Advocate News March 3, 2011

A few weeks ago, the Rockland County Department of Trans-portation announced it was planning an increase in the cost of tickets for Transport of Rockland Buses, as well as their Tappan Zee Express service and TRIPS, which transport se-niors. Facing millions of dollars in deficits, the county hopes to generate about $1 million this year through the increase in prices, and another $400,000 from various service cuts. The proposals need to be approved by the county, and until they are they cannot change.The basic rate for a ticket on a TOR bus would rise from $1.50 to $2.00, with transfers going from 30 cents to 50 cents. Most commuters require a ticket and a transfer, which gives a rider a

different type of ticket that al-lows them to take two buses to reach their final destination. Seniors have a different rate, al-though that would rise as well. Regular senior fares would cost 75 cents, almost double their current price of 40 cents, and their transfers would cost 25 cents instead of 15 cents.These days, it makes a great deal of sense to buy Supersaver tickets for those who ride the bus regularly. Supersaver tick-ets are 10 regular bus tickets, and they will cost $11, up from $9. At a rate of $1.10 per ticket if the proposed increases are ap-proved, the Supersaver tickets would cost about half of what a regular ticket would cost. Su-

LEARN MORE ABOUT

NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

PAGE 18LEARNING BASIC

CONCEPTS IN SPEECHPAGE 18

TOOTHBRUSH ETIQUITE

PAGE 19ASTHMAPAGE 19

EATING DISORDERS

PAGE 20

HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

ROCKLAND SAW 1,700 FORECLOSURES IN 2010

BUS FARE INCREASE PROPOSAL DRAWS MANY

Developed by the United States Department of Agriculture, MyPyramid is part of an over-all food guidance system that emphasizes the need for an individual ap-proach to im-proving diet and lifestyle. This pyramid is useful to both adults and children and it empha-sizes modera-tion. It is es-pecially useful as a guide for parents hop-ing to improve their children’s’ diets. “Bad eating habits has led to problems like childhood obesity, and adults being over-weight”, says Dr. James Israel,

an internist and gastroenter-ologist at Monsey Medical and Dental Care. “There is a clear correlation between improper diet, junk foods to weight gain

and to heart p r o b l e m s later in life. “ Dr. Israel concludes. Indeed diet is one of the easiest ways to help pre-vent prob-lems from o c c u r r i n g in the first place.

March is National Nutrition Month. This year the American

With the number of foreclo-sures sharply on the rise, a new program has been proposed to help homeowners stave off the possibility of losing their homes. The Chief Judge of the New York Court System, Jona-than Lippman, has proposed a new program be adopted by the state legislature that would help fund attorneys for those facing foreclosure.Judge Lippman’s proposal would give millions of dollars to Legal Aid Societies across New York State to represent and advise homeowners facing foreclosure. Legal Aid Societies

provide free legal advice and representation to those who cannot afford it on a series of n u m e r o u s issues, but not for fore-closure as-sistance.The pro-gram would cost a great deal of mon-ey, so Judge Lippman has proposed that the state fund an exploratory pilot program to begin this effort. He estimated the pilot program would cost

$25 million a year, and would last for four years.In a few weeks, Legal Services

of the Hud-son Valley will have l a w y e r s working on foreclosure cases in Or-ange Coun-ty, which was selected to be part

of the pilot program. Orange County has seen foreclosures increase by 400% in the past year. The lawyers will represent

homeowners during foreclo-sure hearings in court, and will help them with loan modifica-tions. Lawyers will also be able to help homeowners declare bankruptcy. Experts on the matter agree that having a law-yer provides several advantag-es, including the fact that banks don’t want to settle issues with a homeowner who lacks a law-yer.Judge Lippman has said that it more than pays for the state to finance this initiative, not only as an ethical issue, but also because money spent keeping

By: S. Mandelbaum

MONSEY MEDICAL & DENTAL CARE IS OPEN from to MOTZEI SHABBOS 6 9pm pm

pmpm30

30

SEE FORECLOSURE PAGE 7

SEE USDA PAGE 7 SEE BUS FARE PAGE 7

7:04 5:32

The #1 Judaica source in Rockland27 Orchard St. 845-352-7792

By: S. MandelbaumBy: Aaron Moeller

hsuep

THE USDA INTRODUCES ‘EAT RIGHT WITH COLOR’

THE ADVOCATEVol. 26 No. 9 Rockland’s Independent Jewish Community Newspaper 27 ADAR ` - 5771 March 3, 2011

77

As per patient request, Monsey Medical & Dental Care has increased Dr. Baldinger’s hours in the Department of Podiatry. Dr.

Baldinger is now seeing patients every Thursday.

Please call 352-6800 for an immediate appointment.

30

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THE ADVOCATE March 3, 2011 תשע״א hsuep 2דער אדוואקאט

WRITE TO USThe Advocate welcomes Letters to the Editor & the Action Desk about relevant topics and issues.

Letters must include the writer’s name, address and phone number. The name may be withheld from publication at the writer’s request.

The Advocate reserves the right to edit for clarity and good taste. To voice your opinion, call: 845-770-1950; Fax: 845-352-5290; or E-mail: [email protected]

ThursdayMar. 3

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THE JEWISH ADVOCACY COUNCIL, INC.

22 Main Street • Monsey, NY 10952Tel (845) 352-1725 Fax (845) 352-5290

E-mail: [email protected]*******

Mendel Hoffman.....President & PublisherA. Schwartz..........Sales Director A. Moeller........ Design/Public RelationsS. Mandelbaum..............Contributor M. Rubin..............Contributor

**********•THE VOICE OF THIS PAPER DOES NOT REPRESENT ANY GROUP. •THE ADVOCATE IS AN INDEPENDENT ENG-LISH AND YIDDISH NEWSPAPER.•THE ADVOCATE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KASHRUS OF ANY PRODUCT IN THE NEWSPAPER.• COPYRIGHT 2011 ISSN 1055-9132• All material in this paper is the exclusive property of THE ADVOCATE and cannot be reproduced without the consent of the pub-lisher. The views and opinions expressed by our columnists do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s.• Any article submitted to the newspaper can be edited at the discretion of the publisher.• The newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in an advertisement beyond the cost of space occupied by the error. The ad-vertiser assumes the responsibility for errors in telephone orders.• In-house design: All advertisements de-signed and prepared by The Advocate are the property of the newspaper and cannot be reproduced without consent of the pub-lisher.• The health information articles contained in this publication are for information only and not intended as medical advice. For health care advice and information contact your health care provider.• Editorials related to political endorsements or support are written by an independent committee. They do not represent the views of The Advocate staff. It should not be con-sidered as endorsements or support by this paper.

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A Weekly Editorial By:

Mendel Hoffman Programs that serve the middle and lower classes need to be preserved more in bad times than in good times. It is troubling, therefore, that public transportation, which for the most part is used by people who cannot afford to buy a car, now faces cuts in service and an increase in cost to those who utilize it in Rockland County. In our community, countless families use the bus service as a way to get around, for work and shopping. It has become more than a necessity, and is greatly relied upon.

The proposal to increase fares for local buses would inflict pain on those who can least afford it, and need services more than ever. People use the bus to go to job interviews so they could then get a decent paying job to work their way back up in the world. So many families in our community have family members that do not drive at all, so access to affordable public transportation is essential. It is known that there are problems with the system as it is. Buses often come late, and are very often off-schedule. Many have bit their tongue, realizing that it is an accepted part of using the service. However, if it is neither affordable nor satisfactory, who will use it?

The county is right to look for ways to increase revenue, but they should look elsewhere. They should examine cutting waste and unnecessary levels of government instead. Trying to raise a few dollars from those who need those few dollars more than the county does is not a strategic way for the government to remove itself from the deficit. There are better alternatives, and those are the options that should be examined.

AS WE GO TO PRESS...

ADVOCATE ACTION DESKR E N T E R B E W A R E

Deat Action Desk,I have heard about this before, but never thought it would happen to me, nor did I understand the aggravation of enduring such an episode.While I was waiting to hear from my insurance company as to whether they would total my car due to an accident, I needed to rent a car. Shook up and sore from the accident, I took the first rent-a–car in Monsey that was offered to me. It was presented to me completely dirty, but I was in a rush so I declined the car wash. Unfortunately I signed that the car was in good condition. In addition

they tried to pressure me to purchase their insurance, even though my insur-ance company covered this rental.

U p o n my re-turning the car, t h e y did the u s u a l inspec-t i o n ;

which to put it nicely was unfavor-able. They cleaned off some of the dirt and showed me that there were scratch-es that they had seen through the dirt.

More specifically, they came up with an outright fictional tale. They claimed that I must have caused the scratches beneath the dirt, since I had signed that the car was in good condition. This in-flicted enough damage that it had ren-dered the car unfit for rental. Basically they had accused me of caus-ing hundreds of dollars of damage. Un-fortunately I have heard from others that this is what some rental companies do as a regular practice. I want the public to be aware of this scam at a car rental hub on Route 59 in Monsey. Sincerely,A Monsey resident

Five Day Forcast for Rockland

ALBANY, N.Y. — More than 40 elected Democrats made a rare attack on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his proposed cuts to the party's priorities of education and health care as the state tries to trim a $10 billion budget deficit.In a letter to the state Democratic Par-ty and the governor, the Democrats railed against Cuomo's budget poli-cies, calling them "neither balanced nor well-conceived" and warning that they would hurt children and the el-derly.The group said Cuomo was not exem-plifying what a "new Democrat" should be. The governor started using the term at last year's Democratic conven-tion to describe a pragmatic official in hard fiscal times."According to the governor, that is what it means to be a 'new Demo-crat,'" the letter said. "According to the governor, this is the path to becoming 'the most progressive state in the na-tion.' If this is what it means to be a new Democrat, and if this is what it means to be progressive then some-thing is very wrong."The group said it couldn't remain si-lent while "the tea party, the Conser-vative Party, Republicans and a group of wealthy Wall Street executives are cheering the governor's policies." Cuomo did not respond to a request for comment.The letter is signed by Democrats on city councils and other legislative bod-ies in New York City, Albany, Bing-hamton, Kingston, Monroe County, Rockland County, Broome County, the town of Danby, Tompkins County, the village of Hempstead, Buffalo, and Ul-ster County.



NEWS AROUND THE REGION.......................

County Adopts Com-prehensive Plan

Rockland County Legislature Chair-woman Harriet Cornell and County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef an-nounced the adoption of the Rock-land County Comprehensive Plan. The County Legislature passed the plan at its March 1st meeting by a vote of 16 to one, and it was signed by the County Executive on March 2nd. Legislator Douglas Jobson voted against the plan. This concludes an 18-month effort that included public workshops, public hearings, scoping sessions, meetings with town and village Planning Boards and elected officials, and regular meetings with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the County Legislature. The project was guided by the Rockland County Planning Department and the consultant team of BFJ Planning (Buckhurst, Fish and Jacquemart, Inc.) of New York, NY.

