As a public safety advocate I won’t lie and say this video will win 1st prize in the storm-chasers award ceremony, however it gives you an idea of what I saw from my window last night. The rain seemed like it would never end! So grateful to see a blue sky now in NW, Washington DC!
NWtoSE readers. . . here is the e-mail I prepared as the Public Safety Chair in my DC Neighborhood.
Dear neighbors
Please take steps to prepare for potential Hurricane:
SIGN UP FOR ALERT DC
https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/index.php?CCheck=1
You will receive text and/or e-mail alerts about emergency updates in and around the District.
MAKE A 72 HOUR KIT
http://72hours.dc.gov/eic/site/default.asp
A 72 hour kit will sustain you for 3 days with food, water and supplies.
Remember things like medication and extra cash because credit card machine may not work if power is lost. Keep in mind your fridge may also loose power as well- plan for a backup of any necessary refrigerated items.
SECURE ITEMS
Remove items and/or secure items in your back and front yards so that high winds will not cause damage to your home or neighbors home.
SANDBAGS
District residents may pick up sandbags (up to five per household) at its New Jersey Avenue and K Street, SE site (entrance on New Jersey at I Street, SE). Sandbag distribution will begin on Friday, August 26, at 12 Noon and run until Midnight, and will continue on Saturday, August 27, from 8 am – Midnight. Each sandbag weighs between 40 lbs. and 50 lbs. and residents will need to load them into their vehicles, although some assistance may be available.Check out DPW’s website for more information.
PETS
Consider your pets needs and have a evacuation plan for them. Katrina posed many hard decisions for pet owners so be informed and prepared.
BATTERIES
Have enough batteries for flashlights, matches and candles in case power is loss. Remember you may want to conserve cell phone, and computer use because once your battery life is drained you may not be able to recharge it.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Have a “Social Networking” plan to contact out-of-the area family so they know you are safe in case cell phone service is over- loaded. You may have one Facebook contact that can contact other family members or friends. You can also “follow” various government agencies on twitter to check updates about the weather etc. Check for updates about conditions on social networks.
LEAVE PHONE LINES OPEN during major emergencies. Report injuries, structural damages, robberies in progress etc. Please use e-mail and text if possible to contact friends and family to let them know you are “ok.”
If you are UNABLE TO MAKE A PHONE CALL you may attempt to travel to your local police station, fire station, or hospital. Do you know where they are in your neighborhood?
CHECK ON NEIGHBORS to make sure they are prepared, particularly if they need special attention like seniors and people with disabilities.
For more information about how to prepare for an emergency please check out these agencies websites:
Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA)
Follow on Twitter: @DC_HSEMA
Metropolitan Police Department
Follow on Twitter: @DCPoliceDept
Department of Public Works
Follow on Twitter: @DCDPW
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Local TV and Radio
If you have any further recommendations, questions, concerns etc please feel free to contact me!
Stay safe!
Yesterday, December 1 was World AIDS Day. In the HIV/AIDS Public Health Community December 1st is THE DAY to raise awareness around HIV/AIDS and to promote testing.
3.2 % of DC’s population over the age of 12 are infected with HIV. Among persons living with HIV/AIDS, 72.0% are men, 75.6% black and 71.3% are currently over the age of 40. Overall, men who have sex with men is the leading mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS accounting for 37.3% of living cases, followed by heterosexual contact and injection drug use with 27.0% and 17.4%, respectively. Distribution of HIV/AIDS cases by mode of transmission also differs by race. (Source: DC HIV/AIDS Administration)
Basically this post is short and simple, I think that World AIDS Day should be every day. People should talk about HIV/AIDS, std’s and sexual health every day and get tested regularly!
Want to know how to not contract HIV/AIDS or STD’s? Don’t have sex.
For everyone that is having sex here are some options:
To find testing locations in DC click here
Need Free condoms in DC Click on the Rubber Revolution? (Yes, folks they finally order Magnums!)
Free Condoms- DC's Rubber Revolution Campaign
Dear Readers-
I am re-vamping NWtoSE to make it a resource for everyone in the District with posts like “the process of getting food stamps” to “the hippest place that has positive vibes to chill in DC.” I am also going to attempt to give links about opportunities that are specific to NW, SE, SW, and NE. I hope that people staying in NW will hop on the 90 and head on over to SE and visa versa and people all over DC will branch out and get to know DC.
