Hot and Cold Therapy for Arthritis Joint Pain

How do you know when to use hot or cold therapy for joint and muscle pain, and what can help make these treatments work most effectively?

from EveryDayHealth.com
By Diana Rodriguez
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Sore, aching muscles often respond well to treatment with a heating pad. And when that bum knee or shin pain starts acting up, you can reach for a bag of frozen peas or an ice pack to help ease the pain and inflammation. Even though it's a different ailment, the pain caused by arthritis is similar to other aches and pains, and may be as effectively managed with hot and cold therapy. Hot and cold therapy is used to manage joint pain and stiffness naturally, using heat and ice.

Heat Therapy for Joint Pain

After a long day, soaking in a steaming shower or bathtub, sipping a cup of hot tea, or cozying up in a warm robe can make you feel comforted and soothed. There's a reason you reach for heat when you need relief from pain or stress: Heat is relaxing. Stiff, tense, and sore muscles can be relaxed and relieved with a little heat, and joints affected by arthritis pain are no different. Not only does heat relax muscles, it also stimulates blood flow and improves circulation, helps increases range of motion, and reduces stiffness in painful joints.

Cold Therapy for Joint Pain

When arthritis pain causes a sensation of burning, cool it off with cold — applying an ice pack or even a bag of frozen vegetables (easier to wrap around an area like a knee) can help to numb areas affected by joint pain. Cold therapy can reduce inflammation, a major cause of arthritis joint pain and stiffness. Placing a cold pack on a swollen joint can also help bring it back down to size, which will also lessen joint pain.

The Art of Using Hot and Cold Therapy

Hot and cold therapy each have their own appropriate uses. You should never apply heat to a joint that is already hot, red, and irritated, for example, nor should you apply cold to a joint that's stiff and not moving well. Remember, heat helps muscles relax; cold helps to minimize inflammation and pain.

It's also important to be careful when using hot and cold therapy to manage arthritis pain, or you might end up with damage to your skin from exposure to relatively extreme temperatures.

Here are suggestions for safely using heat therapy devices such as a heating pad, a heat pack, a hand towel soaked in hot water, a warm water soak, or a hot water bottle:
Make sure that the temperature is never uncomfortably high; you don't want to put your skin at risk for burns.
Place a cloth or towel between your skin and the heat source to prevent burns.
Don't apply heat to skin that is cut or injured in any way.
Never apply heat for longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Suggestions for safely using cold therapy devices such as a cold pack, a bag of frozen vegetables, or a bag of ice:
Use a cloth or towel between your skin and the cold source to prevent irritation or damage.
Avoid cold therapy if you have circulatory problems.
Never leave the cold application on your skin for longer than 20 minutes, and don't allow your skin to become too cold.
If you notice your skin becoming numb, blistered, bright red, or blotchy, remove the cold source immediately.

After using heat or cold on your joint pain, always evaluate your skin and look for any signs of damage like a change in color, rash, or blisters.

Switching between hot and cold therapy can offer excellent arthritis pain management benefits, as long as each one is used appropriately...read the full story at EveryDayHealth.com

Greenfield Ethanol to light the 2010 Canada 55+ Games

JOHNSTOWN, Ontario, July 29, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - GreenField Ethanol Inc., announced today that it will construct a custom lighthouse to inaugurate the 2010 Canada 55 + Games. Like an Olympic torch, the lighting of the lighthouse will start the Games being hosted in Brockville and the 1000 Islands from August 23 - 28, 2010. Last year, GreenField opened one of Canada's largest ethanol manufacturing plants in Johnstown, Ontario near Brockville.



The GreenField Ethanol Lighthouse will serve as a beacon for these national Games, guiding the 1,500 participants from across Canada to the hub of the Games at the Athletes' Village at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, as well as highlighting the competitors' achievements at the medal plaza. The lighthouse will be powered by ethanol, providing an environmentally friendly solution for the Games. Ethanol from the Johnstown plant reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 62% compared to gasoline and is therefore an important fuel to reduce Canada's environmental footprint.

