Drug use in Miami-Dade county Soars...

Today I am writing about the power to destroy that drug use has in our community. In Miami Dade county and Broward drug use is so rampant, especially among the youth of the community who constantly visit places like the downtown club district, the brick ell village area, coconut grove, and of course south beach where any night out usually includes drug use of some kind. This wide range use of drugs has led the county of Miami to become one of the largest consumers of drugs in the United States surpassing big cities like Chicago, Washington DC, Philadelphia, even New York at times in its drug use. It seems everywhere one goes in Miami there is a wide availability of illegal substances. Roxies, Exstacy, Meth, GHB, Cocaine, Ketamine,  Xanex, abuse of prescription drugs,  and countless others are available everywhere in the Miami club circuit and on the streets in areas such as south beach, grove, and the downtown design district where one just has to go over into the over town area to purchase right on the street. 

Police are catching a lot of people but for everyone caught someone else begins a new in wanting to make fast money. It seems everyone is a dealer or knows someone who deals in this city... And the cost is staggering and crippling law enforcement, long plagued with cutbacks and staff firings and monetary problems due to budget constraints brought on by this economy which seems to only now be recovering. the City of Miami and Miami Beach are spending a fortune and huge parts of their budgets combating these problems by arresting and searching thousands of people in search of the magic answer in stopping these trends these neighboring cities. County charities like Camillas House are full of candidates and actual participants in the drug rehab programs and after care and assistance they offer, having zero beds available in most cases. It seems everywhere you find a new drug treatment and aftercare facility. Even everyday stores in this area are changing due to this increased drug activity.

Where as in other areas of the country you can still purchase butane lighters and torches and butane gas in Miami-Dade stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Radio Shack will not carry these items any longer due to their popularity with drug users who use them to smoke crack or meth, which is becoming Americas next big problem. Meth use has increased over 500 percent in recent times and has destroyed entire communities in the United States. Its use is now destroying and completely devestating Miami-Dade's drug users, who losse everything because of this drug. From theiur homes, cars, teeth, to their personal freedoms due to illegal activity  in order to obtain the drug, meth is perhaps the most destructive of all the drugs that have sprung up recently. From its early non noticeable usage, Meth has now become Miami-Dade's most abused drug and its causing havoc in the county, causing a spike in crime and drug usage never before seen since the days of the wild cowboys during the Cocaine drug days of Miami, when even visiting the Miami area was considered a risk and all of our expressways and tourist streets had warning signs to stay away from certain areas.

Everyday Items banned from Sale in Miami-Dade

Home Depot/Walmart Torch(no longer sold by Walmart)

Butane Gas - No longer carried by Walmart, Walgreens, or CVS, in Miami-Dade

Radio Shack Torch - No longer sold in Miami-Dade

Average Butane fired lighter - No longer carried by Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, or gas stations in Miami-Dade

Even everyday items once sold freely in Miami-Dade are no longer available by big chains such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel, Sears, Kmart, Macy's and the ones mentioned previously such as Walmart. One of the biggest examples is the creme broulet torch, long ago thought of a normal household item, now thought of a drug users tool in Miami-Dade and other high drug use counties i9n the United States. 

Normal item now banned from big retailers for sale in high drug use counties

Over the counter drugs like sudafed are now behind counters in pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, Riteaide and others due to its requirement in the production of Meth with some counties like Miami-Dade requiring a driver's license in order to purchase them and yearly caps on the amounts you can purchase with lists provided to the DEA and other law enforcement agencies in order to cap or stop the use and production of the highly addictive Meth in these high risk counties.

Here is some statistics and posting about Miami-Dade drug use by James N. Hall.

