Being A Steelers Fan Is Good For Your Health

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center offers Super Bowl fan tips

“We’re going to the Super Bowl!” Identifying with a sports team can provide a number of psychological benefits, according to psychiatrists at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. And, for most people, those benefits far out-weigh any negative effects that one may experience if his or her favorite team loses.

“On Super Bowl Sunday, even though fans aren’t playing in the game, by wearing black and gold and waving Terrible Towels, they can feel like they are part of the team. By becoming part of the ‘Steelers Nation,’ fans feel connected with players and fans from throughout the years. It’s a connection that spans race, economics and geography,” said Kurt Ackerman, M.D., Ph.D., medical director, UPMC Psychiatry Consultation – Liaison Service and an avid sports fan. “By feeling that they are part of the team, fans can experience vicariously the struggle and drama of overcoming great obstacles. Win or lose, fans get to feel a joy in connecting and being a part of something larger than themselves; winning the Super Bowl gives fans the opportunity to feel like, despite any problems they are experiencing in their own lives, they are number one in the world.

“Simply put, rooting for a sports team is fun – and having a little fun is always good for your mental health. Go Steelers!”

Being Superstitious (and Praying) Can Be Good for Your Mental Health Too

Being superstitious can be considered a healthy part of the balanced human agenda as long as it is kept in fun and with confidence that superstitious behaviors don’t actually affect outcomes, according to Paul Friday, Ph.D., director of clinical psychology at UPMC Shadyside.

Research shows 25 percent of Americans acknowledge their superstitions, and higher church attendance equates with greater occurrence of superstitions. That means those regular churchgoers who will be praying for the Steelers on Super Bowl Sunday morning are the same fans who will be sure to wear that certain lucky shirt and do everything exactly the same way they did during the Indianapolis and Denver games.

“Superstitions point to our need to cope with uncertainty and control an outcome. Superstitions involving teams with a long history help tie the whole region into a two-week celebration. But, since superstitions increase under conditions of uncertainty and perceived likelihood of failure, there actually may be less superstitious behavior by Steelers fans this week because the Steelers are no longer considered the underdogs,” said Dr. Friday. “But, just in case...”

If You Think It’s Mentally Tough Being a Fan...

While being a fan of a Super Bowl team can be stressful, nerve-wracking, exhilarating and sometimes heartbreaking, imagine how mentally challenging it is for the players. “Athletes at this level are usually well-trained to perform at their best both physically and mentally during high-pressure situations like the Super Bowl,” said Aimee Kimball, Ph.D., director of mental training at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine.

“Whether their team is considered the underdog or not, these athletes will need to stay focused on the process and not the outcome, which is tough to do in the Super Bowl for even the best conditioned and most skilled player. When you get to this level, the team who is more mentally tough often has the advantage.

“While both teams will be well-prepared physically and strategically with a game plan, the players also will need to be mentally ready for the slightly different flow of a Super Bowl game compared to regular-season and play-off games, due to the ceremonial traditions, commercial hype and longer TV commercial breaks.”

“Players should stick to their regular-season routines and approach this game as if it’s any other game. After all, they are still just playing football,” added Dr. Kimball.

Steelers Fans in Detroit May Be Hazardous to Your Ears

Steelers fans this season learned all about noise levels in closed dome stadiums. If you will be at Ford Field next Sunday with the tens of thousands of other screaming Steelers fans, you may want to consider bringing along a pair of earplugs.

“Depending on where a fan is sitting in a domed stadium, the levels of sound, especially at the Super Bowl, can be damaging to the ears,” said Catherine Palmer, M.D., director of the UPMC Center for Audiology and Hearing Aid Services. “We hear about the teams’ planned no-huddle offense and not depending on audibles for a reason – it is loud there, often during the entire event. The players prepare for it and so should the fans.

“At a minimum, that high volume of sound can be very tiring,” said Dr. Palmer. “Wearing hearing protection could make the game more enjoyable and safer for many fans, and there are certain types of earplugs that still allow the most dedicated fan to enjoy the raucous environment, just at a quieter level of sound.”

Traditional Tailgate Menu May Not be Best Game Plan for Nervous Stomachs

Fried chicken wings, ribs, kielbasa, salsa, jalapeno cheese dip, beer...If you are planning the traditional Steelers tailgate fare for your Super Bowl party, you may want to reconsider for those guests with nervous stomachs, advises Leslie Bonci, R.D., director of nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine. “Watch the fatty foods, especially. Consider these choices instead: grilled chicken skewers, braised short ribs, a fondue with chicken or beef dipped in broth, light popcorn, pretzels and baked chips.

“For nerves, provide crunchy foods like fresh vegetables and dip, chips, pickles and fresh peanuts in the shell. In the cooler, provide LIGHT beer along with plenty of non-alcoholic choices for guests to alternate,” added Bonci.

What’s on the Steelers’ Menu?

As nutrition consultant for the Steelers, UPMC’s Leslie Bonci said the players will not be eating anything new or different than during the regular season. What will be available to them in Detroit on Sunday, she said, is what is always available before games and will include breakfast options like made-to-order omelets, bagels, muffins, toast, bacon, turkey, sausage, waffles, oatmeal, cold cereal, yogurt, fruit, juices, milk, fruit shakes and grilled chicken breast. Dinner entrees will include grilled and baked fish, meat and salad.

There is always plenty of Gatorade, water and snacks such as sports bars, crackers and pretzels, she said. “Because game day nerves can sometimes suppress appetites, we make sure they eat well on Thursday, Friday and Saturday so they are well-fueled, focused on playing their best football,” Bonci added.

(Source: UPMC News Bureau)

Book Review: Thirty Twice Tiny Tales of Terror

Out of nowhere comes tiny tales so twisted that only a pharmacist can fill this script for a scary, but quick read.

Written by former Pottsville, Pa.- resident Sam Chiodo, Thirty Twice Tiny Tales of Terror is a unique collection of short stories. These brief observations of life and its grotesque, greedy, and sometimes grandiose behaviors, open the door to other realms of possibility. A quick yet comprehensive peek at the human heart, TTTTOT creates nods and smiles among its readers.

Author/pharmacist Chiodo and his quirky flair for expressing his views on humankind has been compared to Rod Serling. The tales reflect man's obsession with money, power, freedom. Don´t miss this exciting collection that uses innovative pharmaceutical twists and psychological turns to relate to the world.

But those knowing Chiodo, who sometimes goes by the pseudonym of Sam Nail since his surname in Italian means carpenter or nail, wonder where he gets his twisted story ideas. Did he get them from the streets of Pottsville after drinking too much Yuengling and eating too many peanut-laced burgers? Possibly, while growing up in the coal region, he breathed in too much coal-burning fumes that filled the Schuylkill County skies of the late 1950s. Or maybe he spent too much time in his pharmacy school's frat houses during the late 1960s? Did the disco era of the 1970s confuse him like it did for many others? Of course, with a name like Chiodo maybe he's stuck in the middle of some bizarre Italian afiaa plot and this is more of a diary than fiction?

Never-the-less, no matter where he gets his ideas, Chiodo's Thirty Twice Tiny Tales of Terror is a must read for those who enjoy a scary evening bundled up in bed with a baseball bat and all the doors double bolted. These aren't your typical bedtime stories, but rather a Friday-the-13th-like fright.

For a sample chapter of his 143-page, affordable book, visit Chiodo's publisher's Website at Xlibris.

Controversy Surrounds Recreational Field Next To North Ridge

As part of a story related to the North Middleton Township Recreation Board, today's Sunday Patriot-News mentioned an ongoing controversy related to a township field next to North Ridge currently used to fly model airplanes.

In the Patriot-News article, according to Supervisor Rodney Painter, the property could probably open up to the public, but not until it is suitable. Supervisor Painter mentioned the lack of public bathrooms as his only reason in the article. Supervisor Painter also mentioned that in order to open the field to the public, it would take a lot of money, mentioning the use of taxes.

However, the site already has a port-a-potty onsite, along with a parking area, an independent entrance, and a ready-made field.

Last October, the township recreation board passed a resolution to open the airpark field to the public by scheduling specific flying hours and specific non-flying hours.

The rec board also encouraged the township to develop a fly zone to keep model planes from flying too close to homes in North Ridge. Currently, the Carlisle Aeromodelors Club carries $2.5 million worth of liability insurance for such accidents; however, economic and non-economic lawsuit damages can go much higher in Pennsylvania, especially in wrongful death cases. This situation could leave the township vulnerable financially.

In an email to Chuck Moran, Supervisor Richard Bucher wrote that Supervisor Painter was given the task of developing the ordinance for use of the park. Supervisor Painter is also a member of the club that currently uses the park to fly model planes.

The controversy began at the September 27, 2005, township recreation board meeting when Supervisor Painter informed the board that the township land next to North Ridge could only be used by members of the Carlisle Aeromodelors Club. Painter added that the club had an exclusive-use contract with the township. Further statements were made that there were no complaints about planes flying over North Ridge homes, and that there were no food sales on the property.

Rec board members immediately began to question the exclusive use of township property by a club.

Later, statements regarding model planes not flying over North Ridge homes were retracted when discussion moved to a neighbor complaint to the local police. At that point, Supervisor Painter admitted that the club did have problems with a member, nicknamed "The Red Baron." It also came to light that the club sponsors a "chili" fly, where food is served.

Township staff researched the alleged contract between the aeromodelors club and the township, and indeed there is a contract between the club and township dated June 2, 1983. However, it does not give the club exclusive use of the land. Within the contract, the township calls the field in question the "Creek Road recreational site."

At the October 2005 township rec board meeting, township manager Deborah Ealer was questioned by rec board members about the public using the property. Ealer responded that the township could not chase people off it. She was also asked who would have first right to use the field and was given the example of having kids from the neighborhood playing a game of football on the field when aeromodelors show up to fly planes. No response was given.

As of today, North Middleton Township supervisors have not acted on the resolution passed by the township rec board last October.

(Photo captions. Top: A view of the Creek Road recreational site. North Ridge can be seen in background along with a North Middleton water tower. Middle: While one supervisor says the Creek Road recreational site isn't quite ready for public use due to lack of a public bathroom, interestingly there is a port-a-potty already onsite. Bottom: Current signage at the Creek Road recreational site. All photos taken 1/29/06.)