"The GreenField Ethanol lighthouse will kindle the spirit of competition and camaraderie of the Games, while demonstrating the great contribution that ethanol makes to the community," said Ken Field, Chairman, GreenField Ethanol. "We are thrilled that the local area is hosting these world class games and we want to support the Canada 55+ Games' goal of active healthy living."

"The GreenField Ethanol lighthouse is a great reflection of the neighbouring Thousand Islands," said Laurence Bishop, Executive Director,of the 2010 Games "The lighthouse will put a spotlight on Brockville and the 2010 Canada 55+ Games. We want to thank GreenField Ethanol for this important sponsorship that helps the Games reduce its environmental footprint."

The GreenField Ethanol Lighthouse will stand almost 20 feet tall. The Lighthouse's revolving lamp was donated by the Canadian Coast Guard. The beam from the light will be seen from quite a distance and will be powered by a generator fueled by E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. This clean-burning fuel reduces GHG emissions compared to gasoline, reduces particulate emissions and eliminates the need for toxic byproducts such as benzene, which are used to raise octane levels in gasoline. (See http://files.newswire.ca/767/GreenfieldLighhouse.doc for a rendering of the lighthouse.)

The lighthouse will be erected a few days before the Tall Ships Landing Opening Ceremonies on August 25, and will be lit by a very special guest at the end of a torch run by local Hall-of- Famers and Special Olympians.

GreenField Ethanol Inc. ( www.greenfieldethanol.com) is Canada's leading ethanol producer. The company produces 550 million litres a year of ethanol at its plants in Johnstown, Chatham and Tiverton, Ontario and Varennes, Quebec. GreenField is actively involved in the development of biochemical process technology to produce cellulosic ethanol at its research facilities in Chatham, Ontario. The company is also working with Enerkem Inc. to build thermochemical cellulosic ethanol plants.

The Canada 55+ Games began in 1996 and is a nation-wide program to sponsor wellness, that is, the spiritual, mental and physical well being among Canadians 55 years of age and older. They are held every two years. The Games combine competitive physical activities and mental challenges. Games' participants have won competitions in their categories in their respective provinces and territories. Look for more detailed information about the 2010 Games at: www.brockville.ca

The Victor Davis Memorial Ride cycles through eight communities

Greg Davis rides from Guelph to Quebec City to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation


GUELPH, Ontario, July 28, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - Greg Davis, brother of the late Canadian Olympic swimmer Victor Davis, is embarking today on an 11-day cycling tour in memory of Victor and to raise awareness of the dire need for Ontarians to register their consent to organ and tissue donation.

Victor died after being involved in a hit-and-run accident in Montreal.

"Losing Victor was an enormous tragedy for the family," said Greg. "But we agreed to donate Victor's organs and the good that came from our loss was that five people received a new lease on life."

Greg begins his journey in Guelph. From there he will travel to Toronto, Cobourg, Belleville, Brockville and Ottawa. Once in the province of Quebec, he will cycle to Montreal and end his trip in Quebec City where he will participate in ceremonies of the Canadian Transplant Games as well as award medals to athletes in the cycling events.

This year's ride will celebrate the Ontario transplant recipients who are participating in the Canadian Transplant Association Games in Quebec City from August 9th to 14th. Many of these recipients will be meeting Greg at each stop along the way. In Guelph, heart recipient Carol Dubeau, lung recipient Michael Mazzuocco and multiple kidney recipient Lance Tyszka were in attendance to see Greg begin his ride.

"Greg, the Davis family and all of this year's transplant games participants have shown tremendous support in our goal to educate Ontarians on the importance of registering as organ and tissue donors," said Frank Markel, President and CEO of Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN). "They have worked tirelessly to encourage others to register so that even more lives can be saved."

"We hope that Ontarians will look at these wonderful people and choose to follow their lead. Each of us can register our consent to be a donor and each of us has the potential to save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 others. The gift of life is the greatest gift of all."

You can register your consent to donate your organs and tissue by visiting your local ServiceOntario office where you apply for or renew your health card. You can also register by downloading and filling out a Gift of Life Consent Form from www.giftoflife.on.ca and mailing it to the address on the form.

