Docs to teens: Cinnamon challenge prank dangerous

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Saturday, April 27th, 2:00 pm

By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay News) -- As if parents didn't have enough to worry about, it seems a growing number of kids are taking the "Cinnamon Challenge" -- a stunt that has landed some in the ER, pediatricians warn.

The Cinnamon Challenge sounds simple but is almost impossible: Swallow a tablespoon of ground cinnamon in 60 seconds without the help of a drink. Invariably, the taker ends up gagging and coughing up the spice -- creating a big brown cloud dubbed "dragon breath."

Onlookers apparently find it funny, said Dr. Steven Lipshultz, a pediatrics professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida. There are over 51,000 YouTube clips of the stunt -- one of which was viewed more than 19 million times as of last August, Lipshultz and his colleagues report in the May issue of Pediatrics.

But it could be dangerous for the person who downs the cinnamon.

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Most Americans oppose soda, candy taxes

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Saturday, April 27th, 9:00 am

By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay News) -- Most U.S. adults aren't sweet on the idea of soda and candy taxes, and many doubt the bigger price tags would trim the national waistline.

That's the finding of a new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll released Thursday. In the online survey of more than 2,100 adults, respondents were opposed to government taxes on sugary drinks and candy by a more than 2-to-1 margin.

Between 56 percent and 58 percent said no to such taxes, while only 21 to 23 percent were in favor.

"This is a strong vote against the 'nanny state,'" said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll.

"The idea of taxing calorie-rich candies and sodas may be popular with some public health advocates, who see them as major causes of the nation's obesity epidemic, but it is very unpopular with the public," Taylor said.

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Montevallo to hold Family Fun and Fitness Day April 28

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Saturday, April 27th, 2013, 9:00am

Montevallo to hold Family Fun and Fitness Day April 28

Montevallo, AL — There’s something for everyone at Montevallo’s 5th Annual Family Fun and Fitness Day! Co-hosted by the Montevallo Park and Recreation Board, the University of Montevallo, ValloCycle: the Montevallo Bike Share, and the Boys and Girls Club, this event will offer free activities and demonstrations.

At 3 PM, Montevallo Elementary School students will enter a PE ½ Marathon, while Middle School students compete in a Marathon Run.

Hikers will enjoy Montevallo’s Greenway National Recreation Trail. Bikers will have a guided 3-4 mile ride. Exciting activities such as rock climbing, golf, tai chi, yoga and zumba will be demonstrated during the day.

WHO: Alabamians of all ages are welcome at this FREE event.

WHEN: April 28, 2:00-4:00 PM

WHERE: Orr Park

Photography will be allowed at the event.

INFORMATION SOURCE: VALLOCYCLE, THE MONTEVALLO BIKE SHARE

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Movie Review: Django Unchained

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Friday, April 26th, 2013, 12:54pm

A movie review by Mercer Morrison from our sister station WDAM.

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Strawberry Festival held Saturday in Calera

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Friday, April 26th, 2013, 12:25pm

Strawberry Festival held Saturday in Calera

Love strawberries? Then you're in luck! The third annual Strawberry Festival is coming up this weekend in Calera.

The Strawberry Festival will be held at the Calera Farms Market on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Oliver Park. The park is located at 9758 Hwy 25, Calera, Alabama 35040.

The 2013 season for the Calera Farmers Market starts June 4 and will be open every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer at Oliver Park.

For more details, visit http://www.calerafarmersmarket.com or the Calera Farmers Market page on Facebook.

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Tuscaloosa to host Dragon Boat Races Saturday

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Friday, April 26th, 2013, 12:17pm

Tuscaloosa to host Dragon Boat Races Saturday

The Junior League of Tuscaloosa is hosting their second annual Dragon Boat Races on Saturday, April 27.

Teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and steerer will race in 46-ft long Chinese dragon boats along the Black Warrior River. The races will go from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cypress Inn near the pier at 501 Rice Mine Road North in Tuscaloosa.

Schedule of events:

10:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies

10:45 a.m. History of dragon boat racing and "dotting of the eye" ceremony

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Round 1 races

1 p.m .- 1:55 p.m. Moment of silence for survivors and victims of the April 27, 2011 tornadoes, then break

1:55 - 3:50 p.m. Round 2 races

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. round 3 races

5 p.m. Awards and closing ceremony

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Your week in review: April 26

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Friday, April 26th, 11:44 am

By Brandon Twichell - email

Tsarnaev while he recovered in the hospital. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev reportedly told police that his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who died in a shootout with police, was the mastermind of the attacks and that the two of them became self-radicalized from Islamic videos on the internet.

They were also reportedly planning to detonate explosives at Times Square in New York City. Police charged Dzhokhar Tsarnaev with use of a weapon of mass destruction and malicious destruction of property resulting in death.

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