Super Bowl XL Facts For Your Super Bowl Party

With the Super Bowl just one week away, now's the time to brush up on your Super Bowl XL Trivia, found on the Official Website of the Super Bowl ... http://www.superbowl.com

Site: Ford Field - Detroit, Mich.

Date: Feb. 5, 2006

Game time: 6 p.m. EST

Uniforms: Steelers will buck tradition and wear their white road uniforms despite being designated as the home team. Seattle will wear metallic-blue home jerseys.

Past Super Bowl host cities: New Orleans (9: Tulane Stadium 3, Louisiana Superdome 6); Miami (8 times: Orange Bowl 5, Pro Player Stadium [formerly Joe Robbie Stadium] 3); Los Angeles (7: Los Angeles Coliseum 2, Rose Bowl 5); Tampa Bay (3); San Diego (3); Atlanta (2); Houston (2); Arizona (1); Detroit (1: Pontiac Silverdome); Minneapolis (1); Stanford (1); Jacksonville (1).

Ford Field seating capacity for SB XL: 65,000+

NFL Headquarters: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Media Center: GM World Headquarters

AFC Team Hotel: Detroit Marriott Pontiac at Centerpoint

AFC Practice Site: Pontiac Silverdome (tentative)

NFC Team Hotel: Hyatt Regency Dearborn

NFC Practice Site: Detroit Lions Practice Facility at Allen Park (Note: Practices closed to public)

Home team: AFC Champion

Halftime Entertainment: Rolling Stones (The halftime entertainers for the very first Super Bowl on January 15, 1967, were the Universities of Arizona & Michigan bands. The bands also handled the National Anthem at that Super Bowl.)

Cost of the Vince Lombardi Trophy: $25,000

Who makes Super Bowl Trophy: Tiffany & Co. of New York.

Cost of Super Bowl rings: League pays for up to 150 rings at $5,000 per ring (plus adjustments for increases in gold and diamonds). League also pays for 150 pieces of jewelry for the losing team, which may not cost more than one-half the price set for the Super Bowl ring.

Host city economic impact: Super Bowl XXXVII generated a total economic impact on San Diego County of $367 million, according to a study by Marketing Information Masters, Inc. The $367 million economic impact on San Diego County compares to the $295 million impact on the region the last time it hosted a Super Bowl (XXXII) in 1998.

TV/Radio coverage: ABC will be televising its 7th Super Bowl. CBS Radio-Westwood One will be broadcasting its 19th consecutive Super Bowl, 32nd overall

Super Bowl XXXIX TV audience: Last year's game was watched by 133.7 million viewers. The 10 most-watched programs in TV history are all Super Bowls.

SB XL ticket distribution: AFC Champion - 17.5 percent; NFC Champion - 17.5 percent; Host Team (Lions) - 5.0 percent; Other 29 Teams - 34.8 percent; NFL - 25.2 percent

Future Super Bowl Sites: 2007 (SB XLI) - Miami; 2008 (SB XLII)- Arizona; 2009 (SB XLIII)- Tampa; 2010 (SB XLIV)- Miami

Give Rafael His Summer Wiffleball Nickname

The editorial board of North Ridge Buzz has met and has decided that the February NR Buzz online poll will be "What should Rafael Calzada's summer wiffleball nickname be?"

The editorial board, consisting of Dave "Engelberg" Orr, Kevin "Bread dip" Bixby, Chris "Runs Like A Deere" Morrow, Mike "Fishy" Frutsche, and Chuck "C-Mo" Moran, met throughout January to discuss this puzzling situation in trying to find the appropriate nickname for Rafael, who sometimes goes by Al.

The nickname selections to be voted on include

• Shake-N-Bake
• Sweetness
• Big Enchilada
• T-Ball
• Ricky
• Poppy
• Raflon

"Throughout the past several weeks, when we've highlighted Rafael in various stories, we realized that he didn't have a nickname," said NR Buzz Sports Editor Bixby, who calls himself The King. "It's like he was like teflon or something because ever since he moved in here he's yet to have a nickname that sticks."

Engelberg, now serving as the NR Buzz's official chief photographer (please notice the wonderful photos that Engelberg took for this story!!??), expressed his concerns over the lack of a nickname for Rafael. "How can you ever become a big-time wiffleball player and not have a nickname?" he said.

Chris Morrow, fresh off winning the 2005 North Ridge Lawn Tractor Championships and now serving as the CFO of NR Buzz, voiced his concerns over the recent Pampered Chef party that Rafael hosted.

"I wouldn't want to see him end his wiffleball career known as the Pampered Guy or something like that," Morrow exclaimed. "That would have broken my heart much like that dude from Pittsburgh had his heart broken when the Bus fumbled against the Colts."

But, Rafael's wife, who thinks the world of him, defended him, claiming he's the strong sensitive type of guy. "I just glow when I think of Al," she said. "Everyone in the neighborhood knows my Al is the best chef in town. You should taste some of his creations!"

Frutsche, following proper military protocol, issued the following statement on the developing vote on North Ridge Buzz. "Rafael is an honorable man, can hit a wiffleball a mile out of Bixby Field, and offers hope for future generations of North Ridge Americans. If you've ever wondered why we are here, it's time to wonder no more. We're here because of Rafael. Let's give him the nickname he deserves so we can end this debate and confusion over whether or not his name is Rafael or Al."

The poll will last throughout February 2006. Please vote early and often.

January NR Buzz Poll Ends; Engelberg-Moran Wiffleball Incident Tops 2005 Memorable Moments

The neighborhood has spoken, and according to North Ridge residents, the most memorable incident of 2005 was the Engelberg-Moran wiffleball incident, capturing 4,457 votes or 42.2 percent of the votes cast.

Second place was hotly contested, but in the end Amy "McMurphy" McMurdy's women's cookie exchange edged out Bill "Buster" Etsweiler winning the North Ridge Wiffleball Association's MVP Award. McMurphy gained 2,923 votes for 27.7 percent of the votes cast, while Buster mustered up 2,728 votes for 25.8 percent.

Battling for the basement position were Chris "Runs like a Deere" Morrow and Kevin "Bread Dip" Bixby. Morrow's victory in the 2005 North Ridge Lawn Tractor race grabbed 266 votes or 2.5 percent of the total cast to squeak by Bixby's neighborhood Santa run, which got only 192 votes or 1.8 percent of the vote.

Although only about 1,700 visits to the North Ridge Buzz Blog occurred in January 2006, the poll totaled 10,566 votes cast.

To relive the most memorable moments of 2005, click here to read more.

The February 2006 poll is a contest to give Rafael Calzada a summer wiffleball nickname.

Always in the Background, Pro Sports Wives Now Get Their Own Special Holiday

Long ignored, unknown to the public, and always in the background, pro sports wives throughout the country will now have their day of recognition with the first annual Pro Sports Wives Day on February 11.

The national day of observance was awarded to the Professional Sports Wives Association, a not-for-profit organization, by the Editors of Chase's Calendar of Events, to recognize the wives of all active and retired professional athletes, coaches, and sports executives for their support in the estimated $220 billion sports entertainment industry.

"The demands of juggling a husband's hectic and short-term career, the public, female fans, in-laws, kids, homes, relocations, money, insecurity, unemployment, are very stressful," said Gena James-Pitts, association founder and wife of former NFL defensive lineman, Mike Pitts. "And through the association and the magazine, the wives can learn from experts on how to survive."

Behind the scenes, and during a single season, pro sports wives face more multiple, arduous challenges that bring hardships to their personal lives than most non-public families face in a lifetime. A staggering 80 percent of pro athletes are divorced and are a quarter of a million dollars in debt after they have retired.

The purpose of the Professional Sports Wives Association is to unite all wives in all pro sports, and provide resources on topics ranging from marriage support, household managing, career development, franchising, financial planning, and self-improvement.

The Association recently unveiled The Professional Sports Wives Magazine, the first-of-its-kind quarterly trade publication that provides human-interest and self-empowering articles for their peers.

As founder and publisher of the magazine, James-Pitts is a veteran of the wives' cause. Pitts has been married for 21 years to former NFL lineman Mike Pitts. The couple is targeting an untapped segment of nearly a half million active and retired pro sports wives, and more than 708,000 U.S. sports professionals, with millions more abroad.

Chase's Calendar of Events is compiled by employees of Contemporary Books, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. It has been the premier reference worldwide for holidays and special events for almost 50 years.

(Source: Professional Sports Wives Association media release)

Litl' Darlins Hosting Children's Consignment Sale in North Ridge

North Ridge Buzz blogger Angela Evertson announces that Litl' Darlins, formerly known as Doodlebug Consignment, will be coming to North Ridge for a special Spring Sale.

Friday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at 155 Regal View, North Ridge, Carlisle

Litl' Darlins specializes as a children's consignment sale and if you have children in your life, you will not want to miss this event.

New this year, refer a friend who consigns 25 items with Litl' Darlins and you will recieve $5 in Darlin Dollars to be used at the sale towards merchandise. And, if you're too busy to tag and price your own items, ask about Litl' Darlins "Vic Service."

Shopping carts aren't available, so bring a laundry basket or a stroller if you plan on loading up. That will make it easier for you to carry your finds.

For more information on shopping, consigning, volunteering, or promoting your business, contact Litl' Darlins at Litldarlins@yahoo.com. Or contact Lisa at (717) 386-8609 or Angela at (717) 386-1309.

(Photo caption: A shopper enjoys searching for finds at the Litl' Darlins 2005 Summer Sale.)

Super Bowl Takeout And Delivery Fact Sheet

With the Super Bowl almost here, many football fans here in North Ridge as well as from throughout the country will be making plans to watch the big game. And, no doubt, these plans will include food. Thanks to the National Restaurant Association, data has been collected on what the nation is most likely to either pick up at a restaurant or have delivered.

• According to National Restaurant Association research, roughly one out of seven (15 percent) Americans order takeout or delivery food from a restaurant for a Super Bowl gathering at their house or someone else's house. For younger adults (ages 18- 34) who watch the Super Bowl - this year held on Sunday, February 5 - that figure rises to 22 percent.
• Of those who ordered takeout or delivery, 58 percent ordered pizza, 50 percent ordered chicken wings, and 20 percent ordered subs or sandwiches.
• Those living in larger households (three or more members) were more likely than others to order takeout or delivery on Super Bowl Sunday, as were those living in a metropolitan area, and those living in the Northeast.
• In addition, approximately one in 20 Americans (4 percent) watch the big game at a restaurant or a bar.

