Concussions 101, a Primer for Kids and Parents (video)

Dr. Mike has put together a few resources on concussions at http://www.myfavouritemedicine.com/2012/03/07/concussions/

Dr. Mike Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at St. Michael's Hospital.

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Conceived, written, and presented by Dr. Mike Evans, Illustrated by Liisa Sorsa, Produced, directed, and filmed by Nick De Pencier, Picture and sound edit by David Schmidt, Gaffer, Martin Wojtunik, Whiteboard construction by James Vanderkleyn, Production assistant, Chris Niesing, ©2011 Michael Evans and Mercury Films Inc.

Motor Sports, Demon Tweeks and the Modern Hobbyist: Preparing the Vehicle for Racing

The world is full of motor sports enthusiasts racers; detailers; and car preparation geeks whose central joy is the creation and performance of surprising machines. There's a lot of colour and power in these quite focused worlds, all of which have their own shorthand and their own special vehicles. Places like Demon Tweeks (and this is not the only one, by far), which supply the materials and the knowhow to serve the race enthusiasts, exist at the heart of the hobbyist's world.

To understand the products provided by the hobbyist centres, you first have to understand something about the world in which they exist. There are two core concepts at the heart of the racing world: speed and safety.

Speed is the ultimate goal of all racing preparation. It is, in itself, served by a nested set of sub-concepts all goals that the detailer or tuner wishes to achieve in order to serve the overall prize of attaining greater speeds without sacrificing safety. Performance, for example, which is a word you'll hear flying around the pits and garages a lot, is not simply defined as "going faster than everything else". To perform well, a vehicle must be nimble around corners without sacrificing too much forward motion in the process. It must be able to achieve high speeds quickly without losing handling ability.

To achieve good performance, the tuner looks not just at the power developed by the engine, but the ability of the suspension to deal with that power as it is pushed out through turning wheels. As a rapidly moving vehicle changes direction, the bite of the wheels on the racing surface is compromised by the sudden intrusion of lateral and twisting forces which, where rigid suspension is concerned, can be translated into fishtailing and bellying. Modern suspension, then, must be introduced to take more individual control of each wheel effectively allowing the car or bike to cope with changes in directional force as well as changes in the actual architecture of the road beneath.

There's a fine line the tuner and detailer must tread, between weight and power. The lighter a vehicle is, the faster it goes: but then the more powerful it is, the harder it becomes to control without weight sitting over the wheels. The goal is to find the perfect medium between stripping out extra weight and adding more power, so the car or bike may be controlled by an expert without shaving active horsepower out of its performance. "Active horsepower" may be thought of as the amount of power developed by the engine that actively increases the speed of the vehicle, rather than simply allowing the wheels to move the weight of its body.

The second major element of vehicle tuning safety is present throughout all of these considerations. To make a vehicle lighter, for example, a person may also make it much less structurally safe particularly where the major weight elements in the chassis and frame are those installed to keep the driver safe.

To properly tune a car for racing, then, it is necessary to replace key bits of the body with lighter but stronger materials. Carbon is often used for this purpose. Its structural integrity makes it much more robust than metal. Yet it is also much lighter, allowing the vehicle to develop more power and performance.

About Author:
Henry Walker is an amateur racing enthusiast. He has looked at demon tweeks in a recent article for a trade magazine.

Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)

What is Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)?

Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is commonly known as concussion. A universally accepted definition is lacking.

Mild traumatic brain injury and concussion are classified by:

- transient loss of consciousness
- amnesia
- altered mental status
- a Glasgow Coma Score of 13 to 15
- focal neurological deficits following an acute closed head injury

"Red flag' symptoms include: progression of physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms, seizure, progressive vomiting, and altered mental status.

What is the prognosis of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)?

Most patients recover quickly, within 1-2 weeks.

However, persistent symptoms may be noted in 5-20% of persons who have mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI):

- Physical symptoms include headaches, dizziness, and nausea, and changes in coordination, balance, appetite, sleep, vision, and hearing.

- Cognitive and behavioral symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, depression, and irritability, and problems with memory, concentration and decision making.

Who is at greatest risk after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)?

Women, older adults, less educated persons, and those with a previous mental health diagnosis are more likely to have persistent symptoms.