Drug Abuse Trends in Miami-Dade County, Florida: 2009-2010

Cocaine consequences as a proportion of all drug problems continue to be higher in South Florida than in most of the Nation. Yet, Miami-Dade County has been leading a decline in cocaine-related problems since 2007 which is now observed nationwide. Heroin remains at low and stable levels across Florida with wide scale availability of diverted prescription opioids. Primary treatment admissions for heroin increased locally between 2009 and 2010. More than half of the heroin deaths in recent years are found in combination with one or more prescription opioids at the time of death. Oxycodone remains the major opioid linked to nonmedical use, yet 93 percent of deaths attributed to it statewide are found in combination with other drugs including benzodiazepines, other opioids, and muscle relaxants. Deaths related to nonmedical use of opioids appear to have peaked in the second half of 2009 while other indicators are increasing. Oxymorphone is the fastest rising opioid in nonmedical use indicators. Injecting is increasingly reported among opioid treatment clients. Benzodiazepine related-deaths have stabilized while emergency department reports have increased. Muscle relaxant nonmedical use is stable at low levels. Indicators of methamphetamine abuse are low in Florida, yet seizures of small clandestine labs (mostly two-liter soda bottles) are on the rise in other parts of the State but not in South Florida. Such activity is associated with low-level yields for use by those involved in “cooking meth” and a small number of other users who often help acquire or “smurf” for the precursor, pseudoephedrine. Marijuana use is increasing among adolescents and ranks number one in addiction treatment admissions statewide as well as locally and number two behind cocaine in South Florida drug-related emergency department reports and crime lab cases. Ecstasy indicators decreased between 2008 and 2009 with many counterfeit pills detected often containing BZP at that time. More recently MDMA is the only drug detected in ecstasy tablets. 

INTRODUCTION 

This report reviews data from 2009 and 2010 for drug-related deaths, medical emergencies, addiction treatment admissions, and crime laboratory analysis. Information is presented by primary substance of abuse, with topics including cocaine, heroin, nonmedical use of prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, methamphetamine/amphetamines, marijuana, GHB (gamma hydroxy- butyrate), MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or ecstasy, and muscle relaxants. While the information is classified by a single drug or category, the reader should note an underlying problem of polysubstance abuse as mentioned throughout this report.

Area Description 

Located in the extreme southern portion of the Florida peninsula, Miami-Dade County has the State’s largest population, with 2,500,625 residents, according to 2009 U.S. Census estimates. Hispanic account for 62.5 percent of the population while 17.6 percent are White non- Hispanic, 16.6 percent are Black non-Hispanic and 1.6 percent are Asian. Miami is the County’s largest city, with 404,048 residents. More than 100,000 immigrants arrive in Florida each year; 

1The author is the Director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Substance Abuse at Nova Southeastern University, and is Executive Director of Up Front Drug Information Center in Miami, Florida.
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The Miami Coalition For A Healthy, Safe and Drug-Free Community

one-half establish residency in Miami-Dade County. One-half of the county’s population is foreign born. 

Since 2003, Miami-Dade along with Broward and Palm Beach Counties to the north have consti- tuted the federally designated Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for South Florida, making it the sixth largest MSA in the Nation. Previously, the MSA included only Miami-Dade County. This means that the three counties are included in more national data sets tracking health- related conditions and criminal justice information. 

South Florida is a hub of international transportation and the gateway to commerce between the Americas, accounting for sizable proportions of the Nation’s trade. South Florida’s airports and seaports remain among the busiest in the Nation for both cargo and international passenger traffic. These ports of entry make this region a major gateway for illicit drugs.
Several factors impact the potential for drug abuse problems in South Florida, including the following: 

1. The area's proximity to the Caribbean and Latin America exposes South Florida to the entry and distribution of illicit foreign drugs destined for all regions of the United States.
   
2. South Florida is a designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and one of the Nation’s leading cocaine importation centers. It has also been a gateway for Colombian heroin since the 1990s.
   
3.  Lack of a prescription monitoring system in Florida in the time periods covered by this report made the State a source for diverted medications in the eastern United States. A prescription monitoring system was enacted in July 2009 and is expected to be operational by October 2011.
   Data Sources
   This report describes current drug abuse trends in South Florida, using the data sources summarized below:
   
4. Drug-related mortality data were provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Medical Examiners Commission’s 2010 Interin Report of Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons between January and June 2010. The report for all of 2010 should be released by July 2011.
   
