www.HomelessVoice.org serving our community since 1997 Part of the North American Street Newspaper Association Volume XI, Issue 5 Budget BBQ For Today’s Rough Economy Stop Smoking Today Q T he whole concept of inexpensive, or “Budget BBQ” is nothing new. As a matter of fact, the barbeque process itself originally comes from the use of turning unwanted, cheap cuts of meat into tender, flavorful meat dishes. Barbeque is perfect for tough times, and could be just the ticket to eating “rich” on a strict budget. You don’t need to be told that today’s economy is as rough as it’s been for some time. Gas prices are outrageous, home foreclosures are through the roof, and food prices are high enough to choke the life right out of just about any family. The good thing is, you don’t have to cut back on barbecued and grilled meats. Barbeque is recession-proof, as it turns out. First of all, there are a number of different cuts of meat that will work perfectly on the grill or by slow-cooked barbecue techniques. The classic of all Texas Barbeque meats, the beef brisket, is the perfect example of a cut that qualifies as budget barbeque. Not only is it inexpensive, pound for pound, but it’s extremely versatile. One brisket can be sliced, cubed, or chopped for sandwiches, and with a full-sized brisket, there’s at least a couple of meals to be had. Ground beef is still very economical when compared to other meats. Grilled hamburgers are usually loved by the whole family. (continued on page 6) * Miguel Cabral * David Bookbinder * Earnest Bowens & Family * Ed & Ruth * Rudy * Lisa * John McLean * Darren * Jan Cerrito * Rev. Patrick O’Shen * Angela Forrest & Family * Angelo * Maria Dragon * Blanch Lake * Dave Nerau * Megan * Theresa * Allen Rosenthal * Gloria Parker * Carlos Cathy’s Prayer List To add a name please call 954-410-6275, no menetary donations needed What is ChurchBook? services and the shortage of man power. Chat www.ChurchBook.US is the place where rooms for people to handle the grief. you as a minister or even a church member In President Bush’s Pandemic Plan, he can set up your own group. You and your called for churches to be able to serve their church members can social network in a people and the community by making plans clean way with Religious values. Your minpre pandemic. Churches need to be prepared ister can record his or her church service and now not at the time of a pandemic. Churchbroadcast it in case you miss service for the es and their members can assist themselves day. Your pastor can also do daily messages if and other members of the inner community they want to and chat rooms will soon be set geographically. For instance if Ms. Jones, up for group prayer. ChurchBook.US is for the nice little old lady down the street lives the good of all mankind. We are allowing all alone members of the church can check on religions who preach that all humans should her that live close to her. Maybe five membe kind to each other and to love one another. bers of the church need to go to the hospital We will not allow any faith that preaches because they are really sick and meet the cribadness such as the Church of Satin. We will teria for hospital admission. Well if the EMS of course help those individuals. crews are running short of medics because www.ChurchBook.US’s main reason for they are sick or some have died it may take existence is the use of religion which is hours to get an ambulance so using Churchthe pillar of the community if ever there was Book others from their church will be able a pandemic such as the Spanish Flu which to volunteer driving them to the Emergency killed over 50 million people or even a loRoom. Maybe their Churchcal disaster only effecting one Book group made a list of people or two cities. . If the Swine Flu of 2009 would have been a bad Church and faith who have already gotten the flu pandemic ChurchBook would hold us together and now are resistant to getting sick again. When they have a have been a valuable tool to list of these people who can’t hold us all together. Considerget sick again they can be assigned to babysit ing Church and faith hold us together at bad the children of sick parents therefore helping times then we need to be able to go to church. to not only care for the sick parents but to However, when Pandemics arise social discare for the other children and helping them tancing takes place and that means churches stay safe so they don’t get sick. ChurchBook will be closed to limit the amount of germs will be the church for the complete pandemic and death that is spread in crowed places like Phase which can last up to eight months. churches. If we have a bad pandemic many Of course at the time of a Pandemic Churchfriends, relatives , family members, moms , Book will be able to convert to a more user dads, kids will die and we need our faith to friendly site where all kinds of informaprevent people from giving up which will altion can be passed out. Local politicians low a newly widowed wife who has just lost and Emergency Management divisions can her husband and two of her four children to post or offer video messages to all groups of hold on and give good care to the remaining a geographic locations. We also are urgchildren. For people who have lost many iming Churches and large residential housing mediate family members, they may have suiunits such as condos to form their own CERT cidal thoughts, however if they were able to teams. commutate with their minister or others from I leave you with these words that were in their church experiencing the same problems the President Bush’s Pandemic plan... Any then they may be able to hold on. Churchcommunity that thinks the Federal Calvary Book will do exactly that. Pastors will be will come to the rescue at the time of a panthe key to holding our hands together where demic, that community will be set for pure we can be strong and come together to get tragedy. If we plan now, pre pandemic there through this crisis. Ministers will be able to will be no need to panic. We can save lives give daily messages of hope and prayer and if we plan now. help serve their sheep of well needed services that will be delayed because of the surge in uitting smoking makes a difference right away in the way you feel. You can taste and smell food better. Your breath smells better. Your cough goes away. These benefits happen for men and women of all ages, even those who are older. They happen for healthy people as well as those who already have a disease or condition caused by smoking. Even more importantly, in the long run, quitting smoking