We got an e-mail from Christina Holt, associate director for Community Tool Box services, a couple of weeks ago. She e-mailed all of the Out of the Box finalists with a reminder to get the information about the contest out into the public and encourage people to vote. She used the Batavian article promoting our Coalition as an example of how to do so. Hopefully that means we're doing well!
As of Dec. 20, according to Holt, they had received over 1400 votes. If you haven't voted already, we would encourage you to do so; also, please ask family and friends to vote as well!
Click here to see our submission and to vote.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Jan 4 post -- part 2: The biology of bad habits
Associated Press Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard wrote an article entitled "New Year's resolutions? Brain can sabotage success," which was published on Yahoo! News yesterday at 2:15 p.m. ET. He raises some interesting points about the extent to which bad habits -- which, of course, include alcoholism, drug use, and smoking -- become embedded in our brain activity, making it hard to quit.
However, "[t]hat's not an excuse to give up," Neergaard says. "Understanding how unhealthy behaviors become ingrained has scientists learning some tricks that may help good habits replace the bad."
Click here to read the full article.
However, "[t]hat's not an excuse to give up," Neergaard says. "Understanding how unhealthy behaviors become ingrained has scientists learning some tricks that may help good habits replace the bad."
Click here to read the full article.
Jan 4 post -- part 1: Robert Morris playground project gets second chance
The December Pepsi Refresh Project is over, and Robert Morris did not get the grant (please see Dec. 30 post). But because of their high ranking, they have been entered into the January contest. They are currently #3 in the rankings, and need our votes.
To vote, go to refresheverything.com/robertmorrisplagyround and click on the tab that says "Vote for this idea," or text 73774 and enter 104607 in the message.
To vote, go to refresheverything.com/robertmorrisplagyround and click on the tab that says "Vote for this idea," or text 73774 and enter 104607 in the message.
Monday, January 3, 2011
GCASA's Supportive Living receives three-year re-cerfitication
Our Communications Director, Pam LaGrou, sent an e-mail earlier today regarding the success of GCASA's Supportive Living Program in obtaining "the highest possible re-cerfitication score for their licensing certificate" from OASAS (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services). Because of the quality of GCASA's residential services and the dedication of the staff, Supportive Living has at least 3 years to continue thriving.
A press release was just sent out to the media, and hopefully there will be an article in the papers about this soon. I will keep you posted.
A press release was just sent out to the media, and hopefully there will be an article in the papers about this soon. I will keep you posted.
First post of 2011 -- part 3: The media, celebrities, and children's view of marriage
You can hardly turn on the t.v. or pick up a magazine nowadays without being alerted to the breakup of some celebrity couple's marriage. These could be movie stars, athletes, musicians, or any other type of high profile entertainment figure.
A Reuter's article published last week draws attention to the fact that young children often look to these people -- especially sports stars -- as role models; the article is appropriately titled "Soccer scandals 'shaping kids' view of marriage," and was edited by Paul Casciato (no author is identified). According to the Dec. 29 article (which was published around 8:10 p.m. ET), kids get the idea that "marriages are not meant to last."
Certainly, these celebrities need to be more aware of how their actions affect the perceptions of our youth. But the media bears more than a little bit of the blame as well. How much influence would these scandals have, after all, if they were not routinely sensationalized by so many major news sources?
Click here to read the full article.
A Reuter's article published last week draws attention to the fact that young children often look to these people -- especially sports stars -- as role models; the article is appropriately titled "Soccer scandals 'shaping kids' view of marriage," and was edited by Paul Casciato (no author is identified). According to the Dec. 29 article (which was published around 8:10 p.m. ET), kids get the idea that "marriages are not meant to last."
Certainly, these celebrities need to be more aware of how their actions affect the perceptions of our youth. But the media bears more than a little bit of the blame as well. How much influence would these scandals have, after all, if they were not routinely sensationalized by so many major news sources?
Click here to read the full article.
First post of 2011 -- part 2: 2010 commercials
I came across an article on Yahoo!'s TV Blog entitled "The 13 Most Talked-About Commercials of 2010." It was written by Lindsay Robertson and Tara Ariano, and published last Tuesday.
I picked a few videos that illustrate some of the key tools used in the media to attract consumers. You'll notice that all of them use humor and/or star power to promote goods and services.
LOGITECH -- KEVIN BACON
PLANTERS -- ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. (A.K.A. "SHERLOCK HOLMES")
NIKE -- TIGER AND EARL WOODS
I picked a few videos that illustrate some of the key tools used in the media to attract consumers. You'll notice that all of them use humor and/or star power to promote goods and services.
LOGITECH -- KEVIN BACON
PLANTERS -- ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. (A.K.A. "SHERLOCK HOLMES")
NIKE -- TIGER AND EARL WOODS
First post of 2011 -- part 1: Recall of kids' CD's
Happy New Year everyone!
This news is a few days old, but I think it deserves a place on the blog regardless. Who would have thought things would come to the point where parents would need to monitor CHILDREN'S CD's so closely?!?
Click to read.
This news is a few days old, but I think it deserves a place on the blog regardless. Who would have thought things would come to the point where parents would need to monitor CHILDREN'S CD's so closely?!?
Click to read.
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