Upcoming Holiday Classics On TV

Friday, December 1

"Frosty's Winter Wonderland" -- 7 p.m., ABC Family
"The Polar Express" -- 8 p.m., ABC
"White Christmas" -- 8 p.m., TCM


Saturday, December 2

"Santa Claus: The Movie" -- 11:30 a.m., ABC Family


Wednesday, December 6

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" -- 7 p.m., ABC


Friday, December 8

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" -- 8 p.m., CBS
"Frosty the Snowman" -- 9 p.m., CBS
"Frosty Returns" -- 9:30 p.m., CBS


Saturday, December 9

"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" -- 8 p.m., ABC (Jim Carrey version)


Sunday, December 10

"Scrooged" -- 2 p.m. ABC Family


Thursday, December 14

"The Little Drummer Boy" -- 7 p.m., ABC Family


Saturday, December 16

"It's a Wonderful Life" -- 8 p.m., NBC
"Elf" -- 8 p.m., CBS


Sunday, December 17

"The Santa Clause 2" -- 8 p.m., The Disney Channel
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" -- 8 p.m., 10 p.m., TBS


Wednesday, December 20

"A Christmas Carol" -- 8 p.m., TNT


Sunday, December 24

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" -- 7:30 p.m., TBS
"A Christmas Story" -- 8 p.m., TBS

(Also on December 24, The Disney Channel, AMC, and ABC Family will run Christmas marathons.)

PA Treasury: Casey Warns Consumers To Read The Fine Print On Holiday Gift Cards

Various fees and expiration dates can reduce cards' value

With the expected increase in gift card sales this holiday season, State Treasurer Robert P. Casey, Jr. is recommending that Pennsylvanians who purchase gift cards be aware of possible fees and card expiration dates which can take effect as early as six months after the purchase dates.

"As the popularity of gift cards increases, so, too, does the responsibility to educate the people who buy and receive them," Casey said. "It is important for holiday shoppers to understand the policies that govern gift cards and the various transaction, service, inactivity and convenience fees that may be imposed on them," Casey said.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that gift card sales across the country for the 2006 holiday season will total about $25 billion, a $6 billion increase over 2005.

Casey urges people to use gift cards as soon as possible to minimize the chances of the cards being lost, stolen, or expired. Casey also said that consumers should carefully read the policies of each business from whom they purchase gift cards because many gift cards have restrictions or service fees that reduce their value over time.

Casey suggests that a consumer with an expired gift card first ask the business to honor the card anyway. If the business refuses, the consumer should check with Treasury's Unclaimed Property Bureau to see if the money has been reported to the Commonwealth as unclaimed property. The consumer must have the actual gift card to prove ownership in order for Treasury staff to help them get either the money they are owed or the services they were promised by the card. Saving gift card receipts may also help encourage businesses to honor expired cards or reissue cards that have been lost or stolen.

Earlier this month, Governor Rendell signed legislation recommended by Treasurer Casey which provides incentives for businesses that choose to issue cards that do not expire or charge dormancy fees. Act 138 of 2006 exempts gift cards and gift certificates that do not carry maintenance fees or expiration dates from having to be turned over to the Commonwealth as unclaimed property.

"This new law is positive for both businesses and consumers," Casey said. "It allows consumers to redeem merchandise from these gift cards at anytime, rather than having to wait until the funds are turned over to the state and then filing claims. At the same time, businesses will be relieved from having to report such unredeemed gift cards to the Commonwealth as unclaimed property."

Before this legislation was passed, businesses were required to report unredeemed gift cards to the Treasury Department two years after their expiration date, or five years after their purchase date if they did not expire. Consumers who held expired or old gift cards had to wait until the end of the dormancy period in order to claim the money that was rightfully theirs because Treasury can only pay a claim for an unredeemed gift card after verifying that the business reported it as unclaimed property.

The Commonwealth is currently holding over $7 million in unclaimed gift card funds, according to Casey. Since January 2005, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department has collected over $1.3 million in unclaimed gift card funds from businesses and returned over $158,000 to gift card owners.

Casey said it is difficult for Treasury to refund money to gift card owners because the issuers of gift cards typically do not collect the names and addresses of card purchasers or recipients. In cases when a business does turn over unredeemed gift card monies to the Commonwealth, Treasury has no way of knowing who is entitled to the money, and therefore, cannot advertise the names as part of its due diligence efforts to reunite people with their property.

To find out if the Treasury Department is holding unclaimed gift card funds or other unclaimed property in your name, contact the Bureau of Unclaimed Property toll-free at (800) 222-2046, or search the Unclaimed Property data base on Treasury's Web site at www.patreasury.org.

Under the Pennsylvania Disposition of Abandoned and Unclaimed Property Act, the Commonwealth is responsible for custody and control of abandoned and unclaimed financial assets. The Treasury Department is responsible for returning that property to its rightful and lawful owners. In the meantime, the money from unclaimed property is placed in the state's General Fund.

Unclaimed property typically includes: bank accounts that become inactive, checks, including paychecks, that are not cashed; stocks and bonds whose owners cannot be found; contents of safe deposit boxes that become dormant; proceeds from the demutualization of insurance companies; and expired gift cards that are not redeemed.

The Treasury Department is seeking the owners of over $1 billion in cash and property. Since January 2005, Treasurer Casey's staff has returned over $197 million to more than 100,000 owners.

(Source: State Treasury Department news release)

2nd Annual North Ridge Holiday Lights Walk Announced

Last year, Jodi "All Star" Morrow was excited about the First Annual North Ridge Holiday Lights Walk that she pulled her children around the neighborhood in their wagon on that chilly evening.

She enjoyed the experience so much, that this year she has opted to be the event's chairperson, declaring the evening of December 23 as the official date of the walk.

"Last year, we had a good start to this neighborhood tradition," she said, "and this year, we hope to be bigger and better."

According to Jodi, neighbors interested in joining the annual North Ridge Holiday Lights Walk should gather at 7 p.m. on December 23 at the corner of Skyline Drive and Regal View. North Ridge neighbors with their houses lit for the holidays are asked to turn on their holiday lights that evening.

"Too often during the winter months, we loose touch with our neighbors," Jodi said. "We plan this annual event to get people out of their houses for some exercise and to enjoy the company of neighbors."

Kevin "Bread Dip" Bixby had his house lit up for the walk last year. "I'm glad that Jodi is organizing this event," he said. "Last year, I felt that I had the best decorated house in North Ridge, and I will make every effort again this year to show the Bixby holiday spirit."

To read more about the 2005 North Ridge Holiday Lights Walk, click here.

(Photo captions: Top, Jodi Morrow struggles to pull her children's wagon up a hill in North Ridge. Bottom, Kevin Bixby proudly displays his creative holiday light display during the 2005 North Ridge Holiday Light Walk.)

Engelberg or Bixby: Who Would Make the Better Santa Claus?

There are two things for certain in North Ridge.

One ... Dave "Engelberg" Orr rides the meanest Harley in the Ridge.

And, two ... Kevin "Bread Dip" Bixby swings the meanest wiffleball bat in the Ridge.

However, the one thing that is uncertain between these two neighbors and friends is whether or not Dave or Kevin is the best Santa Claus in the neighborhood.

This debate has been going on now for almost a year as the two competed last December for the honor of being named the official North Ridge Santa. And, while the two won't back down on who is the better Santa, North Ridge Buzz has set up a special survey to poll the neighborhood and name who would make the better Santa.

Starting today until Christmas, North Ridge Buzz has posted a polling tool on the blog to allow you, the readers of North Ridge Buzz, to pick either Engelberg or Bread Dip as the best choice for the official North Ridge Santa.

The battle for the title started last year when Engelberg was chosen by Crestview Elementary School to serve as the school's Santa for their annual celebration. When Bread Dip discovered that Engelberg was chosen for the duty, he quickly stole the uniform and ran around the neighborhood to prove he could be a better Santa.

Some of the North Ridge kids are expressing their opinion.

"Engelberg might beat Bread Dip with his big belly," said little Jessilyn, "but my mommy and daddy tell me that Bread Dip certainly would take Engelberg with the rosy red nose and cheeks on any Saturday night."

But the children of both Engelberg and Bread Dip are defending their fathers.

"My dad won the Canadian Santa contest recently to gear up for the North Ridge competition," said the middle Bixby child. "He trains for the position by buying a bunch of two-fours. They help with his complexion."

Engelberg Jr. had this to say. "Everyone knows that Santa drives a big sled and my dad drives a big harley-like sled. He's the winner hands down."

Make your voice heard. Vote early and often to determine who would make a better Santa: Dave "Engelberg" Orr or Kevin "Bread Dip" Bixby.

(Photo captions: Top, Kevin "Bread Dip" Bixby demonstrates his Santa skills during a run through the neighborhood last December. Bottom, Dave "Engelberg" Orr says he can make his belly giggle like a bowl full of jello when he laughs.)

Crying, Sneezing, Pant-Wetting: Survey Reveals What Mall Santas Endure Every Year

North Ridge Santa agrees that life as Santa can be rough

When was the last time someone pulled your beard or wet on your lap at work? This is what mall Santas cheerfully endure every year. After discovering that 34 percent of mall Santas have been "wet" on by a child, Auntie Anne's believes that no one has it as bad during the holidays as the mall Santa.

