Good Day Alabama for June 4, 2012

Here is what you saw on Good Day Alabama for June 4, 2012:

JEH JEH LIVE - Jeh Jeh joined us live from SWATS Fitness on the Fultondale/Gardendale line. He worked out with Mitch Ross. For more information, call (205) 281-3488.

BETH K - Soda servings keep getting bigger - and bigger. The effect on obesity is speculated to be significant. New York's Mayor Bloomberg is notorious for his healthy mandates (remember the trans ban?) and is now proposing a ban on all sodas larger than 16 ounces. The ban does not apply to fruit juice, diet sodas, alcoholic beverages, or milk-based drinks like milkshakes. It does include sweet tea! The ordinance would have to pass the NYC Board of Health - but it is expected to pass (the board is appointed by the Mayor). So just how big are sodas getting and how many calories do they pack? Fast food sodas have gotten as big as 32 ounces and that's 400 calories from the 25 teaspoons of sugar! Of course, the big question is will this have an impact on the city's weight problem? The city's Health Commissioner thinks it will - some statistics show that 1/3 of New Yorkers drink at least one sugary drink a day. Dr. Farley blames half of the increase of obesity in the city over the next 30 years on sugary drinks. But only time will tell . . . To read more about the ban, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/nyregion/bloomberg-plans-a-ban-on-large-sugared-drinks.html?pagewanted=all.

BBB - David Smitherman with the Better Business Bureau joined us to explain how small businesses can use Pinterest to help grow their business. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have dominated the world of social media. However, it's time to make way for a new, growing social media outlet that's perfect for small businesses - Pinterest. Pinterest­­ is the new, flashy way to share business logos, business products and the contributing content of other businesses and the like. Better Business Bureau offers business owners some tips to see if Pinterest is right for their business. Pinterest is an online bulletin board that allows users to "pin" and organize images to specific categories of interest. When using it for business purposes, business owners can pin images of their business logos, business coupons and discounts, and other consumer-friendly images. Followers of that business can then like, comment or re-pin the image to their own boards, and continue on to the business site where the image originated. According to the retail deal site, ideeli.com, Pinterest has brought a 446 percent increase in web traffic to their business' site.

     When setting up a Pinterest account, business owners should consider the following: Pinterest is a great way to spread the news and drive sales. Pinterest is perfect for those who like to share. Nobody likes a self-absorbed, over-sharer, but on Pinterest your business can not only share the images that pertain to your business, but the images of other users as a way of saying "Hey, I find this funny and it relates to our mission, too. Check this out!"  Since Pinterest doesn't technically have any "business" features on their site yet, and their boards are more visually based, it may be hard to lure in potential customers, but it may be worth a shot. Social media is a growing attraction to all demographics and if your business wants to keep up with the times, BBB recommends trying new social media outlets to enhance your brand visibility.  For more business news you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/news.

ASK THE GARDENER - Alabama Cooperative Extension Agent Sallie Lee took questions from viewers about their gardening needs. You can reach her at the Extension office with your questions!

Tomorrow on Good Day Alabama, the new building at Children's Hospital is set to open this week and Jeh Jeh takes us there for a sneak peak in the morning! Bama fans, you can enjoy some bar-b-q in your favorite place with your favorite coaches.... Bryant Denny Stadium with the football coaching staff!! Join us to find out how you can get your tickets before they sell out! Time to sign up for the Birmingham Heart Walk! We've got the scoop on how you can create your own team or join another one! We look at new books on store shelves and we check out the latest entertainment news! That and much more tomorrow on Good Day Alabama!