Even if you've signed your donor card in the past, you still need to register your decision so that your loved ones will know of your wish to save others.

For more details on the Victor Davis Memorial Ride please visit the event website at www.victordavismemorialride.com.

For more details on Trillium Gift of Life Network, please visit their website at www.giftoflife.on.ca. You can also call 416-363-4001 or toll free 1-800-263-2833.

Dangerous crossing

Blueprint America special report:
July 23rd, 2010

This week, the Sunlight Foundation, a non-partisan watchdog group, issued a report saying it had discovered more than $6 billion in federal transportation funding that has not actually been spent.

These unused pots of money, allocated by Congress for local projects, are called “disappearmarks.” The discrepancy is significant, since the nation’s transportation infrastructure needs an upgrade, and the taxpayers’ money was appropriated for that very purpose.

Need to Know teamed up with Blueprint America to check in with residents of Buford, Atlanta, where a highway dividing the town makes pedestrian safety a major concern. Local officials there say they could put those “disappearmarks” to good use.

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

Ontario Blinks, and Hazardous Waste Eco-Fee Is Canned

from TreeHugger.com
by Bonnie Alter, London

That was fast! On July 1, 2010 the Ontario government introduced an eco fee on manufacturers and importers of goods that produce hazardous waste. The list of 8,700 items affected included cleaning products, asthma inhalers, laundry detergent, paints, antifreeze, fluorescent bulbs, sun screen, potting soil, windshield washers and fire extinguishers.

It was expensive for some items: $26. on the new t.v., only ¢6 on sun screen. But it served an important purpose: the goal was to shift the cost of disposing hazardous waste from the taxpayer to the manufacturers and importers and the consumers. You pay your money and you make your choice. But consumers complained, and raged and stores over charged and the fee was cancelled a mere 2 weeks later.

There were problems. There wasn't enough warning or public education. Two years ago when the first eco fee was introduced only 9 items were affected. This time 'round with little or no notice, 8,700 household items were included.

The organization in charge, Stewardship Ontario did not ensure that the notation of the fee was clear and transparent. Some stores included it in the price tag, others separated it out. Since the list was so extensive, it got complicated to figure out the proper tax. Consumer advocates complained about inconsistent charges between stores.

To be fair, it was confusing. For example "different bottles of bleach can have different eco fees depending on their ingredients and Ph level. And the rules required the eco fee on a boater safety kit, including a bailer, whistle and waterproof flashlight be based on the total weight of the kit, not just the flashlight and its batteries to which it actually applied."

Canadian Tire, one of the country's largest retailers, announced that they would no longer charge it to customers. That was clever of them because they had been widely accused of over charging and inconsistent charging of the fee.

The official announcement is going to made next week about the future of the fee.

The unfortunate part of the whole mess is that landfills really are filling up and some one has to take responsibility for the hazardous waste produced. If properly handled, this fee would allow consumers to make informed decisions about what they buy, based on environmental considerations. And it would oblige manufacturers to get with the case and clean up their act... more story at TreeHugger.com

Brampton to host 2012 Ontario Senior Games Actifest

announcement by Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion

BRAMPTON, Ontario July 21, 2010 The City of Brampton has been named to host the 2012 Ontario Senior Games Actifest. Brampton was selected as the event host by the Sport Alliance of Ontario and the Ontario Senior Games Association.

“I am confident that Brampton will make these games a successful and memorable event for all participants, says Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion. “With our Open Ontario Plan, the McGuinty government is committed to increasing sport participation for Ontarians of all ages. Actifest participants are an inspiration to all Ontarians to lead healthy, active lifestyles.”

The Ontario Games Program is delivered by the SAO on behalf of the Government of Ontario. The Province is the primary funder of the Games.

The City of Brampton, the Ontario Senior Games Association, the Sport Alliance of Ontario, the Ministry of Health Promotion and the Brampton Senior Citizens Council have partnered to organize the 2012 event.

