Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Maryanne McGerty-Sieber, Product Safety Investigator with the Consumer Product Safety Commission discussed recalls and dangerous products. 

Learn more at CPSC.gov

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Dr. Stephen Ogden, a family medicine physician with MedExpress talked about safe food handling, preparation, and avoiding food-borne illnesses such as Salmonella and E. coli.  We discussed the signs and symptoms of food-born illness vs plain old viruses and bacteria we pick up from each other or our environment.  Dr. Ogden explained typical food-poisoning symptoms, including vomiting and fever, which may range from mild to severe depending on the germ that was swallowed, and when you should seek medical attention.   He suggests hydration as the best self-management plan!

He gave us tips on working with raw meats and fish, summer salads, dairy products and fruits and vegetables and basic kitchen hygiene tips, including the critical importance of frequent handwashing by those preparing and handling food. The Four Steps to Food Safety according to the CDC are to – Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.

He recommends we buy a food thermometer!  Bacteria can multiply rapidly if left at room temperature or in the “Danger Zone” between 40°F and 140°F so never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F) and keep food hot:  140°F or warmer—until it’s served.

For more information visit the CDC.gov

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Catherine Charlton, Executive Director, and Andrew Polunin, Artistic & Education Director of Dancing Classrooms Philly, discuss their program, that teaches social dancing to 5th and 8th grade classes to Delaware Valley schools who are lack arts and music programming. Founded by Broadway dancer Pierre Dulaine and featured in the film, Mad Hot Ballroom, the 20-week class teaches the entire grade classic dances such as the Merengue, Foxtrot, Swing and the Waltz, a process that helps students develop self–esteem, social awareness, mutual respect, teamwork and joy. In addition to learning the dances, students are engaged in academic development by researching cultures, creating art, and writing self-reflection papers. The chapter was the first to adopt round-robin, gender-neutral dance partners so that no student has to lead or follow, and during the COVID years when touching wasn’t possible, they added Hip-hop, Latin, and K-pop. These dance programs offer more flexibility for schools, are more manageable for younger students, and focus on cultures that influenced the dances. Everyone participates, with non-dancing students providing music or writing about the program, and at the end of the dance residency the students perform a final showcase for families and friends and student who wish to continue are eligible to join the Saturday Academy where they can learn more steps and dances and meet other dancers from other schools.

In addition to their flagship course, they have a variety of social dance programs for students from K through 12th grade, including in-school and after-school assemblies and residencies, community workshops, and performances opportunities to cultivate essential life skills in students. Classes are taught by dancing professionals who are trained to teach in the Dancing Classrooms method.   To learn more, check their calendar of events, to donate or enroll your school, visit dancingclassroomsphilly.org

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Internist Dr Avidon Appel, who diagnoses and treats diseases & illnesses in adult patients, discussed men’s general health. He notes they are less likely to seek help without spousal pressure, they shrug off any issues they may be experiencing and unfortunately, unlike their cars, they don’t come with a ‘check your engine list!’ We discussed the increasing numbers of cancer and other diseases we think of as age-onset, and he reminds us that a symptom such as ED could be a sign of cardiovascular or endocrine disease. He worries about our plastic exposure and recommends glass and metal over single-use  containers.  He advises hydration, exercise and proper sleep as the best routine for maintaining health and tells us, if something doesn’t feel right and it doesn’t get better fast, see a doctor. He asks men – or their partners – to take time to write down questions and concerns before a doctor’s visit – for a general ‘check list’ he also recommends visiting the CDC website.

Dr. Appel is also the Founder and President of Iron Mountain Men’s Health

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Jessica Craft, Founder and CEO of Rock to the Future discussed this original program that supports positive youth development and economic empowerment through free, student-driven music programs for Philadelphia youth.   Operating in areas that are underserved with enrichment opportunities, Rock to the Future works with the community and the youth participating to create programming that is compelling and fun for them.  Thanks to donations and grants hundreds of students participate annually in-school, after school, and during the summer in schools, community locations, and now, in the re-entry programming, within juvenile justice facilities. 

She described the basics, there is no cost for students to participate, they receive an instrument and supplies, transportation to and from the classes and meals.   No auditions required and beginners are welcome.  The program is student-driven - youth lead their creation and collaborations and are included in decision-making and taught by trauma informed professional musicians.  

With a focus on original songwriting, peer collaboration, and live performance the program offers pathways to professional careers as well as mentoring, academic, college and grades readiness, paid internship and skill development opportunities.  Students gain self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, cooperation and patience, abilities they will be able to apply to their studies now and their goals in the future.   

Programs are provided in English and Spanish.  Rock to the Future also addresses the needs of the students at home, with support for family through connections with resources like health, housing, and food security.    

