Monday, April 27, 2009
There are no chain grocery stores!
Oh my goodness! I drove around the "Westwood" Neighborhood for a few hours looking for sponsors in the community, and there are no chain stores within the area of those three schools. Like searching for a needle in a haystack. That's odd.
Over the weekend.
I have been going to a restaurant here in Lakewood for many years, the owner Tom knows my family really well. Conversely we know his family really well. His eldest daughter was a Bronco cheerleader. This is what gave me the idea to ask a celebrity to be at the event. I pursued the idea only to find out written notice must be sent to all athletes. I spoke with a deputy communications officer for Gov. Ritter to see if we could have him come out for us, and understandably so, Gov. Ritter is extremely busy, so we would have to ask about six to eight weeks in advance.
Hopefully, we will be able to create gift bags for the kids who are participating in the events on Wednesday and Thursday. I found BMI's for kids, a rare commodity! I met with a woman at a clinic, Rae, and she gave me paperwork for healthy snacks for kids, bmi's and gave me a ton of Healthy Living Packets with some goodies in them. She gave me about everything she had, which was very sweet! We still have a ton of water bottles from the Comcast project and Chantay will be bringing those so we can put them in the gift bags.
Tomorrow, hopefully we can get the donations we need from community participants that will help with sustainability in the long run. The idea is that we foster sustainability in a healthy walking program by offering incentives to the parents. If we send a child home with a $50 grocery card, then perhaps the parents will motivate the child or better yet become involved in motivating others. Jesse and I are working on getting donations for granola bars and other healthy foods. Currently Live Well Colorado slices apples and the kids LOVE it! However, Jesse and I think that by offering additional goodies, we keep it a surprise and unpredictable for the kids. Then there is always an incentive for the kids!
Hopefully, we will be able to create gift bags for the kids who are participating in the events on Wednesday and Thursday. I found BMI's for kids, a rare commodity! I met with a woman at a clinic, Rae, and she gave me paperwork for healthy snacks for kids, bmi's and gave me a ton of Healthy Living Packets with some goodies in them. She gave me about everything she had, which was very sweet! We still have a ton of water bottles from the Comcast project and Chantay will be bringing those so we can put them in the gift bags.
Tomorrow, hopefully we can get the donations we need from community participants that will help with sustainability in the long run. The idea is that we foster sustainability in a healthy walking program by offering incentives to the parents. If we send a child home with a $50 grocery card, then perhaps the parents will motivate the child or better yet become involved in motivating others. Jesse and I are working on getting donations for granola bars and other healthy foods. Currently Live Well Colorado slices apples and the kids LOVE it! However, Jesse and I think that by offering additional goodies, we keep it a surprise and unpredictable for the kids. Then there is always an incentive for the kids!
Monroe Elementary
On Monday, Felipe and I attended the parents meeting at Monroe Elementary, where we discussed an idea to implement a walking bus concept. Because the program has not been fully implemented we believed that the walking bus idea would be great, but the was that many parents live too far away to start such a program. The parents were not ready for this.
I also attempted to attend the Walking Wednedsay at Knapp Elementary and was informed by the secretary that the program was happening the next week. I was disappointed, but turns out that it really was happening. This made me realize that it was extremely important for us to create a sustainable program, because it is the people of Live Well Colorado and Kaiser Permanente who ultimately create and foster these programs. The teachers and employees of the school have so much to do as it is, that it really comes down to parent involvement and volunteers such as the Americorps volunteers Live Well Colorado has right now. However, the Americorps volunteers are around for the spring and Live Well Colorado does not have volunteers in the fall, in my opinion the most important time frame for creating sustainability.
Hopefully we will be able to help our sponsors with this! We have parents who want to be involved, kids who want to walk and Live Well Colorado/Kaiser Permanente really wanting to help the community and our state become more healhty. Aye caramba!
Es todo, ahorita, amigos!
I also attempted to attend the Walking Wednedsay at Knapp Elementary and was informed by the secretary that the program was happening the next week. I was disappointed, but turns out that it really was happening. This made me realize that it was extremely important for us to create a sustainable program, because it is the people of Live Well Colorado and Kaiser Permanente who ultimately create and foster these programs. The teachers and employees of the school have so much to do as it is, that it really comes down to parent involvement and volunteers such as the Americorps volunteers Live Well Colorado has right now. However, the Americorps volunteers are around for the spring and Live Well Colorado does not have volunteers in the fall, in my opinion the most important time frame for creating sustainability.
Hopefully we will be able to help our sponsors with this! We have parents who want to be involved, kids who want to walk and Live Well Colorado/Kaiser Permanente really wanting to help the community and our state become more healhty. Aye caramba!
Es todo, ahorita, amigos!
Project four
Finally Project four! We are working with Live Well Colorado and Kaiser Permanente in order to foster an implemented program called Walking Wednesday at Knapp and Monroe Elementary schools, and Trotting Thursday at Castro Elementary. The introduction to this project was totally AWESOME! We were in the VIP room of the Museum of Nature and Science. I love that place. I think I spent an entire year at that Museum. My favorite things include the T-Rex Bones in the entrance, the penny grubbing-growling sabertooth tiger, IMAX and the planetarium. I still remember all the constellations I learned from that planetarium. Clearly, the museum continues to be amazing growing opportunity for me. Project four has been all about this.
Growing happens in several ways and for this project we will be helping kids to grow up and not out. Obesity in the United States has grown exponentially within the last 50 years. Fifty years ago, many kids walked to school, however the growth of our urban areas and the availability of cars has caused an increase in obesity. Live Well Colorado and Kaiser Permanente are helping to implement a walking program for kids with the hopes that these healthy habits will become a part of their lives and consequently the life of a healthy adult. Live Well Colorado works with other green organizations to create community gardens to further establish healthy eating patterns.
Many of the kids in the "Westwood" area participate in government assisted food programs, are latino (perhaps higher fat food content) and or live in subsidized housing, therefore healthy eating may be lower on the list of priorities.
More to come soon.
Growing happens in several ways and for this project we will be helping kids to grow up and not out. Obesity in the United States has grown exponentially within the last 50 years. Fifty years ago, many kids walked to school, however the growth of our urban areas and the availability of cars has caused an increase in obesity. Live Well Colorado and Kaiser Permanente are helping to implement a walking program for kids with the hopes that these healthy habits will become a part of their lives and consequently the life of a healthy adult. Live Well Colorado works with other green organizations to create community gardens to further establish healthy eating patterns.
Many of the kids in the "Westwood" area participate in government assisted food programs, are latino (perhaps higher fat food content) and or live in subsidized housing, therefore healthy eating may be lower on the list of priorities.
More to come soon.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The busy life of one Rachael Fisher
I know you all have seen my tweets on the goings on with House District 3 and meeting with Andy Kerr. Aside from the Apprentice Challenge, I am also the vice chair for Jefferson County House District 26. As a political science minor, I am a really active citizen. I volunteer at the Jefferson Action Center which provides services to homeless and non-homeless persons in the way of food, clothes, shelter, etc. I am attending a letter writing campaign for SB09-170 which is the "Nondiscrimination In Higher Ed Funding" bill, also known as the Tuition Equity Bill. So that's why I tweet you about such interesting subjects as who is going to elections in house districts and the like.
