InicioMy WebLinkAcerca de2000-02 .: :: : : : ::: : Newsletter for --.7::::::: Em and Retirees s Employees R 0 Py QQ m i fTo Tompkins County :::::::::::::::,,:::.,.:::.::::: :::,:::.::::::::, . .,::::.::::.:.----...::::.::::::::::, ., , , , .. .. :.. ; \* i 13 Number 2000 Volume m er 2 hT • young and develops over time. Flu Shot Update Nearly twice as many women in the by Karen Bishop 1 US die of heart disease and stroke Community Health Nurse Supervisor V • ." 6/ many flu shots were given? If G/ than from all forms of cancer including breast cancer. (1997 Y 9 �f.,,\` f n National Center for Health Statistics you guessed 4738, you're right! 1' / n (continued on page 2) The Health Department held 54 `b clinics throughout the county at ,-K' fire halls, churches, community NOW ACCEPTING centers, schools, county depart- Pyramid Mall and other t >y�rr "r`s`' I "yca«' A PPLICATIONS ments, y I wan I'romotion Program APPLICATIONS business sites. 47% of the flu tiubmitted by Barbara Blanchard vaccine recipients were 65 years IMAGINE ACTION, the 6 week of age or older, while 44% were physical activity promotion will Linderman Creek Apartments is take place again this year. The now accepting rental appli- between 29 -64 years of age. 4% community program, a joint cations for newly constructed t, were 12 years of age or younger. effort between the Health Pro- 2 or 3 bedroorn units, with motion Program (Health De- occupancy projected to begin on 268 county employees rolled up or about March t "'. Located on their sleeves this year to receive a partment) and the Health Plan- flu shot! ning Council has been updated West Hill, overlooking Cayuga and revised based on your Lake, these apartments feature I addition, our communit health feedback. private entrances, patios or y balconies, energy efficient nurses made home visits to 124 IMAGINE ACTION will take windows and ample off street frail elderly or disabled individuals place between April 3 and parking. who were unable to attend a clinic. May 12. Registration deadline this new apartment community How does 4738 shots compare to is March 31 The Wellness is being built the Federally Committee will cover the reg- g using Y previous flu vaccination cam - sponsored Low Income Housing paigns? This is the highest istration fee and County em- ployees will register with the Tax Credit program. This pro number of flu shots given in our gram is designed to provide h history. By comparison, in the Health Promotion Program. For quality rental housing at an more information or a re affordable price. Often confused 1998 -1999 season, we gave 3688 istration form, contact the flu shots. with "subsidized housing," he Health Promotion Program or g Tax Credit program is different, in Congratulations to the Maternal any Wellness Committee that it has a maximum and a member. minimum annual income re- Child Unit at the Tompkins quirement, and does not change County Health Department, Jared THINK YOU'RE the rent based on the income, Jones, Employee Health Nurse TOO YOUNG? Linderman Creek Apartments will and the hundreds of senior citizen not be available to students as volunteers for an out - standinq by Theresa Lyczko job protecting our community the program is specifically t p g y Women between the ages of 25 and designed to meet the needs of against the flu. 44 often think that they're too young families and seniors. to worry about heart disease or Copy Submission Deadline process stroke. But the disease that If any employees or retirees are p For future issues; leads to heart attack and brain attack interested it) qualification criteria or would like more information, Noon,_the 1s Tuesday of the month (stroke) starts when women are they may call 269-1000. COUNTY TOO YOUNG? (continued from front page) ADMINISTRATOR'S and the American Heart ' ' Association.) And dying from . heart disease is not the only REPORT fi ,~' concern. It's the quality of life for women and their families who must live with the aftermath of by Rick Erb :" heart attack or stroke. The major risk factors for heart By the end of March we will all be receiving something in the mail disease and stroke are smoking, that can help Tompkins County receive its appropriate share of state high blood cholesterol, high and federal funding and ensure that we are fairly represented in the blood pressure, physical in- New York State House and the U.S. Congress. The Constitution activity, overweight and obesity, requires that a census be taken every ten years to determine how diabetes, increasing age and heredity. Many of these risk many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. factors can be controlled through But the figures are used for much more than that. The distribution diet and exercise. of federal funds for schools, transportation services, job centers, and more are all based on census driven numbers. It is also the best Theresa Lyczko at the Health opportunity for planners to get the information they need to shape Promotion Program has more information for women ages 25 decisions that will be made over the next ten years. to 44 and for women over 45. She can be reached at 274 -6710. In New York State there is a real concern that a declining population in comparison to other states will result in the Toss of one or even two members in the U.S. House. This makes the 2000 Census even more important than usual. It is estimated that 500,000 New York residents were missed in 1990. Think of the difference that could ( et 114111g make in the outcome this year. Locally, Tompkins County's population Alfa. came in at a little over 94,000 in the last census. If we can raise that figure to 100,000 we will be designated as a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area, which would improve our chances for grant funding. The County is actively promoting census participation through our l IJ 1 I� local Complete Census Count Committee. I would encourage you and everyone