Teenage Risks and how to Avoid Them (good luck!)

This is an interesting article in the NYT (12/07) about research being conducted at Cornell and other places about teens perceptions of risk and how this information can be used to design effective prevention strategies.

In a nutshell, showing teens videos of deadly car crashes is unlikely to be effective - because they are already highly fatalistic, presenting teens with data on risk may backfire - particularly if they believe that you are telling them that the risks are lower than they thought.

The researchers have concluded that programs that teach teens to anticipate and practice avoiding risky situations before they are in them may help, but are no substitute for good old fashioned adult supervision and minimization of opportunity for risky situations by providing positive activities.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/health/18brod.html?ex=1355634000&en=e09725c0c6dd2782&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Watch out for Vampire Appliances!

Watch out for vampire appliances that consume energy even when turned off!

A typical home may have 20 vampire appliances. These appliances consume electricity even when they’re turned off costing consumers more than one billion dollars a year.

Many appliances, if they have clocks or other programmable features, use energy continuously because they’re not really off, but in stand-by mode. An energy-thirsty appliance in stand-by can cost up to $14 per year, which adds up!

To reduce the appetite of vampire appliances in your home, look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR® label. Electronics and appliances that have these labels must use half the electricity of standard equipment. You can also control these energy-thirsty appliances by plugging them into fuse-protected power strips that can be turned off when not in use.

For more information on saving energy, which saves money and prevents air pollution, check out www.GetEnergySmart.org or call Elizabeth Higgins at Ulster Cornell Cooperative Extension 340-3990.

Plant A Row for the Hungry

The long awaited vegetable planting season has arrived, and the Master Gardener program is looking for gardeners like you to help feed the hungry in Ulster County by joining their Plant A Row for the Hungry (PAR) campaign.

We are asking vegetable gardeners to grow a little extra this season, or bring their excess produce to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, 10 Westbrook Lane, in Kingston, NY. Our nutrition program educators will use and distribute the produce collected when they go out to teach their hands-on programs that work with low-income families, children, and seniors residing in Ulster County. No donation of produce is too small, and the nutrition staff are particularly interested in having some herbs and unusual vegetables and fruits.

Donated produce will also be given to food pantries in Kingston and New Paltz. Home gardeners participating in this years program will receive one free soil test, an informative packet with suggestions of what to grow, and how to plant them, and free “Plant A Row” veggie markers for their garden.

If you’re ready to help the hungry call our Master Gardener Program today at Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County to receive your free soil test, information packet, free “Plant A Row” veggie markers for your garden and registration form, call(845) 340-3478 (DIRT). Or visit our website: http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/ulster.

New Food Stamp rules and policies will increase the number of eligible households and make applying for foodstamps easier for working families.

According to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance:

"The recently-launched Working Families Food Stamp Initiative has removed hurdles, such as face-to-face interviews and finger imaging requirements, that have kept Food Stamp-eligible households with earnings from participating in the Food Stamp Program at same rate as other eligible households. The goal of the initiative is to enroll an additional 100,000 new households in the Food Stamp Program, including more than 100,000 children, by the end of 2008."

As of January 1, New York State has waived limits on the amount of savings an income-eligible person can have and still receive stamp benefits. This will allow individuals to save money for important family needs without jeopardizing their food stamp benefits. Additionally, eligible applicants outside of New York City, who are working a required number of hours, will no longer be subject to finger imaging requirements. The program will be implemented by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

Beginning in May, a facilitated online food stamp application pilot project will also be launched, to provide working families with the option of applying for food stamps on the Web with the help of community-based organizations, further easing access. Over time, this facilitated electronic application will become a broad web-based application, allowing working families to apply from multiple sites. In Ulster County, Family of Woodstock, Catholic Charities, and the LGBTQ Center will all be providing assistance with this pilot project.