“Brampton is honoured to be hosting the 2012 Ontario Senior Games Actifest,” says Mayor Susan Fennell. “We have an active senior community here, and we will be ready to welcome seniors from across the province to enjoy our world-class facilities.”

The Games in Brampton are set to take place August 14-16, 2012, and will see over 1200 athletes, coaches and officials participating in a variety of events. Athletes will compete at community centres and recreational sites including the Flower City Community Centre and at historic Chinguacousy Park, one of the City’s signature recreation facilities.

Brampton has an active and diverse population of seniors. The Flower City Seniors’ Centre is a new state-of-the-art facility dedicated to offering activities, classes and social events for the City’s seniors. In 2009, more than 52 thousand seniors participated in programs at the Centre. There are 31 additional recreation and community centres, and more than 6,000 acres of parkland across Brampton.

About the Games

The 2012 Senior Games Actifest is an initiative of the Government of Ontario. The two-day event will be held in August 2012, and Brampton will welcome over 1200 participants, including athletes, coaches and officials. Ontario residents 55 years of age or older will compete in 18 different sports including: golf, lawn bowling, slo-pitch, swimming, tennis, euchre, bocce, darts and five-pin bowling.

About Brampton:

The 11th largest city in Canada, Brampton has a successful, well-diversified economy and is home to more than 8,000 businesses. The City continues to retain a Triple ‘A’ credit rating by Standard & Poor’s, reflecting its successful economy and debt-free position. Brampton celebrates its diverse population that represents people from more than 175 distinct ethnic backgrounds who speak more than 70 different languages. Offering more than 6,000 acres of parkland, Brampton takes pride in being known as the Flower City of Canada. Brampton has been designated as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organization. For more information visit www.brampton.ca

Arthritis expected to increase

TORONTO, July 19, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - The already staggering social and economic costs of arthritis in Canada are set to explode during the coming decades, says The Arthritis Society in response to a report released by the Public Health Agency of Canada today.

Life with Arthritis in Canada documents the latest trends and data regarding arthritis among Canadians over the age of 15.

"The devastating impact of arthritis on Canadian society has gone unnoticed in the public arena for too long," said Steven McNair, President and CEO of The Arthritis Society. "This report confirms that arthritis is becoming a major health challenge for Canada, as more people consume more health-care resources to manage their pain and disability. This means we need to step up our efforts to find better treatments and a cure."

Among the report's many findings:

- Arthritis is among the leading causes of disability in Canada, costing the Canadian economy $6.4 billion every year in health-care expenses and lost work days. Long-term disability accounts for two-thirds of that.

- More than four million Canadians aged 15 and older (16 per cent of the population) reported they had arthritis in 2007-2008, with three out of five being under 65. This number is estimated to increase to seven million by 2031.

- Arthritis is the second and third most common chronic condition reported by women and men, respectively.

- Arthritis accounted for six per cent of all hospitalizations in Canada in 2005-2006 (132,000 out of 2.2 million).

-Joint replacements more than doubled in Canada from 2001-2005.

Arthritis affects people of every age, physical condition and ethnic background. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, caused by joint inflammation and degeneration. According to the report, about 60 per cent of Canadians with the disease report difficulties with participating in recreation, leisure, hobbies or social activities.

The Arthritis Society says many of the risk factors associated with arthritis, such as physical inactivity and poor diet, can be modified to reduce pain and increase joint flexibility.

"We hope this report will serve as a wake-up call for people to take control of their disease through a healthy lifestyle and with the benefit of current treatments," added McNair.

Life with Arthritis in Canada brings together data from national population health surveys, provincial physician billing, drug databases, hospital admissions and mortality statistics, among other sources. It was developed in consultation with leaders from the scientific and research community, as well as stakeholder groups such as The Arthritis Society.

About The Arthritis Society

The Arthritis Society (www.arthritis.ca) is Canada's principal health charity empowering the more than four million Canadians with arthritis to live their lives to the fullest through extensive programs and services. Since its founding in 1948, The Society has invested more than $170 million towards arthritis research to develop better treatments and, ultimately, find a cure.