5. Emergency Department (ED) data were derived for Miami-Dade County from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ). The data represent drug reports involved in drug-related visits for illicit drugs (derived from the category of ―major substances of abuse,‖ excluding alcohol) and the nonmedical use of selected prescription drugs (derived from the category of ―other substances‖). Drug reports exceed the number of ED visits because a patient may report use of multiple drugs (up to six drugs plus alcohol). Weighted DAWN data for calendar years 2004–2009 are included in this report and provide estimates of the total number
6. The Miami Coalition For A Healthy, Safe and Drug-Free Community    of drug-related ED visits and per capita rates for selected substances for all of Miami- Dade County in those 5. A full description of the system can be found on the DAWN Web site http://dawninfo.samhsa.gov.
7. Drug treatment data on primary admissions to all publicly funded addiction treatment programs in Miami-Dade County during calendar year 2009 and 2010 were provided by the Florida Department of Children and Families. State of Florida admissions from 1999 to 2009 are from SAMHSA - Treatment Episode Data Sets (TEDS) submitted by the Florida Department of Children and Families as of January 6, 2011
8. Crime laboratory drug analyses data were derived from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) Report for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties from January through December 2010. However, the NFLIS data combines some, but not all, pharmaceutical items into the category of ―controlled substance.‖ This factor makes it difficult to track the role of illegally diverted medications.
9. Data on Distribution of Pharmaceuticals are from DEA Automation of Reports & Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) data from 2009 and 2010.
   
10. Data on prevalence of nonmedical use of pain relievers are from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health Sub-State Data.
    
11. Data on injection drug use among acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases are from Miami-Dade County Departments of Health.

•  DRUG ABUSE PATTERNS AND TRENDS
  
  Cocaine/Crack
  
  Indicators of cocaine problems in South Florida continue to dominate consequences of drug abuse, yet are declining in recent years. The numbers of cocaine occurrences among deceased persons have been declining since 2007 in Miami-Dade County as well as for the State of Florida. The majority of cocaine deaths and addiction treatment reports were among those older than 35, while medical emergencies related to cocaine were highest among those age 25-29. Many of the indicators reflected cocaine use in combination with other drugs. 
  
  Throughout Florida, the number of cocaine-related deaths decreased 16-percent in the first half of 2010 as compared as compared to the last half of 2009 continuing declines since 2007 and reversing what had been an upward trend since 2000 (exhibit 1). A cocaine-related death is defined as a death in which cocaine is detected in the decedent but not necessarily considered the cause of death. There were 603 cocaine-related deaths across Florida in the first half of 2010, compared with 716 the previous six months. In all of 2009 there were 1,462 cocaine- related deaths compared with 1,791 in 2008. The 2007 total of 2,179 reports was the highest number since the drug has been tracked beginning in the late 1980s. The number of cocaine deaths increased 97 percent between 2001 and 2007; the key factor for that rise appears to be a corresponding 105-percent increase of deaths with cocaine-in-combination with other drugs, 
  
  3
  The Miami Coalition For A Healthy, Safe and Drug-Free Community
  

Other information on drug use patterns was derived from ethnographic research and callers to the Up Front drug information hotline. 

particularly prescription medications. Among the 603 cocaine-related deaths in Florida during the first half of 2010, 81 percent of the cases involved cocaine found with at least 1 other drug. 

 

Heroin 

Heroin consequences remain at low and stable levels across Florida. Primary treatment admissions for heroin increased in South Florida between 2009 and 2010. More than half of the heroin deaths in recent years are found in combination with one or more prescription opioids at the time of death. South American heroin has been entering the South Florida area over the past two decades. However, reports and seizures of Mexican heroin in South Florida have been made since 2008. Deaths caused by heroin declined in Florida from 2001 to 2006, then increased between 2006 and 2008 before declining again in 2009 and 2010. Substantial increases in abuse and consequences of narcotic analgesic use have occurred as heroin problems were waning. Most heroin ED patients and addiction treatment admissions continued to be among older, White males. 

Throughout Florida, the number of heroin-related deaths decreased 40 percent during the first half of 2010 compared to the previous six months. There were 30 heroin-related deaths across Florida during the first half of 2010 down from 50 in the second half of 2009. Heroin continued to be the most lethal drug, with 83 percent (n=25) of heroin-related deaths in 2010 caused by the drug. Polysubstance abuse was noted in 93 percent of the 2010 heroin-related deaths statewide.
Among the 111 heroin-related deaths in Florida during 2009, 59 percent (or 65) had from one to four prescription opioids present at the time of death (exhibit 7). There were a total of 89 opioids detected among the 65 decedents. 