Rockland Tomorrow: The Rockland County Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for the County’s future that will serve as a basis for County gov-ernment planning and development issues for the next 10-20 years and provide guidance for future munici-pal planning and zoning actions.

The Plan serves as a planning tool for Rockland County and its munici-palities and does not supersede lo-cal plans and regulations. It creates a framework for future capital expen-diture decisions by County govern-ment, while also providing general recommendations on future County land use issues and policies to imple-ment these strategies, addresses key matters under direct County jurisdic-tion, and identifies land use and zon-ing conflicts among municipalities that should be resolved to allow for better functioning of zoning regula-tions.

”Rockland Tomorrow gives fore-thought to land use, business growth, transportation, housing and infra-structure while protecting critical en-vironmental areas and conservation of natural resources for future gen-erations,“ said Cornell. “It recognizes

that both physical and visual access to the Hudson River is essential and that the history, arts and culture of Rockland are major characteristics of a vibrant county. This is a wonderful achievement, and I am deeply grate-ful to all who contributed.”

“This Comprehensive Plan is com-posed of a number of elements that together form a guidepost to future conservation and development deci-sions in Rockland County. The adopt-ed plan demonstrates the County’s continued support of towns and vil-lages and demonstrates innovative and regionally-minded approaches to planning, “ said Vanderhoef. “ It reflects months of intermunicipal cooperation and collaboration with respect to local planning and policy-making actions.”

Senator Carlucci Calls for Action to Save $61 Million in Medicaid Spending

(Albany, NY) Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange) and the In-dependent Democratic Conference today called on the State Insurance Department to take the first steps to streamline the Medicaid system by quickly completing regulations to implement a new law that is project-ed to create more than $61 million in savings.

Senator Carlucci also issued a report detailing more recommendations to reform Medicaid spending for Long Term Health in New York.

The measure was sponsored by Sena-tor Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ West-chester), and signed into law on Dec. 20, 2010. It allowed health insurance companies to offer life insurance poli-cies in which a portion of the benefit can be used to cover long term care costs.

Specifically, it allows an accelerated life insurance payout to go toward long term care if a person is confined to a nursing home for three months and was expected to remain in such a facility for the rest of their lives.

The State Insurance Department needs to draft and issue guidelines governing these new long term care policies in order for them to be imple-mented.

The intent of the law, which brings New York in line with every other state in the country, is to ease the burden on the Medicaid system, where long term care costs frequently fall, by en-couraging the use of long term care insurance.

Medicaid spending on long term care was at least $12.4 billion and ac-counted for 27 percent of all Medicaid spending in 2009. During that same time period, there were only 321,011 private long term care policies writ-ten in New York State, which has a

population of 19 million. By contrast there were roughly 9 million life insur-ance policies.

“I am committed to improving the ef-ficiency of New York’s long term care system while ensuring that the most vulnerable receive the help that they need,” Senator Carlucci said.

Many of these notifications have also been recommended by the Gover-nor's Medicaid Redesign Team.

“I believe these to be important and vital reforms,” said Senator Carlucci. “I am looking forward to working with my partners in government to move our Medicaid system into the 21st Cen-tury.”


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MONTHLY CHANGE IN PAYROLLS 2008-2011

The number of new jobs created in the U.S. has increased each month since October

2010, with 36,000 jobs added last month. Most economists say the economy needs

to add roughly 125,000 jobs each month just to keep the unemployment rate stable.

This week, several economists and analysts said Republicans' push to cut some $60

billion in spending would lead to hundreds of thousands of job losses through next

year. The chart below shows the monthly change in nonfarm payroll employment, in

thousands:

Nonfarm payroll employment is an influential statistic and economic indicator released monthly

by the United States Department of Labor as part of a comprehensive report on the state of the labor market.

FREE MAMMOGRAM SERVICE FOR ELIGIBLE WOMEN

Good Samaritan Hospital 255 Lafayette Ave., Suffern, will offer free

mammograms to women age 40-64 who live in Rockland from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. March 23.

Appointments are taken, but walk-ins are welcome.

Nyack Hospital 160 N. Midland Ave., Nyack, will offer free

mammograms to women age 40-64 who live in Rockland from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 12. Appointments are taken,

but walk-ins are welcome.

To register for an appointment for either event, call 845-369-0742


USDA FROM PAGE 1

Dietetic Association encourages ev-eryone to "Eat Right with Color. One of the ways to incorporate color into your healthful eating plan is to include the colors of MyPyramid. (see page 1)Each color of the MyPyramid symbol represents the recommended propor-tion of foods from each food group and focuses on the importance of making smart food choices in every food group, every day. MyPyramid is a great tool for consumers to use to help them incor-porate recommendations from the Di-etary Guidelines for Americans into their daily eating plans.

Grains (Orange)It's important to make at least half of your daily grains whole grains. Even better, try to get at least three 1-ounce servings of whole grains every day. Easy ways to do this include:Use whole-grain or oat bread for sand-wiches.Opt for oat or whole-wheat cereal for breakfast.Substitute brown rice for white rice in favorite recipes.Add whole barley to soups and stews or bulgur wheat to salads and casseroles.When looking for whole-grain choices, make sure the label says "100 percent whole grain" and the ingredient label says "whole" before the grain listed.

Vegetables (Green)Vegetables are a great source of vita-mins and other nutrients, which is why it is recommended adults get at least 2 ½ cups of vegetables each day.Try crunchy vegetables instead of chips with your favorite dip or low-fat salad dressing.Top a baked potato with beans and salsa or broccoli and low-fat or fat-free cheese.Make your main dish a salad of dark, leafy greens and other colorful vegeta-bles. Add chickpeas or edamame (fresh soybeans). Top with a low-fat dressing.Stuff an omelet with vegetables. Try any combination of chopped toma-toes, onions, green pepper, spinach or mushrooms plus some low-fat or fat-free cheese.No matter what form they come in, any vegetable or 100-percent vegetable juice counts as a member of the veg-etable group, including fresh, frozen, canned, raw or cooked.

Fruits (Red)Fruit not only makes for a great snack, but it can also satisfy a sweet-tooth craving. And because of its versatility, getting the recommended 2 cups every day can be easy.Start your day by adding sliced fruit to your cereal or on top of whole-grain waffles or pancakes.Add fruit to salads. This boosts nutrition

and adds texture and taste. Add orange slices or strawberries to spinach salads or toss grapes into a mixed green salad.For dessert, add sliced bananas, ber-ries or peaches to non-fat yogurt or as a topper on angel food cake.Dried fruit makes a handy snack and can be equally as nutritious as fresh. However, be mindful of serving sizes.Juices can count toward your recom-mended daily amount of fruits, but check the package labels to be sure it says 100-percent fruit juice to make sure you aren’t drinking additives like sugar and flavorings.

Oils (Yellow)Used in cooking and baking as well as for flavor, oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature. There are a variety of oils that come from many different plants. Common types include: canola, corn, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean, sunflower, walnut and sesame oils. Be-sides their essential fatty acids, oils are the major source of vitamin E for most Americans. However, oils do contain about 120 calories per tablespoon, so keep portions in mind.

Milk (Blue) We need calcium for bone health, and many dairy foods also are good sourc-es of protein, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin D. Milk isn't your only source of calcium-rich, low-fat dairy foods though. You have lots of options. Low-fat cheese in a sandwichYogurt dips with vegetablesLow-fat shredded cheese on soups and saladsEvaporated low-fat or fat-free milk in recipes that call for cream.Foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not considered a part of this group. Most milk group choices should be fat-free or low-fat.

Meat and Beans (Purple)This is the protein group and includes a wide variety of foods, including those made from meat, poultry, fish, dry beans or peas, eggs, nuts and seeds.Choose lean cuts of meat.To prepare lean cuts of meat, try broil-ing, grilling, roasting, panbroiling, braising, stewing or stir-frying.Choose fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce your risk of heart disease and may help reduce the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.Generally, if you regularly eat meat, poultry and fish you can count beans in the vegetable group. Those who sel-dom eat meat, poultry or fish, such as vegetarians, should count some of the beans they eat in the meat and beans group.

persaver tickets can be purchased at Shoprite Supermarkets, Ramapo Town Hall, and Rockland Kosher, as well as other places.The Tappan Zee Express, which takes commuters over the Tappan Zee Bridge into Westches-ter and back into Rockland, will also be costlier. Tickets would increase by 50%, from $2 to $3 a ride. Seniors would pay one dol-lar, up from 60 cents.The TRIPS program for seniors would cost $2 a ride, an increase from $1.50, but like the regular TOR bus, a pack of 10 tickets can be bought at great sav-ings. Under the proposed increase, the pack would cost $12, up from the cur-rent rate of $9. The increases will be the first in two years, and would take effect on April 4th if they are approved.The TOR Loop routes are the ones most often used by Monsey-area residents. The schedules for those would remain the same, except Saturday service will be eliminated, due to the small rider-ship on that day. Other service cuts in-clude eliminating routes that run after 11 PM on the TOR 59 bus, and some afternoon trips on the TOR 95 route. Transportation officials maintain that the service changes are being pro-posed for the routes that are used the least.A public hearing on the issue brought out a great deal of residents and of-ficials who expressed concerns about the cuts. Many complained that they were forced to use public transporta-tion because they could not afford to own a car, and the changes would

damage their personal finances. Many also complained that transportation was already bad, as so many times, bus-es would come extremely late.Rockland County Legislator Alden Wolfe submitted his testimony on the matter in opposition to the proposed cuts. Discussing the need for afford-able public transportation, Wolfe stat-ed, “You would lay a burden on the backs of those least able to bear it. This is particularly problematic for seniors, who are enduring a second year with no cost of living adjustment in their

Social Security checks.”Wolfe also discussed the service cut-backs. “These service cuts will adverse-ly affect my constituents' ability to get where they need to be in a safe man-ner. I've already heard anecdotally of several residents who've had to wait outside for extended periods of time in these harsh winter conditions. With the proposed service cuts, these problems will only get worse,” he stated.Ramapo Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence has also openly opposed the changes. “It is simply not right to bal-ance a budget on the backs of those who could least afford it,” he said.Councilman Daniel Friedman voiced his opposition as well. “The amount of money the county will raise due to these changes is minimal at best when compared to the totality of the county deficit,” he said. “While cost-cutting is important, these changes will signifi-cantly hurt a great deal of Ramapo resi-dents.”The changes would affect the 11,500 people that ride TOR and Tappan ZEEx-press buses each day.

