Friday, March 20, 2009

Not The Answer


Do you think offshore drilling is the answer in building US oil reserves? If not, now is your opportunity to tell national leaders that offshore drilling is a BAD POLICY for our oceans and our future. Recently, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar extended the public comment period for the Minerals Management Service (“MMS”) proposed 5-year offshore oil and gas plan by 180-days. This plan was drawn up by the Bush Administration in its waning hours to form the basis for making future decisions on what the Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”) program should include.

Offshore oil and gas leasing poses a seemingly endless list of harms to the ocean, caused by both large spills and gradual degradation of the ocean associated with drilling-related activities. The dangers range from the vast long-term ecological impacts to the destruction of marine habitat, recreational uses and the economic value of our ocean resources.

Take action now – tell the Secretary of Interior to limit new drilling on the outer continental shelf and support ocean conservation and alternative energy development. Go to http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/not_the_answer_03_09 to send a letter to Secretary Salazar.

You can join the new cause group on Facebook created by the Surfrider Foundation: "Stop Offshore Drilling" - http://tinyurl.com/dfgfxv

For updates and information be sure to visit Surfrider's Not The Answer blog at www.nottheanswer.org

Thursday, March 19, 2009

'Brazilian’ wax injuries lead state to wide ban

Something to consider next time you reach for your bikini!

The state Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling is moving toward a ban on genital waxing altogether after two women reported being injured in their quest for a smooth bikini line.

Both women were hospitalized for infections following so-called “Brazilian” bikini waxes; one of the women has filed a lawsuit, according to Jeff Lamm, a spokesman for New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs, which oversees the cosmetology board.

Technically, genital waxing has never been allowed — only the face, neck, abdomen, legs and arms are permitted — but because bare-it-all “Brazilians” weren’t specifically banned, state regulators haven’t enforced the law.

“The genital area is not part of the abdomen or legs as some might assume,” Lamm said.

Officials with the National Cosmetology Association and National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology said they were unaware of another state that has banned genital waxing.

Regular bikini waxes would still be allowed.

Genital waxing can be dangerous in that the hot wax can irritate or tear delicate skin in the bikini area, resulting in infections, ingrown hairs and rashes, according to skin care experts.

Despite such risks, millions of American women — and some men — choose to have the hair down there ripped away, and a majority of salons in New Jersey offer the procedure for between $50 to $60.

The state Board of Cosmetology meets next on April 14 and will decide whether to move forward with banning the procedure, made popular in Brazil to accommodate skimpy thong bikinis.

The earliest the ban could take effect would be sometime in May, Lamm said, and salons that continue to perform it could be fined.

For salon owners, discontinuing the popular service could mean a substantial drop in business, especially as summer swimsuit season nears.


Spa owner Linda Orsuto, who owns 800 West Salon & Spa in Cherry Hill, estimates that most of 1,800 bikini waxes performed at her business last year were Brazilian-style.

“It’s huge,” she said, adding that her customers don’t think their bikini lines are anyone’s business but their own. “It’s just not right.”

She said many customers would likely travel across state lines to get it and some might even try to wax themselves.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29773433/

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Last day of winter. Hooray!