cuts the risk of lung cancer, many other cancers, heart disease, stroke, and other lung or breathing (respiratory) diseases (e.g., bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema). Moreover, ex-smokers have better health than current smokers. For example, ex-smokers have fewer days of illness, fewer health complaints, and less bronchitis and pneumonia than current smokers. Finally, quitting smoking saves money. A pack-a-day smoker who pays $4.00 per pack can expect to save more than $1,408 per year! What’s more, it appears that the price of cigarettes will continue to rise in coming years, as will the financial rewards of quitting. What are the steps in quitting? First, one can do certain things to get ready to quit. Then, there are other things to do on the day of quitting. Finally, one can do things to help oneself to remain abstinent. (This is the hardest part.) Getting ready to quit smoking • Set a date for quitting. If possible, plan to have a friend quit smoking with you. • Notice when and why you smoke. Try to find the things in your daily life that you often do while smoking (such as drinking your morning cup of coffee or driving a car). • Change your smoking routines: Keep your cigarettes in a different place. Smoke with your other hand. Don’t do anything else when you are smoking. Think about how you feel when you smoke. • Smoke only in certain places, such as outdoors. • When you want a cigarette, wait a few minutes. Try to think of something to do instead of smoking. For example, you might chew gum or drink a glass of water. • Buy one pack of cigarettes at a time. Switch to a brand of cigarettes that you don’t like. What methods can help a person quit smoking? Several methods are available to assist those who decide to quit smoking. The three main categories of methods are: • Changing the behavior that is associated with smoking • Self-help literature • Nicotine replacement therapy. Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves (continued on page 4) The Voice of the Homeless Page 2 Friends of the Homeless For just $15 a month you can keep a homeless family off the streets for a day Adam Staler Adriana Fernandez Adriana N. Quila† Adrienne and Mike Al & Barbara Liebmann Al and Annie Albert J. Hamilton Ph D Albert J. Taragowski Allen Yancy Amanda Reynolds Amber Rowan American Express Charitable Fund Amparo L. Korey Amy Curic Andre Johnson Andrea Brown Andrew N. Daly Ann M. Hamilton Ann White Anna Marye Levier Anthony Ralph Anthony Rhodes Antione Collins Armando Reyes Arnold Reemer Atkinson and Bartley Barbara Desanto Barbara Robinson Barbara Strong Baumann Family Beatriz C Perez Beth Farans Bill and Priscilla La Gasse Bob Hall Bobby Neal Bonita L Akinji Brad and Krystal Kelly Brian Herrmann & Aura Herrmann Bruce Wethersoon C.R. Gallagher Calvary Chapel of Doral Carl L Miller Carlo Harrison Carol Lockette Carol Murray Casandra Thomas Cathy and Kids Charles J. Youngman Charles K. Wilson Chris Sanchez Christine M Wilson Christine McAuliffe Clark Rogers Claudia K. Tapolow††† Collectron of Atlanta Comet Couriev† † Connie & Ginger Murphy Constance Lessoff Constance M Fast Corinne James Covenant of Goddess, Elibet Hanson Crime Watch Dallan Michele King Dan Gilcert Danbareli Holdings Inc. Daniel Harrison Danny and George Darla King New!!! Sign up online: www.HomelessVoice.com Click on “Online Store” Darren Nolf David Thawley David V Torlone Dawn Monfries Dawn Sinka Deborah F. Immormino Deborah H Green Delores B Mordon Demetrius D Rodriguez Denis and Bertha Arenstein Diane Friedman Dolores R. Cerra Donna Marie Jesudowich Dorothy Griffith Family Dorothy Kay Garbutt Dorríe Terry Doug Boucher Family † Douglas Boucher Dr Mary Michaela Farren Dr. Burch B Stewart Elaine Snaith Elizabeth Hunsberger Elizabeth P. Sublett Elks Lodge # 2407 Eric Harrison Erica Fulton Erica Sanclair Escrow Account Essential Oil Healthline Evan V Jones Everglades Moon, Florida Auto Insurance Inc. Floyd and Luana Coats Fred T Verny†† JR†††† Gabrielle Ello G.R. and J.D. Falbey G.S. Lybrand George & Carmen Gulisano Giankarlo Squicemari Gladstone Beckford Gladys Gonzalez God Bless Florence Menard Gottlieb & Blair Family Grace Marth Graham R. Mitchell Guillermo D Galindo Hartford Property Connection, Inc. Heather A Salt & Terrence C Salt Holly J. Andrus Huarte and Vidaillet Hugo DeCarpintini Hurricane Prevention Inc Ignacio Huarte In Loving Memory of Florence & Nat Popkin In Loving Memory of Frances Klein In Loving Memory of Isabel Grimany In Loving Memory of Jose A. Estruch, Jr. In Loving Memory of Kris Soltan In Loving Memory of Martin E. Grey In Loving Memory of My Daughter Melissa Lurz In Loving Memory of Peter Sullivan In Loving Memory of Rex Lichtenberger In Loving Memory of Thomas Gasbarro In Memory of Steven Maderman In Memory of Martha Hughes In Memory of Bill Sledge In Memory of Billy Corwin In Memory of Brian Groleau In Memory of C.T.R. In Memory of Charles Horton In Memory of Chief George J. Hodges In Memory of Dan Holland In Memory of George Ericson In Memory of Gertrude Chong In Memory of Irene Grady Johnson In Memory of Martin Grey In Memory of Maxima† In Memory of Melba DeSanto In Memory of My Good Friend Pat Gibson In Memory of My Mother Pearl McCann In Memory of Scott Paul Cooper In Memory of Stanley Smolen In memory of Wesley H. Woodall† In Memory of William F. Judge Intercontinental Management Consulting Group, Inc. Isabelle J. Henry Ivonne Fernandez J. Coffee Jackie Johnson Jacqueline M. McCarty Jacqueline McCarty James & K. Heather Molans James D. Potter JR Jamie F. Flores Janet Campbell Jason Emrik Jason T Korose & Marie D Plett Javier Perez Jeffrey and Veronica Bujold Jennifer Hicky Jennifer S. Nickel Jenny Curic Jessica Padilla Jesus Diaz Jim Johnson Jim Lentz Jimmy Daniels Joan Futscher & Kids John C. Burt John Criasia John Dinielli John Evans & Family John Gaeta Mail check to: COSAC Foundation P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 Johnís Plumbing Service Jonathan Burger Joseph Soares Joseph Yagbes Josh Searles Joyce Johnstone Juan and Antonieta Bofill Juan Galindo Judith Kelly Judith Temple Judith Vidal Judy B. Pascarella Julio A. Izquierdo June Jones Justin Rowan K.J. Williams Karen B Povlock Kaveh Vassal Keith Yude Kellie Jones Kenneth Gesel Kenny Angela Kevin Britt Kevin ìKJî Jones Kevin Jones Kristian Perez Laura & Bill Fash Laura Flash Lavances Wright-Rolle Leah and Ray Leonard R Snyder Lisa Cebrat Lisa Jackson Lord of the Harvest Ministries Lorraine A Coll Love, Teresa M. Smith Madeline Butera Magan Narduzzi Marcia A Kessler Margaret D. Neverdousky Margaret Melendez Margie