Tips for a healthy Halloween

Healthy and Halloween aren’t two words you usually hear together, but here are some guidelines to help you and your family have a fun-filled Halloween without sacrificing healthy principles. These simple strategies will help you before and after trick-or-treating.

• Make sure you and your family eat a filling snack or dinner before going trick-or-treating so your children won’t be tempted to eat candy before getting home.

• When you arrive home, check the treats to make sure they haven’t been tampered with. Look for opened wrappers and discard anything suspicious.

• Have your children sort their candy and take pictures of them with all their loot. For younger children, make a counting game out of it. Ask them how many of each type of candy bar they have.

• Do not let children store their bag of candy in their rooms. Keep it in the kitchen to discourage mindless eating.

• Place chocolate bars in the freezer to help them keep fresh longer. Frozen candy takes longer to eat, so children can’t eat them too quickly.

• Eat trick-or-treat candy over several days as a snack or dessert. Try to limit the amount of candy eaten in one setting.

• Instead of giving out candy, opt for small toys or healthy treats. Ideas include small boxes of raisins, fruit roll-ups, granola bars, packages of popcorn, sugar-free gum, stickers, washable tattoos, yo-yos, rubber spiders, or balloons. If you must give out chocolate, opt for dark-chocolate varieties for its antioxidant properties.

• Have you and your child make an art project with their Halloween candy. Mosaics of your child’s favorite animal, TV character, cartoon character or sport can be made with glue and leftover candy. Be creative!

• Host or attend an all-ages Halloween party. Focus the attention on fun while shifting it away from candy. Have relay games (3-legged race, wheelbarrow, etc.), a costume party contest with non-food prizes, decorate pumpkins, or carve Jack-O-Lanterns, go apple-bobbin, serve healthy snacks, and let the children “trick” the adults.

Happy Halloween!

Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Source  http://richmondregister.com/lifestylescommunity/x905914360/Tips-for-a-healthy-Halloween

Obama Focuses On 'Outrage Of Human Trafficking'

Saying it "must be called by its true name, 'modern slavery,' " President Obama this afternoon used his address before the Clinton Global Initiative to focus on "the outrage of human trafficking."

When a man is "working, toiling for little or no pay and [is] beaten if he tries to escape, that is slavery," Obama said.

"When a woman is locked in a sweat shop or trapped in a home as a domestic servant ... that is slavery."

And when children are forced into militias or when "a little girl is sold by her impoverished family — girls my daughters' age — ... and then imprisoned in a brothel or tortured if she resists, that is slavery," he added.

As the president spoke, the White House sent reporters a recap of the administration's "efforts to eliminate human trafficking" and some details on new initiatives, including:

— "Providing human trafficking training and guidance to federal prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and immigration judges; to commercial transportation officials; to state and local law enforcement partners; and to state workforce agencies and educators."

— Expanding "services and legal assistance to victims of trafficking" and a partnership with Humanity United "with support from the Goldman Sachs Foundation, to launch $6 million in Partnership for Freedom Innovation Awards to challenge local communities to develop collaborative and comprehensive solutions to help trafficking victims."

— "An executive order that outlines prohibitions on trafficking-related activities that will apply to all federal contractors and subcontractors, requires compliance measures for large overseas contracts and subcontracts, and provides federal agencies with additional tools to foster compliance."

"American tax dollars should never be used to support the trafficking of human beings," Obama said to audience at former President Clinton's forum in New York City.

He's also pointed to a website, SlaveryFootprint.org, where there's information about human trafficking.

Earlier today, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney spoke to the forum. Our post on his address is here: Romney Touts 'Prosperity Pacts' To Help Middle East, Developing Nations.

The president also spoke to the U.N. General Assembly today: Obama: Those Like Slain U.S. Ambassador Must Determine World's Future.

Source  http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/09/25/161748574/obama-focuses-on-outrage-of-human-trafficking

TRC?Class Offers Health Tips

A class being offered through The Resource Center seeks to help area residents with chronic conditions learn how to lead healthy lives.

The class is called "Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions" and is being offered in collaboration with P2 Collaborative of Western New York Inc., an organization dedicated to improving the health of people living in the region. The course is "an evidence-based program created by Stanford University that helps individuals better manage their chronic health conditions such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes," according to the program flyer.

The class is being taught by Leanna Luka-Conley, The Resource Center's director of social services, and Christina Rosengren, The Resource Center's care management integration specialist, who took the opportunity to do facilitator training for the class so it could be offered through The Resource Center. The class teaches self-management for people living with chronic conditions, caregivers, and friends and family of people with chronic conditions. The curriculum teaches participants about chronic diseases, as well as how these conditions interconnect with other areas of life such as diet, exercise, emotions, and general health.