Protecting the brain from concussion: $20-helmet is a good way to protect $100,000 education



Neuropsychologist Kim Gorgens makes the case for better protecting our brains against the risk of concussion -- with a compelling pitch for putting helmets on kids: A $20-helmet is a good way to protect $100,000 education. "Mind your (brain) matter."

References:
Subacute to chronic mild traumatic brain injury. Mott TF, McConnon ML, Rieger BP. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Dec 1;86(11):1045-51.
Image source: Hippocampus, from Wikipedia, public domain.

ESPN Announcers teach that girls are trophies - UPDATED

During last night's college football championship game, ESPN announcers Kirk Herbstreit and Brent Musburger took some time to gawk over Alabama's quarterback's girlfriend. Not just gawk, but I think Beavis & Butthead acted cooler in front of girls better than them. See for yourself:



This is shameful.

First of all, let's remember that Alabama is playing against Notre Dame, who totally botched a rape investigation and many people believe they covered it up. And continue to cover up rapes connected to the football team.

Second, most decent human beings are still in shock over the Steubenville, Ohio football rape case.The photo above comes from the protests held over the weekend. A little girl simply saying that she is more important than football.

Her sign is not just a call to prosecute any football players who participated in the rape, but a call to stop treating her like a thing. That sign is demanding recognition of her humanity; the humanity of all girls and women.

That is why when I heard this happened (I didn't see it live, but thanks to the internet for the clip!) I was livid.

As a huge sports fan, I know that rape culture is embedded in sports. I struggle with that...a lot. But that does not mean I need to sit idly by when announcers go on and teach our sons to get out a football to play catch with their dads in order to win a hot girlfriend.

UPDATE: 
ESPN has issued an apology, but not on their website. Well, it is embedded in an AP story, but it's not on their press release page. AND the AP story is about how Katherine Webb didn't mind Musburger gawking over her and doesn't get the uproar. Fair enough. But if you still have thoughts to pass on to ESPN, feel free to use their feedback page.

I've tried to read most of the comments on Facebook and here about the post. Here are some quick thoughts:

• I'm a Cubs fan and in the '80s Harry Caray & his buddy/producer, Arnie Harris, panned and zoomed in on at least one beautiful woman a game. I am very much aware that watching sports on TV may expose me to the "pretty girl" shot. But what we saw last night was much more than that. 
• I'm not opposed to telling a woman she is beautiful. I am opposed to telling all the boys watching that if they work hard enough to throw a ball, they are entitled to a pretty girlfriend. 
• I draw the connection to rape because rape occurs not because a woman is pretty, but because men think they are owed something from a woman, from women. Men who rape think women are objects to own or to serve them. If we teach boys that they are owed a pretty girlfriend for having the ability to throw a ball, that is not a good method in ending rape culture.
• Thanks to everyone who did appreciate this post. 

The Best Tennis Shoes for Bunions

Exactly What are Bunions?

A bunion is actually a deformity of the foot, and more particularly, the big toe, whose tissue becomes enlarged at the joint, thereby causing it to deviate laterally.

Facts on Bunions

The medical community is sometimes on the fence about the causes of bunions with some believing they are the direct result of extended wear of tight-fitting shoes, especially those with pointed toes. However, others strongly believe they are hereditary, but definitely related to wearing shoes that force the big toe inwards.

Whatever the medical community believes to be true, the bottom line is that studies have shown that they are caused by poorly fitting shoes, simply proven by cultures where shoes are not worn and where there is no case of bunions existing.

Bunions are not only unsightly, they are also extremely painful. The big toe, in severe cases, will either over or under lap the second toe, making wearing shoes extremely uncomfortable and painful. When the situation worsens, pain can develop even when barefoot. Other symptoms associated with bunions include skin irritation and redness around the area, as well as blisters forming at the site. Arthritis is another common problem associated with bunion development, as is bursitis.

What are the Best Shoes for Bunions

Having bunions is truly a difficult thing to live with, making it very hard to find comfortable shoes and walk without pain. Many patients have to wear larger sized shoes to accommodate the added width of the bunion. That's why it's crucial for a sufferer to find the right shoes that will make walking or playing more comfortable.

One suggestion is to invest in a shoe with a wider toe box, and avoid trying to break in footwear. Also, women might want to give men's shoes a try because they are naturally wider to accommodate a men's feet.

