Hero
As someone who frequently pulls ticks off my dogs after hikes in the Marin Headlands, I’m a bit freaked out about Lyme disease. Don’t fool yourself into believing Lyme exists only on the East Coast, because infected, bloodsucking ticks reside right here. To help us understand the risk, prevention and treatment of Lyme disease, the Bay Area Lyme Foundation presents “Lunch. Learn. Lyme,” moderated by ABC7 News anchor Cheryl Jennings. The fundraiser features a panel of speakers, including research scientist Dan Salkeld, whose postdoctoral work has focused extensively on Lyme disease in the woodland communities of California; Sunjya Schweig, MD, an expert in complex chronic illnesses; and Corte Madera resident Kirsten Stein, who became disabled from Lyme nine years ago. Corinthian Yacht Club, Tiburon, Oct. 11. For tickets, visit balymef.ejoinme.org/lunchlearnlyme.
Zero
It was hard to pick the Zero this week. We considered the assault and robbery of an 81-year-old woman at a San Rafael bowling alley and the perv who masturbated in front of two coeds at Dominican University. (Kudos to San Rafael’s finest for arresting both perpetrators.) But the loser this week is a health threat provided to us by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Yes, the folks tasked with our protection have hatched a plan to let some Marin residents go hungry, namely immigrants. Under a new DHS proposal, all “aliens” must establish that they are not likely to become a public charge at any time. Basically, it requires that immigrants may not depend on public resources, including the federal CalFresh food program, even though one in five Marin residents qualifies for nutritional assistance. Our immigrant residents are at risk, and it’s our responsibility to speak out. Call your congressperson and submit comments on this proposed rule, DHS Docket Number USCIS-2010-0012, by visiting regulations.gov.
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