Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
Get to the Point: The NCCC News
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication July 31-August 7, 2011 Volume XVII Issue 18 Perry Point, MD
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
Strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national & community service
Inside Issue 18: Faces of the Week
2
Buffalo 5: ‘Bama
3
AmeriGourmet: Beat the Heat
5
Alumni Spotlight
6-7
Rod’s Ruminations
8
Trainer’s Two Cents
9
I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program. N-triple-C members are 18 to 24 years old & spend 18 months getting things done for America while developing their own leadership skills. We serve on teams to help communities prepare for & respond to disasters, build homes, and help the environment.
2
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
3
Buffalo 5: ‘Bama Go Hard Buffalo 5 just finished our last day working with All Hands in Birmingham, Alabama. We spent two weeks chain sawing, and demoing houses that were damaged by tornadoes this spring. The project was full of new experiences for everyone. We were in a new state, working with a group of new people. We also had a brand new truck as a support vehicle, which we have been thoroughly enjoying. In addition, we also had a new team leader, the lovely Melissa Jabat. We only knew Melissa as the super smiley STL that attended meetings in the VA Theatre. Unfortunately, that cheerful smile is just a cheap façade and she is wicked, merciless slave driver! Not really. In all honesty, Melissa is one of the kindest, down to earth people and our whole team had a lot of fun with her and will miss her dearly. It was a great experience working with All Hands. There was a lot of sweat and little sleep. We started work at 7:30 am and were sweating through our T-shirts by 8. The sun and humidity were harsh, but luckily had The Flying J just down the street. The Flying J is a superior gas station and truck stop that has everything imaginable and more. They also have a huge drink station were 44oz cups are only .99 cents and something called a “big dog”… ask us during transition. Our work included demoing, gutting and removing trees from the homes of people who did not have insurance and FEMA had not been able to get to. Therefore, All Hand’s services were indispensable to the citizens of Birmingham that we helped. During our time in Alabama, we were given huge thanks by everyone we met. Some of the work was a little dirty, considering some of these houses had been sitting with water in them for months, but we put our gloves on and got things done. At the end of the day it was a great feeling to know that we were such a big help to these people who had lost so much. It was awesome to work with a group of young people who are also dedicating some of their time to helping others. After work we had a group dinner with all the other volunteers, who came from all different parts of the country. We had access to a pool and we also enjoyed ourselves by just hanging out together at the church. We were able to integrate with all the other volunteers and after two weeks we were all a big family. All Hands is a neat organization and we would encourage anyone who wants to help with disaster relief at some point to check them out. The project manager, Starbuck, was actually a former Perry Point Corps member from last year. We are spending one more week in Alabama helping set up a volunteer center in Jasper. Today we drove to the Boy Scout Camp were we are staying and living with composite team, Hot Mess 2. We were also reunited with our TL, Katrina. We had to say good bye to all of our All Hands friends, but plan to keep in touch. Many good memories were made in the past two weeks and we were sad to leave. We will cherish our cookies…and our bandannas…forever.
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
4
RAVEN 7 SHOUT OUT: This week Raven 7 has continued embarking on their staple pulling journey! Zac and Hamdog have been comparing the shapes of their staples viciously pulled from
CUBCATS 1 SHOUT OUT: Remember there is nothing cooler than being a CUBCAT!
the floorboards. The most popular shapes have been an “R” and the shape of Jesus. Carl and Plum-Gilly got in a fight with a can of paint, and unfortunately the paint won. Now Plum-Gilly is demanding new shirts. In the process of executing a sweet trick on his board, Rob obliterated his leg muscles and is thoroughly enjoying the couch beds. Our lovely Nicole Sunshine has rejoined the team after her summer break and has decided she needs a cruise already. Julian and Carl are experiencing intense games of 21, C-baby has almost defeated Jules in his best sport-basketball… Jules has yet to admit this. Kitty and Sofa have discovered their favorite past times are volleyball and butterfly watching. The team has concluded Doctor Dom is not only a doctor but a fashionista as well! Ariel has finished reading Watchmen and is contemplating becoming a superhero. Colin is still terribly missed; we will see you soon! BUFFALO 2 SHOUT OUT: Missing Children of B2: Andrea Zeritis Tomoyo Kuriyama Kendrick Nicholas Patrick Skovira If found, please contact Angela Morabito Reward: A hug from Constantino Rago. Thank you. Be safe. Remember always wear a helmet.
