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Lower Your Risk Of Colon Cancer (StatePoint) It's a topic that too many people are embarrassed to talk about - even with their doctors. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a chance for Americans to evaluate what steps they're taking to prevent this deadly disease and keep their colons healthy. While colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, it is also the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, striking more than 140,000 women and men each year, according to the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS). "People can sometimes feel uncomfortable talking about colon health," says Dr. Vinod Bopaiah, a New York-based colorectal surgeon who speaks to audiences about reducing their risk of cancer through lifestyle changes. "But, as I tell my patients, don't let yourself be embarrassed to death." Follow these suggestions from the ASCRS and Dr. Bopaiah to keep your colon healthy and reduce your risk of colorectal cancer: * Eat between 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day. If you have cereal with 12-14 grams of fiber in the morning, a piece of fruit with every meal, and a large side plate of vegetables for lunch and dinner, this should meet your daily requirements. * Eat a low-fat diet. One easy way to do this is to look for recipes that don't require frying food. Grilling, steaming, or baking almost always reduces fat content, as do low-fat substitutions like skim milk and olive oil. * Eat foods with folate, such as leafy green vegetables. Iceberg lettuce has little fiber, so stick to the more tasty greens like spinach, arugula, broccoli rabe and kale. * If you use alcohol, drink only in moderation. Alcohol and tobacco in combination are linked to colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. If you use tobacco, get started on a program to quit immediately. * Exercise for at least 20 minutes three to four days each week. Moderate exercise such as walking, gardening, or climbing steps may help reduce your risk. * Get regular colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 50. If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or a personal history of another cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, talk to your doctor about earlier screening. To learn more about colorectal cancer, visit www.BopaiahMedical.com. With few overt symptoms, colorectal cancer can be a silent disease, but that doesn't mean you should refrain from speaking about it, especially with your doctor. If you believe you may be at risk for colorectal cancer, consult a specialist today.
Rebate Program Applications Available HARRISBURG - Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) would like to let residents know that forms for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2010 are now available. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2010. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits: $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and renters); $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners and renters); $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners only); $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners only). The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has been paid to qualified applicants. Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. Applications are due by June 30. Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting Pickett’s offices at 321 Main Street in Towanda, phone (570) 265-3124 or 106 West Packer Avenue in Sayre, phone (570) 888-9011, or by visiting her website at RepPickett.com.
AAA Warns Public Of Medicare Scam TOWANDA, PA - The Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga County Area Agency on Aging would like to warn the public of a Medicare scam they have been notified of. In both instances, consumers have reported receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be a representative from Medicare asking to an appointment to review their insurance plans. Medicare does not make phone calls or home visits and would never send anyone to your house. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from Medicare do not commit to anything. Please call the Area Agency on Aging to report such calls. If the caller gives a name and/or number, please include that with the information you provide to AAA. If you would like to meet with someone about your Medicare plan or various entitlement programs, schedule an appointment with an Apprise counselor. The Area Agency on Aging is dedicated to protecting Medicare beneficiaries from fraud and unethical sales representatives. For more information on the Area Agency on Aging please visit www.aaaseniors.org or call 800-982-4346.
Be Wary Of Suspicious Student Financial Aid Offers HARRISBURG - Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) would like to caution students and families about potentially fraudulent financial aid offers. During financial aid application season, students and families may be contacted by individuals or companies offering assistance for securing money for a college education. For a cost, persons or companies may offer help in securing scholarship money or in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some of these organizations are legitimate while others are not. Families should remember that free resources are available to provide them with the assistance they need. The Federal Trade Commission warns that unscrupulous companies “guarantee” or “promise” scholarships for students. Such claims should be a warning sign. Families can avoid scholarship scams by looking for these types of misleading sales pitches: For a fee, the company or organization will provide a list of scholarship opportunities. If a student does not receive a reward and seeks a refund, they soon find that conditions have been attached to the agreement to make it impossible to get the refund. A request for a refund is denied and the student is out the money. Companies may claim that their information is simply not available anywhere else. However, much of the information they use can be accessed for free. PHEAA’s EducationPlanner.org offers a free scholarship database. Some organizations persuade students and their families to send them money to “hold” an award, claiming that students are finalists in a scholarship contest. However, scholarships are only awarded based on a student’s application. Organizations that have official sounding names, fancy seals, and a Washington, D.C. mailing address can give families the impression the organization is affiliated with or endorsed by the federal government, when, in fact, no association exists. Free scholarship or “financial planning” seminars can frequently end with a sales pitch to “act now or lose out on this opportunity” for a fee. Any legitimate organization or entity will not use pressure or scare tactics. Students interested in applying for scholarships and other financial aid should contact their school counselor for assistance in identifying local awards. A variety of scholarships, including merit, scholastic and special talent awards, are available to students. Families are encouraged to report suspected scams by contacting the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. For more information on student financial aid, visit RepMajor.com.
