Get to the Point April 4, 2012
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication
Get to the Point GET TO THE POINT ATLANTIC REGION, PERRY POINT, MD VOL. XVIII, ISSUE 5
I’m an member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program. N-triple-C members are 18 to 24 and spend 10 months getting things done for America while developing their own leadership. We serve on teams to help communities to prepare for and respond to disaster, build homes and help the environment. To learn more, or apply, visit americorps.gov/nccc
Raven 1 is making smiles all over the east coast.
3 FROM TO THE MOUTHS OF STREAMS TO THE MOUTHS OF MEN AND WOMEN
by Raven 1
4 FIRE COMPOSITE TEAMS HEAD OUT 4 BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION 5
THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE by Lisa Sullivan
6 DOWN TIME ACTIVITY 8 CURES FROM THE KITCHEN
FACEBOOK.COM/ NCCCATLANTICREGION Community Relations Office Sam McKenzie, Community Relations Specialist, SMcKenzie@cns.gov Tristan Fowler, Community Relations Support Team Leader, TFowler.Guest@cns.gov
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LOOKING FOR COLUMNISTS
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SHOUT OUTS
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NEWS
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ALUNMI SPOTLIGHT
6 BUFFALO UNIT LEADS THE CHARGE ON ISPs FIND US ON FACEBOOK
QUICKIES
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full time team–based residential program for men and women ages 18 to 24. The mission of NCCC is to strength communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national & community service. For more information about NCCC Visit www.americorps.gov/nccc or call 1 800 942 2677
AMERIMAP
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Get to the Point Through arduous labor and positive attitudes, the Raven 1 team is developing into a premiere Atlantic Region team. Primarily based at Winterthur Museum and Gardens outside of Wilmington Delaware, the team spends the majority of their days working with the fantastic garden department removing brush and invasive species, pruning, mulching, fertilizing, fence building, painting, and maintaining their nearly 1,000 acres of premiere garden estate.
Team spotlight— raven 1
From the mouths of streams to the mouths of men and women
Winterthur is a non-profit organization devoted to community enhancement: historic preservation of not only the museum collection but also the surrounding environment; academic research; and beautification of local flora and fauna through the use of exclusive perennials and a unique collection of trees. The team rotates every task, and the different groups working on each project, so as to maintain a fresh perspective, and keep morale high. Team member Ashley Peoples, spent an entire day working on many different teams pulling trees and weeds out of the ground using a shovel and weed wrench combo. This difficult task pushed her physically and mentally, but in the end she ―felt empowered as
casionally the team will band together to tackle huge projects in short amounts of time. Perhaps the most substantial was clearing out a shallow swamp-like valley covered in thorns the size of tiger-teeth, and bothersome cat tail fronds, which had a furry residue that would choke the respiratory system of anyone who comes near. But armed with weed eaters, weed saws, hand saws, loppers, and waders, everyone dug in, getting muddy, sweaty, and bloody to conquer this dramatic feat. It is at these moments when Raven 1 could truly step back and see the results of a hard day’s work.
sponsors and other volunteers how to play Ninja and ended the day on a highly positive note. The work they did was made most rewarding by the feedback of the patients they helped. One patient said ―this is the first time I have been able to smile in a year and a half.‖ Through diligent work, and high moral fiber Raven 1 left CTMOM understanding fully how important the service AmeriCorps NCCC is involved with is to communities.
Raven 1 returned back to Winterthur in Delaware for the remainder of their first round spike greeted by their amazing sponsor Margaret and A couple weeks into their first an enormous vat of delicious chili. round of projects, Raven 1 packed up They feasted like kings on this chili for and headed to Danbury, Conn. to serve days after the initial meal. They were at the Connecticut Mission of Mercy also greeted from a friend who flew in (CTMOM) to set up, run and break the week they returned. It was down a free dental clinic. The passion ―Edgar‖, the mischievous yet enterand enthusiasm of everyone involved taining Raven who was previously up at CTMOM was epic to the highest de- ―Bathing‖ in Bath, Maine with Raven gree. Over 2,000 patients were served 2. Tucked away in their cozy little and well over $1,000,000 worth of abode, Raven 1 is becoming quite comFREE dental treatment was provided fortable with all Winterthur entails. with the assistance of Raven 1. Even The friendly faces, beautiful scenery, a woman to be able to accomplish such or even the aggressive geese that chase labor intensive work, keeping up with after a 19.5 hour service day, Raven 1 used the inspiration and positive enerMaddi off the road, have all become the employees, and seeing the result of gy of a successful day to teach the welcome sights for the Raven 1 team. my own blood, sweat, and tears.‖ Oc3
Get to the Point CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRECAT 1 AND FIREFOX 1
PERRY POINT GETS FIRED UP Two fire composite teams have ignited this week. One group, lead by POSTL Tristan Fowler, will head to southern Maryland for a three day burn and another, lead by MUSTL Brooke Gates, will be in Albany, New York for the duration of the round. Firecat 1— Firecat 1 is ready to go right meow!‖ says Team Leader Tristan Fowler. ―WE are ready to take on this fiery challenge. As firecats, we are on the prowl.‖ chuckled Michael Wessely. Fowler and Wessely will be joined by Moose 3’s Lina You, Bobby Russo-Tucker and Moose 4’s Elias Tolano. This will be the first burn for most of the members.
