Out in the kayak the day after the Burnin at the Bluffs mountain bike race.

COUNCIL SWEEPER SMOKING......

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been the symbol of the protection of America's forests. More than 60 years later, he is still wearing his blue jeans, but his trademark line has received an update. It's   more...now: "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires." And for good reason- the destruction of land by fire has expanded beyond just the forest.

"Wildfire" refers to any uncontrolled, outdoor fire. The year 2000 marked one of the greatest acreage losses to wildfire since 1957. Eight million acres burned that year (about the size of New Hampshire), and of that more than 3 million acres were lost due to fires caused by humans.

To renew the important message of wildfire prevention to Americans, Smokey has recently enlisted the help of Bambi. Smokey has an experienced partner in Bambi, who was actually the first face of the forest fire prevention message in 1942. FCB-Southern California, who has worked on the campaign since the beginning, featured Bambi on posters to remind us to be careful with our forests. The latest spots featuring Bambi ask us all to "Don't Let Our Forests Become Once Upon a Time."

All the PSAs direct people to www.smokeybear.com to learn all about wildfires and how we can protect our forests.  less

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been the symbol of the protection of America's forests. More than 60 years later, he is still wearing his blue jeans, but his trademark line has received an update. It's   more...now: "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires." And for good reason- the destruction of land by fire has expanded beyond just the forest.

"Wildfire" refers to any uncontrolled, outdoor fire. The year 2000 marked one of the greatest acreage losses to wildfire since 1957. Eight million acres burned that year (about the size of New Hampshire), and of that more than 3 million acres were lost due to fires caused by humans.

To renew the important message of wildfire prevention to Americans, Smokey has recently enlisted the help of Bambi. Smokey has an experienced partner in Bambi, who was actually the first face of the forest fire prevention message in 1942. FCB-Southern California, who has worked on the campaign since the beginning, featured Bambi on posters to remind us to be careful with our forests. The latest spots featuring Bambi ask us all to "Don't Let Our Forests Become Once Upon a Time."

All the PSAs direct people to www.smokeybear.com to learn all about wildfires and how we can protect our forests.  less

An estimated one million families will face foreclosure this year. Not only do foreclosures have a disastrous financial impact on a family, but they also have harsh consequences for entire communities.   more... Just one or two boarded-up homes can send a residential block into a downward spiral, driving down property values and leading to increased crime, rundown schools, and flagging economic growth.

Studies show that roughly 50% of delinquent borrowers avoid contact with their lender hoping the problem will go away. Further, more than 6 in 10 delinquent homeowners are not aware of services that mortgage lenders can offer a person behind in their mortgage.

This campaign will encourage homeowners at risk of losing their homes to call 888-995-HOPE, where they will find quality counseling and financial advice from a trusted, third-party nonprofit on the opportunities available to avoid foreclosure.  less

Old Lady Fakes It

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can last for many years. It can be life-threatening and damage any part of the body, including skin, joints or organs. Individuals with the disease can experience   more...a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, painful or swollen joints, fever, skin rashes and kidney problems.

The cause of lupus is unknown. The disease triggers the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells and tissue as if they were viruses, bacteria and other germs. Ninety percent of individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus are women of childbearing age (18-44). It is three times more common among minority women than in Caucasian women. There is no cure for lupus however; it can be managed if detected early. In particular, minority women must be educated about the disease and its symptoms. If they suspect they have lupus, they should then ask their doctors for a medical evaluation.

The new PSAs feature real women who have lupus. They portray women who have symptoms that might be related to lupus but these women have not yet asked their doctors the most important question, “Could I have lupus?” The PSAs conclude with the tagline, “For answers. For support. For hope.”  less

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can last for many years. It can be life-threatening and damage any part of the body, including skin, joints or organs. Individuals with the disease can experience   more...a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, painful or swollen joints, fever, skin rashes and kidney problems.

The cause of lupus is unknown. The disease triggers the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells and tissue as if they were viruses, bacteria and other germs. Ninety percent of individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus are women of childbearing age (18-44). It is three times more common among minority women than in Caucasian women. There is no cure for lupus however; it can be managed if detected early. In particular, minority women must be educated about the disease and its symptoms. If they suspect they have lupus, they should then ask their doctors for a medical evaluation.

