(Rome, NY – Feb. 2012) Jeffrey Moyer of Hamilton was one of five local finalists chosen from the nominations collected this past winter to compete for the American Heart Association Lifestyle Change Award sponsored by Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil.

At 320 pounds, Moyer bought an elliptical machine and began working out daily. Over the course of a year and a half, he managed to lose almost 100 pounds.

Moyer got serious about running and now competes often. He is currently training for his first marathon in Buffalo this May.

Other finalists are Rhonda Brooker of West Winfield, Tory Hauck and Marybeth McCall of Utica, Carrie Mineo of Whitesboro. The five now wait to see who will be named the 2012 winner after America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk on Saturday, March 3. This year, the winner will be determined by votes cast on the Olivari Mediterranean Facebook page at facebook.com/olivarimediterranean. Voting opened Feb. 1.

This is the second year of the American Heart Association Lifestyle Change Award. The finalists have all made positive changes in an effort to lead healthier lifestyles. Votes can be submitted by online users through Friday, March 2. (One vote per person). Voters are encouraged to share the link with online friends.

The announcement of the winter takes place at the post-event ceremony March 3 in the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center at Utica College.

“The creation of this award last year sparked some new excitement with the event,” said Dick Mattia, executive director of the American Heart Association. “After some thought, Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil and our organization decided to let the community vote online on the winner this year, allowing more people to be involved in the decision and allowing more honorees to be recognized. Despite the final outcome of the contest on March 3, know that all our finalists have made positive changes to improve their health and prevent any future heart-related issues. They are all winners!”

Fans are encouraged to vote for the finalist who they felt made the most significant strides in living a healthier life. A photo and brief account of their story is posted online on the voting page.

Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil is bottled locally in the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Olivari emphasizes the Mediterranean way of life. Exercising regularly, enjoying fresh meals with close family and friends, and maintaining a balanced diet are just some ways to live out the healthy Mediterranean lifestyle.

For more information, visit olivarimediterranean.com.

Tuesday, February 7

9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Town of Sullivan Board Meeting of February 1

9:14 a.m. 2:14 p.m. and 7:14 p.m.: Madison County Renewable Energy & the A.R.E. Park

9:25 a.m. 2:25 p.m. and 7:25 p.m.: CMS and You: Children’s Health

9:54 a.m. 2:54 p.m. and 7:54 p.m.: Oswego County Legislature Meeting of January 4

Wednesday, February 8

9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Oneida Common Council Special Meeting of January 31

11:01a.m. 4:01 p.m. and 9:01 p.m.: Assembly Update with Bill Magee

Thursday, February 9

9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Tomorrow’s World

9:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.: Tomorrow’s World

11:00 p.m.:  Ear to the Streets

(Canastota, NY – Feb. 2012) Last year, BRiDGES, Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse sponsored a training session on what to do following a suicide. A follow-up meeting will be held to discuss the needs in Madison County as relates to suicide prevention, education and intervention on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. at the BRiDGES conference room, 3059 Seneca Turnpike, (Route 5).

By Gloria Nantulya, Athletic Communications Assistant

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 2012) Head Coach Scott Wiley and the Colgate women’s hockey team have announced that 11-year-old Christian Mast will be the designer of this year’s autism awareness jersey that will be worn during the team’s 2012 Autism Awareness Project kick-off weekend on Feb. 3 and 4.

“Christian has become a part of the Colgate women’s hockey family over the past year,” stated Wiley. “He is an extremely talented, caring and inspiring individual and we were excited to give him an opportunity to show his creativity through designing this year’s autism awareness jersey.”

Christian is an author, hockey player, student, friend, brother and son who has autism, a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. It is characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

“I think that what Christian does for the autism community is amazing,” said proud mother and committee chair of the Central New York Community of Autism Speaks, Erin Mast. “He has a huge heart and just wants to belong. That is what he has with the entire group at Colgate, a sense of belonging. He is treated like a part of the team. I cannot put into words how it feels to see this group embrace and accept him for who he is. Christian is certainly my hero.”

Christian created numerous designs for the autism awareness jersey and will find out which design was picked when the jersey is unveiled to the team prior to the Light Up Starr Rink Blue game on Friday, Feb. 3 against Union at 7 p.m. The jerseys, along with other items, will be auctioned off as part of the project’s fund-raising plan.

The Upstate New York native has received local and national attention for his fund-raising efforts and goals, one of which includes raising one million dollars for Autism Speaks.

By Martha E. Conway

(Brookfield, NY – Jan. 2012) An 18-year-old Brookfield resident is fighting for her life at Golisano’s Children’s Hospital in Syracuse after the search for a cause of her headaches revealed a brain tumor Jan. 20. Emily Salka received the news about 9 a.m. that day; 24 hours later, the first-year SUNY Oneonta student was in surgery.

Surgeons were unable to completely remove the tumor during the 10-plus-hour operation Jan. 21, but Salka’s initial prognosis was good. She had some loss of peripheral vision and several other post-operative complications. A few days later, dad John Salka said, she was sitting up in bed, cranial pressure dropping and enjoying some of her favorite television entertainment.