Learn more at RocktotheFuture.org

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Marcus Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region discussed their programming for kids throughout the Delaware Valley and their expansions to their mission during his ten years on the job.  He described their work, pairing caring adults with kids who need a steady influence, to listen, encourage and connect with them.  ‘Bigs’ work with the ‘Little’ and their families to foster greater confidence and better relationships, help steer them from risky behavior to achieve their full potential, in school and later in life.   He shared their training process and their support after a pairing, group outings and entertainment and sport opportunities.  While Bigs are only required to stay one year, he told us of the many Big/Little friendships that lasted through graduation a, marriage and even retirement.  Any child who need the service can apply, and now kids can stay in the program through college, but there is a serious shortage of Bigs.  Mr. Allen is trying to recruit mire men of color and promote their business volunteer opportunities, local companies can work with kids for reading breaks during the day.  Realizing that BBBS could never meet the demand for individual pairings, he described their new approach, partnering and sharing best practices with other organizations, grassroots and other groups who offer mentoring programs, getting more kids into services.      

To learn more, to donate or volunteer go to independencebigs.org

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Joe Brooks, Executive Director of the Veterans Multi-Service Center, and Beasley Media Group’s John DeBella, legendary Morning Host at WMGK, discussed their work on behalf of the VMC, a non-profit organization that supports veterans who are suffering from their service.  The VMC offers emergency relief for Vets facing homelessness, mental health and addiction issues, aging vets needing healthcare or burial funds, and vets who have fallen out of the system who need to reconnect with their benefits.  

The VMC helps more than 6,500 Veterans and families annually through offices throughout the tri-state area.   Their services include Veteran Employment programs, Veteran Housing Assistance with temporary and long-term shelter, Women Veterans Programs with housing and woman-to-woman counseling, and Veterans Benefit / Entitlement Assistance to help them navigate the bureaucracy.   They connect vets with medical and mental care and addiction help. 
 
The Veterans Multi-Service Center was founded in 1980 by local Vietnam Veterans.  Knowing John was a supporter, they approached him a few years later to help raise funds and the annual John DeBella Veteran radiothon was born, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through his all-day broadcast and online auctions.  

VMCenter.org

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Dr Ian Krantz, pediatrician and geneticist and Head of the Roberts Individualized Medical Genetic Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, and Elizabeth DeChene, Genetic Counselor and mother to a child with a rare genetic disorder, discussed Cool Cars For Kids, a non-profit raising funds for research at CHOP through their annual Concours d’ Elegance.  We discussed genetic disorders, combined there are some 7,000 ‘rare’ diseases, but the individual conditions can affect very few, making diagnosis and treatment difficult, with some being passed through families, others by a single mutation.  Ms DeChene discussed her family’s path through birth and diagnosis, not made any easier by her own professional experiences.  Her daughter is one of fewer than 100 people in the world with her neurodevelopmental disorder.  

Cool Cars was founded by car-enthusiast Dr Krantz, famous car collector Mike Tillson and legendary former Eagles coach, Dick Vermiel, whose granddaughter was treated at CHOP for her own genetic disorder.   Each year they host the Friday and Saturday event, this year June 23rd and 24th, at the Simeone Auto Museum.  This year’s theme is a celebration of the Porsche, celebrated with a Gala Friday night and reveal of this year’s judged rare and historic vehicles, a Saturday parade of Porsches, and then a family-fun event featuring the classic and antique entries and a corral of cars from the general public. 

Coolcarsforkids.org

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Danielle DiLeo Kim, President & CEO of Philadelphia250 discussed the ongoing plans for the nation's 250, with Philadelphia front and center as an official city host.  We discussed the programming planned, based on their mission,  'to ignite the passions of the people of Philadelphia with the revolutionary spirit of the Declaration of Independence—to create a commemoration that is truly by the people, for all people.'  We also talked about the legacy projects funded by the initiative, and other community based events and projects in contemporary applications of themes from the Declaration of Independence – revolutionary actions, pursuit of happiness, people’s histories, and shared prosperity.  

Learn more at Philadelphia250.us

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Zoraida Cordero, Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of Greater Philadelphia discussed the 12th leading cause of death in the US, suicide.  We discussed their mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide through research, education and awareness campaigns, and programs and events for the community.  We spoke of mental recognizing the difference between common moods and situations where professional help is needed, especially for young people.  She discussed their main goal, getting us talking about mental health and suicide, out in the open, and being willing to talk to someone who may be struggling.  She described their new campaign, Talk Away The Dark, online videos and easy to follow guides to help you begin a conversation about suicide, from opening lines to follow through with mental health professionals.  Together with 988, the national crisis talk/text number, Talk Away The Dark gives us the resources to offer help and hope to anyone struggling. Visit AFSP.org

Learn more with #TalkAwayTheDark.

Always remember, if you, a friend or a loved one is in crisis, call or text 988, or text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7.  If you’ve lost someone to suicide, support is available: visit https://afsp.org/ive-lost-someone.

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