The new PSAs feature real women who have lupus. They portray women who have symptoms that might be related to lupus but these women have not yet asked their doctors the most important question, “Could I have lupus?” The PSAs conclude with the tagline, “For answers. For support. For hope.”  less

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can last for many years. It can be life-threatening and damage any part of the body, including skin, joints or organs. Individuals with the disease can experience   more...a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, painful or swollen joints, fever, skin rashes and kidney problems.

The cause of lupus is unknown. The disease triggers the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells and tissue as if they were viruses, bacteria and other germs. Ninety percent of individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus are women of childbearing age (18-44). It is three times more common among minority women than in Caucasian women. There is no cure for lupus however; it can be managed if detected early. In particular, minority women must be educated about the disease and its symptoms. If they suspect they have lupus, they should then ask their doctors for a medical evaluation.

The new PSAs feature real women who have lupus. They portray women who have symptoms that might be related to lupus but these women have not yet asked their doctors the most important question, “Could I have lupus?” The PSAs conclude with the tagline, “For answers. For support. For hope.”  less

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can last for many years. It can be life-threatening and damage any part of the body, including skin, joints or organs. Individuals with the disease can experience   more...a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, painful or swollen joints, fever, skin rashes and kidney problems.

The cause of lupus is unknown. The disease triggers the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells and tissue as if they were viruses, bacteria and other germs. Ninety percent of individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus are women of childbearing age (18-44). It is three times more common among minority women than in Caucasian women. There is no cure for lupus however; it can be managed if detected early. In particular, minority women must be educated about the disease and its symptoms. If they suspect they have lupus, they should then ask their doctors for a medical evaluation.

The new PSAs feature real women who have lupus. They portray women who have symptoms that might be related to lupus but these women have not yet asked their doctors the most important question, “Could I have lupus?” The PSAs conclude with the tagline, “For answers. For support. For hope.”  less

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can last for many years. It can be life-threatening and damage any part of the body, including skin, joints or organs. Individuals with the disease can experience   more...a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, painful or swollen joints, fever, skin rashes and kidney problems.

The cause of lupus is unknown. The disease triggers the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells and tissue as if they were viruses, bacteria and other germs. Ninety percent of individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus are women of childbearing age (18-44). It is three times more common among minority women than in Caucasian women. There is no cure for lupus however; it can be managed if detected early. In particular, minority women must be educated about the disease and its symptoms. If they suspect they have lupus, they should then ask their doctors for a medical evaluation.

The new PSAs feature real women who have lupus. They portray women who have symptoms that might be related to lupus but these women have not yet asked their doctors the most important question, “Could I have lupus?” The PSAs conclude with the tagline, “For answers. For support. For hope.”  less

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can last for many years. It can be life-threatening and damage any part of the body, including skin, joints or organs. Individuals with the disease can experience   more...a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, painful or swollen joints, fever, skin rashes and kidney problems.

The cause of lupus is unknown. The disease triggers the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells and tissue as if they were viruses, bacteria and other germs. Ninety percent of individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus are women of childbearing age (18-44). It is three times more common among minority women than in Caucasian women. There is no cure for lupus however; it can be managed if detected early. In particular, minority women must be educated about the disease and its symptoms. If they suspect they have lupus, they should then ask their doctors for a medical evaluation.

The new PSAs feature real women who have lupus. They portray women who have symptoms that might be related to lupus but these women have not yet asked their doctors the most important question, “Could I have lupus?” The PSAs conclude with the tagline, “For answers. For support. For hope.”  less

Childhood asthma in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. Since 1980, the number of people diagnosed with asthma has more than doubled-and the number continues to increase each year. This   more...disease affects 1 out of 13 kids under 15, or 5.5 million.

Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism -responsible for about 10 million missed days, roughly 2 million emergency room visits, and approximately 5,000 deaths. And these statistics only account for known cases of asthma-many cases remain undiagnosed.

