(Utica, Herkimer County, NY – Sept. 28, 2011) The Peacemaker Program, Inc has received a $2,976 grant to present a workshop on Developing Conflict Resolution Training for Youth at the Association for Conflict Resolution’s national conference to be held Oct. 12 to 15 in San Diego, Calif.

This conference brings professionals in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution from all across the country to attend seminars and workshops on the latest developments in Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. This is the 10th annual conference and the first time The Peacemaker Program has been invited to present.

“This is a great opportunity for our training team to present on a national stage the ground breaking ideas we are developing locally in Oneida County in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. We are so appreciative of the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties whose generosity is allowing us to showcase our community which has been so supportive of our organization and mission.” said Steve Robinson, Peacemaker Program Executive Director. This grant is made possible by the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc and the Ellen Knower Clarke Fund.

(Lowville, NY – Sept. 22, 2011)  In a surprise move at their convention on Sept. 20, the Conservative Party delegates from the six counties in the Fifth Judicial District selected Democrat Charles Merrell to run for one of the four state Supreme Court seats on the November ballot.

Judge Merrell, County, Surrogate and Family Court judge in Lewis County since 2003, has also been an acting state Supreme Court justice since 2007. He is one of several Democrats in the race, but the only one nominated by the Conservative Party.

Delegate Bernie Ment, the chairman of the DeWitt Conservative Party committee, explained that judicial experience was the key factor in the party’s decision to nominate Judge Merrell. “He is the one candidate who had experience on the bench as an acting state Supreme Court justice,” Ment said.

“One of the primary slogans for my campaign is Experience Matters,” said Judge Merrell. “It’s very satisfying to see that the Conservative Party feels the same way.”

The Democrats in the Fifth Judicial District held their convention on Saturday, Sept. 24 at party headquarters in Syracuse.

To find out more about Judge Charles Merrell and his campaign for State Supreme Court, visit www.electmerrell.com or www.facebook.com/electmerrell

To the Editor:

(Ilion, NY – Sept. 21, 2011) On behalf of Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc., I would like to express congratulations to the Village of Ilion for being the first community in Herkimer County to adopt a Complete Streets Resolution. This resolution was passed at their September 14, 2011 village board meeting.

Complete Streets aims to make new and reconstructed roadways safe and accessible for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users and transit riders, as well as motorists.

Communities across the country are participating in this movement to build highways, bridges, and sidewalks that are safer, friendlier, and welcoming to everyone.

Complete Streets legislation was passed in New York State by both the Assembly and Senate, and then signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on August 27, 2011.

If we continue to productively utilize our streets, we are providing better health and wellness in our communities, which ultimately boosts economic development by enhancing our county’s infrastructure.

Congratulations again to the Village of Ilion for making this commitment.

Sincerely,

Adam Hutchinson,

Executive Director, Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.

(Utica, NY – Sept. 2011) The Oneida-Herkimer Household Hazardous Waste Facility will close for the 2011 season on Friday, Sept. 30.

Residents of Oneida and Herkimer Counties may continue to deliver paints, herbicides, pesticides, cleaners, chemicals and other household hazardous wastes through the month of September to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at the end of Leland Ave., Utica as per the following schedule:

MONDAY – FRIDAY: 8:00 AM TO 4:00 PM

SATURDAY: 8:00 AM TO 2:00 PM

The Facility will continue to accept used motor oil, antifreeze, oil filters, empty propane cylinders (under 100 lbs.), batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, cooking oil, computers and electronics equipment year-round.

Any questions call: Superintendent of Waste Collection Bill Schrader at 733-1224 ext. 1100.

(Herkimer, NY – Sept. 19, 2011) Schools located in Herkimer County may apply for a grant from Herkimer County HealthNet to support the efforts of the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play initiative funded by the New York State Department of Health.

Herkimer County HealthNet is offering two awards, in the amount of approximately $6,000 to be used for trail creation or trail improvement projects that focus on physical activity in the community.

The purpose of Creating Healthy Places grant is to assist communities with infrastructure improvements that will decrease rates of childhood obesity and Type 2 Diabetes by increasing opportunities for physical activity for Herkimer County residents.

The deadline for submitting the grant applications is Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. Applications are available by e-mailing Alison J. Swartz, aswartz@herkimercounty.org or calling (315) 866-1499.