While working on the CHFA project, I am realizing why it is so imperative for us to be educated about what is happening within our community and to actively participate in it. Foreclosure is a nondiscriminating factor within the economy we live in. At Appetizers with Senator Andy Kerr, I met a Farmer's Insurance Agent named Don. I was speaking with Don about the project and asked if he had any insights on foreclosure, as he insures home owners. Don mentioned to me that being informed about what is going on and where his homeowners could go to find assistance would be extremely beneficial.
He told me many of the homeowners going through foreclosure have been told by bankruptcy attorneys that walking away is the best option. This, according to the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline is something that should be the last thing considered. Often times, walking away severly limits the help one can receive and impacts homeowners in negative ways down the road. Don told me he's shocked that attorneys do this and informs his homeowners of this, but to no avail as it has already happened. Knowing where to send the homeowners initially would prevent this outcome from happening. So good information to know when it comes to educating all home-related entities.
Currently, we are finishing up some marketing materials and working on 1 method to drive traffic and really get people engaged and educated about the foreclosure process. Above it all our message is that "You are the Key" in preventing foreclosure.
Ciao for now-
While working on the CHFA project, I am realizing why it is so imperative for us to be educated about what is happening within our community and to actively participate in it. Foreclosure is a nondiscriminating factor within the economy we live in. At Appetizers with Senator Andy Kerr, I met a Farmer's Insurance Agent named Don. I was speaking with Don about the project and asked if he had any insights on foreclosure, as he insures home owners. Don mentioned to me that being informed about what is going on and where his homeowners could go to find assistance would be extremely beneficial.
He told me many of the homeowners going through foreclosure have been told by bankruptcy attorneys that walking away is the best option. This, according to the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline is something that should be the last thing considered. Often times, walking away severly limits the help one can receive and impacts homeowners in negative ways down the road. Don told me he's shocked that attorneys do this and informs his homeowners of this, but to no avail as it has already happened. Knowing where to send the homeowners initially would prevent this outcome from happening. So good information to know when it comes to educating all home-related entities.
Currently, we are finishing up some marketing materials and working on 1 method to drive traffic and really get people engaged and educated about the foreclosure process. Above it all our message is that "You are the Key" in preventing foreclosure.
Ciao for now-
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Foreclosure Awareness
On Saturday March 14th, Chantay, Felipe, Jesse and I attended the Arvada Foreclosure Assistance Fair from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. We met Silvina, another contact with CHFA who was out of the country when we had our March 6th Meeting about the challenge. We met with many groups who assist in many different areas. We discovered there are government entities monitor subprime loans and lending practices. Subprime loans are initially are low annual percentage rates that skyrocket after a few years. We learned that there are free clinics for children who have no health insurance, food banks throughout colorado who will assist in food needs and additional resources that people can go to in their time of need.
I sat in on a couple who were looking at foreclosure and Rogelio Rodriguez, a counselor, helped them to look at their options. The couple, were pregnant and the husband had lost his job. They were not behind in their payments, yet. Rogelio, advised them to get their information together and to go into speak with a FREE agency in order to better assess what can be done.
The questions the couple had, I believe helps to understand the frustration homeowners go through. Aside from what do I do now, they had questions about their credit and how this would affect the future, what exactly was the process, how long did they have, did they have to pay back whatever the difference was between what they are paying now and the plan they were placed on, what was the first step in the process, what was the last step. I could definitely see how it would be difficult to face foreclosure.
After Rogelio spoke with them, they said they felt much better. They would gather together their information, figure out who their lender was and then speak with a counselor. I asked the lady when she was due, and she said "4 weeks-hopefully." I felt relieved for the family, because they looked more peaceful when they left then when they had sat down with us.
Both the Foreclosure Hotline and the Assistance Fair helped me realize how difficult this process is for many people. That they spend days and nights, worrying about the well-being of their family and lives. And, economically, foreclosure may well be on the rise until next summer-according to Sneed, a Remax real estate agent who was also at the Assistance Fair.
More to come soon...
I sat in on a couple who were looking at foreclosure and Rogelio Rodriguez, a counselor, helped them to look at their options. The couple, were pregnant and the husband had lost his job. They were not behind in their payments, yet. Rogelio, advised them to get their information together and to go into speak with a FREE agency in order to better assess what can be done.
The questions the couple had, I believe helps to understand the frustration homeowners go through. Aside from what do I do now, they had questions about their credit and how this would affect the future, what exactly was the process, how long did they have, did they have to pay back whatever the difference was between what they are paying now and the plan they were placed on, what was the first step in the process, what was the last step. I could definitely see how it would be difficult to face foreclosure.
After Rogelio spoke with them, they said they felt much better. They would gather together their information, figure out who their lender was and then speak with a counselor. I asked the lady when she was due, and she said "4 weeks-hopefully." I felt relieved for the family, because they looked more peaceful when they left then when they had sat down with us.
Both the Foreclosure Hotline and the Assistance Fair helped me realize how difficult this process is for many people. That they spend days and nights, worrying about the well-being of their family and lives. And, economically, foreclosure may well be on the rise until next summer-according to Sneed, a Remax real estate agent who was also at the Assistance Fair.
More to come soon...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Spring Break
With Spring Break a hop, skip and a jump away, we are gearing up to work on the foreclosure project during the break. It promises to be challenging. Some of us are thinking about having a day trip somewhere. Maybe we will buy enough gas to drive somewhere and then buy enough to drive us back! We like to live off the cuff a little bit...just a little bit. Somewhere out there...maybe Boulder...beckons. Today I finished all my classes, until almost April! So while we are on a quasi-break, I will ask you about a topic.
Recently on the news, we may have heard about the Pope saying "You can't resolve it (AIDS) with the distribution of condoms,on the contrary, it increases the problem." And to a degree the Pope makes sense, perhaps the thought comes from western ideals based on education. However, I am not certain if some people are aware of a practice that has been going on in Africa since the first onset of disease within the continent. Often times, through numerous diseases, shamans have told their followers that virgin blood will cleanse them. This has posed numerous issues, which was depicted by a PBS special a few years ago. It's sad because the people affected are not educated and walk deeper into the arms of an all-consuming giant that has become this disease within Africa. However, Africa is not the only nation that has been hit by HIV.
The nation I am from, India, suffers from the spread of HIV as well. Here, it is also because there is no education. Mostly interstate truck drivers and prostitutes transmit the disease. I know we are all familiar with some aspect of HIV/AIDS on the global scale but how does this impact the US or you? Here's how.
On March 16, 2009-this past monday, NBC reported that a shocking 3% of the residents of Washington D.C. are living with HIV/AIDS. According to NBC WIS News 10 "the head of the District's HIV/AIDS office told the Washington Post that every mode of transmission, gay and straight sex along with drug use, are, quote, "all on the rise" and says our rates are "higher than West Africa." http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10012505. It's a huge reason to be concerned.
Here are my questions for you.
