Health in Buffalo: What We're Doing and If It's Working

Healthful initiatives are seemingly everywhere in Erie County. A look at the county Department of Health programs proves that much effort has been put into public assistance. Those behind the change are fighting an uphill battle. High poverty rates, funding problems and difficulty in changing behavior make the future look bleak.

According to 2007 U.S. Census data, Buffalo is the third poorest large city in the nation. A 2011 report from Senate Chairman Bernie Sanders found that those in poverty were twice as likely to have diabetes as those who were affluent, and that just as many people die from poverty as lung cancer.

Erie County Commissioner of Health Gale Burstein, and Medical Care Administrator Cheryll Moore agree that the biggest hurdle when dealing with public health is funding. They receive funding from New York State and county taxes, but it simply is not enough. Grants must always be applied for, and expansion of healthcare services relies on grant money.

Currently, there are only two medical service delivery programs in place. Chris Collins closed the others, and now the Department of Health is fighting to get them back.

“He felt that the county did not need them, and that the private sector would pick it up,” Burstein said.

Education has to be at the forefront of any program. The public has to be informed in order to choose healthier foods and follow healthier behaviors. These programs have to reach the children.

“Because helping kids is helping families,” Kari Bonaro, director of communications for Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus said.

Carolyn Chisim, supervisor of food for the Buffalo Public Schools, loves to see children get excited about being healthy.

“I’m not in the schools a whole lot, but I think one of the best things I saw was a kid dig his hands in his orange like he couldn’t wait to get it,” she said.

Buffalo Public Schools are part of a six-step certification program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The district has to document that it is following the National School Lunch Program. Transitioning to the program and getting about 550 employees on board took about two-and-a-half months.

Educational nutrition posters are displayed to educate students on what they should be eating and why, but education of Buffalo students occurs outside of school as well. Part of the Buffalo Public Schools Wellness Policy has been to implement a lifelong eating program. It aims to foster healthy choices throughout the child’s life.

Participation in both school lunches and breakfasts has been increasing. This promising change does not mean that the work is done. Because portions must be restricted, even those who burn an extraordinary amount of calories through exercise, like football players, cannot have extra helpings of food. The system has to adapt to various individuals.

The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is taking a more structural approach to health.  Officials believe that the layout of the community must be suitable for healthy living. Bonaro pointed to sidewalks to prove the point. If sidewalks are in bad condition, if people do not have access to them or they simply are not safe, then people will not use them and get the physical activity they need.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities is one of many BNMC partners. HKHC is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and has only been awarded to 49 communities across the country. One of the primary goals for HKHC in Buffalo is to engage the community in dialogue about eating healthy and active living policies.

Yet, any area college student can speak to the fact that change does not come quick. The non-smoking policy at SUNY Buffalo State was implemented on Jan 1 2012, but many students still smoke on campus.

“We don’t see the outcome for 10 to 20 years later,” said Burstein. “That’s a health behavior change.”

Some programs have been extremely successful, as with the Syringe Expanded Access and Disposal Program (SEAD). In 2000 the New York State Legislature instituted the Public Health Law Syringe Access Demonstration Program (ESAP), and now we are seeing more people dispose of needles properly. Drop boxes at local pharmacies have helped with the collection of four tons of medical waste within the last year.

“It’s normal now,” said Moore. “Needles are not ending up on the beach.”

There are always projects in the works. The newest one will be the reopening of a health clinic at 1500 Broadway St. What is being referred to as a “medical mall” will feature community providers such as Catholic Health and the University at Buffalo Dental School, and is set to open at the end of 2013 or early 2014.

Bonaro knows there is a long way to go in terms of health for the city, but finds it hard not to be excited about everything that is happening. The road ahead is rocky, but we have to keep working on it.

“We have to,” Bonaro said. “We all live here and work here.”

For Those Who Want to Brave the Blogosphere

It has now been over a month since I started my blog.  Yes, it’s my first.  I’m sure that’s not surprising.

I just wanted to share a little beginner’s experience:

•       I was shocked to find that readers, although admittedly few, span two continents and three countries.
• Finding a good standout layout is more challenging than I would have expected…still on the look.
• I have to remind myself to stay on track. People read blogs for niche interests; they don’t want a whole smorgasbord to pick and choose from.
•  Having a space to showcase my work and direct those to it is great- plus it’s a free way to market oneself!

Hope any potential bloggers out there found something helpful in here.  Go for it.

Buffalo State Jazz Ensemble Goes Out on a Good Note

Soulful jazz rhythms carried onto the sidewalks surrounding Rockwell Hall at SUNY Buffalo State on April 26. Inside the building, foot-tapping and head bobbing synchronized with student performances of traditional and contemporary arrangements. The powerful, and somewhat improvisational show was presented by the campus Music Department and featured the talents of four groups.

Rick Fleming, director of the Buffalo State Jazz Ensemble, kicked off the night by welcoming the audience and introducing the first band. The Lockport High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Paul Allison, began with a piece titled “Love for Sale.”