For more information about Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play in Herkimer County, visit www.facebook.com/CreatingHealthyPlacesInHerkimerCounty.

(Sept. 20, 2011) As the Central New York Region touts a bit of everything New York State-esque, from live theatre, museums and halls of fame, to historical landmarks, country style B&Bs, and some of the best antiquing and golfing in the northeast, it is no wonder that it is also plays host to a variety of edu-vacation possibilities. An edu-vacation (literally, a vacation with an educational twist) is the perfect, affordable family outing or a great trip for homeschoolers.

Some exceptional edu-vacations can be built around visits to the following attractions.

The Children’s Museum of History, Natural History, Science & Technology in Oneida County offers a hands-on, educationally enjoyable environment – including four floors of interactive exhibits – for kids from 1 to 101 to explore. The facility is the only children’s museum adopted by NASA and the Office of Science. From Red Tail Hawks, to American Alligators, to Golden Lion Tamarins, the collection of over 200 animals who call the Utica Zoo home is always a family favorite in Oneida, as well.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, Otsego County, known as the “Home of Baseball,” is where America has gathered to celebrate its great pastime since 1939. Today, it’s the ultimate place for baseball buffs to pore over three stories of frequently updated exhibits, 35,000 artifacts, 130,000+ baseball cards, an $8 million library and research center and the nearby Doubleday Field. For a lesson or two on the heritage of the Central New York Region circa 1845, the innovative “living history” museum, The Farmers’ Museum brings history to life with exhibits, craft demonstrations and hands-on activities in Cooperstown.

Edu-vacationers are invited to paddle back in time at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Madison County and enter the canal era. This nineteenth century dry dock complex on the old Erie Canal tells stories of boat-building and repair of Erie Canal boats, plus the social history of the era. More of the region’s rich history can be found at the National Abolition Hall of Fame/Gerrit Smith National Historic Landmark. The National Historic Landmark, lifetime home and office of Gerrit Smith (1797-1874), is the site where numerous abolitionists received support and renewed commitment to the cause of freedom. Smith helped hundreds of African Americans by purchasing their freedom from slavery, arranging safe passage to Canada, helping families establish their lives locally, providing education and working for human rights.

Visitors to Schoharie County are transported through a portal of sorts into Native American life at the Iroquois Indian Museum shaped like a 400-year-old Iroquois longhouse. With authentic Iroquois art, crafts and artifacts, the Museum aims to foster understanding of the Iroquois culture. Another educational draw, this time plunging 156 feet below the Earth’s surface, is a prehistoric underground cavern six million years in the making, Howe Caverns. Some newer additions to the mysterious, magnificent limestone formations, the stalactites and the stalagmites are the Howe High Adventure Sky Trail Ropes Course – quite the aerial adventure; the Four Tower Zip Line – boasting beautiful, scenic views from up to 40 feet in the air; and the Howe Caverns Mining Company – a new 6,000-square-foot spot to sift through bags of rough for gemstones, fossils and arrowheads to take home.

The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier in Greater Binghamton is a hands-on type of museum for children where play and learning are combined with imagination in an engaging atmosphere. The Discovery Center encompasses over 22,500 square feet of family fun. An out-of-this-world experience in Greater Binghamton can be had at the Roberson Museum Science Center & Link Planetarium, a place full of exhibits ranging from art to history to science.

The Goodsell Museum in Old Forge, Herkimer County, offers insight into what life was like long ago in the Adirondacks with interesting exhibits and an extensive new research library overflowing with books, maps, genealogy, vintage photographs and postcards. Another educational stop in Herkimer County is the View Arts Center of Old Forge, a place dedicated to the visual and performing arts, inspired by and reflecting the beauty of the natural environment of the Adirondacks.

Chenango County’s Wolf Mountain Nature Center is a unique place where observation of natural wolf behavior is possible. Animal enthusiasts delight to see the Alaskan Timber Wolves and Arctic Foxes that call the nature center home. Edu-vacations take on an agricultural twist at the Norwich Pumpkin Festival where kids can compete in a variety of contests, including an annual pumpkin-carving contest.