And, according to Kevin "Bread Dip" Bixby, playing Santa in North Ridge can be as equally challenging.

Auntie Anne's Pretzels, located primarily in malls, conducted a survey to understand just how much abuse old St. Nick withstands. And based on its findings, mall Santas across the nation are finally going to receive some tender loving care with the Santa Survival Kit.

The "Santa We Got Your Back" survey, administered online by Brand IQ, polled more than 330 of the 1,000+ members with the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas (AORBS), an international association of real bearded gentlemen dedicated to the joy of being Santa, to prove he truly is the hardest working man in retail during the holiday season. The average real bearded Santa respondent is 59-years-old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and a healthy 257 pounds.

Beyond how many kids have been "naughty or nice," following are thesurvey highlights:

• More than 60 percent of mall Santas are sneezed or coughed on up to 10 times each day
• 74 percent have up to 10 children cry while on their lap each day
• Nearly 90 percent of mall Santas have their beard pulled each day to see if it's real
• Nearly half of mall Santas' black boots are between a size 10 to 11 1/2, and more than 50 percent of Santas have children step on their boots 1 to 10 times a day
• 45 percent of Santas see camera "flash" spots more than 25 times a day
• Nearly 50 percent have up to 10 children try to take their glasses off each day
• Nearly 30 percent of mall Santas have more than 100 children sit on their lap every day

"Bread Dip" Bixby says he doesn't have experience being a Mall Santa, but last year ran around the neighborhood in a Santa suit to get the kids excited. But things backfired.

"All the guys in North Ridge were enjoying the annual beer bottle exchange when Engelberg pulled out his Santa suit," Bread Dip said. "I thought to myself -- hey, I'll suit up and go around the neighborhood to help the kids get into the spirit of the season."

As Bread Dip was suiting up, Dave "Engelberg" Orr called around to houses in North Ridge that had children to let them know that Santa would be visiting soon.

"I was just doing my part," Engelberg said. "I couldn't anticipate what was going to happen."

North Ridge photographer Bill "Buster" Etsweiler describes the visits as chaotic and devastating.

"First Bread Dip scared the dickens out of the little Fuller girls," he said. "Poor Kathy couldn't get them to stop crying for days. But, then all the neighborhood boys decided to test Santa to see if he had any magical powers."

And, according to one of the boys, Rafael Calzada, this Santa was clearly a fake.

"I got the first shot off on him," the little Calzada said when describing the barrage of snowballs that pelted the North Ridge Santa.

Skyler Moran and Ulrich "The Hammer" Etsweiler joined in the all out snow ball fight.

"We knew it wasn't the real Santa," said Moran. "Otherwise he would have called in his reindeer to the rescue."

The Hammer agreed. "He may have been fat and had a red Santa suit on, but there was no fooling us," he said.

But rescue help did appear for the North Ridge Santa as Chris "Tom" Morrow and Engelberg jumped into action.

"I thought Kevin was a goner," Morrow said. "Those kids were hitting him with about 15 snowballs every minute. I knew we had to do something."

It was then that Engelberg stepped in and yelled at the boys.

"I yelled 'hey, stop. I know your dads," Engelberg said. "Then the pelting was over."

But, for the North Ridge Santa, the fun was only beginning.

"I got back to the Orr house and the North Ridge Beer Bottle Exchange only to find that someone had stolen my pants and hid them," Bread Dip said. "I just walked home in my underwear after that and put on my PJs before coming back to the exchange."

To read a story about last year's North Ridge Santa adventure, click here.

Other fun facts about Santa from Auntie Anne's survey:

• If Santa could "pimp his sleigh," 44 percent would add a GPS for Mrs. Claus
• If moms and dads think requests from their little ones are over-the- top, here's a sampling of the far out items mall Santas are asked for - exotic pets (giraffes, pigs, elephants and penguins to name a few), cookbooks for Mom because she can't cook very well, a new sibling because kids don't care for the one they have or to have their little brother taken care of - if you know what we mean!
• While most people look forward to family vacations or watching football games after Christmas, 52 percent of Santas look forward to taking a nice, long nap
• After spending her year freezing at the North Pole, Mrs. Claus wishes for time alone with her jolly old husband in a warm climate

In light of these findings, Auntie Anne's is providing mall Santas nationwide with the "Santa We Got Your Back" Survival Kit to help them through the crying, sneezing, toe-stomping, pant-wetting and beard-pullingthis holiday.

The Santa Survival Kit includes boot polish kit, hand sanitizer, cherry lip balm, backup red light bulb for Rudolph's nose, official reindeer pooper-scooper, absorbent Santa tissue pack, Mrs. Claus peppermint foot lotion, Shout(R) wipes, beard grooming kit, battery-operated fan, chilled bottle of Dasani(R) water, free Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel cards, Ricola(R) throat drops (for the ho, ho, ho-ing) and a roll of mint Certs(R).

"While Santas' workload increases over the holiday season, we love every minute of our jobs," said Santa Timothy Connaghan, executive directorof AORBS. "We are delighted to receive the Santa Survival Kits filled with goodies to help us through this busy, yet exciting, time of year."

The following are additional mall Santa facts:

• 60 percent of real bearded Santas groom their beard up to four times each day
• 23 percent own four to six red suits to stay looking sharp for the holiday
• Mall Santas are very well-hydrated men, with 45 percent drinking 5 to 10 glasses of water each day
• Fresh breath is of top priority for 20 percent of Santas who eat four to six mints each day
• 52 percent of Santas believe girls are more shy than boys
• When children come to visit Santa at the mall, over 75 percent believe they have been good all year long while only half of Santas believe they are telling the truth

(Source: Auntie Anne's news release and local news accounts)

Carlisle High School Swim Team includes North Ridge's Natalia

North Ridge is proud to have a member of the neighborhood on this year's Carlisle High School swim team: Natalia "Nadia Comaneci" Calzada. Good luck Natalia.

12/5, 6:00 pm, Carlisle vs. South Western at South Western

12/7, 7:00 pm, Big Spring vs. Carlisle at Dickinson College Kline Life Center

12/14, 7:00 pm, Gettysburg vs. Carlisle at Dickinson College Kline Life Center

12/16, 12:00 pm, Carlisle vs. State College at State College

12/19, 4:15 pm, Carlisle vs. Cedar Cliff at Cedar Cliff

12/21, 5:00 pm, Carlisle vs. Northern at Northern

1/4, 4:15 pm, James Buchanan vs. Carlisle at Dickinson College Kline Life Center

1/9, 4:15 pm, Carlisle vs. Cumberland Valley at Cumberland Valley

1/11, 4:00 pm, Carlisle vs. Boiling Springs at Boiling Springs

1/16, 7:00 pm, Chambersburg vs. Carlisle at Dickinson College Kline Center

1/23, 7:00 pm, CD East vs. Carlisle at Dickinson College Kline Center

1/25, 4:00 pm, Carlisle vs. Mechanicsburg at Mechanicsburg

1/30, 7:00 pm, Central Dauphin vs. Carlisle at Dickinson College Kline Center

Carlisle High School Ice Hockey Schedule

11/6, 8:00 pm, Carlisle vs. Cedar Cliff at Twin Ponds West

11/13, 8:30 pm, Carlisle vs. Susquehanna Township at Twins Ponds East

11/17, 7:20 pm, Mechanicsburg vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

11/29, 8:00 pm, Middletown vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

12/1, 5:40 pm, Carlisle vs. Trinity at Twins Ponds West

12/4, 7:00 pm, Carlisle vs. Kennard Dale at York

12/15, 9:00 pm, Red Land vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

1/3, 8:45 pm, Carlisle vs. Susquehannock at York

1/5, 9:00 pm, Northern vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

1/8/, 8:00 pm, Red Lion vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

1/12, 9:00 pm, West York vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

1/17, 8:00 pm, York Suburban vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

1/24, 8:00 pm, Susquehanna Township vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

2/2, 9:00 pm, Cedar Cliff vs. Carlisle at Twins Ponds West

2/5, 7:40 pm, Carlisle vs. Middletown at Twins Ponds East

2/9, 7:20 pm , Carlisle vs. Red Land at Twins Ponds West

2/12, 7:40 pm, Carlisle vs. Bishop McDevitt at Twins Ponds East

2/16, 9:00pm, Carlisle vs. Mechanicsburg at Twins Ponds West

Crestview Elementary Girls Basketball Team Includes North Ridge's Little Irish Girl Mac

North Ridge's Mackenzie "Mo Chroi" Moran is listed on the roster of the Crestview Elementary School Cobras. For those interested in cheering on Mac, the tentative schedule for the Crestview Elementary School Girls Baskeball team is as follows. All games are played at Wilson Middle School.

December 2 vs. Mooreland at 2:45 p.m.
December 9 vs. North Dickinson at 2:45 p.m.
December 16 vs. Bellaire 2 at 6:25 p.m.
January 6 vs. Hamilton / Letort at noon
January 13 vs. Bellaire 1 at 1:50 p.m.
January 20 vs. Mt. Holly 1 at 2:45 p.m.
January 27 vs. Mt. Holly 2 at 2:55 p.m.
February 3 vs. Mooreland at 12:55 p.m.
February 10 vs. North Dickinson at 3:40 p.m.