Firefox 1– Albany, NY The members of Firefox 1 have put on their fire fighting pants and are ready to burn a lasting impression at the Albany Pine Bush Reserve. Team Leader Brooke (Burning Up) Gates has been waiting to get back into her Nomex since retiring them after her time as a Phoenix Team Leader in Class XVII. She will be joined by Chandler Ballentine, Ben Dillon, Liz Fraley and Madeline Nagel.
STL Corner
STRETCH YOUR FOOD BUDGET A LITTLE FURTHER
As part of a continued effort to support our communities, the Unit Support Team Leaders are going to start collecting Box Tops for Education. They are found on many products and when collected by a participating school are worth $0.10. In 2011 participating schools earned over $59 million. If your team purchases any products containing the logo, please save them and return them to a Support Team Leader in your SPIKE mail or during transition. We will select a school in one of our target cities to donate the Box Tops to. Thanks for your support!
*During your lifetime, you’ll eat about 60,000 pounds of food, that’s the weight of about 6 elephants! 4
Get to the Point Alumni spotlight
The Best Experience Of My Life
Lisa Sullivan was a Corps Member in Class XVII for Moose 4. I joined AmeriCorps NCCC in order to give a year of service, travel, and meet new people. I had recently graduated from college and was unsure of what field I wanted to work in. I only knew that I wanted to help others so I figured the 10 months would be a great opportunity to explore different career paths. I knew signing up for NCCC that it would be an interesting and challenging experience, but I wasn't really aware of all the ways it would impact me and honestly I think I am still discovering ways in which it has changed my life. NCCC gave me a chance to really see first hand some of the struggles that many people are going through around the U.S. After seeing some of the impact that I am capable of I now have a whole list of service programs that I would like to be apart of. I have built some amazing friendships and met so many inspirational people. The impacts are endless and although my NCCC corps year was challenging and at times frustrating it has by far been the best experience of my life.
(Right) Lisa Sullivan and her Moose 4 teammates sprint to the finish
them mentioned that they were not even aware that it was a
The last few months of my corps year I was going through the application pro- community center until the mural was cess for City Year Denver and have started. That is an experience that I been accepted. I will be moving to Den- will always carry with me. ver in about 5 months to start my corps year with City Year. Some things I learned while in NCCC were that communication can have a The Lower 9th Ward Village in NOLA huge impact on team dynamics. You was my favorite place that I worked at really can survive on $4.75 a day, throughout my corps year. It was a sometimes a trip to Starbucks can rewarehouse type building that was store your sanity, patience is key when bought by a man named Mack before working with non-profits, and The MoHurricane Katrina to house his antique hawk is trickier than it looks. cars. After the hurricane I was always learning something new hit he realized how badabout myself, my teammates, and the ly his neighborhood communities that I was working in. I needed a community think that the most important thing I center. We painted a learned about myself while in mural across the entire NCCC was that I am capable of a front of the building and lot more than I ever realized. also helped out in other Whether it be facing a fear of heights areas. I had the opporwhile climbing ladders to paint a mural tunity to walk around on a community center building in the neighborhood talkNew Orleans, creating lesson plans at ing to the residences Camp Brown, restoring cabins at Rac- after we had started the coon Creek State Park, or running a mural and many of shelter in Delaware during Hurricane Irene. *Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie. 5
Get to the Point COLUMNIST
ISP
Want to see your name & face here?