BUS FARE FROM PAGE 1

FORECLOSURE FROM PAGE 1

someone in their home is also money saved for the government in different ways. Government funds would not be needed, for example, to deal with the extra crime that takes place because of homelessness, or be-cause of social programs and health care costs.In 2010, Rockland County had over 1,700 foreclo-sures, an abnormally high figure. Even more resi-dents have faced signifi-cant difficulties because they have been unable to pay their property taxes. After a certain amount of time, action is taken against hom-eowners who cannot come up with the taxes they owe. Last year, the Rockland County Legisla-ture adopted a change in the law that

gave homeowners more time to come up with the money needed to pay their taxes, but with the economy remaining

sluggish and homeown-ers facing difficulty buy-ing the basic necessities, few have been able to come up with that mon-ey in the extra time they were given. The addition-al time homeowners have been given to pay taxes kept them in their homes for another year, but ulti-mately, many faced steep

liens placed on their property, or fore-closures altogether.The pilot program is expected to begin shortly, and if successful, would mean that Rockland County residents would soon have access to that assistance as well.

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH SEE PAGE 16

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Peanut allergiesLife-threatening responses can occur within minutes of exposure to peanuts and peanut proteins, and usually appear in a child’s first years.

Source: Mayo ClinicGraphic: Angela Smith, Garrick Gibson © 2008 MCT

• Hives, redness or swelling on skin• Itching, tingling around mouth, throat• Digestive problems• Tightening of chest, shortness of breath• Runny, stuffy nose• Anaphylaxis, a severe emergency

Symptoms

• Avoid peanuts; read food labels, ask at restaurants, do not taste unknown foods• Antihistamines reduce mild symptoms• Injection of epinephrine, emergency room visit for anaphylactic reaction

Treatment

Kids Health Matters

Family members with allergies, especially food allergies, or a past allergy to peanuts; unknown why incidence of peanut allergy is steadily increasing

Risk factors

Epinephrine Auto-Injector


With Purim around the corner, you are likely to have wine on your shopping list.

Purim festivities aside, did you know red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy? The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called an-tioxidants may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of "good" cholesterol and protecting against artery damage.

While the news about red wine might sound great if you enjoy a glass of red wine with your Shab-bos evening meal, doctors are wary of encouraging anyone to start drinking alcohol. That's be-cause too much alcohol can have many harmful effects on your body.

Still, doctors do agree that some-thing in red wine appears to help your heart, though it's unclear just exactly what that "something" is. Researchers think antioxidants, such as flavonoids or a substance called resveratrol, have promising heart-healthy benefits.

Antioxidants aren't the only substanc-es in red wine that look promis-ing. The alcohol in red wine also ap-pears to be heart healthy.

Flavor: Does glass make a dif-ference?Some wines are really very simple and your experi-ence with them will vary little no matter what glass you drink it from. Kiddush wine is one excellent ex-ample. It pretty much will taste the same out of any type of cup. Other wines can have certain el-ements that can be highlighted, or minimized, depending on the style of glassware.

For example, a wine with high al-cohol will often show better from a glass that is wide and generously sized. This allows the alcohol that evaporates from the surface of the

wine to dissipate a bit before hit-ting your nose, and as we know, we really do taste mostly with our noses.

On a more basic level, we can sense five elements of taste (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami, popularly referred to as savorines) with our tongue. Manipulating the flow of wine into the mouth can affect where a wine hits your tongue, fundamentally changing how one perceives that wine. For example, the tip of one's tongue has a high concentration of sweetness re-ceptors. Creating a glass that al-lows the wine to flow over the tip while directing it more towards the middle of the tongue could make a wine seem less sweet while highlighting its acidity, since there are more acid receptors to-wards the middle of one's tongue.

Cost: Does a more expensive wine taste better? Absolutely not -- though it may. Re-member that there are several factors that influence price. One of them tends to be the likelihood that a wine will improve with cellaring. These are packed with tan-nin, acid, and some-times so extracted that they're bitter, monolithic and unin-teresting, but that's not the point for these wines, since everyone is betting on them blossoming with age. If you love White Zin-fandel, more expen-sive blush wines may not be any better to your palate and if you're buying a bottle at the store to drink tonight, chances are something on the less

expensive side is very possibly your best bet. "Less expensive" of course being relative, as it can just as easily refer to a $30 French or an $8 Portuguese red.

As a general rule, moderately priced wines are better than in-expensive wines, and expensive wines are better than premium-priced wines. So, what does that say about premium-priced wines

OUR READERS WANT TO KNOWWINE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE TO BE HEALTHY AND FLAVORFULBy: Aaron Moeller

and the super expensive wines? Well, starting with the super ex-pensive, the pricing for these wines tends to reflect their de-mand, which is based on several factors including scores, limited production, availability, and li-quidity of the market.

Premium-priced wines, on the other hand, tend to be the worst

value play in the world of wine. Far too many of these wines are not really any better than lower priced wines. They simply reflect several common factors that come into play at these price points, namely: the use of expensive oak barrels to make a "better" wine, lowering yields to increase power and con-centration, the costs of marketing some major brands that play in this group, and the cost of setting up operations in the priciest re-gions.

This Purim be smart about your consumption, while a glass or two or red wine is good for your heart, more than that is dangerous be-cause too much alcohol can have many harmful effects on your body. You will end up losing all health promoting benefits as well. Hopefully now you will be able to make an economical decision for your Purim and Peach purchases at the wine store without compro-mising taste.

845 476 8584CALL 845.476.8584 OR www.BigTalkNY.com

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albany WashingtonBy: S. Mandelbaum

GOP Cutting Could Cost 700,000 JobsThe investment service Moody’s, a na-tionwide leader in economics, came out with a report saying that Repub-lican plans to cut 60 billion dollars from the federal budget would cost the country 700,000 jobs. The report said that the cuts would be “a drag on the economy,” and would eliminate two percent of GDP.

Issa Targets His SpokespersonDarrell Issa is a very powerful Repub-lican. As the head of the Oversight Committee, which investigates gov-ernment wrongdoing, Issa has set his sights on President Obama and has begun numerous investigations into anything and everything the White House does. However, this week, Issa has focused his attention on his own spokesperson, Kurt Bardella. Bardella allegedly shared private e-mails with a reporter for The New York Times, who was writing a book on Washington politics. Bardella shared more than he should have and the ex-act nature of what he shared is what is under investigation. The issue got so heated that House Speaker John Boehner has his office involved in the investigation as well. On Tuesday, Issa fired the spokesperson and the inves-tigation is continuing. It seems that it has been known in the beltway that Bardella had been sharing secrets with the reporter, and many were warned to be careful about what they told him.

Government Shutdown AvoidedPresident Obama personally called up House Speaker John Boehner to discuss the budget negotiations on Tuesday. With no budget in place, the government would face being shut

down or would require a continuing resolution to fund the government until a final budget deal is reached. Later in the day, President Obama asked for a 30-day extension on the budget but Republicans offered a 15-day extension, which was agreed to by all parties, and passed the House, avoiding a government shutdown for the time being.

Huckabee Says Obama Grew Up In KenyaIn an interview, former presidential candidate and possible future presi-dential candidate Mike Huckabee said that Obama’s view of the world was formed during the years he grew up in Kenya. The problem is that while President Obama’s father was from Kenya, Obama himself never lived there. Huckabee said he does believe the president was born in the United States, adding that in 2008, when Hill-ary Clinton was running against him, she certainly would have used infor-mation like that if it had been true.

2012 Election Day ShuffleThe primaries and caucuses that take place in the early part of an election year are sacred to the states that hold some of those very first contests. Iowa has traditionally held the first caucus, while New Hampshire follows a few days later with its first-in-the-nation primary election. However, Florida of-ficials have said they are considering bucking the trend, and may schedule their primary day for early January – before the Iowa caucus. Individual states set the days of the election themselves, but have traditionally re-spected Iowa and New Hampshire’s right to the first contests. Iowa offi-cials responded that they will act to move their caucus date up so that it remains the first election day in the nation if Florida changes its date.

Richard Ravitch Writing MemoirsRichard Ravitch, who ran the MTA during the 1970’s and was appointed to the position of lieutenant governor by David Paterson, has announced he is writing his memoirs. Ravitch’s LG days were quite turbulent, as he had been in the center of controversy from the time of his very appoint-ment. After Paterson left the spot to become governor in the wake of El-iot Spitzer’s resignation, legal schol-ars debated whether or not Paterson had the right to appoint a lieutenant governor. Then came ethics investi-gations and the collapse of Paterson, which left him a hapless lame-duck governor. Ravitch tried to assist him with legislators and working on is-sues like the deficit, to no avail.

Hevesi To Be SentencedAlan Hevesi, the former state comp-troller who resigned in the wake of scandal, and pleaded guilty to taking $1 million in gifts to steer state busi-ness to certain firms, is scheduled to be sentenced next week for corrup-tion. He was recently found guilty af-ter a lengthy trial and an investigation by the state attorney general’s office. The investigation and prosecution resulted in the return of $170 million to the state, and now prosecutors are hoping to get Hevesi a sentence of four years, the maximum allowed un-der the law.

Richard Daines DiesRichared Daines, who only several weeks ago left his position as the state’s Health Commissioner, died suddenly at his home in Dutchess County. It is not immediately clear how he died, but many believe he

had a sudden heart attack. Daines was an outspoken commissioner, a post normally held by people who don’t make waves. He was a forceful advocate for the tax on soda, which he believed would shed light on un-healthy eating practices.

Koch Blasts Skelos On ReformEd Koch, who garnered support for a reform agenda in Albany last year by state legislators, has had it with Re-publican Senate Leader Dean Skelos. Koch held a huge press conference with legislators denouncing Skelos. Skelos told him that he would not support a change in the redistrict-ing process, and argued that such a change would be unconstitutional. Koch said he doesn’t buy Skelos’s ar-gument, and said he was lied to by the leader. Koch is pushing to change the redistricting law, which currently says the state legislature decides the new boundaries of legislative dis-tricts. Koch wants an independent commission to set the boundaries, to make the process a fairer one.

Legislators Fear CuomoState legislators are apparently very afraid of Governor Andrew Cuomo, and don’t want to challenge him. Cuomo enjoys sky-high approval, and legislators know he wields a great deal of power as a result. Legis-lators want to see their agendas sup-ported by the governor, and fear that any opposition to any of his propos-als would cost them that. In Albany, the popularity of a governor has al-ways defined how much power and respect he has in the legislature. New governors always enjoy more power, which fades after some time.