 

MDMA or Ecstasy 

Measures of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) abuse have stabilized at relative low numbers in recent years. Ecstasy pills generally contain 75–125 milligrams of MDMA, although pills are often adulterated and may contain other drugs. The stimulant, BZP (1- benzylpiperazine), continues to be reported in ecstasy pills, with or without MDMA. 

There were 22 MDMA-related deaths statewide in Florida in the first half of 2010, with the drug being cited as the cause of death in 8 of these cases. There were also 13 reports of MDA (3,4- methylenedioxyamphetamine)-related deaths statewide in Florida during the semi-annual period. During the previous six months, there were 19 MDMA-related deaths, and 8 MDA- related deaths. MDMA deaths decreased 27 percent between 2008 (n=44) and 2009 (n=32). 

The DAWN weighted estimate of 192 MDMA-involved ED visits for Miami-Dade County during 2009 (exhibit 3 above) accounted for 1.5 percent of all ED visits among six substances (four illicit drugs —cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, and methamphetamine as well as nonmedical use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines). The 192 MDMA-involved ED visits in 2009 represented a 35-percent decrease from the 294 visits in 2008 (exhibit 28). The per capita rate of 7.7 MDMA ED visits per 100,000 population was similar to the national rate of 7.4. There was not a weighted estimate of MDMA ED visits for those under 21 years of age in 2009. Among those aged 21 and over, there were 140 MDMA ED visits in 2009 with a per capita rate of 7.7 which was above the national rate of 5.4. 

 

Methamphetamine/Amphetamines 

The number of methamphetamine clandestine laboratory seizures in all of Florida doubled between 2008 and 2009 and continued to increase in 2010 (exhibit 24). Yet, most of these labs have been 2-liter soda bottles used in the so called ―shake and bake‖ production method yielding a relative small amount of methamphetamine more for personal use and sharing with those who may have help supply the precursor, pseudoephedrine. Of the 445 such lab seizures statewide in 2010 there was one in Miami-Dade County and one in neighboring Broward County. Indicators of methamphetamine abuse remained at low levels. While methamphetamine was cited as the primary drug for addiction treatment among less than 1 percent of addiction treatment clients in South Florida during 2010, 86 percent of clients were older than 25 years of age.

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The Miami Coalition For A Healthy, Safe and Drug-Free Community

Methamphetamine was detected among 49 deceased persons during the first half of 2010 statewide in Florida, compared to 39 in the previous six months. There were 81 methamphetamine medical examiner occurrences in all of 2009 and 114 in 2008. Methamphetamine was considered a cause of death in 20 (41 percent) of the 49 cases during the first half of 2010. There were also 66 reports of amphetamine detected among decedents across Florida in the first six months of 2010, the same number as in the previous semi- annual period. An amphetamine was considered the cause of death in 18 percent of the 66 cases in the first half of 2010. 

The DAWN weighted estimate of 86 methamphetamine-involved ED visits for Miami-Dade County during 2009 accounted for less than 1 percent of all ED visits among six substances (four illicit drugs —cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, and methamphetamine as well as nonmedical use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines). Between 2004 and 2009, the number of methamphetamine-involved ED visits increased 43-percent in Miami-Dade County, from 60 to 86. In 2009, the per capita rate of 3.4 methamphetamine ED visits per 100,000 people was well below the national rate of 20.9. There was not an estimate for the number of illicit amphetamine ED visits in Miami-Dade County for 2009 due to a low number from the DAWN sample. 

There were 22 primary admission for methamphetamine, accounting for 0.5 percent of the 4,548 primary treatment admission drug mentions (including alcohol) in Miami-Dade County during 2010 (exhibit 19 above). This total represents a 60-percent decrease over the 55 methamphetamine admissions in 2009. Females accounted for 64 percent of the methamphetamine clients. No methamphetamine client was younger than 18; 14 percent (n=3) were age 18–25; 45 percent (n=10) were 26–34; and 41 percent (n=9) were 35 or older. There were also 5 primary admissions for other amphetamines. 

Methamphetamine accounted for 102 cases, or 0.4 percent, of all items analyzed by crime laboratories in 2010 for the three-county South Florida MSA as reported by the NFLIS. It ranked tenth among all substances (exhibit 10 above). In 2009 there were 110 methamphetamine crime lab reports. 