New Balance: New Balance is a leader in the field of sports shoes and is embraced by many patients with bunions. They offer different tennis shoes to pick from, and they provide the support and stability required. One suggestion is the New Balance 587 model, which comes with a wider toe box.

The Saucony ProGRID Omni: Another popular shoe that gives patients stability, control, and comfort is the Saucony ProGRID Omni. It is renowned for its availability in various widths, providing patients with bunions somewhat of a "custom fit" with extra cushioning in the area. Get more information on shoes here.

The Mizuno Wave Rider: You'll get lots of support for the forefoot in this model, which has been specially designed to relieve foot and bunion pain. It is a lightweight shoe with plenty of mesh on the upper, making it a wonderful choice for athletes.

About the Author:
Joyce G. is a professional health blogger and writer. She currently partners with altrazerodrop.com in raising awareness about the importance of health and fitness. Get more information on shoes here.

Review: Strong!

Cheryl Haworth isn't just strong, she was the youngest athlete to win an Olympic weightlifting medal.

The documentary, Strong!, follows Haworth as she recovers from a frightening injury. But what made this story poignant was how weight, femininity and beauty are discussed. 

At one point, Haworth and two other women who weight-lift discuss what it means to larger than average and it was heartbreaking. Haworth recounts that during the 2000 Olympics a man asked her to pose with a cheeseburger. Now imagine me in my living room yelling, "REALLY?!" Haworth and the other women talk about how they are athletes and thus watch what they eat. But at 300 lbs, Haworth looks more fat than strong to most people.

And that conflict between loving her strong body and conforming to society's beauty standards plays out during a shopping trip where Haworth voices her displeasure with even finding clothes in her size. "I find solace knowing I could beat up anyone in this store," she remarks as her friend scours for the elusive size.

Watch Shopping's a Drag for a Power Lifter on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.

Later on in the documentary, Haworth ponders her future career choices, one of which is being in the Coast Guard. Which would require her to lose 110 pounds. This ignites more conversation about Haworth's body image where she admits to wanting to lose weight for vanity's sake. Haworth's struggle against beauty standards seems similar to current USA Olympian Sarah Roble not being valued by companies who usually gobble up young Olympians for endorsement deals.

Strong! is an intriguing peek into women's weightlifting and does a great job at the body image issue. Together this is a documentary well worth your time. It premiered on PBS in late June, so check your local listings for when it will reair in your area or perhaps it still hasn't shown on your local station.

Disclaimer: I received a review DVD of this documentary.

Drowning Prevention Guidelines

Here is a video from the Cleveland Clinic:



Key risk factors for drowning are:

- male sex
- age of less than 14 years
- alcohol use
- low income
- poor education
- rural residency
- aquatic exposure
- risky behavior
- lack of supervision

For people with epilepsy, the risk of drowning is 15 to 19 times as high as the risk for those who do not have epilepsy.

For every person who dies from drowning, another four persons receive care in the emergency department for nonfatal drowning.

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

- Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs.

- Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water.

- The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.

- Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.

- Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.

- From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

References:

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning. Mario Vittone.On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006 (page 14)
Drowning - free NEJM review, 2012 http://goo.gl/xSqLu

NBA GAME 2 MIAMI HEAT VS OKC THUNDER, HEAT 100, THUNDER 96

Durant drove, forearms got tangled and in the play that would define the night, Durant missed his off-balance, running seven-foot jumper from the baseline late Thursday night. James made his stand, and the Miami Heat secured their first win of the 2012 finals, a 100-96 nailbiter at Chesapeake Arena.

The series is tied at 1-1 as it head to Miami for the next three games, starting Sunday.

Durant overcame constant foul trouble to lead a furious fourth-quarter rally, as the Thunder nearly wiped out a 13-point deficit. Durant finished with 32 points, 16 in the fourth quarter. James also scored 32 points and got a healthy dose of support from his fellow stars. Dwyane Wade scored 24 points, while Chris Bosh added 16 points and 15 rebounds in his return to the starting lineup. In the 12 previous instances where the teams split the first two games, the team that started at home has won the championship eight times.

Durant picked up his fifth foul while tangling for a rebound with 10 minutes 31 seconds to play, the Thunder trailing by 11 points. There was little choice but to leave him in the game.

Undaunted, Durant promptly hit a 3-pointer, then followed with a fast-break dunk that started the Thunder on 12-3 run. Russell Westbrook's 3-point play cut the deficit to 85-81 with 6:06 to play.

