Manulife Walk for Memories

JANUARY IS ALZHEIMER AWARENESS MONTH!THE ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF YORK REGION INVITES YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE TO MAKE BRAIN HEALTH A PERSONAL COMMITMENT AS WE KICK OFF THE NATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN YORK REGION WITH THE 2008 MANULIFE WALKFOR MEMORIES.MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR BRAIN HEALTH AT THE 5TH ANNUAL WALK FOR MEMORIES ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2008 AT THE GEORGINA ICE PALACE HALL WITH REGISTRATION AT 9:30 A.M., THE WALK BEGINS AT 10:00 A.M. EVERYONE IS WELCOME…ALL SITES ARE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE.You and your team are invited to warm up with Kelly’s Girls Line Dance Team and Sue Sutch of Fitness Force! Join the Mayor and Members of Council and make your own memories!STUDENTS, THE Alzheimer Society of York Region will award a ten hour volunteer certificate for your participation and $100.00 or more in pledges. You will also qualify for a unique collector 2008 Walk for Memories t-shirt. Remember, you can register online, recruit friends and win amazing prizes at www.walkformemories.ca.The Manulife Walk for Memories is also being held at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket and Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill on Sunday, January 20/08…registration at 9:30 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10:00 a.m.The Alzheimer Society is making it’s own commitment to helping Canadians improve their brain health with the launch of BrainBooster, and online gym of challenging games and puzzles designed to increase mental performance. The gym also features brain-boosting recipes and simple exercises to get people moving. Canadians can access the gym by visiting www.alzheimer.ca. Once there, they can also sign up with their personal “brain” pledge and enter our Puzzled about Alzheimer’s contest, showcased in the February-March issue of Homemakers and Madame Magazines, as well as their online sites.Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that destroys vital brain cells. Alzheimer’s and related disorders affect an estimated 1 in 13 Canadians over the age of 65, or approximately 450,000 people. Of this number, 160,000 live in Ontario. If a cure is not found, it is estimated that 750,000 Canadians will have Alzheimer’s or a related disorder by the year 2031.The Walk for Memories is an annual event increasing public awareness and support to keep providing vital services, and to continue searching for the cause and a cure. Please help us in our commitment. You can make the connection by visiting our web site at www.alzheimer-york.com for more information regarding the Manulife Walk for Memories and services we provide to the community.Special thanks to our local sponsor True North Imaging for offering help for today and hope for tomorrow! Many thanks for your continued media support and for getting the message to your audiences. Your work is greatly appreciated and recognized.

Press Release - Up to 13 million cases of food poisoning in Canada each year

York Region raising awareness during National Environmental Public Health Week

NEWMARKET – York Region public health inspectors are involved in a variety of education and enforcement initiatives that strive to protect the health and safety of local residents.York Region public health inspectors are responsible for routinely inspecting all York Region food premises on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Health Promotion and Protection Act (HPPA). This legislation applies to all public restaurants, cafeterias and other premises that prepare or sell food.Public health inspectors also assist in monitoring and identifying factors that impact water quality to ensure that drinking water is safe. Strict provincial regulations and standards are in place to ensure drinking water is safe for consumption.York Region public health inspectors offer the community the following tips to prevent food andwater-borne illnesses caused in the home:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with liquid soap and warm water prior to preparing, handling, serving and eating food
• Keep hazardous food products (meat, dairy, etc.) below 4°C/40°F and above 60°C/140°F to prevent the growth of harmful micro-organisms and bacteria
• Use a clean probe thermometer to ensure that food has reached the proper internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria
• Avoid cross-contamination of products; keep and store raw meats, poultry and seafood separate from ready-to-eat food
• Serve food immediately after preparation; Discard any food that has been left at room temperature for more than two hours
• Test private well water three times a year; in the spring, summer and fall; if you have had recent work done to the well; or if you notice a change in the colour or odour of the water
• There is no cost to have private well water tested
• Read labels for expiry and best before dates; Do not eat food that has passed its expiry date
• Always use clean dishes and utensils when preparing, handling, serving and eating food
• Never buy dented or bloated canned goods

Each year, the third week in January is designated as National Environmental Public Health Week. York Region joins communities across Canada in recognizing and celebrating the services provided by public health inspectors during this week.

The 2008 National Environmental Public Health Week theme is “The Changing Face of Environmental Health Inspection – Past Present and Future.” This theme reflects the rapidly changing and expanding profession of public health inspection.The responsibilities of public health inspectors have evolved over the years and will continue to expand as the field of public health changes. From collaborating with government agencies to investigate uninspected and ungraded food products, to promotion of clean air initiatives, the ability of public health inspectors to adapt and accept new challenges in the field of public health is invaluable for York Region and our residents.During National Environmental Public Health Week, additional public service announcements will be circulated to the media highlighting more of the important work York Region public health inspectors do to help keep residents healthy and safe.

For more information on this or any other health-related topic, please contact York Region Health Connection at 1 800 361-5653.

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York and our services, please visit www.york.ca

Sports Report

NBA: Toronto 116 Sacramento 91

AHL: Toronto 3 Quad City 2

Tonight

NHL: Toronto at Boston; 7:00pm

OHL: Brampton vs. Kingston; 7:oopm, Powerade Centre

- Eric Rosenhek

PROGRAM SCHEDULE: Jan. 16, 2008

The Sixty Minute Music Mix; 11am - 12pm ET
- The Best of ‘Bring The Noise;’ 12pm-1pm ET

Tune in! www.chevradioam.com Click on the “Listen Live” link.