Buffalo Unit Races Ahead on ISPs
The Buffalo Unit has taken an early and strong lead in total ISP hours. All four BuffaIf you’ve got opinions, lo teams have over 150 team hours with we want to hear ’em! If you most members exceeding the 20 ISP hour have a fantastic personality, goal for the round. Buffalo 3 and 4 both have we want you to show it! If over a 100 hour lead with 360 and 385 you want to hours respectively. Moose 5 is also going strengthen strong with over 200 team ISP hours. Great your writing job teams! These numbers were taken from skills and find the STL internal spreadsheet based on reyour voice, we turned ISP forms. Make sure to get those want to help forms in! you. Don’t Forget The CommuAll members must complete 80 ISP nity Relations Staff office is hours to graduate. looking for writers, colCheck your hours regularly and keep a umnists and media repreThe goal for Round 1 is to exceed 20 ISP list of all ISPs you complete! sentatives to publish artihours. NCCC members must be in uniform at cles in ―Get to the Point.‖ Individuals can not receive more than ISPs and cannot under any circumstancThe CRS office loves using one total hour for driving to/from an es handle money. Corps member stories ISP. about ―AmeriLife.‖ We want to hear how you got those rips in your khaki pants. What’s on your team’s iPod? What’s the Everyone sits in a circle, and learns the 3 combest meal your team ever mands and their movements. made on $4.75 a day? The stories you share over the 1) Ah! – the person says “Ah” loudly, and puts next 10 months will be crittheir left or right hand across their forehead in a ical in forming lasting saluting motion, with fingers pointing at the permemories and moments. son next to them.
JUST TO PASS THE TIME
This is a fantastic opportunity to find your voice, strengthen your writing skills and build up your resume. To apply, send a writing sample and any ideas you have for your column. The Community Relations Support Team Leader Tristan Fowler will work along side the columnist to develop their ideas and voice.
2) So! - the person says “So” loudly, and puts their left or right hand across their chin in a saluting motion, with fingers pointing at the person next to them. 3) Gi!– the person puts both arms together in front of them in a clapping motion and points to someone else, anywhere in the circle.
The phrases must always go in that order, and each phrase needs its correct hand motion. You go when you are pointed at by someone next to you using “Ah” or “So,” or by someone across from you using “Gi.” When you are “Gi”ed at by someone you start the sequence over again. When someone makes a mistake (ie, goes out of order, uses the wrong hand motion, hesitates in confusion for too long) they are out. When someone gets out, each member of the group puts a hands in the middle with thumbs up, and calls "You're outta here!" - like a baseball umpire. That person leaves the If you are interested in circle and the group closes in the space. The person who was on right side of the exited becoming a ―Get to the person starts the sequence again, by saying "Ah!" and pointing to the left or right. Point‖ columnist, please contact the CRSTL Tristan at tfowler.guest@cns.gov. 6
The game continues until there are two people left. *Recycling one glass jar saves enough energy to watch T.V for 3 hours!
Get to the Point Raven 2: Raven 2 is glad that Edgar has safely joined Raven 1 and wishes him the best adventures with his new teammates. Raven 1 please take good care of Edgar. Shout out to P1 and their wicked burns along with their allstar from Raven 2, Lark! Raven 5:The Team Builders with the director of Top of the Pines Camp, Wilson, brought our team through a few challenging courses last week. The team learned a lot about each other and themselves. It was a nice break from all the roofing we have been doing the last few weeks. Raven 1: This week a mulch spreading ISP took a turn for the eerie when Raven 1 was invited to tour a haunted mansion in their socks. From a visit to the treacherous tunnels beneath the grounds to the foreclosed attic where numerous ghost sightings have been documented, the team was able to keep their composure and stature while expanding their knowledge of Delaware culture. Raven 1 also had a visitor fly in from Maine this Friday. Edgar finally joined the team and he has been kept busy ever since, joining Jerramie on a walk in downtown Delaware to pick up chicks and bonding with the team gnome, Bach Lava. Edgar has also been pulling his weight in the kitchen, helping Henry whip up a scrumptious Dorito pizza." - Maddie Nagel
Buffalo 3: Thomas, are you doing your ISPs? Hope you are having fun on fire! We are all proud of you! We wish our Buffalo Brothers and Sisters on B1 a safe and fun journey to Maine! Kick butt on your next project Buffalo 4: BUFFALO lV ROAMED WITH THE BUFFALO at the Lehigh Valley Game Preserve! Also got to experience hiking in the Appalachian Trail at Night…it was such an amazing opportunity! Moose 4: Shout out to Tubby’s Krew, Michael, Brooke, and Amelia Thank you for such a wonderful birthday dinner! We are fighting the good fight, slaying the green briar dragon is no easy task.. can’t wait to see you all in three weeks. Moose 5: We visited the art museum in Philadelphia and got to take a few pictures with some bronze Moose! Brammer we all miss you greatly, but we are proud you are representing us on P1! Laura Tuck: Thank you to B1 Debra Ostrander and Grace Hahm for the assistance with my HAWL boards!