Jones & Friends Maria and James Mulligan Maria M. Riveiro Maria Nieto Marie Sutera Marilyn R. Smith Marilyn Vokish Mario Yuio Marjorie G. Rhines Mark E. Johnson † Mark Faber Marlene S Warner Marshal Bugin Martha Roman Marvin Shatze Mary Green Maryann Springer Maureen Barry Mauro Boraby Jr McAvoy Family Mel Blount Merav & Ezra Alexander Michael & Michale Rhett Michael R. Prokop, Jr. Mike Cross Mohammed Ziauddin Mona B Staub & Ruth C Grey Please include on memo what name should appear in paper. Morris Grazi Mr. and Mrs. Bocanegra Mr. and Mrs. Carson Mrs. Jenkins Ms. Evelyn Salerno Ms. Marilyn Smith Mustafa Mehmet Gokoglu Mynona J Thompson Myriam Goris Nancy Schuler Nancy T Ciaramitar Naomi Ross Nestor Martin Nichole Faber Nicole Lee Nelson Norman L Lieberman Norman Scott Oakland Park† Omnia and Rene Perez On Behalf of Matthew Lambert OTD Messenger, Inc Otto Garcia Pakita Price Paola C Mollica Patricia Lee Russ† Paula King Philip S. Lafresnaye & Janet Lafresnaye Phyllis R. Bebko Pioneer Middle School Youth PJ Carter Polly Zaldivar Proietto Family Rafa Advertising Corp Raine Dyer Rainer Hansen Raul Cardenas MD PA Raymund Joseph Real Breakthrough Solutions Regla J Ferrer Renato & Malika Vasconez Rhenals-Mei Family Richard & Margaret Martin Richard Friedman Richard Gomez Richard M. and Bettie B Buss Richard Rios Ricky Cambell Robert A Jenkins & Joanne T Jenkins Robert and Betty Short Robert and Ruth Baal Robert Comfort Robert Jesus Llanes Robert Sapia Robert T. Henshaw Roger and Veronica Valencillos Ronald & Cathy Walker Ronald Prescia Ronald Shafer Rosemary & Mark Zenobia Roxane Kesselhon Roy T. Bruno, Jr. Russell J. Ferguson Ruth C Grey Sabrina Thorton, Former Ms. Ft. Lauderdale Saks Jewelry Designer Sally Lister Samual Manery Samuel R Halpern PA Sandra K Stevens Sandra L. Wilhelm Sarah R Currin Savoia Sweig Sebastian Parks Sergio Cobo Sheila Holder Sheldon Jones Sherline Cyriaque Southern Financial Title Services Inc. Steve Dillan Steve Goolsby Surfiní Seniors Inc Susan C Humeston Susan P Brady Tailored Advertising, Inc Tamara Southard Tara Hunter Temple Beautiful Thank you so much Sean & Lois for all your help. Thank You Winn Dixie The Baldwin Family The Baptista Family The Chilsons The Davis Family The Geise Family The Herrmann Family The Herrmann Family The Kunicki Family The Ladueís The Maione Family The Martinez Family The Matsuura Family The Monserrate Family† The Morabito Family The Nicaraguaís The Ramos Family The Rionís Family The Savir Family The Schneider Family The Strikowski family The Swartout’s†† The Verny & Stewart Families The Watsons Thomas A Kramer Thomas Rua Thye Rencurrellís Timothy and Barbara Wilson Timothy L. Whitelaw Timothy Lukehard Todd Palgon Tom Thumb Food Stores, Inc. Tressie W. Osborne Uylna Quadrino Vance Gunn Virginia H. Bailey Wendy Bryan Wynona A Thompson Yorick and Bonita † Yvonne Fischer Zlata and Alfredo Jr Salazar Volume XI, Issue 4 Page 3 Letter from the Editor: Hey Mr. Mayor, Why Are You So Mean To Me? Each year the National Coalition For the Homeless publish two major reports. July 15th the meanest city report will be made public. This is the report that tells us advocates what city law makers are doing to the homeless. Basically what laws are they making that target the homeless? Laws such as no public lodging or no panhandling ordinances. Or get this one, no feeding the homeless and if you do it is time to get arrested. I’m sorry Mr. Priest you can’t do what God commands you to do and if you do you will end up having a new ministry, a “Jail Ministry”. Florida has been a state that has some of their cities listed in this report year after year. From ripping down the tents of homeless people to arresting college kids for feeding the homeless. Cities across the USA get listed in this report and some people who find out that certain cities are mean to the homeless they end up refusing to go there and spend their hard earned dollars. The report also embarrasses some of the local law makers to have their own city they are in control of having experts putting all kinds of data out there showing just how mean they really are to the homeless. Will they ever get a conscious? In the next issue of the Homeless Voice you will see the results of what cities are the mean ones and don’t be surprised if you see a city from this great state. The sad part about being a mean city is that research shows that when cities are mean to the homeless and pass laws that target the homeless, usually attacks on the homeless are increased by housed individuals. This is one of the reasons why Florida has more attacks to the homeless than any other state in past years. The second report they publish is based on how many homeless are attacked each year and how many homeless people are killed by housed individuals. This report will be out in the next coming weeks. Steps are being made to pass laws that if you attack a homeless person simply because they are homeless then you will be facing a longer prison term under the hate crimes laws. -Mark Targett Publisher (middle) Sean Cononie meeting with Rain Wilson and his wife discussing poverty in America and the continued world hunger problems and the efforts the Homeless Voice is making in Haiti. Rain Wilson got many stars support from hit tv shows such as Heroes, My Name is Earl, Reno 911, and most of the cast from the award winning show The Office. Our Homeless Voice readers: W e at the Homeless Voice are establishing a new subscriber list in the event of an financial emergency. What is a financial emergency and what does it mean to you and to us? Most of you all know we take the most chronic homeless individuals, We take the ones that have been rejected by our government shelters and the ones who are very hard to handle because of severe mental illness or a person who has severe seizures and just can’t stay settled where they can meet the requirements of a county shelter. Government shelters only give you a certain period of time to get your act together and, well, how can we expect a person to get their act together in a period of time when science and medicine can't always do that. Funded shelters have very strict rules on who they can take, we don't. Most of you also know the reason why we can take the hardest of the hardest cases is because we and you fund our shelter system. This is great, we can buy what we need now not five months later trying to get approval. We can do outreach in the street and find a way to help them right then and there. We can do all of these great things because of you all who donate money to us allowing us to continue to