Speedway to Healthy: Take A Walk Through The Human Body

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Speedway to Healthy
Southern Vance High School
June 21-­23, 2016
10am-­3pm

Press Release

On behalf of Vance/Warren 4-­H, Southern Vance High School, Boys and Girls Club,YMCA, Henderson/Vance Recreation and Parks Department and NC A&T State University Cooperative Extension program, we would like to invite you to come see our students participating in a program that puts kids on a fast track to healthy habits.
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What: Speedway to Healthy is a 1,200-­square-­foot, walk-­through exhibit representing the human body. This creative educational exhibit teaches children in kindergarten through fifth (K-­5) grades how the foods they eat affect their bodies and their health.

When: Tuesday June 21-­Thursday June 23 from 9:00 a.m.-­3:00 p.m.

Where: The exhibit is located inside the Gymnasium at Southern Vance High School, located at 925 Garrett Road, Henderson, NC 27537.

Significance: Participants will have an opportunity to experience this unique traveling exhibit focusing on the human body. Childhood obesity is a widespread issue in the state and the nation, with North Carolina having the 23rd highest rate of childhood obesity. The Speedway to Healthy project was created as a resource to fight childhood obesity and poor health among children in North Carolina.

Volunteers Make it Happen: Volunteers are at the heart of the Speedway-to-­Healthy experience. Volunteer crew members help build the exhibit structure, take it down, and conduct the five-­minute presentations in each pit stop. To sign up to volunteer visit https://vols.pt/xpwRTM or contact Ann Burrows at 252-­438-8188.

Contact: Morris White, Vance County Extension Director, 252-­438-8188 OR morris_white@ncsu.edu

Please let us know if you are able to join us to experience this fun-­filled educational opportunity.

Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Morris F. White, III, County Extension Director, at 252-438-­8188, morris_white@ncsu.edu (email) or 252-492-­3830 (fax), or in person at the Vance County Extension Office at least five (5) business days prior to the event.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran’s status. In addition, the two universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Local governments cooperating.

Home and Garden Show 06/07/16

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Home and Garden Show 05/31/16

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Henderson Summer Sanitation Schedule

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Summer Sanitation Schedule

The City of Henderson Public Services Department Sanitation Division will be going to a summer schedule starting on Monday, June 6, 2016.   The scheduled pick-ups will start at 6:00 AM on the morning of your regularly scheduled day.  This schedule will require you to place your recycle bins and your brush items curb side the night before your scheduled pick-up.

Please visit https://ci.henderson.nc.us and search Muni-code for a copy of the Sanitation Code. Any questions should be directed to Jeanetta Lyons or Michael Ross at 252-431-6115. Thank you for your consideration during the summer months.

Public Health Serving You 05/25/16

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Home and Garden Show 05/24/16

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A note from Citizens Aligned

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The Henderson City Council will have a public hearing on their proposed 2016-17 budget, this Monday at City Hall at 6:00. We believe it is very important for all citizens to know what is happening in their town and how their money is being spent. Do you agree?

People are always asking us how they can help and we so appreciate it. If you are interested in making our city a better place to live, we ask that you attend this very important meeting. We can’t stress its importance!Together, ALIGNED, we can make a difference.

There is power in numbers.

Thank you for your continued support!

Heidi

Hope

Tommy

Local Restaurants Serving Locally Grown Food

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This is the second article of our three-part series on Buying Local. Our last feature focused on the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.  You can search for that piece by typing Farmers Market into the WIZS.com search box. This piece will take a closer look at some of the independently owned restaurants in our area that serve dishes made with produce from local farmers.

Our first local supporters are Warren County native Carla Norwood and Gabe Cumming, Director and Assistant Director of Working Landscapes which is a produce processing plant in Warren County and parent to Foodworks, a farm to table café on Warrenton’s Downtown Main Street.Foodworks They work with over 39 farmers to bring the area food that is locally grown. The non-profit Working Landscapes was founded in 2010. During the 2015-2016 school year it served fresh chopped produce to over 30,000 school children in northeast North Carolina. Norwood said, “Our organization is committed to building distribution routes so it’s easier for local schools to get produce from here rather than say somewhere like California.” A lot of times the food served in schools comes from far away because it has to go through specific distribution routes.

Local growers who want to make their crops available to the school system must complete one of the many Health and safety courses and also go through a process known as GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), a state requirement for all produce that will be served in school cafeterias. Growers are also required to produce a farm safety manual and have their farms inspected by the Department of Agriculture.

