Community News - Manatee Spotlight June 19, 2011

“Radio Hams” from Manatee County  join in national deployment

Public Demonstration of Emergency Communications June 25-26

Manatee County's “hams” will join with thousands of Amateur Radio operators who will be showing off their emergency capabilities this weekend. Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications during unexpected emergencies in towns across America including the California wildfires, winter storms, tornadoes and other events worldwide.

During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio – often called “Ham Radio” - was often the ONLY way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer “hams” traveled south to save lives and property. This same holds true for the earth quake in Haiti and Tsami in Japan

When trouble is brewing, Amateur Radio’s people are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications. On the weekend of June 25-26, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with Manatee County ham radio operators and see for themselves what our local Amateur Radio Service is about. Showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code, hams from across the USA will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.

This annual event, called "Field Day" is the climax of the week long "Amateur Radio Week" sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only emergency power supplies, ham operators will construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools and backyards around the country. The slogan, "When All Else Fails, Ham Radio Works” is more than just words to the hams as they prove that they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. More than 35,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year's event.

"We hope that people will come and see for themselves, this is not your grandfather's radio anymore," said Allen Pitts, W1AGP, of the ARRL. "The communications that ham radio people can quickly create have saved many lives when other systems failed or were overloaded. And besides that – it’s fun!”

In the Manatee County area, the Manatee Amateur Radio Club will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at the Red Cross Building located on 59th Street, Bray Park, on June 25 through 26th. They invite the public to come and see ham radio’s new capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes.

There are over 685,000 Amateur Radio licensees in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world. Through the ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Services program, ham volunteers provide both emergency communications for thousands of state and local emergency response agencies (ARES) and non-emergency community (RACES) services too, all for free.

To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.emergency-radio.org. The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams. See what modern Amateur Radio can do. They can even help you get on the air!

 

---

 

USFSM professor uses expertise to benefit community, joins Revitalization Task Force on Longboat Key

Ross Alander, Instructor of Management in the College of Business at USF Sarasota-Manatee was recently appointed to the Revitalization Task Force on Longboat Key where he is a resident.  The task force is made up of other residents and business professionals who will analyze how to bring more business to the key and what types of business to target as well as preserving the uniqueness and beauty of LBK.

One of Alander’s areas of expertise and teaching areas is Organizational Review/Assessment.  “We are hoping to grow the key with business that makes sense for the area,” said Alander.  “For example, we’ll ask questions like ‘how do we grow the possibility of small to medium sized conventions at local hotels?’ and ‘would it make sense to develop some athletic excellence centers for tennis or kayaking or golf; or maybe even a high-end cooking school?’  We’ve not started hashing through any ideas just yet, but that’s the purpose of this group.”

Alander also participated on the Organizational Review Committee for Longboat Key last year and was tasked specifically with analyzing Planning, Zoning & Building.  “We worked closely with the Manager in that department and the report we developed was adopted by the town commission,” Alander said.  “It was a success.”

---

 

Citrus Meadows Apartments First Annual Resident Appreciation Event

We are hosting our first Annual Resident Appreciation Event Saturday June 18th, from 12 - 3pm in the main court yard area.  We will have live music, good food, face painting, bounce houses and door prizes.  we are hosting this event not just for our residents, this is a community event.  Representatives from the Media, Bradenton Police and Fire Department, South West Apartment Guide and other representatives from the area will  be joining us.

 

Also we have partnered with a local church, Church of Purpose. they will be conducting our free summer camp every Wednesday from 12 -3pm Starting June 15th thru August 3rd.  We understand the importance of positve ledership in a childs life, along with COP and certain sponsors we will be able to reach out to our youth and their families.

---

 

Special Marauder 4th of July Weekend Ticket Package-Just $15 for 3 games and a FREE hat.

 

We have a great 3-game ticket package for the July 4^th Weekend.  The Marauders are home at Historic McKechnie Field on July 1-3.  You can attend ALL 3 Marauders games for just $15 and receive a free Marauders Hat. 

(Normal price for a single game is $7)

 

Orders must be in by June 30.  Orders can be Mailed in, Faxed in or Emailed. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the McKechnie Field Ticket Office.

 

Here are some of the Highlights for the Weekend

 

Friday, July 1

One lucky fan will win a trip for 2 to the MLB All-star game(July 12) in Phoenix, AZ.  Airfare, hotel and All Star Week tix included.

Also, Military Appreciation Night.  We salute all of our Heroes before the game.

 

Saturday, July 2

Post Game Concert from America’s Got Talent Finalist Eli Mattson. 

 

Sunday, July 3

Post Game Firework Show.  The biggest in Manatee County!!

 

In addition to all these fun promotions,  the players will be wearing special Patriotic jerseys on the field.  These will be auctioned off during the weekend and then signed by the player.

---

REALTOR® Geri Kenyon is awarded Emeritus CRS Designation Status

Geri Kenyon

 

The Emeritus CRS Designee Status recognizes twenty consecutive years of exceptional service and membership in the Council of Residential Sales. Geri actively serves as a Director of the Manatee Association of REALTORS®, Florida REALTORS® as well as multiple National Association of REALTORS® committees.