treat the most difficult cases in the community. However there are some down sides as well. We have always saved money for emergencies in case it rained for a month or two straight where we would only sell half the amount of papers per month. We’ve even saved money in case we had two bad hurricanes and the streets were blocked for several weeks where trees and other debris would block the streets from traffic. Now comes the next problem. We also have saved for a month or two for a simple pandemic where I felt it was in the best interest of our vendors and the community not to have our vendors out in the street where they might get sick or pass their own sickness off to an unsuspecting person wanting to donate to us. We could actually survive for about four months without one cent coming into the shelter. Also we can’t forget in the time of a true pandemic where it is so bad that many other people would also be out of work and may not be able to give to our group. This swine flu I was watching the kill ratio and the amount of people in Florida who were infected so I could start our own procedure of pulling the vendors off the street, A lot of people do not realize money is dirty and we have to count all this money coming into the building. Sure we could be safe counting the money because we would use masks and other equipment to make the money safe but our vendors would be risking their lives to bring in the donations and that is something I did not want them to do if it was a bad pandemic. First we can stop reading this story right now and take a break and thank the good Lord for such a weak virus. So let’s say it together, THANK YOU GOD FOR KEEPING US SAFE. Most of you know that I have been trying to educate as many people as I could with our own paper telling each and every one of you to be prepared and to be prepared for months and in some cases for up to eight months. It is called social disruption and with social disruption food is not always at Publix and jobs are not always available and that also means charities and churches are at risk of going out of business. In fact with so much turmoil charities and churches do not even want to ask for money at the time of a major crisis where thousands will lose their lives. Sure we do it for disasters but doing it for a pandemic is going to be difficult for most of us who depend on your support. It is not right unless we are out there in the field spending thousands on helping others get food and supplies. What I wanted to do was to secure our supporters emails in case there was a major issue such as a pandemic where we could reach out and send an email to each supporter for them to please send in their $2.00 donation each and every month we are not on the streets. Each and every month we sell between 80,000 to 100,000 papers and if a very bad pandemic hit us and we were not selling our papers we could survive. The government has already instructed businesses to keep money saved for a pandemic so they can continue to serve people and to pay their staff. We have a very detailed plan on how to cut costs and cut our own expenses where we could cut our budget down from the 100,000 a month to about 65,000 a month where we could survive even longer but that is the lowest possible budget we can live on. Please understand we will not use this email system unless it is an extreme emergency, however you may want to send in your one time donation today so we can plan even better. You can send in a one time donation today for $16.00- this would allow us to run for the worst type disaster for a period of up to eight months. If you want to send in your donation today please see the below instructions. Before I go, please even if you do not wish to help us reach these goals or you just can't help us now please remember the need for you and your family to be fully prepared in case there is a pandemic is essential. Please each and every month stock up on supplies and if you are prepared you will not have to panic. Please go to our Pandemic web site at: www.PandemicBirdFlu.ws COSAC EMERGENCY FUND P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329 -THANK YOU AGAIN LORD FOR SUCH A WEAK FLU! Need flyers passed out or other temp labor? Call 954-924-3571 Why call a day labor company and spend large amounts of money? Call our contractor refferal line. Call us and we will get you the person to do the job for much less! Volume XI, Issue 5 The Voice of the Homeless Page 4 Page 5 Summer Read: Introduction to heat exhaustion StreetChild: An Unpaved Passage In the 1980’s, the number of child runaways on the streets of Seattle was at epidemic proportions. The problem inspired the classic and riveting documentary, “STREETWISE”, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1984. Author Justin Reed Early, a credited participant of the documentary and now successful Los Angeles resident, tells the story of how he survived and thrived on the dangerous streets. We grow with this homeless youth as he relives a harrowing journey into adulthood. Justin introduces us to the characters and dramas of his younger years bringing new life to his street family as many of their lives have been dashed by AIDS, suicide and serial killers (the Green River killer). Join this tragic yet magical journey as Jus- tin honors childhood heroes, pays tribute to many lost friends and learns of forgiveness when the now middle aged Justin is thrust into a life defining experience of spiritual forgiveness that will change his world – forever. Available at Amazon.com StreetChild: An Unpaved Passage Hard luck memoirs have grown extra cheap in recent years, partly due to the celebration of bogus ones. Justin Reed Early’s StreetChild: An Unpaved Passage (AuthorHouse, 289 pages, $19.98) is no such thing. While authenticity is far from the be-all or end-all when it comes to writing, it does have value, and Early’s story is both true and — even as it quotes tons of pop and house music lyrics — unsentimental enough to recognize salvation in an abusive parent’s cancer. It includes time spent on Polk Street and Pike Place, and it intersects the 1984 documentary Streetwise. He’s sharing it with kids living on the streets today, through readings and outreach work. (Huston) San Francisco Bay Guardian Note: Each year, approximately 2 million young people (roughly the population of Manhattan) experience homelessness in America. In 2008, over 740,000 (the population of Seattle) documented contacts were made by youth outreach professionals in the United States (as per the National Alliance to End Homelessness) and of those, less than 43,000 (a large football stadium) received emergency shelter and less than 3,600 (the size of a high school) were accepted into a transitional housing program.Homelessness is an epidemic that devastates vulnerable youth in their most crucial phases of development. How to Find Free Summer Activities for Children S chool is out and it’s time to find some free activities for children! Our children are ready for some fun! Yes, money may be tight, but do not worry! With a little research, you can find lots of great activities to do without breaking the bank. Here are a few ideas about just how to find free activities for children this summer. WWW.KIDSBOWLFREE.COM Kids Bowl Free is another one of the many free activities for children available this summer. This is a program where participating bowling centers around the United States offer children (within a particular age limit) the opportunity to register for two free games a day, all summer long! