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Wednesday, February 7, 2007

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Fighting the Forgotten
Just last week, the world took one step closer to ending the mystery and misery of Alzheimer's Disease. Researchers announced the discovery of variations in a gene that might be a factor in when and how loved ones get Alzheimer's, a disease that now affects four million Americans - and is increasing as our population ages. Meanwhile, a team of doctors at University Hospitals are working with local Alzheimer's patients on a far-reaching research project that involves rigorous testing medically and mentally. Rick Jackson has the details.

More information on Alzheimer’s disease & the ADNI program
University Memory and Aging Center, located on Fairhill Road in Cleveland

Sharing Dalmatians
Across Cuyahoga County, there are 51 municipal fire departments - some serve communities as small as 600 people. So, how much does it cost to run all these fire departments? About $200 million every year. But, we must have fire departments, right? Right now, a plan is in the works to merge the fire departments of seven cities to the south and west of Cleveland. If this plan succeeds, by this time next year, Berea, Brooklyn, Brookpark, Middleburg Heights, Olmstead Falls, Parma and Parma Heights will share a single fire department. Dan Moulthrop delves into the plan with two key players: Martin Zanotti, Mayor of Parma Heights and Jim Astorino, the president of the NEO Firefighters Association. He'll also speak with a firefighter in Brook Park.

Gay Cleveland
The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland is about to launch a marketing campaign to entice gays and lesbians to spend their tourism dollars here. Why? One reason is simple: money. The Travel Industry Association released a study in December that showed the "average gay party of 2.8 people" spent an average of $2,940 per trip, compared with the $2,870 per trip spent by the "average heterosexual party" of 3.8 people. David C. Barnett reports on what this campaign will look like and what amenities (or lack thereof) make Cleveland a desirable destination for gays and lesbians.

Travel Industry Association: Comprehensive Travel and Tourism Study of Gays and Lesbians Highlights Leisure Travel Insights

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