This week’s Mystery Photo
Where is this?
Can you tell us where this is located? Drop us a line at mail@sjindy.com.
111 S. Oakland St.
Jonathan Pulling writes: This week’s Mystery Photo is 111 South Oakland Street. It is on the Northeast corner of Oakland and Cass Streets. I don’t know anything else about it.
The current owner is Larry Klein. Previous owners include Michael and Janice Schafer, Thomas and Alvena Strgar, Raymond and Sharon Vitek, Martin and Miriam Van Valkenberg.
A Look Back – Ben Franklin
by Barry Bauer
Roy Ebert, St Johns mayor, cuts the ribbon opening the new Ben Franklin Store in the Southgate Plaza in St Johns. Owner and manager of the new St. Johns business, John Overley, is on Ebert’s right. Ben Franklin officials and local employees joined in the ribbon cutting ceremonies Thursday morning.
This happened in November, 1974.
Benny and Jessie’s Pet Info – Dangerous Winter Holiday Plants for Pets
Animals will often chew plants to get some roughage. For dogs this is because they are omnivores and actually enjoy plant foods. Plant roughage can be a good source of vitamins and can be helpful for passing food through the intestines. Cats are strictly carnivorous, but eating plants can benefit them by helping to bind hair in the stomach and carry it back out when they hack the hair out through their esophagus and mouth. However, animals also eat leaves for reasons we do not always understand. This is especially true for pets that are kept indoors most or all of the time, since they have not learned which plants taste bad and should be avoided, or they do not have enough access to plants and will chew on whatever is accessible.
There are some types of decorative plants that are toxic to dogs and cats. In some cases, only mild indigestion and discomfort will result, in other cases, the toxicity can lead to more severe health problems, and even fatalities. If you are planning to bring holiday foliage into your home this year this season, you will need to know which plants are safe, which should be kept out of your pet’s reach, and which should be avoided entirely.
Poinsettia Plant Basics
A lot of people have been led to believe that the poinsettia plant is deadly for pets and children, but this is actually an unlikely occurrence. The poinsettia plant’s brightly colored leaves contain a sap that is irritating to the tissues of the mouth and esophagus. If the leaves are ingested, they will often cause nausea and vomiting, but it would take a large amount of the plant’s material to cause poisoning, and most animals and children will not eat such a large enough amount because of the irritating taste and feel from the sap.
However if the plant has been treated with a pesticide, your pet could be at risk of becoming ill from ingesting the pesticide. The size of your pet and the amount of ingested plant material will be the determining factors for the severity of the poisoning. Young animals — puppies and kittens — are at the highest risk. Severe reactions to the plant or to the pesticide it has been treated with include seizures, coma, and in some cases, death.
Holly and Mistletoe
Holly and mistletoe are also popular holiday plants. These plants, along with their berries, have a greater toxicity level than the poinsettia. Symptoms of illness form ingesting these plants include intestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea, excessive drooling, and abdominal pain.
Mistletoe contains multiple substances that are toxic to both dogs and cats, including toxalbumin and pharatoxin viscumin (Lectins, Phoratoxins). Mistletoe is well known for causing severe intestinal upset, as well as a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure, breathing problems, and even hallucinations (unusual behavior). If a large enough amount of these plants are ingested, seizures and death may follow. The leaves and berries of holly and mistletoe plants, even the dried plants, should be kept well out of your pet’s reach, or kept out of the home altogether.
Lilies and Daffodils
Plants in the lily and daffodil can be toxic to pets. In cats, Lilium and Hemerocallis genera lilies are the most dangerous. Eating even a small amount of the plant will have a severe impact on a cat’s system, causing severe symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues, arrhythmia, and convulsions. Daffodils are also toxic to both dogs and cats, especially the bulbs.
Amaryllis
The beauty of the flowering Amaryllis is matched by its toxicity. The Amaryllis contains Lycorine and other noxious substances, which cause salivation, gastrointestinal abnormalities (vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain), lethargy, and tremors in both cats and dogs. The bulb of the plant is reputed to be even more dangerous than the flowers and stalk.
The Amaryllis also goes by other names, including Belladonna, Saint Joseph Lily, Cape Belladonna, and Naked Lady.
Christmas Cactus
Fortunately, the Christmas Cactus (or its relative, the Easter Cactus) plant is not toxic to dogs in either its parts or flowers. The same lack of toxicity applies for cats. However fibrous plant material can cause irritation to the stomach and intestine, leading to vomiting or diarrhea.
