across the landscape, according to Kaibab fire staff officer Art Gonzales. Because of those ongoing efforts, Gonzales thought it important to highlight a part of the wildland fire world that most people never get to see.

“Typically, most fire videos provide a fire management officer, fuels specialist or fire ecologist perspective on why we believe fire across the landscape is essential for a number of reasons,” Gonzales said. “I wanted to take this video in a new direction, a direction in which those folks who are often the critical link in a successful program do not remain behind the scenes or go unnoticed. I was looking for a video about fire but from a non-fire perspective.”

To that end, Gonzales teamed with the Southwest Fire Science Consortium and producer Josh McDaniel to create a 10-minute video entitled “Keeping Fire on the Ground: Resource Specialist Perspectives on the Kaibab National Forest,” which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/IpFWb5NDyPI.

“I am hopeful this is a product that can be used to help educate, raise awareness, and highlight the collective efforts necessary to build a successful wildland fire management program,” Gonzales said. “On the Kaibab, we have been fortunate to have past and present employees at all levels of the organization who truly understand fire and who have helped build an extensive history of using wildland fire to achieve benefits to many resource areas across the forest, from protection of the wildland urban interface to ecosystem restoration to cultural and heritage site preservation and more. It is critical that this important work continue, and I hope the video will help spread the word about our efforts.”

Santa Fe freeze

Posted on by

Snow-15-12-17-2WILLIAMS — Weather in Williams has warmed up to the mid-30s. Santa Fe is frozen over and visitors are enjoying the snow.

Tomorrow and Saturday temperatures may rise to nearly 50, but higher winds could roll in Saturday with gusts up to 30-mph making the jackets still necessary. There is a 10% chance of showers Saturday night and Sunday morning before 11 a.m. Weather should clear Monday and chance of showers return Tuesday, according to the latest forecast.Snow-15-12-17-3In the meantime, the Zipline is open for business until it is actually snowing or raining. Visitors are enjoying the weather with special construction projects.Snow-15-12-17-4

Kaibab National Forest hiring window opens soon

Posted on by

640_jobopsFREDONIA — It’s that time of year again; time to dust off and update the resume in preparation for the USDA Forest Service annual hiring of qualified applicants for 2016 temporary seasonal spring and summer positions. These seasonal job opportunities may include positions in wildland firefighting as well as other challenging and rewarding fields like recreation, range, engineering, archaeology, timber and visitor services.

At nearly 1.6 million acres in size, the Kaibab National Forest is a large area of land to care for with plenty of job opportunities to offer during the spring and summer months.

Please note that most vacancies will only be open for seven days. Applicants should refer to the positions listed in the table below for open/close dates. Specific duty location contacts are identified by each district, and multiple positions may be offered at each duty location. Interested applicants should contact duty locations for additional information regarding vacancies.

Applicants must apply through USAJobs prior to the deadline and are encouraged to apply for multiple locations if interested. This is the first and most important step to working for the USDA Forest Service. After creating an account, the process will enable applicants to apply for future positions, follow up after applying, and streamline the overall process for future applications an individual may submit.
Continue reading →

Wow on Wild Wonderland at Bearizona

Posted on by

800-Bearizona15-12-13-039WILLIAMS — When I first saw the video with the press release for the Wild Wonderland lights at Bearizona, I was less than impressed. I went to see them. Wow.

The Wild Wonderland is an event separate from the normal park tour that is similar to Zoo Lights. The first show starts just after it starts getting dark around 5:30. The show repeats every half-hour after. You can find special coupons for the event at businesses, such as Circle K, Hotels and the Grand Canyon Railroad—now hosting the Polar Express through January 2.
BearizonaLights-15-12-13-05
The addition that made this show was the snow. With a fresh blanket of at least 3″ so far today, and more expected, you should get out to see this show. The snow reflects the light from the show making it even more spectacular and bright. One staff member informed me that more lights are intended for next year. The center of the attraction is the Christmas tree.

While waiting for the show, you might want to stop in the warmth of the gift shop and take in the train diorama created by Colonel Jim Garvey. Colonel Garvey has been building this diorama for years. A staff member told me the El Tovar Hotel took nearly 15-years.
BearizonaLights-15-12-13-03
You can get a cup of coffee while waiting for the arrival of Mrs. Clause who tells stories to children of all ages. They also bring out animals to see.
BearizonaLights-15-12-13-06
The Wild Wonderland will continue every evening, now, until December 27. The only exception is that they will be closed December 24 and Christmas Day. We have been told that Santa has some sort of prior engagement those dates.

If you are coming for Polar Express, you need to add this show to your agenda. Add a daytime visit to the Deer Farm Petting Zoo to get up close to animals. The Deer Farm is located about five-miles east (toward Flagstaff) of WIlliams. Then you can check off all the slots on your Christmas To-Do list.

Last Advent Concert next Sunday

Posted on by

640-advent15-12-13-01WILLIAMS — The Advent Concert Sunday was a beautiful mix of voices from St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church and St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Occasionally it included the voices of the guests who joined in for some of the songs.

The music was directed by George Albers and included the combined voices of Father’s Marc McDonald of St. John’s and Kilian McCaffery on O Holy Night.

The music was a mix of old gospel favorites from around the world with a few contemporary songs.
640-advent15-12-13-05
A reception was held after hosted by Sally Burcham.
640-advent15-12-13-06
The last free Advent Concert will be Sunday, December 20 at 4 p.m.

