August has two birthstones, PERIDOT and SARDONYX.

The Peridot was regarded since ancient times as the symbol of the sun. The Greeks believed that it brought royal dignity upon its wearer. During the Middle Ages, Peridot was pierced, then strung on the hair of an donkey and attached to the left arm to ward off evil spirits. The Crusaders thought that Peridot were emeralds, and brought them back to Europe where they were featured as ornaments in churches.
Peridot is a gem-quality transparent variety of olivine, a mineral composed of magnesium-iron silicates. The color of olivine ranges from olive to lime green, sometimes with a brownish tinge. The green color is due to the presence of iron, while the brownish tinge indicates a higher iron content.

Some of the finest Peridot stones are called "evening emeralds" because they appear greener under artificial light.

An island in the Red Sea — named Zabargad, which means olivine in Arabic — has been mined for Peridot since ancient times. It is a small desolate island — nothing grows, there is no fresh water, and it is hot all year round except the middle of winter. In some locations on the island, fissures are lined with gem crystals ranging from millimeters to several centimeters. Beaches near the deposits have a greenish hue due to tiny green Peridot crystals.

Peridot crystals are also found in the Mogok district of Burma, Norway, Brazil, China, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Mexico. In the United States, small stones can be found in the San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona. Peridot has also been found in some meteorites.

Peridot is among the oldest known gemstones. The "topaz" on the breastplate of Aaron, High Priest of the Hebrews in the Old Testament, was believed to actually be Peridot. Ancient Egyptians, around 1580 B.C. to 1350 B.C., created beads from Peridot. For Greeks and Romans, Peridot was in popular use as intaglios, rings, inlays, and pendants.

Peridots were a prized gem late in the Ottoman empire (1300-1918). Turkish Sultans collected what is believed to be the world’s largest collection. The gold throne in Istanbul’s Topkapi museum is decorated with 955 Peridot cabochons (gems or beads cut in convex form and highly polished) up to 1 inch across, and there are also peridots used as turban ornaments and on jeweled boxes. The largest stone is believed to be a 310 carat gem that belongs to the Smithsonian. A 192 carat stone of fine clear olive-green is part of the Russian crown jewels, in the Kremlin.

Sardonyx

A second August birthstone is SARDONYX. Roman soldiers wore sardonyx talismans (objects bearing a sign of astrological influence to guard from evil and bring good fortune) engraved with heroes such as Hercules or Mars, god of war. They believed that the stone would make the wearer as brave and daring as the figured carved on it. During the Renaissance, sardonyx was believed to bring eloquence upon the wearer and was regarded with great value by public speakers and orators.

Sardonyx is a variety of the silica mineral called chalcedony. This sort of mineral contains layers of tiny quartz fibers, which are stacked on top of each other to give a banded appearance. The layers in these stones range from translucent to opaque. The stones vary in color, too. They may be white or gray, ranging to many colorful varieties.

Sardonyx stones usually contain flat-banded, white and brownish-red bands. The word Sardonyx is derived from the Greek, Sard meaning "reddish brown," and onyx meaning "veined gem." The best stones are found in India. They are also found in Germany, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, and Uruguay. In the United States, sardonyx can be found in the Lake Superior region and in Oregon.

Cameos and intaglios are often carved from Sardonyx.Cameos are figures carved on a stone, where the white layer appears as relief, and the colored layer is the background. Intaglios are the reverse of cameos. They are incised figures on the stone, where the stone is carved through the dark layer to reveal the light layer.

Sardonyx is a relatively common and inexpensive gemstone. It was a favorite gemstone in ancient times, popular not only because it was attractive, but also because it was widely available. Unlike most rare gemstones that could only be bought with the wealth of royalty and nobility, sardonyx could be obtained by many less-wealthy people.

One of the most famous sardonyx stone was set in a gold ring, carved with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I of England. It was given to the Earl of Essex by the Queen as a token of friendship, and she assured him that she would always come to his aid if he ever requested it. The Earl, imprisoned for treason, was condemned to be beheaded. He tried to send the ring to his Queen but it fell into the hands of Lady Nottingham, whose husband was an enemy of the Earl of Essex. Thinking that the Earl was too proud to ask for her mercy, the Queen allowed his execution. It wasn’t until the deathbed confession of Lady Nottingham that the Queen learned the truth, which left her heart-broken.