The Christmas Tree
There are other dangers to consider with the good ol’ Yule tree other than lights and ornaments. The oils produced by fir trees can be irritating to a pet’s mouth and stomach, causing excessive vomiting or drooling. The tree needles, meanwhile, may cause gastrointestinal irritation, obstruction and puncture.
The water used to nourish Christmas trees can be noxious. Bacteria, molds, and fertilizers can cause your pet to become extremely sick with only a few laps.
Playing it Safe
If you do choose to bring any of these plants into the home, or place them near the entry way where your pet can reach them, be very careful about where you are placing them. Cats, especially, need to be considered, since they can jump to high shelves. If your cat is a known plant chewer, you will probably be better off choosing imitation plants over the real things. But, if your dog or cat does manage to ingest any part of these holiday plants, call your veterinarian or poison control immediately to find out what you should do to minimize the damage.
Maralyn’s Did You Know? – Recall Notice for Zatarain’s Red Beans and Rice
Zatarain’s is initiating a voluntary recall of 8 oz boxes of Red Beans and Rice Original with a “Best By” date of JUL 31 16Z distributed in the Midwest and Eastern regions of the U.S. The Red Beans and Rice Original product may actually contain Creamy Parmesan Rice Mix with dairy ingredients. Dairy allergens are not labeled on the Red Beans and Rice Original package. People with a dairy allergy or sensitivity run the risk of a serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date and no other Zatarain’s products are involved in this recall.
The product subject to this recall is:
Zatarain’s Red Beans and Rice Original 8 oz box
Package UPC Number: 7142909849
Affected Date Code: Best By July 31 16Z
Shipping Dates: August 7, 2015 through September 29, 2015
States Shipped To: FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WI
All retail outlets that sell these products are being notified to remove the product with affected date code from their shelves and warehouses immediately.
Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to dispose of the product and do not consume the product. Consumers may contact Zatarain’s Consumer Affairs team at 1-877-837-3796 weekdays from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM (Eastern Time) for a replacement or full refund, as well as with general inquires.
This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration. The Company is also issuing an alert through the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Frostbite in Cats
Frostbite results from prolonged exposure to severe cold. Fortunately this doesn’t happen too often to the average house cat. Even though cats have a thick fur coat, the tips of the ears, nose, tail, and toes, or any area where the hair is thin is susceptible to frostbite. If your cat gets frostbite, she most likely also has hypothermia. Any area that suffers frostbite may be lost if not treated immediately.
What to Watch For
Affected areas will be pale to bluish white in color and much cooler to the touch than surrounding skin. This is due to loss of circulation to the area, brought on by the cold. If the circulation returns, the affected area will be red and swollen, sometimes with a distinct line between the healthy and damaged areas. Usually the area does not become painful until the circulation returns.
Primary Cause
Frostbite is caused by prolonged exposure to severe cold. This usually happens from being outside in cold weather for a long period without shelter.
Immediate Care
Warm the skin and stimulate the return of circulation to the affected area with warm (not hot), moist heat. This can be accomplished by immersing the area in warm water for 15 to 30 minutes, or applying a warm moist towel to the area.
DO NOT rub the area as it will cause more damage.
As the circulation returns, the skin will redden.
Apply aloe vera to the skin.
If any of the red areas start turning dark, it is a sign of severe tissue damage and your cat should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on physical examination and your cat’s history of exposure to cold.
Treatment
Initial treatment is to warm the tissue and restore circulation as already described. If it appears that normal circulation is returning, your veterinarian may prescribe pain medication or antibiotics. If the circulation is not returning, as determined by the tissue turning dark in color instead of red, your vet may attempt additional measures to improve circulation. However, these areas are usually dead or dying tissue and will need to be surgically removed.
Living and Management
It may take several days for evidence of dying tissue to become apparent, so inspect the affected areas at least once a day for darkening of the skin. As the areas of frostbite heal, they will probably become uncomfortable or itchy to your cat. It is important to keep your cat from licking, chewing, or scratching the area. The use of an Elizabethan collar may be necessary. If any tissue has been removed, your veterinarian may need to remove stitches after about 10 days. Otherwise, follow any additional instructions he or she may give you.
Prevention
It is best to keep your cat inside when the weather is cold. If your cat’s habits are such that she may be outside in severe weather, make sure she has access to shelter that protects from wind and snow (or rain), and has straw or blankets to hold warmth.