Although there is no known cure for this disease, experts agree that there are a variety of ways to reduce the number of asthma attacks. The latest PSAs highlight some unexpected items that can trigger asthma attacks and simple ways to take care of these items so that they are safer for a child with asthma.  less

Childhood asthma in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. Since 1980, the number of people diagnosed with asthma has more than doubled-and the number continues to increase each year. This   more...disease affects 1 out of 13 kids under 15, or 5.5 million.

Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism -responsible for about 10 million missed days, roughly 2 million emergency room visits, and approximately 5,000 deaths. And these statistics only account for known cases of asthma-many cases remain undiagnosed.

Although there is no known cure for this disease, experts agree that there are a variety of ways to reduce the number of asthma attacks. The latest PSAs highlight some unexpected items that can trigger asthma attacks and simple ways to take care of these items so that they are safer for a child with asthma.  less

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States.* Fourteen years ago, only 1 in 10,000 children was diagnosed with autism. Today, that rate has soared to 1 in 150.

Despite   more...this prevalence, research shows that many parents of young children are generally unaware of autism. This campaign seeks to educate parents about the growing rate of autism in this country and to ultimately increase the level of early detection.

Because there is currently no cure for autism and no effective means to prevent it, early detection is the crucial first step in helping children with autism. With appropriate early-intervention services, from ages 3-5, between 20% and 50% of children diagnosed with autism will be able to attend mainstream kindergarten.

All of the PSAs communicate the startling statistic that 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with some form of autism. The PSAs also encourage parents of young children to visit www.AutismSpeaks.org to learn the signs of the disorder.  less

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States.* Fourteen years ago, only 1 in 10,000 children was diagnosed with autism. Today, that rate has soared to 1 in 150.

Despite   more...this prevalence, research shows that many parents of young children are generally unaware of autism. This campaign seeks to educate parents about the growing rate of autism in this country and to ultimately increase the level of early detection.

Because there is currently no cure for autism and no effective means to prevent it, early detection is the crucial first step in helping children with autism. With appropriate early-intervention services, from ages 3-5, between 20% and 50% of children diagnosed with autism will be able to attend mainstream kindergarten.

All of the PSAs communicate the startling statistic that 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with some form of autism. The PSAs also encourage parents of young children to visit www.AutismSpeaks.org to learn the signs of the disorder.  less

The start of the Burning at the bluffs race near Potosi mo.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America. Someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and there are 700,000 new or recurrent strokes annually. Stroke is also a leading cause of severe, long-term   more...disability as it can cause paralysis, vision problems, memory loss and speech/language problems.

Tragically, the groups with the highest risk and incidence of stroke (elderly, African-Americans and men) are also the least knowledgeable about warning signs and risk factors. Though strokes are commonly thought to only happen to older people, the truth is that a stroke can strike people of all ages.

The campaign, which began in April 2003, aims to arm the public with the knowledge that a fast reaction to stroke symptoms is critical in potentially lessening the devastating results of a stroke.


In addition to the General Market campaign, the objective of the African American-targeted PSA campaign is to raise awareness that African Americans are twice as likely to suffer a first-ever stroke as white Americans. African American men and women are also the least knowledgeable about warning signs and risk factors, though a stroke disproportionately affects the population. Immediate emergency medical treatment may greatly reduce long-term disability caused by stroke.

The PSAs drive audiences to www.StrokeAssociation.org, or 1-888-4-STROKE where people can learn the risk factors, warning signs, and information on how to get help for recovering from a stroke.  less

Nearly two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits. Obesity rates have increased by more than 60% among adults over the last 10 years.   more...As a result, the health of the nation is getting progressively worse with consequences including increased risk for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

When it comes to losing weight and fighting these diseases, many don’t realize that seemingly difficult behaviors such as eating healthy and exercising regularly can be made easier and attainable through small changes to their everyday lives. There are hundreds of small steps that Americans can incorporate within their busy lifestyles to begin moving themselves and their families toward health.

These PSAs, an extension of the successful Small Steps campaign, aim to inspire overweight adult Americans to adopt healthy habits for themselves and their children through healthy eating, portion control, and increased physical activity. Viewers are encouraged to visit www.smallstep.gov to learn more about small steps they can take toward a healthier lifestyle.  less

Research shows that regardless of income level, America’s young people want to go to college and recognize that postsecondary education is a key to their future.