1. Do you agree with the Pope or Disagree with the Pope and why?
2. Do you think we should work harder to find a cure for HIV/AIDS? Why?
On a related side note, the monkey, who caused the HIV/AIDS is called the sooty mangabey. I know you want to know that. It is the only know old world primate to have a disease similiar to HIV. However, there are various strains of the virus and it is possible to have multiple strains.
So if you have concerns please be tested. It's free on campus at the health clinic.
Recently on the news, we may have heard about the Pope saying "You can't resolve it (AIDS) with the distribution of condoms,on the contrary, it increases the problem." And to a degree the Pope makes sense, perhaps the thought comes from western ideals based on education. However, I am not certain if some people are aware of a practice that has been going on in Africa since the first onset of disease within the continent. Often times, through numerous diseases, shamans have told their followers that virgin blood will cleanse them. This has posed numerous issues, which was depicted by a PBS special a few years ago. It's sad because the people affected are not educated and walk deeper into the arms of an all-consuming giant that has become this disease within Africa. However, Africa is not the only nation that has been hit by HIV.
The nation I am from, India, suffers from the spread of HIV as well. Here, it is also because there is no education. Mostly interstate truck drivers and prostitutes transmit the disease. I know we are all familiar with some aspect of HIV/AIDS on the global scale but how does this impact the US or you? Here's how.
On March 16, 2009-this past monday, NBC reported that a shocking 3% of the residents of Washington D.C. are living with HIV/AIDS. According to NBC WIS News 10 "the head of the District's HIV/AIDS office told the Washington Post that every mode of transmission, gay and straight sex along with drug use, are, quote, "all on the rise" and says our rates are "higher than West Africa." http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10012505. It's a huge reason to be concerned.
Here are my questions for you.
1. Do you agree with the Pope or Disagree with the Pope and why?
2. Do you think we should work harder to find a cure for HIV/AIDS? Why?
On a related side note, the monkey, who caused the HIV/AIDS is called the sooty mangabey. I know you want to know that. It is the only know old world primate to have a disease similiar to HIV. However, there are various strains of the virus and it is possible to have multiple strains.
So if you have concerns please be tested. It's free on campus at the health clinic.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
4:00 am-GOOD MORNING!
We were presented with the CHFA project last Friday! After an amazing breakfast, we were told about the history of CHFA, foreclosures in Colorado, the foreclosure hotline and then our mission. We're a task force of sorts. I am certain we will explain more of this as it unfolds to us.
BUT, what I was writing about today is that I woke up at 4:00 this morning. Yes, IT is true, all the Apprentice Challengers are overachievers. I did wake up for a purpose though. This morning was the Foreclosure Hotline at 9News. Stephanie Riggi, manager of the foreclosure hotline, and her staff met me at the station, where we walked into the phone area, amidst the rings of disconcerted homeowners. It was sad that so many people called, but good to know that there are people who genuinely want to help others.
The foreclosure team is noticeably tight-knit, jovial and definitely alert for 5:00 in the morning. Ryan, who gave an interview, brought us all Starbucks at 6:00 am and the team continued to inform homeowners about foreclosure assistance pertaining to their coutnies. By the time 7:30 rolled around, we were ready to roll back under the covers.
But the snow had melted and there was more work to do. The foreclosure team headed back to their offices and I to my homework. Now, I am finally headed off to bed.
Good night!
BUT, what I was writing about today is that I woke up at 4:00 this morning. Yes, IT is true, all the Apprentice Challengers are overachievers. I did wake up for a purpose though. This morning was the Foreclosure Hotline at 9News. Stephanie Riggi, manager of the foreclosure hotline, and her staff met me at the station, where we walked into the phone area, amidst the rings of disconcerted homeowners. It was sad that so many people called, but good to know that there are people who genuinely want to help others.
The foreclosure team is noticeably tight-knit, jovial and definitely alert for 5:00 in the morning. Ryan, who gave an interview, brought us all Starbucks at 6:00 am and the team continued to inform homeowners about foreclosure assistance pertaining to their coutnies. By the time 7:30 rolled around, we were ready to roll back under the covers.
But the snow had melted and there was more work to do. The foreclosure team headed back to their offices and I to my homework. Now, I am finally headed off to bed.
Good night!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
What are you going to do with those old electronics?
I know you are all wondering where to go with those old electronics! The two teams have different locations to take them to. Take them to:
Southwest Plaza
8501 W. Bowles
Littleton, CO
We will accept anything-cell phones, tvs, monitors, computers...
Just stay out of your kitchen and your laundry room!
Southwest Plaza
8501 W. Bowles
Littleton, CO
We will accept anything-cell phones, tvs, monitors, computers...
Just stay out of your kitchen and your laundry room!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Comcast Ewaste Ecorally
I was sitting at a fantastic chinese/mexican restaurant called Boa, in a charming part of Colorado we call the highlands, when I a gentleman came in to order food to go. We exchanged some small talk and I was letting him know about the 9News Live Green Electronic Recycling Event when he asked me this question is DTV really much different from the digital TV? Now Michael, the gentleman, was from an older generation than mine and I did explain to him a few reasons why most believe that digital TV is better than the analog.
I informed him that digital TV has much clearer more defined images, because of the higher resolution. Digital TV also comes widescreen so there is more of the image that was meant to be seen. I informed him about the difference because of the multiple access points of a digital image versus that of an analog thus making the movement more smooth (this part I had to include signals-analog vs digital in order to explain it more effectively-I am not sure I did a great job). I also then explained to him that sound quality is better with the digital TV. This could be explained because BOA has a rather large flatscreen TV where the owner has connected speakers, coupled with a computer, one can play all types of songs from a COMPUTER! Go figure. I then showed him my palm centro and he was blown away that I could go online by tapping at the screen a bit.
I was very proud of myself. I felt like I did a great job of explaining the purpose of the whole transition. However, much to my chagrin, he smiled sweetly at me and told me because he had cable, he was not going to worry about it too much. After which he wrote me a lengthy list of political science books to read, since it is my minor, and slipped out the door with his order.
So, yes, the digital TV experience is better for many reasons and those of us with cable do not need to worry about it. For those of us without the cable, different story. Last I heard, the waitlist for the converter box discount was up to a shocking three million and counting. Start making a book list, because in June, that might be your TV.
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With Squidoo the more we get hit, the more money we make to donate to an organization! We are letting you make that decision on who we donate to...so suggest away!
I informed him that digital TV has much clearer more defined images, because of the higher resolution. Digital TV also comes widescreen so there is more of the image that was meant to be seen. I informed him about the difference because of the multiple access points of a digital image versus that of an analog thus making the movement more smooth (this part I had to include signals-analog vs digital in order to explain it more effectively-I am not sure I did a great job). I also then explained to him that sound quality is better with the digital TV. This could be explained because BOA has a rather large flatscreen TV where the owner has connected speakers, coupled with a computer, one can play all types of songs from a COMPUTER! Go figure. I then showed him my palm centro and he was blown away that I could go online by tapping at the screen a bit.