When it came time for solo performances, musicians rose from their seats to achieve full visibility and recognition. Some of Lockport High School’s songs were upbeat and even sounded as if the players were snapping along, while others like “Body and Soul” were slowed down and lent a melancholy state of mind.

“It’s been a thrill being here - being here with the Buffalo State Jazz Ensemble,” Allison said.

The Buffalo State Jazz Ensemble performs in concerts twice a semester, but Fleming believes this is the first time a high school band has been involved. Allison contacted Fleming earlier in the semester about doing a collaborative show. Fleming was immediately on board.

“I think it’s always great to get high school kids on campus, in terms of recruitment,” Fleming said.

The next act of the night came from the Buffalo State Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Victoria Furby. Members and director walked out onto stage and began singing, sans introduction. The only instrumental accompaniment came from pianist Robert Hull. Seemingly spontaneous solos erupted in almost every song, with scat sections being prevalent in “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

“Those were planned solos. They were written into the score to be improvised solos,” Furby said of the scat.

Vocalists simply walked out of the group, grabbed a microphone and started “doo-dopping” in an acapella-like fashion. Not all of the vocalists can perform scat, but Furby said they are all working on it.

After “I‘ve Got You Under My Skin,” Furby took a moment to recognize the soloists and the founders of the group. Kathryn Allison and Patrick Allison built the ensemble from the ground, and are still involved three years into its existence.

Musicians of the Buffalo State Jazz Ensemble took the stage as the vocalists left. As they sat and waited for their director, a few began to warm up their instruments. Soon almost everybody was playing, and in a cohesive manner. It was almost as if they had begun on their own. But the band immediately went silent as Fleming walked on stage.

Fleming gestured for the band to rise, held for applause, motioned for them to sit and took his spot at the front. They started off loud and strong, much louder than the previous groups. Audience members turned to one another with looks of surprise and grins on their faces. Soloists rose when it was their time to shine, and each was granted applause from their director and the audience.

Vocalists Sarah Tripi, Kathryn Allison, Courtney Woods and Lindsey Holland from the Vocal Jazz Ensemble stepped in to provide lyrics to some Jazz Ensemble songs. Their facial expressions and body movement added a level of passion and personality to each song they performed.

“I really enjoyed when Dr. Fleming had vocalists in the band. It is a very effective way to showcase both sides,” Furby said.

The Buffalo State Jazz Combo was the break between the two Jazz Ensemble performances. The combo consisted of only six people, two saxophonists, one trombonist, one guitarist, one cellist and one drummer. The audience was brought into their world, one where they went with the flow, smiling and swaying and played off one another. Each member had multiple solos, and in “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise,” the drummer shifted to a different feel by picking up the bongo.

The Jazz Ensemble came back to wrap up the night. “On Green Dolphin Street,” featured Jason Fiedler on saxophone. Fleming said he had Fiedler in mind for the song because “he has quite a grasp on jazz improvisation.” Improvisation and the freeform nature of the night sustained interest up to the very last song, “America, the Beautiful.”

“I think the Buffalo State Music Department is one of the best kept secrets on campus, if not in the Western New York area,” Fleming said.

Great Gatsby Author Buffalo Connection

F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the great American writers of the last century.  His famous novel-turned-movie, the Great Gatsby, is about to make another cinema debut.  The movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, hits theatres May 10. 

The University of South Carolina has just recently made a ledger of his youth available on the Internet.

Who would have guessed that he once had roots in the Queen City?

Check out the full article here: http://bit.ly/Ynywqg

Coming Soon...

What is being done to make our people healthier?  In a city that has one of the highest levels of poverty, we're still fighting for the cause.

Kristina Siegel & Memento Fugit

Visitors of 1045 Elmwood Gallery for the Arts in Buffalo, New York, have been passing tombstones. The grave-markers are not concrete slabs with inscriptions. They do not even mark real graves. Nobody has died, but a faux, fabric cemetery has recently appeared within the building. The unique scene is part of the newest installation at the gallery, “Memento Fugit,” composed by German artist Kristina Siegel.

Owner of 1045, Donald Zinteck, remembers the first time Siegel approached him. She was on a mission to secure a spot in his gallery. Hanging paintings was not the goal; she was interested in working within the three dimensional space.

“She totally had a vision for her artwork in the space…not just on the wall,” he said.

“It’s how I work. I see something then I have to work with it,” Siegel said.

The physical representation of her vision, “Memento Fugit,” runs through April 7. It is an installation of fabric tombstones, drawings, and prints.

“The beginning of the fabric was, we’re all so used to certain materials,” she said. “We’re all very irritated by changing materials.”

Siegel’s interest in materials was directly influenced by American artist Claes Oldenburg. He is well-known for his large fabric constructions of familiar objects.

“I was so impressed with his work. He played with perception; this what I liked,” she said.

If one were to spend any length of time with Siegel, they would pick up on her cerebral nature. Her mind is always working. She is always thinking and contemplating new ideas and new ways of thinking. Constant inner discourse keeps her from what she fears most - stagnation.