Keep checking back for updates and please let me know what YOU want to hear about!
Best-
NWtoSE
Congratulations to Vida Senior Centers!
Vida was presented with the “Community-Based Organization Award” from the National Hispanic Council on Aging Conference this past Tuesday at the Marriott at Metro Center.
Check out remarks from Vida’s executive director on Vida’s YouTube Page here
Vida Senior Centers (formerly EOFULA – Spanish Senior Center) maintains the quality of life of Latino seniors living in isolation or within a family context in the Washington, D.C. metro area. They are the only senior center in the DC area specifically geared towards Latino seniors.
What can I say? I have grown quite fond of the abuelito’s (or seniors) at the center. Afterall, I get to spend 5 days a week with these amazing people!
Vida will also be celebrating their 40th Year Anniversary October 27th! Please be on the lookout for more posts concerning the event!
I ♥ DC
Vida Senior Centers is located at 1842 Calvert Street, NW in Adams Morgan stop by!
follow Vida on Twitter
It has now been 78 days that I have been “couch surfing” and without my own place due to my own student loan mis-management and high health insurance costs. I am so grateful and blessed for my friends that have taken me in during this time in my life. I am horrified that my 86-year-old grandmother has basically maxed out her credit cards paying for my $600 a month health insurance/Rx. She knows that if I loose my insurance I will never be covered again due to pre-existing conditions. HELP ME to HELP MYSELF!
I ♥ DC
Teen Life Programs sponsored by Children’s National Hospital
The Teen Life Clubs is Childrens National’s year-long health education, empowerment youth development program for 11-14 year old adolescents, who live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The program strives to develop adolescents™ individual strengths and help them build life skills by using our copyrighted Steps to S.T.A.R.dom© curriculum. The clubs also provide monthly enrichment opportunities, mentors, and academic support. Families are involved through weekly correspondence and parent workshops.
The comprehensive TLC youth development program includes:
Weekly health education sessions which address four units of adolescent health: personal identity, healthy bodies, violence prevention, world of work/ financial literacy. These sessions include clubs for male adolescents and clubs for female adolescents that are held Monday Thursday, 4 pm -6 pm.
Membership All pre-teens, ages 11-14, who are interested can complete a membership form and fax a completed copy to 202-476-3711. We also accept pre-teens who are not Children’s patients and/or do not reside in Washington, DC. Please note: each Teen Life Club is limited to the first 15 teens who sign up. TLC Registration Process
Contact Sheena Ware directly at 202-476-6018 with any questions. Community Partnerships Children’s has an extensive list of community partners who collaborate with Teen Life Clubs including George Washington and Georgetown Universities, University of Maryland, Howard University, Junior League of Washington, Defend Yourself, Innerquest Ropes Course, Advocates for Youth, We Can!, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, DC Central Kitchen a Healthy Returns Program, Women Empowered Against Violence Everywhere (WEAVE), Peace-a-holics, and Washington DC public, public charter, and private schools.
2008-2009 List of TLC Sites: BOYS CLUBS – Comp Clinic; Boys & Girls Clubhouse #11; Covenant House; Ron Brown Middle School GIRLS CLUBS – Children’s Hospital; Boys & Girls Clubhouse #11; Covenant House; Roots Public Charter School
Research The Teen Life Clubs have been awarded an evaluation grant by the Joe Higdon and Ellen Sudow Fund of the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region to work with consultants from the George Washington University School of Public Health. The evaluation will measure how effectively the program curriculum and activities are in reducing risks related to STs, HIV and unplanned pregnancy. We ask parents to sign a consent form for their teens to participate in the pre- and post- tests that are given to them at the beginning and end of the program. The consent form is optional and refusal will not affect your teens chances of participating in the program. Learn more about our other programs:
For More Information CLICK on the link below:
Departments & Programs – Children’s National Medical Center
Shared via AddThis
I actually was able to interview some youth that were involved in this program and they really enjoyed it! If you have any questions please e-mail me!