HST steers one half (50%) of Ontarians away from the pumps

Survey shows Ontarians will drive less due to increased gas tax


TORONTO, July 19, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - It has only been three weeks since the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) was introduced in Ontario, but residents are already feeling the pinch of the eight per cent increase in gasoline prices. A recent survey conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Retire Your Ride, Canada's national vehicle recycling program, uncovered that one half (50%) of Ontarians who own or lease a car will drive less than they used to due to the increase, with 16 per cent indicating they will drive a lot less.

The driving habits of lower-income Ontarians appear to be the most impacted, as three in five (62%) respondents whose family earns less then $30,000 say they will drive less due to the increased cost of gas.

"The effects of the harmonized sales tax on gasoline prices, combined with the environmental conscience of Ontarians, have caused drivers to re-think their transportation habits," said Rebecca Spring, program manager at Summerhill Impact, Ontario delivery agent for Retire Your Ride. "Shifting to more sustainable forms of transportation is both a responsible environmental decision and a win for the wallets of Ontarians."

For Ontarians who own a 1995 model year or older vehicle, the increased price of fuel is yet another cost they must incur for a vehicle that may already be expensive to maintain. These individuals already may struggle with higher than average maintenance costs and more frequent trips to the mechanic. By participating in Retire Your Ride, Ontarians can eliminate those costs and also be rewarded with one of a number of rewards available to program participants, including:

- Bicycles - A discount of $350 to $490 off of a high-end commuter bicycle as well as up to 15% off parts and services

- Transit Passes - Free transit passes in some municipalities

- Car Share - Discounts off AutoShare rates and memberships

- Cash - $300 cash

Prior to the implementation of the Harmonized Sales Tax in Ontario,
motorists paid five per cent GST on gasoline. Now, Ontarians pay an additional
eight per cent when they fill up their tanks, causing many to consider
alternate modes of transportation. In lieu of driving, 44 per cent of survey
respondents claim they are likely to use sustainable modes of transportation
more often. Of these 44 per cent:

- 32 per cent will walk
- 16 per cent will ride a bike
- 12 per cent will use public transit
- 12 per cent will carpool
- 8 per cent will car share

An even larger majority (59%) of younger Ontarians (aged 18 to 34) say they're likely to use these modes of transportation more often now that gas is more expensive. Two in five (41%) who say they will reduce the use of their own cars say they will walk more often and many will also carpool (29%), use public transit (23%), ride a bike (22%), or car share (11%).

"For those Ontarians who own model-year 1995 and older vehicles and who are looking to save money by switching to a more sustainable mode of transportation like biking, transit or car sharing, Retire Your Ride can help," said Spring. "Program participants that take advantage of our discounts have the freedom to experiment with new transportation options without making a large financial commitment."

Through the Retire Your Ride program, vehicle materials are removed, re-used or responsibly disposed of. Retire Your Ride's participating auto recyclers follow a National Code of Practice and ensure that materials such as oil, gasoline, refrigerants, mercury switches, wheels, and tires are removed from vehicles prior to scrappage in order to protect our air, water and land.

In June 2008, the Government of Canada committed up to $92 million over four years to the Retire Your Ride program to help Canadians recycle their older, higher polluting vehicles and make sustainable transportation choices, leading to reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The program runs until March 31, 2011.

About Retire Your Ride - retireyourride.ca

Retire Your Ride is a national program designed to effectively and efficiently retire 1995 model year or older vehicles in an environmentally responsible manner, in an effort to improve air quality and encourage the use of sustainable transportation. The Retire Your Ride program is delivered nationally by Summerhill Impact, funded by the Government of Canada and supported by a network of experienced regional delivery agents across the country, as well as a national network of automotive recyclers.

Gadgets for Seniors: Best Gear for the 60+

From E-Readers to Clocks, These Are Some of the Best Gizmos for Seniors

from Good Morning America
By BECKY WORLEY
'GMA' Technology Contributor
July 13, 2010

Technology and gadget companies are recognizing the unique needs of an aging population. We look at the best gear for the over-sixty crowd....read more story at Good Morning America

"Same old auto insurance roller coaster of high premiums, reduced coverage"

TORONTO, July 15, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today's auto insurance rate approvals released by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) essentially hold rates flat for Ontario consumers while dramatically reducing their coverage.