The National Restaurant Association, founded in 1919, is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of 925,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 12.5 million employees.

(Source: National Restaurant Association Fact Sheet)

10 Common Car-buying Mistakes

From the Press Room of Consumer Reports comes advice on what not to do when buying a car.

Buying a new car can be exciting. But it’s also a complex process through which you can end up overpaying by hundreds or thousands of dollars or with a vehicle that you won’t be happy with down the road. Below are 10 mistakes that car buyers often make that can quickly turn that initial excitement into buyer remorse--and how to avoid them.

The top 10 mistakes include ...

1. Falling in love with a model.
   
2. Skipping the test drive.
   
3. Negotiating down from the sticker price.
   
4. Focusing only on the monthly payment when negotiating.
   
5. Buying the “deal” instead of the vehicle.
   
6. Waiting until you’re in the dealership to think about financing.
   
7. Underestimating the value of modern safety features.
   
8. Buying unnecessary extras.
   
9. Not researching the value of your current car.
   
10. Not having a used car checked by an independent mechanic.

To read more details on the top 10 mistakes, visit the Consumer Reports Press Room.

Tips for Women (and Men) in Search of a Good Night’s Sleep

For many women, it’s tough to get a good night’s sleep. Studies show that women may be 20 to 50 percent more likely to have insomnia than men.

One culprit behind women’s sleep difficulties can be fluctuating hormone levels. With optimal levels of estrogen and progesterone in your system, the time it takes to fall asleep and the number of awakenings during the night decrease. But hormone fluctuations occur for many reasons, including monthly menstrual cycles, use of birth control pills, pregnancy, and perimenopause -- the five to 10 years before and up to one year after menstrual periods end.

If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, simple changes in your daily and nightly habits may result in better sleep. The January issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource offers these suggestions:

• Caffeine: Limit it. In addition to the usual sources (coffee, tea and soda) be aware of caffeine in chocolate and in medications used to treat headaches, colds and sinus congestion.
• Nicotine: Nicotine impairs the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
• Alcohol: Even though drinking alcohol may make it easier to fall asleep, as few as one or two drinks within two hours of bedtime tend to disrupt your sleep and lead to more frequent awakening in the latter half of the night.
• Inactivity: Lack of physical activity during the day is associated with increased sleep problems. But strenuous exercise too close to bedtime may make it more difficult to fall asleep.
• Large meals: Eating too much close to bedtime may make falling asleep and staying asleep more difficult.
• Naps: Naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night. If you can’t get by without one, limit it to less than 30 minutes.

If self-treatment strategies don’t help, ask your doctor for help. Sleep difficulties can be related to a number of medical conditions.

Additional patient resources are available through the Mayo Clinic's Patient Guide.

(Source: Mayo Clinic Media Release)

Super Bowl Health Story: If You "Take One For The Team," Don't Let It Be Your Voice

With the Steelers in the playoffs, no doubt that many fans here in North Ridge as well as throughout the country will be offering vocal help in cheering the black and gold throughout the Super Bowl. The media release below comes from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and offers great advice on how to protect your voice during the upcoming game. Also, please note that the ASHA has a great Website that offers valuable information to the public on many issues related to hearing, speech, and language.

As fan interest in the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl intensifies, experts are cautioning the public to be wary of abusing their voice as they support their favorite teams.

Prolonged cheering and yelling, whether for a sports team or for other reasons, can result in hoarseness, irritation of the vocal cords or other voice disorders, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

“While cheering for the big game can be a great way to express enthusiasm for your favorite team, you could be paying for this for days or weeks after the big event,” said Alex Johnson, ASHA President and Professor and Chair at Wayne State University in Detroit, the city where the Super Bowl will take place.

When one experiences laryngitis or becomes hoarse, the vocal cords are so swollen and thick, they cannot produce sound. Continued vocal strain can lead to more serious disorders, such as persistent hoarseness, breathiness, inappropriate pitch (too high or too low), or inappropriate volume (too loud or too soft).

For anyone who finds themselves getting carried away with the excitement of the games, and also finds that they are becoming hoarse, simple steps can be taken to protect their voice:

• Avoid shouting or screaming. If you feel strain or tension in your throat, neck, or shoulders, you’re too loud.
• If you need to project your voice in a noisy situation, be sure that you have good breath support and use abdominal breathing.
• Avoid constant throat-clearing, coughing, and loud talking, especially if your voice is already irritated.-Rest your voice (don’t whisper).
• Keep your throat moist. Drink plenty of water every day.
• Take slow, deep breaths when speaking.
• Watch what you eat. Frequent heartburn and a sour taste in your mouth may mean stomach acids are spilling over into your larynx.
• Go easy on your voice when you have a cold. Seek medical attention for sinus infections and allergies. These factors can irritate the voice.

It is estimated that 28 million Americans experience daily voice problems. Five to 10 percent of the U.S. work force is considered to be heavy occupational voice users, such as teachers, professional speakers, government officials, or actors. For these and other professional voice users, protecting the voice is essential.

Also, an estimated 6 to 23 percent of school-age children experience voice problems, most frequently hoarseness, which can stem from misuse of the voice such as imitating car sounds and sirens or screaming while playing outside with friends. If a voice problem does not go away in a day or two, don’t delay. Seek advice from your physician and get rehabilitative treatment from a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist.

(Editor's note: Earlier this month, North Ridge Buzz covered the topic of laryngitis. To read this article, click here.)

North Ridge Steelers Take Out Eagles Neighbors

With the Pittsburgh Steelers easily handling the Denver Broncos, 34-17, in the AFC title game for yet another trip to the Super Bowl, North Ridge fans of the black and gold took on the neighborhood Eagles fans, also easily winning 4-1 in the backyard challenge.

The North Ridge Steelers employed several trick plays in the winning effort, and not once needed an offensive play for the victory. All touchdowns came on run backs or interceptions.

Leading the way for the NR Steelers was 340-pound game-maker Kevin "Bread dip" Bixby. The Canadian wanna-be demonstrated quick feet and lightning dashes in covering the 40-yard field.

Chuck "C-mo" Moran also had some great blocking and toss backs in helping to destroy the NR Eagles.

However, it was North Ridge's pampered chef, Rafael Calzada, who blistered the competition for three of the four touchdowns.

"I was inspired by the play of the Steelers, particularly of Big Ben," Calzada, who doesn't have a summer wiffleball nickname, said. "Despite my bad back, I knew I had to uphold the winning tradition for the black and gold."

Bixby agreed with Calzada's assessment of the game. "I knew my wife was whipping up a batch of bread dip and I had to get a quick win."

One of the NR Steelers became a bit concerned during the game. "I looked over and kept thinking to myself that Amy 'McMurphy' McMurdy looked like she was becoming a demon lady," said C-Mo. "Just look at her picture."

"Yeah, dude," said Bread dip. "The more we scored, and the more the real Steelers scored, the more possessed looking she looked. It's like you don't have to take her to Rillos. Just keep showing her rebroadcasts of Steelers wins and she turns into like a demon lady."

One Eagles fan wasn't amused with the easy victory of the NR Steelers. In fact, the fan attempted to stir problems later by teasing the NR Steelers cheerleaders.

"When I saw that Amy McMurphy looking like a demon, I thought to myself that all she really needed were devil horns and a whip-like tail," said Dave "Engelberg" Orr, who was protesting the Steelers game by wearing an Eagles uniform.

When asked to comment on McMurphy's possessed look, friend and fellow NR Steeler cheerleader "Oh" Sheila Bixby said, "No comment. Just tell me you're not gonna take my picture and put it up on the blog."

(Photos: top, Dave "Engelberg" Orr thinks the NR Steelers cheerleaders are possessed. One wonders about "Oh" Sheila Bixby [right], but there's no guessing with Amy McMurphy. Bottom photo: NR Steelers celebrate their 4-1 win.)

Wine Drinkers Have Healthier Diets than Beer Drinkers

People who buy wine also buy healthier food and therefore have healthier diets than people who buy beer, finds a study published online by the British Medical Journal earlier this week.

Studies have shown that drinking wine is associated with lower mortality than drinking beer or spirits. Some studies have also suggested that wine drinkers have healthier diets than beer or spirits drinkers, and this may explain wine’s beneficial effect on health.

A media release issued by the BMJ provides additional details on what those healthier diets of wine drinkers may include. To read the media release, visit Newswise.

Or, for more details, see the study's full report.

NMT Supervisors Postpone Decision On Proposed Development Near North Ridge

Earlier this week, North Ridge Buzz reported that the North Middleton Township Board of Supervisors would consider a request at its January 19th meeting from developer Fred Gettys to rezone 133 acres just west of North Ridge from farmland to residential in order to build a proposed 248-unit single family home development.

At the BOS meeting last night, supervisors postponed consideration on the request until February 16 at the request of the developer and his attorney, Robert Saidis. The reason for the delay was to give Gettys additional time to meet with the North Middleton Township Authority to discuss public water and sewer line availability.

The February 16 meeting will be held at the township building at 2051 Spring Road starting at 7 p.m.

(Source: Harrisburg Patriot-News)

Carlisle Ends Mandatory Summer Reading Program

The Carlisle Area School District will not force middle and high school students to participate in a mandatory summer reading program after school board officials voted 8-0 to kill the requirement.

According to various news reports, a summer reading program will still exist; however, participants will receive extra credit for summer reading.

Prior to canceling the mandatory program, the school board discovered from English teachers that many students had failed tests in September on required-reading summer books.

Students in advanced placement classes will still be required to read in the summer months. Only a small percentage of those students from AP courses who participated in the mandatory reading program failed the September tests.

Those interviewed for local news stories appeared in agreement that the mandatory reading program made reading more of a job than an enjoyment during the summer months.

(Sources: Harrisburg Patriot-News, Carlisle Sentinel)

North Ridge Neighbors Plunging for a Cause

Oddmakers suggest McMurphy will be first out of the water as Marine Corp Mike (aka Fishy) predicted to spend most time in the icy water

Four North Ridge neighbors plan to take an icy plunge into the Susquehanna River on February 4 to help WHP AM's RJ Harris and others raise funds for the Special Olympics. And, in committing to this worthy cause, they're challenging other North Ridge neighbors to join them in their efforts.

