Erie Cattaraugus County Community Source 4/28/23

How to make a review as beneficial as possible for local businesses

Patronizing a business and thanking its staff on your way out can help business owners and their employees feel good about the work they’re doing. Though such gestures will never go out of style, customers can do even more to help the small businesses in their communities.

Since the internet became such a vital part of life, online reviews have become increasingly important for small businesses. According to BrightLocal’s Local Consumer Review Survey 2022, 78 percent of consumers use the internet more than once a week to learn about local businesses. What’s more, the survey found that a whopping 99 percent of consumers have used the internet to find information about a local business in the last year.

The BrightLocal survey also found that positive reviews can be especially beneficial to local businesses. Consumers indicated that written reviews describing a positive experience and reviews with a high star rating were the most significant review factors to make them feel positively about a local business.

The value of positive reviews for local businesses in undeniable.

Consumers who want to help the small businesses in their communities can consider these tips to ensure their reviews prove

as beneficial as possible for local businesses.

• Go to the right place. A review is only helpful if it’s seen. The BrightLocal survey found that, in 2021, Google (81 percent), Yelp (53 percent) and Facebook (48 percent) were the three most utilized sites or apps to evaluate local businesses. The popularity of Google and Yelp in particular grew considerably between 2020 and 2021, suggesting that consumers can do the most good by leaving positive reviews on one or both of these sites.

• Recognize that recency matters. BrightLocal notes that the number of consumers willing to trust reviews left as long as year ago is on the rise.

However, consumers who have already reviewed a company in the distant past should know that only 7 percent of consumers feel that recency of review does not affect their decision.

Consumers who really to want to help a local

business they’ve already reviewed can leave a new review if their previous one was posted more than a year ago. • Leave a review even if the business already has plenty. The value of recent reviews has already been noted, but it’s equally important to point out how valuable the volume of reviews can be. The BrightLocal survey found that 39 percent of consumers indicated a business having more reviews than another business they’re considering is one of a handful of deciding factors when they must choose which firm to patronize. So even if a business already has lots of positive reviews, one more positive review can still prove beneficial. Consumers can tailor their online reviews so they’re as beneficial as possible for the local businesses that help their communities thrive.

How consumers can help small businesses

Small businesses continue to be the backbone of the North American business community. According to the career resource Zippia, there are 33.2 million small businesses in the United States. Those organizations employ around 62 million people. The financial wellness company Fortunly says that small businesses account for nearly half of all private sector jobs in Canada. In fact, small employer businesses made up 98.1 percent of all businesses in Canada in 2021.

Despite the prevalence of small businesses and the abundance of people willing to become entrepreneurs, 20 percent of these firms fail within the first year, and only 55 percent survive five years or more, says Zippia. The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly harsh on small

businesses. However, many of them survived through digitization that they plan to continue to utilize even when the pandemic is long gone. Maintaining a small business through economic highs and lows and other issues often comes down to customer involvement. Consumers are the driving forces behind the success of small businesses. Here are some effective ways for consumers to help small businesses grow.

• Shop local. The “Shop Local” movement has been around for awhile but remains as relevant as ever. Shopping local means becoming repeat patrons at the independent businesses that comprise Main Street as opposed to the chain stores that dominate strip malls.

• Share on social. Social

media can be a great way to spread the word about businesses you like and point out particular examples why you shop there. Utilizing social media platforms to highlight the positive attributes of a business can help that business grow.

• Call direct for take-out orders. Those ubiquitous third-party food delivery services may be convenient, but businesses have to share the profit from your purchase with the delivery service, cutting into their bottom lines. Pick up your order or rely on the restaurants’ own delivery teams.

• Engage with the business online. Complicated algorithms and other factors determine how a business’ website or social media page gets seen by the public. You can help things along

by liking pages, visiting the website frequently and sharing any posts.

• Speak about a business in person. When out and about, whether you’re dining with friends or chatting with a stranger, try to push and recommend businesses you support. If someone compliments your lawn, shoes or haircut, mention the businesses that did the work or sold you the products.

• Suggest opportunities for exposure. If you know about a school or organization looking for vendors, make the suggestion to a small business you use frequently. They may get new customers from participating in the event. Small businesses are driving forces in the economy. Consumers can do their part to keep them thriving and profitable.

Jamestown, N.Y. – The Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) 2023 Birdathon is a great reason to spend time outdoors looking for birds, especially during the spring migration season.