Police released this photo of Shawn Wuertly, who worked as a hotel security guard in Panama City Beach, Florida.

The 18-year-old woman from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, remains hospitalized, but her injuries are not life-threatening, Lt. Dave Humphreys said.

The incident happened early Monday at the Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort in Panama City Beach during spring break.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for Shawn Wuertly, 29, who worked as a security guard at the resort, Humphreys said.

He is wanted for attempted felony murder, sexual battery and false imprisonment.

Wuertly had been questioned by police regarding the attack, but they lacked the evidence to hold him, the spokesman said.

The police investigation has found that the suspect had seen the girl "several times" at the hotel and had "taken a liking to her at some point," Humphreys said.

Around 1 a.m. on Monday, the suspect grabbed the woman and pulled her into an unoccupied room on the sixth floor, using his key to get in, Humphreys said.

She said he sexually assaulted her and, after a brief altercation, threw her over the balcony, the police spokesman said.
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    * WJHG: Police say suspect may still be in area

She hit two smaller roofs on her way down, which likely saved her from more serious injuries, before she came to rest in a second floor stairwell, Humphreys said.

After his initial questioning, Wuertly told police he was leaving for Tennessee and would return on Wednesday. Wuertly has an outstanding arrest warrant, something that police did not discover until after he was released.

"Obviously no one checked his warrants because he has an outstanding warrant in Indiana," Humphrey said, noting that police are "not happy and will address that."

CNN’s calls to the hotel’s manager regarding Wuertly’s outstanding warrant were not returned.

I suggest you watch his specials… they frigging Rock

Makes me feel better about my Irish heritage

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Treating minor aches and pains due to headache, muscle aches, backache, arthritis, the common cold, flu, toothache, menstrual cramps, and immunizations, and for temporarily reducing fever. Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic (lowers fever). It works by lowering a chemical in the brain that stimulates pain nerves and the heat- regulating center in the brain.

Amoxicillin:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It is also used with other medicines to treat H. pylori infection and ulcers of the small intestines. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Azithromycin:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It slows the growth of, or sometimes kills, sensitive bacteria by reducing the production of important proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Caffeine:

Restoring mental alertness or wakefulness if you are experiencing fatigue or drowsiness. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by stimulating the brain.

Carbamazepine:

Controlling certain types of epileptic seizures. It is also used to treat severe pain of the jaw or cheek caused by a facial nerve problem (trigeminal neuralgia). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant. It works to control seizures by blocking certain nerve impulses in the brain. It works to treat trigeminal neuralgia by altering nerve impulses in certain facial nerves, which relieves pain.

Carbodex:

Relieving symptoms of sinus congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and cough due to colds, upper respiratory infections, and allergies. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Carbodex DM Drops is a decongestant, antihistamine, and cough suppressant combination. It works by constricting blood vessels and reducing swelling in the nasal passages. The antihistamine works by blocking the action of histamine, which helps reduce symptoms such as watery eyes and sneezing while the cough suppressant works in the brain to help decrease the cough reflex to reduce a dry cough.

Clofibric Acid:

An herbicide is used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed. Some of these act by interfering with the growth of the weed and are often based on plant hormones. Herbicides used to clear waste ground are nonselective and kill all plant material with which they come into contact. Some plants produce natural herbicides, such as the genus Juglans (walnuts). They are applied in total vegetation control (TVC) programs for maintenance of highways and railroads. Smaller quantities are used in forestry, pasture systems, and management of areas set aside as wildlife habitat.

Codeine:

Codeine is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain medicines. Codeine is used to treat mild to moderate pain. Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.

Cotinine:

One of the major detoxication products of nicotine; eliminated rapidly and completely by the kidneys.