"Consumers are essentially paying about the same for insurance, but are getting much less protection," said Dale Orlando, President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA). "For example, in some cases medical and rehabilitation coverage is being reduced from $100,000 to $3,500. With such a dramatic decrease in coverage without a corresponding reduction in premium, we can only expect a corresponding increase in insurer profits. What consumers haven't been told is that they will face large premium increases after September 1, 2010 if they choose to buy options that may not even restore their protection to current levels," Orlando added.

The more choice and flexibility referred to in the FSCO announcement only means that consumers will have to pay much more for the coverage they have now.

The current reforms have done nothing to protect consumers from the dramatic changes to their coverage and have failed to address the restrictions on the rights of innocent accident victims to receive fair compensation from those who cause injury. Innocent accident victims must still show they have suffered a very significant injury to receive compensation and some claims are still subject to a $30,000 deductible.

According to data released by FSCO today, auto insurance rates are still nearly 20 per cent higher than they were in 2007. With the current announcement consumers need to ask themselves if they are really better off with the current round of reforms.

"Consumers should be unhappy with reforms that see them paying more for less coverage," Orlando said. After twenty years of no-fault in Ontario we're on the same old auto insurance roller coaster of ever-increasing rates, with reforms that have failed to protect consumers from higher premiums or erosion of their rights."

OTLA wants to ensure that consumers are fully aware of the impact the current reforms will have on them. OTLA urges all consumers to properly protect their families by purchasing the optional benefits that will become available after September 1, 2010 to maintain their current levels of protection.

"No one imagines that they will ever be in an accident, much less an accident causing serious injury, but we don't ever want to regret not providing our loved ones with the protection they need," said Orlando.

About Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (www.otla.com)

Founded in 1991, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) is an organization of almost 1,200 plaintiff lawyers, law clerks, articling students and law students. Its mission is to champion the cause of those who have suffered injury or injustice. OTLA members are actively involved in efforts to preserve and improve a civil justice system which is equally accessible to all and protects the rights of those who have suffered injury or losses as a result of the wrongdoing of others.

Provincial plaque memorializes Stratford Shakespeare Festival founder Tom Patterson

STRATFORD, Ontario, July 13, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Perth County Historical Foundation unveiled a provincial plaque to commemorate Stratford Shakespeare Festival founder Tom Patterson.

"Tom Patterson's vision and perseverance were the driving forces behind the phenomenal success of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival," said Dr. Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "We are proud to honour his dedication with this provincial plaque."

The plaque reads as follows:

TOM PATTERSON 1920-2005

A native of Stratford, Ontario, Tom Patterson grew up during the Great Depression and dreamed of plans that might revitalize his community. After serving in the Second World War and completing university, he worked as an associate editor for a trade publication in Toronto. During the early 1950s, Patterson began discussing plans to establish an internationally renowned Shakespearean festival in his hometown. Although considered a risky venture by some, Patterson gained encouragement from Mayor David Simpson and the local council, and from British Shakespearean director Tyrone Guthrie. Through determination and perseverance, Patterson was able, in less than two years, to turn his dream into reality. The Stratford Shakespearean Festival opened in July 1953 with a production of Richard III, and created a new standard for North American theatre. Remaining with the Festival until 1967, Patterson was also founding director of the Canadian Theatre Centre and founding president of the National Theatre School. He received numerous honours for his work, including Officer of the Order of Canada (1977).

"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival has become an internationally renowned cultural institution," said Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan. "Tom Patterson created a new standard for theatre in North America that remains to this day."

