Lindy Blogs of the Week Mar. 10: Tax & Rebuilding Help, Going Green

What are your neighbors thinking about? Is a national-news story piquing the interest of the neighborhood or is someone simply sharing their insight on every day life?

No worries if you missed the past week, since we've collected the top blog posts across our local Patch sites in one convienent place.

Do you want to blog? Click here to sign up today.

Is Your Love Life an Indication of Medical Heart Complications?
Dr. Deepak A. Kapoor took a look at how heart disease could be shown with its early signs in the least likely of places – in the bedroom. Dr. Kapoor noted the connection between heart disease and erectile dysfunction.

"Atherosclerosis, or the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, is the most common cause of heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease," he wrote. "It typically first manifests symptoms in the small arteries of the body, such as the penis where the blood flow is diminished faster, making an erection difficult."

Protect LI's Drinking & Coastal Waters from Dangerous Pesticides with CCE
Blogger Patty Sevidio writes in about the Citizens Campaign for the Enviornment and its drive to save our locals waters from the run-off of pesticides.

"Back in 1979 the pesticide Temik was banned on Long Island, but the levels of this toxic pesticide continue to increase in water supplies for 20 years after its use," she wrote. "Because homeowners and farmers nowadays don’t like to see the appearance of disease or insects on their crops or lawns, they don’t realize the ramifications for future generations, and that not only frightens me, but also makes me sad for the selfishness."

Education News & Views
Blogger Dr. Meryl Ain, EdD, continued her weekly blog about education news and updates. This she focused on letters sent home to parents about the weight of their children and some good news for parents of children with autism.

"The study in the Journal of Pediatrics indicates that some children with autism develop language skills as late as elementary or secondary school," she wrote in. "Scientists at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders in Baltimore, Maryland, studied 535 children ages eight to 17 who at age four were diagnosed with autism and with severe language delays. Their language delays ranged from not speaking at all to using single words or phrases without verbs."

New IRS YouTube Video: How to Check on Your Refund
According to IRS spokeswoman Dianne Besunder, the Internal Revenue Service created a new YouTube video to provide taxpayers more details and tips to check on their tax refunds.

"The new video How to Use the Where's My Refund? Tool offers in-depth information about how the redesigned “Where’s My Refund” tool on IRS.gov works. The IRS’ previous refund YouTube video When Will I Get My Refund? has already received more than 750,000 views. The IRS expects this video will also be a helpful resource for taxpayers," she wrote.

Besunder also wrote about how the IRS is now accepting all 2012 returns.

"The IRS announced today, March 4, it's finished updating its tax-processing systems allowing all remaining individual and business taxpayers to file their 2012 federal income tax returns," she wrote.

Tip of the Week: Do I Need an Architect or a Contractor?
The Long Island Builders Institute's (LIBI) tip of the week helps you determine whether or not you need an architect or a contractor.

"Both architects and contractors alike have the ability to save you money through their knowledge on using space and materials cost effectively.  However, both industry professionals problem solve differently.  For example, a contractor’s eye is drawn to the most economical and practical design solution, but an architect’s might offer a solution that pleases the eye, gives nice curb appeal and compliments the existing style, flow and craftsmanship," the LIBI wrote.

The LIBI also noted its Superstorm Resource Expo is set for .

There, "you can meet hundreds of local industry professionals who are licensed and LIBI-approved. The expo will be hosted by Donna Donna of WBAB, and held at the Hyatt Regency Long Island in Hauppauge, and is now open to the public, as well as the trade," the LIBI wrote.

Tips to 'Green' Your Office Space
Blogger Stuart Waltonoffered tips like turning off your computer at night to save energy and using both sides of paper in your printer.

"It’s time to learn ways to change your daily habits and help the environment. A good place to start is in your office," he wrote.

NEFCU Launches 'Spring into Reading Contest' to Benefit Local Libraries
Blogger Eileen Nolan posted information about this new contest launched by NEFCU, a credit union serving Long Island’s banking needs.

"As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary this year, we're proud to continue our long-standing tradition of giving back to the local community. Our libraries provide educational and learning opportunities for visitors of all ages and are an integral part of the effort to help increase literacy rates on Long Island. Through this contest it's our goal to remind Long Islanders of the importance of reading, and encourage them to visit and support their local libraries," she wrote.

The Spring into Reading Contest, which takes place on NEFCU's Facebook page, asks “Likers” of the page to nominate and then vote for their favorite library, said Nolan.

"The library with the most votes will receive a donation from NEFCU in the amount of $1,000," Nolan noted.

Work in an Office All Day? You Might Not Get Enough Sun to Make Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the the sunshine vitamin, according to blogger Eric Robert Santiago. He asserted if you work in an office all day, then you probably aren't getting enough sunshine to make vitamin D.

"If you read all the research on vitamin D3 that Dr. Michael Holick and Dr. Hector DeLuca discovered at the University of Wisconsin Madison, you would not go another day without supplementing your diet with vitamin D3.," he wrote.

PR Insights: Media Bigs Bare All
Media leaders talked about getting "great coverage" at a panel discussion moderated by Long Island public relations firm Epoch 5 and organized by the Hauppauge Industrial Association (HIA).

These media experts - who included Patch Regional Editor Greg Sleter - provided insight to businesses and non-profits about getting media coverage.

"Patch Editor Greg Sleter, whose Long Island Patch sites are hyperlocal, said when he receives a generic pitch that goes to every one of his sites, it’s a sure-fire way to get the pitch deleted," Epoch 5 wrote in its summary of the expert discussion.

Related Coverage:

• After Sandy - Long Island Recovers
• Hurricane Sandy Long Island
• The Latest Sandy Updates 
• How to Blog on Patch: It's Easy
• Lindenhurst Patch Seeking New Bloggers
• Blogging on Lindenhurst Patch

Connect: Facebook | Twitter | Newsletters | Blogging | Posting Photos | Announcements | Events