Breaking News

Life

Hochul Releases Proposed Budget That Is Insulting To Elderly New Yorkers

Local Commentaries

New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul recently released a proposed budget that is frankly a slap in the face to Older New Yorkers. Despite headlines claiming New York as the first “Age Friendly State” in the nation and initiatives like Age-Friendly Health Systems and a Master Plan on Aging for NY, the governor is cutting funding to aging programs that currently can’t meet the needs of Older New Yorkers. It seems that the governor has forgotten about millions of older adults living in the state and the caregivers that provide essential services to them. Here are some statistics you ...

Do You Have Questions About Medicare Or Your Health Insurance? There Is Help Available

Senior News

The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) provides you and your loved ones with information and counseling about Medicare and other health insurance. Trained staff and volunteers will answer your questions. The services provided by HIICAP counselors are free and objective. To obtain assistance just call NYConnects at (716) 753-4582. It can be difficult to understand all of the Medicare rules and your medical bills. These HIICAP Counselors are here to assist you in choosing between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans including health ...

How Is Coverage Impacted As Husband Turns 65?

Senior News

Question: I am currently working with a High Deductible Health Plan that includes an HSA and my husband is turning 65. How does his Medicare benefit impact the coverage my employer provides us? Answer: Turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare is an important threshold for your husband and your health insurance coverage could be impacted. The first issue I want to address is your HSA (Health Savings Account) contribution. These contributions are pre-tax dollars which can be used to pay medical expenses and premiums at a later date. When you have a High Deductible Health Plan ...

The Many Benefits Of Composting

Nature

I want you all to know about something that is very near and dear to my heart. Something that I have spent the last 16 years of my life fully consumed in (and still am today). It’s called composting. I might be what some people call a composting nut. Chances are, if we have spoken, it is ...

Do The Great Backyard Bird Count

Nature

Let’s be honest, mid-February is an absolutely lousy time to ask people to count birds, but that is exactly what the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology ask people to do. The weather is often intolerably cold, for people and for birds. The winter snow in some years is ...

Fletcher Students Learn Keyboard Basics In Music Class

Focus On Schools

“Can you find the two bunny ears?” asked Sofia Isabella to students in her fourth grade music class at Fletcher Elementary School. The school’s music room looked like a sea of keyboards — indeed, Isabella wasn’t referring to rabbits. “Bunny ears” instead were references to ...