you know to stand up and be counted. Its quick and confidential. By federal law, no one other than the Census Bureau is allowed to see your questionnaire. As the current census slogan says: I-Vh.at cart u>e tell Lou, after hearing the Weather reports from back home, We've decided to extend our vacation. ,Jiope to he back for the I)ilarch issue. Tit the n tea ,time, ereryon.e stay warm (ha, ha)! "It's your future - don't leave it blank." Daoidee and Dag • I4SIN FEVE ! Read a good book. Ski, ski, ski, shop, movies, read a book, go to a local O high school basketball game just to name a few! O o Until I found a way to enjoy winter, I had cabin fever. Now I can't wait to enjoy the cold and snow. So, my way maw V is really two fold: first, take up a winter sport, XC skiing, snow- shoeing, ice skating, that you can do fairly O 0 cheaply and locally. Secondly, plan to get outside to do these things, preferably with someone else. Just waiting 0 until Saturday afternoon isn't good enough; something 0 else always comes along. It is really great to be outside, nice and warm because of body movement, seeing the ' OM 511 I I snow on the tree branches, seeing the frozen creeks, the animal tracks in the snow, catching sight of the birds, 0 maybe a deer or fox. le tro'77n Go to a male strip club and watch them run around in next to nothing, sip fruity drinks with umbrellas in them and wear your hest summer shirt and shorts and HERE'S HOW MAE pretend it is hot outside. fOVIITY voipients SC4SL WITH IT The winter used to seem long to me, but time seems to Shop, shop, shop till I drop! be going faster than ever, so I just feel that winter will be over before I know it. Reading a book, crocheting or visiting with a friend on the phone. It's really a state of mind. I just keep thinking it is spring, despite what it looks like outside. Movies. EAT! I love going through those seed catalogs that my mailbox is full of and I make grandiose plans for the HOW CLEAN Is GREEN? coming season's gardens which always get trimmed (from Health and Safety for Office Workers — FYI, Winter 1999; down when it gets to the actual planting time. published by The Labor Coalition and Central NY Occupational Health Clinical Center) Depends on the mood. Sometimes I don't fight it, and stay home to recuperate by doing something I enjoy Can houseplants affect the air quality in be doing (without guilt!). Other times I organize an event your office or home? Media coverage of with friends. My partner and I often play cards or a research by NASA scientists has played up table game before retiring and preparing for the next their findings that some plants actually workday. Watching a good classic movie can also put me cleanse the air rs! pollutants. Plants as natural air cleaners! The truth, however, is in a good mood. I often have to MAKE time for that, more complex. While some plants can usually on weekends...Another tip: after putting away remove certain pollutants in controlled the holiday decorations, the only things we kept were studies using small chambers, no study the colorful Christmas lights, so they greet us when it's /. has shown this effect in an actual dark and dreary. , � r building. Even if validated, you would need hundreds of these plants to clean I plan and plot my garden, dream of having room the air in an average room. enough for everything I see, and think of the spring flowers that are just waiting to pop up! Usually, I can't So while plants may make your workspace fit in all the things I see, but I have fun just fantasizing. more "homey," improve your mood, reduce stress, and add moisture to the air if it is Exercise is best — go cross-country skiing with family or too dry, don't rely on them to control friends. \ indoor air pollution. In fact, they may cr"' ` , add to your problems if you are not Get together with friends for talking or playing games. careful. Clean the cabin! (continued on page 5) J Vending Committee 7:z7.11,-.0.- Recreation Subcommittee Upcoming Swarthout Coaches trips and events sponsored by the Vending Committee: Atlantic City Overnight When: Sunday, June 4th - Monday, June 5th Cost: $100 /pp includes bus transportation, overnight accommodations at Bally's Park Place Hotel /Casino, and $15.00 coin bonus Limited number of seats so make your reservations soon! Lion King in Toronto When: Saturday, October 14th Cost: $100 /pp includes bus transportation and show ticket Limited number of seats so make your reservations now! Limit of one guest per employee please! New York City Day Trip When: Saturday, December 9th Cost:$30 /pp You decide what you want to do: shopping, show, sightseeing! Limited number of seats so make your reservations early! For more information call: Pete Coats - 274 -6688 or Patty Stamm - 274 -6674 01 pet subscription inserts that fall out of the magazine whenever I pick one up! This can be in r , the store, here while I'm delivering mail or a home... p eeves Everyone seems to be so overloaded in our • People in jogging suits who leave their grocery cart society, with information and things to do, that by their car instead of putting it in the rack... one cannot assume that because we think we communicated, we actually were heard... • People who make fun of me when I use correct English - i.e. "I have drunk my limit ". They're apt to '- Having to recycle the County Corridors every fall over laughing... time. I don't read it... People who say, "My gosh, you're tall "! As if I didn't know it. .. GREEN • When people don't leave enough toilet paper (continued from page 3) hanging down so you can grab hold of it and you have to sit there and roll and roll and you can't find Potential Problems With Plants the end... In certain circumstances plants can add too much moisture, • Trying to find a parking spot when every single mold, bacteria, and other allergens to the environment. Some Board Member's spot is vacant... professionals believe this can cause