*The Foodworks Café is a quaint and cheerful little spot in Warrenton’s downtown Main Street where 95 percent of the goods sold are locally grown and made from scratch right in the back kitchen. Customers can eat in the café or purchase food to take home and cook. Norwood said, “All of our beef and pork are pasture raised and our coffee beans are from Hillsborough. We want people to think about where their food comes from and how it was raised. It’s very simple, but society has gotten away from that. We would love for folks to give us a try.”

While visiting the restaurant for this article, I bought lunch to go at The Foodworks Café and for about the same price you would pay for a large size extra value meal, I had an egg salad sandwich with a side of chips, sweet tea with lemon, hot blackberry cobbler with fresh cream on top and a side order of hummus that came with enough carrot sticks that I was able to share a few with my horse after I got to the ranch! The café also serves local NC beers and wine. Norwood said, “We challenge people to ask where the food in the restaurant they’re eating in comes from. It’s about being able to live in a rural area and having a better quality of life through food and education. I think we can make good things happen here. It’s about community and economy as much as it is about food.”

*Just around the corner off of Main Street in downtown Warrenton is local restaurant Robinson Ferry. Michael Ring is the General Manager and Chef there. When asked about what produce the restaurant serves that is locally grown, Ring said, “It’s not always easy to do local in a restaurant because consistency in flavor is key, but we always try to buy from the Farmers Market or local farmers whenever produce is in season. Food simply tastes better when eaten within 12-14 hours of being picked. With grocery stores, there’s no telling how long an item has been on the shelf.” Robinson FerryThe Ferry recently featured radishes in a radish green slaw because they were in season at the market. They also create some incredibly beautiful vegetarian dishes for those who don’t eat meat or are looking for a healthier alternative. Ring said, “When you’re buying local vegetables, it’s easy to be inspired by them to make a visually appealing as well as delicious dish. I feel good about paying a local farmer rather than getting a product from say South Carolina. It’s just good business. The money stays in your county.”

Some items Robinson Ferry gets locally on a regular basis are duck eggs from Before & Afton, antibiotic and hormone free chicken from local Vance County supplier Henderson Fruit & Produce, and lettuce from G & D Produce. Ring said, “Buying local transfers to the chef, then to the plate, then to the customer who feels good about what they’re eating and in turn what their money is going towards.”

Other restaurants in our area that serve some percentage of locally sourced foods are Harvest in Oxford, with anywhere from 8-10 local farmers depending on the season. The Hardware Café in Warrenton purchases their lettuce from a local farmer there, and Nunnery Freeman Barbecue in Henderson uses cornmeal made in Kittrell, NC.

To find and support more farmers in your area visit your local Farmers Market!

*Farmers can feel free to contact Robinson Ferry or Foodworks Café to see if they might have need of any produce.

WIZS Staff Writer – Jo Smith

Hurricane Preparedness 2016

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Note: You can always return to this article by entering Hurricane Preparedness in the WIZS.com search box.  Information provided by Brian Short, Director – Vance County Emergency Operations.

“The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season is about to begin. Are you prepared?”

The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1st of each year and ends on November 30th. The Vance County Office of Emergency Operations wants to make sure that you and your family are prepared for whatever this season brings our way.

May 15th through May 21st has been designated National Hurricane Preparedness Week for 2016. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is once again promoting a “Weather Ready Nation”.

Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. If you live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, you need to be prepared. Even areas well away from the coastline can be threatened by dangerous flooding, destructive winds and tornadoes from these storms. The National Hurricane Center issues watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather.

Each year, Dr. William Gray and his team at Colorado State University produce a report that contains information on the projected outlook for the upcoming season. This year is forecast to be an average year according to Hurricane Experts.

“We anticipate that the 2016 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have approximately average activity. The current weakening El Niño is likely to transition to either neutral or La Niña conditions by the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. While the tropical Atlantic is relatively warm, the far North Atlantic is quite cold, potentially indicative of a negative phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation. We anticipate a near-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted. The tropical and subtropical Atlantic are also quite cool at present. We anticipate a below-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted,” said Dr. William M. Gray, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University.

The Atlantic Basin Seasonal Hurricane Forecast for 2016 is as follows:

Number of Named Storms: 13
Number of Hurricanes: 6
Number of Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): 4

 

While the prediction for the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season is “Average,” the prediction for this season does show a notable increase over last year.

