Women Against MS Luncheon

By LeeAnn Sharpe
An invitation to attend the Women Against MS luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, filled an otherwise dull day with an opportunity to learn about Multiple Sclerosis and what progress has been made toward a cure or treatment. Even though I have a sister-in-law in California with this disease, I really knew very little about MS.

The brochure said, “An afternoon of inspiration, motivation and empowerment as we move towards a world free of MS.” Can the world be free of MS?

The first thing I learned about MS is that two thirds of it’s victims are women. And most look like the picture of health. Very few used canes or walkers or wheelchairs. But the terrible affects of the disease are still there and often make life very difficult.

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Featured keynote speaker Kristie Salerno Kent spoke of her experiences and how it’s hard for people to understand she has MS because she looks outwardly unaffected. She often hears, “You have MS? But you look so good.” Yet, it’s difficult to walk, she suffers pain, vision problems, and physical exhaustion is a constant problem.

A few years after Kristie received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She woke up one day unable to move her legs. It was a terrifying experience and with medication and therapy she can now walk. She decided that she was not going to give up her dreams of performing just because of her MS diagnosis. Kristie took on the role of an MS Lifelines Ambassador and travels the country speaking and singing for others who are affected by the disease. Now her performances are for a purpose and not just entertainment.

As a songwriter, Kristie writes from her own experiences and many of her songs were created from pages of her personal journal. Kristie's debut solo CD, "Believe" is a heartfelt testimony of her determination to succeed despite adversity. Her powerful and richly textured voice combined with her honest lyrics and memorable melodies make you BELIEVE that anything is possible.

You can watch "The Show Must Go On", a short video created by Kristie about her experience with MS. This video was one of six nationwide to be featured in the National MS Society Moving Forward Film Festival. It is available on You Tube.

At my luncheon table, Sandra Behlkea, a nurse, has a son-in-law with MS. She wrote a cookbook to help non-profits raise funds though its sale. Her son-in-law is now symptom free, the result of medication, diet and exercise. This is a common thread I hear over and over again. Still there is no cure for MS.

Dr. Dean Wingerchuk, MD an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine spoke to the group of several hundred women gathered this beautiful day. He made the point almost everyone knows someone with MS, even though they may not realize it. In the research of MS, two key areas of focus are the genetic aspect, which has identified two key genes linked to the disease. This is a big step forward toward learning why people get MS. Another is the environmental factors that contribute to MS. He felt the next ten years of research will lead to greater understanding. Right now the medications for treatment of MS have progressed tremendously in the last fifteen years. Research in MS is progressing at a remarkable rate, with more potential therapies in the pipeline than at any other time in history. This is all the result of research funded by the National MS Society.

Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

Last year the Women Against MS luncheon raised nearly $70,000 to provide programs for people living with MS and fund research towards the cure and treatment of this chronic disease of the central nervous system. This year they certainly surpassed that figure… reports yet to come. There is no cure. Maybe someday.

Women Against MS Luncheon
An afternoon of inspiration, motivation and empowerment as we move towards a world free of MS Wednesday, April 23, 2008 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
Event Chair: Terry Ashoff Johnson
About the Luncheon
The National MS Society, Arizona Chapter and other outstanding women for an afternoon of inspiration, motivation and empowerment move towards a world free of MS. They share the joys of a fine lunch while watching an inspirational program emceed by Tara Hitchcock of "Good Morning Arizona" and with featured keynote speaker Kristie Salerno Kent. Guests also bought tickets for a live raffle held during the program for a wide variety of exciting prizes.


Clip of Kristie singing You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V9H3Oj7gG0

Get Involved Your involvement can make all the difference. Please join us for an upcoming event.

MS 2008: Maximizing Care Strategies A multidisciplinary continuing medical education conference Saturday, May 3, 2008 Hyatt Regency Phoenix http://nationalMSsociety.org/MS2008

Corks and Chords 2008 An evening of wine and music to end MS Saturday, September 13, 2008 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Mayo Clinic Scottsdale http://nationalMSsociety.org/corks2008

WalkMS: Prescott Walk on the Wild Side Saturday, October 18, 2008 7 :00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m Heritage Park Zoo in Prescott
http://walkaza.nationalMSsociety.org

WalkMS: Phoenix Walk on the Wild Side Saturday, November 8, 2008 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.SRP's Headquarters in Phoenix http://walkaza.nationalMSsociety.org

Bike MS: Round Up Ride 2009 March 28 & 29, 2009 Heritage Park in Florence, Arizona http://bikeaza.nationalMSsociety.org

For more information about the National MS Society, Arizona Chapter, please vIsit www.aza.nationalMSsociety.org or call us at 1-800-344-4867


See http://www.azphm.com/wams.htm for photos of the event

Lori Piestewa Honored in Tree Dedication in PA

Lori Piestewa, the first female American-Indian soldier to be killed as a result of injuries suffered during combat in Iraq will be honored in the naming of a very special oak tree in Solebury, Pennsylvania.