Williams Winter Wonderland causing problems

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — High winds began about 9:30 this morning and by 8 a.m., Williams had a covering of about 3″ from the overnight storm. It is not over yet. NOAA predicts snow throughout the day. The sun peeked out for a couple of hours, but clouds began to reappear by about 10:45.

Road conditions are reported to be hazardous. Social media reports that one person had to turn back to Williams at Parks because of white out conditions. Another report is that the plowing between Williams and Ash Fork had not started.

The crews of the City of Williams were out about 8 a.m. clearing the roadways.

ARRL sponsors Rookie Roundup

Posted on by

ARRL-Flag-waving-Large_54The American Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) is sponsoring a six-hour CW (Morse code) contest on December 20 for specifically aimed at those who have had a license less than three years. (So you were proud of yourself for getting your Amateur Extra only to learn you are a rookie for three years.)

ARRL sponsors Rookie contests three times a year in April, August and December. In these contests rookies can contact anyone, but old-timers can only contact rookies. Various contests are held by ARRL and other organizations throughout the year. These for rookies are particularly useful to learn how to use the frequencies for the new license levels they attain. It is a great opportunity to test new equipment. Additionally they can obtain awards and certificates for all of these contests.

ARRL also sponsors specific events in addition to contesting where amateur operators can collect special cards, called QSL cards. QSL cards confirm a contact between specific stations or stations to events. ARRL, for example, is sponsoring a year-long event called National Parks on the Air where Ham operators can contact operators stationed at various national parks throughout the country.

For the upcoming CW rookie contest, the ARRL web site states:

Mission: To encourage newly-licensed operators (“Rookies”) in North America (including territories and possessions) to operate on the HF bands and experience competitive Amateur Radio operating. Experienced operators (“Non-Rookies”) are strongly encouraged to participate and help new operators – either on the air or in person.

Objective: Rookies exchange information with as many other stations as possible on the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter HF bands. Rookie entrants are encouraged to read “HF Contesting – Good Practices, Interpretations and Suggestions.” (Also available as PDF)

Electronic certificates will be emailed to the top five scoring Rookies in each US call area, Canadian province, Mexican call area and DX. No national winners will be recognized. A commemorative participation certificate will be available for download to every Rookie operator submitting a score.

For more information and to sign up, visit the ARRL web site .

With winter storms arriving, drivers should prepare for rain, snow, dust

Posted on by

PHOENIX — Winter’s worst is still ahead as the El Niño weather pattern promises above-normal precipitation, but with storm systems heading into Arizona starting this weekend, travelers should prepare for rain, snow, strong winds and the potential for blowing dust.

As of Friday morning, the National Weather Service was calling for locally strong winds reaching up to 55 mph across eastern Arizona, followed by colder temperatures and scattered rain and snow continuing into Saturday. Between 2 and 5 inches of snow was expected in the White Mountains, eastern Mogollon Rim and northern Gila County, with higher totals possible.

A second, colder storm system was forecast to pass through next week, creating the potential for 1 to 4 inches of snow in higher elevations.

With public safety its top priority during winter storms, the Arizona Department of Transportation deploys resources quickly before, during and after to keep highways safe for travelers, limit highway closures and clear snow and ice as soon as possible. ADOT’s 200 snowplows are serviced and ready, and 450 snowplow operators are trained and on alert.

Because of Arizona’s diverse climate, travelers can drive from sunny and moderate conditions in the low desert to ice and snow in the mountains in just a couple of hours. They should leave prepared to drive in snowy and icy conditions.

With that in mind, ADOT offers these tips:

Slow down, be patient and drive safely. Plan for extra travel time. Use extra caution if snowplows are on the road.
Wear warm clothing.
Be aware that ice forms on bridges first and is hard to see.
When driving behind a snowplow, stay back at least four car lengths. If you think you’re traveling too close to a plow, you probably are.
Never pass a snowplow that’s clearing snow and ice off the road.
Make sure your tank is at least three-quarters full.
Notify someone of your route, destination and expected arrival time.
Pack an emergency preparedness kit that includes blankets, extra clothes, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a shovel, sand for traction, a fully charged cellphone and hazard warning lights or reflectors.
Brake slowly to avoid panic braking or jerking the steering wheel.
Increase the distance between you and traffic ahead.
Carry plenty of food and water, as well as any medications you need.
Carry tire chains and snow cables, or use snow tires.

For more information on driving in wintry conditions, please visit azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Northern Arizona Gazette editor passes Amateur Extra exam

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Despite the snow, the editor of the Northern Arizona Gazette, Glen Davis, went to Flagstaff for the Saturday morning amateur radio licensing examination.

To get a license to operate on amateur radio frequencies, one must pay $15 for the examination. If you pass one, you can go onto the next test until you fail. If you fail, you must pay another $15 to try or just take the level you achieve. You can try again at the next examination cycle. The examinations are overseen by the Coconino Amateur Radio Club. Contact information and test dates can be found at their web site.

Davis took the examination for Technician—the lowest level of Amateur radio license—in November and obtained the call sign KG7YDJ. On Saturday, he passed the test for the General license and took the examination for the Amateur Extra license.

“I was surprised that I passed even though I had been studying the exam questions for the past three weeks,” he said.

You must pass each examination with a minimum score of 74%. The license examination for the Technician and General license is 35 questions taken from a pool of questions maintained by the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. You must get 26 of the 25 question correct. The examination for the Amateur Extra license is 50 questions of which you must get 37 correct.