"It's trying to get people the skills to be more equipped on developing action plans that are going to meet their needs," Ms. Luka-Conley said. "I think sometimes in society, we create action plans like, 'New Year's resolution - I'm going to go on a diet and lose 50 pounds,' and usually when we set up goals like this, we're more apt to fail at them. Creating achievable action plans, broken down into specific steps, creates better chances for success."

She said the class teaches people more about their chronic diseases and how to manage them on their own. Both women said that patient-driven care is where the health care field is headed.

"This is something that we're looking at - giving them the tools to manage their own life and symptoms and be able to ask questions," Ms. Luka-Conley said. "This really is putting a whole, new spin on the system of care. Everybody's accountable by becoming an integrated system, and some of these workshops are assisting people with self-management tools to get to the next level of really understanding what it means to be the driver of your health care."

One of the reasons the two women became facilitators for the class was so that people supported by The Resource Center could become aware of the program.

"We use our site because we're hoping to engage many individuals from our Primary Care Center into self-management programs," Ms. Luka-Conley said. "Many individuals are taking the steps to move out into the community from TRC group home settings and need to know how to become involved in their health care plans and know how to manage their symptoms."

Participants in the class are paired with another peer to keep each other accountable in meeting their goals and staying on track of their action plans. This not only makes the classmates accountable to one another, but it also helps them form natural friendships and supports. Participants are referred to the class through a primary care physician or an insurance company, but not everyone in the class has to have a chronic disease.

"You don't have to be living with a chronic disease to take the class," Ms. Rosengren said. "A loved one or a friend could have a chronic condition, [or] you could be a caregiver."

Ms. Luka-Conley added, "They really encourage caregivers to be a part of the health care plan. My goal is to see this program agency wide because this is important for us, especially with people moving out in the community."

Anyone interested in learning more about the class may contact Ms. Luka-Conley at 661-1059 or Ms. Rosengren at 485-4681. Those interested can also call their primary care doctor or insurance company to be referred to the class.

The next class sessions offered through The Resource Center will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays from Sept. 27 to Nov. 1 and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays from Nov. 8 to Dec. 20. Both classes will be held in The Resource Center's Carl Cappa building at 880 E. Second St., Jamestown.

Source  http://post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/609842/TRC-Class-Offers-Health-Tips.html?nav=5004

Obama security chief: No signs of Muslim Brotherhood operating within U.S.

Homeland security chief Janet Napolitano says federal law enforcement authorities led by the FBI have found “no credible evidence” that operatives from the radical Islamic organization known as the Muslim Brotherhood are operating inside the United States.

Napolitano commented in testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security in response to questions by Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

Jackson Lee asked Napolitano to discuss the issue after five GOP House members led by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., wrote to the inspector general of the State Department to claim that Huma Abedin, a Muslim-American serving as deputy chief of staff for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, had family members “connected to Muslim Brotherhood operatives and/or organizations.”

The lawmakers cited Abedin’s late father, her mother and her brother.

The lawmakers said they had “serious security concerns” about the Muslim Brotherhood infiltrating into the United States.

“We have looked into this; the FBI has looked into this. We have no credible evidence that this activity is going on.. . . We have no credible evidence that such infiltration is going on,” Napolitano said.

Source  http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2012/07/obama-security-chief-no-signs-of-muslim-brotherhood-operating-within-u-s/

Tips on homes for evacuated kids, pets and frozen food; air quality concerns

Concerns about air quality

The Helena area saw dramatic swings in air quality in recent days due to the wildfire activity and varying wind conditions.

The Lewis and Clark County Health Department is encouraging those sensitive to poor air quality to avoid strenuous activity, prolonged outdoor activities and stay inside, if possible.

The department recommends using visibility guidelines to gauge air quality. Visibility of 10 miles or less is considered unhealthy with breathing or heart problems. As a general rule, if you cannot see the North Hills area from Helena, then the air quality is poor, the department notes.

The health department’s air-quality hot line is 444-1644. It will be updated twice daily during periods of questionable air quality. More information is available at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality web site at http://www.deq.mt.gov

Shelter for animals

There are several options for pets and other animals needing a place to escape the Corral Fire.

Total Dynamic Balance Veterinary Clinic on Tuesday was still taking on dogs, cats, cattle, horses and other critters needing a temporary home. The clinic is located at 3386 Highway 12 East.

The Lewis and Clark Humane Society also opened its doors to dogs and cats needing temporary shelter Tuesday. The humane society shelter is located off Custer Avenue across from Costco.

“We are concerned that all animals have a safe place to go to as homes are increasingly under evacuation order,” said Gina Wiest, the society director. “The shelter is equipped to handle an influx of dogs and cats that need this help.” The shelter can be contacted at 442-1660 or after hours by calling the sheriff’s department at 447-8293.

Home for evacuated food and meat

Tizer Meats has turned on its freezer and cooler, and will allow people impacted by the Corral Fire to store perishables for free.

The offer will last until “people get their lives back,” noted business manager Janet Fadness.