The white oak sapling was sprouted from the acorn of an ancient, 516 year old legendary oak tree that had succumbed to disease and a lightening strike in May 1999.The much loved tree with it’s broad near perfect shape and huge size had been a gathering place for schoolchildren who would form a circle around the trunk and couples who would marry in its shade.

While colonial settlers felled thousands of acres of trees in Bucks County to clear land for farms, this particular oak survived. According to legend, the Lenni Lenape Indians held gatherings beneath its boughs. By the end of the 20th century, the Columbus Oak, as it was known, stood like a solitary sentinel in a field off Aquetong Road. It had grown to 68 feet in height, 29 feet in circumference and more than 140 feet from side to side.

Only a rotting stump now remains a silent sentinel marking the location of so much history. Now, an acorn from the fallen tree that was nurtured into a young oak that will be planted in the roots of the mother. The Solebury Township Historical Society will also dedicate a plaque at the site of the Columbus Oak below Bowman's Tower and across the street from the Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Piestewa, a Hopi from Arizona, was chosen to represent the tree because of the ideals she represented as an American Indian, says Crooks, as well as the significance of what the tree meant to the early Indian tribes. The Native American Society also will participate in the celebration.

Glendale Carvers Steak & Chops Dining Review

Glendale Carvers Steak & Chops,
8172 W. Bell Road, Glendale, 623-412-0787
www.paragonsteak.com
By LA Sharpe

When the occasion calls for an extra special dinner, such as Mother’s or Father’s Day, I would suggest Glendale Carvers Steak & Chops, 8172 W. Bell Road, (in front of Best Buy) Glendale, 623-412-0787. Prime rib is the house specialty but they have an extensive and impressive menu. Prices range from $20-$30.

Carvers is opening an hour early at 11 a.m. for Mother's Day. You can order off the menu or from the chef's Mother's Day menu that will offer a fish, steak or combo special. Reservations are encouraged.

The ambiance is relaxed upscale with plenty of private rooms for those special intimate parties.

To start we nibbled on the Calamari Fritti, lightly fried with sweet red peppers and onion drizzled with ancho chili mayonnaise $9.95. Yummy. Just the right taste to set the appetite on fire. A companion had the French Onion Soup au Gratin $5.00 which I sampled and enjoyed the deep rich flavor without being salty as many onion soups can be.

I especially enjoyed the Filet Mignon Carver’s Cut $26, their most tender cut, with Sherried Mushrooms $5.00. The Filet is served with salad and potato. From the wide range of choices I selected the spinach salad with honey mustard dressing that was to die for delicious. You have your choice of garlic, au gratin, baked or French fries for the potato. I took the backed loaded and it was perfection. They also offer rice pilaf or vegetables.

My friend had the Prime Rib Carver’s Cut $29. They say it is award winning finest Midwestern beef with a herb crusted slow roasted overnight to ensure the most tender prime rib available. It is wonderful, tender and juicy as it should be.

Dessert was the Chocolate Oblivion $6.00 which I hope left me oblivious to the calories. It was enough to share with my dining partner leaving us both satisfied. Coffee to keep me awake after this delicious meal.

I should mention we finished off three bottles of wine between the four of us. A nice list to choose from and our waiter was very good at making recommendations. Their list allows by the glass or bottle and plenty of general wine information. You can view the list online prior to your visit to expedite selections.

They also offer chicken and seafood which I may try on another visit… haw.. the steaks are too good! I would highly recommend Carver’s in Glendale to anyone looking for a fine dining experience. The service was exceptional and the food perfection.

Carvers is part of the Paragon chain. From its modest beginning with the Jolly Ox Restaurant in San Diego in 1967, Paragon Steakhouse Restaurants, Inc., has grown into one of the country's leading steakhouse operators. Paragon prides itself in a commitment to hospitality, quality, service, and of course, steaks and prime rib. While Paragon's brands range from the upscale, classic American steakhouse to the more accessible sit-down dinner house, the company is best known for serving quality, award-winning choice steaks and prime ribs. The group also included the Hungry Hunter, The Whaling Company and Mountain Jack restaurants.