Free Electronics Recycling Event on Sept. 13

Please drop off your old, unused electronics at my e-recycling event tomorrow, Sept. 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the DMV parking lot, 5801 E. Taft Rd., North Syracuse. Area residents can drop off electronics at no charge, and there is no limit to the number of items that may be dropped off.

Sunnking Electronics Recycling will be accepting computers (desktops and laptops), printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, televisions (CRT, LCD, LED, plasma), cell phones, IT and networking equipment, monitors (CRT, LCD, LED), MP3 players, PDAs, tablets, and ink and toner cartridges. Visit Sunnking.com for a full list of acceptable items.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Central New York Food Bank, based on the total weight of materials

Shred Confidential Documents for Free

Clear out confidential papers at OCRRA's Shred-o-Rama Event on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 8 a.m. to noon at NBT Bank Stadium (enter from Grant Blvd., which is directly off Hiawatha Blvd.). There is a limit of five boxes or five paper bags per vehicle. Household papers only, which include confidential documents such as anything with account or social security numbers, bank or medical statements, tax documents, etc. All shredded paper will be recycled. 

Justice Officials Launch Elder Justice Website

In an effort to prevent and combat elder abuse and financial exploitation, the United States Department of Justice has lunched the Elder Justice website. The site will serve as a resource for elder abuse prosecutors, researchers and practitioners, and for victims of elder abuse and their families.  This website will also serve as a forum for law enforcement and elder justice policy communities to share information and enhance public awareness about elder abuse.

Elder abuse includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; neglect; and financial exploitation. Older Americans are also targeted by consumer scams, health care fraud, and financial exploitation.  It is estimated that older adults in the United States lose more than $2.9 billion annually from financial exploitation. 

Forum Connects Business Owners with State Contract Opportunities

Registration is open for New York State’s Fourth Annual MWBE Forum, to be held October 1-2, 2014, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. The Forum, the State’s largest annual event for minority- and women-owned businesses, helps small businesses across New York tap into State contract opportunities to grow their business. September 20 is the early registration deadline.

A record 21% of contracts worth $1.48 billion were awarded to MWBE’s during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. In an effort to better connect businesses to the billions of dollars in services and commodities New York State spends every year, this year’s event will show businesses where the opportunities are and tell them how to win them. Each registered attendee will receive an electronic Contract Opportunities Book that provides a snapshot of each State agency and authority and identifies contract opportunities.

Grow Farm Skills this Fall/Winter from the Comfort of Home

The Cornell Small Farms Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension offer a menu of 12 online courses each fall and winter to help farmers develop their businesses. These 5- to 7-week online courses cost $200 total for up to four members of the same farm to attend. Courses consist of a weekly real-time webinar followed by readings, discussion forums, and homework. Students successfully completing a course are eligible to receive a 0% interest loan of up to $10,000 through Kiva Zip.

New Website Helps People Dispose of Medications

A new website is designed to educate the public about safe storage, use, and disposal of medication. MyOldMeds is a public awareness campaign that offers video and resources to encourage people to safely dispose of medications at home, or to seek out existing community disposal programs and national take-back days in their region.