CHICAGO - As trends continue to indicate Americans are interested in improving their diets and leading more healthful lifestyles, the American Dietetic Association reminds everyone that an easy way to focus on eating better is to "Eat Right with Color," which is this year's theme of National Nutrition Month®. Each March, ADA focuses attention on returning to the basics of healthy eating. This year's National Nutrition Month theme encourages consumers to remember to include a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on their plates every day. "The American Dietetic Association is committed to improving the nation's health, and one of the ways we do this is by providing science-based nutrition information to consumers in a way that’s easy to understand and apply to their everyday lives," said registered dietitian and ADA President Judith C. Rodriguez. "National Nutrition Month offers a great opportunity to focus people's attention on a universal theme that cuts through the clutter of information and gets back to the principles of a healthful diet." Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, "National Nutrition Week" became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. Additionally, to commemorate the dedication of RDs as advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world, the second Wednesday of March has been designated "Registered Dietitian Day." This year marks the fourth annual Registered Dietitian Day. The recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an increased focus on a plant-based diet. This combined with including lean meats, fish and poultry, and low-fat milk and dairy products creates a rainbow of colors on the plate that serve as the foundation for a healthful eating plan. "The Dietary Guidelines provide a great base for directing the eating patterns of Americans. The expertise of registered dietitians can translate the Guidelines into easy, actionable and personal information that can be used to develop a healthful eating plan that is right for the individual," Rodriguez said. "ADA encourages all Americans to take time during National Nutrition Month to look at their eating patterns and begin to make the small improvements that, over time, add up to significant health benefits." As part of this public education campaign, ADA's National Nutrition Month website, www.eatright.org, includes a variety of helpful tips, fun games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition around the "Eat Right with Color" theme.
Free Online Filing Available, Says Pickett HARRISBURG - Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) would like to inform residents that free online tax preparation and filing are available through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Since it began in 2003, the IRS Free File program offers low-to-moderate income taxpayers free access to leading commercial tax preparation software. This year, every taxpayer with a 2010 Adjusted Gross Income of $58,000 or less may visit www.IRS.gov/efile to prepare, complete and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost. To begin, taxpayers may visit the IRS website, www.IRS.gov, and click on the “Free File” icon. Users will find a list of Free File Alliance member companies and may choose the one that best fits their needs or can find one through the “help me find a company” tool. Taxpayers will then be transferred to the company’s website to prepare, complete and electronically file their federal income tax returns. Additionally, most Pennsylvania residents can file their state tax return online at no cost by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s e-Services Center. Some taxpayers, such as those with earned income from an installment sale or those filing for a taxable year other than 2010, may not be able to file online. For more information on e-filing in Pennsylvania, visit RepPickett.com and click on the “Department of Revenue” button in the left column.
Harrisburg - Deaths in crashes on Pennsylvania highways climbed to 1,324 in 2010, an increase of 68 from the year before, according to Acting PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E. "Fatality statistics are not simply numbers; they represent the many families that suffered the loss of loved ones on Pennsylvania roads last year. Although there is nothing we can do or say to ease the pain of losing a loved one due to a crash, we will continue to look for the best ways to keep highway travelers safe," Schoch said. While still too high, modern highway deaths are still well below those reported 20 and 40 years ago. In 1990, there were 1,646 traffic deaths in Pennsylvania. In 1970, there were 2,255 fatalities. Unbuckled fatalities increased to 524 last year, up from 451 in 2009. The seat-belt use rate in Pennsylvania was 86 percent last year. Fatalities in crashes that involved a 16- or 17-year-old driver increased from 40 in 2009 to 57 last year. Highway fatalities involving 65-year-old and older drivers dropped from 276 to 266 in the same time period. Alcohol-related deaths increased from 442 in 2009 to 444 last year. Fatalities in work zones dropped to 21 in 2010 from 23 a year earlier. Speeding-related and aggressive-driving related deaths also increased last year. Speeding-related deaths jumped from 231 in 2009 to 284 last year while aggressive-driving-related deaths increased from 130 to 168. Motorcyclist and bicyclist deaths also increased last year. Motorcyclist deaths rose to 223 in 2010 from 204 a year earlier, and bicyclist fatalities increased from 16 to 21 in that same time period. "Operating a vehicle is a responsibility that requires our full attention and nobody should ever take that responsibility lightly," Schoch said. "Multi-tasking is fine at home or at the workplace, but never while driving - your life and the lives of others depend on your full attention."
House OKs Major’s Clean & Green Bill HARRISBURG - The state House has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) to address small noncoal surface mining on land enrolled in the state’s Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act, also known as Clean and Green. The Clean and Green program was created in 1974 to encourage preservation of agricultural land. Properties enrolled in the program are assessed and taxed based on their use value, rather than the higher market value. Under the law, if the use of the property changes, owners may be assessed roll-back taxes on all or part of the land. “Currently, landowners who conduct small noncoal surface mining on their properties could face paying roll-back taxes on their entire tract of land,” Major said. “However, landowners who use their land for wind energy or for oil and gas and coal bed methane exploration and extraction activities are only assessed roll-back taxes on the portion of the land being used.” “My bill would apply the same rules to small noncoal surface mining,” she added. Major’s House Bill 143 places a limit of one small noncoal surface mine permit per Clean and Green property. The state’s Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act sets small noncoal mining permit limits at 10,000 tons of mineral extracted per year on no more than five acres of land. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Proud parents Darwin R. Greene and Paula J. Greene, of Susquehanna, are happy to announce the arrival of their son, Darwin Robert Greene Jr., born January 24, 2011 at 6 lbs. 12 oz.
BINGHAMTON, NY - Shumaker Consulting Engineering & Land Surveying, P.C. (SCE) proudly announces Brian J. Zick, L.S., of New Milford, PA, as the newest SCE Partner. Mr. Zick joined SCE in 2000 upon his graduation from Penn State University with a Bachelors Degree in Surveying. As a land surveyor for SCE Mr. Zick has completed geomatics projects throughout New York and Pennsylvania. Mr. Zick currently holds the position of Survey Coordinator and is responsible for the daily coordination and leadership of the firm’s field survey staff. Linda M. Shumaker, P.E., SCE President, states, “We welcome Brian as he joins the shareholders of SCE to broaden the company’s vision and mission. He has developed his leadership skills at SCE and provided critical input in our continued growth.”
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