Erie Cattaraugus County Community Source 1/20/23

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Applications Now Available for Chautauqua County’s 2024 Occupancy Tax for Lakes and Waterways Grant Program Program Offers Up to

JAMESTOWN, N.Y.: -Chautauqua County will again be offering grants to improve our lakes and waterways. The 2024 Round of the County’s 2% Occupancy Tax Grant Program for Lakes and Waterways is now open and will close on April 1, 2023.

The Occupancy Tax Grants for Lakes and Waterways are funded through the county’s five percent occupancy or bed tax for the rental of lodging units within the county. Two-fifths or two percent of the bed tax is used solely for the enhancement and protection of lakes and waterways in Chautauqua County.

These grants provide $500 to $40,000 in funding for projects to be implemented from January 1 through December 31, 2024.

for Lake and Waterway Enhancement and Protection Projects

$40K

“The 2 % Occupancy Tax Grant Program for Lakes and Waterways has been delivering important water quality improvement projects for 15 years,” said Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator Dave McCoy. “The projects that we fund provide long-lasting water quality benefits by reducing nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) that enter our lakes and waterways. When we reduce the amount of nutrients, we reduce the occurrence of nuisance aquatic vegetation and algae and improve the environmental health of our aquatic resources.”

The 2% Program has a variety of projects in its portfolio, including streambank and lakeshore stabilization projects, municipal stormwater, and agricultural projects aimed at reducing nutrient laden runoff. Projects located within the Lake Erie, Bear Lake, Cassadaga Lakes, Findley Lake and Chautauqua Lake water-

sheds are eligible. Applications may be submitted by various groups and organizations including: not-for-profits, governments, businesses and corporations, public and private schools, and all

landowners of Chautauqua County.

“We encourage applicants to collaborate with local conservation organizations and engineering professionals when preparing their applications,” said McCoy. “A well-prepared application with a narrative and plan that describes the design, implementation techniques and the anticipated water quality benefits of the project has a higher probability of being funded. We like to see projects that leverage funding from State and Federal Agencies as well as contributions from the landowner. The grant program does not require landowner contributions, but doing so demonstrates that the applicant is committed to improving water quality and that the project will be maintained over time.”

Applications are available online on the Chautauqua County Legislature’s page of the county website at https://chqgov.com and on the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development’s website at www.planningchautauqua.com . Applications are also available at the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development, 201 W. Third St., Suite 115 in Jamestown, N.Y. For more information or assistance with the application process, please contact Dave McCoy at (716) 661-8915 or by email at McCoyD@chqgov.com .

Photo Submitted

Pictured, a successful streambank restoration project on Candaway Creek that was co-funded by the 2% Occupancy Tax Grant Program for Lakes and Waterways.

Tricks to trim your utility bill

units in summer. Opening curtains, blinds and shades on winter mornings and afternoons will allow more sunlight in, allowing homeowners to control heating costs more effectively.

BY MOLLY R. BROWN, 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EDUCATOR

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (January 13, 2023) -Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program is continually working to increase public awareness of the great things happening in agriculture. As part of this effort, CCE-Chautauqua is proud to facilitate the Agricultural Literacy Week initiative for Chautauqua County.

In celebration of National Agriculture Week (March 20th – March 24th), area elementary students will participate in the New York State Agricultural Literacy Week, locally coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County. This year, over 2,500 Chautauqua County elementary students have the opportunity to participate in learning about tomatoes with a fun agricultural related book and activity.

This year’s book selection is Tomatoes for Neela. Author Padma Lakshmi takes young readers on an intergenerational journey full of delicious flavors and fun food facts that celebrates a family’s treasured recipes.

Illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal brings this circle of women to life with vivid detail and warmth. Tomatoes for Neela lovingly affirms

how we can connect to other cultures and build commu nities through food.

Ag Literacy Week is pro moted and organized by staff at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County. Local businesses, farmers, and community members donate the neces sary funds to purchase books and materials for the pro gram. They also volunteer their time as readers, provid ing agriculturally involved readers for students across the county. For more infor mation about Ag Literacy Week, please contact Molly Brown at 716-664-9502 ext. 216 or mrb287@cornell.edu.