“The time to prepare is now, well out in front of peak hurricane season,” said Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations for Vance County. Keep in mind that it only takes one storm to cause significant impact. Communities and individuals are expected to be self sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) following the impact of a hurricane. “If the impact is severe enough, it may potentially take outside help that long to get here,” Short said. “By taking the time to gather up a few basic necessities now, you will enable your family to weather the storm and the aftermath until help can arrive.”

In the event that a storm should threaten our area, The Vance County Emergency Operations staff will get important information out and will keep the public informed of our preparedness activities. Like us on Facebook to stay up to date on severe weather and coordination activities.

Smart phone users can also download a free app from ReadyNC.org. This app provides a great deal of information regarding storm preparedness as well as current road conditions, local weather, power outages and storm shelters that are open just to name a few. Follow the link below to get this free app.

https://www.readync.org/EN/DOWNLOADAPP.html

For more information about how you and your family can prepare for severe weather including hurricanes visit our website at:

https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/emergency-operations/

While you’re there, be sure to visit our community alert and notification section to sign up for CODE RED, our emergency alert and notification system. NOTE: if you have a land line phone you are most likely already in the CODE RED system. Please add your cell phone if you would like to receive real time alerts on your mobile phone or device.

Or visit Vance County Emergency Operations on Facebook

You can also call our office at 252-438-8264

Recommended Family Preparedness Items

The best time to assemble a three-day emergency supplies kit is well before you will ever need it. Most people already have these items around the house and it is a matter of assembling them now before an evacuation or State of Emergency order is issued. Stocking up now on emergency supplies can add to your family’s safety and comfort during and after a disaster. Store enough supplies for at least three days, preferably seven days, in one place.

Start with an easy to carry, water tight container – a large plastic trash can will do, or line a sturdy cardboard box with a couple of trash bags. Next gather up the following items and place them in your kit:

Essentials

  • Water – 1 gallon per person per day (a week’s supply of water is preferable)
  • Water purification kit or bleach
  • First aid kit and first aid book
  • Pre-cooked, non-perishable foods, such as canned meats, granola bars, instant soup & cereals, etc.
  • Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier, soap, baby powder, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Anti-bacterial hand wipes or gel
  • Blanket or sleeping bag per person
  • Portable radio or portable TV and extra batteries
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Essential medications
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses
  • Extra house and car keys
  • Fire extinguisher – ABC-type
  • Food, water, leash and carrier for pets
  • Cash and change
  • Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes

Sanitation Supplies

  • Large plastic trash bags for waste, tarps and rain ponchos
  • Large trash cans
  • Bar soap, shampoo and liquid detergent
  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • Feminine hygiene supplies
  • Toilet paper
  • Household bleach
  • Rubber gloves

Don’t forget your pets when getting prepared!!!

Arson second-leading cause of N.C. wildfires in past 10 years

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

Contact:    Brian R. Haines, public information officer

                        N.C. Forest Service

                        919-857-4828

Arson second-leading cause of N.C. wildfires in past 10 years

May 1-7 is Arson Awareness Week

RALEIGH – Arson is the second-leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina over the past 10 years, the N.C. Forest Service says.

From 2005 through 2014, North Carolina had 45,609 wildfires, of which 8,461, or 19 percent, were intentionally started. Arson trails only careless debris burning among the causes of wildland fires in the state.

And with North Carolina ranking No. 1 nationally in the amount of land that falls within wildland urban interface zones, the risk to homes and other buildings is high. These zones are areas where buildings and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland, forest or vegetation.

“Because of the proximity of development to wildlands, the Forest Service estimates that as much as 41 percent of homes in the state are at risk from wildfires,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “When you combine that fact with the crime of arson, it highlights the need to set up fire-adapted communities to protect vulnerable areas.”

To learn more about becoming a fire-adapted community, or ways you can protect your home from a wildfire, visit the N.C. Firewise program at https://www.ncfirewise.org/index.htm or contact your local N.C. Forest Service county ranger. Contact information and other fire prevention tips are available at ncforestservice.gov.

The arson statistics are particularly pertinent now because it’s Arson Awareness Week. The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Fire Administration and its partners are using May 1-7 to focus attention on wildfire arson, particularly in the wildland urban interface.

The National Association of State Foresters says more than 72,000 U.S. communities are now at risk from wildfire within the wildland urban interface.