Carlisle Junior High Wrestling Features North Ridge's Ulrich and Bryce

According to the Carlisle High School Wrestling Web site, North Ridge is proud to have two members of the Carlisle Junior High School wrestling team. Ulrich Etsweiler and Bryce Clonch are competing this year for the Thundering Herd. Ulrich will wrestle at 110 pounds, while Bryce will take on the 130 pound class.

For those interested in cheering on Ulrich and Bryce, below is the junior high wrestling schedule according to HighSchoolSports.net.

Carlisle Junior High Wrestling Schedule

12/02 Home vs. South Western High School, Swartz Gymnasium, 10:00AM

12/06 at Waynesboro Area Senior High School, 6:00 PM

12/09 at Shippensburg Tournament, 9:15AM

12/14 Home vs. Cumberland Valley High School, Gene Evans Gymnasium, 5:30PM

12/20 at Susquehanna Township High School, 6:00 PM

12/28 at Halifax Mat Club Tournament 8:00AM

01/04 Home vs. Mechanicsburg High School, Swartz Gymnasium, 5:30PM

01/11 at Northern High School, 5:30 PM

01/13 at Central Dauphin High School, 5:30 PM

01/18 Home vs. Gettysburg High School, Swartz Gymnasium, 5:30PM

01/20 at Gettysburg Duals, 9:00AM

01/23 at Big Spring High School, 6:00 PM

01/25 at Chambersburg Area High School, 6:00 PM

02/01 at Elizabethtown Area High School, 5:30 PM

02/03 at Mechanicsburg Tournament, 9:00 AM

02/07 Home vs. West Perry High School, Gene Evans Gymnasium, 5:30PM

Carlisle High School Girls JV Basketball Schedule

Home games played at Gene Evans Gymnasium.

12/05 at Chambersburg Area High School, 6:00 PM

12/07 Home vs. Bishop McDevitt High School, 6:00PM

12/12 at Harrisburg High School, 6:00 PM

12/16 Home vs. Warwick High School, 6:00PM

12/19 Home vs. Cumberland Valley High School, 6:00PM

12/22 at Central Dauphin East High School, 6:00 PM

12/28 at Lower Dauphin Tournament, 4:30PM

12/29 at Lower Dauphin Tournament, TBA

01/02 Home vs. Trinity High School, 6:00PM

01/05 at Central Dauphin High School, 6:00 PM

01/06 at Gettysburg High School, 6:00 PM

01/09 Home vs. Cedar Cliff High School, 6:00PM

01/12 Home vs. Chambersburg Area High School, 6:00PM


01/16 at Bishop McDevitt High School, 6:00 PM

01/19 Home vs. Harrisburg High School, 6:00PM

01/26 at Cumberland Valley High School, 6:00 PM

01/27 at Bermudiam Springs High School, 6:00 PM

01/30 Home vs. Central Dauphin East High, 6:00PM

02/02 at Trinity High School, 6:00 PM

02/06 Home vs. Central Dauphin High School, 6:00PM

02/09 at Cedar Cliff High School, 6:00 PM

Carlisle High School Boys JV Basketball Schedule

Home games played at Gene Evans Gymnasium.

12/05 Home vs. Chambersburg Area High School, 6:00PM

12/08 at Bishop McDevitt High School, 6:00 PM

12/12 Home vs. Harrisburg High School, 6:00PM

12/16 at Manheim Township High School, 5:30 PM

12/19 at Cumberland Valley High School, 6:00 PM

12/22 Home vs. Central Dauphin East High, 6:00PM

01/02 at Steelton Highspire High School, 6:00 PM

01/05 Home vs. Central Dauphin High School, 6:00PM

01/06 Home vs. Gettysburg High School, 6:00PM

01/09 at Cedar Cliff High School, 6:00 PM

01/12 at Chambersburg Area High School, 6:00 PM

01/16 Home vs. Bishop McDevitt High School, 6:00PM

01/19 at Harrisburg High School, 6:00 PM

01/26 Home vs. Cumberland Valley High School, 6:00PM

01/30 at Central Dauphin East High School, 6:00 PM

02/02 Home vs. Steelton Highspire High School, 6:00 PM

02/06 at Central Dauphin High School, 6:00 PM

02/09 Home vs. Cedar Cliff High School, 6:00PM

Carlisle High School Girls Varsity Basketball Schedule

Home games played at Gene Evans Gymnasium.

12/01 Carlisle Tournament, 3:45PM

12/02 Carlisle Tournament, 3:00 PM

12/05 at Chambersburg Area High School, 7:30 PM

12/07 Home vs. Bishop McDevitt High School, 7:30 PM

12/12 at Harrisburg High School, 7:30 PM

12/16 Home vs. Warwick High School, 7:30PM

12/19 Home vs. Cumberland Valley High School, 7:30PM

12/22 at Central Dauphin East High School, 7:30 PM

12/28 at Lower Dauphin Tournament, 6:00PM

12/29 at Lower Dauphin Tournament, TBA

01/02 Home vs. Trinity High School, 7:30PM

01/05 at Central Dauphin High School, 7:30 PM

01/06 at Gettysburg High School, 7:30 PM

01/09 Home vs. Cedar Cliff High School, 7:30PM

01/12 Home vs. Chambersburg Area High School, 7:30PM

01/16 at Bishop McDevitt High School, 7:30 PM

01/19 Home vs. Harrisburg High School, 7:30PM

01/26 at Cumberland Valley High School, 7:30 PM

01/27 at Bermudiam Springs High School, 7:30 PM

01/30 Home vs. Central Dauphin East High, 7:30PM

02/02 at Trinity High School, 7:30 PM

02/06 Home vs. Central Dauphin High School, 7:30PM

02/09 at Cedar Cliff High School, 7:30 PM

02/12 Mid Penn Tournament, TBA

02/15 Mid Penn Tournament, TBA

02/17 Mid Penn Tournament, TBA

Carlisle High School Boys Varsity Basketball Schedule

Home games played at Gene Evans Gymnasium

12/01 Carlisle Tournament, 5:15PM

12/02 Carlisle Tournament, 4:45PM

12/05 Home vs. Chambersburg Area High School, 7:30PM

12/08 at Bishop McDevitt High School , 7:30 PM

12/12 Home vs. Harrisburg High School, 7:30PM

12/16 at Manheim Township High School, 7:00PM

12/19 at Cumberland Valley High School, 7:30PM

12/22 Home vs. Central Dauphin East High, 7:30PM

12/27 at Blackhawk Tournament, TBA

12/28 at Blackhawk Tournament, TBA

12/29 at Blackhawk Tournament, TBA

01/02 at Steelton Highspire High School, 7:30 PM

01/05 Home vs. Central Dauphin High School, 7:30PM

01/06 Home vs. Gettysburg High School, 7:30PM

01/09 at Cedar Cliff High School, 7:30 PM

01/12 at Chambersburg Area High School, 7:30 PM

01/16 Home vs. Bishop McDevitt High School, 7:30PM

01/19 at Harrisburg High School, 7:30 PM

01/26 Home vs. Cumberland Valley High School, 7:30PM

01/30 at Central Dauphin East High School, 7:30 PM

02/02 Home vs. Steelton Highspire High Sschool, 7:30PM

02/06 at Central Dauphin High School, 7:30 PM

02/09 Home vs. Cedar Cliff High School, 7:30PM

02/13 at Mid Penn Tournament, TBA

02/15 at Mid Penn Tournament, TBA


02/17 at Mid Penn Tournament, TBA

North Ridge Neighbors Gear Up For Holiday Spirit

Jodi Morrow named 2006 North Ridge Holiday Light Walk Chairperson



The unseasonably warm weather today brought out numerous North Ridge Neighbors, who opted to prepare for Christmas and New Year's by stringing lights over their houses.

And, while the neighborhood took advantage of the good weather to prepare for the holiday season, North Ridge Wiffleball Association President Keving "Bread Dip" Bixby announced that the chairperson for the 2006 Second Annual North Ridge Holiday Lights Night Walk will be Jodi "All-Star" Morrow.

"On this wonderful day, the North Ridge Wiffleball Association announces that Jodi Morrow will serve as chair of the yearly night light walk," Bixby said, explaining that the event was started last year to allow neighbors an opportunity for fellowship during the winter months, while possibly walking a mile or two for exercise.

To read about last year's event, click here.



Morrow says that her first duty as chairperson for the 2006 walk will be to encourage all North Ridge neighbors to light up their houses in celebration of the season.

"This year will be bigger and better than ever before," Morrow said. "Look for an announcement here at www.northridgebuzz.blogspot.com for the official date of the walk."

Morrow says that she plans to make this announcement shortly in coordination with North Ridge Buzz and the North Ridge Wiffleball Association, the sponsors of the walk. Likely, Morrow says, it will be the same format as last year with neighbors gathering on a corner in the neighborhood around 7 p.m. some evening to begin the walk.

With the announcement of Morrow being chosen chairperson, some controversy has developed. According to unnamed sources, the original choice for the chairperson was Dave "Engelberg" Orr. However, since many people believe he screwed up the 2nd Annual North Ridge Beer Bottle Exchange this year, his name was removed for consideration for the chairmanship of the annual neighborhood night walk.

"I realize that this will be controversial," said Bread Dip Bixby. "But, I've been hearing many complaints about how Engelberg picked a bad weekend for the beer bottle exchange and that many people were disgusted with the new application process. It was close between Engelberg and Jodi for the chairmanship, but then Jodi became the clear choice for the chairmanship considering those circumstances."