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM The Children’s Museum has partnered up with Target and offers a Target Free Tuesday every month for children to visit the museum. Free tickets are available for pickup at the museum on the day of your visit. It is good to get in line early because tickets are given out on a first-come, firstserved basis and these types of free activities get very busy during the summer. The times vary at each location so check with the Children’s Museum in your city for complete details. There are tons of activities for children to do at the Children’s Museum! $1.00 MOVIES AMC Theaters offers a summer movie camp for children on Wednesdays at ten AM. All tickets are just one dollar and the proceeds go to charity. Get there early because camps frequent these free summer activities and the tickets generally go very quickly. Check their website for movie line-ups and dates. Other theaters may have similar summer activities for children as well. LOCAL LIBRARY Check with your local library for their schedule of free activities for children and summer events. They often include puppet shows, story times, arts and crafts sessions, live theater, reading challenges, and book festivals. They are just about always free and can be lots of fun. You won’t have to travel far and both you and your children will get a nice change of pace. Many times they will have their schedule of activities posted on their website. County Fairs - Call you county’s Extension office for the dates of your local fair as well as entry requirements for crafts and exhibits. Many areas have an open category for non-FFA/4-H members to enter projects and a lot of counties produce fair books packed full of craft and activity ideas to do. Exhibitors frequently receive free entry (non-riding) tickets. Best of all, your child could earn award ribbons and even cash prizes! State and National Parks Look in your phone book for state parks in your area. Many parks host special events for kids and families throughout the spring, summer and fall like fishing derbies, outdoor theatre and wildlife programs that are free. Ask about the Junior Ranger Programs at national parks. The program is usually free, though some parks do charge a couple dollars so call ahead! Kids receive a pamphlet or booklet of activities. Once completed, your child earns a badge or patch plus a certificate. Ask about hiking trails. Pack a water bottle -- or better yet, a picnic -- and make a day of your visit! Libraries - Keep your child reading with Summer Reading Clubs that include special activities and prizes. Home Improvement Stores - Several host free clinics for kids to build small projects like bug catcher boxes and toy cars on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES You can find posts about free summer activities for children all over the web! Consider joining an online social networking site or discussion board that is geared towards parenting, children, and families. Have a great summer! By eHow members 3,000 nonsmokers die of lung cancer each year due to secondhand smoke. H eat exhaustion is a milder form of heatrelated illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment. Heat exhaustion symptoms Warning signs of heat exhaustion include: • heavy sweating • paleness • muscle cramps • tiredness • weakness • dizziness • headache • nausea or vomiting • fainting The skin may be cool and moist. The victim’s pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Seek medi- cal attention and call 911 immediately if: • symptoms are severe, or • the victim has heart problems or high blood pressure. Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour. Heat exhaustion treatment Cooling measures that may be effective include: • cool, non-alcoholic beverages, as directed by your physician • rest • cool shower, bath, or sponge bath • an air-conditioned environment • Lightweight clothing Based on a CDC Prevention Guide for Emergencies and Disasters. Homeless Veteran’s Stand Down BBQ N early half a year of planning pays off to feed and give assistance to hundreds of local veterans Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, FL Stop Smoking Today (continued from page 1) Each method actually offers several different options. Moreover, combinations of the methods usually are necessary, and no one combination will work for everyone. In fact, it may be necessary to try several different methods or combinations of methods before success is achieved. Behavioral modification and self-help literature to quit smoking Due to the addictive nature of nicotine, some form of behavioral modification is often necessary for successful cessation of smoking. Educational programs, hypnosis, and aversion therapy (learning how to avoid cigarettes) are a few options. Patients may be counseled to avoid specific triggers or situations that lead to smoking. For example, instead of awakening and grabbing a cigarette at the bedside or smoking immediately after a meal, people may be encouraged to replace the urge to smoke with another activity, such as, taking a walk or reading a book. Numerous associations and societies, for example, the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association, have developed brochures to help smokers quit smoking. The American Lung Association also has a FREE “Freedom From Smoking®” program. Nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) became available over the counter in the 1990’s. The purpose of nicotine replacement therapy is to substitute another source of nicotine while cigarettes are discontinued. By this means, the habit of smoking is