Siegel originates from East Germany, and completed a master’s degree in fine arts as well as one in architecture while studying in Dresden. She enjoys traveling and talking to different people, and gaining different perspectives. She has traveled within Europe, the Americas, and has even bicycled through Africa.

Much of Siegel’s work seeks to capture a feeling, an energy, so that the beginning is always spontaneous and emotional. Her work always starts with a preliminary sketch.

“I’m very interested in capturing this moment. I think a lot about it.” she said.

Her creative origins go back to a young age, where her mother could keep her busy and calm her down by giving her something to create. One of her earliest masterpieces was a watercolor landscape painting.

“Well, I was very proud of it, and my mother was, ‘Oh, OK,’” Siegel recalled with a chuckle. “Years later I talked to my mother and said, ‘You weren’t very convincing.’ She said she didn’t want to discourage me.”

Much of Siegel’s work stems from her mother. When she learned that her mother had cancer and would only have a year left to live, she went to take a walk at the nearby cemetery. The space was so silent and holy that it put her at ease. Dealing with her mother’s battle, and eventual death, shaped a new philosophy.

“Now I am more relaxed,” she said.

Siegel wastes no time being angry or spending time with people she does not enjoy the company of. A time of battle and loss has become an integral part of her, has woven itself into her life and is reflected in her art.

Having free reign to create and experiment with materials seems like it would be fun. While Siegel takes much pleasure in what she does, she would not necessarily call it fun. She believes the process of creating is “more the struggle to confront yourself.”

It can be therapeutic, but it can also be a source of insecurity.

“Sometimes I feel like, why am I doing this? Is it really worth doing?” she said.

At these times she can draw upon the memories of past professor and artist, Andreas Reinhardt. With him, through her studies, she traveled to and studied different exhibitions in Europe. During a time when she was unsure of herself, unconvinced that she had something worth saying, he gave her the confidence and inspiration she needed to pursue her passion.

When trying to explain the title “Memento Fugit,” Siegel referenced the Latin phrase “memento moria.” She explained that it comes from baroque times and describes the moment just before decay. These are the moments she looks for and hopes to capture.

“I’m not sure I understand her vision,” admitted Zinteck. But he knows that is not the point. Siegel’s inner-strength and complexity is reflected in her work. It gets people thinking. Her vision comes through, and as Zinteck put it: “that’s good enough for me.”

Big City Gym Makes Western New York Debut

Amherst residents will soon have another option when it comes to staying fit. Work is underway on a Crunch Fitness facility to open in the Sheridan Center Plaza by the beginning of May. Ann Gross, an Amherst resident and the new Crunch franchisee, is excited to help people stay healthy. 
Crunch gyms have been prevalent in big cities like New York and Los Angeles since soon after their debut in 1989. Their “No Judgments” philosophy and commitment to making fitness fun has made widespread success possible. Ann has been admiring the company from the pages of fitness magazines and in person for the last 15 years.

“It was about creating a culture of fun and exercise,” Gross said.

When she learned that Crunch was allowing franchisee opportunities, she knew this was an adventure she wanted to take. It seems like a logical progression for someone with a healthcare background and a master’s degree in physical therapy.

The newest Crunch center will debut in an industry that is fiercely competitive. Success is not a guarantee when two other gyms are established in the area, each only a mile away. Nonetheless, Gross feels that competition is good for the area. Community members will be presented with more choices, which will only increase their chance of success.

Jerry Czora, former operational manager of Springville Health & Fitness in Springville, NY, is no stranger to the competitive market. In a town of less than 5,000 people, he ran one of two gyms. Czora believes that competition “is always good for the consumer.” He knows that research and innovation are of utmost importance. Whoever can provide the most in the way of what a customer needs will have the upper hand.

Customers of the new Amherst location of Crunch will be able to take new innovative classes, like BodyWeb with TRX (acronym for total body resistance excercise), where members suspend from TRX ropes on the way during the session. This is an example of a Crunch-certified class, and it cannot be found anywhere else.

Memberships are available for presale. They fall into two categories, base and peak. Neither option requires a long contract, nor are there large down payments. The base membership includes use of the entire facility, and access to free classes. It costs $9.95 per month. The online fitness tool, dotFit, comes with any Crunch membership. DotFit allows users to input their caloric intake, their activity, and their goals. Peak memberships cost $19.95 per month, and include the amenities of the base membership, plus unlimited tanning and free guest privileges.

The 18,000-square-foot facility will hold 90 pieces of cardio equipment, plus universals and free weights. Television screens are built into cardio machines, making it that much easier to get moving. Gross wants to break down the barriers people face when it comes to working out, and Crunch is allowing her to do that.

Gross is invested in her new business. She left her other job in order to be very present. It is not a venture she is taking lightly, “It’s my job. It’s my baby,” she said. The location is perfect for Gross to serve the people of the community. It is convenient and has plenty of parking.

“I tell people we can bring big city of Manhattan to the little city of Buffalo,” says Gross.

According to Gross there has already been a great community response to the developing Crunch. It seems like there will be a big turnout for this for a big time gym, and now we await the big time results.