Jodi's husband, Chris, believes Bread Dip made a wise choice in the decision to pick Jodi as the chairperson. "I know my wife," he said. "She wouldn't have screwed up the beer bottle exchange if she was in charge of it."

Lori Moran thinks Jodi's skills are the perfect match for the chairmanship. "Amy McMurdy has taught all of us women in this neighborhood how to properly organize Christmas Cookie Exchanges and other types of parties," she said. "I'm sure some of that magic has rubbed off on Jodi."

Meanwhile, most neighbors didn't notice the controversy revolving around Engelberg. Instead, they're just proud of their Christmas lights and the opportunity to participate in this year's North Ridge Holiday Night Light Walk.

"I'm pretty certain I was the first person with lights up this year," said Chuck "Paddy" McMurdy. "And, I'm sure I inspired other North Ridge neighbors to take advantage of the nice weather today to decorate."



(Photo captions: Top, Lori Moran takes a moment to check a light on the tree of her front yard. Middle, Mark Greenaway climbs a ladder to string lights. Bottom, Chuck "Paddy" McMurdy climbed onto his roof to run lights across the top of his house.)

Psychiatrist Offers Advice for Reducing Holiday Stress

Crowded, bustling malls, repeated trips to the airport to fetch long-lost relatives, and the constant shuffling of cookies and turkey out of your oven can translate into one reaction: stress.

Christmas may be the season of love and celebration, but sometimes holiday festivities can become overwhelming.

According to Dr. Alan Manevitz, a psychiatrist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, some families feel stress from trying to keep up with the Joneses. For others, family conflicts arise from stress borne out of togetherness. Additionally, mothers often do a tremendous amount of preparation during the holiday season. This excess work and struggle to please everyone can leave them feeling isolated.

" During the holidays, our lives become even more stressful as we try to juggle our usual responsibilities with extra holiday preparation and complicated family dynamics," says Dr. Manevitz." This year, try to keep your holiday stress to a minimum by prioritizing what is important to you and then planning how you will get it done."

• Don't wait for the last minute to make plans. If you have family difficulties, try to plan some time with friends.
• Don't be a perfectionist about the holidays. Prioritize the events that matter the most to you and your family. Understand that you can't do everything, so choose the things that you can accomplish and enjoy.
• For gift shopping, remember that it's the thought that counts. Don't let competitiveness and perfectionism send you on too many shopping trips.
• Simplify. Don't bake 20 different types of cookies unless you enjoy it. You and your family may enjoy fewer cookies but more time together.
• Remember that family time can be both wonderful and anxiety-provoking. Sometimes, expectations for reunions are too high, resulting in disappointment and frustration. Try to be realistic.
• Plan your time so that you take care of several errands on one trip. You will have more time to spend doing the things that you really want to do.
• Take some time to think about what the holiday really means to you and your family. Time together, religious observance, reflection on your life and future goals–let these aspects of the holidays keep things in perspective.

These tips can help you to reduce stress and make the holidays a pleasure. Doing less may help you to enjoy the season more and that is really the best stress reliever of all.

(Source: New York Presbyterian Hospital news release)

New Study Weighs Benefits of Exercise, Diets

Those in their 50s and 60s who want to lose weight might consider heading to the cardio workout room instead of counting calories, suggests new research out this month.

Both those who dieted and those who exercised lost a significant amount of weight, according to findings from an NIH-funded study on whether a calorie-restriction diet can extend lifespan. However, while exercisers maintained their strength and muscle mass and increased aerobic capacity, those who dieted lost muscle mass, strength and aerobic capacity.

“Exercise-induced weight loss provides the additional benefit of improving physical performance capacity,” says Edward Weiss, Ph.D., lead author and assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University’s Doisy College of Health Sciences.

“If push comes to shove and somebody wants to know if they should diet or exercise to lose weight, I would suggest exercise, provided they are willing to put in the extra time and effort and not offset the gains they make by eating more.”

Weiss is a part of a Washington University team of scientists who studied healthy 50- to 60-year olds whose body mass index was between 23 and 30, placing them at the high end of normal weight or overweight.

Of the 34 study participants, 18 dieted and 16 exercised to lose weight.

The goal of dieters was to reduce their calorie consumption by 16 percent the first three months, and by 20 percent the next nine. Likewise, exercisers strove to burn 16 percent more calories the first three months, increasing to 20 percent the next nine months.

Both groups lost between 9 and 10 percent of their total body weight. Those who exercised engaged in 60 minutes of cardiovascular activity six times a week, such as a brisk three- to four-mile walk. Those exercisers who worked out for 90 minutes a day took off more pounds – 15 to 20 percent of their body weight.

Those who dieted lost muscle mass while those who exercised did not. This is because exercisers routinely challenged their muscles, which prevented muscle tissue from degrading. Dieters didn’t work their muscles as vigorously as those who exercised.

“In addition, once a person loses weight, his or her muscles don't have to work as hard at everyday movements, such as rising from a chair, walking up steps or getting out of a car,” Weiss says.

“Because they're carrying a lighter load, less demand is placed on them.”

The muscles dieters use to carry their bodies “detrain,” in much the same way that a weight lifter using less weight in the gym doesn’t develop as large of muscles as one who uses heavier weights.

Weiss was careful not to rule out the benefits of dieting, though.

“It’s important that dieting not be seen as a bad thing because it provides enormous benefits with respect to reducing the risk of disease and is effective for weight loss,” Weiss says. “Furthermore, based on studies in rodents, there is a real possibility that calorie restriction provides benefits that cannot be achieved through exercise-induced weight loss.”

In addition, those who exercise may be under the mistaken impression that they can eat more and still lose weight.

“A critical requirement for exercise-induced weight loss is that food intake does not increase,” he says.

Weiss, who also is an adjunct research assistant professor at Washington University School of Medicine, conducted the research in the laboratory of John O. Holloszy, M.D., professor of medicine at Washington University. It was published in an online edition of the Journal of Applied Physiology. For information about upcoming research involving calorie restriction, call (314) 747-3182.

Long a leader in health professions education, Saint Louis University began its nursing program in 1928 and the first baccalaureate degree program in an allied health profession in 1929. Today the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers degrees in nursing, clinical laboratory sciences, health information management, investigative and medical sciences, nuclear medicine technology, nutrition and dietetics, occupational science and occupational therapy, physical therapy and a physician assistant program.

(Source: St. Louis Medical Center news release)

For Health's Sake, Give Thanks This Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving turkey's dry. The cranberry sauce comes from a can. And to add insult to injury, you are supposed to give thanks for this meal?

You will if you know what's good for you, say mental health experts.

Being thankful or grateful encourages people to think more positively about themselves, their lives and the people around them. Research even shows that gratitude may extend your life.

"Gratitude allows you to take good things in,” says Lisa Lewis, PhD, director of psychology at The Menninger Clinic in Houston and an associate professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. "Often good things happen, and we aren't very mindful when they happen. We get compliments and we brush them off. We get a promotion and all we think about is how stressful it is going to be. Our children go to college and all we can think about is how lonely we are going to be. Gratitude helps us appreciate what we have.”

Dr. Lewis is researching positive psychology in group therapy at The Menninger Clinic, based on the research of University of Pennsylvania psychologist Martin Seligman, PhD, one of the founders of the positive psychology movement. The study's goal is to help patients with mental illness focus on what's right about themselves as well as wrong, and to build a reserve of positive experiences and emotions.

Exercises in the study encourage expressing gratitude to build positive feelings and foster positive emotion.

One such exercise is called the gratitude letter and visit. Patients pick a person who has influenced them and write a letter to that person, including details about how that person has had an impact on their lives. Any person, not just patients with mental illness, can benefit from sending a gratitude letter, Dr. Lewis says. The key is to be specific.

"You don't just want to say, 'You are a wonderful person and I want to thank you,'” Dr. Lewis says. "Think of the things you have done together and what he or she has done for you or with you. Then you call them up and ask to see them. When you visit, you read the letter out loud. It is very powerful experience.”

Dr. Lewis also recommends another gratitude exercise developed by Dr. Seligman called "Three Good Things and Sweet Dreams.” Each night before you go to bed, write down three things for which you are grateful. They can be simple, for example, you might be glad that you saw a Monarch butterfly. Also write down what about you contributed to that good thing. For example, you saw the Monarch butterfly because you were mindful of your surroundings.

Dr. Lewis says Thanksgiving is a natural time to express our thanks and establish a ritual of giving thanks for the past year.

"Before you dig into the turkey and stuffing, you could all go around the room, and each person could say what they are grateful for,” Dr. Lewis says. "It doesn't have to be something spectacular. You can be grateful that you can breathe. You can be grateful that you have food to put on the table. You can be grateful for the simple things, for everyday life. That is really the key.”

(Source: Menninger Clinic news release)

Healthy Holiday Cooking And Eating Tips From The Univeristy of Pittsburgh Medical Center

It is possible to enjoy the tempting offerings of the holiday season and still manage your weight, according to nutrition and weight management expert Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D., director of the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) Weight Management Center.

“Healthy holiday cooking doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your favorite foods or flavors,” Dr. Fernstrom said. “There are some small and easy steps that can help you keep unwanted pounds off while keeping you in the spirit of the season. With a little pre-planning, you can stay in control while enjoying your holiday eating and keeping your activity level up.”