Last week, the pathology report delivered another blow to the still-reeling family. John Salka said he and wife Erin were told Emily has an aggressive glioma, shooting holes in the original treatment plans.

He said they were told there wasn’t much more doctors could do for their daughter.

But John Salka, who heads the Community Memorial Hospital of Hamilton’s Cardiopulmonary Department, said they will do everything in their power to save their daughter, and their next hope lies in Houston, Texas, at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Emily’s test results and medical records will be sent ahead of her anticipated arrival Friday.

John Salka said they hope to line up a Mercy Flight so Emily will be spared the stress of navigating a commercial flight, and so medical attendants can be readily available. According to John Salka, the minimum stay in Texas will be two to six weeks.

“We are very appreciative of the outpouring of support,” he said. “‘Surreal’ doesn’t begin to describe what has transpired within the course of a week.”

The family will be facing numerous expenses not covered by insurance; the Courier will print any information we receive regarding benefits planned on behalf of the Salkas. In the meantime, the Courier will collect donations for the family made payable to John or Erin Salka and mailed in care of the paper at c/o M3P Media, LLC, P.O. Box 3, Wampsville, N.Y. 13163.

Healthy Communities

By Jennifer McGohan

(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 2012) Anyone who has not already been vaccinated for flu is urged to get their annual shot to reduce their risk for flu. During the last few flu seasons, flu activity increased in January, peaked in late February or early March and continued into May.

This means it is not too late to get your flu shot! Immunity against the flu develops two weeks after vaccination, providing protection against the flu for the rest of the flu season and during spring vacation!

Each year, 30 to 40 percent of all children are infected with the flu, and those with chronic medical conditions like asthma are more likely to develop serious complications. In addition, children are often responsible for spreading the flu to family members and others in the community more than any other group.

Other populations at high risk of flu complications include:

* Pregnant women

* Adults 50 years of age or older

* People with certain chronic medical conditions

* People in nursing homes, assisted living or other long-term care facilities

* People who live with or care for those at high risk for flu complications

* Healthcare workers

“Don’t let a routine visit to a health care provider be a missed chance for a flu vaccination,” said Public Health Director Eric Faisst. “Now is not too late to get vaccinated and to protect yourself this flu season.”

Symptoms of influenza can include fever, chills, severe headache and muscle aches, as well as cough or sore throat. Symptoms of influenza may be similar to cold symptoms, but come on stronger and more quickly.

Although getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with the flu, make sure to wash your hands regularly and disinfect surfaces like desktops and telephones. Eating healthy foods, getting enough rest and exercise can also help protect against the flu.

View the Health Department clinic schedule online and get more information about the flu at healthymadisoncounty.org.

Jennifer McGohan is Public Health Educator for the Madison County Department of Health. She can be reached at madnews@m3pmedia.com.

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 2012) The Colgate women’s hockey team will partner with Autism Speaks, ViewSonic and Goals for Good in its 2012 Autism Awareness Project. The Raiders will launch the 2012 project with their annual Light Up Starr Rink Blue event that will take place Feb. 3 in its ECAC Hockey matchup against Union at 7 p.m.

“We are thrilled to continue our work with Autism Speaks, and have added some great new partners this year,” Head Coach Scott Wiley. “We really wanted to build on the momentum we created in 2011 by adding new and exciting elements to the project through new partnerships and initiatives. This year we added ViewSonic and Goals for Good as partners, and we look forward to working with them to achieve this year’s goals: to raise $30,000, broaden our outreach efforts and provide resources and networking for people on the autism spectrum.”

The team will partner with Autism Speaks once again this season. Last year, Colgate partnered with Autism Speaks U and established a Colgate chapter to support the work of Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization.

“I am excited to attend the second annual event and thankful to the Colgate women’s hockey team for organizing this event,” said Autism Speaks’ Walk-Events Manager Melissa Zavorski. “The team’s efforts to raise awareness of autism at Colgate University are so greatly appreciated. Autism Speaks is dedicated to changing the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders; our mission includes funding autism research, developing family services tools, raising awareness and advocating for autism treatments to be covered by insurance.

“The Autism Awareness Project is such a wonderful example of how students can raise awareness in their community, and we can’t thank the Colgate women’s hockey team enough for their efforts.”

One of two new partners to the project this season is consumer electronic company, ViewSonic, which will be donating five Viewbook 10e tablet computers to the project. These tablet computers will be given to families in need of a communication device for their family member on the spectrum.

“For ViewSonic to be able to donate to a worthy cause is goodness and fulfilling unto itself,” said Jeff Volpe, ViewSonic President of Americas and father of sophomore forward Taylor Volpe. “But for our tablet technology to make a difference in a person’s life beyond work and play is incredible. We are grateful and proud to be associated with Colgate which has been such an advocate and leader in the Autism Awareness Project this past year.”

The second new partner added to the project this year is Goals for Good, an initiative created in 2011 by senior Kevin McNamara from the Colgate men’s hockey team. The mission of the project is to provide a vehicle inspiring people to donate to chosen non-profit organizations through collegiate ice hockey competition.