Each year, teams of birders raise money to fund the Ryan Exline Memorial Scholarship and to provide ongoing care and habitat improvements for Audubon’s Animal Ambassadors.

Gather a friend or two and sign up as a team to spend up to 24 hours birding from Saturday, April 29, through Sunday, May 7. Then spread the word to get friends and family to pledge your team by sharing the link to the Birdathon website, Go.RallyUp.com/ ACNCBirdathon2023.

The Ryan Exline Memorial fund is a longtime beneficiary of the Birdathon. Exline was an integral part of the Audubon family for many years until he was tragically killed in an auto accident during his junior

Form Your Team Now for Audubon

year at Duke University. Each year this fund, created in his memory, provides a $500 scholarship to a college-bound high school student or a college student who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an environmental field.

The winner of the 2022 Ryan Exline Memorial Scholarship was Charlie Milliman of Cattaraugus, New York, then a student at Jamestown Community College. While at JCC, Milliman was president of the Earth Awareness Club, the Student Representative on the campus Tree Committee, and a member of the Jamestown chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Additional money raised beyond the scholarship funds will help cover annual expenses including visits to the vet, food, and other necessary items to keep Audubon’s animals healthy. These expenses include approximately $5,000 annually. This year’s goal is to raise $4,000 to fund the 2023 scholarship and to offset some of the animal care expenses.

Saturday, April 29, through Sunday, May 7, are the dates for the 2023 Audubon Community Nature Center Birdathon fundraiser. The event raises money for the Ryan Exline Memorial Scholarship and for care of Audubon’s animal ambassadors. Charlie Milliman (right) of Cattaraugus, New York, the winner of the 2022 scholarship, is pictured birding with Audubon Nature Educator Chelsea Jandreau.

You can decide whether to bird for 24 hours straight or a few hours every day. At least 60% of the team must be present to count. Though teams of one are accepted, to be eligible for awards a team must consist of two people.

This year’s “Top Birders” will receive special recognition through ACNC’s e-newsletter. Awards will be given to the teams that see the most birds, raise the most money, or have the most unusual sighting.

If you aren’t a birder, you

can visit the website and support your favorite team and/or the cause. Donors can contribute based on the number of birds seen or by making a flat contribution.

To participate in or contribute to the 2023 Birdathon, go to Go.RallyUp.com/ ACNCBirdathon2023.

There is no fee to participate.

For any questions, contact Audubon Public Engagement Specialist Jeff Tome at JTome@ AudubonCNC.org or (716) 569-2345. For help with registration, call the reception desk at (716) 569-2345.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, onequarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The health benefits of hobbies

Maintaining physical and mental health often requires a multi-faceted approach. Eating well, exercising and reducing stress are part of a healthy regimen, but those are not the only components of a healthy lifestyle. Hobbies can have a positive effect on overall health. Hobbies can seem like ways to simply pass the time or alleviate boredom.

But a deeper exploration could shed light on just how healthy hobbies can be. In fact, it is essential to carve out time for hobbies because they can be so beneficial.

According to a study published in Aging

Clinical and Experimental Research, participation in

leisure activities positively influences self-perceived well-being and depressive symptoms. “The blue zone” refers to the areas of the world that have the longest-living people on the planet, which include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; and Ikaria, Greece, among others. Participation in activities that bring out a creative side leads to an increased sense of well-being that is good for long-term health. They also can reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, and it can negatively affect energy, mood and sleep. While most leisure activities regularly engaged in can have positive effects on health,

those that focus on a combination of physical and mental stimulation are most beneficial. Women looking to change their daily routines may want to focus on these health-boosting hobbies.

• Dancing: Laugh, sweat and learn some footwork in a dance class. It can make exercise fun for those who find traditional exercise does not keep their attention.

• Kayaking: There’s something serene about being on the water away from the hustle of life on land. Kayaking strengthens the body, but the calm of taking in the water and scenery nourishes the mind. Experts agree that

outdoor hobbies add another benefit since sunlight helps the body release neuroreceptors that trigger more positive thoughts.

• Gardening: Gardening is physical, requires planning, involves spending time outdoors, and yields tangible results through thriving plants. These are all factors that promote good health.

• Fostering animals: Fostering animals offers them an opportunity to spend time in domestic settings before being adopted by permanent owners. For the foster person, having a dog involves going out on walks and play sessions in the backyard. A sense

of purpose comes from helping out needy animals, and this hobby also taps into physical wellness.

• Volunteering: Being a presence in your community can foster social engagement and boost emotional health.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, the 2022 Nature Photography Contest winners, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for nonNature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.