I was very proud of myself. I felt like I did a great job of explaining the purpose of the whole transition. However, much to my chagrin, he smiled sweetly at me and told me because he had cable, he was not going to worry about it too much. After which he wrote me a lengthy list of political science books to read, since it is my minor, and slipped out the door with his order.
So, yes, the digital TV experience is better for many reasons and those of us with cable do not need to worry about it. For those of us without the cable, different story. Last I heard, the waitlist for the converter box discount was up to a shocking three million and counting. Start making a book list, because in June, that might be your TV.
Please follow us at:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/E_Cycle
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=51077593094
Squidoo: http://www.squidoo.com/E_Cycle
With Squidoo the more we get hit, the more money we make to donate to an organization! We are letting you make that decision on who we donate to...so suggest away!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sustainable Alliance-
It is interesting when have moments of total dejavu isn't it? Last August, I was helping Sustainable Alliance with their Big Tent Event where many of the issues of global environment came to the fore. All of it was about what we are discussing now, the importance of acting now, rather than waiting to fix later. I was looking through some of my pictures and I found a few that I thought you might enjoy...
Not sure if you know, Daryl Hannah, aside from acting, is an environmentalist as well. She spoke about issues like our dependence on fossil fuels-
Also Van Jones, an extremely green activitist, out of San Francisco, was there. He is the president and founder of Green for All-He's an ambitious guy because he wants to end poverty by going green-it's awesome.
And of course Robert Kennedy Jr. was there! He's the one holding the microphone-He was talking about climate problems and solutions-
The point being that the green push is huge! It's all very exciting that we in Colorado have such a huge role in it. I hope you enjoy the pictures!
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Myspace: groups.myspace.com/ecycle
Not sure if you know, Daryl Hannah, aside from acting, is an environmentalist as well. She spoke about issues like our dependence on fossil fuels-
Also Van Jones, an extremely green activitist, out of San Francisco, was there. He is the president and founder of Green for All-He's an ambitious guy because he wants to end poverty by going green-it's awesome.
And of course Robert Kennedy Jr. was there! He's the one holding the microphone-He was talking about climate problems and solutions-
The point being that the green push is huge! It's all very exciting that we in Colorado have such a huge role in it. I hope you enjoy the pictures!
Follow US!!!
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/E_Cycle
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=51077593094
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1421063904
Myspace: groups.myspace.com/ecycle
EWaste Chemicals: Cadmium
I know we have talked about ewaste chemicals-cadmium, lead, beryllium, mercury and others-but what do they mean? When I hear cadmium it sounds like those chocolatey easter eggs-but no...not so much. So through the weekend we will give you the run down on the chems of ewaste-first cadmium-we like the Wisconsin Department of Health's awesome factsheet-
WHAT IS CADMIUM?
Cadmium is a metal found naturally in the earth's crust. Pure cadmium is a soft, silver-white metal; however, it’s unusual to find it in its pure form. It’s commonly found in combination with other elements such as oxygen (cadmium oxide) or sulphur (cadmium sulphate).
Cadmium is also used in industry. The cadmium used in industry is a byproduct of zinc, lead, and copper refining. Industrial uses of cadmium include production of metal plating, rechargeable batteries, paint pigments, and plastics.
Cadmium can be found in dust. The body does not readily release cadmium once inhaled or ingested. Exposure to low doses of cadmium over a long time can build up to a toxic level.
HOW ARE PEOPLE EXPOSED TO CADMIUM?
Drinking/Eating: People can be exposed to cadmium when they eat plants grown in contaminated soil, or when they eat fish from contaminated water. Cadmium occurs naturally at low levels in many foods. The normal intake of cadmium (1-3 micrograms/day) does not appear to cause health problems. People can be exposed to increased amounts of cadmium by drinking contaminated water.
Contamination of drinking water typically results from improper disposal of industrial chemicals.
Breathing: Cadmium is found in smoke from burning fossil fuels, municipal wastes, and cigarettes. People who smoke cigarettes have higher cadmium levels in their bodies than nonsmokers. Industrial facilities that process metal can create high levels of cadmium in the air and significantly increase the exposure of people living or working near them.
Touching: Cadmium is not easily absorbed through the skin.
DO STANDARDS EXIST FOR REGULATING CADMIUM?
Water: The state and federal drinking water standards are both set at 5 parts per billion of cadmium. We suggest you stop drinking water that contains more than the standard.
Air: No standards exist for cadmium allowed in the air of homes. However, there are workplace limits. We use a formula to convert workplace limits to home limits; inhalation levels should be no higher than 0.0002 milligrams of cadmium per cubic meter of air (mg/m3). Levels above 0.0035 mg/m3 increase the chance of lung and kidney injury. Long-term exposure to air containing cadmium dust or fumes increases a person's lung cancer risk.
WILL EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM RESULT IN HARMFUL HEALTH EFFECTS?
The following symptoms may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to high levels of cadmium:
Stomach irritation after ingestion of contaminated food or water.
Lung irritation following inhalation of cadmium particles or fumes at levels greater than 300 mg/m3.
The following health effects can occur after several years of exposure to cadmium:
Cancer: Cancer can develop after long-term, high-level exposure to airborne cadmium.
Reproductive Effects: Human reproductive problems are not associated with exposure to cadmium.
Organ Systems: Lung disorders, including emphysema or bronchitis, can develop after long-term exposure to cadmium in air. Kidney damage and/or kidney stones can form as a result of eating, drinking, or breathing elevated levels of cadmium.
In general, chemicals affect the same organ systems in all people who are exposed. However, the seriousness of the effects may vary from person to person. A person's reaction depends on several things, including individual health, heredity, previous exposure to chemicals including medicines, and personal habits such as smoking or drinking.
It is also important to consider the length of exposure to the chemical; the amount of chemical exposure; and whether the chemical was inhaled, touched, or eaten.
Seek medical advice if you have any symptoms that you think may be related to chemical exposure.
(PPH 4591 Revised 3/2000)
Want to learn about more? Go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/chemfs/fs/cadmium.htm-
Yay for Friday: We'll be on all weekend-find us on:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/E_Cycle
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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1421063904
Myspace: groups.myspace.com/ecycle
WHAT IS CADMIUM?
Cadmium is a metal found naturally in the earth's crust. Pure cadmium is a soft, silver-white metal; however, it’s unusual to find it in its pure form. It’s commonly found in combination with other elements such as oxygen (cadmium oxide) or sulphur (cadmium sulphate).
Cadmium is also used in industry. The cadmium used in industry is a byproduct of zinc, lead, and copper refining. Industrial uses of cadmium include production of metal plating, rechargeable batteries, paint pigments, and plastics.
Cadmium can be found in dust. The body does not readily release cadmium once inhaled or ingested. Exposure to low doses of cadmium over a long time can build up to a toxic level.
HOW ARE PEOPLE EXPOSED TO CADMIUM?
Drinking/Eating: People can be exposed to cadmium when they eat plants grown in contaminated soil, or when they eat fish from contaminated water. Cadmium occurs naturally at low levels in many foods. The normal intake of cadmium (1-3 micrograms/day) does not appear to cause health problems. People can be exposed to increased amounts of cadmium by drinking contaminated water.
