SOUTH BAY TO DISCUSS AUTISM EPIDEMIC

Submitted By Marcy Winograd

Marcy Winograd is challenging Jane Harman in the June 8th Democratic Party primary.

Autism is one of life’s many mysteries that leaves children, later adults, often enclosed in a world of their own. A cousin of mine is autistic. He can paint huge watercolor canvasses and audit classes at Harvard, but he cannot talk to you, nor look you in the eye, nor hold the woman he longs to love.

Derived from the Greek word autos, meaning self, autism is characterized by a withdrawal from social interaction into the self and can include a wide spectrum of disorders, from mild to severe. I've seen a child with autism bang a helmeted head against the wall until a caring hand intervened.

In the past, we blamed autism on genes – but an epidemic of autism makes us question whether genes, alone, can be the cause.

Yes, autism rates have skyrocketed in America, where, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism affects one in every 91 children born today, making autism more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. Ten years ago the autism rate was one in 500, far lower than today.

In budget-strained California, where school districts are reducing special education classes, autism continues to climb while resources dwindle. A UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute study published in the January 2009 issue of the journal Epidemiology, found a seven to eight-fold increase since 1990 in the number of children born in California with autism. The incidence of autism by age six in California rose from fewer than nine in 10,000 to more than 44.

Previously, researchers attributed the spikes in autism rates to better counting and diagnosing. Now, they suggest the research should shift from genetics to the plethora of chemicals and infectious microbes poisoning our environment. “It’s time to start looking for the environmental culprits responsible for the remarkable increase in the rate of autism in California,” said UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute researcher Irva Hertz-Picciotto, a professor of environmental and occupational health.

Hertz-Picciotto said the rise in autism cases in California cannot be explained by the state's increasingly diverse population because the disorder impacts ethnic groups at similar rates.

People who live in the 36th congressional district, home to Super Fund sites and oil refinery contamination, surely find it troubling that University of California at Davis researchers identified high rates of autism in the Harbor, Torrance, and beach cities, along with pockets of Gardena and Carson.

In Torrance, the autism rate is nearly twice that of neighboring South Los Angeles.

What’s going on?

Some suggest the rates are higher because more college-educated parents seek help when their babies fail to develop normally or when their once-bubbly toddler suddenly falls silent. Researchers at UC Davis, however, suspect it’s the environment and are investigating the possible effects of metals and pesticides on neurodevelopment.

Still, there is no conclusive evidence linking autism with environmental toxins, because so little has been invested in researching the link. "Right now, about 10 to 20 times more research dollars are spent on studies of the genetic causes of autism than on environmental ones. We need to even out the funding," Hertz-Picciotto said.

In the South Bay/Torrance/harbor area of the 36th congressional district we stand at the intersection of oil refineries, chemical plants, sewage treatment facilities, diesel exhaust fuel and rubber and DDT Super Fund sites – a series of environmental challenges that could be misfiring our children’s brain circuitry.

It’s certainly worth investigating.

On Sunday, April 11, from 2- 5 pm, at the Torrance Cultural Art Center, Miller Recreation Center Auditorium, 3300 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, I will moderate a public forum: Autism in the South Bay: A Symposium on Possible Causes and Solutions. The symposium will feature parents, like Deborah Merlin and Matthew Asner, who have confronted autism in their own families, as well as medical doctors David Allen of the Center for Optimum Health and James Blumenthal of the Brain Performance Center. Dr. James T. McCracken, a professor of Child Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine will also participate.

It’s important we have a candid and open discussion between family members of autistic children and experts in the field. We encourage anyone with interest in this issue to attend, to hear about successful interventions and evidence that supports the call for further research on links between environmental contamination and autism.

With more conclusive research, will come louder and more urgent demands for environmental clean up at Super Fund sites near Torrance, stricter regulation and federal oversight of oil company pollution in Wilmington, and the political will to ensure our port reduces its diesel exhaust from idling trucks in San Pedro.

As an educator, a mother, and a congressional candidate eager to represent the 36th congressional district, I believe we owe it to our children to raise the decibel level of this conversation.

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For more information on the April 11th event -Autism in the South Bay; A Symposium on the Possible Causes and Solutions - email Marcy@WinogradforCongress.com

ONE LONELY LITTLE FISH, A SAN PEDRO RESIDENT, TAKES ON A BIG FISH – AEG--OWNERS OF STAPLES CENTER WHERE POP STAR MICHAEL JACKSONS’ MEMORIAL WAS HELD-- NEEDS TO OFFER “GOOD WILL,” SHE SAYS AFTER THE CITY SPENT A FORTUNE DURING TOUGH TIMES TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE EVENT

IN THE BEGINNING, ARLENE DICKEY SUPPORTED THE MAYOR’S DECSION TO SPEND THE FUNDS UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENED AND INVOLVED HOMELESS CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHERS

By Diana L. Chapman

There was a moment in time – no matter how short – that San Pedro resident Arlene Dickey found herself defending the mayor of Los Angeles.

