We must understand signs of heart attack

By Joe McAdory

Here’s a short story released Thursday by The Associated Press:

ATLANTA—Only about 1 in 4 Americans know the warning signs of a heart attack, U.S. health officials in Atlanta say.

Most are also unaware that the first thing to do is call 9-1-1. Doctors with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the level of public awareness is alarmingly low.

The warning signs include shortness of breath; pain in the chest, arms or shoulder; a feeling of weakness; and discomfort in the jaw, neck or back.

Each year more than 900,000 Americans suffer a heart attack.

This is very important information we all must know, regardless of our age. What concerns me is I’ve had all of these symptoms at one time or another. Does this make me a walking time bomb?

Pet owners should be liable for attacks

By Joe McAdory

Here’s the beginning of a story Wednesday crafted by The Associated Press:

MONTGOMERY—The state House of Representatives approved a pair of bills Tuesday that would allow authorities in Mobile County to declare dogs dangerous and impose criminal penalties on their owners.

“It will hold owners responsible who have a dangerous dog, or those with dogs with a tendency to attack,“ said state Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, who sponsored the bills. “If you have a dangerous dog, you have to take necessary action to keep these dogs away from the public.“

A Semmes man was mauled by two dogs in 2006, but the dogs were returned to their owner because there was no law regulating their behavior. The legislation allows animal control officers to impound dogs they consider dangerous and that have caused serious physical damage or personal harm to an individual.

We have dogs roaming the streets right here in east Alabama. Some are nice and just looking for playful attention. Others will snarl, growl and attack for no reason other than to protect the ground they suddenly claim as their own—even if it’s in your yard. Whose dogs are these? If a vicious dog, who has a documented owner, attacks someone, the owner should be responsible. They should not give a dangerous animal the opportunity to attack a neighbor’s child. How would they feel if a neighbor had a pet lion, who was allowed to roam free?

Keep your pets away from other people, particularly in other people’s yards.

It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week

By Joe McAdory

If Sunday’s rash of tornadoes wasn’t enough, let me remind you that this is Severe Weather Awareness Week. The National Weather Service has released loads of educational literature that could help citizens understand how to better handle situations in the event of severe weather.

This is the time of year when severe weather strikes the Southeast, as seasonal weather patterns begin to shift from cooler to warmer. Aw heck, I need to quit talking like a freakin’ weather guy. Here’s a link to the NWS’ Severe Weather Awareness Week information:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/aware/swaw_2008/index.php

Final thoughts from Daytona

By Joe McAdory

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—I never considered Ryan Newman a contender going into Sunday’s Daytona 500. After all, the dude ‘s restrictor plate record isn’t stellar and he hadn’t won a race in two years.

I suppose that’s why it was cool to see this guy blast past Tony Stewart on the last lap and win the race. Surprise winners are more fun anyway. Maybe Newman used his brains just a bit to record the victory. After all, he’s got an engineering degree from Purdue.

Closing out my whirlwind trip to the 500, here are a few closing thoughts from the race track:

NO DIGNITARIES: Other than the mayor of Daytona Beach, whose name I cannot recall, there were no announced politicians in the house, not that it really mattered. Often during an election year, someone shows up to campaign. I suppose there’s always July. I bet that’s when John McCain comes to try and woo the NASCAR voters.

Sunday’s event brought out a number of musicians, including Michael McDonald, Chubby Checker, Kool and The Gang, Brooks and Dunn, and Trisha Yearwood, who performed the National Anthem. The Thunderbirds put on a pretty cool air show too.

TURN DOWN THE VOLUME: Believe it or not, but the grandstand speakers at Daytona International Speedway are actually louder than the race cars. For two hours before the start of the race, fans’ eardrums were bludgeoned with VERY LOUD awful music and meaningless sponsorship announcements. Turn the crap down, DIS. You’re causing permanent hearing loss.

BATHROOMS HORRIBLE: I would think the World Center of Racing would have halfway decent bathrooms. Well, maybe in the luxury suites. But for us bottom feeders who spend a mere $145 for one ticket, we are treated to disgusting halls of urine. It’s time to demolish the older bathrooms and build larger ones.

THUMBS UP: Penske Racing South hit a home run Sunday as Newman and Kurt Busch finished 1-2. Sam Hornish, in his first start since coming over from the Indy Car League, had a good showing in 15th. Also, the Toyotas from Joe Gibbs Racing were the strongest in the field. Kyle Busch probably had the best car, while Tony Stewart led going into the final lap. Denny Hamlin was strong early.

THUMBS DOWN: Hendrick Motorsports debuted its 2008 season on a sour note as Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears each crashed, and Jeff Gordon succumbed to suspension problems. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the best Hendrick car in his debut for the team, but didn’t muster a top five. Junior didn’t change tires down the stretch. I wonder if the outcome of the race would have been different if he had.

OLD SCHOOL: Prior to the start of the race, fans were introduced to each living Daytona 500 champion, who were honored and saluted the crowd. Also, a pack of race cars from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s motored around the speedway to celebrate Daytona’s 50th anniversary. Some of the cars included Davey Allison’s 1992 Thunderbird, Bill Elliott’s 1985 Thunderbird, Pete Hamilton’s 1970 Superbird, Richard Petty’s 1974 Charger, Jeff Gordon’s 1997 Lumina, Dale Jarrett’s 2000 Taurus and Jimmie Johnson’s 2006 Monte Carlo.

CALLING ANSEL ADAMS: It’s tough to take photographs at the race track with just a cell phone. See the picture above. Well ... you understand.

WHAT RACE IS THIS?: I left the track Sunday somewhat let down. I had just attended the 50th Daytona 500, but for some reason it just didn’t feel like a Daytona 500 to me. At first I didn’t know why. Then it hit me. For years, the 500 began at noon or 1 p.m. and was finished long before sundown. Then the starting time began to drift later, and later, and later. Sunday’s green flag flew at 3:40 p.m. EST, which is when many 500s were finishing. Then the last 30 to 40 laps were run under the lights, which seemed like the Pepsi 400, the annual July night race. Guess I was in a time warp. I shouldn’t complain though. At least I was there, nestled in my DePalma grandstand row 25 perch.

Gates are open

By Joe McAdory

People didn’t wait long to begin filing into their seats Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. Notice my fellow race fans in the foreground: Each has invested $25 in a new hat reflecting the new colors and sponsors of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., NASCAR’s most popular, most marketable and most talked-about driver.

The driver simply known as Junior is the favorite to win today’s 50th running of the Great American Race, at least by the oddsmakers. But something tells me he won’t win today. In fact, he won’t be a factor for the win on the last lap.