---

 

Local Teen To Participate In Children’s Congress

 

Daniel Kemp, 14, of Sarasota, Fla. will be one of 100 youth from around the country to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) 2011 Children’s Congress.

 

Kemp was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was 7 years old and shares the constant mission of JDRF; to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes and its complications.   This mission and the growing number of those diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, is what drives Kemp’s passion for advocacy.

 

“We can pay for it [diabetes] now, by funding research for a cure or we can pay for it later with the escalating burden in complication costs of diabetes,” says Kemp.  “But know this – I am not a statistic, I am a real, live kid, living with an invisible disease that can kill me.  That’s why I urge Congress to use its collective voice to save lives and money by funding research for a cure.”

 

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly and can be fatal.  Everyday, people with type 1 diabetes constantly test blood glucose levels and inject themselves with insulin shots to stay alive.  Even insulin is not a cure for diabetes, which is why Kemp and others attending Children’s Congress are urging lawmakers to fund research.

 

 "I am so proud of Daniel for his selection to JDRF's Children's Congress.  The opportunity to convene on Capitol Hill with lawmakers and children from around the world is an opportunity of a lifetime.   Certainly this is a silver lining to living with a disease that few comprehend the daily responsibilities and risks,” said Kemp’s mother, Cynthia. 

To know more about the JDRF Children’s Congress or diabetes, please visit www.jdrf.org or call (941) 907-0811.

---

Southwest Florida Blue Star Mothers and  BB&T team up to create “Welcome Home” packages for soldiers returning from Afghanistan.

The local Blue Star Mothers Chapter FL4 is teaming up with volunteers from BB&T to make sure returning warriors have a few comforts of home. Employees from Manatee County BB&T branches will volunteer their time during June to help package up the welcome home gifts.

Susan Chandler is a resident of Manatee County and President of the Southwest Florida Blue Star Mothers Chapter.  “We are thrilled that BB&T has adopted our project. Our Chapter Mom’s not only appreciate the material contributions that are being made, but we are touched by the consideration and time that BB&T employees are contributing. Usually a single soldier arrives in the middle of the night to a bunk with no sheets, no pillow, no blanket, not even a tooth brush. These welcome home packages contain basic hygiene items along with sheets, pillow and blanket. The bunks are made up and packages are placed on the bunk for the returning soldier to find and use during their first hours and days home. The type of items included are: phone cards, essential hygiene products(tooth brush, tooth paste shaving items, comb/brush), roll of toilet paper, towel and wash cloth, a few snacks, something to read and a special hand written greeting to let them know we care… Well  come Home, Thank you for your service and we love you! PS: Call your parents :)”

These welcome home packages will be personally delivered by me to a military base and distributed by commander wives and families to active duty military personnel as they return from deployment. ”

 The BB&T volunteers are taking part in the company’s third annual Lighthouse Project. The teams have each selected a project to assist a non-profit agency to complete during May or June to make a positive impact on the lives of people in need. BB&T hopes their efforts encourage others in the community to volunteer their time and support organizations such as the Blue Star Mothers of America, Southwest Florida Chapter FL4.

The final days for packing the Welcome Home Gift Packages  will be June 22 and 23th, 2011. BB&T employees and local Blue Star Mothers will join together and load the boxes for transport on June 28th, 2011 starting at 8:00 a.m.

During the Lighthouse Project, BB&T employees have donated nearly 100,000 hours to help improve the lives of more than 3 million people in 25 states. Employees overwhelmingly voted to bring back the initiative this year.  For more information about the Lighthouse Project, go to www.bbt.com/bbt/lighthouseproject.

---

Support A Child Launches Free Tutoring Program

Support A Child, a Bradenton-based non-profit created to provide positive, lasting changes for children in need, will offer free tutoring. The announcement was made by Support A Child president, Maggy Regis at the organization’s Child Awareness Program held at Beraca Seventh-day Adventist Church on June 11.

The tutoring program, open to children and adults, focus on core math and reading skills. The primary objective of this program is to raise a child’s self esteem by providing the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in school and in life, explained Regis. Adult programming focuses on English as a second language and GED fulfillment to help parents attain better jobs and become better mentors and role models, she added.

Through the combined efforts of Theodore Regis, Director of Education at Support A Child, and James Hanlon of Keel Works Foundation, an online component of the tutoring program will launch this summer. Coursework is designed to address disengaged learners and others who are note reaching their potential, says Hanlon. The goal is to incite the thrill of learning and engraft learning competencies. For more information on Support A Child and its programs, or to register for free tutoring services email mregis@support-a-child.org or call 941-773-6676 or 941-301-1055.

Support A Child is a Florida nonprofit created to provide better health, education and relief services to children in need. Support A Child is operated solely by volunteers. All financial and in-kind contributions go directly to children in need throughout the world.

---