Big problem Indeed..

AG Home Goods

All about Bedrooms

All about bedrooms...

Today I am sharing with all of you bedroom ideas and ways of making them seem more comfortable cozy, and a room we can all fell good about.. I mean its our bedroom and feeling good is whats its all about... In many ways.. LOL.. 

Bunk Beds vs Loft Beds – Both great for small spaces

With so many styles of bed on the market today, it can sometimes seem a daunting task to choose just one. When choosing a bed you should address what it is that you actually need from the piece of furniture in question.

For example, are you looking for a luxury bed to create a centrepiece in a large room? Do you wish to invest in a bed that utilizes space efficiently? Alternatively do you wish to make a fashion statement with the likes of a futon? Or is your bed there simply to provide you with a comfortable, supportive night’s sleep? Whichever option you choose, you can guarantee that there is a style to suit your every need.

The classic two-person bunk bed is probably the best space saving option as it encapsulates two people in one area. The bunk bed utilises height rather than width, which means you have the rest of the room to play with. There are now several variations of the bunk bed available; these include the likes of futon styles and also loft versions.

The loft versions are a great option for a smaller room, as you are able to utilise the space underneath the bed to your advantage. This space could be used for the likes of a seating area, a cupboard or storage. Many children’s rooms contain the above option and parents tend to place a desk beneath the bed. This space is a great option for a child, as he or she will feel like she has her own grown-up space to do her homework in!

Bunk beds are available in a huge range of different styles and materials. Many of the modern versions are available in metal, whilst the more traditional styles come in the form of pine or other painted or varnished wood.

As long as you team the style of the bed to the rest of the room, everything will generally tie in stylishly together.

10 Romantic Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Whether you are sleeping in, working or just chilling out, the bedroom might be the part of the house in which you spend the most time. This is also the most personal room of your home and the way you have furnished and decorated it mirrors your personality and should inspire a welcome and warm feel.

A romantic decor is often a popular choice to bring a warmer atmosphere to a room as it reflects this sense of peace and tranquillity. It is also very easy to bring some romance to a room by simply placing small additions throughout the room. Below are 10 creative tips to give you inspiration and turn your bedroom into a gorgeous romantic getaway that will bring peace and calm when you walk through the door.

1. Colour theme: Pale and pastel colours to get a successful romantic look. You can choose from a large palette of soft shades, from dusky pink and lilac through to lemon and periwinkle blue. You can also combine two colours that go well together, like cream and soft green, but most romantic decors tend to be produced with one colour associated with small sophisticated additions to keep an uncluttered feel.

2. Bed: The choice of the bed is important as it will generally make the main statement in your bedroom. Romantic style bedrooms are generally furnished with large sized dramatic beds that give a presence to the room, such as four poster beds and large ornate wrought iron bed frames.

3. Headboard: Considering the space most of us have to work with, a four poster bed is sometimes not the best option since this is an imposing piece of furniture. Complementing your bed with a headboard is then a great alternative, it will bring texture if you choose an upholstered or tufted model, plus they come in a large choice of rounded shapes. For example a Cavendish shaped headboard with rounded corners will add the right touch of romance to your bed.

4. Linens: White, smooth and soft fabrics such as silk and satin not only have an incredible feel to the touch but will add the right amount of luxury your bedroom needs to look cosy and romantic. You should choose soft and luxurious fabric for your bed linen and add some plush and fluffy pillows on top to create the best effect.

5. Nature: Floral additions are an important aspect of romantic decoration. They can be designed on a delicate fabric, featured in your wallpaper pattern, framed in a piece of artwork or simply arranged in a delicate bouquet. Animals such as birds and butterflies are also extensively used to create a romantic mood.

6. Feminine objects: Place feminine accessories throughout the room, such as perfume bottles, shiny jewellery and romantic articles like scented candles and feathers. These small additions will radiate a very relaxing atmosphere.