While other Los Angeles citizens were outraged that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa allowed the city to spend more than $1 million of taxpayer money to ensure that Michael Jackson had a peaceful – yet posh memorial service at Staples Center-- Arlene defended the mayor boldly in a letter to the editor.

The mayor’s decision, she stated in a local newspaper, painted an excellent “chamber of commerce picture” for the city of the Angels. That opinion, however, changed overnight.

A turn of events redirected Arlene’s course and set her on a new path – one that led her to contact AEG (the organization that owns Staples Center where the pop star’s glitzy memorial was given). Since then, she has landed in both the offices of AEG and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich out of pure determination and grit.

Her new commitment: she’s on a mission appealing to AEG to make “a goodwill gesture” to the swath of residents, many who feel betrayed across Los Angeles, that they picked up part of the tab for a celebrity memorial.

The gesture, she explained, is that AEG should pay the costs for all non-profits permits during the month of this coming December. Los Angeles paid about $1.4 million for police and city services for the event.

For our lonely resident, it hasn’t been an easy road – but if one knows this woman as I do –she’s relentless and rarely gives up just because of a few hairpin curves. That’s what made the story so appealing to me when I first heard about it casually in the Los Angeles port community of San Pedro. Her pure and genuine determination intrigued me.

In the beginning, Arlene believed of the memorial:

“Well, let AEG pay; they have plenty of money…and stand to make a fortune. However, on further contemplation, I began to see another side of this,” Arlene wrote to a Random Lengths, a San Pedro newspaper. “Los Angeles, with all of its problems, looked like a star to the rest of the world. We had calm and our police and service workers were so well received, we looked great.

“ You can’t ask for a better chamber of commerce picture than that which sends a positive image of our city to the world.”

Now Dickey truly regrets those words. What changed her tune was a small, but shocking piece of information she received from a non-profit ; it made her do a complete turn-about.

As a volunteer for Harbor Interfaith Services – a homeless shelter for women and their children in San Pedro -- Arlene busily raised money for the next several months after the Jackson services. After reeling in about $2,000, she presented the shelter with the funds.

Then its Director of Development Caroline Brady-Sinco dropped a bomb shell. The director explained to Arlene that $500 of her hard earned dollars must be set aside to receive a city permit -- just so the agency could host for its homeless children and mothers -- its annual Christmas block party. Brady, despite repeated calls, could not be reached for comment.

“I was mortified,” Dickey said, “that I was schlepping around to raise money for the homeless shelter and then they have to pay for permits. And I was just appalled that AEG got away with it.”

Furious, Arlene defined and defended her new mission. She decided then and there that AEG should pay for all non-profit permits that roll into the city during the month of December, likely to be thousands of dollars.

While you and I might be sitting outside trying to get into AEG’s office, Arlene first met with AEG officials on Jan. 21 and laid out her plan. According to her, company officials she met with explained that they liked the idea – and believed company CEO Timothy J. Leiweke – might “do something for the city.”

Just one thing, the officials added, they’d be more than prepared to do this if she could get City Attorney Carmen Trutanich to drop the threat of a criminal lawsuit. Trutanich – who was accused of using “bully tactics” by the AEG’s CEO – launched an investigation into the potential “illegalities” in the way the city used public funds to help AEG host the memorial.

Despite repeated phone calls, AEG officials have not responded to this story to provide any comments. One call assured me I would hear from an official soon, but that was days ago.

After her meeting with AEG, Arlene found herself knocking on Trutanich’s door where she spent an hour with the big bully himself – which of course is what I like about the new city attorney. Someone has to bully the city; they certainly do enough bullying themselves.

While the city attorney’s office refused to disclose the conversation, staff did confirm Arlene came in to explain her position. Trutanich, the volunteer said, told her exactly what I thought he would when hearing about this -- that AEG was likely using her as a pawn.

“My office cannot comment,” said Jane Usher, a senior advisor to Trutanich. “So sorry but those (are) the rules of my attorney-client confidential position. I can tell you that we met with Arlene and that she and her passion for the community are delightful and welcome.”

Arlene too admits that AEG was probably using her. But that has not once derailed her.

“It’s such a simple, easy thing. It has absolutely nothing to do with politics,” Arlene stated flatly. “It’s for the kids.”