The Thunder nearly completed the comeback when they forced Wade into a backcourt turnover and Durant converted a 3-pointer, making it 98-96 with 37.5 seconds left. But Durant could not convert that final basket, and James sealed the game with two free throws.

Westbrook was erratic all night, in part because of some questionable shot selection and possibly because of an injury to his left thumb, which was revealed at the morning shootaround. He shot 6 for 18 over the first three quarters.

On Tuesday, Durant had one of the best finals debuts in modern history, with 36 points. It was a difficult act to follow, even for him. He scored only 6 points in the first half , going 0 for 5 from the 3-point arc. Durant and Westbrook were a combined 5 for 19 from the field in the half, their struggles slightly offset by Harden, who scored 17 points.

Manny Pacquiao Denounces Anti Gay Allegations

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Manny Pacquiao says he loves and supports gays and lesbians, even though he does not approve of gay marriage.

The world champion boxer and Filipino congressman has been criticized ever since he gave an interview to the examiner.com website in which he opposed President Barack Obama's support for gay marriage.

Pacquiao said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press that he doesn't support gay marriage because of his Roman Catholic beliefs. But he says he has gay friends and relatives, and supports their rights.

The previous story contained a Bible passage calling for the death of "a man (who) lies with a man," and Pacquiao says many readers erroneously believed he had quoted that verse.

He says he had not.

Pacquiao was banned from filming a television show at a Hollywood shopping mall after the article appeared, and a petition appeared on change.org to persuade sponsor Nike to dump him.

By: GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

He's Considering Retirement Floyd Mayweather Jr.

At the end of a tough, long night,Floyd Mayweather Jr.was left staring at a June 1 jail sentence and a boxing landscape that he seems to believe cannot deliver another quality opponent.

The unbeaten 35-year-old champion late Saturday said he's leaning "80-20" toward retirement.

"If it was my last fight, I gave them a bang," Mayweather (43-0) said after his unanimous-decision (118-110, 117-111, 117-111) triumph over Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto (37-3) at MGM Grand.

"There's really no one for me to fight anymore."

Well, there's Manny Pacquiao, but with the sides divided over money, ego and whatever else they can think up as leverage, who else is there?

The obvious backup to Pacquiao seemed to beMexico's21-year-old Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (40-0-1), who dominated Pomona's Shane Mosley by unanimous decision Saturday.

But Alvarez's promoter Richard Schaefer said after the fight he'd just booked the rising star and World Boxing Council super-welterweight champion to headline a Sept. 15 pay-per-view bout at MGM Grand.

With Mayweather's jail term on a domestic-violence conviction expected to stretch into August even with time reduced for good behavior that's not enough training days.

In addition, Schaefer introduced James Kirkland at the post-fight news conference, with Kirkland saying, "I would love to get that fight," versus Alvarez.

Alvarez is "interested" in fighting Kirkland, Schaefer said.

"I don't have to fight if I don't want to," Mayweather said. "They say to save the best for last, and if this was my last fight, it was a hell of a fight."

Mayweather's swollen face and nose proved that, after he and Cotto spent an hour Saturday exchanging punches in a bout that was more competitive than the scoring indicated.

Mayweather had high praise for his beaten foe's abilities, which shined most in a gritty eighth round that left the crowd cheering on its feet. He said Cotto fought hard, "but I wasn't going to succumb to that pressure."

On a possible Pacquiao fight, Mayweather said, "It's not going to happen."

Mayweather's point is that Pacquiao doesn't deserve a 50-50 split of revenues, because he contends the Mayweather brand generates more pay-per-view buys. Mayweather earned a record $32 million guarantee Saturday, and that figure will climb.

Mayweather also blames his ex-promoter and Pacquiao's current promoter, Bob Arum, for complicating the deal after Mayweather promised Pacquiao a $40 million guarantee months ago.

"It's not my fault," Mayweather said.

For now, Mayweather said he'll spend the rest of May visiting with friends and family, taking in his son's football games and daughter's gymnastics classes, with the June 1 jail date looming.

"When I go away, I'll jot down ideas for my company and my sport," he said.

"You cannot break Floyd Mayweather; you've got to know that from when I get hit with those shots in the ring. This is just small time, like training camp."