MOOSE 6 SHOUT OUT: Rachel:Bleep. Blop. Bloop. Go Moose Moose 6 got to go to the zoo!
BUFFALO 1 SHOUT OUT: Shout out to Hot Mess 1: hope you’re all having a blast in Bama! –Eileen Lauryn, I love being your tent mate! – Aubrey Aubrey, your feet don’t smell that bad! –Lauryn Aubrey and Lauryn, I FEEL LEFT OUT- Eileen
PHOENIX 3 SHOUT OUT: Phoenix 3 had the honor of successfully completing their first wildfire burn. Conditions were heavy with 100 plus degree heat, stifling humidity, little wind, no shade, lots of smoke, unpredictable terrain, highly sociable bugs, and to top it off, wearing nomex that was saturated with our merited sweat. However, these circumstances could barely be called obstacles as Phoenix 3 graciously welcomed the challenge, kicked some serious butt, and extinguished the ground fire with the illusion of making it look easy. We were on such a roll that a fitting pun applies: WE’RE ON FIRE BABY!! Moose 3: What’s the square root of pi? It’s an irrational number, unlike my rational love for you all!! Miss you! Brooke & Eliza: Please move the van! <3 Megan From Tristan: Shoutout to the buzz cut kids and the buzz saw team in Tennessee. Happy Birthday Maddy!! From Colin! Undercover shawty misses her b3!b3!b3! I guess I can say hi to Moose 1. ~Mike We all miss Brandon!!
AmeriCount Down:
27 Days until Transition
31 Days until Fall Break
35 Days until Round 4
107 Days until Graduation
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
5
AmeriGourmet: The Cooking Corner Beat the Heat: Thai Cucumber Salad & Summerly Squash & Frozen Bananas This sweet and tangy summer salad of cucumber, cilantro, and peanuts with just a hint of heat is always a hit!
Thai Cucumber Salad: Ingredients Serving: 10-12 people 7-9 cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded & cut into slices 2½ tablespoons salt 1¼ cups white sugar 1¼ cups rice wine vinegar 5 jalapeno peppers, seeded & chopped ½cup and 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1¼ cups chopped peanuts
Directions Toss the cucumbers with the salt in a colander, & leave in the sink to drain for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water, then drain & pat dry with paper towels. Whisk together the sugar & vinegar in a mixing bowl until the sugar has dissolved. Add the cucumbers, jalapeno peppers, & cilantro; toss to combine. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top before serving.
Summerly Squash: Ingredients Serving: 10-12 people 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1-2 small onions, sliced 3¼ medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped 1½ teaspoons salt & ½ teaspoon pepper 3 small zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch slices 3 small yellow summer squash, cut into 1/2-inch slices 1 bay leaf ¾ teaspoon dried basil
This will delight people who don't even usually like squash! It's especially nice with fresh vegetables direct from your farmer's market.
Directions Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook & stir the onion about 5 minutes, until tender. Mix in the tomatoes, & season with salt & pepper. Continue to cook & stir about 5 minutes. Mix in the zucchini, yellow squash, bay leaf, & basil. Cover, reduce heat to low, & simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf before serving.
These cool treats are great on a hot day! Play around with the ingredients! “There’s always $ in the Banana Stand”
Frozen Bananas: Ingredients Serving: 12 people
6 bananas, peeled & halved horizontally 1/2 cup peanut butter 1½(8 ounce) packages semisweet baking chocolate, chopped 1 cup roasted peanuts, chopped 12 ice pop sticks
Directions Insert 1 pop stick into the cut end of each banana ½. Freeze until frozen, about 2 hours. Remove from the freezer & spread a layer of peanut butter on each banana. Place back in the freezer for 30 to 45 mins. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently to avoid scorching. Dip into the melted chocolate, spooning the chocolate to cover it completely. Then roll in the chopped peanuts & freeze until the chocolate is firm, about 1 to 2 hours.