The four -- Kevin "Bread dip" Bixby (who calls himself "The King"), Dave "Engelberg" Orr, Mike "Fishy" Frutsche, and Chuck "High-Ball McMurphy" McMurdy -- say they're up for the challenge since it's a good cause, but they're also laying down the smack in challenging their North Ridge neighbors to join them on the team.

"Chris Morrow, Jack Connelly, Brad Fuller, Bill Etsweiler, Mike Evertson, Jim Clark, Rafael Calzada, Scott Brotherton, and Chuck Moran," said McMurphy. "I'm challenging all of them here and now. And I'm challenging anyone else who I forgot to mention but I'm sure my wife would remind me to challenge."

Commenting on the challenge, Engelberg said, "Hey, I'd like to see the North Ridge wives take the plunge too."

Bread Dip Bixby added, "We're doing this in the name of the North Ridge Wiffleball Association and we plan on wearing our North Ridge wiffleball uniforms. Call it our winter training program if you'd like."

According to a brochure for the event, the "Eskimo Plunge" takes place on Harrisburg's City Island at noon; however, island activities begin at 10 a.m. In the event of poor river conditions, the alternate location for the Plunge will be Applebee's at the Harrisburg Mall.

Funds raised support the local Special Olympics Program for Area M that includes Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry & Northern York Counties. Individuals or teams may take the plunge.

For those taking the plunge, contests will be held for most creatively dressed, oldest taking the plunge, and most money raised as an individual or within a group category.

When asked to respond to the McMurphy challenge, one unnamed North Ridge neighbor said, "First this group of terrorists attempts to sell my house without me knowing it, and now they want me to freeze my b***s off. That's what friends are for! I may have to join them."

Although there's excitement in the air for the North Ridge foursome, one person committed to the plunge is expressing some concern. "One of my biggest fears with doing this is that I'll pass out from the cold only to wake up and find Engelberg giving me mouth-to-mouth," said Bread Dip Bixby. "That would really ruin the day for me."

Those interested in joining the North Ridge Wiffleball Plunge Team should contact Bread Dip Bixby for more information. To download a sponsor form and brochure, click here. Rumor has it that a special Post-Plunge Party is being planned in North Ridge to warm everyone up afterwards and to further celebrate Super Bowl Weekend.

First Tackled By Steelers; Now Sentenced By Judge

Known as the "idiot fan" in the great blogosphere after running onto the field during the 41-0 Steelers win over the Browns on December 24th, Nathan Mallett made headlines again today after Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Joan Synenberg sentenced the 24-year-old to jail for his actions.

One would have thought being a Cleveland fan would be punishment enough, particularly after being tackled and slammed to the ground during the drunken exhibit by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison (see photos with this story), but the good judge opted to send Mallett to jail for three days starting February 3. He could have been sentenced for up to 30 days.

Within the sentencing, the judge threw in a trick play of her own as Mallett will serve his time during the Super Bowl and will not be allowed to watch or listen to the big game. In addition, he won't be able to attend any Browns games for five years and must perform 150 hours of community service with Browns charities.

The good news for Mallett is that he doesn't have to worry about missing the Browns in the Super Bowl. In fact, the Browns are one of only four teams to never make it to the championship game.

(Sources: various blogs, Associated Press, WTAE TV Pittsburgh)

Starbucks, Target, and Others Scheduled to Open Soon in Carlisle

Just before the holidays, shopping in Carlisle was enhanced with the opening of Kohl's in the Carlisle Crossings shopping complex. Within the complex, the community also gained a Red Robin restaurant.

With construction on the complex still underway, the area is about to gain a few more stores.

According to news reports, Nextel will open in the complex in late January, followed by Yankee Candle at the end of February. Target is scheduled to open on March 5, and then a host of stores will also open in early March including Famous Footwear, Sally Beauty Supply, Cost Cutters, Pier One, Starbucks, and Gamestop.

By mid-March, Carlisle Crossings will see Michael's Arts and Crafts along with Old Navy opening. PetSmart is scheduled to open on April 1.

Carlisle Crossings is located at York Road (Route 74) and Fairview streets near Interstate 81.

(Source: Harrisburg Patriot-News)

Steeler fans and heart attacks

When entering North Ridge during the football season, it's not unusual to be greeted by a Pittsburgh Steelers flag flying from the Clark household, while nearly across the street a Philadelphia Eagle inflatable player lines up in Dave "Engelberg" Orr's front yard.

For those who regularly travel Skyline Drive, it was also easy to tell which team is having a good year. As the Eagle inflatable disappeared from the Orr yard, the neighborhood clearly knew that any hope of Philly going to the playoffs was doomed. But, the Clark's continued to proudly fly the Steelers flag, a clear signal of Steeler dominance in 2005-'06.

North Ridge residents certainly take their professional football seriously.

But, there may be one community that takes Steeler football even more serious than the many North Ridge households waving terrible towels.

According to multiple news reports, die-hard Steeler fan Terry O'Neill of Arlington Heights was enjoying Sunday's divisional playoff game against the Colts at Cupka's I Tavern in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood. And, according to one newspaper, the fumble by Jerome Bettis in the final minute or so of the game caused O'Neill to have a heart attack.

“Bettis fumbled the ball, with about a minute left in the game, and next thing you know, everyone’s screaming, ‘Call 911! This guy’s had a heart attack!’” said Kristy Meade, a bartender at the tavern told a local reporter.

Luckily for O'Neill, two city firefighters were also at the tavern and noticed O'Neill on the floor. They immediately began CPR. Later, emergency personnel shocked his heart five times before it restarted. Once at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, doctors diagnosed O'Neill with high blood pressure and an erratic heart beat.

O'Neill says that he just didn't want to see The Bus end his career like that, and that he is still his hero. In an interview with Pittsburgh's WTAE, he said, "... whenever he dropped the ball, it just broke my heart."

The die-hard fan says he plans to watch Sunday's AFC championship game when the Steelers travel to play the Denver Broncos, although he'll watch it in a more relaxed atmosphere ... his home.

To read more on this, visit the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review or watch a newscast with great quotes on Pittsburgh's WTAE TV.

Happy 300th Birthday Ben

Franklin shares quintessential American substance and style with Clinton, says Duke University Professor

Benjamin Franklin, whose 300th birthday today is prompting exhibits, documentaries and events in Philadelphia and beyond, is such a celebrated national figure because his life was characterized by a quintessentially American combination of substance and style, says a Duke University history professor.

Gerald Wilson, who teaches the courses “Leadership In American History” and “American Dreams/American Realities,” said Franklin embodied the virtues popularly attributed to Americans: the entrepreneurial spirit of a self-made publisher, a pragmatic approach to science that produced the lightning rod and bifocals and practical wisdom doled out in “Poor Richard’s Almanac.”

“There was a great deal of substance there, but it was also well-packaged,” said Wilson, the senior associate dean of Duke’s Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. He points to the writing in “Poor Richard’s Almanac” -- “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” -- as an early example of an American style that would later be exemplified through Mark Twain’s wit.

In contrast, Wilson points to John Adams, “a man of a lot of substance. But he didn’t know how to promote himself and so he doesn’t have quite the mystique of Franklin.” (Adams, who is due for his 300th birthday in 2035, is left off today’s currency, while Franklin’s visage graces the $100 bill.)

One contemporary public figure to whom Wilson compares Franklin in some respects is former President Bill Clinton. “They both have a rags-to-riches story and knew how to market themselves,” Wilson said. “And I believe Clinton will leave a substantial political legacy, as Franklin did.

“Unfortunately, he also very much had the zipper problem Franklin had.”

For an additional information on how Ben and Bill were similar, read more about Professor Wilson's research through an interview with the News & Observer newspaper in North Carolina.

(Source: Duke University News and Communications Department)

Survivor Fans Ready! Yoga Instructor Beats Out Astronaut and Beauty Queen in Survivor Odds

Survivor fans light your torches! Sportsbook.com is ready for the game to begin and has posted odds on all 16 castaways. Survivor Panama - Exile Island premieres Thursday, February 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

The 12th installment of Survivor promises to entertain with a new cast of intriguing characters. Aras Baskauskas, a 24-year-old yoga instructor from Santa Monica, Cal., is the front runner at 5-1, while Terry Deitz, a 46-year-old airline pilot and former Navy fighter pilot, and 45-year-old karate instructor Bruce Kanegai are close behind with 6-1 odds. Dan Berry, a retired Astronaut and 24-year-old former Miss Texas Teen USA Misty Giles follow at 8-1. Cirie Fields, a 35-year-old registered nurse from Walterboro, S.C., and Melinda Hyder, a 32-year-old professional singer from Sevierville, Tenn., are the current long shots both with odds of 15-1.

A new format will see the castaways broken up into four groups by age and sex, dividing the young and old and men and women. A four tribe format is the first of many twists and challenges competitors will face making it difficult for Survivors to keep their torches lit and fans to predict the Ultimate Survivor.

"The new element of exiling players to a deserted island where they have an opportunity to work independently to win immunity may present many surprises about who can outlast the rest," said Peter Childs, head oddsmaker, Sportsbook.com. "We based our odds on the personalities of the past winners and our assessment of the new contestants - but with new game design, the profile of the winner could change significantly, making this anyone's game."

Sportsbook.com has also posted odds on the new season of American Idol in time for the two-hour premiere tomorrow night. Fans of the show can already start betting on whether the next American Idol will be a male or female. Odds on both are listed at 10-11.

Survivor Odds - The Castaways
Aras 5-1
Terry 6-1
Bruce 6-1
Courtney 8-1
Dan 8-1
Misty 8-1
Bobby 9-1
Austin 10-1
Danielle 10-1
Nick 10-1
Tina 10-1
Ruth Marie 10-1
Sally 12-1
Shane 12-1
Cirie 15-1
Melinda 15-1

American Idol Winner Will Be
Male 10-11
Female 10-11

(Source: PR Newswire and sportsbook.com)

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Sunday, Jan. 15, would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 77th birthday. The civil rights leader, minister and recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize was born in 1929 and assassinated in 1968.

