“May Day, May Day, May Day”!
Well, not in the original sense, but rather a shout out and invitation to join The Village Doctor (TVD) and the Town of Woodside in the 103rd Annual May Day Run and Parade on May 3, 2025!
The theme will be “Giddyup, Woodside!” The morning will kick off with a Fun Run (T-shirts co-sponsored by TVD) and pancake breakfast, followed by a parade featuring community groups, horses, school performances (and TVD!). Karen Seiko Arimoto-Peterson will serve as Grand Marshal, and Sharon LaCrosse Ryan as Deputy Marshal. Highlights will include the traditional third-grade Maypole dance and a lively carnival with games, food, and music, bringing the town together for a festive day.
And an interesting bit of trivia… do you know where May Day, May Day, May Day came from?
Courtesy of our friend(?) Chat GPT:
The distress call “Mayday, Mayday” actually comes from France!
It was coined in the 1920s by a senior radio officer at Croydon Airport (near London), named Frederick Stanley Mockford. At the time, aviation traffic between England and France was heavy, and Mockford was asked to come up with a word that would clearly signal a life-threatening emergency over radio — one that both English and French speakers would immediately understand.
Mockford suggested “Mayday,” derived from the French phrase “m’aider” (short for “venez m’aider” — meaning “come help me”).
Timeline snapshot:
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1923: Mockford proposes “Mayday” as the official distress call.
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1927: It becomes internationally recognized under the International Radiotelegraph Convention.
Important:
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“Mayday” must be said three times (“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”) to distinguish it from casual conversation or accidental use.
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It is used only for grave and imminent danger, like loss of aircraft control, ship sinking, fire, or medical emergencies.
Who knew? May you never need to use this signal, but if you ever do for medical reasons, may you have The Village Doctor at your back.
In health,
Eric
Eric Weiss, MD, DTM&H, April, 2025
Helping Kids Breathe Easy: Prevention and Treatment Strategies for Pediatric Seasonal Allergies
As the seasons change, many families eagerly anticipate more time outdoors, blooming flowers, and warmer weather. However, for children with seasonal allergies, this time of year can bring a different set of challenges. Pediatric seasonal allergies—commonly known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis—affect millions of children and can significantly impact their daily activities, school performance, and overall quality of life. Recognizing the signs early, understanding the triggers, and implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies can make a world of difference. In this article, we’ll explore what parents need to know to help their children thrive during allergy season and have included a handy printable guide to keep on the fridge.
How Gardening Can Help You Enter Flow State and Sharpen Your Mind
As a physician who has long studied the connection between lifestyle habits and brain health, I often recommend activities that engage both body and mind. One surprising — and highly effective — way to boost your cognitive function is through gardening. Yes, gardening isn’t just good for your body; it can also enhance your mental clarity, focus, and emotional well-being. Recent research shows that the meditative quality of gardening can help you enter a flow state, a condition of deep, effortless concentration that is highly beneficial for cognitive health.
Concierge Medicine Meets Martial Arts: A Unique Approach to Health & Wellness
Why does a concierge physician continue to practice martial arts in my social security years? It’s good for me and it’s good for those around me. I very much appreciate how martial arts have improved my health and made me a better physician. As a result, I’m particularly in tune to patients who want to maintain good athletic and physiological states—and this doesn’t have to mean you want to be an elite athlete; it only means you want to be healthy. Movement is essential not only to good health but to life, and martial arts make you move!
I am always proud to share accomplishments of The Village Doctor family in this “Village Square” section, and this month there are two shout outs to sing!
First one goes to our friend Daniel Breyer (and his lovely dog!), who joins the ranks of published authors with the recent publication of his first novel, Smokebirds. Published just earlier this month, Smokebirds, is a sharp satire set in a wildfire-ravaged future California. It follows Cole Peterson, a wealthy heir who exposes his family’s role in a devastating fire. Inspired by San Francisco’s “Orange Sky Day,” Smokebirds critiques privilege and climate apathy, drawing comparisons to Succession for its biting portrayal of wealth and morality.
My next shout out is closer to home – please join me in congratulating my wife Danyelle Kelly for having been invited to join the Board of the Australian American Chamber of Commerce. The AACC, founded in 1981, has as its mission the fostering of business, cultural, and professional connections between Australia and the United States through networking, education, and community engagement.
Speaking of Danyelle Kelly, she is also behind this year’s inaugural St. Vincent de Paul’s “CEO Sleep Out” taking place in Menlo Park on June 20, 2025.
This fundraising event has its roots in Australia where it began in 2006 in Parramatta, Australia, when volunteer Bernie Fehon invited business leaders to spend one night sleeping outdoors to raise awareness and funds for homelessness. The event quickly expanded nationwide, becoming an annual tradition across Australia’s major cities. Since its inception, the Australian CEO Sleepout has raised over $90 million to support crisis accommodation, food services, and long-term housing projects, while encouraging corporate leaders to advocate for lasting solutions to homelessness.
Based on her many years of work with St. Vincent De Paul, and with the blessing of “Vinnies” in Australia, Dany is bringing this event to the US for the first time this year. Starting small, the June 20 event is focusing on local CEOs from Menlo Park and Redwood City. Please read more about this important event here. Even more importantly, if you know any “CEO’” (I believe community leaders and executives are invited too!), please send them this link.
Please join me in this worthy cause. And congratulations, Dany!
Lastly, TVD Newsletter is a labor of love. If you enjoy reading this, please share widely! Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Please subscribe here.
Yours, in health,
Eric and the TVD MD team…
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general informational and education purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider to discuss whether any treatment, medication, or information is appropriate for you, and for guidance on any emerging updates in care. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on the information provided here.