It also can keep you physically active. Various hobbies can be good for the mind and body, which makes it worth anyone’s effort to make more time for recreation and leisure.

Photo Submitted

Volunteers Among Those Recognized at MHA Luncheon

Jamestown, N.Y. – In opening the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County’s (MHA) April recovery luncheon at the Jamestown recovery center, Executive Director Steven Cobb reminded the many present of the importance of celebrating milestones in recovery.

Cobb said that on their journeys to recovery from addictions, many participants had found tobacco one of the most difficult substances to put down. In looking at how to support those efforts, milestones in giving up smoking are now being recognized.

Participants also received certificates for finding employment, a year of sobriety, and acceptance into Jamestown Community College’s CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor) program.

Cobb shared a meditation reading in remembrance of an MHA participant who lost their life to an overdose the previous week.

Two MHA volunteers were recognized for their special contributions.

Peggy Lindsey was significant in helping start the Fun Friday

Group, a time to relax and enjoy the moment, to laugh, have fun, and socialize, with a variety of activities. Tom DeBeau received a certificate for facilitating the faithbased PTSD men’s group and truly embracing the MHA’s mission and vision statements.

The MHA’s Mission Statement is: The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County commits to radical acceptance, empowerment, and advocacy for our community members who struggle with mental health and substance use.

The Vision Statement is: The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County envisions a time when the peer recovery model is widely relied upon as a foundation of support and advocacy to address the total needs of all individuals and their families challenged by the effects of mental health and/or substance use disorders. We will persevere in changing our local culture to one of hope, kindness, and justice, redefining and expanding the possibilities for a rich and satisfying life for people in recovery.

Black and Latino folks were reminded of community meetings— open conversations to help address the needs of our community—planned by the Chautauqua County Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (I.D.E.A.) Coalition. The Black/Latino Community Meeting was Tuesday, April 25, 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Dunkirk High School cafeteria, 75 West 6th Street. The Black/African American Community Engagement Meeting is Wednesday, January 26, 6 p.m. in the Love Elementary School gym, 50 E. 8th Street, Jamestown.

The Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene provided the delicious lunch prepared by Basil & Bones.

The MHA is a peer recovery center offering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen wellness, thrive in recovery, or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.

Anyone with questions or in need of services for themselves or a family member suffering from a mental health or substance use disorder is welcome to call or stop in at the Jamestown recovery center at Door 14 in the rear of the Gateway Center, 31 Water Street. It is open Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. –4:30 p.m.; and Saturday,

8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Hours for the north county recovery center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk, are 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

To learn more about

the Mental Health Association, call (716) 661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua. org or facebook.com/ MHAChautauqua. A schedule with descriptions of MHA’s more than five dozen groups and classes is at MHAchautauqua. org/groups.

‘The Big Catch-Up’

Are Your Family’s Routine Vaccinations Up To Date?

MAYVILLE, N.Y.

April 24-30, 2023 is World Immunization Week and National Infant Immunization Week. The World Health Organization has selected this year’s theme as ‘The Big Catch-Up’ noting that we need to act now to catch-up the millions of children who missed out on vaccines during the pandemic, restore essential immunization coverage to at least 2019 levels and strengthen primary health care to deliver immunization.

“We want to highlight the importance of protecting infants and young children from vaccine-preventable

diseases.” states Dr. Michael Faulk, Chief Medical Officer and Interim Public Health Director.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 caused many disruptions in care and, as a result, families have missed appointments. Let this week serve as a reminder to residents to contact their local physician’s office to stay on track for their children’s well-visits and routinely recommended vaccinations.”

Most parents choose the safe, proven protection of vaccines. Giving babies the recommended vaccinations by age two is the best way to protect them from serious childhood diseases, like whooping cough (pertussis) and measles.

Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. Vaccines help protect both individuals and communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

“Pediatric and adolescent vaccines are extremely safe and highly effective in preventing vaccine associated diseases in children.’ explains Dr. Tariq Khan, Chautauqua County Board of Health member and local pediatrician. ‘Parents should feel confident and comfortable in getting their children age appropriate vaccines as recommended by CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics”

To learn more about recommended vaccines for all ages and when they should be given visit https://www.cdc.gov/ vaccines/schedules/.

Residents are encouraged to check with their physician’s office to find out if their family is up to date. The Chautauqua County Health Department can also review vaccination records; simply call 866-604-4789. For more information on vaccines and vaccine preventable illnesses visit www.heathyCHQ.com.