Dr. Fernstrom’s tips for trimming hidden fat and calories in foods that you prepare:

1. Substitute low-fat (not non-fat) sour cream or yogurt in your dips.
2. Use condensed skim milk, 2% or whole milk, instead of half-and-half or cream.
3. Substitute half of the fat called for in a recipe with applesauce.
4. Avoid recipes with “extra rich” in the name – this always means more fat added.
5. Refrigerate chicken or beef-based soups overnight, and skim the hardened fat off the top.
6. Thicken gravy with tapioca (mixed with a little water) instead of butter or margarine.
7. Stick with clear soups. For a great “cream” soup, add milk or condensed skim milk instead of cream.
8. Cook poultry with the skin on, and then remove it before eating – keeps the meat moist.
9. Use reduced-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise (not non-fat) when called for.
10. Look for reduced-fat cheeses (not non-fat) for sauces and toppings.
11. Sprinkle a tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese instead of a handful of shredded full-fat cheddar or mozzarella cheese – lots of cheese flavor with almost no fat and few calories.
12. Use an oil cooking spray on the pan before adding additional oil – you’ll reduce the oil used, maintain flavor and your food won’t stick.
13. Use a butter spray to coat your vegetables before serving, instead of butter or margarine.
    Add raisins, dried cranberries and pretzel sticks to a bowl of shelled nuts to reduce both calories and fat.
14. Use small cookie cutters (no one needs cookies the size of your head!).
15. Top a cake with powdered sugar, cinnamon or cocoa instead of a thick frosting.
16. Make your serving size of baked goods half of what’s listed in the recipe (if a recipe recommends 12 brownies, cut them into 24 pieces).
17. Serve small baked potatoes – sweet or white – and avoid mashing with cream and butter.
18. Keep the “fixins” on the side.
19. Chew sugarless gum while you cook – keeps your mouth busy with a non-food activity, so you are not as tempted to sample the fare.
20. Make a one-crust pie or try a streusel topping instead.
    

Dr. Fernstrom’s tips for managing your weight while dining away from home:

1. There are no bad foods – just bad portions. Pre-plan your portion sizes.
2. Become a “taster” – take a bite, and throw the rest out (or leave it on your plate).
3. Maximize your sampling – four bites make an hors d’oeuvre: take one bite of four different types, and you have variety while saving calories.
4. Don’t go to a party “overly” hungry – a small non-fat sugar-free yogurt or a cup of a clear soup will keep you filled up enough to maintain control.
5. Share an entree with your dining companion. Each order a salad or clear soup first.
6. Order two appetizers instead of an entree.
7. Share a dessert with at least one other person – sharing with two or three is even better.
8. Stay away from breads and rolls – limit yourself to one – you never get tired of bread, so you have to pre-plan your choice. Take the basket off the table if necessary.
9. Always ask for salad dressing on the side. Dip your fork in the dressing and scoop up some greens. You get flavor in every bite.
10. Watch your consumption of rice and pasta – think of these as a “side dish,” and add some lean protein while you cut down on the serving size.
11. In a restaurant, explain to the server politely, but firmly, your preferences for sauces and dressings served on the side, and meat/chicken/poultry/fish grilled without added fat.
12. “Dilute” your entrees and appetizers with grilled or steamed vegetables – they fill you up!
13. When at a buffet, cruise up and down the line and pre-plan your eating.
14. Do not feel obligated to please your host by cleaning your plate. Try each item, and if pressed, simply say you are saving room for the next course.
15. Do not refuse food because you’re “on a diet.” This is the fastest way for people to coerce you into eating more than you would choose.
16. Ask for milk instead of cream for your coffee or tea.
17. Limit your consumption of eggnog to that made with reduced fat or skim milk.
18. Cut the calories in fruit juices by making a spritzer – half juice/half sparkling water.
19. If you consume alcohol, limit your intake to one or two servings in an evening, (a serving is a 12-oz beer, 6 oz wine, 1 oz of hard liquor). “Stretch” your alcohol calories by selecting non-calorie mixers (diet mixers, tomato juice or Bloody Mary mix), or making a wine spritzer with half wine/half sparkling water. Limit your intake to no more than one serving per hour.
20. Keep your physical activity up! Instead of napping after a meal, take a 20 to 40 minute walk. Wherever you are, add extra steps in your day – get off the elevator a flight or two (or more) too soon and climb the stairs; walk up an escalator; park far away in the lot and walk to the store.
    

For more information on weight management, visit the UPMC Weight Management Center at http://weightloss.upmc.com/ .

(Source: UPMC news release)

The Facts and Fictions About Flu and Colds

Considering how common they are, colds and flu are the subject of a great many misconceptions. Dr. Seth Feltheimer, an associate attending physician, and Patricia Ciminera, nurse practitioner at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, offer their insights and expertise on these sources of misery.

First, the differences: a cold is usually an upper respiratory tract infection with symptoms including a sore throat, head congestion, sinus pain and low-grade fever. On the other hand, the flu is generally marked by a higher fever, a sore throat, a cough and body aches. A common cold usually lasts two to three days while the flu can take as long as a week. Unlike colds, the flu can lead to more serious complications and even hospitalization, especially in high-risk individuals like asthmatics and the elderly.

Now, the facts and fictions:

"The best way to prevent a cold is to wash your hands."
True. Also, try avoiding people with colds.

"You can catch a cold by staying outside in the cold too long."
False. Colds are transmitted by touching something that an infected person has touched, or by breathing in moisture that an infected person has coughed out. The reason people get more colds in winter is that they spend more time indoors and have more contact with each other.

"Antibiotics can cure a cold or the flu."
False. A cold or flu is a virus, and, therefore, cannot be treated with antibiotics. There are medications that can alleviate the symptoms of flu and make you feel better, but the best defense against the flu is to be vaccinated against it. There is no vaccine against the common cold.

"If you have the flu, you shouldn’t go to work."
True. Going to work can expose your colleagues to infection. Sometimes, professional athletes play with the flu, but in those cases it is usually a different virus involved. The best advice is to rest and recover.

"Flu shots can give you the flu."
False. Flu shots can produce very mild flu-like symptoms for a short period, but this happens very infrequently.

"If you have a flu shot one year, you don't need it the next."
False. Flu shots do not last for more than a year. And, the vaccine is reformulated each year to target the specific kind of virus, which may change from year to year.

(Source: New York Presbyterian Hospital news release)

Airports, Airlines and TSA Join Together to Educate Travelers on How to Prepare for Holiday Travel

The Air Transport Association(ATA), Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) and theTransportation Security Administration (TSA) are informing the traveling public how they can prepare for security screening during the busy holiday travel season.

Passengers can greatly affect their experience at the airport by preparing in advance. This includes packing liquids, gels and aerosols in checked baggage whenever possible, using 3-1-1 for carry-ons, arriving early, and ensuring they are not traveling with prohibited items.

For individuals who must carry liquids, gels and aerosols through the security checkpoint, it's as easy as 3-1-1.

• All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a 3 ounce or smaller container.
• These containers must be placed in a 1 quart, clear, plastic, zip-top bag.
• 1 bag per passenger placed in a plastic bin for screening.

The limitation on liquids reflects changes made after the foiled terror plot involving the possible use of liquid explosives in London on August 10, 2006. In response, TSA immediately banned all liquids at security checkpoints. The ban was modified on September 25 after extensive testing showed that small amounts of liquids, gels, and aerosols did not pose a significant threat.

TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said, "By knowing the rules and remembering 3-1-1, travelers can make a big difference in TSA's ability to efficiently and effectively screen all passengers and their baggage. Each time a physical inspection of a carry-on bag is required, it not only slows the individual traveler down but the entire security line."

The 12-day Thanksgiving holiday period is traditionally the busiest of the year and ATA predicts 25 million passengers will take to the skies Friday, November 17 through Tuesday, November 28.

"Airports will be packed for periods of time over this Thanksgiving season and the best advice is to be prepared," ATA President and CEO James C. May. "The airlines have no greater priority than the safe and convenienttravel of our customers and we will work with TSA and ACI-NA to ensure thishappens."

Through posters at ticket counters, banners at airports, advertisements on parking shuttles, road signs, extra customer service staff, travel tipson each organization's web site and many other ways, the airlines, airports, and TSA are educating travelers before they reach the security checkpoint.

"Through the combined efforts of airport and airline staff and the TSA, we're making an unprecedented effort to ensure that passengers have the information they need to get through security checkpoints efficiently this holiday season," said ACI-NA President Greg Principato.

Below are other tips travelers should know before they leave home this holiday season. A full list of tips and prohibited items is available at http://www.tsa.gov.

Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package they may have to unwrap your gift. Please wrap gifts after arriving at yourdestination.

Pack smart. Bringing prohibited items to the airport will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. If you're not sure which items are allowed, check TSA's Web site for a complete list.

Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. You must have a boarding pass and valid government photo ID to enter the security checkpoint. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.

Dress the part. Metal in your clothing may set off the walk-through metal detector. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles, and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Remember that all shoes must be removed and screened by TSA. Passengers also need to remove blazers, suit coats, and bulky sweaters in addition to outer garments.

Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. Hand film that is faster than 800-speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid being X-rayed.