Contamination of drinking water typically results from improper disposal of industrial chemicals.
Breathing: Cadmium is found in smoke from burning fossil fuels, municipal wastes, and cigarettes. People who smoke cigarettes have higher cadmium levels in their bodies than nonsmokers. Industrial facilities that process metal can create high levels of cadmium in the air and significantly increase the exposure of people living or working near them.
Touching: Cadmium is not easily absorbed through the skin.
DO STANDARDS EXIST FOR REGULATING CADMIUM?
Water: The state and federal drinking water standards are both set at 5 parts per billion of cadmium. We suggest you stop drinking water that contains more than the standard.
Air: No standards exist for cadmium allowed in the air of homes. However, there are workplace limits. We use a formula to convert workplace limits to home limits; inhalation levels should be no higher than 0.0002 milligrams of cadmium per cubic meter of air (mg/m3). Levels above 0.0035 mg/m3 increase the chance of lung and kidney injury. Long-term exposure to air containing cadmium dust or fumes increases a person's lung cancer risk.
WILL EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM RESULT IN HARMFUL HEALTH EFFECTS?
The following symptoms may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to high levels of cadmium:
Stomach irritation after ingestion of contaminated food or water.
Lung irritation following inhalation of cadmium particles or fumes at levels greater than 300 mg/m3.
The following health effects can occur after several years of exposure to cadmium:
Cancer: Cancer can develop after long-term, high-level exposure to airborne cadmium.
Reproductive Effects: Human reproductive problems are not associated with exposure to cadmium.
Organ Systems: Lung disorders, including emphysema or bronchitis, can develop after long-term exposure to cadmium in air. Kidney damage and/or kidney stones can form as a result of eating, drinking, or breathing elevated levels of cadmium.
In general, chemicals affect the same organ systems in all people who are exposed. However, the seriousness of the effects may vary from person to person. A person's reaction depends on several things, including individual health, heredity, previous exposure to chemicals including medicines, and personal habits such as smoking or drinking.
It is also important to consider the length of exposure to the chemical; the amount of chemical exposure; and whether the chemical was inhaled, touched, or eaten.
Seek medical advice if you have any symptoms that you think may be related to chemical exposure.
(PPH 4591 Revised 3/2000)
Want to learn about more? Go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/chemfs/fs/cadmium.htm-
Yay for Friday: We'll be on all weekend-find us on:
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It really does start with US...in more ways than 1.
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Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ewaste, eco-rally, ERASE-
Really that is what the aim is right, to leave tiny prints as opposed to giant feet? To stop, drop and roll on what we have already done? While, I have been working, I googled the term ewaste-ecorally and I am the first blog that pops up and also the first image...I know I rock...it's only because I blog all of the time to keep y'all informed. Hope all of you have had as a productful day as I have! Good fridays all around-I can feel us taking a momentous step when we do something really valuable...
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Is Our E-Waste Harming Children?
I read a rather disturbing article from the Huffington Post that reads the following:
China has been sending us lead-contaminated toys, but lead contamination from U.S. products may be exacting a far heavier toll on children in China.
Number of recalls of children's products issued in the United States in 2007: 231
Number one reason for children's product recalls: lead contamination
Principal country of origin of U.S. children's products contaminated by lead: China
Percentage of children with elevated levels of lead in the United States: 2.2%
One of the principal exporters of e-waste to China despite Chinese ban: United States
One of the toxic metals contained in e-waste: lead
City where large volumes of e-waste are disposed: Guiyu, China
Percentage of children with elevated levels of lead in Guiyu, China: 82%
Dr. Bill Chameides is the dean of Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. He blogs regularly at www.thegreengrok.com.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-chameides/is-our-e-waste-harming-ch_b_120634.html
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China has been sending us lead-contaminated toys, but lead contamination from U.S. products may be exacting a far heavier toll on children in China.
Number of recalls of children's products issued in the United States in 2007: 231
Number one reason for children's product recalls: lead contamination
Principal country of origin of U.S. children's products contaminated by lead: China
Percentage of children with elevated levels of lead in the United States: 2.2%
One of the principal exporters of e-waste to China despite Chinese ban: United States
One of the toxic metals contained in e-waste: lead
City where large volumes of e-waste are disposed: Guiyu, China
Percentage of children with elevated levels of lead in Guiyu, China: 82%
Dr. Bill Chameides is the dean of Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. He blogs regularly at www.thegreengrok.com.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-chameides/is-our-e-waste-harming-ch_b_120634.html
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Electonic Waste the Actual Effects...
I imagine that it's difficult for most of us to imagine a world destroyed by electronic waste looks like. I included this video so we could have a visual. It would be accurate to say that most of us, in the United States, do not get to live in landfills, so it's disturbing to see those who do. More than this, it's simply the educational component...how could we have known? This is why it is imperative to get the word out about the importance of ecycling. We want to educate...because if we don't work on this now...perhaps this will be us down the road. Live Green and bring your screen to the Live Green Electronics Recycling Event-See you at Southwest Plaza in Littleon-8501 Bowles-MARCH 7th, 2009-7:00 am to 12:00 pm.
TOP 10 REASONS TO RECYCLE!
1. Good For Our Economy American companies rely on recycling programs to provide the raw materials they need to make new products.
2. Creates Jobs Recycling in the U.S. is a $236 billion a year industry. More than 56,000 recycling and reuse enterprises employ 1.1 million workers nationwide.
3. Reduces Waste The average American discards seven and a half pounds of garbage every day. Most of this garbage goes into to landfills, where it's compacted and buried.
4. Good For The Environment Recycling requires far less energy, uses fewer natural resources, and keeps waste from piling up in landfills.
5. Saves Energy Recycling offers significant energy savings over manufacturing with virgin materials. (Manufacturing with recycled aluminum cans uses 95% less energy.)
6. Preserves Landfill Space No one wants to live next door to a landfill. Recycling preserves existing landfill space.
7. Prevents Global Warming In 2000, recycling of solid waste prevented the release of 32.9 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE, the unit of measure for greenhouse gases) into the air.
8. Reduces Water Pollution Making goods from recycled materials generates far less water pollution than manufacturing from virgin materials.
9. Protects Wildlife Using recycled materials reduces the need to damage forests, wetlands, rivers and other places essential to wildlife.
10. Creates New Demand Recycling and buying recycled products creates demand for more recycled products, decreasing waste and helping our economy.2.5.
from: http://www.nrc-recycle.org/top10reasonstorecycle.aspx
2. Creates Jobs Recycling in the U.S. is a $236 billion a year industry. More than 56,000 recycling and reuse enterprises employ 1.1 million workers nationwide.
3. Reduces Waste The average American discards seven and a half pounds of garbage every day. Most of this garbage goes into to landfills, where it's compacted and buried.
4. Good For The Environment Recycling requires far less energy, uses fewer natural resources, and keeps waste from piling up in landfills.
5. Saves Energy Recycling offers significant energy savings over manufacturing with virgin materials. (Manufacturing with recycled aluminum cans uses 95% less energy.)