However, despite these high aspirations,   more...low-income and first-generation students are underrepresented on college campuses. The reasons vary, but key barriers include affordability, a lack of college-going knowledge and preparation, expectations, as well as guidance and encouragement.

This campaign encourages more low-income students and their families to take the necessary steps toward postsecondary education, with effective support from parents and adult influencers (teachers, counselors, coaches).

To learn more about the actual steps they need to take to be prepared for, and ultimately apply to, college, audiences are directed to the campaign website www.KnowHow2GO.org or to call 800-433-3243 for a free brochure.  less

Research shows that regardless of income level, America’s young people want to go to college and recognize that postsecondary education is a key to their future.

However, despite these high aspirations,   more...low-income and first-generation students are underrepresented on college campuses. The reasons vary, but key barriers include affordability, a lack of college-going knowledge and preparation, expectations, as well as guidance and encouragement.

This campaign encourages more low-income students and their families to take the necessary steps toward postsecondary education, with effective support from parents and adult influencers (teachers, counselors, coaches).

To learn more about the actual steps they need to take to be prepared for, and ultimately apply to, college, audiences are directed to the campaign website www.KnowHow2GO.org or to call 800-433-3243 for a free brochure.  less

Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show that, each year, on average:

* More than 300,000 teens are injured   more...in car crashes
* Nearly 8,000 teens are involved in fatal crashes
* More than 3,500 teens are killed

NHTSA research also shows that teen drivers are involved in more than five times as many fatal crashes as adults. Young drivers are more likely to speed, run red lights, make illegal turns, and die in an SUV rollover.

With the message “Speak Up,” the UR the Spokesperson campaign targets young adults between the ages of 15 and 21 and encourages them to be the spokesperson against reckless driving by empowering them to speak up when they are in the car with friends and don’t feel safe.

The campaign seeks to increase awareness about the dangers of reckless driving and educate teens on how to be safe drivers by focusing on safe speeds, avoiding distractions, wearing seat belts, and understanding the differences associated with driving SUVs.

AAA (American Automobile Association) will be assisting the Ad Council in these efforts nationwide through its clubs and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will be helping to spread the message by reaching out to its 350,000 student members.  less

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been the symbol of the protection of America's forests. More than 60 years later, he is still wearing his blue jeans, but his trademark line has received an update. It's   more...now: "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires." And for good reason- the destruction of land by fire has expanded beyond just the forest.

"Wildfire" refers to any uncontrolled, outdoor fire. The year 2000 marked one of the greatest acreage losses to wildfire since 1957. Eight million acres burned that year (about the size of New Hampshire), and of that more than 3 million acres were lost due to fires caused by humans.

To renew the important message of wildfire prevention to Americans, Smokey has recently enlisted the help of Bambi. Smokey has an experienced partner in Bambi, who was actually the first face of the forest fire prevention message in 1942. FCB-Southern California, who has worked on the campaign since the beginning, featured Bambi on posters to remind us to be careful with our forests. The latest spots featuring Bambi ask us all to "Don't Let Our Forests Become Once Upon a Time."

All the PSAs direct people to www.smokeybear.com to learn all about wildfires and how we can protect our forests.  less

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been the symbol of the protection of America's forests. More than 60 years later, he is still wearing his blue jeans, but his trademark line has received an update. It's   more...now: "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires." And for good reason- the destruction of land by fire has expanded beyond just the forest.

"Wildfire" refers to any uncontrolled, outdoor fire. The year 2000 marked one of the greatest acreage losses to wildfire since 1957. Eight million acres burned that year (about the size of New Hampshire), and of that more than 3 million acres were lost due to fires caused by humans.

To renew the important message of wildfire prevention to Americans, Smokey has recently enlisted the help of Bambi. Smokey has an experienced partner in Bambi, who was actually the first face of the forest fire prevention message in 1942. FCB-Southern California, who has worked on the campaign since the beginning, featured Bambi on posters to remind us to be careful with our forests. The latest spots featuring Bambi ask us all to "Don't Let Our Forests Become Once Upon a Time."

All the PSAs direct people to www.smokeybear.com to learn all about wildfires and how we can protect our forests.  less