Hey guys,

If you get a chance (it only takes a minute), please call your NYS Assembly Member today and ask them to fully fund the NYS Tobacco Control Program at 58.4 million. Please do so right away as they are voting on this withing the next 48 hours.

Working for the NYS Smokers' Quitline, I know how desperate people are in need of help quitting smoking. It is completely unfair that the government is taxing cigarettes at the levels they are while at the same time threatening to remove funding to help people quit.

Currently, for every dollar collected in taxes, less than a fraction of a penny is invested in smoking cessation. Tobacco dependence is a serious addiction and many people are unable to quit without support.

To find the number for your representative follow the link.

Thanks,

Libertad

P.S The NYS Smokers' Quitline helped me quit 4 years ago and I am still extremely greatful for their assistance. The money invested in these programs is not wasted.

I can't wait to one day have my own washer and dryer. I'm so sick of sharing the machines in our building with these nasty people who just leave their stuff in the machines for as long as they want. It really grosses me out when I have to touch other peoples nasty underwear and clothes because they leave their stuff in them. I set a timer to remind myself that the cycle is done.

Besides that I have little tiny holes in a bunch of shirts which I think are because of the machines. I'm a long ways away from having my own washer and dryer but hopefully not too long. First I have to move to somewhere with hookups. Gotta have the hookups.

My ultimate dream is to have laundry in my actual living space. I also really love the new style washers and dryers that save energy and water, they are so seXXXy.





This is a real magnet that's on my fridge.

I hardly ever do raffles but there was one at Roswell today for colon cancer and they had a lot of nice stuff. Instead of getting a sheet of tickets to put in various baskets I paid $5 for the drawing for the 42" TV. Chances seem better than winning the lottery and those TVs are expensive.

I really want a new one. Mine is so dinky and it is old so I have to have that stupid converter box since I don't have cable. This is my second converter box and this one doesn't work properly so I only have like two channels.

I was surprised to see many of the gift baskets with liquor in them. It sort of made me laugh to see the liquor bottles in the hospital like that, they even had tequila. The raffle is going on for three days I think so you could still enter if you want, just don't go for the TV!

I am on a blogging roll....

My move to Buffalo was a very good decision. If I had stayed in Rochester I doubt that I would have faired very well. I was working at the Sutherland Group and living at my Dad's house after leaving an abusive relationship. Under pressure from my abusive boyfriend, I had purchased a brand new vehicle. I found myself trapped, in order to pay for the car, I couldn't afford to live on my own.

So I ended up crashing the car, totaling it (not on purpose). The car was gone and so was my ball and chain. My friend Mary had already moved to Buffalo and was living with her boyfriend Adam and they offered to have me move into their 2nd bedroom for a very low cost. They lived on Main Street, steps from the Amherst Street Rail Station. I could take a train to the local community college ECC and not need a new car, a new ball and chain.

I left Rochester, I left a lot of things, my family, my abusive ex, my past. It was refreshing but I had a very hard time. My past wasn't so easily left. Actually, it followed me. Shortly after arriving, the city of Rochester seized my bank account for unpaid parking tickets, of course from the ex. The only money I had in the account was enough to pay for the monthly bus pass I needed to get to school and work.

I have been in Buffalo for 11 years now, the longest I have ever been anywhere in my life. I am a Buffalonian more than I am anything else. I went to ECC City Campus, I transfered to Buffalo State and I have worked and contributed ever since I got here. It is here that I have found faith again, here in one of the most distressed cities in the US. I love Buffalo even when in the beginning I hated it.

Cleanups
SAVE THE DATE – APRIL 16th is the date for our Spring Clean-up 2011. Saturday, from 9-12.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

For the past 15-20 years, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper has organized biannual (spring and fall) cleanups* along various local waterways to remove litter and other accumulated debris. Scajaquada Creek has always been one of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s largest cleanup sites. Continued attention to litter removal at the trash racks and along the banks of Scajaquada Creek from the trash rack in Delaware Park to the mouth is part of ongoing efforts by volunteer groups. Local citizens monitor the trash rack at Delaware Park and hold the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works accountable when need be. Over 500 volunteers joined Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper for the Fall 2010 Shoreline Cleanup at 34 sites around the Buffalo Niagara region. A fantastic effort for the Fall!

———————————————————————————

Please let me know if you want to clean up Squaw Island. I told them I would bring 0-5 people. They need people for multiple locations in our areas. It really is rewarding knowing you are preventing all the trash from going into the water ways.