“We don’t have a lot to offer, but will do anything we can to help our community,” Fadness said. “I have a big freezer and two walk-in coolers. We’re offering free storage to anybody who is evacuated or whose power is out.”

If possible, people should put their goods in coolers, boxes or other containers, and they can label their items. Tizer also has freezer baskets they can loan people.

Fadness said they are adamant about their organization, so people’s items will remain separate.

She notes that anyone coming to the business at 3558 Tizer Road (next to Warren School) after 5:30 p.m. can call some of the cell phone numbers that will be posted on the door and someone will assist them.

“All of us live next door, so we can come right in and help them put things away,” Fadness said. “I know there are people with freezers full of stuff wondering what to do with it. We’d like to help.”

Gym open for kids Tuesday evening

The HAC and Gymtrix at 3370 Colton Drive is open Tuesday evening for children of evacuated families who need help with child care while evacuating homes and other matters. Staff will be available from 4 to 10 p.m.

Source  http://helenair.com/news/local/tips-on-homes-for-evacuated-kids-pets-and-frozen-food/article_115086fc-bfe6-11e1-af19-001a4bcf887a.html

Kerdyk still making a difference with golf tournament in Japan

Golf can take you here, there or anywhere. In Bill Kerdyk Jr.’s case, he has opted for an unusual “anywhere.”

That would be Japan.

Kerdyk, some 20 years ago, became the founder of the World Junior Golf Team Championship tournament in Japan. He was mesmerized at what happened that first year, and now he’s devoted to what the tournament has become and what it can be. 

Kerdyk is devoted to a lot of things — he’s the father of three, a Coral Gables commissioner, runs Kerdyk Real Estate and is the chairman of the Bank of Coral Gables.

A couple of days ago, Kerdyk was on a plane flying over the Pacific to Nagoya, Japan, to run his junior golf tournament for this year that will go from June 19 to June 22.

Competitors of the past? Try Charles Schwartzel, Trevor Immelman, Justin Rose, Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan, Camillo Villegas and Louis Oosthuizen.

“This tournament gives an overview of the world,” Kerdyk, 51, said. “Ninety-nine percent of the players in it have never been overseas, and then years later you see the kind of players that come out of it. That’s rewarding”

Oosthuizen played in it, and 11 years later Kerdyk happened to be walking past him at the Masters.

“He stopped me,” Kerdyk said, “and he recognized me. Then he started saying how much he enjoyed the tournament we had put on and what it meant to him. This was 11 years later and we had never met in between. That made me think about what we were achieving.”

With all his other duties, Kerdyk doesn’t play much golf anymore, but he did growing up, eventually winding up on the Western Carolina team. The Kerdyks are a well-known and homegrown South Florida family, and athletics was a big emphasis from the parents.

Bill’s sister, Tracy, was the most successful on the golf circuit, competing on the LPGA Tour for 11 years.

How did Bill perform against his sister? It’s a mixed golf bag of results.

“We were highly competitive in our family, and she had never beaten me,” Bill said, “but one day she was ahead of me and I had to shoot a 34 on the back to beat her.” 

He knew it was only a matter of time until a humbling defeat, so he concocted a plan. 

“At that point, I decided I would never play her again — that way she would never beat me,” he said. “But one weekend, a friend of mine called and wanted me to play, and I went out there, and at the last minute up trots Tracy with her bag slung over her shoulder. She beat the heck out of me. So much for being undefeated against her.”

Tracy went on to her LPGA career, and Bill took a more low-key, behind-the-scenes approach with his Japanese tournament.

“We model it after the Ryder Cup,” he said of his tournament, sponsored by Toyota. “We try to bring in developing golf countries, and we are trying to develop golf worldwide.” This year, the one developing country chosen for the finals is China.

“We are trying to develop golf programs around the world,” Kerdyk said, noting that an estimated 65 countries and six continents take place in qualifying and try to make it to the finals in Japan. “We feel like this has been a success, and we want to keep it going.” 

Source  www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/13/2846318/kerdyk-still-making-a-difference.html

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/13/2846318/kerdyk-still-making-a-difference.html#storylink=cpy

President Obama, family attend worship service at historic church near White House

President Barack Obama attended service at a historic church that is steps away from the White House and often frequented by sitting presidents.

Obama was accompanied by his wife, Michelle, and daughter, Sasha, on the cloudy, brisk morning as they walked through Lafayette Square to St. John’s Episcopal Church.

The service included scripture readings from Numbers 21, Ephesians 2, John 3 and the singing of “Amazing Grace.”

The visiting pastor, Rev. Thomas Reid Ward, Jr., reflected on the words of the popular hymn written by John Newton, and told the congregation that God’s grace instills faith and courage.

“All we have to do is believe,” he said.

The Obamas participated in the audience welcome of greeting pew neighbors and in holy communion before walking back to the executive mansion.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/president-obama-family-attend-worship-service-at-historic-church-near-white-house/2012/03/18/gIQAdswqKS_story.html