problems, especially for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. • When a couple walk toward me on the sidewalk and Mold is one of the most common sources of indoor air I have to go off the sidewalk or they will bash into problems, causing health effects ranging from low Level me... allergy symptoms to much more serious reactions. Plants can be a source of mold if they are not kept clean and healthy, if • Tompkins County received a lot of money from the they are over - watered, or if water is spilled on rugs or walls. tobacco settlement, but we don't have any "stop If you have plants in your office, learn how to keep them smoking" programs... clean and healthy and be very wary of over - watering. Indoor plants can be a source of other allergens as well • People who cluster right around the entrance door (besides mold). Plants can produce pollens or harbor dust smoking so we have to walk through a cloud of mites, which some people are sensitive to. Plants can also smoke to get in... secrete chemicals that can irritate the skin of sensitive people, or even cause allergic reactions The Ficus plant, for • Waitresses who talk to each other and ignore example, can precipitate a reaction in people with Latex customers... allergies. This can be a serious allergy, so Ficus plants should be avoided where latex allergy sufferers may work, lie or `r Meetings without agendas where everyone talks at visit, such as hospitals, nursing homes or other health care facilities. The best advice is, if someone suffers allergy or once... sick building syndrome symptoms at work and you haven't • People who ask for solutions, then say, "Yes, but..." found the source, investigate if your indoor plants could be P Y causing the problem. to every solution offered... Some people are concerned that plants can add too much • Those people who make ample salary to pay for moisture to the air because most of the water you put in a parking get the free parking space in the back of plant eventually comes back out. Unless your humidity is the building - why is that ?... already too high, this is probably not a concern. If humidity is low, as is common in the winter, for example, the moisture • People not communicating with one another released by plants can be helpful. better... The bottom line is if you have an air quality problem, your plants may more likely be contributing to it, rather than Y Clients who come in when they're sick and cough all providing a possible solution. Make sure any plants you have over my office... are healthy, clean, and not over - watered. CLASSIFIEDS 19"2•9 Local Indians were driven awa y 2 For Sale: by General John Sullivan's i i1 Revolutionary War Troops. - it Cocker Spaniel Puppies: 3 buff, 2 brindle, 2 black and tan - wormed. - $150.00 - call 657-8169, leave message. DEADLINE f TUESDAY Of THE MONTH Frontier Cellular Motorola Cell Phone - including Articles to be considered for the March 23rd issue, charger and car charger - $30 or b/o - 277 -8426 evenings must be received by noon on Tuesday, March 7th. or leave message anytime. Submit articles via e-mail as an attachment or on disk in any file format that is readable by Word for Wanted: Windows '95. Send disk and hard copy to County Corridors c/o Judy Tynyk, Weights & measures, 125 Garden Tractor - especially Ford "8N" or similar size - East Court Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Please include a fixer -upper ok - call Nick at 387 -9666. contact number in case questions arise. CLASSIFIEDS Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County Seeking good quality, old-fashioned children's dress- employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may up clothes (boys and girls, size 6 -8), accessories and tea be for any purpose, however personal ads will not be cups /pots to borrow/buy. Call 387 -3616 by February accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers 29th. may be listed in your ad, however we do need your full name and County telephone number submitted with the S ervices: ad in case there are questions. Use this coupon to submit your ad and send to County Corridors c/o Judy Tynyk, Tioga Technical - Don't kill your computer! Let me help Weights & Measures, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca, NY with troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever it 14850 via US or interdepartmental mail. takes to get you and your computer working together PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY! Thank you. again. Call James Keegan at 273 -7957 evenings or weekends. Zart Computer Services - for all of your computer needs: consulting, computers and accessories. 266 -7492. Wedding Photography Dunn Rite. High quality matte COUNTY CORRIDORS albums. Videography. Affordably priced. Call 594 -3387 until 8:00 p.m. Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the Editorial Board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and retirees. They do not necessarily express the Give your home the "Tynyk Touch" for spring with opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is solicited from current placemats, wallhangings and door panels. Call Tynyk employees, retirees and others. The Editorial Board reserves the Originals at 564 - 9244 evenings or weekends for a right to edit submissions, except in the instance of copyright unique gift or home decor item. Now accepting materials. MasterCard and Visa. EDITORIAL BOARD: Bill Chapp Department of Social Services Massage for relaxation or as a therapeutic response to a Sharon Cooper Sheriff's Department chronic problem. Can be flexible benefits reimbursable. Liz Croop Department of Mental Health Call Richard Reed at 844 - 9327. Iretta Ellis Information Technology Services Michelle Pottorff Board of Representatives Katy Prince Health Department DAY Wagner (Artist) Department of Assessment HAPPY ST. 1 • PATRICK'S DA 1 v Judy Tynyk (Chair /Editor) Dept. of Weights & Measures