The unveiling ceremony occurred on the Stratford Festival Theatre grounds, where the provincial plaque will be permanently installed. Event supporters included: the City of Stratford, Orr Insurance and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

"The history of theatre in Canada is divided into two parts; namely, the part before Alec Guinness spoke the first lines of Richard III on the stage of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival on July 13, 1953, and the time after July 13, 1953," said Roger Hilderley, Chair of the Perth County Historical Foundation. "Tom Patterson of Stratford, Ontario, is the person whose vision and determination in the founding of the festival created this watershed in Canada's cultural landscape and is one of Stratford's greatest citizens."

"Tom Patterson not only gave us a great idea, he also gave the Festival an extraordinary spirit," said Antoni Cimolino, General Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. "His joy, his love of talent and his strong belief in the seemingly impossible have come to define the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. We are such stuff as Tom's dreams were made on."

The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

Quick facts:

- The Ontario Heritage Trust's Provincial Plaque Program commemorates significant people, places and events in Ontario's history.

- Since 1953, over 1,200 provincial plaques have been unveiled.

- There are 103 provincial plaques across Ontario commemorating arts and culture.

For more information on the Provincial Plaque Program, visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca

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Ontario universities celebrate selection of university president David Johnston as Governor General of Canada

TORONTO, July 8, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - Ontario universities are celebrating the choice of an illustrious university leader to the important role of Governor General of Canada, according to the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).

"David is an excellent choice for this role because of his constitutional expertise, his strong capacity for leadership and his ambassadorial skills," says Alastair Summerlee, Vice-Chair of COU and President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guelph. "He has advanced higher education and research in this province and across the country, built university-industry partnerships that are now world-renowned, and adjudicated complex issues of national importance."

A native of Sudbury, Johnston became a highly respected legal expert after studying at Harvard and Queen's University and advanced higher education through his leadership as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University before becoming president of the University of Waterloo.

"We congratulate the Prime Minister on his choice of a strong leader who has fostered relationships across many sectors and communities in Ontario and Canada," says Bonnie M. Patterson, President of COU. "We are so pleased to see an academic leader named to this important national role."

"Energetic and diligent, David will provide the government with level-headed counsel and gracious outreach to foreign leaders and Canadian citizens in his ceremonial role," says Patterson. "He will certainly be missed as a colleague at our table, but we are immensely proud of his direct engagement and contributions to the sector and wish him well as he takes on this prestigious post."

Philips introduces breakthrough medical alert service in Canada that can detect falls and automatically places call for help

Designed for independent-living seniors, Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert reduces medical complications associated with lie time following a fall


TORONTO, July 7, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - Giving extra peace of mind to seniors living independently across Canada, Philips today launch Lifeline with AutoAlert, a breakthrough medical alert technology that automatically detects falls and places a call for assistance if a senior is unable to get up or call for help following a fall. By providing immediate access to help, Lifeline with AutoAlert reduces the medical and emotional complications seniors can experience when they fall and lie unaided for an extended period of time.

"This year more than 1.4 million Canadian seniors will fall and disturbingly fifty per cent will not be able to get up without help," says Erik Sande, General Manager, Philips Home Monitoring. "Even seniors who are equipped with a medical alert system sometimes do not call for help following a fall because they lose consciousness or become immobilized. We created Lifeline with AutoAlert to eliminate these risks as the length of time a senior spends helpless on the floor following a fall can affect health outcome in dramatic ways."

Lifeline with AutoAlert uses multiple accelerometers and pressure sensors to detect when a person is falling. With a 95 per cent fall detection accuracy rate and a low rate of false alarms, Lifeline with AutoAlert provides an additional layer of protection for seniors who are living independently and are vulnerable to falls. When a fall has been detected, Lifeline with AutoAlert waits 30 seconds, giving the senior time to get up independently or to push his or her own help button. If the senior fails to get up, the device contacts Lifeline's Response Centre and a voice response from an Associate determines if emergency services are required or if a neighbour simply needs to check in.

Falls are one of the most serious health risks among Canadian seniors over the age of 65, affecting more people than strokes and heart attacks combined. On average, one out of three people aged 65 and over fall each year.

