MANILA, Oct. 8 Kyodo In the largely Roman Catholic Philippines, the Christian holiday Christmas, it sometimes seems, lasts almost forever. Already malls and shopping centers in Manila have started the annual tradition of decorating their stores with Christmas adornments to spark interest in the Yuletide paraphernalia such as trees, wreaths and poinsettias they sell. And fully decorated Christmas trees from several centimeters to several meters tall are already landmarks within and outside many commercial establishments.
Early on, when the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Association inaugurated its Flaming Festival, the benefit featured nothing but tables decorated with candles and each table with a theme such as Christmas, childs birthday or football watching. These tables were decorated by Theta members. Ruth Meyers will present a fashion show during the luncheons, which will have seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reservations for these are $15 each and must be made in advance by calling Ann Fleming at 359-6116. She is luncheon co-chair with Gennie Johnson. Festival tickets are $3 in advance or $6 at the door. The Theta Philanthropy Committee once again has decided to grant Festival proceeds to the University of Oklahoma Institute for Breast Health for two Breast Oncology Summer Fellowships, a commitment that will extend for five years. Breast cancer is the leading cause of all deaths in women between the ages of 35 and 50 and one in nine women eventually will be afflicted with the disease, according to information from Harriet Weirich, co-chairman of the Festival. Her co-chair is Susan Sigmon. In the Underwriter category, with a donation of $200 or more, the donor receives two tickets to the seated luncheon and 10 Festival tickets. Sponsor category at $100 or more receives 10 tickets to the Festival and some perks. Patron category of $50-$99 includes recognition in the Festival program and a special name tag. Bouquet of Art Wednesdays column included information about another sorority benefit — the Bouquet of Art exhibit and sale sponsored by Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Association. Unfortunately, the date of the show was in error. The benefit will take place Saturday, Nov. 22, at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. Thirty-one artists will have their works on view and for sale with proceeds benefiting the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Miniature masterpieces Miniature masterpieces of painting, sculpture and pottery will be on display at the 50 Penn Place Gallery Saturday with a free reception from 6 until 8 p.m. The gallery is on the third retail level. Bill Thurman bows out Making his farewell appearance before Executive Women International, William G. Thurman (thats Bill in the bow tie, of course) talked on “Medicine in the Media — Fact vs. Fiction.” While the subject was serious, it was presented with his wry sense of humor. Pointing out that few people listen to their doctors, he said most folks are influenced by medical news they hear on television and radio or read in newspapers, magazines and tabloids. “Newspapers are the worst about medicine,” he said, apologizing to newspaper representatives in the audience, “and, fortunately, the tabloids dont pick on medical information. Magazines and TV are bothering us (in medicine), especially those like Better Homes and Gardens and McCalls. For some reason, patients are convinced that what they read is true. “When there are problems (in medicine), the wire services often are purposefully provocative,” he continued, citing conflicting stories, the speed of communications, translation and choice of “experts” as examples of problems. “This confuses the patient,” he said. Bill listed as examples of “scare medical stories” the 1959 cranberries, “killer” hot dogs, saccharin, hair dyes, Tris (infant sleepwear), Love Canal, high voltage wires, toxic teeth and asbestos. “Oh, the cellular phones,” he said with a wry smile as a cellphone rang in someones pocket. The Alar pesticide in apples caused a big scare,” said Bill explaining that it would take an average of 38,000 quarts of apple juice over a two-year period to develop cancer. He also said that the average child probably would be struck by lightning before suffering illness from asbestos and that theres no sign yet that cell phones cause cancer. Thurman has just retired as president and executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation but will continue to practice here as an oncology pediatrician, as well as in his summer home in Washington state. J. Donald Capra is the new president and executive director and will be the Foundations representative to EWIs Oklahoma City chapter. Harvest Food Festival Bring a can of food — or several — and join the festivities of the Oklahoma City Food Banks Harvest Food Drive Cans Festival on Saturday. From 8 a.m. until noon at Penn Square, guests will watch 20 businesses and schools join to assemble giant sculptures created with canned food. Children may have their faces painted downstairs by the Cans Sculpture activities. The can sculptures will remain on display until Nov. 9. Last year, the Cans Festival raised a record 64,000 pounds of food. Area Boy and Girl Scouts are distributing plastic bags with flyers to homes and apartments in the area on Nov. 8, and will pick them up — hopefully filled with non-perishable canned goods — at 8 a.m. Nov. 15. Joan Gilmore welcomes your comments and contributions. You may reach her by phone at 278-2842, by fax at 278-2890, or by e-mail, dpage
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