Think. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes, and threats will not be tolerated. Such incidents will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

(Source: TSA Public Affairs news release)

Start from Frozen and Treat Turkey to a Rest Before Carving

If you’re in charge of cooking the Thanksgiving turkey, you may not have to plan as far ahead as you thought you did, according to Iowa State University Extension food science specialist Sam Beattie.

"Cooking a frozen turkey is an acceptable and safe way to go," Beattie said. "The advantage to cooking a fully frozen turkey is that the frozen juices do not contribute to cross contamination issues in the kitchen."

A 13- to 15-pound turkey will take about 5 1/2 hours to cook from the frozen state in a 325° oven. The giblets and neck can be removed after about 2 hours of cooking.

"The key requirement is using a thermometer to make sure the temperature reaches at least 165°F," Beattie said. "At that temperature, some of the meat may still be pinkish but it is safe to eat according to U.S. Department of Agriculture tests."

Traditional instructions have recommended cooking poultry to 180°F until USDA tests last year showed that 165° was sufficient. The Turkey Federation continues to recommend 180° because this ensures that the meat is no longer pink yet will remain juicy.

"The higher temperature also makes the turkey easier to carve," Beattie said. "As always and regardless of the way it was cooked, letting the cooked turkey rest for 1/2 hour will improve the flavor because some of the juices get reabsorbed."
Safe food handling after the big meal also is important.

"Crammed refrigerators make for poor cooling because of reduced air flow around the items," Beattie said. "Putting leftovers in several smaller containers instead of one or two larger bowls also helps cool foods faster."

When storing leftovers, food safety experts recommend that the temperature of hot food should drop below 70°F within two hours after placing into the refrigerator. Warm or hot foods should not be allowed to sit on the countertop until they reach room temperature before being refrigerated.

"Ideally, the food should remain above 130° until it is placed into the refrigerator and then it should cool to below 70° in two hours and below 40° in another 4 to 6 hours," Beattie said.

"The major illness-causing bacteria in cooked meat and gravies slows its growth at around 70° and does not reproduce well below this temperature," Beattie said. "Frequent handwashing as well as using paper towels also helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness spoiling your holiday festivities."

(Source: Iowa State University news release)

Pennsylvania State Health Department Confirms Season's First Influenza Case

Health Secretary Reminds Pennsylvanians to Get a Flu Shot

A 20-month-old child in Philadelphia County is Pennsylvania’s first state laboratory-confirmed case of influenza of the season, according to the state Health Department.

“The announcement of the season’s first confirmed flu case carries with it a reminder to all Pennsylvanians to take the necessary steps to remain healthy throughout flu season – starting with getting a flu shot,” state Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson said. “The fact that our first confirmed case involved a young child is an even stronger reminder that members of high-risk groups should make every effort to get vaccinated.”

The influenza vaccine is recommended for the following high-risk individuals:

• All children 6-59 months of age;
• People over 50 years of age regardless of their medical history;
• Residents of long-term care facilities;
• People with underlying health conditions such as heart, respiratory, metabolic, and immune system problems;
• People with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy or seizure disorders) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems;
• People with weakened immune systems such as: HIV/AIDS, long-term treatment of steroids, and cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs;
• People 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment;
• Women who will be pregnant anytime during the influenza season;Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 0-59 months of age; and
• Physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else in close contact with any of these groups at risk for influenza;

Each year, an estimated 36,000 individuals die from influenza-related illnesses and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized nationwide. Rates of serious illness and death are highest among people over the age of 65 and individuals of any age who have chronic medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza.

Dr. Johnson also urged individuals in the high-risk category to receive the pneumococcal vaccine. Pneumonia is one of the serious illnesses that can result from getting the flu.

Recommended ways to prevent the spread of the flu include frequent hand-washing, covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and, when possible, avoiding contact with others when you are sick.

It is also important to consult with your medical provider as soon as the first symptoms of influenza appear since certain antiviral prescription drugs may lessen the duration and severity of the illness if taken early. Dr. Johnson suggested consulting a physician for further information.

Vaccination usually is recommended in October or November because it takes one or two weeks to build up immunity after receiving the flu vaccine. Flu cases traditionally peak between January and March.

Last year, Pennsylvania’s flu season began in October and peaked in early March. Although the peak activity was less intense, it remained elevated for a longer period of time compared to the previous three seasons. For more information on influenza, contact the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or visit www.health.state.pa.us and click on the immunization link.

(Source: Pa. Department of Health news release)

Tips to Cut Calories From the Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving doesn't have to equate overeating -- even if the holiday is all about sumptuous foods.

The Mayo Clinic offers tips to lighten your holiday meal:

Turkey: Roast the turkey on a rack so that fat drips through and the meat doesn't reabsorb the drippings.

Stuffing: Bake the stuffing in a separate covered dish. (Stuffing inside the turkey absorbs fat.) Use less oil, butter or margarine when sautéing the onions and celery or use low-fat chicken broth instead.

Gravy: Skim fat from the top of the turkey drippings or use a fat separator.

Mashed potatoes: Skip the butter when you mash potatoes. Instead, use skim milk or low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth.

Pie: With most baked goods, you can reduce by half the sugar in a recipe. Use skim or low-fat dairy products in place of whole milk products. You can use two eggs whites instead of a whole egg, without affecting texture or taste.

(Source: Mayo Clinic news release)

North Middleton Township Sponsors Flu And Pneumonia Shots

According to the North Middleton Township 2006 Fall/Winter Newsletter, the township will host a flu and pneumonia shot clinic on Tuesday, November 14 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the township municipal building.

Cost is $30 for the flu shot. Walk-ins welcome.

Early Sport Specialization Not a Good Idea, Expert Says

Specialization in sports at an early age is becoming more common, the result of increased competition for playing time and athletic scholarships. Parents and coaches often encourage this practice thinking it will lead to future athletic success; however, experts say this is not true and may actually be detrimental to performance at a later age.

“Participating in a variety of sports will help a child develop other athletic skills that they would not develop if they specialized in one sport too early,” says Jennifer VanSickle, assistant professor of sport management at the University of Indianapolis. “Athletic skills such as speed, balance, mental focus, jumping and reacting are all stressed differently in different sports. These athletic skills will later transfer to the child’s primary activity, so everything a child does to become a better all-around athlete will make the child a better soccer player, for instance.”

Parents and coaches contribute to the problem when they pressure children to specialize and encourage year-round training, VanSickle says. A number of problems can occur with early sports specialization, including physical and psychological burnout and the loss of the diverse social contacts that come with participation in different sports, she says. Early specialization also can lead to a loss of transferable athletic skills, a greater risk of overuse and repetitive stress injuries, higher levels of pre-competitive anxiety that can lead to emotional trauma and difficulty coping with athletic failure later in life due to a great deal of success at an early age.

While studies have shown that elite performers often require more than 10 years of practice to acquire the skills needed to compete at top levels, studies also have shown that early sport specialization is not necessarily the answer. “Two studies of Soviet children in the 1990s reported that early sport specialization did not lead to the performance advantages that were expected,” VanSickle notes. “Rather, children who specialized at a later age performed better than those who specialized earlier.”

So when should children begin to focus on only one sport? VanSickle advocates waiting until adolescence. She notes that researchers have termed the period from ages six to 13 as “sampling years,” a time when children should participate in a variety of sports just for fun.

“Waiting to specialize until age 12 or 13, when the child is more physically and emotionally mature, helps ensure that he or she is participating in that sport because he or she wants to, rather than trying to fulfill a parent or coach’s dream,” VanSickle explains. She notes that during this time period, parents should maintain a supportive role and be careful not to pressure their child to specialize in only one sport.

If a child is adamant about pursuing one sport, VanSickle offers these tips for reducing the chances of injury or burnout:

• Focus on improving overall performance and skills – not on winning.
• Make sure children use proper training techniques.
• Avoid overtraining.
• Watch for overuse injuries. This can be accomplished through regular doctor appointments.
• Never tell children to “play/work through the pain.”
• Let the child choose the sports and level of participation.
• Make sure the child has an off season to avoid burnout.

The University of Indianapolis is a top-tier, independent, comprehensive institution of higher education with more than 4,300 students on its main campus, and another 600 at its wholly owned branch in Athens, Greece. Strong undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, especially in business, education and the nationally ranked health sciences, draw students from around the world.

(Source: University of Indianapolis news release)

This Veterans Day: Remembering The Unknown Soldiers

"Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God"

No other words are needed to describe today's post. This is a photo of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

For links to learn more, visit the Arlington Cemetery Website or the Society of the Honor Guard Website.

Photo taken in August 2006.

This Veterans Day: Remembering Audie Murphy

Veterans Day is November 11.

Leading up to this day, North Ridge Buzz will honor veterans by remembering a few. Today, North Ridge Buzz remembers Audie Murphy.

Those of you who are WWII history buffs will recognize the name for his heroics on the battlefield. Movie buffs might recognize his name from his Hollywood days before his untimely death in an airplane crash in Virginia.

As the story goes, Audie Murphy was an Irishman from Texas, who grew up in a poor family. During WWII he decided to enlist, but was turned down by several armed branches due to his size before the Army took him.

From there, he moved up the ranks from private to first lieutenant and eventually was the most decorated soldier of WWII (although some argue that Lt Col. Matt Urban is the most decorated). He earned the Medal of Honor for heroics in the European Theatre near Holtzwihr, France, after single-handedly holding off six German tanks and waves of German infantry. Wounded he not only held off the Germans but also organized a counter attack during the battle.