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HEALTH CARE NEWS UPDATESMISSISSIPPI WEIGHS IN ON GOVERNMENT

HEALTHCARE REFORMThe disagreement between the Obama administration and Republican governors over how much say the federal govern-ment should have over Medicaid spend-ing escalated Wednesday.At a House Energy and Commerce Com-mittee hearing, Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) made it clear that he wants control over how to spend Mississippi's Medicaid money."We shouldn't have to give in" to make changes that will work for Mississippi resi-dents, he said.His solution: block grants, with no strings attached on how the money would be spent.House Republicans have yet to official-ly propose block grants to help cash-strapped states cover the cost of Med-icaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the poor. But just in case, Barbour made his case Tuesday for what he wants if Congress goes that route.Barbour told the committee that he'd ac-cept half of the annual national increase in Medicaid spending in return for a block grant.Under the current system, the federal government matches each dollar states spend on the program, and those match-ing rates vary by state. Switching to a capped block grant would require states to cover the shortfall if expenditures ex-ceeded the federal allotment.After the hearing, Barbour predicted that other Republican governors would take

that deal, too. Just how many? "More than you can count on one hand," he said.Nearly 85% of Mississippi's Medicaid costs are currently paid for by the federal government, the highest rate in the coun-try.Barbour said that block grants would save the federal government billions and give states the freedom to make changes in the program that would decrease costs and improve coverage. For example, he wants to require Medicaid beneficiaries to take an annual physical exam to help de-tect and treat illness early. But the Medic-aid program cannot require beneficiaries to do that, Barbour said, and so he must ask permission from the federal govern-ment before he can make the exam a re-quirement.Committee Democrats said that block-granting Medicaid would leave states with inadequate funding, which would mean that fewer people have health cov-erage."The idea was discredited 30 years ago and it will be discredited again," said the panel's ranking member, Rep. Henry Wax-man, D-Calif.While he was at it, the possible-GOP-presidential-contender Barbour took a swipe at another possible contender — former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Romney's health care plan, en-acted in 2006, helped guarantee almost every resident in the state is covered, but Barbour said what's ducky for Massachu-setts isn't necessarily right for Mississippi. "We don't want that," he said. "We don't want extremely high mandatory standard benefits packages."

DRINKING SODA MAY INCREASE YOUR BLOOD

PRESSURE

A new study adds yet another reason to consider scaling back your soda intake, and it's already putting beverage makers on the defensive.Researchers from the School of Public Health at Imperial College in London an-alyzed the diets of nearly 2,700 middle-aged people in the U.S. and the U.K.They found that people drinking more than one soda or other sugar-sweetened beverage a day had higher blood pres-sure, and that it kept going up the more they drank. After accounting for weight and other risk factors, that habit seemed to still put them at greater risk for cardio-vascular problems.Now the American Beverage Associa-tion is warning people not to jump to conclusions. The ABA takes issue with the study for lumping in U.S. and U.K. sodas, which are made from different sweeten-ers.Researchers say that despite the differ-ence, the blood pressure effects were the same across the pond.American Beverage Association says: "Re-grettably, this study does nothing more than distract the public from widely ac-cepted and clinically proven approaches to lowering the risk for hypertension and heart disease." You know, doing the bor-ing stuff like diet and exercise.”In the new study, the highest blood pres-sure levels were found in people who consumed both more glucose and fruc-

tose — the most common beverage sweeteners — and more salt. That may be because studies have shown that in-creased sugar consumption leads people to retain more salt.The researchers also found that people who drank more than one sugary drink a day consumed nearly 400 more calories than those who didn't. And their diets were more likely to lack key nutrients like potassium, magnesium and calcium.This is because they're getting the calo-ries from these nutrient-poor sources. All they provide is the calories — none of the benefits of real foods.To get the results, the researchers relied on the participants to report what they ate and drank for four days in interviews with trained observers, and let research-ers collect their urine and do blood pres-sure readings during two 24-hour cycles.The new study seems to bolster previous research showing that cutting back even just a serving of soda a day can help lower blood pressure for those most at risk.Still, the broader health questions raised have led to efforts to get soda out of schools, and many states to consider a soda tax.But don't sit there sanctimoniously think-ing that your diet soda is going to save you.While the U.K. study showed that diet soda drinkers didn't seem to have the same high-blood pressure problems ex-perienced by their sugared-up counter-parts, they did have higher BMI. They also had lower levels of physical activity. And other studies have suggested diet soda is bad for your kidneys.

Biscotti’s cousinsThe British have hardtack, the

Germans zwieback, the Greeks paximadia, the Russians

sukhariki Ð all relatives of Italian biscotti. Jewish cooks bake

mandelbrot.

• Like biscotti, mandelbrot – whose name is Yiddish for almond bread –

is twice-baked • Low in fat and calories, it is good

for noshing, dunked in hot tea or eaten with sliced apples or pears

• Traditional recipes call for a generous quantity of almonds,

an excellent source of vitamin E and manganese, as well as good flavor

Source: World’s Healthiest Foods, Tribune Media Services, MCT Photo Services

Graphic: Pat Carr

© 2011 MCT

Jewish almond bread

Healthy Living


EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTSENGINES RUN WHILE THE MACHINE IS RESTING

By: Eliezer Vilinsky, M.A.Miryam Vilinsky, M.Ed.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES© 2011 All rights reserved. Permission to print granted to The AdvocateWhat does it mean when you wish some-one, “I hope you have a productive sleep”? What is “productive sleep”? Although many of us believe that when we sleep, our minds rest, the opposite is true. Our minds are quite active, conducting very important business while we are sleep-ing. They are being truly productive, and we benefit the next day.Scientific research has clearly shown that we are more successful with memory tasks after a good night’s sleep than with-out it. As a matter of fact, there is a way to maximize that success. You can profit from lower-level sleep benefits or higher-level sleep benefits. Higher-level sleep benefits are equipped with one impor-tant added element. You have to register in your mind that you will need the in-formation that you are memorizing. That registration of need is what activates the brain’s attention to the information to be memorized. Let us explain.Research conducted by Dr. Jan Born of the University of Lübeck, Germany among others has shown that when we sleep, our brain sets about sorting the informa-tion that we collected during our waking hours of the previous day. Information is sorted into relevant and irrelevant divi-sions. Our brains then go about process-ing the information that is tagged as rel-evant, meaning that it will be needed for the future. Irrelevant, thus unimportant information, will be dropped. This is good

because our minds will be less clogged with trivial stuff when we wake up. This is why you may remember road directions the next morning, but not how many inches of snow fell the previous day.All of this points to the value of prepara-tion. Greater overnight memory success can be maximized via preparation by mentally designating certain information as needed for future use. There is an additional important point that is worth knowing. In earlier studies, Dr. Born and his team found that when challenged with more and less compli-cated material, upon waking from sleep, the greatest positive change occurred regarding the most challenging mate-rial. The minds of these folks naturally attacked and paid closer attention to the tougher problems that lingered in their memory from the day before.Well, according to this theory, school children should be able to program their memories to retain all that they study the night before a test. After all, the magic button to push is the one that is labeled “Needed For Next Day’s Test”. Presto!Not so simple. We believe that the qual-ity of studying will enhance the process. Although research did reveal that this process works for rote memorization of material, we believe it will be limited, whereas thorough learning and study-ing will better promote the magical sleep mode. What is “thorough” learning and studying?Learning and studying for meaning. We instruct our client students to study ma-terial nightly, even when a test is not scheduled. We encourage them to review history notes as a story, rather than as a

list of facts. Make the information flow meaningfully. Science information should be studied as ideas that link and connect with each other. Don’t just memorize a list of isolated terms or facts; connect them so that they make sense together. Meaningful learning coupled with the intent of using this information in the fu-ture will best set up one’s mind prior to its use or test.Of course attitude also has a role in this endeavor. You can’t fool your mind. If you sincerely wish to use the information and really care about it, your mind will sincere-ly attend to that information and press for quality knowledge and memorization. If you treat the information as trivial, so will your mind while you are sleeping. The research subjects who performed well re-citing a random series of numbers after sleeping did so successfully because they had told themselves that they needed to know this material. They elevated it above triviality.

Parents and teachers are re-sponsible for that calm.

A second important tip is that the effi-ciency of the prioritizing-while-sleeping process rests (pardon the pun) upon how much stuff our minds need to sort through. You can imagine that a child who goes to sleep upset or whose mind is preoccupied by recent events is not going to let go of those thoughts so eas-ily. Those distractions can dominate the nighttime thinking process and consume valuable attention needed for school ma-terial. That’s why it is important for chil-

dren to go to bed calmly.Parents and teachers are responsible for establishing that calm. Children who are upset or obsessed about something that occurred during the day should have op-portunities to unload their concerns and worries. If you notice a troubled mood, try to approach your child with care and understanding, and do it before he goes to bed, not first thing the next morning.We know that the research cited above and most people’s minds apply this in-sight about our brains to help for studying for tests and preparedness for school. This is worthwhile, but this information is also important for general operating through life. Restful minds at bedtime are not just for sound sleeping, which is important. It enables us to wake the next morning with targeted thinking in place. Now you can understand why your best thoughts and plans come to you early in the morning. It’s not just a refreshing sleep; it follows our brain’s natural way of handling what we gave it for the night.Understanding and utilizing our natural strengths is important. Properly prepar-ing in advance for the operation of those strengths is equally important. Helping children during the day so that their nights can be productive is one way of “helping children to help themselves.”

Eliezer and Miryam Vilinsky are educational con-sultants in private practice. They conduct teach-er-training seminars and consult with schools and families locally, nationally, and internation-ally. They can be reached at Educational Support Services at 426-3673 and at [email protected]. The weekly edition of Educational Insights is available via subscription. Call for details.

EATING VEGETABLES DOES NOT HAVE TO BE BLANDin honor of National Nutrition Month, The Advocate presents a few way you can make veggies a bit more appealing.

For the best nutritional value:

• Selectvegetableswithmorepotassiumoften,suchassweetpotatoes,whitepotatoes,whitebeans,tomatoproducts(paste,sauce,andjuice),beetgreens,soybeans,limabeans,wintersquash,spinach,lentils,kidneybeans,andsplitpeas.

Saucesorseasoningscanaddcalories,fat,andsodiumtovegetables.UsetheNutritionFactslabeltocomparethecaloriesand%DailyValueforfatandsodiuminplainandseasonedvegetables.

Preparemorefoodsfromfreshingredientstolowersodiumintake.Mostsodiuminthefoodsupplycomesfrompackagedorprocessedfoods.Buycannedvegetableslabeled“nosaltadded.”Ifyouwanttoaddalittlesaltitwilllikelybelessthantheamountintheregularcannedproduct.