"Seniors who fall and experience lie time - lying helpless for a length of time - can suffer serious complications such as pressure ulcers, muscle necrosis, dehydration, hypothermia, pneumonia and even death," says Michelle Acorn, Nurse Practitioner, who runs a Falls Prevention Clinic for seniors in Durham, Ontario. "In addition to the medical complications, seniors who fall and experience long lie times can suffer serious emotional distress and heavy costs associated with extended treatment, rehabilitation and supported living."

Mortality rates are significantly impacted by the length of lie time a senior experiences. If a senior lies helpless for one hour or less the change of mortality is 12 per cent. However, seniors who lie helpless for 72 hours or more have a 67 per cent chance of mortality.

Lifeline with AutoAlert was developed over a three and a half year period by a global team of scientists and engineers, spending over 25,000 hours monitoring senior movement. The device, which has 16 patents filed on it, is worn comfortably as a pendant style button around the neck and costs $55.50/month. Lifeline with AutoAlert provides an additional layer of protection to Lifeline's standard service which provides independent, active seniors with a personal help button to wear around their wrist or neck which they can push if they require assistance.

"Independent living is a top priority for many Canadian seniors," adds Sande. "Lifeline with AutoAlert is one of the best ways to help keep seniors, who are vulnerable to falling, safe at home while giving their adult children peace of mind that assistance if required is immediately accessible."

Philips Lifeline

Philips Lifeline is Canada's leading medical alarm and response service. Its commitment to providing quality and caring service has made it the industry leader for more than 30 years. Lifeline is also the only medical alarm and response service integrated with the Canadian healthcare system. With hundreds of partnerships with hospitals, healthcare agencies and senior living residences across the country, the Lifeline service is readily accessible across the country. For more information on Lifeline medical alarm and response service please visit www.Lifeline.ca

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Canadian Pacific invites Canadians to share in the legacy of the Last Spike

BANFF, Alberta, July 2, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canadian Pacific marks a significant milestone this year as it celebrates the 125th Anniversary of the driving of the Last Spike, which signaled the completion of Canada's first transcontinental railroad. In celebration of this anniversary, CP today presented the first of its archives Legacy gifts to the Banff Whyte Museum.

"In honor of our connected history, we are donating unique items from our extensive collection of vintage memorabilia to a number of the museums and historical societies that play a vital role in sharing Canada's diverse history and culture," said CP President & CEO Fred Green.

These legacy gifts will be delivered to selected organizations throughout the summer and will include a selection of crockery and engraved silverware and flatware dating from the 1890s.

Devoted to the cultural history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and mountain cultures throughout the world, the Whyte Museum makes an ideal first recipient.

"The Canadian Pacific Railway and Banff National Park's histories are inseparable, with railway President William Van Horne's influence on the creation of the first National Park in 1885," said Michale Lang, Executive Director of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. "The railway was the engine that drove early tourism in the Rockies and these objects capture the nostalgia of those early days. We are grateful to the Canadian Pacific Railway for such a fitting addition to our collection."

Banff National Park is marking its 125 anniversary with a number of special events. CP's 2816 Empress Steam Train is in Banff today and Saturday to celebrate with the community. The Empress has brought its heritage fleet which includes CP's museum car - a vintage baggage car from the 1950s refurbished and transformed to provide people an interactive view of CP's history.

The actual Last Spike that marked the completion of the transcontinental railway on November 7, 1885 will be on the display in the museum car for public viewing. It is generously on loan from the Canada Science & Technology Museum.

"The histories of Canada and our railway remain closely connected to this day," added Green. "CP looks forward to continuing to be a vital part of Canada's economy safe for the next 125 years."

As part of its 125th anniversary of the Last Spike, the Empress 2816 Steam Train and its museum car will tour various communities in Western Canada. The public can learn more by visiting www.cpr.ca

About Canadian Pacific:

Canadian Pacific, through the ingenuity of its employees located across Canada and in the United States, remains committed to being the safest, most fluid railway in North America. Our people are the key to delivering innovative transportation solutions to our customers and to ensuring the safe operation of our trains through the more than 1,100 communities where we operate. Come and visit us at www.cpr.ca to see how we can put our ingenuity to work for you.