After the war he joined the Texas National Guard and eventually climbed to the rank of major. Later in life he became an advocate for soldiers returning from Korea and Vietnam who were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which he is said to have also suffered from.

The 1955 movie "To Hell And Back" is his story, and he portrays himself in the film. It was the top grossing film produced by Universal until Jaws passed it in 1975.

The photo on this page is from Arlington cemetery and was taken in August 2006. Not far from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier visitors can pay their respects to Audie Murphy by stopping by his grave. Some web-based reports say that Audie Murphy's grave is the second most visited grave at Arlington cemetery behind that of JFK.

To visit the Audie Murphy memorial website, click here.

Politically Uncorrected: Final Score Rendell Vs. Swann

By G. Terry Madonna & Michael L. Young

In assessing the late if not much lamented Swann-Rendell gubernatorial contest, one confronts a blunt truth: the contest was patently unfair--Swann never had a chance. Had it been an athletic event, it would have been called off early in the contest. Rendell defeated Swann by a whopping 60 to 40-percent margin.

It wasn’t unfair simply because Ed Rendell had substantially more money, or because Democrats ran a better campaign--although there is substance in both of those notions. But it was unfair because of a far more fundamental reason. There was only one Lynn Swann running, but five different Rendell’s who lumbered onto the playing field during the campaign. Swann was not merely double-teamed, he was the victim of a political gang tackle that was too much even for an all-pro NFL superstar.

Consider the many political personas of Ed Rendell that manifested themselves in 2006: Rendell the Incumbent, Rendell the Magician, Rendell the Opportunist, Rendell the Martial Arts Master, and Rendell the Savvy Professional. Swann may well have been a match for any one or even two Rendells. But five all at once was too much for any mere mortal.

Rendell the incumbent: Rendell played the incumbent in 2006, and incumbency has made the difference in every gubernatorial re-election since 1974. Rendell, like his predecessors since Milton Shapp, accomplished most of his first term agenda. His relatively solid record on education, economic development, and the environment left Swann few real political openings, at least few that mattered to most voters. Rendell’s record--coupled with a decent state economy, relatively low unemployment, no state program cutbacks, and a scandal-free administration, made him difficult to beat. After a shaky start, by August, Swann had become a good candidate, one who demonstrated a solid understanding of the issues. But the election was never about Swann, it was always a referendum on Rendell’s incumbency. And as such, it was a replay of every election featuring an incumbent governor in modern Pennsylvania history.

Rendell the Magician: The role reversal achieved by Rendell during the campaign evokes memories of vaudeville fast change artists who could transform themselves into just about any character desired with a quick visit to the wings. Rendell, the let’s make a deal and kiss a little “legislative butt” to succeed governor, is the consummate pol and experienced insider. But in a wink he metamorphosed himself into Rendell the born again reformer, running against the Harrisburg establishment, calling for term limits, advocating a smaller legislature, and even opposing his own pay hike. Meanwhile, poor Swann couldn’t seem to keep up with the wardrobe changes. While Rendell was reinventing himself with some unsurpassed political legerdemain, Swann was, for much of the campaign, unconvincing as a reformer. He failed to connect with voters on property tax reform because his own plan was too complicated, and he failed to exploit the pay hike issue, partly because his own party had hatched it.

Rendell the Opportunist: Swann had a four month window after his high profile announcement in January, when the race was by consensus reasonably close. This was, in retrospect, his time of fumbled opportunities. A time when he failed to follow through on a trio of red hot issues: property tax relief, pay raise anger, and legislative reform, but, instead, demonstrated little knowledge of state government, campaigned among largely Republican groups, and did not raise sufficient money to buy TV time. At the same time, Rendell, with the cunning of a Machiavelli, turned Swann’s missed opportunity into an opportunity for himself. He began a sprint to the finish, bought mega millions in TV time, and coaxed the legislature into adopting a state budget that spent the $800 million dollar surplus on state government programs. The net effect was that a close race was transformed into a huge double digit lead by the beginning of summer for Rendell, one he never relinquished.

Rendell the Martial Arts Master: In 2006, Rendell converted his greatest weakness into his biggest strength. It was a feat of political jujitsu that turns on its head the conventional wisdom about the role of Philadelphia in state politics. Rendell has bridled over the charge that he’s been “the governor of Philadelphia,” a charge made not infrequently outside of the Southeastern part of the state. But Rendell won in 2006--not in spite of his ties to Philly--but because of them. His ability to dominate the Philadelphia media market, including the city, its suburbs, and the Lehigh valley was decisive. Almost 40-percent of Pennsylvania voters live there and Rendell took more than 70-percent of their vote. His supposed Philadelphia liability became the asset that ensured his re-election. Old conventional wisdom: hailing from Philadelphia is the kiss of death in state elections; new conventional wisdom: when Philadelphia and its suburbs vote the same, it is a short election night.

Rendell the Savvy Professional: Note to GOP Bigwigs: sometimes having a party primary is okay, in fact, sometimes it is necessary. And 2006 was one of those times. The GOP’s furious resistance to a party primary is a vestigial artifact of their many years avoiding internal party division and struggling against a voter registration deficit. It made sense then. It doesn’t now. Had Swann had a successful primary this spring, he would have been a more experienced and better known candidate running against Rendell this fall. He would have been less likely to make the rookie mistakes he made early in the race that effectively ended the contest before it started. And he would have had much more resilience than he did when the sledding got tough. This is not the first time Pennsylvania Republicans have grievously wounded themselves avoiding a primary contest. It’s become a bad habit.

Was this an election Swann could have won and Rendell could have lost? Certainly, the Swann campaign made some mistakes, but the best evidence suggests Swann could not have won under any plausible scenario. In the end, a potent array of forces determined the election outcome; in particular, Rendell’s incumbency, the lack of a GOP primary, and the force of the Philadelphia media market.

From the beginning, it was never a question of whether Rendell would win re-election--but only a question of how big his victory would be. Had Swann run a better campaign or had Rendell run a worse one, it might have ended closer; but it wouldn’t have ended differently.

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Politically Uncorrected is published twice monthly. Dr. G. Terry Madonna is Professor of Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College and Dr. Michael Young is Managing Partner of Michael Young Strategic Research. The article can be used in whole or in part with appropriate attribution. The views and opinions found in this article represent the authors’ views and opinions, and not those of any institution or organization with which they are affiliated.

Holiday Lights At Carlisle Scheduled

North Ridge resident Holly Miller reports that the Holiday Lights At Carlisle, scheduled to be held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, will be open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. starting November 22 through December 31.

According to the show's website, this year will be the premier of the newest winter-time event for Central Pennsylvania. Throughout the Holiday season, Holiday Lights at Carlisle will transform the Carlisle Fairgrounds into a fantasy of color and design with more than 40 spectacular illuminated displays over a one mile drive providing family entertainment for visitors of all ages.

The show benefits the Carlisle YMCA. For a discounted coupon, click here.

Carlisle Boys Lacrosse Registration

November 19
2 to 4 p.m.
Dickinson College Stadium
for boys in grades 3 through 8

North Middleton Leaf Pick-Up

North Middleton Township will host its annual leaf pick-up during the weeks of November 13 and December 4. Township residents should place leaves in closed bags, placing those bags curbside by Monday morning at 7 a.m.

(Source: North Middleton Township 2006 Fall/Winter Newsletter)

Preventing Ankle Injuries in Basketball Players

Several studies have found that ankle injuries sustained in basketball are not only among the most common, they can also be the most severe, so preventing them is key to ensuring a safe and healthy season. Of critical importance is recognizing and addressing the fact that high school- and college-age men and women have entirely different risk factors for first-time ankle ligament injuries -- a finding resulting from a Vermont-based study of 901 young athletes conducted by Bruce Beynnon, Ph.D., associate professor and director of research in orthopaedics and rehabilitation, and colleagues at the University of Vermont.

“Prior to conducting our study, we understood that previous ankle injury was a strong risk factor for a repeated ankle injury,” said Beynnon. “Our goal was to study the risk factors that predispose an athlete to suffering their first injury with the hope that we could use this information to develop programs that prevent athletes from ever experiencing an ankle injury in the first place.”

Ankle sprains are typically considered one of the most common injuries among athletes. To analyze ankle ligament injury risk factors, Beynnon and colleagues measured factors in 901 Vermont high school and collegiate athletes who logged a total of 50,680 “person-days” of exposure to soccer, basketball, lacrosse or field hockey over four years. In order to clearly isolate which factors put athletes at the most risk for a first ankle injury, the study did not include athletes who suffered prior ankle trauma. Only 43 (4.5 percent) athletes suffered their first ankle sprain during the study period. Risk of ankle injury was highest among female basketball athletes who are at significantly greater risk than male basketball athletes.

The research team found that the women in the study were at increased risk of suffering their first ankle injury when there is a strength imbalance in the muscles that control the side-to-side movement of the ankle. They also identified several non-modifiable risk factors, including alignment of the muscles in the front of the leg with the knee; loose ankles, which are suggestive of weak ligaments or structural problems; and equally dominate legs.

Men in the study who had undergone one or more prior surgeries to their legs were at increased risk of suffering their first injury, as were men who had decreased dorsi-flexion – the ability to point the toe toward the head – and weak muscle strength for motion when the ankle rolls away from the body. Beynnon and colleagues hypothesize that risk of injuries after surgery may be indicative of incomplete healing or a more aggressive physical style.