As far as Usher’s assessment that Arlene’s passions are delightful, I agree. We need more residents like this to stand up and see the big picture and fight for our rights.

Where Arlene’s mission will go, no one knows. But what I like is she didn’t take it sitting down. Nor should the rest of us.

McKenna Sucher, 11, makes herself a cup of tea

The ART OF WRITING AND POURING TEA WITH KIDS AT NOSH CAFE
Susan McKenna, owner of Nosh, and her friend, Marisa Guiffre

Casey Mezin, 13, pours tea for his friends

Danica Collins, Kealan Sucher, both, 8, and sister and
brother, Sean ,8, and Shersten,9, Rosenthal try sausage rolls
and other tidbits

Sophia Perez clutches her writing book after a reading

Devyn Collins pours tea for her friends.

Aileen Perez and her 6-year-old daughter
Amelia, theyoungest writer in the class


Gavin Gilham and Diego Van Antwerp finally happy
that dessert is served!
T
Ava Pfannerer pours tea for her mother.

Keliz Mezin,10, and Jackie Gray are all smiles.

WRITERS TEA TIME AT NOSH CAFÉ – CRUMPETS WITH GOLDEN SYRUP, REAL WHIP CREAM, DELICIOUS STRAWBERRIES – OH MY! A GROUP OF WRITING STUDENTS READ THEIR STORIES TO THEIR PARENTS OUT LOUD AT AFTERNOON TEA

UPDATE ON CAR CRASH ON PASEO DEL MAR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

DON’T FORGET FAMILY KITE FLYING DAY AT 22^nd STREET PARK APRIL 10

LAST OF ALL, A NEW BLOG TO SHARE THE DAYS OF WHINING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND THOSE WITH OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES AT www.themultiplesclerosischronicles.blogspot. com

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TEA TIME AT NOSH CAFE

One can always count on Susan McKenna – owner of downtown San Pedro’s Nosh Café – to put on a classy event with delectable treats – even when the primary customers are kids ages six through twelve.

Susan -- with her help of longtime friend Marisa Guiffre wanted to teach children a bit about afternoon tea English/Aussie style – spoiling them with a triumph of colorful foods – from big, juicy strawberries with real whipped cream to sausage rolls with finger sandwiches -- cucumber, salmon and ham.

While the kids enjoyed their food, it seemed they enjoyed too the actual act of pouring tea out for each other and reading their stories out loud to their parents, who also attended.

The writing group – some of whom have come for two years – meet regularly on Wednesdays at the Corner Store, which Susan and Marisa once owned. The new Corner Store Owner Peggy Lindquist has allowed the students to meet their each week.

The next writing session begins May 5.

For more information about the writing group, email: hartchap@cox.net. For more information about holding events with Nosh, call: 310-514-1121. To reach the corner Store, call: (310) 831-2424.

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DRIVER OF CAR THAT FLIPPED OVER ON SIDE OF PASEO DEL MAR LAST WEDNESDAY CHARGED

The driver of a car, who allegedly drove erratically along Paseo del Mar last Wednesday (March 27), was charged last week with a felony.

Sgt. Jon Aufdemberg, now in charge of the Los Angeles Police’s South Traffic Division’s Community Traffic Safety Unit, said the driver was arrested for a felony of drunken driving or driving under the influence of drugs.

The passenger was taken to the hospital with the complaints of pain and was treated and released, Aufdemberg said.

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DON’T FORGET THE FAMILY KITE FLYING EVENT APRIL 10 AT SAN PEDRO’S 22^nd STREET PARK

Volunteers plan to teach children how to build and fly kites at The “First Annual Kite Fly” in San Pedro – an event hoped to bring families and the community together.

Professional kite flyers will launch their more spectacular kites on Saturday April 10 a.m. to 2 while volunteers spend time teaching children how to build and fly their own kites. The event, at 22^nd Street Park, is free.

About 1,000 instructional kites will be available, said James Weston, who learned the art of kite flying when his mother owned and operated the Up, Up & Away kite store in Seal Beach. The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.

Residents James and Monica Weston both learned kite flying techniques from James mother, Monty, who launched an annual event called the Japan American Annual Kite Festival in Seal Beach, now going into his 15^th year.

Monty died in 2007, but the store remained in the family’s hands when James’s sister-in-law-Kim took it over.

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THE M.S. CHRONICLES
-----Dear Readers:

I’m unveiling a new blog that will provide a place for those of us with chronic illnesses to tell our stories. It's meant to shed light to the health issues we suffer from and help those , friends and family, who endure with us. Writings will be accepted from others who want to share their stories. Here are some glimpses into our lives. Visit http://www.themschroniclesblogspot.com