By: Lance Pugmire

Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) increased during the past 20 years but radiographic OA did not

A recent surge in knee replacements is assumed to be due to aging and increased obesity of the U.S. population.

This cross-sectional study used data from 6 NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) surveys between 1971 and 2004 and from 3 examination periods in the FOA (Framingham Osteoarthritis) Study between 1983 through 2005 of the U.S. population.

Prevalence of knee pain increased by 65% in NHANES from 1974 to 1994.

In the FOA Study, prevalence of knee pain and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis doubled in women and tripled in men over 20 years.

However, no such trend was observed in the prevalence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis.

Prevalence of knee pain has increased substantially over 20 years. Obesity accounted for only part of this increase.

Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis increased but radiographic knee osteoarthritis did not. Why the patients are more symptomatic now than 20 years ago?

Research Finds Exercise is Good for Arthritis (a Cleveland Clinic video):



What is Boomeritis?

In 2006, the NYTimes described the health problems of aging baby boomers who continue to exercise: osteoarthritis which needs "knee and hip replacements, surgery for cartilage and ligament damage, and treatment for tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis and stress fractures." Some doctors call this phenomenon "boomeritis" or "Generation Ouch."

References:

Increasing Prevalence of Knee Pain and Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: Survey and Cohort Data. ANN INTERN MED, December 6, 2011, vol. 155 no. 11 725-732.

What is Boomeritis?

Image source: OpenClipart.org, public domain.

What are Yips? (Mayo Clinic video)

Yips are involuntary wrist spasms that occur most commonly when golfers are trying to putt. However, the yips can also affect people who play other sports - such as cricket, darts and baseball.

It was once thought that the yips were always associated with performance anxiety. However, it now appears that some people have yips that are caused by a focal dystonia, which is a neurological dysfunction affecting specific muscles.



Charles H. Adler, M.D., neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, discusses study findings related to the yips, a condition affecting a significant number of already anxious golfers during putting or chipping.

References:

Yips. Mayo Clinic.

Running Marathons and Staying Injury Free - Mayo Clinic Video

Mayo Clinic Florida sports medicine physician Daniel Montero, M.D., provides tips on avoiding injuries while running in a marathon. He also addresses tips on:

- safely keeping up when running in large crowds
- staying hydrated
- dressing for weather conditions
- running the way you were trained to do

First snowmobile front flip landed and winter sport trauma (video)

Heath Frisby lands the first snowmobile front flip in competition:



This is what happens when the things don't go as planned: Colten Moore flies 120 feet into the air and then hits the snow hard in Snowmobile Freestyle Finals... (video below). He not only survived but went on to win Winter X Games Gold later.



Not all extreme winter sport champions are so lucky though, and some of them have barely escaped death, with life-altering injuries: Kevin Pearce reflects on Sarah Burke's death (USA Today).

Suggestions for cellulite

Benefit Anti-cellulite Body Movements Are there



Cellulite is a subject of much debate. France, which is the origin of the word cellulite has been medically recognized as a specific situation.



Cellulite is a kind of collected fatty tissue around the buttocks and hips are. Such as orange peel skin is deep pit. under the surface of the skin in that area of ​​the body hardens. reduced elasticity of the skin.



Cellulitis often occurs presumably fat fat alone is not the case in individuals. can be seen in people with normal weight or even weaker than normal.



There are methods to prevent or to destroy cellulite. A filtering method may also lead to the formation of cellulite is usually inadequate.

For this reason, water and substances in the tissues is no longer collected. Therefore, at least 8 glasses of water a day, every day drinking.



Most of the doctors instead of a special cellulite creams and massage tools to resolve some of the exercises, body movements suggests.

Hips by doing exercises that strengthen muscles and stimulate circulation prevents sagging of tissues.

The Importance of Exercise for Body

Exercise as you make the body consumes more energy. The body is converted into energy by burning fats. And as a result, reduces the amount of fat in the blood.Exercise is very important and useful to the body. Exercise speeds up the blood circulation. muscles require more oxygen and midwives. Heart works harder to accelerate the circulation of blood for this purpose. Red blood cells of oxygen and carbon dioxide storage at the end of throwing the whole system is doing a better job, start to run faster.

