Dr. Nowak attended the AAD meeting in Miami this last March 2nd. learning about the newest and latest technologies from all over the world.

Dr. Nowak listening to a  lecture in this amazing historical theater.

The story of The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater began in 1950, when Golden Era Legends graced the stage of The Miami Beach Municipal Auditorium. Guests came from around the world to watch such shows as song and dance performances, comedy or even the occasional boxing match. Sometimes, the real performances were in the seats - Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Jack Benny were regular visitors to the auditorium and often caused quite a stirring.
With the television boom in the 1960s, shows such as The Dick Clark Show, The Ed Sullivan Show and the Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants were often filmed in the auditorium. In 1964, the city of Miami Beach offered Jackie Gleason the opportunity to film his show here. Mr. Gleason agreed to move his show to sunny Miami Beach, where he declared: "Miami Beach audiences are the greatest in the world!"

In the 1970s, having been renovated by Morris Lapidus and renamed Miami Beach Theater of the Performing Arts, it became a regular stop for touring Broadway shows including: Gypsy

Performing arts took center stage in the 1980s with memorable performances by pianist Vladimir Horowitz, Itzhak Perlman, and Rudolf Nureyev. Broadway productions included: My Fair Lady (starring Rex Harrison), Sugar Babies (starring Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller), and Cabaret (starring Joel Gray). In 1987, the City of Miami Beach recognized Jackie Gleason’s contributions to the community by renaming the theater, The Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts.

The 1990s saw the birth of the theater as both a great theatrical and performance center .

In 2007, the theater was again reborn, undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation. Operated by Live Nation, the future of the music business, The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater showcases the biggest names in live entertainment. Steeped in rock 'n' roll history while maintaining cultural relevance, our theater passionately combines the rich tradition of the Fillmore Experience with the energy and passion of Miami Beach.

Local News San Diego medical practices using non-FDA approved Botox

  by Sharon Chen

SAN DIEGO – The US Federal and Drug Administration is targeting medical practices using a non-FDA approved version of Botox, several of the practices are in San Diego.

The agency sent out letters notifying physicians they were using Botox purchased from an online Canadian pharmaceutical, Canadadrugs.com.  Of the named practices, 5 of them were in San Diego.  Fox 5 is withholding the names at this time, because we have not discussed the reason for the purchase with the doctors.

Generic versions of Botox are available in Mexico and Canada.  It is only legal to use FDA approved products in the US.

Dr. Eugene Nowak of Nowak Aesthetics in Chula Vista said non-FDA approved Botox is unsafe.

“I know I’ve seen the ads come across my desk,” said Nowak.  “The problem is with foreign products, you may be getting a weaker product or it may be too strong.  There is also no quality control, you really don’t know what they are delivering.”

Nowak said if you’re in doubt ask your doctor or you can check the packaging.

“The vial has a little bit of a hologram image to it,” said Nowak.  “To be a real product it should have that and you’re looking for signs it is labeled by Allergan.”

Nowak said foreign products have a greater chance of being contaminated, counterfeit or just unsafe.  It’s not clear what the problem is with the Canadian product, but the company has had problems in the past with counterfeit.

“They have had a history with counterfeit chemotherapy drugs,” said Nowak.

“I just needed a little lift,” said Jennifer Velasco. “There was some wear and tear.”

Velasco has been coming to Dr. Nowak since 2001.  She said she does not trust anyone to erase the wrinkles on her face except for Dr. Nowak.

“I just know with him he uses quality products and that’s important to me,” said Velasco.

Jennifer is all to familiar with bad Botox.  Her friend had injections from Mexico.

“One eye was droopier than the other, the forehead also was droopy,” explained Jennifer. “She will has repercussions of that and that was 3 years ago.”

She knows she doesn’t have to worry about that now, because with Dr. Nowak she’s in good hands.

“I’ve done my homework with him and you never have to worry about them using substandard product,” said Velasco.

Nowak said always make sure your doctor is board certified and you’re going to a reputable office.

“If it seems like the Botox is for a really good price and too good to be true, it probably is,” said Nowak.

You can read the full FDA document