Dehydronifedipine:

Treating certain kinds of angina (chest pain). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocking agent. It works by interfering with the normal action of calcium in blood vessel constriction (relaxes the blood vessels) and heart muscle contraction (heart may beat with less force and pump out less blood) and nerve conduction in the heart (heart may beat more slowly and more regularly). Calcium channel blockers are used to dilate (widen) the arteries of the heart and other arteries (reduce angina chest pain and reduce elevated blood pressure), and stabilize the heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too fast or in an irregular rhythm (antiarrhythmic effects).

Diclofenac:

Diclofenac/Misoprostol is contraindicated in pregnant women because the misoprostol component can cause abortion. Misoprostol has been shown to cause the uterus to tear in pregnant women if it is used to induce labor or to cause an abortion after the first trimester of pregnancy. Diclofenac/Misoprostol should only be given to women of childbearing age when nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy is required and the patient is at high risk of developing stomach ulcers or complications from stomach ulcers. Diclofenac/Misoprostol may be prescribed only if the patient has had a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before beginning therapy; is capable of using contraception (eg, birth control pills); has received oral and written warnings of the serious side effects associated with misoprostol, the risk of failed contraception, and the danger to women of childbearing age who take Diclofenac/Misoprostol by mistake; and will begin taking Diclofenac/Misoprostol only the second or third day of the next normal menstrual period. Diclofenac/Misoprostol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with others.Treating joint swelling, pain, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in patients who are at a high risk of developing NSAID-induced ulcers or their complications. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Diclofenac/Misoprostol is an NSAID and prostaglandin analog combination. The prostaglandin maintains prostaglandin activity needed to protect the lining of the stomach and reduce acid secretion, reducing the risk of ulcers. The NSAID decreases prostaglandins that cause pain and inflammation, relieving joint pain.

Diphenhydramine:

Treating occasional sleeplessness and reducing difficulty falling asleep. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It works by depressing the central nervous system (brain) to produce drowsiness.

Estradiol:

Estradiol should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Estrogens have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease (including heart attack), stroke, dementia, serious blood clots (eg, in the lungs or legs), cancer of the uterus, and breast cancer in some women. Tell your doctor right away if you have unusual vaginal bleeding while you use Estradiol . Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the benefits and risks of using Estradiol . Estradiol should be used for the shortest possible time at the lowest effective dose to minimize the risk of these side effects. Talk with your doctor regularly about your need to use Estradiol . Treating conditions due to menopause (eg, hot flashes; vaginal itching, burning, or dryness), treating vulval or vaginal atrophy, and preventing osteoporosis (brittle bones). It is also used for estrogen replacement therapy after failure of the ovaries and to relieve the symptoms of breast cancer. Treating advanced prostate cancer. It is also used to relieve symptoms of breast cancer. Estradiol is a female estrogen hormone. It works by replacing natural estrogens in a woman who can no longer produce enough estrogen.It works for advanced prostate cancer by antagonizing male hormones.

Estrone:

Estrogens (ES-troe-jenz) are female hormones. They are produced by the body and are necessary for the normal sexual development of the female and for the regulation of the menstrual cycle during the childbearing years. The ovaries begin to produce less estrogen after menopause (the change of life). This medicine is prescribed to make up for the lower amount of estrogen. Estrogens help relieve signs of menopause, such as hot flashes and unusual sweating, chills, faintness, or dizziness. Estrogens are prescribed for several reasons:     * to provide additional hormone when the body does not produce enough of its own, such as during menopause or when female puberty (development of female sexual organs) does not occur on time. Other conditions include a genital skin condition (vulvar atrophy), inflammation of the vagina (atrophic vaginitis), or ovary problems (female hypogonadism or failure or removal of both ovaries).     * to help prevent weakening of bones (osteoporosis) in women past menopause.     * in the treatment of selected cases of breast cancer in men and women.     * in the treatment of cancer of the prostate in men. Estrogens may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. There is no medical evidence to support the belief that the use of estrogens will keep the patient feeling young, keep the skin soft, or delay the appearance of wrinkles. Nor has it been proven that the use of estrogens during menopause will relieve emotional and nervous symptoms, unless these symptoms are caused by other menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes or hot flushes.