eliminated, even though the addiction to nicotine remains intact. But at the same time, nicotine replacement therapy eliminates the symptoms of withdrawal that can trigger more smoking. In addition, behavioral counseling to change smoking-related behavior usually is necessary. Once cigarettes have been replaced during nicotine replacement therapy, the amount of nicotine is then gradually reduced. Currently, there are three forms of nicotine replacement therapy available over-the-counter; nicotine transdermal systems or patches (Nicoderm CQ and Nicotrol), nicotine polacrilex resin or gum (Nicorette), and nicotine lozenges (Commit). The patch contains nicotine that is stored within a specially designed support or matrix. Once applied, the nicotine transdermal systems steadily release nicotine that is absorbed across the skin and into the blood stream. The gum contains nicotine that is released slowly upon chewing and “parking”. Parking refers to the action of shifting the gum to one side of the cheek after chewing in order to speed the absorption of nicotine. Nicotine lozenges contain nicotine within a hard candy that allows for slow release of nicotine as the candy dissolves in the mouth. A program for slowly weaning users from nicotine replacement products is provided by each product’s manufacturer. The nicotine patch, Nicoderm CQ, is available in three strengths; 21, 14, and 7 mg. People are advised to begin with the 21 mg patch if they smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day or the 14 mg patch if they smoke less than 10 cigarettes per day. After six weeks of wearing the initial patch strength, the next lowest patch strength is worn for two weeks. If therapy was started with the 21 mg patch, an additional two weeks is required for the 7mg patch. A maximum of eight or 10 weeks, depending upon the strength of the first patch used, is recommended for a successful quitting program. The Nicoderm CQ patch can be worn for 16 hours (from awakening until bedtime) or 24 hours if the urge to smoke is great upon awakening. Nicotrol is available as a 15 mg patch, and should be worn no more than 16 hours per day. Nicotrol may be worn for up to six weeks. The side effects commonly seen with patches are burning, itching, or redness at the site of the patch, headache, insomnia, nervousness, dizziness, cough, rash, joint aches, painful menstruation, and changes in taste. For more, please read the nicotine patch article. The gum, Nicorette, is available in 2 strengths; 4 and 2 mg. Patients are advised to begin with the 4 mg piece of gum if they smoke more than 25 cigarettes per day or the 2 mg piece if they smoke fewer than 7 cigarettes per day. No more than 20 pieces of the 4 mg strength or 30 pieces of the 2 mg strength should be chewed in one day. Initial weaning from treatment should begin after 2 to 3 months and be completed by 4 to 6 months. The most common side effects with Nicorette are aching jaws or soreness of the gums, changes in taste, abdominal (gastrointestinal) discomfort, hiccups, nausea, vomiting, and belching. For more, please read the nicotine gum article. Commit nicotine lozenges are available in 2 or 4 mg doses. One dose consists of one lozenge, and no more than 20 doses should be consumed in one day. The manufacturers of Commit recommend choosing the proper dosage based upon when you usually have the first cigarette of your day. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, if you smoke within 30 minutes of getting up in the morning, you should use the stronger 4 mg dose. If not, you should use the 2 mg lozenges. Biting or chewing nicotine lozenges instead of allowing them to dissolve can lead to indigestion or heartburn. You should not eat or drink anything while the lozenge is in your mouth. The lozenges will last for about 20-30 minutes when allowed to dissolve in the mouth. The most commonly reported side effects with nicotine lozenges are indigestion, throat irritation, soreness of the teeth or gums, insomnia, nausea, hiccups, coughing, heartburn, headache, and flatulence. How effective is nicotine replacement therapy? Approximately 25% of patients successfully stop smoking with nicotine patch therapy. The success rate with nicotine gum is similar. There have not yet been studies to compare the effectiveness of nicotine lozenges to the patch or gum. The rate of success for nicotine replacement therapy increases 35-40% when intensive behavioral counseling is added. On the day you quit smoking • Get rid of all your cigarettes. Put away your ashtrays. • Change your morning routine. When you eat breakfast, don’t sit in the same place at the kitchen table. Stay busy. Start a money jar with the money you save by not buying cigarettes • When you get the urge to smoke, do something else instead. • Carry other things to put in your mouth, such as gum, hard candy, or a toothpick. • Reward yourself at the end of the day for not smoking. See a movie or go out and enjoy your favorite meal. Staying quit • The expected consequences of quitting are irritability, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite, and of course, urges to smoke. So, if you feel more short-tempered or distracted or sleepier than usual, don’t worry because these feelings will pass. • Try to exercise. For example, take walks or ride a bike. • Consider the positive things about quitting. For example, think about how much you like yourself as a non-smoker, the health benefits for you and your family, and the example you set for others around you. A positive attitude will help you through the tough times. • When you feel tense, try to keep busy and think about ways to ease the tenseness. Tell yourself that smoking won’t make it any better, and go do something else. • Eat regular meals because feeling hungry is sometimes mistaken for the desire to smoke. • Start a money jar with the money you save by not buying cigarettes. • Let others know that you have quit smoking. You will find that most people will support you. Many of your smoking friends may want to know how you quit. It’s good to talk to others about your quitting. In fact, people who stay off smoking for at least one year often have had very strong support from a companion or coworker. • If you slip and smoke, don’t be discouraged. Many former smokers tried to stop several times before they finally succeeded. The Coalition to End Homelessness held its first annual Stand Down BBQ for Homeless Veterans this past Saturday, but food was only one of the items on the menu. This event took months of planning to bring different organizations together—all with the