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
6
Alumni Spotlight: David Pieknik David Pieknik, served as a Corps Member in Class XVI at the Atlantic Region Campus at Perry Point. How did you find out about AmeriCorps NCCC? As my final year of college concluded, I realized much of my education had revolved around philosophical ideas and issues pertaining to social and environmental justice. I had sort of carved out my personal mission statement in that last year of college, and I was looking to find a way to "practice what I preached" in papers and classroom discussions. At the onset of college, I was looking forward to a military career that did not come to fruition, and so I as also trying to find another outlet to be of public service. I had heard of AmeriCorps by word of mouth as the "domestic Peace Corps," and an internet search led me to NCCC. Once I found out about the unique circumstances NCCC offers, I was hooked into applying. I figured if I was going to enjoy the benefits of being a U.S. citizen, I ought to contribute something more to earn it a bit. NCCC seemed not only a good outlet for service and civic engagement, but also a way to see some more of the country and learn from its different regions and cultures. What was the best part of your year? At the start of the second round, I was called on to help assist in disaster relief operations in Yazoo, MS after a tornado had tore up the community. The overall idea was that we were to use our recent sawyer training to help saw trees and remove debris from people's homes. In those few weeks, our composite team scouted out home sites that we could work on, we cleared thousands of pounds of wrecked home debris, and we learned how to be resilient, resourceful, and safe. The team was pretty much constantly sweaty, constantly stinky, and poison ivy rashes were infiltrating the team. Despite these things, I never saw the look of defeat in any teammate's eyes. We were there to help as much as we could, however we could. The greatest reward was seeing stress lines eased on a displaced homeowner's face then we showed up to help them carry-on through the disaster process. Can you imagine? Your home was just blown across the street by a tornado, you have no idea how you're going to start putting your life back together, and then a team of grey shirts roll up in a van with chainsaw power, ready to help you out even though you've never met any of them before. That's real service. That's what makes a community. What are your current plans? NCCC has had a lasting impact on how I go about my future. Many times I wish I could pattern my career to an NCCC theme. That is, split it up into four decade-long rounds that would take me through careers in conservation, community building, disaster relief, and education efforts. That would put me somewhere in my mid-sixties when I'm done, and I'd call that a decent life. However, it starts one step at a time. Since NCCC, I've been (Continued on page 7)
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
7
working towards my EMT basic license, and I have been keeping a 9-5 working at Kensington Metropark. The park is a beautiful 4400 acre resource situated in close proximity to large suburban populations of SE Michigan, so it plays a vital role in connecting city dwellers with nature-based recreation. I'm also currently in the application process with the St. Louis Emergency Response Team, which is an AmeriCorps based program that deals solely with conservation and disaster relief. Words of Advice for Class XVII- There are few experiences quite like being on an NCCC team. Being involved with the same 8-12 people day in and day out for almost an entire year can test the true limits of friendship, camaraderie, and general good behavior. Many of you may spend much of your time fixating on those things, but do yourself a favor from time to time and step back to see the bigger perspective. It's 10 months of extreme living, but after you get through it, much of the normal world can be a breeze. Out here you don't always have a team to fall back on and a leader to look to for direction. Out here, there isn't always a mission statement that reminds you of your importance - you've made a commitment to take a stand. NCCC is like a door to a long hallway of doors, once you get in, all you have to do is start knocking. And above all, when in doubt, work harder and talk less, nobody can take issue with someone of such character. BUFFALO 3 SHOUT OUT: WWOOF ps Tony, we miss your veggie burgers, Barry we miss your story time, Jamel we miss you shaking your head at everything we do, and Chelsea we miss your giggles (We see you blushing right now) COME BACK!B3B3B3B3B3B3 RAVEN 4 SHOUT OUT: Raven 4 has been keeping busy cleaning and greening Camden while competing in an intense game of Camden BINGO. The game has even carried over with our teammates in the south (who are missed). MOOSE 1 SHOUT OUT: Melissa & Amanda on M2WHOA! That’s a lot of love, well I love you like Ke$ha loves unicorns! – Steph
MOOSE 3 SHOUT OUT: Moose Deuce thanks for being so hospitable. Mirls I miss you lovely ladies. – Jamie MOOSE 4 SHOUT OUT: Moose 4 hope everyone has an epic week!
BUFFALO 6 SHOUT OUT: Thank you for visiting us Laura Tuck and Sharon!!! We’re loving breaking things, painting things, pulling things out of the ground, and running kid things, but mostly GETTTING THINGS DONE FOR AMERICA
GET YOUR TEAM TOGETHER AND DO A TEAM BUILDER! Maybe one like Moose 1 & Raven 2: Christmas in July!
