Google file photo: Bill and Hillary Clinton

Ex-President Bill Clinton is reportedly recovering at his suburban New York home today, after leaving a Manhattan hospital early this morning. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is reportedly with her husband at the family home in Chappaqua, about 35 miles north of New York City.

The former president spent the night in the hospital for observation, following a heart procedure to unclog a blocked artery. Clinton’s health drama began several days ago when he started feeling some discomfort or pressure in his chest. Yesterday, Clinton entered New York Presbyterian Hospital where he underwent a procedure called angioplasty to restores blood flow by widening blocked artery. Also, a couple of small devices called stents were inserted in the re-opened artery to keep it that way.

Doctors insisted Clinton did not suffer a heart attack. Okay, but it was still a serious episode when you have to undergo a heart procedure. Also, Clinton has had heart trouble before. In 2004, he underwent a quadruple bypass. Clinton’s cardiologist, Dr. Allan Schwartz, says one of the arteries cleared during the bypass had become blocked and that is why yesterday’s surgery was necessary.

Even though his cardiologist did not say so publicly, many are hoping the ex-president slows down a bit. Since leaving the White House in 2001, Clinton has been quite active with book tours, speaking engagements, fundraising, political events, and now involved in efforts to assist earthquake ravaged Haiti. Clinton is the U.N. Special Envoy to Haiti.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rushed from Washington DC to New York to be with her husband yesterday. Daughter Chelsea was already there with her father. Due to her husband’s health issue, White House officials say the secretary has delayed a planned trip to the Middle East today, until at least tomorrow.

There’s an update on the former president on the website of the William J. Clinton Foundation, from spokesman Douglas Band:

“President Bill Clinton was released from New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia this morning in excellent health. He warmly thanks the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Hospital for the care he received, particularly Dr. Mark Apfelbaum and Dr. Michael Collins, who performed his procedure yesterday, which was overseen by Dr. Craig Smith and President Clinton’s cardiologist Dr. Allan Schwartz. President Clinton would also like to thank the many people who extended their best wishes to him for a quick recovery. He looks forward in the days ahead to getting back to the work of his Foundation, and to Haiti relief and recovery efforts.”

The State Department of Public Health is recommending all residents get a flu shot for the H1N1 virus as soon as possible. The so-called swine flu remains widespread in seven states, including California. Even though some indicators suggest H1N1 cases may be tapering off here, health officials fear another wave of the illness could hit after the first of the year.

As of December 19, 2009, that agency’s data reports 449 people have died from swine flu in California. In a story on the Los Angeles Times website, the Director of the State Department of Public Health, Dr. Mark Horton, claims California has received more than 12 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine: “We can now recommend that all individuals seek vaccination.”

Last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health boasted of a healthy supply of H1N1 vaccine in a news release and urged anyone who hadn’t got one to get a vaccination for that type of influenza. It will be interesting to see if some of this vast supply of H1N1 vaccine, being touted by health officials, will make its way to the Burbank area, making some of those flu shots easier to find. The reality is that in recent days, flu shots have been very hard to score in some parts of Burbank.

Want to keep your holiday calorie in-take in check, remember to go for white meat instead of dark. A decision like that can save you a few hundred calories during this holiday season of eat, drink, and be merry. The InStyle website has a nice reminder post on how you can make some sensible choices with a little extra effort.

Jackie Keller, a celebrity wellness coach for stars like Reese Witherspoon and Charlize Theron, has this suggestion for slowing down the urge to graze at the food tables:”Trick yourself into allowing the brain to kick in and make healthy choices by occupying your hands with a glass of water or wine.”

Some suggestions from the post: pick red wine instead of fancy cocktails, snack on almonds rather than cheese and crackers, and stay away from pecan pie — go for pumpkin and you’ll save more than 100 calories per average slice. If you can make some smart food choices you probably will not gain weight during the holidays. Or you can just feast now and worry about your weight in the New Year. Been there, done that. Either way, enjoy!

Official White House photo by Pete Souza — December 20, 2009

 Like millions of Americans, President Obama rolled up his sleeve for a flu shot yesterday. The Prez did not have to stand in line at a clinic or make an appointment at a doctor’s office. Obama received the H1N1 vaccine from a White House nurse. Obama got a vaccination for the seasonal flu a few weeks ago. Actually, the entire first family, except for the dog Bo, has been immunized against both flu viruses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, we’re heading into the worst of the flu season. It can start as early as October and usually peaks in January or late winter.

Shoppers are expected to flood stores and malls today

On the last weekend before Christmas, there are predictions shoppers will get real serious about their gift buying. Retailers are hoping to be swamped by folks looking for bargains and last minute gift ideas. No matter how good the numbers are this weekend, some analysts say they won’t be good enough to boost the holiday season into the black for retailers.

Also, a snowstorm may slow down shoppers back east. Locally, the forecast is for sunny skies with temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s, So folks here can shop till they drop in near perfect weather.  More on the Super Weekend Shopfest here.

In Burbank flu shots hard to find

Still need to get a flu shot or two?  Now is definitely the time to get vaccinated because a lot of folks get sick with influenza this time of year. The latest news from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is that there are over 2.4 million doses of H1N1 vaccine in the county and, therefore, it is now available to everyone, not just those in the high risk groups.

Last Tuesday, in a news release posted on the county H1N1 web page, L.A. County Health Office Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding announced the policy change: “Adequate vaccine supply has arrived in Los Angeles County, allowing providers to administer H1N1 vaccine to any patient over the age of six months…”

However, there still appears to be a shortage of the H1N1 and or the seasonal vaccine in areas of Burbank. Last Tuesday, I checked at the Pavilions’ pharmacy at 1110 Alameda Avenue, and was told they ran out of the seasonal flu vaccine on Monday and NEVER received a supply of H1NI vaccine.

However, I managed to track down some available flu shots at the CVS Pharmacy Minute Clinic at 511 Hollywood Way. They had both the H1N1 and the seasonal vaccines on Wednesday, but the staff told me they did not know how long the supply would last or if it would be replenished. So you might want to add flu shots to your holiday to-do list.

Photo: Chuck Kennedy/White House — President Obama shakes hands with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today after signing three new initiatives to help community health centers.

 ”… I’m pleased to announce that we’re awarding more than $500 million to 85 centers in more than 30 states and Puerto Rico that are providing critical care for so many folks with nowhere else to turn,” President Obama said today at the White House. “So taken together, these three initiatives –- funding for construction, technology, and a medical home demonstration –- they won’t just save money over the long term and create more jobs, they’re also going to give more people the peace of mind of knowing that health care will be there for them and their families when they need it.”

For more on the plans for this stimulus money, here’s the full text of the president’s remarks from the White House website.

 Are Zhu Zhu pets safe?

Zhu Zhu pets, the robotic hamsters that talk and move, are at the top of a lot of wish lists this holiday season. Recently, a California-based consumer watchdog group’s website reportedly sparked a controversy when it claimed there is a potentially harmful level of metal in the Mr. Squiggles model.

Now, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has weighed in on the controversy, declaring Zhu Zhu pets are in line with toy standards. The latest on the story here.

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center being investigated by the feds

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded an ongoing probe into suspected radiation overdose of patients to include St. Joseph.

The focus is CT brain perfusion scans. Perhaps as many as 34 patients may have received the radiation overload at the Burbank hospital. This is the third medical facility in L.A. county to be included in this probe. The complete story on the L.A. Times website.