Today was a federal holiday honoring his memory and marking his long fight for equality for everyone through nonviolent means. King's hopes for America's future were embodied in his famous "I have a dream" speech in Washington, D.C. That dream was that the national creed -- that all are created equal -- would become reality.

Today, America's diverse population continues to work toward King's dream, including 234 million whites, 37 million African-Americans, 12 million Asians and nearly three million American Indians and Alaska natives. Find these and more facts about America at the U.S. Census Bureau.

(Source: U.S. Newswire, U.S. Census Bureau)

Another 248 Houses Could Be Coming Soon If NMT Supervisors Agree

Local news reports indicate that the North Middleton Township supervisors will consider a rezoning of 133 acres near North Ridge from agricultural to residential at a 7 p.m. meeting Thursday, January 19, at the township building at 2051 Spring Road.

Developer Fred Gettys wants to turn two adjoining farms into a 248 single family housing complex. The properties being considered for rezoning are south of the corner of Corman and North Middleton Road, and extends west from North Ridge and the Village of North Ridge. Recently, Gettys managed to convince township supervisors to develop 40 acres as the Village of North Ridge just behind Skyline Drive.

One of the farms being considered for rezoning is owned by Robert C. Stine Jr., while the other is owned by Paul W. Gettel and Annette K. Burns. Within the application, the owners say they do not plan to continue farming and that they have put their properties under contract with Gettys.

Currently, the two farms do no have public water or sewer.

(Sources for this story include the Harrisburg Patriot-News and the Carlisle Sentinel.)

North Middleton Girls Softball Sign Ups Coming

North Ridge girls between the ages of 6 and 13 may register for the North Middleton Township Girl's Softball League on February 21. Those interested can register during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or during an evening registration from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration takes place at the Township Municipal Building at 2051 Spring Road. Registration may also take place via snail mail.

The registration fee for 2006 is $25 for the first child; $20 for the second; and $15 for the third. Applications received after March 22 will be assessed a $5 late fee. Players must be at least age 6 before April 1, but not older than 13 before April 1.

The program is directed by Coach Brian Morrow, who is a physical education instructor in the Carlisle Area School District. Coach Morrow does an excellent job running this league, and with the help of volunteers, it's amazing to see how good these girls get as the season progresses.

Games are played at North Middleton Park along Route 74. An instructional clinic for all girls runs on April 17, 18, and 19. League play runs from May 1 through June 14 on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Rain dates are Fridays.

The players are grouped by age with girls ages 6-9 playing in the beginners program, while girls ages 10-13 play in the intermediate program. Those age 10 do have an option of playing in the beginners program.

This league is a slow/medium pitch league. In the beginners league, coaches pitch.

While I don't know what the plans are for this year, last year the girls got a shirt, visor, trophy, and a pool party at the end of the season as part of the registration fee in addition to regularly scheduled games. Having coached in this league during the past two seasons, I'll add that I've noticed many of the girls build confidence while playing. That may be the best benefit of playing in the league.

Morrow's House for Sale?

In an email I received earlier tonight, North Ridge resident Chris Morrow asked me to post a story for him. Please keep Chris and his family in your thoughts. This type of intimidation should not be tolerated in North Ridge. In his own words, here's the first North Ridge Buzz story from Chris. -- C-Mo

I was awoken this morning by the ring of my doorbell. I shot out of bed like a juiced wiffleball leaves Bixby Field. Racing downstairs, the bell rang again. When I opened the door, a nice young house-hunting couple asked if they could tour my house.

"Why," I said wiping the crusties yet stuck in my eye.

"Today's your open house, isn't it?" the young bride said. "Your signs say there's an open house."

My vision came into focus now, and as I pulled up my pajama bottoms that were slipping, I noticed that someone had put my house up for sale overnight. Posted in my front yard were four Jack Gaughen signs indicating an open house and a sale.

I apologized to the young couple, and said there must be a mistake. Jodi made her way downstairs as the couple excused themselves.

Initially, as Jodi and I chatted about the signs, I thought that maybe this was a neighbor telling my family we should move because he said that real men prefer dark beer at the last beer bottle exchange.

However, after further reflection, it must be some anti-family, anti-wiffleball, anti-American person or group that obviously doesn't want there to be wiffleball in North Ridge and is trying to intimidate my family into moving.

On behalf of my family, the Morrow's feel it our patriotic duty not to buckle to the pressure but to build an even better wiffle field. There will be lights!!!! And I will run a beer tap to the dugouts. This will ensure that there will be future years of wiffleball (beyond '06) and we will not be intimidated into moving!

Winter Laryngitis: Tips on How to Avoid and Treat

With the cold winter months here, and an active North Ridge community, parents and children alike need to take care of themselves so that old man winter doesn't take advantage of you. Voice expert Dr. Michael Pitman, Director, The Center for Voice and Swallowing, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, offers the following advice about avoiding and treating laryngitis.

It is that time of year when the temperature drops, the weather changes and we all begin to get colds or the flu. With these upper respiratory infections come fatigue, muscle aches, sneezing, coughing and often laryngitis. The laryngitis may be the most debilitating aspect of the illness because it can be painful and rob us of our ability to communicate, socialize and work.

What is Laryngitis?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal folds of the voice box. They can become inflamed due to infection, overuse or irritation. When your vocal folds are inflamed they do not vibrate smoothly and you develop a hoarse, strained and sometimes barely audible voice.

Laryngitis can be short lived (acute) or long lived (chronic). The typical laryngitis should be acute and last less than two weeks. When symptoms are present longer than two weeks, there may be a more serious problem.

The symptoms of laryngitis can be caused by numerous factors. The most common cause is a viral upper respiratory infection. Vocal abuse in the form of smoking or yelling commonly leads to laryngitis. The medical condition of laryngopharyngeal reflux is also a well known cause of laryngitis. This occurs when stomach acid refluxes into the throat and irritates the vocal folds. Most people with this condition actually do not have any symptoms of heartburn or indigestion.

Generally, laryngitis should resolve in a few days and certainly within two weeks. The symptoms often improve by themselves. Your symptoms can initially be treated with voice rest, conservative voice use and general rest to get your whole body stronger. Drinking water and throat lozenges may also be helpful. Mentholated cough drops should be avoided as these can be extremely irritating to the vocal folds.

Danger Signs
If you have laryngitis for longer than two weeks or you are a professional voice user you should seek the opinion of an Otolaryngologist. The doctor will listen to your voice and should then look at your vocal folds with an endoscope. The endoscope may be a flexible fiberoptic tube that is passed through the nose or a rigid endoscope passed through the mouth. A superior instrument for evaluating the vocal folds is a laryngovideostroboscope. This uses a rigid endoscope and a strobe light to view the vibration for vocal folds in slow motion through the mouth. This is essential because it is the vibration that creates your voice. If the vibration is abnormal you will sound hoarse.

Treatment
Treatment for laryngitis depends on the cause of the problem and the speed at which your voice needs to return to normal. If the laryngitis is due to a viral infection, supportive care is the best treatment. Use your voice more conservatively, do not clear your throat, avoid whispering, rest, drink lots of water, use a humidifier at home, avoid smoke and limit alcohol and caffeine intake. If you are a professional voice user, such as a singer or lawyer, you may need your voice to return more quickly for an important engagement. In that case, discuss this with your Otolaryngologist as treatment with steroids may be warranted. For more chronic laryngitis the underlying cause must be determined and then that needs to be treated. The list of causes may range from laryngopharyngeal reflux, which is treated medically, to a vocal fold polyp which is treated surgically. If you are a smoker you should stop smoking and see an Otolaryngologist to make sure cancer is not involved. When vocal fold cancer is detected early, it can usually be treated successfully with surgery or radiation.

Prevention
Often prevention is the best course of action. When you are sick or you feel laryngitis developing the best thing to do is take care of yourself and your voice. Use your voice only when you need to and follow the steps mentioned above. Hopefully this will keep you from losing your voice and keep you out of the doctor’s office.

A Pampered Chef Friday Night in North Ridge ... a time for stoneware and beer

Stoneware. Beer. And, bread dip. Something for the wives. Something for the husbands. And something for Kevin "The King" Bixby.

With a packed house, Trish and hubby Rafael Calzada, who is yet to get a neighborhood nickname, played hosts to North Ridge's Pampered Chef party on Friday evening, and there was something for everyone.

"I knew there would be bread and dip," King Bixby declared with excitement, showing everyone his really cool Hershey Bears uniform with a special leg strap to prevent people from pulling it off him. "In my rock-n-roll, head-banging, party-going days, I never thought it would be possible to combine the love of hockey with the love of bread dip. But, Trish and Raf have made this all come together for me."

But, according to Dave "Engelberg" Orr, the pressure of putting on the first husband-wife Pampered Chef party in the history of North Ridge may have been too much stress for the former Cleveland couple. At one point, Rafael, or should we call him Al, became so emotional that he had to leave the party.

"Normally, I'd say that he abandoned us guys since he has the reputation of being the hard-hitting, Puerto Rican version of Slammin' Sammy Sosa in our wiffleball league," said Engelberg, "but, we also know he's the strong sensitive type of person, and I think that came out tonight."

Asked how he knew Rafael was the strong sensitive type of guy, Engelberg said, "Trish told us. She just glows when she talks of her Raf." Then Engelberg proceeded to hide a beer tab along a wall railing in an attempt to get even with Rafael for hiding all those beer bottle caps in his house during the North Ridge Beer Bottle Exchange last December.

The evening started with a wine and cheese social, as Rafael and Trish greeted between 20 and 25 guests. With a hot oven, and plenty of stoneware, the loving couple were ready for the formal presentation.

Mary "Poppins" Orr chose a comfortable seat in the living room for the presentation, sitting next to Tammy Frutsche. Together the two started to create a stir, while paging through the Pampered Chef catalog. It may have been whatever Poppins was drinking, suggests friend Sheila Bixby.

"I think I take the best photo, watch this," Poppins said while posing for the camera (see photo included with this story). Tammy responded by saying, "Well, maybe so, but I take the best picture with my eyes closed. See."

As both Poppins and Tammie played it up for the photogragher, husbands Engelberg and Marine Corp Mike were trying to find another beer.