6. Preserves Landfill Space No one wants to live next door to a landfill. Recycling preserves existing landfill space.
7. Prevents Global Warming In 2000, recycling of solid waste prevented the release of 32.9 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE, the unit of measure for greenhouse gases) into the air.
8. Reduces Water Pollution Making goods from recycled materials generates far less water pollution than manufacturing from virgin materials.
9. Protects Wildlife Using recycled materials reduces the need to damage forests, wetlands, rivers and other places essential to wildlife.
10. Creates New Demand Recycling and buying recycled products creates demand for more recycled products, decreasing waste and helping our economy.2.5.
from: http://www.nrc-recycle.org/top10reasonstorecycle.aspx
Sunday, February 15, 2009
e-waste,eco-rally
Project two has commenced. We are working with Comcast to increase social awareness of an e-cyling event on March 7, 2009. What is ecycling you ask? Ecycling is the recycling of electronic equipment, such as televisions and computers. It is an exciting and awesome event designed to continue green efforts.
We have also been split into two different groups, the men against the women. Chantay, Jeannine and I have entitled ourselves The Triple Threat! Jeannine really wanted to be the team lead on this project but because of the social media elements of the task and that I am a public relations major, I begged her to let me have it. She was really sweet and let me. After being given the challenge, we met up and discussed how we are going to accomplish our task which encompasses a variety of different activities including social media outreach, volunteer recruitment and education.
Later, we attended a social responsibilty event where we had speakers inform us about how we are in effect responsible for our community. We met many individuals at the Courtyard Marriot. Scott, of Sage Hospitality Resources, Dr. Jordan of Metro and Jacque Williams of Six Degrees of Communications spoke with us about the importance of social responsibilty.
Then on Saturday, I attended an orientation for future students, held by the Alpha Delta Theta sorority. I spoke to students about my experience as a student. We all then went to the televised basketball game between Metro and Colorado Christian University. The game was close and well played, but Metro won! We stayed for half of the girls game, where they were dominating as well and then Jeannine went to study and I went home to take a nap. All the excitement of project two made for not very much sleep on Friday night.
Felipe, Jesse and I went out for some dancing at the Church later and had a great time. I learned a really fast mexican style dancing that Jesse taught me.
I can't wait to get movin' and shakin' on this project!
We have also been split into two different groups, the men against the women. Chantay, Jeannine and I have entitled ourselves The Triple Threat! Jeannine really wanted to be the team lead on this project but because of the social media elements of the task and that I am a public relations major, I begged her to let me have it. She was really sweet and let me. After being given the challenge, we met up and discussed how we are going to accomplish our task which encompasses a variety of different activities including social media outreach, volunteer recruitment and education.
Later, we attended a social responsibilty event where we had speakers inform us about how we are in effect responsible for our community. We met many individuals at the Courtyard Marriot. Scott, of Sage Hospitality Resources, Dr. Jordan of Metro and Jacque Williams of Six Degrees of Communications spoke with us about the importance of social responsibilty.
Then on Saturday, I attended an orientation for future students, held by the Alpha Delta Theta sorority. I spoke to students about my experience as a student. We all then went to the televised basketball game between Metro and Colorado Christian University. The game was close and well played, but Metro won! We stayed for half of the girls game, where they were dominating as well and then Jeannine went to study and I went home to take a nap. All the excitement of project two made for not very much sleep on Friday night.
Felipe, Jesse and I went out for some dancing at the Church later and had a great time. I learned a really fast mexican style dancing that Jesse taught me.
I can't wait to get movin' and shakin' on this project!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Life is amazing and weird.
This weekend has already turned into one of those amazing weekends I will look back on and think WOW; Life is awesome!
One of my friends and I went out dancing for the first time in six months, I think, or more. I love going to dance at gay clubs because, the gays know how to throw a party and also I have many gay friends. Every once in a while who doesn't want to roll around in glitter and dance the night away?? Also, my boyfriend and I had a huge fight, and rolling around in glitter and dancing makes everything better.
So, we're out, boppin' around to Madonna and we see this sign up for winning something. We sign up-which I loathe-I feel like I am always going to be looped into some sort of timeshare or giving up my first born. I crumple mine up because that is always the secret to winning anything. We continue to dance around for an hour or so and they hold the drawing for the prize. The person they call isn't there anymore, so they redraw and guess who wins a cruise to Cozumel?
Not me. My friend!!!
I offered to babysit her kid. But, YAY-she's been having a crummy couple of months so I was mouthing, Thank God! No one deserves to win something more than that girl.
Then I've been working on leadership skills on the side, and this morning I became the vice-chair of an organization. I am excited but a little nervous.
I hope everyone is having an eventful weekend! Mine has been amazing...and weird.
One of my friends and I went out dancing for the first time in six months, I think, or more. I love going to dance at gay clubs because, the gays know how to throw a party and also I have many gay friends. Every once in a while who doesn't want to roll around in glitter and dance the night away?? Also, my boyfriend and I had a huge fight, and rolling around in glitter and dancing makes everything better.
So, we're out, boppin' around to Madonna and we see this sign up for winning something. We sign up-which I loathe-I feel like I am always going to be looped into some sort of timeshare or giving up my first born. I crumple mine up because that is always the secret to winning anything. We continue to dance around for an hour or so and they hold the drawing for the prize. The person they call isn't there anymore, so they redraw and guess who wins a cruise to Cozumel?
Not me. My friend!!!
I offered to babysit her kid. But, YAY-she's been having a crummy couple of months so I was mouthing, Thank God! No one deserves to win something more than that girl.
Then I've been working on leadership skills on the side, and this morning I became the vice-chair of an organization. I am excited but a little nervous.
I hope everyone is having an eventful weekend! Mine has been amazing...and weird.
Monday, February 2, 2009
On break...
Jesse and I are sitting here in his office, totally stuck in a chinese coma from the chinese food-we may not make sense because we are too fat right now, our minds too. But we thought we would write a little wrap-up of the first challenge.
Jesse says, "It was great...it was great." Imagine a little kid missing his two front teeth.
And I said "Why Jesse, why was it so great?"
"Because we all worked together as one team, one mission." (He's keeping out the minor disagreements we had-like when we fought about the color of the binders for the final presentation-or the discount the Kinkos guy gave us-I tried to say it was because of me, but noooo...it had to be him...) and he says yep.
I have to admit, Jesse is the bomb-diggity. He is telling me the story about going to winterpark for the ski trip we won. Chantay and Jesse don't know how to ski very well, and they were on the bunny hill for the morning and when they finally made it to the green hill after lunch, they realized how inexperienced they really were. Jesse and Chantay don't know how to ride the lifts and he was body slammed by the lifts. See Jesse's blog for details...it should prove to be hilarious! I almost fell over because I couldn't breathe from laughing too hard.
It sounds like a good time was had by all. I missed it for a family emergency. But next time we win, I will be there! T-minus 12!
Jesse says, "It was great...it was great." Imagine a little kid missing his two front teeth.
And I said "Why Jesse, why was it so great?"
"Because we all worked together as one team, one mission." (He's keeping out the minor disagreements we had-like when we fought about the color of the binders for the final presentation-or the discount the Kinkos guy gave us-I tried to say it was because of me, but noooo...it had to be him...) and he says yep.
