Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Maryanne McGerty-Sieber, US Product Safety Investigator, discussed the agency's work in regulating over 15,000 products, testing and investigating claims against 'everything you touch from the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed.'

CPSC oversees the safety of all items sold to US residents on US soil, including mail-order and online products, original buyers or second-hand owners, for any problem including misuse.  She discussed recent recalls and reminded us that all recalls - as well as repair, replacement or refund information are archived on the CPSC.gov website, easily available when you're thrift shopping or at a garage sale.  Maryanne recommends that some items never be passed on or bought second-hand, car seats and bike helmets.  Too much unseen damage may have occurred to these items, making them unsafe for use.  As the holidays approach she offered tips on holiday safety, check all parts of space heaters and make sure they are away from curtains, walls and bedding, check extension cords for all lights and displays and never use indoor products outdoors, check the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and never use grill or kerosene devices indoors.   Finally - a gift guide.  If you're buying bikes, skates or scooters, buy protective gear to go with them, when buying games or construction sets, remember that younger children may have access to them and could swallow the smaller parts, she always recommends, buy 'age appropriate' toys for the sake of safety.

US Product Safety Commission

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Beth Sturman, Executive Director of Laurel House & Leslie Slingsby, Executive Director of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, discussed the relationship between domestic abuse and child abuse during National Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, October.  Beth explained the services of Laurel House, offering shelter, counseling and legal services to victims of domestic abuse.   Leslie described the work of Mission Kids, therapy and counseling to children and parents in situations of abuse, often referred through the courts or Children’s Services.  They described how they work together, as ‘one-stop--shopping’ as the children of parents in abusive relationships suffer directly through physical or emotion abuse, or indirectly through trauma as a witness to violence and turmoil in the home and – the non-abusive parent of abused children are often victims themselves.   Leslie discussed how boys and girls react differently to domestic violence and abuse, boys will present external signs, acting out and aggression, while girls will internalize the situation, assuming the blame for the acts and committing self-harm.  Abuse is trauma, both can experience mental and physical health issues, including obesity, anxiety, drug and alcohol addiction and early death.   Beth noted that mothers present common reactions when seeking help, they want to stop the abuse and protect their children, but also they also want to protect the abusive parent and preserve his/her relationship with the children.   They discussed the need to ‘stop the cycle’ – as children exposed to home violence can often become aggressors in their own relationships.   Leslie described the ‘grooming’ that abusive parents often do, indoctrinating children into acceptance of abusive actions.

Finally, information about upcoming events and fundraisers, including Mission Kid’s ‘Night Out’ November 10th at the Paddock Room at Mermaid Lake and Laurel House’s Pennsylvania Philharmonic Holiday Concert.

Toll-free National Domestic Abuse Hotline  1-800-642-3150

Laurel-House.org

Missionkidscac.org  

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Joseph Wojie, History Professor at Stockton University and Founder of Grim Philly stopped by the Beasley Studios to discuss Haunted Philadelphia, Witchcraft, Vampirism, Lycanthropy, Ghosts and more as it relates to the Delaware Valley. This conversation was a blast. If you like the haunted aspect of Philadelphia make sure you sign up and take a Haunted Tour of Philly with Grim Philly. Get information at their website. Also, you can follow Grim Philly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you so much for listening. Stay creepy.

Markus Goldman

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Sandy McHugh, CEO & Founder of Jake's Dragon Foundation, along with Amy Sala owner of Aim High Studio (A Community Inspired Fitness Studio), were in the Beasley Studios to discuss Jake's Dragon Foundation and the Childhood Cancer Battle.