Erector Chest Movements

Amplified, run the support muscles of her breasts develop. These muscles behind the breast tissue, the arms are at the top and back. In the chest area below the normal body size in this case provides a larger and more ostentatious display would be appropriate to create lines. On the contrary the problem only from the grit size and clumsy thorax, addiction is caused by a decrease in size without excess part of the disposable. Thus, the body lines look smoother gain.

Must useful to support the muscles of the chest is provided with swimming movements. The muscles work against the water pressure and the resistance movements in water.

Health Benefits of Sport

The way to have a health body is through sports. Together with other in a wide variety of sport, more preferred ones in the sports. Forcing himself to make sport alone, many people are energized. However, tennis, volaybol, others played games such as basketball or gymnastics club is easy to participate in the work. In addiction, make new contacts and expand the way people around to do with the sport also finds the possibility of having friends. Develop a human form involved is sport increases self-confidence.

Playing sport is the heart and lungs work better. Sport to prevent premature aging of the respiratory organs and muscles of the body.

Other things I've written...but not here

Woohoo! It's another post about stuff I've written for other blogs.

First up is a piece I did for Gapers Block last month on the Chicago Bandits and the grand opening of their stadium:

Opening night for the Chicago Bandits, Chicago's professional softball team, was a pitchers' duel between Bandit Monica Abbott and the USSSA Pride's Danielle Lawrie. After a picture perfect first inning, an errant throw by Abbott in the second led to the Pride getting on base. Thankfully she was saved by a clinic-worthy cutoff throw to home to keep the game scoreless. The duel resumed and continued until the bottom of the seventh, when the Bandits skillfully moved Megan Wiggins, who led off the inning, around the bases, capped off with Caitlin Lever's shot to right field to bring Wiggins home. The crowd erupted in a roar to signal the end of the game. [read the rest at Gapers Block]

Second is a bit of an op-ed I write for Gapers Block about the Chicago Red Stars shortened home season:

Women's professional sports has a long history of ups and downs. Women's professional soccer reached its peak in 2000 by riding the wave of Mia Hamm fever and the USA team winning the World Cup in sports bra-baring style. But then the fans did not show up and the Women's United Soccer Association folded in 2003. In 2009, the Women's Professional Soccer League opened shop with a Chicago franchise, the Chicago Red Stars, and played at the beautiful Toyota Park in Bridgeview. They fielded all-star players like Illinoisan Ella Masar and Brazil's Cristiane.[read the rest at Gapers Block]

And no, Andrew hasn't totally roped me into being on staff at Gapers Block. But I am joining their softball team.

Lastly, I wrote a ranty lil piece for Chicagonista on women and unions. I'm sure that one will "haunt" me in the future. But ya know what? I stand by that piece. And hopefully my future self will too.

Late last week, the Mayor said that the city workers union had to come up with contract concessions by July 1st or risk hundreds of layoffs. The current contract was signed by former Mayor Daley and built upon the idea that furlough days would continue and Mayor Emanuel does not want to continue them. And that means real money needs to be cut and by last Friday.

So why am I saying that this is a way on the working women of Chicago?

Think about it. Who are the bulk of Chicago teachers? Women. Women make up 60% of local employees*. When we get to state employees, it is 50.7% of workers, which makes Governor Quinn’s refusal to pay raises important to this state’s women…and as we know, when women are shortchanged, families are shortchanged. [read the whole piece at Chicagonista]

 I'm scheduled for a piece at Girl w/Pen soon, so head over there too.

Cyclist who survived: Use your head. Use your helmet

James Cracknell, OBE (born 5 May 1972) is a British rowing champion and double Olympic gold medalist.

From Official JCracknell: On 20th July it's exactly one year since James Cracknell was seriously injured in a cycling accident in America. His helmet saved him. James has made a short film to encourage others to wear cycle helmets. To show your support, pass the film to your friends and most importantly, when you're out cycling, use your head. Use your helmet.

More about the cycling Accident from Wikipedia:

On 20 July 2010, Cracknell was hit from behind by a truck whilst attempting to cycle, row, run and swim from Los Angeles to New York within 16 days. The accident happened at around 5.30 am on a quiet stretch of road outside Winslow, Arizona. It has been reported that his bicycle helmet saved his life but he suffered a contre-coup injury to the frontal lobes of his brain. He is now back at home with his family, although recovery is expected to be still some time away.

Related reading:

How Dangerous is Cycling? Cycling Accidents Facts and Figures - INFOGRAPHIC