Press Release - Manicures and pedicures can be risky luxuries

York Region advises consumer awareness during National Environmental Public Health WeekNEWMARKET – York Region public health inspectors are involved in a variety of education and enforcement initiatives that strive to protect the health and safety of local residents. York Region public health inspectors are responsible for routinely inspecting businesses to ensure compliance with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Personal Service Settings Protocol. This protocol applies to any personal service where there is a risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. This includes: hairdressing and barber shops, tattoo and body piercing studios, electrolysis and acupuncture services and various aesthetic services including nail salons. The protocol has been developed for the safety of workers and their clients. Its intent is to prevent the transmission of serious blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.When receiving a manicure or pedicure there are procedures that might purposely or inadvertently cut or break the skin. Once the skin is broken or cut, there is a risk of exposure to the above mentioned infections, as well as contagious nail or fungal infections.York Region Community and Health Services encourages residents to keep the following in mind when receiving a manicure or pedicure. Choose a salon that:• Is well-lit and maintained in a clean and sanitary manner• Maintains a sanitary environment where work surfaces, equipment and instruments are clean and in good working order• Ensures mandatory proper hand washing of workers before each new customer• Properly cleans and stores all reusable tools (clippers, cuticle cutters, metal cuticle pushers, manicure scissors, pedicure files etc.) after each client use• Discards single use items (nail files, toe separators, pumice stones, buffing block and birchwood/orange sticks) after each client use• Properly cleans and disinfects footbaths after each client use• Launders all towels, reusable slippers and linens after each client use• Dispenses lotions and creams that do not contaminate the remaining lotion or cream (single pump)• Encourages its personal service workers to be immunized against hepatitis B and to get their annual flu shot• Does not offer nail services to any client who has a nail mould or fungus, including those with discoloured nails, indicative of a potential infection• Residents should consult with their physician before visiting a salon for any nail service or treatmentEach year, the third week in January is designated as National Environmental Public Health Week. York Region joins communities across Canada in recognizing and celebrating the services provided by publichealth inspectors during this week. The 2008 National Environmental Public Health Week theme is “The Changing Face of Environmental Health Inspection – Past Present and Future.” This theme reflects the rapidly changing and expanding profession of public health inspection.The responsibilities of public health inspectors have evolved over the years and will continue to expand as the field of public health changes. From collaborating with government agencies to investigate uninspected and ungraded food products, to promoting clean air initiatives, the ability of public health inspectors to adapt and accept new challenges in the field of public health is invaluable for York Region and our residents.During National Environmental Public Health Week, additional public service announcements will be circulated to the media highlighting more of the important work York Region public health inspectors do to help keep residents healthy and safe.For more information on this or any other health-related topic, please contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.For more information on The Regional Municipality of York and our services, please visit www.york.ca

Press Release - York Region waste disposal user fee changes for 2008

New fees for solid waste, tires and metal appliances at Georgina and East Gwillimbury facilitiesNEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York has revised 2008 waste disposal fees for solid waste, tires and metal appliances dropped off at the Waste Transfer Station in the Town of Georgina. The new metal appliance fee also applies at the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depot in the Town of East Gwillimbury.The change in fees addresses rising service delivery costs and the introduction of new waste services and programs in 2008. Residents can continue to dispose of regular household wastes, recyclables and green bin material free-of-charge at the curb.

The 2008 waste disposal user fee changes are as follows:
Material

Georgina Waste Transfer Station
East Gwillimbury HHW Depot
Cost for residents
Industrial/Commercial/Institutional cost
Costs for residents(residential use only)
Solid Waste
$89 per tonne
$90 per tonne
Items not accepted at this facility
Tires


· Car and light truck
(unchanged)
$4 each
· Heavy truck (off rim)
$25 each
$25 each
· Heavy truck (on rim)
$30 each
$30 each
· Farm tractor (off rim)
$350 per tonne
$350 per tonne
· Farm tractor (on rim)
$400 per tonne
$400 per tonne
CFC (chlorofluorocarbon)appliances without CFC removal tag
$20 per unit
$20 per unit
$20 per unit
Large metal non CFC appliances or CFC appliances with approved CFC removal tag
No charge (unchanged)
$10 per unit

No charge (unchanged)Disposal fees for scrap metal, HHW and electronic waste remain unchanged at both facilities. Fees for yard waste and blue box recyclables remain unchanged at the Georgina location (not accepted in East Gwillimbury).Some local municipalities offer pick-up service for metal appliances. Residents are advised to refer to their local waste calendars for collection details.The Georgina and East Gwillimbury waste facilities can be found at these locations:

York Region Waste Transfer Station / York Region Household Hazardous Waste Depot

For more information on York Region’s waste management facilities, programs and waste disposal fees, please call 1- 877- 464 -9675 or visit www.york.ca/waste

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

Sports Report

NHL: Toronto 5 Carolina 4

NBA: Detroit 103 Toronto 89

AHL: Toronto 2 Iowa 1

OPJHL: Markham 6 Durham 2

York Region Athletics

Sr. Boys’ Basketball— Toronto District Christian 51 (Matt Sjaarda, 18), Community Hebrew- Richmond Hill 45 (Cory Capland, 30); Westmount 59 (Jason Ramelson, 16), St. Elizabeth 35 (Anton Farage, 6); Vaughan 77 (Nick Wiggins, 18), Maple A 57 (Umar Sahi, 18); Markham 74, Middlefield 47;

Sr. Girls’ Volleyball — Thornlea 2, Alexander Mackenzie 1 (26-24,17-25, 17-15); Alexander Mackenzie 2, Langstaff 0 (25-20, 25-16); Thornlea 2, Langstaff 1 (18-25, 25-22, 15-8)

Tonight

NBA: Toronto vs. Sacramento; 7:00pm, Air Canada Centre

AHL: Toronto at Quad City; 8:05pm

With files from thestar.com