BirthdaysSusan Williams - November 4Susan Fiedler - November 8Kevin Bidtah - November 10

Angela Palmer - November 10Jessica Lehsten - November 11

Saw Min - November 11Kathleen Oczek - November 16

Tayrin Torres - November 18Shari DeMarco - November 18Elisa Luciano - November 23

Kathryn Diebold - November 25

AnniversariesFrank Goldberg - 1 year

Brian Planty - 5 yearsCourtney Coburn - 5 yearsBridget McClain - 9 yearsCarolee Corbitt - 12 years

Your Continued Dedication and HardWork Are Noticed and Appreciated!

– The Management Team

CONGRA TULATIONSto Jessica Lehsten, whocompleted the requiredtraining to become our

newest HIV Test Counselor.We are so happy to haveher on our testing team!

Shannon Bryant My “go-to” restaurant for a good meal is Prospero’s Restaurant. I love all their dishes… it didn’t feel right to pick a favorite!

Josh McClain Santasiero’s on Lafayett e and Niagara is a great go-to option for Italian American comfort food. Th e menu is limited and payment is cash only, but anything with their red sauce on it is worth eating, especially the chicken or eggplant parmigiana. Sun Food Market at Austin and Niagara (in Black Rock) off ers an impressive variety of Asian foods: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Th ai, Vietnamese and Burmese. Th e Burmese fi sh soup and tea leaf salad are my fa-vorite items that I’ve tried so far. And, the Wednesday night buff et at India Gate on Elmwood, near Forest, is a great way to make it through the middle of the week. Th e buff et is always somewhat diff erent and always delicious.

Kimberly Lombard In Jamestown? Th is is a no brainer. Forte - small, dimly lit, cool kid atmosphere, local artwork, eclectic food, sushi, local beer. $12 gets you steak, potatoes, salad, bread and a local fun draft beer. Since I don’t eat beef, I get the Pacifi c Rim Tuna

Crisps: sliced sesame tuna steak on crispy wontons with cilantro lime Asian slaw, Wasabi cream sauce. Plus, this committ ed establishment plans their vaca-tion AROUND Dining Out For Life so they can be sure to participate!

Tamika Adams My ‘go-to’ restaurant would be Pano’s on Elmwood. I have been going there since I was a freshman at Buff alo State. Way back then, Pano’s was open-late night, and I could get chocolate chip pan-cakes at 3 a.m. My palett e and budget have matured since then. Although the menu changes oft en, my fa-vorite appetizer is the stuff ed banana peppers (Hun-garian Peppers), stuff ed with Hungarian stuffi ng, blue cheese, asiago, parmesan, mozzarella, and steak. My favorite entrée is the mahi mahi served over jas-mine rice and capers, topped with an orange beurre blanc sauce. If either item is still on the menu, I would recommend them both.

Johnny Mora Hutch’s Restaurant is my favorite one, where I enjoy Jambalaya. One can have a half or full portion, it’s serve over pasta instead of rice. In Loui-siana they’d call it “Pastalaya” (see next page for more)

The Connections Question

What is yourgo-to place forcomfort food?

Do You Have Questions About the Types of Foods to Include in Your Diet?

• Do you frequently eat at “fast food” restaurants because you don’t have the time to plan a healthy meal for lunch or dinner?• Do you fi nd yourself feeling more tired or more energetic after eating certain types of foods?• Do you fi nd your mood sometimes being aff ected by the food you’ve eaten?• Are you considering a new diet but don’t know if it will work?

On-Line Nutrition Consultation Is Available Through the EAP Website

The on-line Nutrition Consultation service is provided by a Registered Certifi ed Dietitian/Nutritionist. It is designed to promote wellness and reduce the risk of chronic illness through consultation and education about healthier food choices and improved eating patterns.

*Because the focus is on wellness, this service is not appropriate for individuals who need medical nutrition therapy to treat or manage specifi c illnesses. This service is also not intended to replace medical treatment, nor to diagnose, cure or prevent any diseases. It is always recommended that you routinely consult with your own physician for medical concerns.

To Submit Your Questions About Nutrition, Visit The EAP Website

www.cfsbny.ort/programs/eapClick on Employees, Family MembersUser Name: cfseap1981Password: eap4youClick on “On-line Questions & Answers About Nutrition”

(Comfort Food continued fr om previous page)

Kevin Bidtah Papaya - Fiery Udon with Chicken. Bada Bing – the Bing (steak) sandwich.

Gary Williams Mythos on Elmwood between Bry-ant and Utica is my favorite “go-to” restaurant. Th eir Chicken Souvlaki is THE best in town. It’s the most tender, almost like it’s been pressure cooked, when it’s merely been marinated and grilled—and you get a generous portion—I usually have to take left overs home.

Maria LoTempio Shango. Everything is amazing!

Tiff any Macauley If you are looking for some home-made Italian comfort food La Bella Sicilia’s is your place. Th ey are located in Cheektowaga off Genesee between Union and Harlem. I went there last week with my two children and my bill was $24.95. Th e pizza is delicious and the antipasto is out of this world. Th ey are known for their chicken parm dinner with ziti. Dining in you get endless, warm bread and butt er as well. Th e atmosphere is small but cozy and very kid friendly. For those who enjoy Italian Garden’s “home-made” food, I challenge you to try La Bella’s and expe-rience real, authentic, homemade Italian food.

Tara Grier La Galera, Niagara Falls, best dish: Cali-fornia Burrito supreme.

CONNECTIONS CONTRIBUTORS

PUBLISHER/LAYOUT JOHN CAROCCIEDITOR KIMBERLY HARDING

CONTRIBUTORS KATE GALLIVAN,LIYA MOOLCHAN, CORINNE HENDERSON

COVER: PAINTING BY CORINNE HENDERSON

E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS FOR FUTURE ISSUESTO KIMBERLY HARDING OR JOHN CAROCCI

Helpful Information fro

Having Trouble Balancing Work-Life Concerns?

In addition to the consultation, counseling and referral services provided for general personal and/or family concerns; your Em-ployee Assistance Program (EAP) also provides free and confi den-tial consultation and referral assistance for the following work-life concerns:

In-Person Consultation Services

Budgeting - A fi nancial counselor with experience in money man-agement and credit counseling can help you or a family member develop eff ective strategies for managing your personal budgets.

Nutrition Concerns – A Certifi ed Registered Dietitian can provide you with professional consultation regarding nutrition concerns you might have about the eff ects of certain foods on your energy level and/or emotional state and the pros and cons of some of the more popular diets. You may also visit the EAP website to submit questions about nutrition.

Telephone Consultation Services Legal Concerns – Need legal guidance about separation/divorce, contract disputes, or property transactions? Your EAP can con-nect you to a local att orney, who can answer some basic questions about legal issues and also provide free, confi dential consultation and referral assistance.

Child Care Consultation – Your EAP can help you get information about the types of child care options that are available in your area. We can provide suggestions for evaluating the quality of a childcare provider.

Eldercare Consultation – Need assistance in making decisions about care and resources for an ill or elderly relative? Your EAP can provide support and guidance in identifying the various types of care available (home care, nursing home, etc.) as well as infor-mation about respite services for you and your family. Alzheimer’s Care Consultation – More focused information/support to assist families caring for a loved one affl icted with Alzheimer’s Disease.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRA M Buff alo/Erie County: (716) 681-4300 Outside of Erie County: (800) 888-4162 www.cfsbny.org/programs/eap Click on Employees, Family Members User Name: cfseap1981 Password: eap4you

om the Employee Assistance Program