At meals:

• Plansomemealsaroundavegetablemaindish,suchasavegetablestir-fryorsoup.Thenaddotherfoodstocomplementit.

• Tryamaindishsaladforlunch.Golightonthesaladdressing.

• Includeagreensaladwithyourdinnereverynight.

• Shredcarrotsorzucchiniintomeatloaf,casseroles,quickbreads,andmuffins.

• Includechoppedvegetablesinpastasauceorlasagna.

Orderaveggiepizzawithtoppingslikemushrooms,greenpeppers,andonions,andaskforextraveggies.

• Usepureed,cookedvegetablessuchaspotatoestothickenstews,soupsandgravies.Theseaddflavor,nutrients,andtexture.

• Grillvegetablekabobsaspartofabarbecuemeal.Trytomatoes,mushrooms,greenpeppers,andonions.

Make vegetables more appealing:

• Manyvegetablestastegreatwithadipordressing.Tryalow-fatsaladdressingwithrawbroccoli,redandgreenpeppers,celerysticksorcauliflower.

• Addcolortosaladsbyaddingbabycarrots,shreddedredcabbage,orspinachleaves.Includein-seasonvegetablesforvarietythroughtheyear.

• Includecookeddrybeansorpeasinflavorfulmixeddishes,suchaschiliorminestronesoup.

• Decorateplatesorservingdisheswithvegetableslices.

• Keepabowlofcut-upvegetablesinasee-throughcontainerintherefrigerator.Carrotandcelerysticksaretraditional,butconsiderbroccoliflorettes,cucumberslices,orredorgreenpepperstrips.

Vegetable tips for children:

• Setagoodexampleforchildrenbyeating

vegetableswithmealsandassnacks.

• Letchildrendecideonthedinnervegetablesorwhatgoesintosalads.

• Dependingontheirage,childrencanhelpshopfor,clean,peel,orcutupvegetables.

• Allowchildrentopickanewvegetabletotrywhileshopping.

• Usecut-upvegetablesaspartofafternoonsnacks.

• Childrenoftenpreferfoodsservedseparately.So,ratherthanmixedvegetablestryservingtwovegetablesseparately.

Keep it safe:

• Washvegetablesbeforepreparingoreatingthem.Underclean,runningwater,rubvegetablesbrisklywithyourhandstoremovedirtandsurfacemicroorganisms.Dryafterwashing.

• Keepvegetablesseparatefromrawmeat,poultryandseafoodwhileshopping,preparing,orstoring.


HEALTH NEWS YOU CAN USE

DEPT. OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES NAT’L SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK, MARCH 7-13

Are you getting enough sleep? Pomona, NY – The Rockland County De-partment of Health announces that March 7th –13th 2011 is National Sleep Awareness Week, the perfect opportu-nity to evaluate whether you are getting enough sleep. We all lose an hour of sleep on March 13thbecause of Daylight Saving Time, but are you losing sleep on other nights as well? Getting enough sleep refers to the amount of sleep you need to not feel sleepy the next day. Although sleep ex-perts generally recommend adults get an average of 7-9 hours of sleep per night, some people can get along with less while others need more to feel alert the next day. Pay attention to your individual needs - see if you are productive, healthy and happy on seven hours of sleep, or if you need nine hours of sleep to be at your best. “Getting enough continuous quality sleep contributes to how well we feel and perform the next day, but it also has a large impact on the overall quality of our lives. Not getting enough sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity,

and depression, and also machinery-re-lated and motor vehicle accidents,” said Dr. Joan Facelle, Rockland County Com-missioner of Health. Talk to your health care provider if you are having sleep problems or regular daytime sleepiness. It may be helpful to keep a sleep diary to record your sleep patterns and the amount of sleep you get so that you and your health care provider can pinpoint any causes of poor sleep.

Follow these tips to help you sleep better:

• Establish regular sleep and wake sched-ules, even on weekends • Create a relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or listening to soothing music - begin an hour or more before the time you ex-pect to fall asleep • Create a sleep environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool • Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows • Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime • Exercise regularly during the day or at least a few hours before bedtime • Avoid caffeine and alcohol products close to bedtime and quit smoking The National Sleep Foundation recom-mends that you make sleep a priority, and stop doing other things so you get the sleep you need. For more information about sleep and sleep disor-ders, talk to your health care provider, or visit the National Sleep Foundation web-site at www.sleepfoundation.org

WEIGHING LESS, MOVING MORE

Being overweight and under-exercised can reduce an older person’s ability to do ordinary daily activities.But people over 65 who lose weight and increase their activity can regain some of what they lost. A study examined data on people in a program to do that. It showed those with the least mobility improved as much as 20 percent on one crucial test – the time it took to walk around 1,300 feet.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has claimed that the best thing that any older adult can do is watch their weight and be active, so that they move as far away from disability as they possi-bly can.The study in Archives of Internal Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

EATING CHOCOLATE TO YOUR HEALTH

Health recommendations from experts often include exercising more and eat-ing more whole grains, but perhaps one of the more welcome advances in medi-cal research has been the declaration that chocolate is good for us. Now, new research may help explain why indulging in the sweet treat helps our heart health.Researchers have found that eating dark chocolate inhibits the action of an en-zyme nicknamed ACE (formally known as the angiotensin-converting enzyme), which is involved the body's fluid balance and helps regulate blood pressure.The results are based on a study of 16 brave volunteers, ages 20 to 45, who ate

75 grams (about 2 1/2 ounces) of dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 72 percent. They mea-sured the level of ACE activity in the volunteers' blood be-fore they ate the chocolate, and again 30 minutes, one hour and three hours after-ward.Three hours after eating the chocolate, the ACE activity in the volunteers' blood was 18 percent lower than before they gobbled the goodies — a change compa-rable to that of blood-pressure lowering drugs designed to inhibit ACE.Previous work had shown chocolate had positive effects on cardiovascular health, but scientists didn't know the mecha-nisms behind these effects.ACE plays an important role in the hor-mone system that regulates the kidneys' excretion of water, which helps to regu-late blood pressure, she said. High levels of ACE activity have been associated with hardening of the arteries and other car-diovascular diseases.In general, when the activity of the en-zyme declines, blood pressure decreases, though the researchers did not conduct their study over a long enough time pe-riod to observe this effect, nor did they directly measure blood pressure.In 1996, studies in the journal Lancet showed that compounds in cocoa — called flavonoids — interacted with LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), which sug-gested chocolate could help prevent the hardening of arteries. Further work showed chocolate had anti-inflammatory properties, and some studies showed it lowered blood pressure, but none specifi-cally demonstrated how it worked, the re-searchers wrote.

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DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRIC MEDICINE:

Dr. Esther BekritskyDr. Paul Bloom

Dr. Gerson Gluck

ADULT MEDICINE:Dr. James Israel

Dr. Arthur LandauDr. Debra GrohmanDr. Eric Goldman

Brian Blitz, PA

FAMILY MEDICINE:Dr. Ryan Banach

OB/GYN:Dr. Joel W. Allen

Dr. Debra KirschnerDr. Karina ZhuravlevaMelissa A. Carco, PA

DENTALDr. Genady Benyaminov

Dr. Leonard KundelDr. Stacey LubetskyDr. Jacklyn Tadros

Dr. Mark RaiderDr. Sarah Hanna

Jana Barkin, Hygienist

SPECIALTY:Dr. Harry Baldinger - PodiatryDr. Stuart Birnbaum - PodiatryDr. David Schwalb - Urology

Dr. Renata Witkowska - AllergyDr. Samuel Wong - OphthalmologyDr. Alfred Hellreich - Dermatology

Dr. Philip Fried - DermatologyDr. Yoel Kantor - Endocrinology

Hanna Raice - Nutrition CounselingAaron Muller, Speech Therapy

Melech Karp, Speech Therapy

BASIC CONCEPTSDepartment of Nutrition

Counseling

USDA CALORIE COUNTING PT. 3DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRIC MEDICINE

Dr. Esther BekritskyDr. Paul Bloom

Dr. Gerson Gluck

ADULT MEDICINEDr. James Israel

Dr. Arthur LandauDr. Debra GrohmanDr. Eric Goldman

Brian Blitz, PAElana Klein, PA

FAMILY MEDICINEDr. Ryan Banach

OB/GYNDr. Joel W. Allen

Dr. Debra KirschnerDr. Karina ZhuravlevaMelissa A. Carco, PA

DENTALDr. Genady Benyaminov

Dr. Leonard KundelDr. Stacey LubetskyDr. Jacklyn Tadros

Dr. Mark RaiderDr. Sarah Hanna

Jana Barkin, Hygienist

SPECIALTYDr. Harry Baldinger - PodiatryDr. Stuart Birnbaum - PodiatryDr. David Schwalb - Urology

Dr. Renata Witkowska - AllergyDr. Samuel Wong - OphthalmologyDr. Alfred Hellreich - Dermatology

Dr. Philip Fried - DermatologyDr. Yoel Kantor - Endocrinology

Hanna Raice - Nutrition CounselingAaron Muller, Speech Therapy

Melech Karp, Speech Therapy

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT

TODAY:Monsey Medical & Dental

Care40 Robert Pitt Dr.

Monsey, NY 10952(845) 352-6800

see BASIC page 22

CONTROLLING CALORIES, MAKING WISE FOOD CHOICES.

Fats, Proteins, and Carbs Meals like a salad provide the nutrients needed for opti-mum health while allowing you to manage your weight. Cutting back on calories in order to lose or control weight does not mean sacrificing good nutrition. It just means you need to use your calories wisely by making the best food choices, which are those that provide the most nutri-ents for the least number of calories. Foods that are low in calories and brimming with vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial substances are considered "nutrient-dense." Nutrient-dense foods are the preferred choice. They provide nutrients needed for optimum health while allowing you to manage your weight. To have a weight-loss and weight-maintenance rou-tine that you like well enough to live with for years to come, you need to adopt a balanced eating pattern. A balanced pattern includes foods from each food group, because they each provide different nutrients. A bal-anced plan incorporates a combination of the three en-ergy-providing nutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Severely restricting any one of these categories or food groups not only leads to health problems over the long term, but it also sets you up for weight-loss failure.

An eating plan that cuts out an entire type of food doesn't usually last for long, and once you're back to your old routine, you start to regain weight. Plus, it's just not healthy. Your body is designed to run on a combination of carbohydrate, protein, and fat to make it all "go." The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a bal-anced diet that includes carbohydrate, protein, and fat.