7. Mirrors: Mirrored objects are quite common in romantic decorating themes as they bring light. Hanging a framed mirror on the wall behind your bed or attaching small panels of mirrors on your walls will definitely add a touch of romance to your décor and liven up the natural lights creating interesting effects to work with.
8. Voiles: Draping voiles and lace panels do a great job at finishing a romantic style. You can wrap your four poster bed with light voiles or arrange a voile panel up at the head of your normal bed. Complementing your windows with long and light curtains that let the sunshine through is also a great idea to make the room cosier.

9. Light is the element you need to consider as there is no better way to set up a special atmosphere and add a touch of romance to your bedroom. Banish harsh lightings and instead go for light bulbs that soften the light. For a greater effect, you can go for a decorative lamp that filters the light to other colours such as soft red.

10. Accessories: The romantic style is often associated with accessories such as candles, fresh flowers vases, black and white picture frames, art deco pieces of furniture, decorative plates.
There are a lot of great ideas out there to create a romantic mood in a bedroom; accessories usually do a large part of the job so you can let your imagination wild. A word of caution though: keep it sophisticated but small in order to not clutter the space with too many additions.

Transforming Your Bedroom Space

As mentioned in a previous blog post, buying a bed is a large and significant purchase. The core tips discussed for choosing a bed will be remain the same and will do so for the foreseeable future.
However, unless you are lucky enough to live in a home with a spacious bedroom, the bed itself will take up a significant portion of the room. During the day this space is commonly unused. Wouldn’t it be great to transform bedrooms so they are truly multi-functional?

After attending a recent exhibition in the UK, we were presented with an innovative space saving bed which allows a bed to glide into the ceiling at the touch of a button. This opens up a number of functional uses for the room. At night it can remain a place to sleep but during the day it could be:

• A play area for your children
• A home gym
• An office
• A home cinema!

It’s certainly a cost effective solution compared to building extensions to your home or even moving home if you think your family has ‘outgrown’ it.

What do you think? Would you consider something like the Sleep Space system? Do you prefer traditional space saving ideas?

Hope all of you enjoyed the posts..

AG Home Goods

Being in the hospital...

Being in the hospital... 

Today I am sharing with all of you a story from the heart. You know life throws at you punches that can't always be explained or even justified but on the week of the 21st I completely lost sight in my right eye. You can imagine what it feels like to wake up and be blind out of one eye.. All of the sudden your whole life is flashed before your eyes.. WOW what do you do.. If you live in Miami you go to the number one eye care hospital in the world.. The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute located in the University of Miami Medical School and the number one eye care hospital in the united states since 2009 every year according to US World and News Reports annual listing of hospitals, the AAA of hospital rankings. 

University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Once I got there all doctors were stumped on the problem, not having any clue as to what was causing this problem.. After what appeared to be hundreds of tests still nothing could explain what was going on.. It was then that a DR asked if I had ever had Syphilis and my answer was no, I had never had this disease.. Well they decided to test for what is known as Neuro Syphilis a disease that develops out of Syphilis that is untreated and eventually converts itself into this new deadlier form of syphilis that attacks the eyes, internal organs, and eventually the brain..  The only way to see if its in the brain is through a Spinal Tap, and for those of you that do not know, this is not a pleasent procedure and requires hospitalization.. Well from one day to the next I was now going to be admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital for what I was told would be 14 days of treatment.. So it began

Jackson Memorial: A Truly World Class Institution

As I arrived at Jackson I had nightmares thinking this was not the best hospital or that it would be a nightmare of a stay... Instead I was COMPLETELY PROVEN WRONG BY WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST COURTEOUS PROFESSIONAL STAFF I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED AT A HOSPITAL.. I was already impressed by the treatment received at the eye institute but at Jackson never in my life have I ever had such professional care and fast and speedy ER transition to my own private room with nurses and Doctors that one can only dream about in the ideal hospital setting which they not only were but everything I ever herd about them that was negative, went out the window.. I have never had such a good hospital experience or been better attended even at a 5 star resort. The staff was responsive, attentive, nice, kind, friendly, and every good adjective I could think of.. Never woiuld I have imagined such treatment at the public hospital in Dade county. They gave me tghe Jackson Card or a type of mediical insurance and I must of been visited by twenty different doctpors asking how I was and how my treatment was going.. 