"I think Trish is going to regret inviting husbands to a Pampered Chef party," Engelberg giggled to Scott Brotherton while hiding his third beer tab in the Calzada house. In the meantime, Brotherton, who plans to take over the North Ridge Lawn Tractor Race Championship from Chris Morrow this summer, agreed with the giggling Engelberg just to keep him happy.

One person holding out from attending the evening was Bill "Buster" Etsweiler, who was later tracked down playing in a winter wiffleball league in Cuba. When reached, Buster said, "It's all about mental and physical toughness. Rafael's Pampered Chef party is an evil attempt to soften us so that he can easily win next year's Wiffleball MVP from me. But, I'm going strong and didn't fall for it like the other guys in North Ridge."

When asked to respond to Buster's comments, Rafael said, "Buster can use the biggest bat he can find next year, and I'll beat him in homeruns by only using either my soup ladle or my wire whisk. That's all you need to be a good batter on the diamond or to serve a good batter in the kitchen. It's all about multi-tasking."

Meanwhile, talking about multi-tasking, Engelberg, as he was finishing his fifth beer, started begging people to give him their beer tabs to hide. With this, Lori "L-Mo" Moran, who saves Tabs for Labs, asked Engelberg to make sure he saved some for her to give to the service dog training center.

Overall, despite putting up the husbands, it appears that the night was a success. The wives appeared to enjoy the evening of wine, cheese, and stoneware. But most importantly, no one got hurt physically this time.

(Photo captions: Top right: Trish Calzada is all smiles with the success of the evening. Top left: Kevin "The King" Bixby gets excited at the sight of bread and dip. Middle right: The demonstrations begins. Bottom right: Tammy Frutsche and Mary "Poppins" Orr strike a pose for the camer. Bottom left: Rafael Calzada demonstrates a special food preparation in the kitchen.)

New Jersey Vacations Get Less Smokey

According to a media release that the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids sent my office today, New Jersey became the 10th state in the country to pass a statewide smoke-free workplace law. This includes restaurants and bars; however not casinos.

Since some North Ridge residents enjoy time spent in New Jersey, I thought I'd pass this good news along since it may be a bit more enjoyable dining out while vacationing along the Jersey Shore.

Other states with this type of law include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

New Jersey's bill is anticipated to be signed by their governor. It will become law within 90 days after it is signed.

Click here to read more about the bill as written by the New York Times.

According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and at least 69 known carcinogens. it is scientifically proven to cause lung cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is responsible for 38,000 deaths nationwide every year. A 2005 study by the Society of Actuaries found that secondhand smoke costs our country $10 billion a year in health care bills, lost wages, and other costs.

In Pennsylvania, there were hearings in Harrisburg last year to pass a similar law. However, it has yet to move forward beyond hearings. Click here to read testimony from the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

Update on the Crestview Shooting

Since many of our children either attend or attended Crestview Elementary School, we're all aware of the recent shooting in the parking lot on a recent Saturday. Luckily, school was not in session.

The Harrisburg Patriot-News reported that the alleged shooter, Leo Ali McGraw of North Middleton Township, waived his preliminary hearing earlier this week. He was charged with shooting his pregnant girlfriend in the parking lot on December 17.

He'll next face trail in Cumberland County Court. The charges are attempted murder, aggravated and simple assault, and weapons charges. He sits in Cumberland County Prison.

According to police reports of the incident, McGraw shot Catherine Palmer of Carlisle, before turning the gun on himself. After he was released from Hershey Medical Center, he was jailed. Palmer has since been released from the hosptial as well.

Carlisle's Interstate 81: Highway Safety Update

The Harrisburg Patriot-News reported on January 10, 2006, that since the speed limit on Interstate 81 was dropped in 2004 to 55 mph along an eight-mile stretch in Carlisle, no crash fatalities have been recorded as of press time.

According to the story, state police say no one has died in accidents in the Carlisle stretch since the speed limit was reduced. PennDOT reported no accidents with major injuries along the stretch in 2004. In 2003, there were three.

The stretch includes exits for High Street, York Road, Hanover Street, College Street, and Plainfield.

By observation, Chuck Moran, executive editor of North Ridge Buzz and a person who drives this stretch regularly, says there is a noticable slow down, but traffic remains tight. During the last snow storm of 2005, he counted 7 cars that slid off the side of the road in this stretch, including one that was being attended by a rescue truck.

As residents of North Ridge know, this stretch of I-81 has a heavy volume of truck traffic. PennDOT spokesperson Greg Penny says that about one in three vehicles using this stretch of highway is a tractor-trailor. He says, nearly 18,000 rigs pass Carlisle daily.

In November 2003, four people died between two accidents occuring within days. They represented 40 percent of all I-81 deaths in Cumberland County in that year. The following month, Carlisle Borough Council passed a resolution to reduce the speed limit. PennDOT reduced the speed from 65 mph to 55 mph in January 2004.

Buffalo Wings: A Tuesday Night Feature at North Hanover Grill

"Ah, buffalo wings and beer," said Dave "Engelberg" Orr while sitting in the North Hanover Grill on Tuesday evening during the monthly North Ridge Men's Wing's Night Out.

Like a kid in a candy store, Engelberg began to drool at the many options that the Carlisle establishment offers. And, after some thought and consideration, along with a plate of bacon cheese fries, he opted to order a combination of four flavors and 20 wings total.

Started last month, Engelberg organizes this monthly event to give the men of North Ridge a break from the realities of the world. He encourages those interested in attending to contact him to get on the event's invitation list.

He even takes it a step further by leaving an empty seat at the table to remember those men of North Ridge who can't get their spousal permission slips signed including Kevin "The King" Bixby and Chuck "High-ball McMurphy" McMurdy.

This time joining Engelberg were brave men like Mike Frutsche, Rafael Calzada, and Chuck Moran.

North Hanover Grill offers a wide variety of buffalo wings ranging from sweet and tangy to insanity. The full list of buffalo wing options includes

• Insanity
• X-Hot
• Hot
• Mild
• Sweet & Tangy
• Sweet & Sour
• BBQ
• Honey BBQ
• Hickory BBQ
• Garlic
• Hot Garlic
• Garlic Parmesan
• Old Bay

Each selection of buffalo wings is served with bleu cheese and celery.

The North Ridge neighbors gathered at the North Hanover Grill just after 8 p.m.

C-Mo was the first to arrive, and upon entering the restaurant noticed John Hartpence, a regular wings eater and track coach at Dickinson College, who was enjoying a big plateful of wings. From the look on John's face, C-Mo could tell he ordered one of the hotter versions, particularly as he constantly had to wipe the sweat off the top of his head. That's one of the dangers of shaving your head bald and eating wings. As a result, C-Mo knew that the wings at the North Hanover Grill would be like eating fire that night.

Mike, who now goes by "The Gooch," and Raphael, who doesn't yet have a neighborhood nickname, arrived next, and promptly ordered a pitcher of Yuengling. Engelberg arrived last after a fierce board meeting of the Carlisle band. Those meetings can often put a man's life in danger.

Engelberg was a bit nervous when ordering, not wanting to make a mistake that would cost him hours in the bathroom. He wondered aloud why they don't offer a tutti fruiti flavored wing.

Meanwhile, The Gooch made certain to tell Engelberg to have no fear. As a Marine he was trained to eat fire.

Raphael, in preparation for his Pampered Chef Party this Friday night, kept mentioning the many wonderful ways that a buffalo wing could be prepared. Much like Bubba in the movie Forrest Gump, Raphael would say things like ...

"Anyway, like I was sayin', a buffalo wing is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, wing-kabobs, wing creole, wing gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple wings, lemon wings, coconut wings, pepper wings, wing soup, wing stew, wing salad, wing and potatoes, wing burger, wing sandwich. That- that's about it. "

C-Mo tried four flavors, and recommends the garlic parmesan. If you like the traditional buffalo flavor without the heat, mild works perfectly.

All attending agreed that the North Hanover Grill is a happening place. Without a doubt, its Tuesday Night Wings deal (35 cents a wing) is popular and reservations are recommended.

(Photo caption: Make no bones about it. Engelberg loves Tuesday Night Wing Night at the North Hanover Grill in Carlisle.)

Pennsylvania gets a B- grade for emergency care

As we live in North Ridge, how safe are we in the event of an emergency? This question was asked last fall during the "Meet the Candidates of North Middleton Township Night," and while the responses praised local volunteer firefighters, the candidates weren't really sure how to answer the question in full. Although we have no ambulances housed in the township, we are within an hour of a trauma center (Hershey). Plus Carlisle Hospital is building a new hospital that's about 8 or so miles away.

Today, this question of how safe we are in the event of an emergency made national headlines as the American College of Emergency Physicians issued a report card on the state of emergency medicine in the country, while giving Pennsylvania a specific grade. Pasted below is a media release from its Pennsylvania Chapter.

First-Ever National Report Card on
State of Emergency Medicine Released

Pennsylvania Earns a “B-;” Stung By Dismal Medical Liability Environment

Harrisburg—Pennsylvania’s emergency physicians today unveiled the first-ever report card that grades the emergency care environment in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (PaACEP) called on Governor Ed Rendell to review the state’s grades and appoint a task force to address issues identified in the report.

“This report card is a valuable tool that can be used by leaders in government, medicine, and public health to address and improve an issue of great importance to all Pennsylvanians – the ability to deliver quality emergency care to every individual in a timely and effective manner,” said PaACEP President Douglas L. McGee, DO, FACEP.

The American College of Emergency Physicians’ (ACEP) National Report Card on the State of Emergency Medicine gave Pennsylvania an overall B- grade, ranking it seventh in the nation. It shared the grade with five other states including neighboring Maryland.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia received an overall grade on a scale of A-F, plus separate grades in four categories: Access to Emergency Care (40 percent), Quality of Care and Patient Safety (25 percent), Public Health and Injury Prevention (10 percent), and Medical Liability Environment (25 percent). Pennsylvania can be compared with other states in the full report found at http://www.acep.org/.

ACEP began this intensive effort of grading the states more than a year ago by appointing a task force of experts. The task force developed 50 objective and quantifiable criteria to measure the performance of each state and the District of Columbia. Grades were then assigned based on a comparison to the best state’s performance using weighted and aggregated measures.