The Guidelines also give specifics about how much food to consume from each food group. Carbohydrates

The Dietary Guidelines recommend that carbohydrates supply 45 to 65 percent of your daily calories. That's easy to do when you consider that all foods except meat, fish, and poultry have at least some carbohydrate in them. There are two basic types of carbohydrates: simple and complex.

Complex carbohydrates are rich in fiber, vitamins, miner-als, and other nutrients. And they are naturally low in fat and calories. Fiber, the indigestible part of plant food, is a no-calorie nutrient that's full of benefits for your digestive system and for your weight-loss efforts. Fiber sops up fluid like a sponge, expanding in your stomach so it takes less food to satisfy your hunger. It helps regulate blood sugar, so you don't experience the sharp drops that can cause hunger and food cravings. And fiber helps prevent disease, keeping cholesterol levels down and stimulat-ing your intestines. Complex, fiber-filled carbohydrate is found mostly in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables.

Complex carbohydrates that have been refined, such as white flour and white rice, have had most of the fiber and

Basic concepts are words that depict location (i.e., up/down), number (i.e., more/less), descriptions (i.e., big/little), time (i.e., old/young), and feelings (i.e., happy/sad). Children’s understanding of basic concepts is important for early school success. These are usually taught outright to a child during his/her early years, and learned by listening to adults, following commands, and participating in read-ing activities. Understanding and using basic concepts help children learn to read and understand what they’ve read or written. They also help children become more effective communicators.

There are four classifications of concepts. These are spa-tial (location), temporal (time), quantity (number), quality (description), and social-emotional (feelings). Generally, children learn marked concepts, or the concept with more distinctive attributes first. These include size, texture, quantity, emotional state, physical attributes, etc. For ex-ample, since the concept thick has more size than thin, it is the marked concept.

“Parents should keep in mind that comprehension of basic concept labels is important,”Notes Aaron Muller, a speech therapist at Monsey Medical and Dental Care. “Children whose vocabulary comprehension is limited are likely to make limited gains in their production of speech as well.”

Upon entering kindergarten, children should understand concepts as pairs, with the unmarked concept understood receptively and the marked concept understood receptive-ly and expressively. Basic concepts help build pre-reading and early mathematics skills, strengthen a child’s vocabu-lary, and are building blocks of early curriculum.

Listed below is a sampling of concepts a child should know between the ages of two and a half to five years of age. They are listed by order of age occurrence (i.e., the young-er developing concepts are listed first). This list does not include all concepts and the concepts have a variety of age ranges for mastery. For example, the concept pair tall/short has an age range of 30-84 months for mastery.

MARKED (Receptive/Expressive)/UNMARKED (Receptive)

On/Off Same/Different Happy/Sad

Full/Empty Loud/Quiet Old/Young

Sharp/Dull Tall/Short In front of/Behind

Up/Down More/Less Top/Bottom

Big/Little All/None Front/Back

Thick/Thin Old/New Long/Short

Hard/Soft Over/Under Hot/Cold

Smooth/Rough High/Low Always/Never

Heavy/Light Forward/Backward Above/Below

The above list does not include all concepts; it just pres-ents a general list ofconcepts developing in the early child-hood years.

see CALORIE page 22

Department of Speech Therapy

FAMILY HEALTH TALKSponsored By Monsey Medical & Dental Center40 Robert Pitt Drive, Monsey, NY 845-352-6800

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH


FAMILY HEALTH TALKSponsored By Monsey Medical & Dental Center40 Robert Pitt Drive, Monsey, NY 845-352-6800

Many people say they have sensitive skin because:• Certain skin care products, or household products that contact their skin, cause stinging, burning, redness, and/or tightness.• Although they have no visible effects after contact with a product, it always makes their skin feel uncomfortable.Dermatologists, doctors specializing in skin, consider the diagnosis of sensi-tive skin when they:• See skin reactions such as pustules, skin bumps, and/or skin erosion.• Observe excessively dry skin, which doesn’t adequately protect nerve end-ings on the skin and may lead to skin reactions from cosmetics or skin care products.• Notice a tendency to blushing and skin flushing, which may also be signs of sensitive skin.A sensitive skin condition may be caused by:• Underlying skin disorders or allergic skin reactions related to immune system dysfunction such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), urticaria (hives), rosacea, or allergic contact dermatitis.• Overly dry or injured skin that can no longer protect nerve endings, leading to skin reactions.• Excessive exposure to skin-damaging environmental factors such as sun and wind, or excessive heat or cold, or excessive showering or bathing• Genetic factors and age, gender, and race. For example, a type of eczema called nummular dermatitis is most commonly found in men over age 60.Patch testing may identify hives, general itchiness, or eczema as signs of aller-gies that are causing or contributing to sensitive skin. Otherwise it is difficult for doctors to test for sensitive skin because of the many and varied factors that can cause it.How to TreatA sensitive skin condition requires special treatment. Dermatologists recom-mend that people with this sensitivity follow these types of regimens:Cleansing. Dermatologists say that people’s sensitive skin responds differently to different cleansing methods. But most agree that “deodorant” soap or high-ly fragranced soap contains strong detergents and should not be used on the face. Soap-free cleansers such as mild cleansing bars and sensitive-skin bars, along with most liquid facial cleansers, have a lower pH than soaps. They have less potential for facial skin irritation, along with cleansing creams and dispos-able facial washcloths.

Moisturizing. These products help your skin retain moisture so it resists drying and abrasion.“Skin-friendly” products contain:• Only a few ingredients• Are fragrance free• Use methylparaben or butylparaben as preservativesIf you have sensitive skin, avoid products containing:• Antibacterial or deodorant ingredients• Alcohol • Retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acidsCosmetics. If you have sensitive skin, the American Academy of Dermatology recom-mends:• Use face powder, which has few preservatives and minimal risk of skin irrita-tion.• Use a silicone-based foundation for minimal skin irritation.• Do not use waterproof cosmetics, because you need a solvent to remove them.• Use products with fewer than 10 ingredients.• Throw out old cosmetics, which can spoil or become contaminated.Sensitive skin requires extra protection in winter and summerFirst, you should know that the American Academy of Dermatology recom-mends protecting your skin with sunscreen year-round. Use a product with at least a sun protection factor (SPF)15 rating, and use it every day that you will be in the sun for longer than 20 minutes.

TOOTHBRUSH ETIQUITE ASTHMA

Dental Department Department of Pediatrics

Tooth brushing plays an important everyday role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. Appropriate toothbrush care and maintenance are also important considerations for sound oral hygiene. Dr. Stacey Lubetsky, a pediatric dentist at Monsey Medical and Dental Care advises replacing old toothbrushes. “Ideally, she says, people should replace toothbrushes approx-imately every 3–4 months or sooner if the bristles become frayed with use.”

In recent years, scientists have studied whether toothbrushes may harbor microorganisms that could cause oral and/or systemic infection. “We know that the oral cavity is home to hundreds of different types of microorganisms and bacteria that causes cavities,” says Dr. Lubetsky, “therefore, it is not sur-prising that some of these microorganisms are transferred to a toothbrush during use.”

It may also be possible for microorganisms that are present in the environ-ment where the toothbrush is stored to establish themselves on the brush. Toothbrushes may even have bacteria on them right out of the box since they are not required to be sold in a sterile package.

The human body is constantly exposed to potentially harmful microbes. How-ever, the body is normally able to defend itself against infections through a combination of passive and active mechanisms. Intact skin and mucous membranes function as a passive barrier to bacteria and other organisms. When these barriers are challenged or breached, active mechanisms such as enzymes, digestive acids, tears, white blood cells and antibodies come into play to protect the body from disease.

Although studies have shown that various microorganisms can grow on toothbrushes after use, and other studies have examined various methods to reduce the level of these bacteria. “There is insufficient clinical evidence to support that bacterial growth on toothbrushes will lead to specific adverse oral or systemic health effects,” notes Dr. Lubetsky.

General Recommendations for Toothbrush Care

“One preventative measure I can definitely advise is to not share tooth-brushes.” Dr. Lubetsky also added, “sharing a toothbrush could result in an exchange of body fluids between the users of the toothbrush, placing the individuals involved at an increased risk for infections.” This practice could be a particular concern for persons with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases.

Thoroughly rinse toothbrushes with tap water after brushing to remove any remaining toothpaste and debris. Store the brush in an upright position if possible and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again. If more than one brush is stored in the same holder or area, keep the brushes separated to prevent cross-contamination.

Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. A moist environment such as a closed container is more conducive to the growth of microorganisms than the open air.

Remember to replace toothbrushes at least every 3–4 months. The bristles become frayed and worn with use and cleaning effectiveness will decrease. Toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. Check brushes often for this type of wear and replace them more frequently if needed. Children’s toothbrushes often need replacing more fre-quently than adult brushes.

While there is evidence of bacterial growth on toothbrushes, there is no clini-cal evidence that soaking a toothbrush in an antibacterial mouthrinse or us-ing a commercially-available toothbrush sanitizer has any positive or negative effect on oral or systemic health.

Some toothbrush cleaning methods, including use of a dishwasher or micro-wave oven, could damage the brush. Manufacturers may not have designed their products to withstand these conditions. The cleaning effectiveness of the brush might be decreased if it is damaged.

Asthma is a condition that affects a person's airways, which are also called breathing tubes. These tubes lead from the windpipe, or trachea and into the lungs. For most kids, breathing is simple: They breathe in through their noses or mouths and the air goes into the windpipe. From there, it travels through the airways and into the lungs. But for kids with asthma, breathing can be a lot more difficult because their airways are very sensitive.An asthma flare-up, which some people call an asthma attack or episode, happens when a person's airways get swollen and narrower and it becomes a lot harder for air to get in and out of the lungs. “The expiration of breath is what becomes problematic,” explains Dr. Paul Bloom, a pediatrician at Mon-sey Medical and Dental Care. In between flare-ups, a kid's breathing can be totally normal or seem that way. But during a flare-up, it can feel like the person is breathing through a straw. A kid with asthma may wheeze (a whistling sound when he or she breathes), cough, and feel tightness in the chest.“It is very important to keep asthma under control,” notes Dr. Bloom. An asthma flare-up can get worse and worse if a kid doesn't use asthma medi-cine. After an asthma flare-up, the airways almost always return to the way they were before, although it can take several days.Asthma is more common than you might think. As many as 6 million kids in the United States have it. Asthma affects about 1 or 2 kids out of 10. That means if you have 20 kids in your class, 2-4 of them might have asthma. Asthma can start at any age — even in a little baby or an adult — but it's most common in school-age kids.No one really knows why one person's airways are more sensitive than an-other person's, but we do know that asthma runs in families. That means if a kid has asthma, he or she may also have a parent, sibling, uncle, or other relative who has asthma or had it as a child.Asthma flare-ups may sound a little like a cold, with coughing and wheezing, but asthma isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone like you can catch a cold.Asthma Flare-UpsDifferent kids have different triggers — things that set off asthma flare-ups. There are a lot of triggers. Some kids are sensitive to allergens, substances that cause allergic reactions in the airways. Common allergens for kids with asthma include dust mites (tiny bugs that live in dust), mold (if you've ever been in a damp basement and smelled something funny, it was probably mold), and pollen (from trees, grass, and weeds). Asthma is also common at the beginning of spring when the weather changes.A lot of kids have asthma flare-ups when they are near furry animals. Cats and dogs both have what's called animal dander in their fur. This is sort of like dandruff, and it's a trigger that can cause a powerful reaction in the airways.Some substances can trigger flare-ups because they really irritate the air-ways. These include, chalk dust, and cigarette smoke. Smoking is always a bad idea, especially around someone who has asthma.Sometimes an infection can be a trigger and set off an asthma flare-up. If a kid comes down with a cold or the flu, his or her airways may become more sensitive than usual. In some kids, cold air itself can cause an asthma flare-up, and so can exercise. In fact, some kids have what's called exercise-induced asthma. This means they have breathing problems mainly when they exercise.Kids who have asthma should try to avoid things that can cause their air-ways to tighten. But some triggers — like cats, colds, and chalk dust — can't always be avoided. That's why kids who are sensitive to those things must manage their asthma by taking medication. Not every kid's asthma is the same, so there are different medicines for treating it.