goal of assisting veterans in need. Volunteers of America was there with their mobile medical service center, which is basically a portable hospital on wheels (imagine an RV doctor Transformer) to provide the vets with simple dental and medical assistance. The Pineapple Tree Salon set up chairs and was giving free haircuts throughout the day (which this writer was probably in need of as well). The Department of Defense also pitched in with scores of military-issue bags filled with gear—including boots, MREs, camouflage trench coats, t-shirts, blankets and sleeping bags. “Many veterans lose their ID cards, which makes it impossible for them to receive benefits through disability, Social Security, and the like,” explained Gerold Peterkin, Director of Programs at CEH, when I looked over curiously at the make-shift photo booth propped up in the corner of the pavilion. “A lot of them cannot afford the $10 fee to buy a new one. That’s why we have all these organizations come together in one place, so we can more effectively help these veterans improve their living conditions,” he continued before he was called over to see if he knew how to cut hair. “This event took over five months of preparation,” mentioned Margaret Ingrim, Director of Administration at CEH, tired and panting from the long, busy day under the oppressive south Florida heat and humidity. In total, 125 veterans received food and services from approximately 175 volunteer participants. A number of homeless nonveterans were also given assistance. The “Stand Down” concept was originally developed to provide safe retreat for soldiers during the Vietnam War. Battle-weary soldiers were supplied with secure base camp areas to take care of personal hygiene, enjoy warm meals, and basically recharge their batteries. The first civilian Stand Down was organized by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego in 1988. Hundreds of these events now take place each year across the country. BY RAUL GUIZZO For more information on planned Stand Down events, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website at www1.va.gov For volunteer opportunities to help reduce homelessness, visit the Coalition to End Homelessness at http:// www.help4homeless.org/ A volunteer finishes up a haircut. Director of Admistration at CEH, Margaret Ingrim Director of Programs at CEH, Gerold Peterkin The Voice of the Homeless Page 6 5 ways to recession-proof your life I t’s deju vu all over again. That’s my heading for financial trouble when you find favorite Yogi Berra-ism, and that’s yourself charging for necessities, shifting the way this economy feels to me -- just payment habits, using a credit card where like it did a decade ago when the music you used to pay cash, making only minimum stopped for the first time for baby boomers. credit-card payments, reaching card limits With pockets of the country in steep reces- and finding yourself with no cash reserves sion 10 years ago, boomers fretted that their and no savings cushion. Shop for a low-cost credit line, pay down careers would be short-circuited. Savings crumbled along with expectations. We were your debt, build a cash fund and check your hunkered down in houses and apartments that disability and life-insurance coverage. Sit we couldn’t sell, holding on to our jobs for down with your partner or family and talk about tight money and what you might do dear life. Maybe there’s something we can learn from about it. 2. Think ahead. A psychiatrist friend deju vu when it happens all over again. We are told we’re in an economic recov- tells me that if you are resourceful, you will ery, but it just doesn’t feel like it. A New emerge from this crisis ahead of the game. That’s because the reYork Times/CBS News cession forces you to poll found that American Often in life, you learn think about everything workers are more anxious you’ve done, what about the economy than more from the defeats you’re doing now and at any time since 1993. than from the victories what you want for Slightly more than half yourself and your famof those polled said they ily. It can be a valuable were very or somewhat concerned that in the next year they or some- opportunity to review your perspectives, your options and your values -- and to rearrange one in their household might be out of work. The Wall Street Journal ran a piece advising your priorities. 3. Consider a career shift. In 1990, one parents to scale back college plans for their kids, adding an inexpensive state school to of my high-powered Wall Street friends who loved to visit Spain asked her Spanish clithe list. I see plenty of anecdotal evidence of the ent for the secret to the unhurried pace and slump, too. Friends in New York who send rhythm of life there. Her client responded: their children to an expensive private school In the U.S., you live to work. Here we work are now looking for a junior college because to live. After an epiphany, my friend bailed Mom got laid off on Wall Street. The gym I go out of her fast-track job and set up her own to is nearly empty. No one has joined our tae consulting business. Maybe a downturn is not the best time to kwon do school for a year. My husband and I get a call about once a week from a journalist pick up business. But it’s a great time to lay who has lost a long-time position at a news- plans, to think about where you’d like to go paper or magazine wondering if we have any from here and what you could do to recessionproof your life. job leads. In the early 90s, my husband and I were in It’s time to examine your opportunities I’m afraid we boomers didn’t learn our Manhattan with two young kids in private lesson. I have a friend who spent nearly schools and a monthly maintenance and mort$500,000 remodeling her house last year. gage payment that would knock your socks Now her business is off by almost 70%. An- off. We vowed that when we got the opportuother couple says all their kids college money nity, we would find a way to cut expenses and disappeared in the tech crash, and they won- live more simply. 