Phoenix 1: Phoenix 1 wishes that all of the rest of the firefighters
could have enjoyed our 150 acre burn with us on Friday. Be prepared for an awesome time down here! B4 we miss you and can see that you are having too much fun without us! Keep rocking it! – Evan and Jess AMERIPEEPS!!!.. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU GUYS BACK HOME Justin B3!!!!! You guys are amazing! Thank you for all the shout outs and support I can’t wait to see you all again during transition! STL Liz- Thanks for the Tapatio!!!! -Thomas 7
Get to the Point
Kitchen Cures Natural remedies can be a useful way to effectively treat a number of common ailments. While antibiotics are useful for chronic or severe infections they may be unnecessary for minor ailments as they often kill helpful bacteria within the body. Here are some natural alternatives you may have in your kitchen: Honey Use it for: Minor cuts and burns, cough or sore throat How it works: This natural sweetener contains 3 powerful wound-healing components: sugar for absoring moisture so bacteria can’t survive, hydrogen peroxide to disinfect, and the nectar-based compound propolis to kill bacteria. An added bonus: Honey dries to form a natural bandage. Try this: Apply warm honey to a minor cut (one without a lot of bleeding) or mild burn, then put a gauze bandage on top; change the dressing daily.
Salt Use it for: Sinus congestion, sore throat How it works: When you mix salt into water at a stronger concentration than the salt water in our bodies, it helps draw fluids out of tissues," You can use this "hypertonic" solution to clear up stuffy sinuses and ease a sore throat. Try this: To make a hypertonic solution, dissolve half a teaspoon of non-iodized salt in an 8-ounce glass of water. For a sore throat, simply gargle the water. Peppermint tea Use it for: Indigestion, stomachache How it works: The oil found in the peppermint leaf and its stems calms the muscles of the digestive tract, allowing gas to pass more easily and relieving indigestion.
April 7th is World Health Day!
MUST READ! The VA Police have informed us that the back gate to the campus is no longer available for our use. AMTRAK has deemed the road PRIVATE and we can no longer drive through the tunnel to come on campus. As of now, everyone must use the main entrance to the campus; no exceptions. TRESPASSING tickets will be issued and YOU will be responsible for any fines or fees associated with that ticket.This includes walking on the road. ~LaQuine
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Get to the Point
Woolly mammoth may have been killed by humans BBC -- The discovery of a well-preserved juvenile woolly mammoth suggests that ancient humans "stole" mammoths from hunting lions, scientists say. Bernard Buigues of the Mammuthus organization acquired the frozen mammoth from tusk hunters in Siberia. Wounds indicate that both lions and humans may have been involved in the ancient animal's death.
"Already there is dramatic evidence of a life-and-death struggle between Yuka and some top predator, probably a lion," says leading mammoth expert, Daniel Fisher, professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Michigan. "Even more interesting, there are hints that humans may have taken over the kill at an early stage." If further investigation by Mr Buigues, Professor Fisher and fellow scientists at the Sakha Academy of Sciences in Yakutsk confirms this analysis, it will be the first carcass to show signs of interaction with ancient humans found in this part of the world.
Space burials: dy- NORTH KOREA TO HOLD SPECIAL P ARTY ing to go into orbit CONFERENCE AHEAD OF SATELLITE
New York (BBC) – In coming months, a US company Celestis is planning to launch its latest memorial spacecraft. The craft will be packed with lipstick sized capsules , each containing up to seven grams of the ashes of participants. The spacecraft will orbit the Earth for years before burning up in the atmosphere. Space burial is a memorial service that began in 1997 in the United States. The first rocket, Pegasus, contained the remains of 24 people, primarily Americans and Japanese. There are many opportunities for those wishing to spend eternity in the cosmic realm. Celestis is currently signing people up to have a gram of their remains delivered to the lunar surface. A UK company offers the opportunity to incorporate your ashes into a firework display and another company will fly your remains on a weather balloon into the upper atmosphere.