I have to admit, Jesse is the bomb-diggity. He is telling me the story about going to winterpark for the ski trip we won. Chantay and Jesse don't know how to ski very well, and they were on the bunny hill for the morning and when they finally made it to the green hill after lunch, they realized how inexperienced they really were. Jesse and Chantay don't know how to ride the lifts and he was body slammed by the lifts. See Jesse's blog for details...it should prove to be hilarious! I almost fell over because I couldn't breathe from laughing too hard.
It sounds like a good time was had by all. I missed it for a family emergency. But next time we win, I will be there! T-minus 12!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
St.Elizabeth's Part II
After making the many sandwiches and preparing everything for the homeless people who would be coming through the line (condiments for sandwiches, salt pepper, lemonade, coffee and soup, of course!) we saw the line of many people circle around the back of the church, past the dumpsters and continue down the line. At approximately 11:00 am, the sandwich and soup line started.
The surprising thing for me were the people who walked through the line. My preception of the poor in America is that most of the homeless are drug addicts, alcoholics and social pariahs due to self induced and socially unacceptable behaviors. But, I learned a valuable lesson about this...did it really matter if someone is homeless for whatever reason? I feel that we have an obligation to help those who cannot help themselves...a play on Benjamin Franklin's original "God helps those who help themselves..." Men, women, old and young, they were all in the line.
By going to the Food Bank of the Rockies and speaking with our contact there, Olive, we were informed of the increase in attendees to the bank as well as seeing the physical building made me painfully aware of the huge problem we are dealing with now and possibly in the future, with the economy being the way it is. Even the Metro Food Bank has an exponential rise compared to last semester. Last semester 400 students came to get food, this semester the food bank is average around 30 students a day, thats 180 students in a week making the total number of students needing assistance from the food bank at Metro 720.
I have learned that we need a food bank, also that the a person's history should never predicate an individuals need for the basic necessities of life and together we can eradicate poverty on many different levels. Think Global Act Local Be Metro...that's what I would wish all of you to consider while you remain at Metro.
The surprising thing for me were the people who walked through the line. My preception of the poor in America is that most of the homeless are drug addicts, alcoholics and social pariahs due to self induced and socially unacceptable behaviors. But, I learned a valuable lesson about this...did it really matter if someone is homeless for whatever reason? I feel that we have an obligation to help those who cannot help themselves...a play on Benjamin Franklin's original "God helps those who help themselves..." Men, women, old and young, they were all in the line.
By going to the Food Bank of the Rockies and speaking with our contact there, Olive, we were informed of the increase in attendees to the bank as well as seeing the physical building made me painfully aware of the huge problem we are dealing with now and possibly in the future, with the economy being the way it is. Even the Metro Food Bank has an exponential rise compared to last semester. Last semester 400 students came to get food, this semester the food bank is average around 30 students a day, thats 180 students in a week making the total number of students needing assistance from the food bank at Metro 720.
I have learned that we need a food bank, also that the a person's history should never predicate an individuals need for the basic necessities of life and together we can eradicate poverty on many different levels. Think Global Act Local Be Metro...that's what I would wish all of you to consider while you remain at Metro.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
St. Elizabeth's of Hungary
I created too much suspense for myself-so, here's the segment about St. Elizabeths.
Part of the challenge for the Metro Food Bank was to spend three hours donating our time to either St. Elizabeth's or to the Food Bank of the Rockies. I it's a cosmically synchronic moment of my life wherein I give back. My existence is in part due to the kindness of strangers in providing me with food, so I did both. Felipe and Erik also did both. Chantay and Jeannine went to the Food Bank of the Rockies two different times...a feat to be sure. I will tell you about the FBR later.
St. Elizabeth's is located on campus! I know I didn't know that all the building weren't about us. St. Elizabeth's is a church with real mass and everything. It's gorgeous on the inside and during mass is seeped in tradition. I love it because I have always loved mass or any other church I have been too were you can feel faith wrapped around you like bacon wrapped shrimp...ahhhh...all this food talk has made my stomach grumble and me oh so hungry. Alas my bacon-wrapped-shrimp days are far behind me when my family used to pay for dinner and the economy wasn't so iffy.
Back to St. Elizabeth's...the soup kitchen is located in the basement. Liz, a lovely lady, is one of those character's who is always moving, is the manager. She is joyful and effervescent in a way that cannot be described and would probably make most people tired. Well, imagine it. It's sunday morning. I know you already want to go back to bed now. But honestly what a lady. She makes homemade soup for over 100 people, last Sunday it was a delicious turkey soup. Bob, one of the volunteers put in chili pepper, he does the additional flavoring-and helps Liz with everything in the morning. Bob, Felipe, Erik and I made over 180 sandwiches that morning. We then served nearly 130 homeless citizens of our nation.
Part of the challenge for the Metro Food Bank was to spend three hours donating our time to either St. Elizabeth's or to the Food Bank of the Rockies. I it's a cosmically synchronic moment of my life wherein I give back. My existence is in part due to the kindness of strangers in providing me with food, so I did both. Felipe and Erik also did both. Chantay and Jeannine went to the Food Bank of the Rockies two different times...a feat to be sure. I will tell you about the FBR later.
St. Elizabeth's is located on campus! I know I didn't know that all the building weren't about us. St. Elizabeth's is a church with real mass and everything. It's gorgeous on the inside and during mass is seeped in tradition. I love it because I have always loved mass or any other church I have been too were you can feel faith wrapped around you like bacon wrapped shrimp...ahhhh...all this food talk has made my stomach grumble and me oh so hungry. Alas my bacon-wrapped-shrimp days are far behind me when my family used to pay for dinner and the economy wasn't so iffy.
Back to St. Elizabeth's...the soup kitchen is located in the basement. Liz, a lovely lady, is one of those character's who is always moving, is the manager. She is joyful and effervescent in a way that cannot be described and would probably make most people tired. Well, imagine it. It's sunday morning. I know you already want to go back to bed now. But honestly what a lady. She makes homemade soup for over 100 people, last Sunday it was a delicious turkey soup. Bob, one of the volunteers put in chili pepper, he does the additional flavoring-and helps Liz with everything in the morning. Bob, Felipe, Erik and I made over 180 sandwiches that morning. We then served nearly 130 homeless citizens of our nation.
The Challenge Begins-
SO-I had this great blog started and then got distracted for one second and it disappeared into the oblivion of the internet!!! RRRRRRRRRR. Okay. rrrrrr. Estoy tranquila.
The first challenge officially started and we are to draft a strategic plan for the Food Bank of MSCD. You are probably thinking the same thing I thought-food bank, say wha?, when's it open and what can I get??? I think we all understand the poor college student factor. It made me think that we never consider ourselves, rich America in that category. At least I didn't. Usually when those late night commercials come on the television, they are always about children with gaunt limbs, swollen bellies and protruding ribs. Sadly, we never see the faces of hunger in our own backyard. I have been meaning to write about my experiences with the soup kitchen/sandwich line at St. Elizabeths of Hungary and also at the Food Bank of the Rockies. This I will do in a bit and a different blog so as to not to lose my current blog into the sock-stealing-dryer that is the internet.