Fluoxetine:

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient’s doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Fluoxetine outweigh the risks. Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Fluoxetine . It is important to keep in close contact with the patient’s doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient’s doctor. Treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by restoring the balance of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain, which helps to improve mood.

Ibuprofen:

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal heart and blood vessel problems (eg, heart attack, stroke). The risk may be greater if you already have heart problems or if you take Ibuprofen for a long time. Do not use Ibuprofen right before or after bypass heart surgery. Ibuprofen may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal stomach ulcers and bleeding. Elderly patients may be at greater risk. This may occur without warning signs. Treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, or mild to moderate pain. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Ibuprofen is an NSAID. Exactly how it works is not known. It may block certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation. NSAIDs treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation. They do not treat the disease that causes those symptoms.

Meprobamate:

Treating short-term anxiety. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Meprobamate is an antianxiety agent. It works by affecting certain areas of the brain.

Naproxen:

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal heart and blood vessel problems (eg, heart attack, stroke). The risk may be greater if you already have heart problems or if you take Naproxen for a long time. Do not use Naproxen right before or after bypass heart surgery. Naproxen may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal stomach ulcers and bleeding. Elderly patients may be at greater risk. This may occur without warning signs. Treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile arthritis. It is used to treat tendonitis, bursitis, gout, menstrual cramps, or mild to moderate pain. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Naproxen is an NSAID. Exactly how it works is not known. It may block certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation. NSAIDs treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation. They do not treat the disease that causes those symptoms.

Phenytoin:

Treating certain types of seizures and preventing and treating seizures during surgery of the nervous system. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing abnormal nerve impulses in the brain that cause seizures.

Prednisone:

Treating severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, and skin conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Prednisone is a corticosteroid. It works by decreasing or preventing tissues from responding to inflammation. It also modifies the body’s response to certain immune stimulation.

Roxithromycin:

Roxithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat respiratory tract, urinary and soft tissue infections. Roxithromycin is derived from erythromycin, containing the same 14-membered lactone ring. However, an N-oxime side chain is attached to the lactone ring. It is also currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of male-pattern hair loss. Roxithromycin is available under several brandnames, for example Surlid, Rulide, Biaxsig, Roxar and Roximycin. Roxithromycin is not available in the United States. Roxithromycin has also been tested to possess antimalarial activity.

Sulfamethoxazole:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim is an antibiotic combination containing a sulfonamide antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Sulfathiazole:

Sulfonamides are used to treat bacterial infections. They work by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. Vaginal sulfonamides are used to treat bacterial infections. These medicines may also be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.

Tetracycline:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. Tetracycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria by interfering with the production of proteins needed by the bacteria to grow. Slowing the bacteria’s growth allows the body’s defense mechanisms to destroy them.

Tylosin:

Tylosin is an antibiotic of the macrolide class developed for veterinary use. It is made naturally by the bacterium Streptomyces fradiae and acts to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by inhibiting the 50S ribosome, a cellular structure only certain bacteria have and use to make internal proteins. Tylosin is licensed for use as a broad spectrum antibiotic for injectable or oral use in treatment of infection (e.g. respiratory tract and skin infections) in livestock. In small animals, tylosin has been used for its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties to treat colitis. It may also be used as a growth promoter in food animals.

Virginiamycin:

A cyclic polypeptide antibiotic complex from streptomyces virginiae, s. Loidensis, s. Mitakaensis, s. Pristina-spiralis, s. Ostreogriseus, and others. It consists of 2 major components, virginiamycin factor m1 and virginiamycin factor s1. It is used to treat infections with gram-positive organisms and as a growth promoter in cattle, swine, and poultry.

Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God.

He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.

His wishes were to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland.

Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity.

His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day ever since.

Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick’s Day. Not much of it is actually substantiated.

Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever native to Ireland, and some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday.

One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

The St. Patrick’s Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick’s Day was publicly celebrated in this country, in Boston.

Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking beer. One reason St. Patrick’s Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring.

Jennifer L. Vise