MAYVILLE, N.Y.: -- The Chautauqua County Ethics Board will be holding a meeting on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 2 p.m. in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building, 3 N. Erie St. in Mayville, N.Y.

Current members of the board are John Hamels, Diane

Hannum, John Marengo, and Stephanie Stevens. For more information or a meeting agenda, please contact the Ethics Board Liaison at (716) 753-4120 or visit chqgov.com/countyexecutive/Ethics-Board .

Photo Submitted

Among those recognized at the Mental Health Association April recovery luncheon by Executive Director Steven Cobb (left) were volunteers Peggy Lindsey and Tom LeBeau. The event well-attended was in the Jamestown recovery center.

Saturday Bird Bandings at Audubon, April 29 – May 20

how this is done and why.

Come on your own or bring the kids with you to view this amazing process. Watch how these bird scientists capture migrating and resident birds in “mist” nets – so-called because they are so fine they are almost like mist – fit them with identification bands, measure, weigh, and then release them. You might even be selected to help release a bird.

If the weather is too harsh for the safety of the birds, the nets are not opened and an alternate date is chosen.

While not necessary to enjoy the demonstrations, you may want to bring bird guides and binoculars if you have them, and remember to dress for the weather. Plan to listen closely to the scientists and follow their instructions carefully, as safety of the birds is the priority.

Photo Submitted

You can observe bird scientists in action and birds up close at bird banding demonstrations every Saturday morning from April 29 through May 20 at Audubon

Community Nature Center. This photograph of flycatchers, “Two Birds on Perch,” by Olean, New York, photographer Paul G. Beretta, was an adult winner in an Audubon Nature Photography Contest. For information on submitting to and voting for the 2023

Photo Contest, visit GoGoPhotoContest.com/ACNCPhotoContest2023.

Come to the picnic pavilion on the west side of the Audubon property at 1600 Riverside Road, just east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Look for a “Bird Banding” sign at the entrance closer to Route 62. Drive in and park on the grass along the edge of the trees. Or park at the Nature Center parking lot and walk to trail over to the banding site, especially if it has been raining.

Birdbander Emily Thomas Perlock holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degres in Wildlife

Pre-workout tips for seniors

adversely affect workouts.

• Emphasize stretching. Stretching can improve flexibility and reduce the risk of muscle injuries. It also can improve range of motion in the joints. Stretching before and after a workout prepares the body for exercise and helps it recover.

and Fisheries Science from Penn State. She has worked as a wildlife biologist for the United States Forest Service Northern Research Station’s Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Irvine, Pa., and is currently an Instructor in Wildlife Technology at Penn State DuBois. Since learning how to band in 2005, she has banded over 4000 birds; she has a Master Banding permit and is certified as a bird bander by the North American Banding Council. She established a banding program at The Arboretum at Penn State and has participated in banding programs for Audubon and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

Audubon offers these demonstrations to the public free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated. No reservations are required. No dogs please.

To learn more and donate if you choose, click through “Programs and Events” at AudubonCNC.org.

While at ACNC, you can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike

over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, the 2022 Nature Photography Contest winners, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for nonNature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.

typically must change how they approach exercise. For example, rather than jumping two feet first into new activities like they might have done when they were younger, seniors may

improve their endurance prior to lacing up their sneakers. For most, that may boil down to taking various pre-workout steps.

• Get enough rest. The body requires adequate

growth and repair. Exercise may not be as effective and it may be more dangerous if seniors are engaging without enough sleep. In addition, sleep deprivation can reduce reaction times, which can

• Wear the proper footwear and clothing. Sturdy, supportive athletic shoes and well-fitting workout wear can make working out more comfortable and safer. The National Institute on Aging recommends finding footwear designed for the specific activity you’ll be engaging in. Footwear that offers sufficient heel support and nonslip soles is beneficial as well.

• Warm up. Give the body an opportunity to acclimate during a warm-up period that will facilitate healthy breathing. Warming up also loosens up the joints and muscles for the exercise ahead. After a workout, seniors should cool down to reduce their heart rates and prepare for recovery.

• Carefully consider preworkout supplements. Preworkout powders and pills have become quite popular for exercise enthusiasts. Manufacturers may advertise that their products are loaded with vitamins and minerals that will help energize the body for a workout. However, they also may be fortified with caffeine. Do not take a pre-workout supplement without first consulting your physician, as certain products may adversely interact with medications you’re taking for preexisting conditions. Pre-workout steps can keep seniors safe and reduce injury risk from exercise.