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Larry Needle, Executive Director of PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Visitors and Convention Center, discussed the work of his office, bringing sporting events to the city and region to boost our tourism presense and bring revenue to the area hosptality industry.  We tslked about the past year and the effects of a Super Bowl win, how it boosts OUR psyche, but also our image to the rest of the world.  The win, caping off a stretch of high-profile events, including the Pope's visit, the Democratic National Convention and the NFL Draft make it easier to market Philadelphia to other sports organizations.  Having seven professional teams and multiple venues means big dollars to the local economy in terms of hpotel rooms, transportation and restaurants.  Larry discussed his hopes that the North American hostng of the 2022 World Cup will bring soccer to Philadelphia and we discussed 'team' efforts in landing events such as this - and the Olympics.  He disvcussed the difficulties US cities have in bidding for events, the government doesn't bankroll construction of needed venues or infrastructure improvements.  He spoke on the cooperation of City Hall and our pro teams, especially the Eagles, in promoting the region.  We discussed the upconing Army/Navy game, December 8th at the Linc, and the Operation Gratitude campaign Novemeber 7th.  That day you can donate items at multiple sites through Center City for our deployed service members, clothing items, lip balms and toiletries, games and other items are requested.  Donations can cal also be taken to the game.   A complete list of locations and items needed can be found at PHILLYLOVESARMYNAVY.COM.

To learn more about  PHL Sports visit DISCOVERPHL.COM/PHLSPORTS

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Shari Hersh, Senior Project Manager and Founder, Restored Spaces at Mural Arts Philadelphia, Basurama artist Monica Gutierrez, and Philadelphia community activist Lizeth Morales, discussed the Restored Spaces projects in Lizeth’s community, the park at Southwark School.    We first discussed Mural Arts Philadelphia and its beginning as the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Project, looking to improve blighted areas, how it has transformed neighborhoods and how it has returned to its origins with Restored Spaces.  Sheri described their work, looking to create neglected spaces and generate community involvement.  To develop the Southwark project Restored Spaces hosted role-playing games to generate ideas on how Lizeth’s community wanted to use the space, then brought in Basurama, ‘trash loving,’ a Madrid based artist collective who use ‘found’ items – trash – as materials in their spaces.  Monica described her work with the Southwark community as ‘transformative’ for both the artists and the local residents.  Lizeth, speaking in her first language, Spanish, described her community which boast eleven different languages at the school. She spoke on the pride the mothers especially felt in participating in the process, as a learning experience for them and a teachable moment for their children.   The project, two years in already, will be completed by 2020, and include play space, quiet areas, seating and greenspace, and a mural designed by the community.  

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Robb Reichard, Executive Director of Philadelphia’s AIDS Fund, and, from the Missoni Center, Larry Benjamin, Director of Communications and Christie Eastburn, Care Services Assistant Director, discussed the 32nd Annual AIDS Walk Philly, raising funds for the most vulnerable HIV/AIDS patients.  Robb spoke about the changing mission of AIDS Fund, originally an organization caring for AIDS patients in their final days, to coordinating services for those living with HIV, to now funding 10 area  agencies that provide the direct services and care.  AIDS Fund steps in with emergency relief for rent or replacement medical devices. Robb notes they fund the most basic needs, especially beds, because ‘you can’t be healthy if you’re sleeping on the floor.’  He reminds us that many people living with HIV can have other illnesses, including diabetes, so AIDS Fund will fund refrigerators, required for keeping insulin and HIV medicines cold.  Larry and Christie, described the Missoni Center, a beneficiary of AIDS Walk Philly each year.  The Center provides medical and other aid to the LGBTQ community, offering basic medical testing and treatment, help in coordinating social services and insurance and acting as case managers.  They also offer a weekly walk-in clinic for youth, noting many LGBTQ youth are suffering from homelessness and other risk factors for AIDS, abuse and exploitation.  They  all discussed AIDS in the Philadelphia area, where there are at least 32,000 people living with HIV, they spoke about testing successes but note that many do not follow up with care and many physicians do not offer PREP. Robb pointed out that some communities are more vulnerable to HIV, including young gay men and people of color, citing Philadelphia’s great poverty as a factor.   He also spoke on their new initiative, Getting to Zero, zero stigma, infections and deaths.