Ag Literacy Week is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua) in line with the County’s 20/20 Comprehensive Plan. CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/ chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

A rapid rise in the cost of living will undoubtedly prove to be one of the major stories of 2022. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, energy prices rose by 41.6 percent in the 12-month period that ended in June 2022, marking the highest 12-month increase since April 1980.

The significant spike in energy costs is somewhat misleading, as the BLS considers motor fuel prices, which rose more than 60 percent in the 12-month period ending in June 2022, part of the energy category. However, during that same period, electricity prices rose by nearly 14 percent while natural gas prices increased by 38 percent. Both of those increas-

es were more significant than the more publicized rise in food prices, which rose by right around 10 percent.

Families need to eat and many professionals now must return to in-person work after years of pandemic-related remote working, which means they must confront higher fuel costs. That leaves little room to save money in those areas. However, there are ways for families to reduce home energy costs without adversely affecting their quality of life.

• Run appliances during off-peak hours. According to the United States Department of Energy and

Simple strategies to combat stress

Just about everyone experiences stressful situations. Sometimes a measure of stress can provide motivation to do one’s best or strive for an especially lofty goal. However, when stress becomes a chronic condition, it can adversely affect individuals’ quality of life and even their overall health.

Harvard Medical School says stress can manifest itself in myriad ways. Stress can cause tension headaches, indigestion, aches and pains, or even heart palpitations, and it may affect the mind by making it hard to concentrate or make decisions. Many people experience stress through emotional or psychological symptoms, such as irritability or feeling down. Learning how to effectively manage stress is essential for individuals’ overall well-being.

Exercise regularly Exercise serves many functions, including acting as a potent stress relief strategy. The Cleveland Clinic says aerobic exercise releases endorphins, which are natural substances that help a person feel better and maintain a positive attitude. Movement activities like yoga or Tai Chi also can relax the mind

and body and promote physical health.

Take media breaks

Overwhelming oneself with a barrage of negative news stories or constant information can increase stress levels. Individuals can strive to remain informed and still build breaks into their schedules. Shut off news programs, turn over the newspaper or tune out of social media from time to time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals who are stressed out by world events reduce the number of times they read the news or check the headlines each day.

Meditate or perform breathing exercises

Breathing and meditation can help alleviate stress, according to the American Heart Association. A quick meditation can provide some perspective. If a situation is stressful, go for a walk or take a few slow, deep breaths until the body relaxes. Harvard Medical School also says meditation can induce a relaxation response, which is an antidote to stress.

Change negatives to positives

Negative self-talk may increase stress, but positive self-talk can help a person calm down. Individuals should practice positive self-talk every day. Instead of saying, “I hate when this happens,” say, “I know how to deal

with this, I’ve done it before.”

A small amount of periodic stress can be a good thing. However, chronic stress poses a significant threat to individuals’ long-term health.

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the best time to use appliances in a home is when overall electricity use is low.

Though this time changes depending on the season and can vary based on geography, the DOE and the EPA both note that after 9 p.m. and before 9 a.m. are generally the off-peak hours in most areas.

• Strategically use your shades and blinds. The energy providers at ConEd estimate that about 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows.

Strategic use of curtains, shades and blinds can keep heat out on hot days, thus allowing homeowners to turn the thermostat up on their air conditioning

• Reorganize your refrigerator. There are plenty of contradictory strategies regarding how best to store foods in a refrigerator so the unit consumes as little energy as possible while still keeping foods fresh and chilled. But various energy providers, including ConEd, recommend that consumers avoid packing a fridge too tightly. By allowing cold air to circulate within the refrigerator, the refrigerator won’t need to work as hard, and thus consume as much energy, to keep foods cool. It’s important to note that the opposite should govern how the freezer is packed.

Packing frozen items tightly in the freezer will help the refrigerator work a little less hard.

• Turn off the lights. Estimates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicate that electricity for lighting accounts for around 10 percent of electricity consumption in homes. A concerted effort to turn off lights in rooms that aren’t being used can help consumers save money.

Rising utility bills are compelling millions of people to seek ways to trim their energy consumption. Thankfully, there are many ways to do that without upsetting daily routines.