In the most heavily weighted category, Access to Emergency Care, Pennsylvania earned an A; only the District of Columbia achieved a higher grade in this category. Researchers found Pennsylvania had an excellent supply of nurses, ranking third in the nation in this area. According to researchers, when a state has enough nurses, it is easier for hospitals to increase their supply of staffed hospital beds; this is evident in Pennsylvania, which ranked 14th among states for its good amount of inpatient beds.

The report also praised Pennsylvania for its healthy spending on health care, including public funding of health insurance for the elderly and indigent. The report’s researchers said this may partly explain why Pennsylvania ranked 17th in the nation for its low number of uninsured.

On the downside, Pennsylvania had a below-average supply of emergency departments, and ranked 20th in the nation for the number of trauma centers it had available to meet the needs of its residents.

“As the number of emergency medical visits increase, we are seeing the number of emergency departments here decrease,” Dr. McGee said. “We are concerned that as more people seek emergency care, we will not only lack the surge capacity in the event of a natural disaster or disease outbreak, we won’t even be able to meet everyday demand.”

Dragging down Pennsylvania’s overall grade is the failing mark it received for its Medical Liability Environment. Despite the state’s physicians experiencing medical liability insurance premium rate increases upwards of 77 percent between 2001 and 2004, the state has not passed comprehensive medical liability reform legislation. In addition, the report recommends state policymakers make Pennsylvania’s expert witness rule absolute in requiring witnesses who testify against board-certified physicians be board-certified in that specialty as well.

The state’s overall grade was bolstered by the A- it earned in the Quality of Care and Patient Safety category. The state ranked fifth in the nation for its excellent number of emergency medicine residents and third among states for its good number of emergency medicine residency training programs. However, the report warns Pennsylvania’s excellent standing in this area is at risk because its medical liability environment is causing medical specialists, especially newly trained residents, to leave the state, which makes emergency staffing difficult now and in the future. In this category, the state was praised for providing all of its citizens with access to advance life support ambulances and making online medical direction available to the pre-hospital personnel staffing ambulances. In disaster preparedness, Pennsylvannia was praised for offering statewide training to hospital personnel for response to disasters including biological and chemical terrorist attacks.

Researchers added that Pennsylvania has been a leader in patient safety since the passage of the state’s Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act of 2002. The law established many new initiatives including the formation of a Patient Safety Authority to collect and analyze serious events and incidents, as well as mandating physicians pass a patient safety and risk management course to maintain their licenses, and requiring hospitals to establish a patient safety committee.

“It is simply incongruent that Pennsylvania is a leader in patient safety, yet it has one of the worst medical liability environments in the nation,” said Dr. McGee. “The public needs to understand medical liability reform will keep good doctors from leaving our state, which will help assure their access to high quality emergency care. Not passing medical liability reforms will jeopardize the excellence we’ve achieved in patient safety.”

While the state has worked to keep the public safe in hospitals, it hasn’t done its best to keep them safe on the roads. In the Public Health and Injury Prevention category, Pennsylvania earned a C-. The state lacks primary seat belt law enforcement and an all-rider motorcycle helmet law. Passage of these laws could help the state reduce its high number of traffic fatalities.

“As emergency physicians, we too often see the tragic consequences of the state’s lack of support for traffic safety laws,” said Dr. McGee. “Considering the state is losing on-call specialists like neurosurgeons to other states with more favorable medical liability environments, we need to support laws that protect our citizens from traumatic injuries because we may not have the specialists available to treat them after automobile and motorcycle crashes.”

The Pennsylvania Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians (PaACEP) is the state’s medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. With more than 1,200 members, PaACEP is committed to improving the quality of emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. The American College of Emergency Medicine is the national organization representing 23,000 emergency physicians nationwide.

To read a media statement from the Pennslvania Medical Society, click here.

This story made national headlines today and also ran in the USA Today, CNN, Harrisburg Patriot-News, Erie Times, and UPI to name a few locations.

Spotlight Feature: Rafael ... Portrait of a Pampered Chef

Trish Calzada glows when she describes her husband, Rafael. He's the strong, sensitive type, she says, who works hard and inspires people to be all that they can be, adding "who can't love anyone who once lived in Cleveland."

And, as Trish glows, so does her kitchen, as residents of North Ridge recently discovered that Raf, or should we call him "Al," might be the best chef in North Ridge.

"I've observed him cooking things like meatballs," said Dave "Engelberg" Orr. "He knows how to make that perfect sauce, but I never thought in my wildest dreams that Raf was all that."

But, that's where Engelberg ends his praise, and starts to issue his concerns, particularly after being invited to Rafael's Pampered Chef party this Friday night.

As proof, Engelberg pulls out a post card he received in the mail. It reads (actual language) ...

Join me ... a sensational time of food, fun and friends. It's sure to be a delicious experience. Plus you'll go home with easy mealtime solutions that cook up in no time flat ...
Date: Fri 1-13
Host: Rafael Calzada

The postcard also recommends visiting the Pampered Chef website to learn more.

Engelberg, who plans on going primarily because there will be food, said, "Last month, he was chanting 'no more cookies.' When he was done yelling 'no more cookies,' he started yelling 'honey, where's my apron.' He may need to attend Amy's Cookie Exchange next year instead of the Beer Bottle Exchange."

Bill "Buster" Etsweiler, who has attended Pampered Chef parties in the past, wonders if this is an attempt to win the North Ridge Wiffleball Association's MVP Award next summer.

"He probably wants all of us to think he's a softy so that we put down our guard during the off-season and train lighter this winter," Buster said. "I'm training hard and expect to be MVP again in 2006. And, I'm gonna win the most memorable North Ridge moment of 2005 too. Vote early and often for me."

One North Ridge guy is happy that the party isn't at his house this time. Chuck "High-ball McMurphy" McMurdy is glad that the party moved down the street.

"Every week I have to lock myself in my bedroom with the dogs as Amy hosts yet another North Ridge women's party downstairs. Now I might be able to sit my butt on my couch this weekend and prepare for the Steelers game," High-Ball said.

The president of the North Ridge Wiffleball Association, Kevin Bixby, who has been calling himself "King" lately, expressed hope that Rafael's Pampered Chef party brings an enlightened time period to North Ridge.

"Hey, maybe I can demonstrate how to make bread dip," King Bixby said. "I could use the company."

King Bixby also adds, "I also think this is a strategic public relations stunt for Raf's end of the neighborhood to work on it's public image. Next you'll see Marine Corp Mike wearing a flower in his hair."

Chuck "C-Mo" Moran had his own thoughts on the matter. "I always thought of Rafael like teflon since he's yet to be labeled with a neighborhood nickname. Not one has stuck yet, but, as he becomes a pro in using bakeware, I predict somehow that a nickname for Raf will come out of this Pampered Chef party and it will stick."

In his defense, Rafael had this to say. "My wife really wanted the party and she wants me there."

(Photo above: Rafael Calzada autographs a wiffleball for a lucky fan while wearing his "No more cookies" badge. Trish just glows when she describes her husband and his cooking abilities.)

North Ridge New Homes Tour

With a beautiful Sunday afternoon to enjoy, realtors were traveling through the neighborhood selling some of the latest new North Ridge homes for sale. Chuck and Lori Moran decided to tour four of them today, since they were topics of conversations at recent neighborhood parties. Here's what Chuck and Lori found.

According to an advertisement by Jack Gaughen Realtor, five new houses are for sale. They include

• 60 West View = $299,900
• 75 West View = $348,000
• 10 Terrace View = $309,900
• 160 Long View = $289,900
• 9 Terrace View = $329,900

The Homestead Group also some new houses for sale. They include

• 210 Long View = $339,900
• 3 Overview = $319,900

All of these houses are nice. Several are quite deceiving from the curb, but once inside you realize how big they really are.

In 1966, Texas Western Changed the Face of College Athletics

Since there's a great new inspirational sports movie out today, Glory Road, made by the same people who brought you Remember the Titans, I thought I'd post the following news release from the University of Texas at El Paso ... once named Texas Western. The link to the full news release is below, and if you're a sports fan, it's worth reading. Also, below are links to UTEP's Website on that magical year, as well as the Website to the movie site.

(UTEP) As the nation commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January and Black History Month in February 2006, the University of Texas at El Paso is preparing to celebrate an event in its own history which championed tolerance, opportunity and perseverance.

In 1966, UTEP – then named Texas Western College – changed the face of collegiate athletics forever by starting an all-black lineup for the first time in NCAA championship history. The Texas Western Miners, led by Hall of Fame Coach Don Haskins, upset the University of Kentucky to win the national title. The win symbolized a breakthrough for blacks in college sports.

The story of that 1966 team is depicted in the Walt Disney Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “Glory Road,” set to open in theaters nationwide on Jan. 13, 2006, forty years after the historic win. To celebrate this anniversary, Wheaties unveiled its newest “Breakfast of Champions” cereal box featuring the TWC 1966 team at UTEP in November.

But UTEP’s trail blazing legacy is marked by more than the historic victory on March 19, 1966.

In 1955, Texas Western was the first state college in Texas to integrate its undergraduate classes.

To read the rest of this media release, click here.

To see the UTEP tribute Website on the Texas Western team, click here.

To go to Disney's Glory Road Website, click here.

(Above photo from UTEP tribute Website honoring original 1966 Texas Western team.)

North Ridge Women Bonkers About Bunco

What do you get when 12 North Ridge women gather to roll nine dice between three tables while drinking several bottles of wine and feasting on a variety of cheeses and chocolates?

Bunco Night in North Ridge!

Details of tonight's games held at Amy "McMurphy's" house are still coming in. And, when they are available, North Ridge Buzz will post results.

According to the Columbia News Review, Bunco is a suburban wives game designed to spice up their lives. While their mothers and their mother's mothers turned to the card game Bridge for a social life, today's women turn to Bunco ... and wine ... after a hard day raising kids, cleaning the house, working in the office, or dealing with their husbands.

The dice game now has its own national association -- The World Bunco Association. And, according to the association, the game has been played in this country since the 1850s. In fact, the game's history can be traced back to San Francisco as a method used by a crooked gambler to cheat Gold Rush prospectors out of their rich findings. Later, the game spread throughout urban centers, particularly Chicago, through the 1920s.

The game died off between 1933 and the 1980s. After resurfacing in suburban settings, the game took off initially in Arizona, California, Texas and Illinois. During the past 25 years, Bunco has moved eastward, and is now played virtually everywhere in the United States including our very own North Ridge.