The facilities were clean, impeccable, medication given on time, food was good for hospital food, always delivered on time, and well the staff, was just absolutely amazing, always introducing themselves, knocking t the door to be let in, not even once performing any procedure or common practice without informing you what was about to happen even the spinal tap which is an unpleasant procedure went fast and was not felt hardly at all...

After 5 days at Jackson Memorial which felt like a day no more, well rested and feeling much better I was discharged although I still had 20 days of IV injections to go.. They now have this program called infusion services that provides home IV care.. I was a little skeptical at first but I decided it was better to be home then in the hospital.. This program turned out to be first class.. Fast service (the medicine was at my house the day I was discharged) and reliable workers.. The next day the orientation nurse was at my house and today (day 2) the nurse already left and provided a new IV safely stored in my fridge and reset the pack which is potable and given through a Jackson placed IV pack in my arm which was not felt and provides a way to give IV fluids and take blood without the need to puncture any more veins.

 

 

I still have a ways to go.. Over 20 days of treatments and daily checkups at Bascom Palmer, another one today before 2:00 PM and then to settle all the insurance stuff (Jackson provided health insurance) and assistance through Social Security and many other avenues all opened up by Jackson Memorial.. I honestly can only report on my experience but This has been truly world class and professional. A big thumbs up to this hospital...

All in all a completely unexpected serious disease was made a lot easier by the people and professional staff of a truly world class Hospital.. Jackson Memorial Hospital..and of course the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute....

Emphasize home windows.. Bath, and Secret Storage

Emphasize home windows.. 

Bath, and Secret Storage

After all the changes to the AG Home Goods site I finally have some time to get back to doing the things I love, blogging and sharing with all of you, new exciting finds, rediscoveries, or trendy modern stuff I happen to love.. 

Enjoy the pics and Post...

Emphasize your windows

Even if you have blinds on your windows, there are still things that you can do to decorate the area. Why have a perfectly garnished room and then fall short on window treatments? Your windows welcome in sunlight, fresh air and energy so they should be emphasized, not hidden!

Panels Can be Fun

Traditional panel curtains certainly don’t have to be boring. You can always pull them to one side with tiebacks that are elegant or patterned and vibrant, whatever works for your room! Alternatively, you can buy a stencil and fabric paint and add a little personalization to them.

Framing the Window

Just because you go for the classic, framed look, doesn’t mean you can’t add an extra rod or two and layer up your treatments with different prints and fabrics.

Work With Blinds

Side panels, swags and even just extra long sheer tiers can be draped loosely to highlight the area. Also, keep in mind if you buy blinds direct in the UK or US, there are many made from pretty attractive materials today so they don’t have to be ordinary.

Let the Fabric Flow

There are no rules when you work with fabric. Layer or twist pieces and let them just coexist harmoniously. Shake off that rigid structure you have grown up with and invite something fresh and carefree into your space!

Bath as a pleasurable experience..

Given the bathtub is such a large fixture, its impact on the look and feel of your bathroom is significant. So why settle for an everyday looking bath when there are baths available that are stunning works of art? Whether it’s a modern aesthetic you prefer or something thoroughly royal, nowadays there are enough beautiful baths to choose from that you’re certain to find one that fits your home decor perfectly. Let’s take a look at a handful of outstanding bath designs for a good dose of inspiration.

Freestanding baths have a special elegance that is hard to match and they set a warm mood within the room. Consider this magnificent slipper bath with its traditional roll top and white claw feet. Seen here with classic vintage style taps, alternatively you could opt for a floorstanding tap set for that extra touch of elegance. Claw feet come in a wide range of finishes such as antique gold, chrome or raw cast iron.

For a more modern take on a freestanding bath, look for tubs with sleek sharp lines such as this spectacular bath finished in contrasting black and white. This ever-popular minimalist style does indeed bring a sense of calm and spaciousness to the room promoting complete relaxation and enjoyment, which I’m sure we could all do with a lot more of!




Envisage yourself immersed in this handcrafted regal cast iron bath finished in gold, complete with stunning vintage style taps and book stand. Baths such as this add a tremendous sense of beauty to the room and make for an amazing focal point that will be appreciated by you and your guests. How could anyone not enjoy such an indulgent bathing experience! And the good news is that majestic baths aren’t as expensive as one might think. Look to online bathroom supplies stores for impressive deals on baths and enclosures and be sure to check delivery fees not just the cost of the bath itself.




