General Information

Below material submitted by Olmsted County Public Health from their In Good Health newsletter. Let them hear from you! Drop them a line on how you use this information or visit them on the web. Additional information on healthy living can be found at Steps to a Healthier MN.
Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse, and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence.

The City of Rochester, MN announces the successful completion of several traffic signal timing optimization projects throughout the community. According to Project Engineer, Bruce Boje with Westwood Professional Services, “the project is a huge success with an estimated $3,500,000 benefit to the traveling public that include annual reductions of 200,000 hours of vehicle delay, 20,000,000 fewer vehicle stops, and 144,000 gallons of fuel saved as a result of the project”.

McGruff the Crime Dog and his nephew Scruff, members of the Rochester Police Department, RNeighbors Board members, and members of the National Night Out Committee all helped hand out T-shirts to the first 500 fans at the Rochester Honkers game on Tuesday, July 8th.

Greg Munson, Executive Director, has announced his retirement from Quarry Hill Nature Center, effective April 2008. Mr. Munson has worked at Quarry Hill for more than 22 years, serving as executive director since 1987, and he has played a key leadership role in expanding the center’s facilities and programs, increasing staffing and bringing more visitors and members to Quarry Hill Nature Center during his tenure.

Originally published by Olmsted County Public Health Services Newsletter, March, 2008, In Good Health, A Health and Wellness Newsletter.

You know that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is good for you, but you're constantly on the go. Fruits and vegetables can be a part of a balanced diet anytime, anywhere.

Fruits and veggies are available in many different forms that are easy to take with you. Prepared fresh fruits and vegetables, like baby carrots and fresh fruit cups, are available in the produce section. Dried fruits and vegetables pack away easily in your bag. Pre-packaged fruits in their own juice make a great addition to any lunch sack.

"Pineapple Under the Snow" by Cornerstone Builders and Rochester Brick. This is just one of the playhouses being built for this fundraiser.

Members of the Rochester Area Builders are building six one of a kind playhouses and donating them to Family Service Rochester. These playhouses will be on display and ready for kids to play in at the Builders Home Show Feb. 8 - 10, 2008. One playhouse, the U.S.S. Remodeler (pirate ship) will be raffled; $20 per ticket only 500 will be sold. The other five playhouses will be auctioned on Sat., Feb. 9, 2008 at the Auction, Awards and Wine Tasting Event. Tickets to this event are $15 and include admission to the Builders Home Show.

Submitted by Matt Altstiel, United Way Middle School Program Community Outreach Coordinator.
Friday, November 23, 2007

Middle School Youth Initiative @ Willow Creek

As a reader of the RNeighbors website and the community, you personally recognize the importance of giving back to community. A strong will to serve and confront injustice makes for a strong Rochester. Help inspire middle school youth with your spirit of volunteerism, a spirit that will likely passed onto them. The United Way of Olmsted County, Willow Creek Middle School, and our Community Partners invite you to volunteer for a very special after-school program. Be a part of what the Rochester Post Bulletin calls, “one of those little things making a big difference.”

Originaly published by Olmsted County Public Health Services Newsletter, November 2007, In Good Health, A Health and Wellness Newsletter.

Even though proper hand washing techniques should be practiced year round, we are approaching a time of year which sees more cold and flu germs infecting people. This year, December 2 – 8 is dedicated to reminding people about the importance of hand washing.

There are only a few steps to assure proper hand washing.

1. Wet hands with warm running water
2. Add soap
Read the rest of this entry...

Every day, volunteers change lives and improve our communities, but they rarely receive the recognition they deserve.

The Philanthropy Journal wants to hear about the amazing volunteers in your organization.

To celebrate unsung volunteers, please nominate a volunteer hero from your nonprofit -- someone whose unselfish deeds have made a difference for others.

The city of Rushford now has requests for volunteer assistance through Sept. 9. In total, 1,340 volunteers are needed in the city of Rushford. United Way expects additional requests from other locations. The need for volunteers will increase over the coming days as communities are prepared to receive and make best use of them.

Volunteers must register with United Way of Olmsted County. Volunteers should not go to Rushford without registering with United Way of Olmsted County. For the city of Rushford volunteer projects, the minimum age for volunteers is 16 with parental permission and adult supervision.