Interestingly, according to the Free Dictionary, Bunco when used as a noun also stands for "sting operation," and when used as a verb can mean con, scam, defraud, or swindle. With such definitions, the game initially raised concern among the men of North Ridge. Some were even in a frenzy.

One North Ridge Wiffleball Association representative said, "I was wondering why my wife told me to give her $5 for a Friday night 'sting operation.' I was especially concerned because she could somehow turn that $5 into $50 or more after a few hours out with the girls. "

"I wasn't sure how she was doing that, but after trailing her, I now understand what she means by 'sting'," concluded the NRWA representative while eating some bread and dip.

According to the North Ridge women, the only skill you really need to play this game is good wrist action. A sharp pencil is also helpful, but as the wine starts flowing, it doesn't help as much in keeping the score.

For complete rules of Bunco, click here.

North Middleton Township and Islamic Center Fued Comes to a Peaceful Ending

The Harrisburg Patriot-News and the Carlisle Sentinel both reported today that problems between North Middleton Township officials and the Peace Centre on Calvalry Road, an Islamic center, have been resolved.

The dispute erupted earlier this year when North Middleton Township officials told members of the Peace Centre that they could not use the facility as a place of worship. In an August 19, 2005, news story by the Carlisle Sentinel, at that time North Middleton supervisors denied the Peace Centre's request to rezone their land from campus industrial to highway commercial because the zoning change would be "too flexible."

Problems started for the Peace Centre when a township zoning official informed the center that current zoning of campus industrial allows institutions, but not locations of worship.

The centre includes two prayer rooms as well as an Islamic library and a media center, where the non-profit group shows movies about the Islamic culture. Islamic courses are also taught at the center.

According to the Sentinel, North Middleton Supervisor Dennis Hurley was quoted at the time as saying "We don't like churches going into retail."

As problems mounted, both sides squared off in the court of law with the Peace Centre requesting a preliminary injuction against the township.

A December 7, 2005, Carlisle Sentinel article indicated that Cumberland County Judge Kevin Hess said that he'd make no decision until after an early January meeting of the North Middleton Township Zoning Hearing Board. At that time, according to the Sentinel, Hess wrote that if the zoning board denies the variance, then the court may be "called upon to consider preliminary injunctive relief."

In filing the action, the Peace Centre claimed that the ordinance violated the Pennsylvania Religious Freedom Protection Act.

At its January meeting, the North Middleton Township zoning board members voted 3-0 to pass the variance.

Shake Up In North Middleton Costs Myers Chairmanship

The Carlisle Sentinel is reporting today that, during a reorganizational meeting of the North Middleton Township supervisors board, members attacked Supervisor Bill Myers, eventually electing another supervisor as chair.

During the reorganization, Supervisor Robert Shearer, who was not present at the meeting due to a trip to the Orange Bowl, was elected chair of the township supervisors. Myers hung on to win the nod as vice chair.

According to the Sentinel, Supervisors Dennis Hurley and Richard Bucher asked pointed questions to Myers to determine whether or not he would be staying in the township during the upcoming year.

Hurley allegedly asked, is it "fair for the rest of the officers to play musical chairs with you running in and out of here?" Bucher apparently asked Myers whether or not he planned to finish the year as a supervisor and an officer.

Myers responded to the questioning, "I will definitely be here the first half of the year," while adding that he plans to vacation in June and July. He continued, "I do not intend to resign as supervisor or as vice chairman."

Hurley countered by saying, "Against my better judgement, I am going to support you tonight. I would like to remind you that you are not a one-man board."

Myers won the vice chairmanship by a 3-1 vote with Bucher the lone negative vote.

For the Carlisle Sentinel's story, click here. North Middleton Township has not made information from this meeting available to the public via their Website as of tonight.

Don't Forget To Vote Early and Often: January North Ridge Question of the Month

Last month's question asked what readers of North Ridge Buzz thought Chuck McMurdy should get his wife for Christmas. Everyone agreed that a night out at Rillos would be the perfect gift. So, McMurphy, we at North Ridge Buzz hope you take Amy out to Rillos again soon.

This month, North Ridge Buzz asks you the readers to vote for your most memorable 2005 North Ridge moment (see poll on the right).

Among the choices are

• Chris Morrow winning the neighborhood lawn tractor race. You'll recall that Chris took on Mark Greenaway, Brad Fuller, and Dave Engelberg Orr on one hot summer night. The course started and ended at the Moran mailbox and traveled the Western Race Route around the block via North Ridge 2. Mark took an early lead as Chris stumbled to take off his parking brake. But once it was off, Chris and his John Deere looked like Speed Racer. Chris easily outdistanced the pack. Mark finished second in a close battle with Brad, while Engelberg's Snapper should have been retired.

• The Engelberg-Moran wiffleball incident. On that now infamous summer afternoon, Chuck Moran made an incredible diving catch in centerfield. Surprised by the ESPN-Highlight Show-catch, a slow baserunning Engelberg got caught too far from first base as he attempted to run to second. The rule of the game that day was that you could hit the runner with the wiffleball to get an out. And, Moran hit Engelberg with the wiffleball, knocking him down to his knees after a below-the-belt strike. Engelberg retaliated by hanging a banner in his front yard to "Ban Moran." North Ridge Wiffleball Association President Kevin Bixby got involved, issuing several statements and warnings. Eventually the matter was dropped when Engelberg's mom got involved. As a result the league adopted a new rule. You can still hit the person with the ball to get him or her out, but it has to be above the waist and below the neck.

• Amy McMurdy's Annual Cookie Exchange. As always, Amy loads up the neighborhood with cookies as many of the neighborhood wives gather to trade holiday cookies. This event inspired the men of North Ridge to host the first ever Beer Bottle Exchange. As beer bottles were traded, a chant of "No more cookies" erupted and could be heard throughout North Ridge.

• Kevin "Bread dip" Bixby runs through the neighborhood as Santa. Certainly the sign of good times this past holiday season, Kevin decided to treat the neighborhood kids by dressing up as Santa and running around the neighborhood yelling "ho ho ho." Advanced tactics by Rafael Calzada, Brad Fuller, and C-mo, gathered neighborhood kids who decided to draw a strategic battleline somewhere near Bill "Buster" Etsweiler's house. Armed with a full supply of snowballs, about 10 kids pelted Santa during the run. Smaller kids were horrified to see Kevin dressed as Santa. Click here to read more.

• Bill Etsweiler wins the wiffleball MVP. On occasion, Bill, who has multiple nicknames ranging from "Buster" to "Bill-how-Feeeeeel," found his name engraved to the Wifflecup, the pride of the North Ridge Wiffleball Association. However, there was no prouder moment for Bill than when Wiffleball President Kevin Bixby honored the slugger with the North Ridge Wiffleball Association MVP Award for the first half of the season. Bill got teary-eyed at the thought. "Bill battled through rib injuries and managed to run the bases in sandals," said Bixby. "That's what makes him our MVP." Bill responded by saying "I love this game."

There were other honorable-mention moments that we shouldn't forget; however, the above were the top five as selected by a committee. Those on the honorable-mention list include the Father-Son Phillies Game Trip, Bixby's Anything Floats Championship, Rafael's Driveway Snow Obstacle Course, Trish's almost-season-ending wiffleball injury, and the All-Day Labor Day Wiffleball tournament.

Now go vote.

(Photo captions. Top right: Engelberg and his Snapper (far right) were no match for Chris and Mark during the annual North Ridge Lawn Tractor Race. Bottom right: North Ridge Wiffleball Association President Kevin Bixby presents Bill Etsweiler with the North Ridge Wiffleball Association 1st Half MVP Award.)

Exercise Helps Speed Wound Healing in Older Adults

More proof that exercise is helpful as we age. The study below comes from the Ohio State University. So, while we may injure ourselves while playing wiffleball, we should be able to heal more quickly.

The body’s ability to heal even small skin wounds normally slows down as we age. But a new study in older adults finds that regular exercise may speed up the wound-healing process by as much as 25 percent.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to document this kind of enhancement associated with exercise,” said Charles Emery, a professor of psychology and the lead author of the Ohio State University study.

The faster that a wound heals, the less chance it will become infected.

To read the complete story, click here.

Educated Guesses for 2006

With the start of a new year are you wondering what it might bring. According to a Newswise story from the University of Alabama, we can expect some things. Story below.

In 2006, Democrats’ net gain of congressional seats will be less than many are speculating, hurricanes will be big newsmakers, and gas prices will hover around $2 a gallon, according to the 25th edition of “Educated Guesses,” a series of annual predictions offered by University of Alabama faculty.

“The Democrats, hampered by their inability to sound a common theme on Iraq, and also outfoxed by a well-publicized midyear withdrawal of several thousand troops from the country, will pick up seats in the midterm elections, but will not do nearly as well as they originally expected,” predicts Dr. David Lanoue, professor and chair of political science at The University of Alabama. His prediction is one of some 12 UA faculty predictions called “Educated Guesses 2006.”

Now in its 25th year, the annual series of prognostications began in 1981 with predictions for 1982 including the declining influence of the “Moral Majority,” feminists’ continued pursuit of the Equal Rights Amendment, and Princess Diana’s impact on fashion. The 2006 edition addresses topics ranging from retailing to the Supreme Court to Anabolic Steroids.

To read the complete Newswise story, click here. Or, go directly to the University of Alabama for more details.

Of course, if you don't believe these scholarly experts, you might want to try astrology instead.

Buster and Brad Jamfest Featured at New Years Eve Blast

Close your eyes and you'd think you were at a live Creedence Clearwater concert. But, in reality, you were in North Ridge on New Year's Eve.

The sounds of that great band as well as others were just one of the many festive activities put on by hosts Kathy and Brad Fuller. Joining Brad for the basement jam were Bill "Buster" Etsweiler on bass guitar and Keith Colstock on the drums.

But when midnight arrived all activities headed upstairs for Dick's Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve, followed by a trip outside to watch the area's firework display.

Several relatively new residents of the neighborhood enjoyed their first North Ridge party. They included Mike and Angela, who live a few doors away from Buster. Also several Crestview families attended as well.

(Top photo: Diane, Brad, Kathy, and Lori toast the new year. Bottom photo: Buster and Brad entertain the party's guests.)