To discuss this and other healthcare issues with ourpediatricians, Dr. Esther BekritskyDr. Paul Bloom, or Dr. Gerson Gluck

or schedule an appointment with DR. Renata Witkowska in the dept of allergy and im-munology. Please call the medical center 845.352.6800 see TOOTH BRUSH page 22


Department ofMental Health Your issues are our concern

PROJECT OHRDepartment of

Behavioral Health

ADULT PSYCHIATRYSeymour Kushnir, MDAllan Flaggman, MD

CHILD PSYCHIATRYZvi Weisstuch, MD

SOCIAL WORKIndividual, Couple

Child & Family Therapy

Malka Susswein, LCSW

Gelly Asovski, LCSW

Shoshana Weisz, LCSW

Gila Zelinger, LCSW

Chana Simmonds, LCSW

Rabbi Aryeh Frankel, LMSW

Sharon Kronenberg, LMSW

Naomi Franklin, LMSW

Avi Riber, LMSW

Esther Rothbaum, LMSW

Tziporah Spira, LMSW

For a confidential consultation call

PROJECT OHRTel. 845.352.6800 Ext. 6849

MENTAL HEALTH TIPS

1. Build Confidence - Identify your abilities and weaknesses together, accept them build on them and do the best with what you have.

2. Eat right, Keep fit - A balanced diet, exercise and rest can help you to reduce stress and enjoy life.

3. Make Time for Family & Friends - These relationships need to be nurtured; if taken for granted they will not be there to share life's joys and sorrows.

4. Give and Accept Support - Friends and family relationships thrive when they are "put to the test".

5. Create a Meaningful Budget - Financial problems cause stress. Over-spending on our "wants" instead of our "needs" is often the culprit.

5 TIPS TO FEEL BETTER RIGHT AWAY

Anorexia and bulimia are the two most serious eating disorders. Each illness involves a preoccupation with control over body weight, eating and food. People with anorexia are determined to control the amounts of food they eat. People with bulimia tend to feel out of control where food is concerned.

Anorexia affects two out of every 100 teenage girls, although the illness can be experienced earlier and later in life. Most anorexia sufferers are female, but males also suffer from the disorder. Bulimia affects one in six females from the late teens.

Both illnesses can be overcome if addressed at the early stages. It is important for the person to seek advice about either condition as early as possible.

Anorexia is characterized by:

-a loss of at least 15 per cent of body weight resulting from refusal to eat enough food, despite extreme hunger;

-a disturbance of perceptions of body image in that the person may regard themselves as fat, overestimating body size the thinner they become;

-an intense fear of becoming 'fat' and of losing control;

-a tendency to exercise obsessively;

-a preoccupation with the preparation of food;

-making lists of 'good' and 'bad' food.

Usually, anorexia begins with a weight loss, either resulting from a physical illness or from dieting. Favorable comments cause the person to believe that if thin is good, thinner is better. The body does not react well to starvation, and erratic eating behavior begins to dominate the person's life. About 40 per cent of people with anorexia will later develop bulimia.

Bulimia is characterized by binging on food and then purging, through methods of self induced vomiting. A person with bulimia is usually average or slightly above average weight for height, so is often less recognizable than the person with anorexia.

Bulimia often starts with rigid weight reduction dieting in the 'pursuit of thinness'. Inadequate nutrition causes tiredness and powerful urges to binge eat.

Vomiting after a binge seems to bring a sense of relief,

but this is temporary and soon turns to depression and guilt. The person can make frantic efforts to break from the pattern, but the vicious binge/purge/exercise cycle, and the feelings associated with it, may have become compulsive and uncontrollable. A person with bulimia may experience chemical imbalances in the body which bring about lethargy, depression and clouded thinking.

The causes of anorexia and bulimia remain unclear. Biological, psychological and social factors are all involved. For some people, some of the following may compound low self-esteem and contribute to the onset of anorexia or bulimia:

Social influences

This includes media and other presentations of the ideal shape in western societies as slim and fit, and a tendency to stereotype fat people in a negative manner.

Personal factors

-changes in life circumstances such as the onset of adolescence, death of a loved one;

-fear of the responsibilities of adulthood;

-poor communication between family members or parental reluctance to allow ---independence as children mature; or a belief that love from family and friends depends on -high achievement.

-Biological factors This includes chemical or hormonal imbalances (perhaps associated with adolescence).

The physical effects can be serious, but are generally reversible if the illnesses are tackled early. If left untreated, severe anorexia and bulimia can be life-threatening. Responding to early warning signs and obtaining early treatment is essential to recovery.

Changes in eating behavior may be caused by several illnesses other than anorexia or bulimia, so a thorough physical examination by a medical practitioner is the first step.

To learn more about the topic of eating disorders, please RSVP for Chana Simmonds workshop at Monsey Medical and Dental Care, Monday March 7th at 12pm by calling 845-352-6800 x6844

EATING DISORDERSReviewed by: Chana Simmonds, LCSW


RCDC HOUSING DEPARTMENTThe following information is provided to the community by the RCDC Housing Department as a public service

FORECLOSURE COUNSELING

RCDC Housing, Inc.would like to help you...

We have a certified foreclosure counselor on staffwho can assist you

Call us for more information

(845) 352-1400 ext. 3243

Please note:The HEAP department is

now open.Call RCDC Housing for

your application

845-352-1400 ext. 3240

In the spring, melting snow and April showers con-spire against your yard, unleashing a deluge of wa-ter on to just-thawed ground. To add insult to injury, yards are often improperly graded, creating perfect puddle conditions.

Soggy, uneven ground can spell doom for lawns and plants; saturated roots loose oxygen and plants suf-focate. When the runoff is finished wreaking havoc outdoors, it often heads for your cellar next, running in through cracks or leaks in the foundation, where it can warp floorboards, rust appliances and turn finished rooms into mildewed messes. Fortunately, regrading or rerouting can correct most drainage problems.

To prevent water from leaking through your foundation, look to gutters for your first line of defense. While gutter-and-downspout systems protect your house from rainwater and snowmelt, they can also compound drainage problems by concentrating roof runoff at a house's corners close to the foundation. To carry water away, attach a sloped leader to each gutter and guide water at least 10 feet from the founda-tion.

Alternatively, downspouts can dump directly into an above- or underground catch basin. In that case, runoff should be carried through a solid drainpipe to a drywell, an in-ground perforated tank that collects water and lets it seep into the ground. In the past, drywells were 55-gallon oil drums with holes punched in them. From the start, these were doomed to fail as they rusted and collapsed. Today's high-impact plas-tic drywells are easy to handle and work efficiently on small drainage problems. Larger pre-cast concrete drywells require machinery for their installation but will handle larger volumes of water.

Houses without gutters often have leakage problems caused by water splashing against the foundation. In this case, a collection system should be installed at the roof's drip line. Dig a v-shaped trench, line it with thick plastic and lay in a perforated pipe, pitched to-ward a drywell or outlet pipe. Then cover the pipe with landscape to keep out dirt and fill trench with stone to allow water to leech through soil and into the pipe.

Regrading the ground closest to your foundation can also help. Clear away plantings and gently build up the soil to slope away from the foundation. The 10 feet of ground closest to the house should slope at least six inches downward to keep water from seep-ing into the basement or flooding foundation plant-ings. However, keep soil at least eight inches away from wood siding to protect against rot and insects.

To remedy your yard's waterlogged low points, re-grade at least one inch of slope for every five feet of turf. If regrading doesn't work, you can build exterior perimeter drains to stop leakage.

There are two types of drainage systems, surface and subsurface.

Surface drainage works well for clay-based soils, while subsurface drainage is generally best suited to soils of high sand or silt content. Other factors to consider when choosing the most efficient drainage

system for your yard include land configuration (natural slopes or low points) and the amount and pattern of rain-fall.

Subsurface drainage sys-tems consist of several French drains that carry off water from poorly drained areas through collection pipes linked to a deep runoff trench dug in the lowest cor-ner of the yard. Ideal places to put French drains are the bases of slopes, along re-taining walls, or any other area where water tends to collect.French drains are constructed using pea gravel or crushed rock, woven land-

scape fabric and a perforated, corrugated drainage pipe.

Dig a three-foot-deep trench to carry water away from the area to be drained. Make certain that your trench is well sloped so that water is encouraged to move through the drain to the desired destination. Line the trench with landscape fabric to prevent the infiltration of the surrounding soil and keep the gravel porous so that water flows through easily. Then install a 4-inch or 6-inch perforated drain line at the bottom of the trench, and backfill with 4-inches of gravel and cover with drainage-friendly topsoil. Your entire system of drainpipes should connect to a 6-inch solid collection pipe that goes all the way down to the runoff trench.

Regardless of whether a house is brand new or 100 years old, the yard is usually a result of how the build-ers left it, with low and high points occurring random-ly throughout the landscape. The slope in your yard that causes a drainage problem can often contribute to the solution: each of these drainage systems de-pends on gravity, not pumps, to work.

If a downward slope to a low-point can't be found, drywells may be required. Builders and owners alike often avoid hiring a landscape contractor but, for se-vere or extensive drainage problems, it's best to con-sult a professional before digging in.