A little background. Metro's food bank has been open since last semester and is primarily funded by on-campus entities, mainly the Student Government. Three people have been on the forefront of its maintenance, student Britney and staff members Joanna and Steve. So we have been hashing out many a plan.
I truly didn't know Metro had a need even after having been given the project at first, I was wondering what the heck was going on. Unfortunately I had succumbed to the what I feel is a widely accepted belief that we, in America, are not poor. This is really sad for me because having been adopted from India, I lived in extreme poverty, to the extent of knowing what it is like to beg for food. I forgive myself though, because I was a child and my mother has given me a wonderfully privileged life. And perhaps it's easy to separate ourselves from this idea of extreme because we don't experience it to the extent of other nations. We have all seen the images of barren lands with starving bodies strewn about dusty puzzle pieces of land...
and we don't see this here...
so, does it even exist?
Oh my gosh-YES!
There is a question of relative poverty and this I came to witness in several different ways by this project alone...I will discuss this in my next blog...it's my way of leaving you in suspense...
You know you can't wait.
The first challenge officially started and we are to draft a strategic plan for the Food Bank of MSCD. You are probably thinking the same thing I thought-food bank, say wha?, when's it open and what can I get??? I think we all understand the poor college student factor. It made me think that we never consider ourselves, rich America in that category. At least I didn't. Usually when those late night commercials come on the television, they are always about children with gaunt limbs, swollen bellies and protruding ribs. Sadly, we never see the faces of hunger in our own backyard. I have been meaning to write about my experiences with the soup kitchen/sandwich line at St. Elizabeths of Hungary and also at the Food Bank of the Rockies. This I will do in a bit and a different blog so as to not to lose my current blog into the sock-stealing-dryer that is the internet.
A little background. Metro's food bank has been open since last semester and is primarily funded by on-campus entities, mainly the Student Government. Three people have been on the forefront of its maintenance, student Britney and staff members Joanna and Steve. So we have been hashing out many a plan.
I truly didn't know Metro had a need even after having been given the project at first, I was wondering what the heck was going on. Unfortunately I had succumbed to the what I feel is a widely accepted belief that we, in America, are not poor. This is really sad for me because having been adopted from India, I lived in extreme poverty, to the extent of knowing what it is like to beg for food. I forgive myself though, because I was a child and my mother has given me a wonderfully privileged life. And perhaps it's easy to separate ourselves from this idea of extreme because we don't experience it to the extent of other nations. We have all seen the images of barren lands with starving bodies strewn about dusty puzzle pieces of land...
and we don't see this here...
so, does it even exist?
Oh my gosh-YES!
There is a question of relative poverty and this I came to witness in several different ways by this project alone...I will discuss this in my next blog...it's my way of leaving you in suspense...
You know you can't wait.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Holidays and the New Year-When does school start again???
I think there is an overwhelming sense of great expectation with each and every holiday. It's like waking up in the morning and knowing that yesterday has ceased to exist but today the sun is shining, life is new and finally one can seize the day, again. I can feel this especially around the holidays specifically within the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year time frame. I, like many of us come from what can only be conceived as a traditional family now, and shifted between my mom and my dad. So, for me, the exhilaration resides in the turkey, stuffing and the candied yams with the pineapple bits and marshmallows. Plentiful in two different households-we make out like bandits in the food and gift department don't we?
This holiday was a bit different for me and hence the question when does school start?? Because I am ready! And it's not because of the recession nor because I wound up at an Indian restaurant on Thanksgiving. My grandfather passed away on December 27th. It's not to say he wasn't ready, he was 96 years old. He wanted to go. What was interesting is that he waited until he said goodbye to all of us. We are strewn about the west coast and for a moment we were together and it was in that moment he chose to go.
My grandfather and I have an interesting bond. When I was adopted from India, I technically didn't have a real birthday, so I was given my grandfather's birthday. It was my grandfather who taught me how to play the various types of poker when I was a 9-year-old. I won $9.48-he claimed it was beginner's luck. In middle school he explained that life has it's ups and downs, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose...but the game is sticking to it, not to the outcome. He proved that statement when he received his GED-he was 80. One of the last times I saw him, he was oddly lucid. A nurse wheeled him from the dining room to me. As she wheeled him out she asked him if he knew who I was. He was suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia-understandable at 96. And he replied "You betcha. I know exactly who she is." The nurse asked him who I looked like to which he stated, matter-of-factly, "Me, of course." A comedian to the very end, he knew very well that he doesn't look anything like me. But, he held my hand and told me he was very lucky to have me for a granddaughter. He was a man rich in friends, family, love and life.
It's been a rough holiday. It's is nothing new to the ages of holidays I am sure. It's documented in songs, hollywood and even some of your own lives. It all comes down to expectations, however. I went into this holiday expecting it to be amazing and to an extent it was. I had the most perfect moment with my grandfather. Surprisingly the feeling of great expectation didn't die with this holiday. It has shifted from this abstract idea leading up to a magical day when Santa has come or the baby beating out the old man for the arrival of the new year, somehow the magic has reappeared again as a moment in the morning when I realize today...I have today...yes, a new day!
On that note...I am motivated and ready to go! When does school start???
This holiday was a bit different for me and hence the question when does school start?? Because I am ready! And it's not because of the recession nor because I wound up at an Indian restaurant on Thanksgiving. My grandfather passed away on December 27th. It's not to say he wasn't ready, he was 96 years old. He wanted to go. What was interesting is that he waited until he said goodbye to all of us. We are strewn about the west coast and for a moment we were together and it was in that moment he chose to go.
My grandfather and I have an interesting bond. When I was adopted from India, I technically didn't have a real birthday, so I was given my grandfather's birthday. It was my grandfather who taught me how to play the various types of poker when I was a 9-year-old. I won $9.48-he claimed it was beginner's luck. In middle school he explained that life has it's ups and downs, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose...but the game is sticking to it, not to the outcome. He proved that statement when he received his GED-he was 80. One of the last times I saw him, he was oddly lucid. A nurse wheeled him from the dining room to me. As she wheeled him out she asked him if he knew who I was. He was suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia-understandable at 96. And he replied "You betcha. I know exactly who she is." The nurse asked him who I looked like to which he stated, matter-of-factly, "Me, of course." A comedian to the very end, he knew very well that he doesn't look anything like me. But, he held my hand and told me he was very lucky to have me for a granddaughter. He was a man rich in friends, family, love and life.
It's been a rough holiday. It's is nothing new to the ages of holidays I am sure. It's documented in songs, hollywood and even some of your own lives. It all comes down to expectations, however. I went into this holiday expecting it to be amazing and to an extent it was. I had the most perfect moment with my grandfather. Surprisingly the feeling of great expectation didn't die with this holiday. It has shifted from this abstract idea leading up to a magical day when Santa has come or the baby beating out the old man for the arrival of the new year, somehow the magic has reappeared again as a moment in the morning when I realize today...I have today...yes, a new day!
On that note...I am motivated and ready to go! When does school start???
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