An abundance of excellent edu-vacation hot spots exist throughout the Central New York Region. Plus, a wide range of accommodations can be found nearby – from cozy, country-style B&Bs and inns to hotels, motels and campgrounds. Any of these educational attractions can be paired with one of these accommodations (and a few stops at the gourmet eateries lining the region) to form the perfect edu-vacation itinerary. The Central New York Region really does have it all.

Plan your family’s next edu-vacation. For more attractions and information about accommodations, check out:www.JustGoCNY.com.

(Utica, NY – Sept. 19, 2011) The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. has implemented a Basic Needs Program for human service not-for-profit organizations to help them alleviate the burden of increased demand as a result of difficult economic circumstances.

Monies for this program will be directed toward organizations involved with delivering basic human service needs – defined as food and shelter for the purposes of this grantmaking program – to the residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties. Faith-based programs are eligible to receive a grant if they are providing these services without regard to the recipients’ religion and no religious activities are required in order to receive services.

To be eligible for the Basic Needs Program, agencies must be able to demonstrate both an increased demand for their services and decrease in expected funding. They must also be reasonably concerned that they may exhaust their funding before the end of 2011 and be forced to turn away people in need or reduce their services.

Interested parties should contact Foundation Senior Program Officer Jan Squadrito at (315) 735-8212 or jsquadrito@foundationhoc.org for more information on eligibility or the application process. Written requests must be submitted by December 1, 2011.

(Utica, NY – Sept. 16, 2011) United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area’s Back-to-School Supply Drive collected a half-ton of school supplies for local children in need. United Way Executive Director Brenda Episcopo delivered supplies to programs in Herkimer and Oneida Counties this week.

“It is amazing to see what one-half ton of school supplies adds up to,” Episcopo said. “The more than 10 programs receiving the school supplies will get them into the hands of hundreds of local children. School supplies are an expense many families in our community are unable to afford. We are grateful to everyone who donated school materials to help fill an ever-growing need and helped local children start off on the right foot for academic success.”

United Way partnered with area businesses like Herb Philipson’s, Target, Sangertown Square, Birnie Bus, and F.X. Matt Brewing Company to collect the school supplies. BNY Mellon contributed a significant portion of the supplies raised and volunteer hours for this year’s community-wide school supply drive.

United Way plans to continue the Back-to-School Supply Drive in 2012 with the help of community members, area businesses, and partner programs within the community.

(Herkimer County, NY – Dec. 13, 2010) Herkimer County Office for the Aging would like to notify all HEAP recipients who have a contract with their oil company that they need to check their bills to ensure that the company is not overcharging them. It has been brought to our attention that some oil companies are charging people more per gallon than the agreement calls for when the client receives HEAP; this is illegal and in violation of their vendor agreement.  If this happens and you want assistance getting this corrected, please give us a call at 867-1195.

(Herkimer, NY – Sept. 16, 2011) Herkimer County municipalities can apply for Incentive Awards from Herkimer County HealthNet to support the efforts of the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play grant initiative funded by the New York State Department of Health.

Herkimer County HealthNet is offering four-$5,000 awards to be used for municipal projects that promote physical activity, access to outdoor recreational facilities, areas that support bicycling and walking, and safety in areas where persons are or could be physically active.  Projects that qualify should take place between the dates of April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.

The Creating Healthy Places grant’s purpose is to assist communities with infrastructure improvements that will decrease rates of childhood obesity and Type 2 Diabetes by increasing opportunities for physical activity for Herkimer County residents.

Recommended municipal improvement strategies and measures to help communities tackle the problem of obesity through environmental change and policies that promote physical activity include but are not limited to:

* Sidewalks and Sidewalk Improvements

*Lighting (promoting safety for pedestrians/cyclists)

*Signage (promoting pedestrian/bicycle safety)

*Crosswalks and Crosswalk Devices

*Bridge Construction (friendly for pedestrians/cyclists)

*Highway Improvements (friendly for pedestrians/cyclists)

*Parking Areas and Parking Area Improvements to promote pedestrian safety (adjacent to sidewalks, bicycle routes, trails and trail heads)

The deadline for submitting the grant applications is Friday, Sept. 30, 2011.

Applications are available by e-mailing Alison J. Swartz at aswartz@herkimercounty.org or calling (315) 866-1499.

For more information about Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play in Herkimer County, visit www.facebook.com/CreatingHealthyPlacesInHerkimerCounty.