The 32nd AIDS Walk Philly is October 21st at the Art Museum steps.   The event will kick off with information tents and a presentation of the AIDS Quilt, followed by a reading of names of those lost.  There will also be an aerobic warm-up. The 5K will follow Martin Luther King, Jr Drive.   For more information or to sign up, visit AIDSWALKPHILLY.org.

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Pete Bradley, Vice President and General Manager for Casino Operations at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, discussed the resort's experiences in hiring people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Pete, President of the board at Autism Delaware, spoke of his family's personal history and told the story of his late son, who was diagnosed with ASD.  He praised the organization's programming and related his hiring experiences with the group's POW&R initiative.   POW&R matches employers with employees, working with them both to get the client integrated into the job, then fading back.    He recommended the program to any employer, emphasizing the low or no cost of any accommodations needed, and praising the employees his resort have hired, noting they learn the job, they are reliable and they help his bottom line.   He reminded us to look at the ability, not the disability.   He noted that his resort is a major employer in the region, with 500 hotel rooms, 2,000 slots and over $140 million in revenue each year and the POW&R hires are vital employees for Dover Downs, not charity.   The best part, as they are helping his organization, their lives are being improved through social interaction and gained independence.

POW&R

Autism Delaware

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino

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Guy Triano: Regional CEO of American Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania, discussed the chapter, one of the nation's largest, which covers 17 counties and over 6.5 million people, in areas ranging from the Poconos to the shore.  He discussed the disaster services they provide and how they see it all, from flooding and mud in the mountains to hurricane damage at the shore communities.  We discussed how disaster can strike anyone within the region, through fire, flooding and man-made disasters including chemical spills and train derailments and how the ARC takes care of not just the victims, but also the emergency responders.   The American Red Cross provides emergency food and shelter to displaced persons, counseling services, even long-tern residence in their Red Cross House, the first of its kind.  Guy discussed evacuation procedures and sheltering in place and reminded listeners that they have to be prepared and they have to follow emergency directions.  He talked about the ARC 'Pillowcase Project,' emergency preparedness education for children where they decorate a pillowcase with their contact info and family escape plans to fill with their evacuation needs.  The program serves as a 'conversation starter' for families to plan for disaster, reminding us that we are in the middle of hurricane season.   Guy also spoke on their 'Sound the Alarm, Save a Life' campaign where they go door-to-door with free, LED smoke detectors.

Guy, former director of Blood Services, also addressed the ongoing crisis situation in the area's blood supply and asked listeners to please donate; he discussed the need for whole blood, plasma and platelets and who can give.

We also discussed training programs offered, including CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard certification.  The ARC is also the official link to military active duty and their family at home, able to relay messages and bring home military for family emergencies.

Finally, Guy called for volunteers, they are 80% volunteer driven, and donations.

Guy encourages everyone to download the ARC APP - it gives emergency information, blood services

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As we near the 2020 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Sandy Spence, Advocacy Chair of The League of Women Voters of Delaware discussed the history of the group, to educate new voters on government, civics and elections, and how they have changed to support voter education and franchise rights.  She discussed Delaware's voter registration rate and participation - ahead of most of the US - and the safety of its voting system, with new technology and paper accountability in the coming years.   We spoke about who can vote,  including Delaware's inclusion of previous Felons and the incarcerated, the electronic signature registration system and the enrollment of new drivers.  We discussed the upcoming deadlines for voting, registration ends October 13th for the November 6 General Election.  Absentee ballots must be requested before the November 2 deadline for mailing them to voters, although you can request one in person or vote early at your county's Board of Elections.   Prior to the election, she discussed the VOTE411 voter's guide to help voters make their choices.  League volunteers compile this comprehensive guide to polling placers and candidates for each district, with the candidate's submitted positions on the issues.   The guide is free and available for download at Vote411.org and it includes a sample ballot you can print and take with you to the polls.    She wrapped up with information about the advocacy work done by the League and how policy is determined.  She also encouraged membership, it is open to all, men are welcome, and easily done through your local chapter.

Find your local League of Women Voters at lwv.org

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