“Ankle trauma is not the result of bad luck,” said Beynnon. “It occurs, not randomly, but in patterns that reflect the operation of underlying causes. Our research determined the underlying causes for this debilitating injury and revealed that combinations of risk factors, which are different for men in comparison to women, are responsible for predisposing an athlete to injury. Based on our findings, we now know that separate programs – in areas such as intervention, screening and injury prevention – must be developed for males and females and this will be the focus of our future research.”

(Source: University of Vermont news release)

Sit-Ups and Sundaes Don’t Mix: Diet With Exercise Works Best

If you’re overweight and hoping to shed pounds, but still regularly indulging in french fries — don’t count on exercise to salvage your weight-loss efforts. To truly slim down, obese and overweight people need to watch what they eat and get moving, according to a new analysis of weight-loss trials dating back to 1985.

“Exercise by itself is not going to be an effective weight-loss strategy for an individual, you really need to combine exercise with better nutrition,” said lead study author Dr. Kelly Shaw.

Shaw is a public health physician with the Department of Health and Human Services in Tasmania, Australia. She was surprised by the amount of weight loss achievable through diet alone, compared to exercise. “I thought that exercise would result in greater weight loss than it did as a stand-alone intervention,” she said.

“If you are a reductionist and came to me and said, ‘Look I want to lose weight and I’m prepared to diet or exercise, but not both, what should I do?’ My response would be, you need to look at your nutritional intake because there’s a bigger bang for your buck from modifying nutrition than there is with physical activity,” Shaw said.

The review of 43 trials appears in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates research in all aspects of health care. Systematic reviews draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing trials on a topic.

“The literature is pretty clear that, in the short run, diet is way more important than activity for weight loss,” said John Jakicic, a health researcher who was not involved in the Cochrane review. “One candy bar can completely wipe out a bout of exercise,” Jakicic said.

“Within six months, with diet alone we can get about a 9 or 10 kilogram weight loss, which is over 20 pounds, versus with activity we get about a 2 kilogram weight loss in that same period of time,” said Jakicic, chair of the department of Health and Physical Activity at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

But don’t discount the benefits of exercise. “Diet is very important to get weight off. But exercise seems to be one of those key factors for keeping the weight off when you lose it,” Jakicic said.

“From a population level, I think that means that our good nutrition programs and our healthy physical activity programs really have to be very well-integrated,” Shaw said.

But Jakicic said that integration is rare in the United States where gym-based programs often focus on exercise, while programs like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig focus mainly on food.

“Those folks who only focus on diet and don’t worry about the activity are really short-changing themselves,” Jakicic said.

The Cochrane review uncovered independent benefits from exercise that boost heart health and lower the risks for cardiovascular disease. “If your main goal is health and well-being, then exercise offers you significant improvements in your blood pressure, lipids and your blood sugar,” Shaw said.

“The meta-analysis tells us what the individual needs to do to improve body weight, to improve cardiovascular disease risk,” Shaw said. The challenge now, she added, is for policy-makers and governments “to look at ways that we can encourage behaviors in our population that encourage people to get exercise back into their lives, and to eat a diet that is less energy-dense and more nutritionally sound.”

Shaw points to other successful public health campaigns — like the tobacco control effort — and believes communities can take a similar socio-environmental approach in the “eat right, get moving” campaign.

Shaw said past public health campaigns prove that legislative and legal levers work to change behavior. Other possible strategies include fiscal incentives, perhaps subsidies for fresh fruit and vegetables, or even smart urban planning that eschews fast-food restaurants and builds in walking trails and green spaces, she said.

(Source: Health Behavior News Service)

North Ridge Mystery Ballet Resident Identified

Back on October 17, North Ridge Buzz posted a trivia question with a photo of two youths in a ballet pose. One of the two then-youths now owns a house in North Ridge, and the trivia question asked North Ridge Buzz readers "To guess who this North Ridge resident is?"

Some people thought that the young girl in the yellow ballet costume was Trish Calzada. Another person thought that maybe the young girl was Kathy Fuller.

But, the North Ridge resident is not the young girl. It's the young boy in the photo. And, the haircut the young boy has in the photo gives away the answer as many were able to identify the North Ridge neighbor.

If you didn't guess it, the North Ridge neighbor in this photo is none other than USMC Colonel Mike "Fishy" Frutsche of Regal View.

"I took two years of ballet," says Fishy, who admits that the young girl in the photo is actually his sister.

Proposed Changes Pennsylvania's Clean Vehicle Program Approved By IRRC

With 2008 Set As Compliance Date, Program Reduces Smog-Forming Emissions, Toxic Pollution

Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s Clean Vehicles Program, which would ensure cleaner, healthier air across the commonwealth, all at no overall additional cost to consumers, have been approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

“We are cleaning up the environment and growing our economy at the same time,” Governor Rendell said. “The Clean Vehicles Program helps Pennsylvania be competitive so it can create the jobs we critically need and guarantee consumers access to vehicles that operate more efficiently, conserve fuel and help break America’s dependence on imported oil.”

IRRC voted 4-1 to approve a plan that locks in model year 2008 as the compliance date for the next phase of the state program. The program sets new emission standards for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Pennsylvania; it also requires automakers to make their overall fleet cleaner than would be required by the federal government.

IRRC’s approval follows a 16-2 endorsement in September by the state’s Environmental Quality Board, also an independent regulatory review panel. EQB received 4,829 responses during a public comment period on the rulemaking. Nearly all commentators supported the state program, which at the time was a record number of responses for a rulemaking in Pennsylvania.

The rulemaking still requires review by the state attorney general before becoming final. However, an effort is under way in the House of Representatives to repeal the standards, originally adopted in 1998. The House Transportation Committee acted suddenly and surprisingly two weeks ago to send Senate Bill 1025 to the full chamber for consideration. The House may take up the measure later this month before adjourning the two-year session.

“Repealing the Clean Vehicles Program would roll back efforts to enhance energy security and improve air quality, and force Pennsylvania businesses and manufacturers to shoulder even more of the emission reduction burden so the commonwealth can meet its federal air quality requirements,” Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. “That’s no way to stay competitive and keep our economy growing.”

Cars contribute about a third of the state’s smog-producing emissions. They also emit toxic pollutants like benzene. People are driving more and more --- Pennsylvanians increase their vehicle miles driven by some 2 percent every year --- so improving vehicle technology through this program will preserve mobility while protecting public health and the environment.

Pennsylvania’s Clean Vehicles Program will cut volatile organic compounds as much as 12 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions 9 percent more than the less stringent federal standards, and result in a 5-percent to 11-percent greater reduction of six toxic air pollutants, including benzene, a known carcinogen.

Two-thirds of Pennsylvanians live in the 37 counties that failed to meet the more protective eight-hour ozone standards and were designated as being in “nonattainment” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2004. Heart problems and respiratory problems, including asthma, are exacerbated by unhealthy air, which also can cause damage to crops, forests and wildlife.

Failure to meet clean-air standards also hinders economic growth. New businesses face steeper environmental hurdles to operate in places designated as being in nonattainment. Fewer emission reductions from mobile sources mean more reductions would need to be mandated for factories, power plants and manufacturers.

The federal Clean Air Act gives individual states the choice of adopting federal emission standards or the tougher rules used in California. A growing number of states in the Northeast and the West Coast have been opting to follow California’s lead. Pennsylvania adopted the California standards in 1998.

Tailpipe standards cost little or nothing in the short term and, overall, save consumers money, making this the most cost-effective approach. Vehicles meeting the California standards are sold on the market today at the same price as those meeting the less strict federal standard. Moreover, in the coming years, consumers will save money over the life of these vehicles because they operate more efficiently.

The savings to consumers are estimated at about $3.50 to $7 per month in 2016 when the full program is implemented. These estimates were done with gasoline prices averaged at $1.74 per gallon.

California rules also include provisions to reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, as vehicles are a significant source of these gases. These California greenhouse gas provisions will apply to new passenger cars and light-duty trucks beginning with the 2009 model year. This provision, which automaker are challenging in federal court, also would pertain to cars sold in the commonwealth.

For more information, visit DEP’s Web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us, Keyword: “Air Quality.”

(Source: Pa. DEP news release)

Pennsylvania Health Department Investigates Salmonella Cases Linked To National Outbreak

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania has identified five cases linked to the current multi-state Salmonella outbreak, which has produced 172 cases nationwide to date, state Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson announced on October 31.

One case each has been identified in Adams, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, and Philadelphia counties. No one in Pennsylvania has been hospitalized due to Salmonella.

"The department is working very closely with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct local public health investigations," Dr. Johnson said. "Our investigators are looking to find a link to a specific food source for the outbreak so additional cases can be prevented."

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract and sometimes can affect the bloodstream and other organs. It is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis, which can include diarrhea and vomiting. Approximately 2,000 cases of Salmonella are reported each year in Pennsylvania.

Onset of illness usually occurs in 24 to 72 hours, and patients typically recover in 5 to 7 days. Patients often do not require treatment unless they become severely dehydrated or the infection spreads from the intestines. Persons with severe diarrhea may require rehydration, often with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines.

For more information on salmonella, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health or call 1 (877) PA-HEALTH.

(Source: Pa. Department of Health News Release of 10/31/06)