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
8
Rod’s Ruminations The List Edition By: James “Rod” Swain Raven Unit STL Songs that College Ruined for Me
Nicknames for TL Chappy Rago
1.) “Don’t Stop Believing”- Journey 2.) “Living on a Prayer”- Bon Jovi 3.) “Sweet Caroline”- Neil Diamond 4.) “Mr. Jones and Me”- Counting Crows 5.) “Bohemian Rhapsody”- Queen
1.) El Chapitan 2.) Chappachino 3.) Cappy 4.) Chappaquiddick 5.) Blistex
Most Popular Sports in the U.S. (TV Viewership)
Most Popular Sports in Canada (TV Viewership)
1.) Football 2.) Baseball 3.) Basketball 4.) NASCAR 5.) Golf 6.) Hockey Source: Nielson Television Ratings
1.) Hockey 2.) Curling 3.) A Man Fighting a Bear 4.) Canadian “Football” 5.) Moose Rodeo 6.) Women’s Hockey Source: Me
Signs You’re Dealing with a Hipster
Things You Can’t Fight:
1.) Riding a skinny tire bicycle 2.) Wearing thick glasses that only 1960’s era NASA technicians would wear (with or without prescription lenses in them) 3.) Does not own a television 4.) Using a distressed messenger bag full of vinyl LPs 5.) Denies being a hipster
1.) This Feeling Anymore 2.) Love 3.) Zach Randolph 4.) The Moonlight
RAVEN 1 SHOUT OUT: R1 is sweating through our pants and killing it with Chauncey, Sally, Sassy and Donald! Miss you Tristy-pants! Shout out to B5 and M7. Brad, come back to TN already! I miss you Safe Space – Ellen.
MOOSE 2 SHOUT OUT: Shout out to the entire Moose Unit: GET ‘EM UP!!! Bradley & Rod: “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey…we’re still waiting Big shout out to whoever used this shower before we got here! Moose 3: Be careful climbing off that lifeguard stand… Buffalo 7: Have an open mind! It’s a normal thing to do! Mega Deuce: Time to re-engage? Maybe an ISP next transition?
BUFFALO 5 SHOUT OUT: B5 has a new love and it is the Flying J. This gas station beats just about any other you have ever been to, yes even Wawa.
RAVEN 6 SHOUT OUT: We’re looking forward to US Veterans playing in the wheelchair games this week!!
STL SHOUT OUT: Melissa is back! And we have been crazy busy celebrating all these different births….Come on Green Team get back to help! We STLs can’t carry all the party planning responsibilities …. we just miss you all too much...we sit around and mope…. Instead of accomplishing anything!
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 18
9
Trainerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Two Cents By: Carlyn Payton, Assistant Program Director for Training Hello Beautiful People, I am looking for a team to volunteer to host the community meeting next transition. The preference is that the team is from the Buffalo or Raven unit. However, if a Buffalo or Raven team does not respond, the offer will be given to an interested Moose team. I originally planned to have Kaplan to come to test in the GRE, LSAT, SAT, and MCAT during the next transition, unfortunately, the timing for our transition will not work with Kaplan. Therefore, we are moving forward to have them in November during close out. If you elect to take the test during that time, your results will be emailed to you. I have received the results for all who took the American Council on Education (ACE) tests in Service Learning, Diversity in Service, and Supervisory Skills. You should be receiving in the mail within the next two weeks your scores and instructions to registering on the ACE website. Our Life After AmeriCorps day is around the corner. Woo Hoo!! I have placed you all in the seminars that you requested. 98% of you got your first choice, the remainder received their second. Melissa will be sending out a team roster tomorrow that will provide the seminars that you individually have been assigned based on your request. If you have any discrepancies or would like to request a change, you will have until August 12th COB to get in touch with me. My email address is cpayton@cns.gov and my contact number is 410 642 2411 ext.6936. My mobile number is not working again. Sorry. But if you want to send a quick text, you can text Melissa (STL) at 443 945 2914. She will ensure that I receive the message. I have sent to your Team Leaders the Mid-Year Training Feedback survey. Thank you to those who have already filled out the survey. For those who have not filled out the survey, I truly would appreciate your participation as it is very helpful for us in making decisions in the future. Thank you all for your service. Can you believe that it is August already?!