4. Remember that everything is cyclical. der if they’ll ever be able to retire. This time we’ve got Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers in the soup In 1991, when Boston’s high-tech corridor was hit by recession and the unemployed along with us. But let’s not get grim. When everyone else could neither find work nor sell their homes is hiding under the bed, it’s time to examine because of the real-estate slump, the economy the opportunities. Here are five things to fo- in Houston was picking up steam. A recent story in the New York Times showed that cus on: 1. Clean up your balance sheet. You’re while Augusta, Ga., lost 5,000 jobs in the last COSAC’S CHURCH Come to the church that is a Church of Service and Charity Learn of Jesus and learn how to put God’s words into action. Sunday 2 pm to 2:45 pm 1203 N. Federal Highway Hollywood, FL 33020 954-924-3571 x316 year, nearby Savannah gained 3,400. Look around. It’s always a good time to invest in some training, take some classes or think about your ideal location. My husband, who is a journalist and consultant, recently completed the two-year course to get the Certified Financial Planner designation. We should always be creating more options for ourselves. 5. Develop a skills portfolio to go. During the last recession, I interviewed Charles Handy, a management expert and author who taught at the London Business School. In his book, The Age of Unreason, he argued that the structure of the workplace was changing dramatically. I hope you won’t look for a job, he advised his own children when they graduated from college. Look for customers. If you have saleable skills, you can always work. Handy, who began his career as an oil executive, divided workers of the future into three groups: managers and technicians who run the companies; unskilled clerks and laborers; and creative people and designers who work on a contract basis for the company. I think the third category should be your goal. Most of us will be working longer; it would be nice to be doing something we enjoy. Handy offered a tip for those who wanted to reinvent themselves: Go to 20 people you know and ask each to tell you one thing you do very well. An unemployed advertising executive tried it and was told that he was very creative, good at organizing teams, presenting ideas, leading people, selecting wines and recalling historical details. This guy set up a business taking people on tours of battlefields and other historical sights and vineyards in Europe. It won’t do to ignore the reality of a slumping economy. In this environment, you can get ahead by re-examining your life and making smarter choices. As Fritz Mondale told his hastily organized campaign workers after they lost their six-day senate race in Minnesota: Often in life, you learn more from the defeats than from the victories. By Harry Domash Budget BBQ For Today’s Rough Economy (continued from page 1) Grilled chicken is always a good choice when looking to save money. You’ll find various cuts of chicken on sale at your local grocery store weekly. Chicken leg quarters (a leg and a thigh together as one) are always inexpensive, usually selling for well under a buck a pound. Same thing goes for hotdogs. Does it get any cheaper than hotdogs? And most kids (and many adults) are just as happy with dogs as most any kind of grilled meat. Of course, pork lends itself perfectly to the grill or bbq pit, no matter which cuts you prefer. Buying in bulk and on sale, pork will stretch your buying dollars a long way. And like brisket, it’s a very versatile meat. Don’t let today’s economy ruin your outdoor cooking experiences. Budget bbq, and barbeque in general, are some of the few things in life that isn’t designated for a certain class of people. From the rich to the poor, barbeque will always have a place in any economy.-TexasBarbeque.com * Free Weddings * Free Memorial Services * Alternatives to Abortion * Healing Services All-American Deluxe Cheeseburgers 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons Thousand Island dressing 1 pound lean ground beef 8 slices American cheese 4 Kaiser rolls, split and toasted 4 large lettuce leaves 1 large tomato, sliced 4 slices purple onion 12 dill pickle slices Preheat grill. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and salad dressing; set aside. Shape meat into 4 patties. Grill patties over hot coals 3 to 4 minutes on each side or to desired doneness. Top each patty with 2 cheese slices; cover. Continue grilling until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Spread 1 tablespoon reserved dressing mixture on each roll. Fill with cooked hamburgers and top with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles as desired. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings. Trash Hauling U call...we haul!!! How’s my Vending? Please call 954-410-6275 We’ll take it all!!! No job too big or too small! Bob cat service available Bank repos our specialty Commercial or Residential Call J.R. (954) 534-6694 Volume XI, Issue 5 Page 7 What if The Homeless Voice had a penny for every time you searched or shopped on the internet? Business Directory To place YOUR AD Call 954-924-3571 We’ll work with your logo or have one our staff design your ad for you! Ads as large as 1/2 page and full color available- call today! Messianic Temple Aron Hakodesh Rabbi Joe Vitkus Services Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sat. 11:00 a.m. Search the web with www.goodsearch.com and money from Yahoo advertisers will go to The Homeless Voice without you spending a dime! We need: -snacks -fruit drinks -cans of tuna Bedside Snack Ministry -chicken salad -styrophoam cups -plates -plastic forks Youth Ministry 4761 N.W. 24th Court * Fort Lauderdale, FL 33313 (954) 485-8491 Help bring a smile to our residents! To drop off donations please contact 954-410-6275 www.safelinkwireless.com Most homeless people qualify for a free cell phone and airtime in their state if they receive food stamps, Medicaid or other assistance. All they need is an address of a local shelter to use. Go to the web site and see what your state requires. Advantage Communications, INC. Commercial, Industrial, and Government 2-way Radio * ACI supports the Homeless Voice and the Cosac Foundation in raising awareness and providing solutions to homelessness in our neighborhoods. * ACI knows that lending aid to human beings in need is good for our souls, our communities and is simply the right thing to do. * ACI would like to thank all people who are actively engaged in helping humanity here on the blue planet. God bless the Cosac Foundation Mark Lavallee, President 954-961-2642 www. advantage-com.com Excellence in Radio Part of the North American Street Newspaper Association • ChurchBook.us • Kick the Habit • Free Summer Activities Volume XI, Issue 5 www.HomelessVoice.org This month we are very excited to bring you two new social networking websites. We would love to have your feedback so check them out directly or you can go to our website and follow the links. www.Homeless.me www.churchservice.me
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