MAYVILLE, N.Y.:--

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel will hold a Welcome Home Ceremony for Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans on Friday, January 27, 2023 at noon outside of the Chautauqua County Courthouse, 1 N. Erie St. in Mayville, N.Y. January 27, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords that ended U.S. involvement in

the Vietnam War. At this ceremony, Wendel will present a proclamation declaring January 27, 2023 as Vietnam and Vietnam-Era Veterans Day formally welcoming home these veterans. Wendel will also read the names of Chautauqua County residents who lost their lives serving in the Vietnam War.

“I invite Chautauqua County Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans and their families to join us

for this special event that marks the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War,” said Wendel. “I also encourage County residents to attend so we can all come together to support and thank our veterans for their dedicated service to our country.”

For more information about the event, please contact the County Executive’s Office at (716) 7534211.

Game day party ideas

Football season has been in full swing for several months, and will soon culminate in the game of all games in early February — the Super Bowl. Watching the action on the field is exciting, but game day experiences can be enhanced by sharing the festivities with friends or family.

Football parties can take enjoyment of the game to the next level and be enhanced with each game that occurs on the road to the playoffs. The following are some ways to score touchdowns when hosting game day gatherings.

Create a DIY football field table cover

Head to the nearest party store and purchase green craft paper or a plastic tablecloth. Stretch it over the expanse of the table you need to cover and secure it underneath with tape or clips. Use white tape or ribbon to mark off the field yard markings and utilize white stick-on numerals to enhance the yard line measurements. Such a festive table can double as the perfect playing field for table-top football.

Decorate a drink station

Dress up your cooler with team colors and logos. Make a goal post out of PVC piping to add a little extra whimsy to the design.

Create game-inspired foods

Football-shaped foods,

vest in a football-shaped cookie cutter to cut just about everything, from sliced cheeses to sandwiches to pie crusts to that pigskin shape.

Set up games of chance

Buying “boxes” and gambling on the outcomes of the quarters is tradition for many people who participate in football parties. However, gambling isn’t for everyone. Party hosts can come up with other clever ideas to give people chances to win prizes.

ets to all in attendance. Each time the team scores, pick a raffle ticket out of a bag or bucket. The called number gets a prize.

Consider a tailgate theme

Evoke the feelings of a true stadium tailgate by hosting the party outdoors in the neighborhood. Each home can have its own station in the driveway, with party-goers walking from home to home to load up on snacks and talk about the game.

Game day is a great time to get together with fellow

when slow cooking

Slow cooking is a popular way to prepare hearty meals. Slowly cooked stews can make for the perfect meal on cold winter days. In addition to helping craft meals that stick to your ribs, slow cookers fill a home with enticing aromas all day long, and that can make everyone hungrier and more eager to try the finished product by dinnertime.

Slow cooking aromas wafting through the air heighten anticipation, and cooks can exceed expectations by employing a few strategies to increase flavor.

• Let fat do the flavoring. Fatty cuts of meat fare best in slow cookers, as the excess fat ensures the meat won’t dry out. The thought of flavoring with fat may not appeal to everyone, and those who prefer lean cuts will likely have to shorten the cooking time and add more

liquid than the recipe calls for to ensure the meat doesn’t dry out before it makes it to the dinner table.

• Brown the meat. Slow cooking experts tout the importance of browning meat prior to placing it in the slow cooker. According to AllRecipes.com, searing meat with a little oil in a hot skillet will help the meat develop more complex flavors. Ground meats also should always be browned before slow cooking, as this prevents the meat from clumping up and can ensure the finished product is not excessively greasy.

• Avoid overfilling the cooker. Foods cook differently when the cooker is too full. In such instances, the dish may end up tasting more like steamed food than simmered food. That’s especially so when too much liquid has been placed in the cooker. In such instances, steam

hits the lid of the cooker and creates

condensation, which then drips back into the pot. That can make everything inside more soggy and less tender. The owner’s manual of the slow cooker may recommend how much to fill it, but it’s generally best to fill the cooker somewhere between halfway and twothirds of its capacity.

• Cut ingredients evenly. Uniformity of flavor is a goal when slow cooking, as slow cooked meals tend to be served when hosting a crowd and cooks will want everyone’s meal to boast the same amount of flavor. One way to ensure that is to make sure ingredients are cut evenly. Evenly cut carrots and potatoes will finish cooking at the same time, ensuring everyone’s meal will benefit from the same flavor profile.

Slow cooking is simple, but veteran slow cookers know that a few simple tricks can make meals that much more flavorful.