LAUNCH Hong Kong (CNN) -- North Korea said Monday that a special conference of its ruling Workers' Party would take place next week, an event expected to solidify the authority of its new leader ahead of a controversial rocket launch. The meeting of party delegates, announced by state media, also comes just ahead of a significant anniversary for the secretive, nuclear-armed state -- the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea. At the conference on April 11, Kim Il Sung's grandson, Kim Jong Un, is likely to be named secretary-general of the Workers' Party, a key post that would underline his status as "supreme leader" of the insular regime, said Chung-In Moon, professor of political science at Yonsei University in Seoul.
Some famous people buried in space include Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Treck and Clyde Tombaugh, American astronomer and discoverer of Pluto in 1930. 9
Get to the Point CAP REP INFORMATION!
Reminders: CAP Reps! Transition back to the Point is coming soon. By April 16 you need to have at least three CAP events completed and logged on the Google Site! End of Round Paperwork for most teams is due on Monday, April 16 by 4:30 p.m. End of Round Paperwork includes the following: All CAP Event Reports must be logged on the Google Site Any Celebrity and Elected Officials that interacted with your team must be logged on the Google Site One NCCC alumni spotlight. The alumni spotlight can be submitted on the CAP & Media Google site One CAP evaluation for your team on the Google site. This is the evaluation you do about how well you did your CAP work during Round 1 Sam McKenzie, Community Relations Specialist will share with your team its CAP Rep Performance Evaluation during transition. This evaluation comes from the CRS and it includes comments and changes to improve your CAP Rep work for Round 2. Something Extra: CAP Rep alumni have advice to share. See the packet in your spike mail CAP Shout Out: Chelsea from Raven 5 has done an awesome job of coordinating CAP events in the DE/MD/Philly area! Moose 3 also went to Freestate Challenge Academy on Monday and spoke to numerous cadets about NCCC as a CAP event! Thanks to Moose 2 for completing the elected officials form!
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Get to the Point MEDIA REP INFORMATION!
Reminders: How are your media hits looking for Round 1? By April 16 you need to have at least two media hits secured and logged on the Google Site! Media Hits –include the YouTube question of the round—what does your team do for Free time? Videos answering that question should be added to the YouTube channel under your team’s gmail account. All teams should create one video answering this question. End of Round Paperwork for most teams is due on Monday, April 16 by 4:30 p.m. End of Round Paperwork includes the following: All Media Coverage Forms must be logged on the Google Site Eight Yearbook Photos in the Facebook Media Hub Group! One Round Write Up (article) We are in the process of making a yearbook for Class 18. Each team must turn in a write up (article) about Round 1 including information about your service project. Put this on the Google Site. One Media Rep Evaluation for your team on the Google site. This is the evaluation you do about how well you did your Media Rep work during Round 1 Sam McKenzie, Community Relations Specialist will share with your team its Media Rep Performance Evaluation during transition. This evaluation comes from the CRS and it includes comments and changes to improve your Media Rep work for Round 2. Something Extra: Media Rep alumni have advice to share. See the packet in your spike mail Media Rep Shout Out: Buffalo 3, Moose 1 are rocking the media hits big time! Shout out to M3 who has a great blog —each blog post counts as media hit—http://twigeaters.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/welcome-to-the-moose-3-blog/ 11
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Firefox 1 Brooke– Albany, NY
Phoenix 1 Evan— Suffolk, VA
Patuxent, MD
Fire Cat 1—Tristan Fowler,
Raven 5 Dan— Baltimore, MD
Raven 4 Millena— Washington, DC
Raven 3 A.T.— Montague, NJ
Raven 2 Davey— Bath, ME
Raven 1 Keiper— Wilmington, DE
Moose 5 Toby— Wilmington, DE
Moose 4 Casey— Dover, DE
Moose 3 Jami— Baltimore, MD
Moose 2 Megan— Baltimore, MD
Moose 1 Patrick—East Liverpool, OH
Buffalo 4 Tiffany — Orefield, PA
Buffalo 3 Tony— Earlville, MD
Buffalo 2 Tomoyo— Hookstown, PA
Buffalo 1 Taft— Freeport, ME
Get to the Point