Buffalo County Community Partners

Intelligent Cities

bccp — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:11:18 +0000

“We focus on the relationship between the built environment and the people’s quality of life.”

Gehl Architects, Urban Quality Consultants is a consultancy organization based out of Copenhagen, Denmark, who manages a blog all about the issues relating to quality of life in cities. They want to build intelligent cities to improve the quality of life for those who live there.

This infographic from their blog explains some of what they are working to fix. There has been a decline in the number of children biking to school, while the number of children being driven to school is increasing along with the prevalence of obesity in children.

Why aren’t children walking or biking to school? Because they live too far, they have to cross busy streets or pass through unsafe neighborhoods.

What are changes that could be made to your town that could make it safe for children to walk or bike to school again?

Check out this BLOG for more information, and tell us how your town could and should be changed to improve the quality of life.

New Leads From Mice

bccp — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:32:25 +0000

A study in the world of Alzheimer’s disease has yielded new information. Research done with mice suggests that abnormal tau protein, already identified in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s, spreads through the brain like an infection or cancer, starting in one area of the rain and spreading along linked cellular circuits.

The study suggests that if the “tau pathway” could be identified early, doctors might be able to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s at an earlier stage with the right drugs. READ MORE

With this information in mind, take a look at the petition that Alzheimer’s Association has put together “A Petition for a Strong National Alzheimer’s Plan” . The goal is to get 250,000 signatures to get a federal commitment “to change the course of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Do you think this is a realistic goal? Do you think it will be effective?

Healthier Salads

bccp — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:49:49 +0000

What was your New Year’s Resolution?

Did it have something to do with weight loss/living healthier/being more active? How’s that going for you?

Are you struggling? Not seeing the results you want? Losing motivation?

Community Partners wants to help! Keep following our blog for little tips and tidbits on how to make little changes that can help! So where to start….how about salads?

Are you eating more salads, trying to lose weight/eat healthier? Great! Salads are great ways to get nutrients you need and can be fixed so many ways that they never get boring. BUT, it’s also pretty easy to mess up a salad and undo the positives that you could be getting out of it. This article, “15 Ways to Build a Healthier Salad” is just that, 15 tips for getting the most out of your salad!

Here are a few of their tips:

-”Anything that comes in an edible shell (or puts part of an edible shell on top of your salad, like tortilla strips) should be avoided.”

-”Chicken is okay if it’s grilled, not if it’s fried.”

-”Tons [of dried fruit] will only add “added” sugars to your salad. Instead opt for fresh apples, strawberries or mandarin oranges canned in their own juice. By the way, pairing vitamin C-rich oranges or strawberries with a spinach salad helps to enhance iron absorption!”

-”If you must go with a restaurant dressing, never let the restaurant put the dressing on for you. Instead, you control the amount and request it on the side. Use your fork and dab some dressing on it before you poke the salad. ”

These are just a few of some easy and great tips for getting the most out of your salad! Try one or two and see what a difference it can make!

February Newsletter Available Online!

bccp — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:54:41 +0000

Click on the image to view the full newsletter!

2011 Annual Campaign Wrap Up

bccp — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:49:38 +0000

Campaign Wrap Up: Thank you to our year-end donors! You’ve helped us raise $133,997.50, exceeding our 2011 Annual Fund Campaign Goal of $125,000!

Anonymous
Theodore G. Baldwin Foundation
Dr. & Mrs. Steve Bennett, Platte Valley
Foot Clinic
Dr. Larry & Susan Bragg
Nikki & Scott Gausman
Collene Henninger
Steve Henninger
Dr. Shane & Sharon Jensen, Eagle Dental Assoc.
Doug & Helen Kramer
Lesley LaFile
Gilbert & Lavonne Loseke
Terri, Frank, Foster & Dalton Meier
Alan & Germaine Oldfather
Region 3 Behavioral Health Services
Laurie Riessland, Remax Executives
Don & Janece Ripp, Don Ripp Construction
Ellen Schroeder
Snyder & Hilliard, P.C., L.L.O.
Paul & Linda Younes

Thank You to Platte Valley State Bank for Jean Philanthropy

bccp — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:49:05 +0000

Every other month at Platte Valley State Bank staff members nominate a local non-profit and vote to select one. Then on the last day of those months, employees get to wear jeans for a five dollar donation to the selected non-profit. Thank you to the employees of Platte Valley State Bank for voting for Community Partners and raising $205! BCCP truly appreciates the support of Platte Valley State Bank, and of all the local supporters.

Community Partners Hosts Chuck Matson

bccp — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:48:43 +0000

Positive Pressure was joined by Chuck Matson on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at the Buffalo County Community Partners offices. A 27-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, Matson formed Recognizing Impairing Drugs (RID) in 1998, a training on the danger of addictive drugs.
For his session at Community Partners, Matson focused on the increasing rate of abuse of prescription drugs and the dangers they present for communities and youth.
“Chuck shared an important message about the impact of drugs and alcohol on the developing brain and throughout adulthood,” said Jessica Carter, Positive Pressure Coalition Coordinator. “I look forwrad to continuing conversations with law enforcement, schools and community members about emerging prescription drug abuse trends. Chuck is very obviously an expert in his field, and we are fortunate to have had him working in Kearney.”
Matson also presented for staff and parents at Kearney High school, Kearney Catholic High school, students in Pleasanton and law enforcement. If you would like Matson to present for your business or school, contact Jessica Carter at 308-865-2283 or email positivepressure@bcchp.org

Community Partners 5 Strategic Directions for the 2020 Vision

bccp — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:47:18 +0000

High Impact Prevention Services is the next Strategic Direction that Community Partners would like to highlight for their 2020 Vision. What is the goal of this strategy and what is Community Partners doing to help further it?
The goal of the High Impact Prevention Services strategy is to improve the health and quality of life in Buffalo County through prevention, leveraging and collaboration, planning, and programming. To aid communities in the coordination and integration of resources, and use of evidence-based practices to improve health and well-being.
The Positive Pressure coalition, a work group that exists to eliminate alcohol sales to minors and intoxicated patrons, is a huge part of this strategy. Recently, Positive Pressure brought in nationally recognized speaker Chuck Matson to speak on the growing prevalence of prescription drug abuse. For more information please contact Jessica Carter, 308-865-2283 or positivepressure@bcchp.org
There is also the Community Coalition to Improve Alzheimer’s/Dementia Health, whose mission is to increase the communities knowledge of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. This will be achieved by building community partnerships, increasing education and heightening awareness. This coalition is still in its developing stages so now is the time to share your key concerns and issues about Alzheimer’s and Dementia. For more information please contact Alexandra Dillon, 308-440-7773.

PhotoVoice in Buffalo County

bccp — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:05:31 +0000

The Positive Pressure Coalition administrative assistant, Christina Rice, is facilitating a new program in Buffalo County: PhotoVoice. Along with Community Partners intern, Jalin Ballou, Rice will facilitate a program designed to empower youth to represent and benefit their community with photos that they take. Through photography and writing, participants find confidence in their voices and are encouraged to communicate about their challenges, concerns, ideas, hopes and fears. This is an exciting program that will provide ten youth from Buffalo County with an opportunity to express themselves through photography.

Congratulations to Kramer for TIPS Trainings

bccp — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:04:40 +0000

: Doug Kramer

Doug Kramer, Juvenile Services Administrator with the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office, has been honored by the TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) program for training over 500 individuals in the TIPS Trainings!
He received a plaque of recognition from the TIPS program and was mentioned in their national newsletter announcing the Trainer Awards.
Congratulations Doug! Your hard work is appreciated and you’ve helped make our communities a safer place for those living there.