Ten tips for reducing your household's natural gas bills

this winterSPRING FLOOD WATCH

DO YOU WANT TO BUY A HOME IN NYACK AT A LOW PRICE?

For more information on this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with central a/c

Please call RCDC Housing, Inc.

352-1400 ext. 3240

1. Add InsulationInsulation is designed to resist heat flow - that is, if it iscold outside, insulation helps keep the heat inside thehouse. In the winter, a lack of insulation makes walls verycold and the furnace must work harder to keep the housewarm.

2. Seal the Air LeaksAir sealing is simply closing holes, cracks and gaps whereair can pass into or out of your home. On cold days yourun a furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature. Ahome that has air leaks costs more to heat because yoursystem must work longer to maintain that temperature.Hidden air leaks often add up to the equivalent of an openwindow. Sealing air leaks will maintain a comfortabletemperature throughout your home year round and help tolower your heating bill.

3. Maintain Heating SystemMake sure your heating system is operating the way itwas designed.

4. Replace Furnace FilterReplace the filter in your furnace monthly, and make surethe supply and return registers aren't obstructed.

5. Replace Heating SystemInstall a new heating system in your home and get a system that is energy efficient and will allow you to increase the comfort of your home and helplower your heating bill.

6. Use Programmable ThermostatsENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats help save money and keep your home comfortable by automatically adjusting your temperature setting while you are asleep oraway, saving you as much as $100 per year.

7. Turn Down the Water HeaterSet your water heater temperature to 120° F. This will behot enough to meet your household needs without dangerof scalding. According to The American Council for anEnergy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), each 10°F reduction inwater temperature will generally save three percent to fivepercent on your water heating costs.

8. Conserve Hot WaterLow-flow showerheads and faucet aerators can reduce yourhousehold's hot water consumption. A family of four, eachshowering five minutes a day, can use about 500 gallonsper week – a two-year drinking water supply for one person!Water-conserving showerheads and faucet aerators cancut hot water use in half.

9. Choose an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washerENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers save up to 25gallons of water per load compared to conventionalmachines. If you have a gas water heater and wash tenloads of laundry a week, you will save more than $900over the 15-year life of the washing machine.

10. Use Ceiling FansENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fans move air up to 20 percentmore efficiently than standard ceiling fans, saving you up to$25 a year on energy bills. In addition, ceiling fans havethe added benefit of lowering your heating bill.


TOOTHBRUSH FROM PAGE 18

Read to your child! A lot of common childhood books and stories teach early developing concepts. If the con-cepts are not stated directly within the text, the illustrations lend themselves to teaching a variety of concepts. As a parent or teacher, start by using an illustration and saying, for example, “Where is the cat? It is on the bed.” Then, allow the children to tell you what is off the

bed. As an extension activity, go around the room and find things that are on something andthings that are off something.

“Games are a great way to engage children and to teach them basic con-cepts,” advises Mr. Muller. “Besides for using formal strategies to teach these concepts, parents should be aware that there are endless opportunities all over the home which allow for teaching and learning basic concepts.”

"Modeling these concepts during sup-per time or while getting children dressed are great ways to infuse regu-lar conversation with these important vocabulary, " concludes Mr. Muller.

CALORIE FROM PAGE 18

many other nutrients removed. Simple carbohydrates are found in milk, fruit, some vegetables, and processed sug-ars such as table sugar and corn syrup. Naturally occurring simple sugars, such as those in milk, fruit, and vegetables, have many healthful nutrients, includ-ing vitamins and minerals. Processed sugars, however, are mostly devoid of nutrients, so steer clear of them. Carbohydrates are your body's pri-mary fuel. They are broken down into glucose, which is the best fuel source for your brain and muscles. Without enough carbohydrates, your body takes drastic measures to make the glucose it needs. When this happens, you have less energy and feel tired.

You may feel light-headed, dizzy, and unable to think clearly. And when you limit carbohydrate intake, you actually inhibit your weight-loss efforts. Your body needs carbohydrate to burn stored fat. Eating the right amount of carbohy-drate will help you get rid of stored fat, and you'll feel better while doing so. Proteins Smart protein food choices include lean meat, fish, and poultry, along with eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds. While some of these, such as nuts and seeds, are high in calories, they are a great source of certain nutrients. Include them in small amounts as an occasional protein choice. The average American already eats twice the recommended amount of protein and does not need to focus on increasing protein intake. Typically two or three servings each day will easily provide the recom-mended amount. Protein foods sup-ply the nutrients needed for your body to build, repair, and maintain itself.

There are certain protein substances the body cannot make. Since these must be obtained from food, protein plays an important role in good health. Fats The MyPyramid food guide contains a thin yellow band representing healthy oils. Healthy fats include vegetable oils, fish oils, and the oils found in nuts and seeds. This is the first time a U.S. food guide has depicted oils as a food group necessary for good health. At the same time, the Dietary Guidelines caution consumers to limit solid fats, such as those found in meat, whole-fat dairy products, and processed foods. High in calories but essential for a balanced eating pattern, total fats should supply 20 to 35 percent of calories, with most of the fat consumed coming from oils.

If fat is so high in calories, you might wonder why the recommended per-centage of daily calories isn't lower. The answer is that fat is vital to many body functions. Vegetable oils contain vitamin E, an essential fat-soluble vi-tamin. Healthy oils also supply your body with "essential" fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids. These special fats cannot be constructed by your body, so you must get them from food. Because fat is also essential for proper brain and nerve development, the Di-etary Guidelines' fat intake recommen-dations are based on age:

Adults -- 20-35 percent of calories

Age 4-18 -- 25-35 percent of calories

Age 2-3 -- 30-35 percent of calories

To discuss this and other healthcare issues with our

providers

Dr. James Israel, Dr. Arthur LandauDr. Debra Grohman, Dr. Eric Goldman

Dr. Ryan Banach, Family Medicine, Brian Blitz, or Elana Klein

please call

the Medical Center 845.352.6800

To discuss this and other healthcare issues with our

Department of Nutrition CounselingHanna Raice,

please call the medical center

845.352.6800

BASIC FROM PAGE 19

There are several commercially avail-able toothbrush sanitizers on the mar-ket. Although data do not demonstrate that they provide a specific health benefit, if a consumer chooses to use one of these devices, the Council rec-ommends that they select a product cleared by the Food and Drug Admin-istration (FDA).

To discuss this and other healthcare issues with ourSpeech therapists, Melech Karp or Aaron Muller, please call the Medical Center

845.352.6800

To discuss this and other Dental issues with our

dentists;Dr. Genady Benyaminov,

Dr. Leonard Kundel,Dr. Stacey Lubetsky,

Dr. Jacklyn Tadros, orDr. Mark Raider

Dr. Sarah Hanna, please call

the Medical Center 845.352.6800


POSITION WANTED

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I AM AVAILABLE 24/7 TO PROVIDE CAREGIV-ING FOR THE ELDERLY. HOUSEKEEPING, DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENTS, MEDS, MEAL

PREPARATION, ETC. REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Call Angela at 803 261 6331

STAR 1 TRANSPORTATION CAR SERVICE & AIRPORT SHUTTLELocal and Long Distance Service 15 Passenger Van, Minivan, Town Car

$7 Monsey to 222 Rt. 59, Suffern - $9 Monsey to Good Sam Hospital$11 Monsey to Palisades Mall - $14Monsey to Nyack Hospital $5 Monsey to College Road

Pay after Shabbos or Yom Tov 845-356-2602

Cheapest In Town Mini Vans Available Pay after Shabbos

or Yom Tov 24 hour serviceLocal or Long Distance

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CONDOS FOR RENT-SALE

To place a classified ad please call 845.352.6800 x 6806 or email theadvocatenews@ cmadc.com

MONSEY BLUEBERRY HILLAPARTMENTS FOR RENT

1 Bedroom from $1,1402 Bedrooms from $1,6303 Bedrooms from $2,025

NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER

CALL BLUEBERRY HILL 845.352.4440

MONSEY BLUEBERRY HILL1 BR FROM 139K - 2 BR FROM 239K

PREFERRED PROPERTIES 845.352.4440

We do custom & stock itemsYou name it, we make it.

For: home, shulls, stores, Etc.Order you Pesach countertops early, to ensure to have it

finished in time.(347) 92.Plast-ic

RCDC WOMEN’S SENIOR GROUP

PROGRAM 12:30 - 3:00PMMONDAY & WED.

FREE TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLEFOR INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

845.352.1400 x 3245A PROJECT OF OFA OFROCKLAND COUNTY

SENIOR GROUP

New sessions of knitting classes starting for women and girls.

We will learn basic stitches and a beginner’s project for 4 classes, small fee charged.

Also, selling nice selection of yarn for low prices and some finished hats or scarves.

Reserve soon, space is limited.

(845) 675 6007.

KNITTING CLASSES

845-425-6051

Professional service & quality. That’s all you get.

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We start with design • Continue with quality • End with satisfaction!

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Character references must be provided. Call Rachel at RCDC 845-352-1400 ext 3245.

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I lost a gold bracelet with diamonds in Ateres Charna Thursday Night (Feb 10) at the Blau -Allison wedding, please call 845 371 7384,

845 548-8815

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FURNITURE 4 SALE

Good Wood has quality pre-owned furniture at great prices

At a fraction of the original price!40 Robert Pitt Dr.

(near School Depot, Monsey)(845) 270-4402

Sundays 12-4Monday-Thursday 12:30-2:30

Or by appointment

CHILDBIRTH CLASSES

Bruchy Mayers Small Childbirth Class

will leave you feeling confident and ready for birth.

Private Classes are available Call now and join our class!

(917) 776 – 8542

CL ASSIFIEDS

PROFESSIONAL

REUPHOLSTERYVINYLS, TAPESTRY FABRIC,

PLASTIC,AND SLIP COVERS.

347-76-CHAIRHeimishe chair

companyis looking for an

experienced sales rep.100k+ annually.

fax resume 888-737-0911

SALES POSITION

ART INSTRUCTION

CALL NOW for The Best Fine Art Classes In Rockland. Classical teaching method, ALL students are taught to paint on a

personal level to make your art your own.You want to do it but have various excuses

not to take time for yourself.NOW is the time and my unique studio is the place.

Classes ongoing, all levels, references available from happy, creative students.

call: 845 425 1780 email: [email protected]

Create an organized:Closet, Laundry room, Pantries,

Offices, ETC.We custom build.1877.39.CRAZY

www.crazyclosets.com

CRAZY CLOSETS


DATED MATERIAL

BUY DINNER & GET FOR YOUR FRIEND A SECOND ONE FOR

12/24/20103/14/11

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