I ♥ DC
“The D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) has issued a Heat Alert for today based on National Weather Service forecasts of a 95° high this afternoon, with a projected heat index of 97°. The forecast also calls for a high of 100° tomorrow, with heat index approaching 105°. D.C. residents should prepare for this heat wave to last for three days.”
D.C. residents should remember the following during this period:
Stay indoors as much as possible.
Turn on the air-conditioner or fan.
DO NOT leave children or pets in vehicles.
Drink plenty of water.
Wear light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting clothes.
D.C. Rec Center pools may be used to cool off.
Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside (SPF 15-30 is best).
Limit exposure to the sun (the sun is most powerful between 10 am and 3 pm).
Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Visit one of the District’s “Cooling Centers” located throughout the city, if you do not have access to a cool-temperature location.
For “Cooling Centers” locations or to report a problem, call the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at (202) 727-1000. For information about water for the homeless, contact United Planning Organization at (202) 399-7093. In an effort to offer relief from the sweltering heat today, DPR will extend hours at all outdoor pools 7pm and indoor pools to 6pm. The following outdoor swimming pools will be open extended hours from 11am to 9pm, Monday August 10th:
1. Anacostia
2. Banneker
3. Benning Park
4. Douglas
5. East Potomac
6. Ft. Dupont
7. Ft. Lincoln
8. Ft. Stanton
9. Harry Thomas
10. Kelly Miller
11. Kenilworth
12. Oxon Run
13. Rosedale
14. Volta Park 
So. . . I am out-of-town back in Utah visiting with my family and there has been in a crazy cold-front!! It was 60 degrees last night! I know I know. . STAY INDOORS PEOPLE! I will be back in town tomorrow night and I am trying to brace myself for the heat! I used to be a competitive swimmer so I must say that Terrance Howard was lookin real nice and cool in the movie Pride. . . Chill at the pool if you can tomorrow!!
For anyone that knows me in DC they know that at any given time I have about 20-30 kids that “I follow” or in other words try and make myself available for them.
They have made me a little bit tougher, a little bit stronger and always make me smile! I am also VERY protective of all of the young people I see in DC especially since it is summer and the youth are out and about. Adults (I pretend to be somewhere between a young person and an adult) seem to be quick-to-judge in this area.
My motto is to “Encourage instead of Discourage.”
Some may call me soft because of my motto, but for the youth that know me they know that I DO NOT mess around. I am “real life.” I will give of my time and offer my skills to help in anyway I can but I refuse to accept most excuses (life happens). Most of the youth in DC have no idea of the nights I don’t sleep, and the amount of money I have spent on eye drops from dry eye just thinking about ways I can make a tangible difference on no budget.
I will continue to ask “what does that phrase mean?” (As I do to anyone younger than me)
To all my youth: thank you for being the reason that I keep on keepin’ on!
Check out some of the amazing DC Youth Organizations AND check out:
Youth Service America
where you can find hundreds of opportunities in your area to volunteer!!!
Check out the YSA blog: “Volunteers Provided an Extreme Recess for DC Youth” here
Get involved if you are not OR Start your THANG- as my friends say- “Dats wats up!”!
(Click on the image to link to their site)
The cast from MTV’s “The Real World” arrived a couple weeks ago or a week ago in DC. I think it is about time MTV picked DC, but I am not quite sure if they can handle NWtoSEs “Real World 2009″ meaning “Can The Real World handle The Real DC?”
I am not sure when the producers plan to discuss with the cast the state of HIV/AIDS in the District (with 3% of DC infected with HIV/AIDS I pray sooner than later), or the dire meltdown of public education in the District, #1 for Teen Pregnancy in the nation, the poverty level, or just any public health issues in general.
BUT I know it will be on the horizon because of their partnerships not only with the Kaiser Family Foundation (thank you MTV!), their website “It’s Your Sex Life”. On this awesome website you can learn all about STDs, HIV/AIDS, and their most recent TV show “16 and Pregnant.”
If the cast would like to come on a Condom Distribution day I would gladly arrange the experience with the Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association, Department of Health, Metro TeenAids, various other stakeholders and of course. . . I will even wear my condom costume!