If you’re asking ”But where’s the bling?” look no further than this truly spectacular double ended slipper bath. You can decorate your bath in a similar way with your own personal artistic style. Many cast iron baths come finished in grey primer ready for your choice of colour, from there it’s just a matter of choosing additional decorative elements to embellish your bath with. Before you know it you’ll have a bath that doubles as a work of art and a luxurious place to bathe – what more could you ask for than that?



Bathtubs come in all shapes and sizes and with a variety of different features such as built in jet systems, tubs big enough for two, steam baths, corner baths and the list goes on. There’s a tub to suit everyone’s taste and budget so add a spectacular tub to your home and transform your bathroom into an opulent spa-like retreat that you can enjoy day in and day out. After all, you deserve a sanctuary of your own to escape to at the end of your busy day.

 Trendy Storage Options

Like most people, it’s quite common to have books, DVD’s and LP’s falling this way and that out of crevices, cupboards and covering coffee tables all over the house. If you have just moved home, or are in the process of moving, the problem of having all your personal possessions spread throughout the house or flat can be quite frustrating. Speak to any graduate who has had to move once a year for the past four years; the stress of having enough room will certainly not be lost on them!
So what storage options are there in the world? Besides your average bookshelves, newspaper holders and garage doors hiding your prized possessions, there are a plethora of gadgets, groovy cabinets and expensive storage units which you can utilize for your home or flat or you could just choose to stick with the traditional option and throw everything in your garage and you can check out the garage door trends at ABI garage doors.

Nightstand Fridge



For those of you out there who want to hide your favorite beer from ensuing friends during a house party, the Nightstand Fridge could be the perfect tool for not only cooling your favoured beverage, but also hiding it from thirsty tongues. Available in three differing designs, the nightstand is made to fit a whole range of decors and home designs. Though currently only available in the United States, you may have to pay a few more cents to get your $379’s of fridge to the United Kingdom.

Spiral Wine Cellar



Continuing with the theme of alcohol, the Spiral Wine Cellar is the perfect solution for storing your masses of wine from the more conventional methods, such as boring old wine racks and holders. With your own chic wine cellar you will become the king of parties with sleek glass doors leading the way into a world of fine wine and alcohol. For example, one cellar can hold up to 1,900 bottles and needs not one iota of electricity to run, as the surrounding earth and ingenious air flow systems provide the perfect conditions for your cache!


Underground Garage



If you want to think big, then the underground garage system may be just what you’re looking for. If you’ve just managed to get hold of your dream car or motorbike, or just want to show off (why wouldn’t you?), then the underground garage provides the perfect security solution to keep your vehicle tucked away beneath the ground. Amazingly, all it takes is the single click of a button and your car will rise proudly out of your driveway, much like the old Batman programmes you enjoyed in your childhood!

Hidden Door



Okay, so more of a door than a bookshelf, but it is the combination of the two entities which makes the hidden door to the list of trendy storage options. With the option of faux books if you’re not a big reader, a hidden door into another or secret room is a great security option besides an excellent tool for scaring or pranking your friends with! Available for both domestic and commercial purposes, the hidden door could be your secret gateway into your own gaming room, study or just a place to sit and relax.

Simply amazing.. Hope all of you enjoyed

AG Home Goods

Changes almost finished at AG Home Goods...

Avant-Garde Home Furnishings, LLC présents

Changes almost finished at AG Home Goods... 

TODAY I want to share with all of you that most of the new branding 

and logos are up throughout our sites. The store, interior design site, 

and info site are all up and running. We also have a new site aghomegoods.net 

which will become aghomegoods.info that is a brief intro page that links

 to all our sites. Please check out the new and improved AG Home Goods..

We have redone or user interface, created new categories, and made 

navigation through the various sites as easy as eating a piece of cake.. 

Check them out for yourself and please send in any comments or 

suggestions  that your might have to better improve our sites..

We have gone a long way to make the store cleaner, more user friendly, 

and much more food for the eyes.. In other we think you will be impressed 

by all our changes.. Please let us know and send any and all comments on 

our store.. The input will be greatly appreciated..

Thanks for your continued support..

Its simply amazing..