Men’s and women’s ECAC hockey teams have partnered with a charity and Goals For Good hopes to bring an increased amount of aid and awareness to these charities this season.

“I think that it is great that the men’s team (Colgate) and Goals For Good is going to be involved with the Autism Awareness Project,” McNamara said. “The women’s team has always done an outstanding job with this project, and my teammates and I are hoping we can help.

“Coach Wiley was instrumental in helping Goals For Good get off of the ground, and we always spoke about teaming the Autism Awareness Project and Goals For Good together. We are all very excited about the upcoming games, auctions and raffles to raise money and awareness for these causes.”

(Madison County, NY – Jan. 2012) The Allen Speiser Memorial Fund for Vocational Rehabilitation is accepting grant applications from programs that promote the placement and retention of employees with disabilities in the workforce. The application deadline is March 3. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit, human service organizations that serve people with disabilities in Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cortland and Cayuga Counties.

Formerly the C.I.G.S. Foundation, the Allen Speiser Fund has been in existence for more than a decade. The Fund offers grants to support special projects, make new investments, provides additional staff training – filling in the gaps that aren’t covered by government sources or other private funding. The Fund provides grants of up to $2,000 or $4,000 for collaborative projects involving two or more organizations, to agencies that support education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities and raises awareness of the employment potential of people with disabilities.

Programs that address job placement and retention through one or more of the following methods will be considered:

Training for auxiliary personnel - training or technical assistance for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide workplace oriented services to individuals with disabilities.

Equipment and assistive technology - any items or pieces of equipment that will be used to enhance functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

Materials for building and enhancing job readiness – materials that professionals or employers can use to enhance the employability skills of individuals with disabilities.

Work supports promoting job accommodation - may include assistance preparing for work, getting to and from work, meeting personal needs in the workplace, and performing job functions.

Visit cnycf.org/grants for guidelines and an application form. Questions may be directed to Danielle Gill at (315) 883-5554 or DGill@cnycf.org.

(Wampsville, NY – Feb. 2012) The Madison County Department of Mental Health announced last week its meetings for February.

The Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee will meet Thursday, Feb. 2, at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant in Oneida; the Alcohol & Substance Abuse Subcommittee will meet Thursday, Feb. 9, at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant in Oneida; the Mental Health Subcommittee will meeting Thursday, Feb. 16, at 9 a.m. at Cedar House, 1099 North Side Shopping Center, Oneida; and the Community Services Board will meet Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at Cedar House, 1099 North Side Shopping Center, Oneida.

Healthy Communities

By Chrystal Johnson

(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 2012) Did you know that more than 1,000 households are served by the network of food pantries in Madison County each month? The food that our neighbors receive at the emergency food pantries helps supplement their diet by stretching food dollars when they need it most.

A lot of people are helping by organizing or donating to food drives. Food pantries and the people who use them appreciate the help and even rely on those who donate. But have you ever thought about the nutritional quality of the food you donate? Paying attention to the nutritional value of what is purchased for donation can help in a healthier way by offering nutrient-rich foods that are essential for good health.

To make it easier for people to donate healthy foods, the Madison County Living Well Partnership has developed a Top 20 Healthy Food Donation Ideas list, and is asking all food drive sponsors and donors to use this list for food drives. The list contains staples such as canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain pasta, crackers, canned fish or chicken, peanut butter, canned beans, low-sodium soup or broth, 100-percent fruit juice and powdered or low-fat evaporated milk.

Organizations and groups who make a commitment to use this list for all future food drives can become a Healthy Food Drive Sponsor by completing and returning the form found on the Madison County Health Department’s web site at healthymadisoncounty.org.

The Top 20 Healthy Food Donations Idea List may also be found there.

The Living Well Partnership is collecting pledges from organizations such as schools, churches, civic and volunteer groups and worksites. Send in your organization’s pledge and be listed on the Madison County Health Department’s website with the other Healthy Food Drive Sponsors.

What we eat should be bolstering our health, but it’s actually contributing to several hundred thousand premature deaths from heart attack, stroke, diabetes and cancer each year. Donating healthy foods to emergency food pantries is just one way we can help in a healthy way.

As much as 50 percent of the foods donated to pantries are already expired. This is a problem because food pantries are not allowed to give out expired food, and it is costly for the pantries to dispose of. Be sure to check the expiration date before donating.

Donating money is another healthy option to consider. Food pantries can buy seven pounds of healthy food from the Food Bank of Central New York for every dollar donated.

For a listing of Madison County food pantries, visit Community Action Partnership’s website at capmadco.org.

The Living Well Partnership is a community coalition promoting local changes that make it easier for people living and working in Madison County to eat well and be physically active.

For more information on this campaign, contact the Madison County Health Department at (315) 366-2361. Thank you for investing in the health of the people in your community!

Chrystal Johnson, MS, is a public health educator II, a certified health education specialist and certified child safety seat technician with Madison County Health Department.