Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Video: 'Four Loko loses caffeine, not its buzz'

Please be advised that this video contains some strong language -- censored, but still there.

Four Loko loses caffeine, not its buzz: wivb.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

TV industry turns to 'water cooler' phenomenon to boost viewership

In a recent New York Times article entitled "TV Industry Taps Social Media to Keep Viewers’ Attention," which was published yesterday, Brian Stelter (along with contributor Jennifer Preston) draws attention to a new marketing tool various media sources are using to attract viewership.

Many Prime-Time programs are now being accompanied by online applications, surveys and streams, at least some of which are available during the time slots of the shows themselves. The idea is to capitalize on contemporary viewers' heavy use of online networking sites -- Facebook, Twitter, etc. -- and propensity to multitask while watching television. The former is especially important to television executives, since many people use social media to chat about their favorite programs.

Stelter puts it this way: "It’s as if people are gathered around the online water cooler — and the television executives are nervously hovering nearby, hoping viewers keep talking and, by extension, watching their shows."

Click here to read the full article.

Monday, February 14, 2011

New study urges children and teens to avoid energy drinks

A recent report published in the medical journal Pediatrics, urges pediatricians to better inform their patients -- and patients' parents -- about the dangers of energy drinks and to discourage ther use by children and teens.

Lindsey Tanner shares some of the details of this report in her article, "Pediatrics report details risks from energy drinks," which was published this morning at 12:02 a.m. ET. Additionally, she cites the experience of 18-year-old Dakota Sailor, who suffered a seizure and was hospitalized for five days after drinking two large energy drinks.

While "research is lacking on risk from long-term use and effects in kids — especially those with medical conditions that may increase the dangers" (according to the Pediatrics study, as cited in Tanner's article), major effects that set in immediately after the consumption of energy drinks include rapid heart rate, epilepsy and hallucinations, among other things. This is according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, which also report that of the more than 300 cases of energy drink poisonings among kids in 2011, 25% involved children younger than six.

Tanner writes that the American Academy of Pediatrics will soon be coming out with a clinical report "that may include guidelines for doctors."

Click here to read the full article.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Upcoming events of interest

Here are a couple of local events happening in the near future that might interest some of our staff and Coalition members:

Batavia Players: "Love Lines"
This is an original play written and directed by Pat Burk, a former DFC Coalition member and local theater veteran. It consists of a series of vignettes related to everyone's favorite February theme: love. Characters range from Burk's own parents to Nancy Reagan!

"Love Lines" is the first Batavia Players performance at their new Harvester 56 Theater (see Jan. 6 article on The Batavian). Performances are at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 11, and Saturday, Feb. 12. Tickets can be purchased at www.showtix4u.com or at the door.

Muckdogs: Hot Stove Dinner
Held annually, the dinner is hosted by the Genesee County Baseball Club. It's a great opportunity for fellowship among local sports fans, artists, businesses and friends. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger.

Please see today's Daily News announcement for further details.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Sen. Schumer seeks to ban drug marketed as bath salts

Senator Charles Schumer is working on adding New York State to the list of states -- which include Florida, Louisiana and North Dakota -- that have declared mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) illegal.

According to Schumer, as quoted in the Reuter's article "Senator moves to ban drug sold as bath salts" -- written by Jonathan Allen, edited by Barbara Goldberg and Jerry Norton, and published on Monday, Jan. 31 at 11:45 a.m. ET -- these substances, which are sold as bath salts, "contain ingredients that are nothing more than legally sanctioned narcotics, and they are being sold cheaply to all comers, with no questions asked, at store counters around the country."

Mephedrone and MDPV are described as being similar to meth and having euphoric and hyper-energetic effects on those who use them. Because of their effects on users, both drugs have been banned in the European Union (EU), Australia and Israel.

Allen cites the EU as having reported that "there was limited scientific evidence on the effects of the drug . . . but that there was sufficient evidence of its health risks to support a ban."

Click here to read the full article.

Robert Morris and Byron-Bergen win Pepsi Refresh grants!


This photo was taken by Mark Gutman and published this morning in The Daily News.

Robert Morris (Batavia) and Byron-Bergen elementary schools have both won the Pepsi Refresh contest! Each school will be awarded $50,000 to build a new playground. In both cases, we have a project that will benefit both school and community for years to come.

To learn more, please see previous coverage on GCASA Cares:

"Whether they know it or not, Robert Morris staff and students are combatting community disorganization"

"Robert Morris Playground Video"

"Jan 4 post -- part 1: Robert Morris playground project gets second chance"

"New link to vote for two Genesee County schools"

Thank you to all who voted for these worthy projects!

To read the Daily News article published this morning, click here.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

AP video: Marijuana Soda

Gap Mangione and his Big Band coming April 30, 2011 for Second Annual GCASA Foundation Evening of Jazz

Gap Mangione and his big band is coming to GCC Stuart Steiner Theater on April 30th, 2011 for the second annual GCASA Foundation Evening Of Jazz.

For tickets call Pam LaGrou at 585-815-1803

Atwater Community Residence has great year in 2010 providing services with good outcomes, cost competitively, with high customer satisfaction

GCASA operates the Atwater Community Residence for people with substance abuse diagnoses.

There are 17 beds and it provides services to both males and females. Usually, clients stay in the CR for 3 - 6 months.

In 2010 the occupancy was 94% for the year. In January and February, 2010, the occupancy rate was 99% while in July it was 88%.

There was a possible 6205 bed days and the utilization rate was 5842.

GCASA strives to provide the service with the best outcomes, in the most cost competitive manner with the highest customer satisfaction.

The year, 2010, saw major changes in staffing with John Bennett taking over as Director with Mary Beth Pace as the Assistant Director.