Several areas of concern for youth were identified in 

the Healthy Carolini

an's of the Outer Banks 2010 Community Health Assessment. In addition to anecdotal remarks about the need for more off-season alternatives for teen activities and incidences of underage drinking and substance abuse, there were reports from surveys and state data sources that raised concerns.  For example, twenty four (24%) of Dare County high school students reported  incidences of bullying and  66% reported having witnessed bullying of other students.  The Youth Issues Task Force was formed as a result of this Community Assessment and has been underway for several months, with representation from a variety of youth focused organizations and individual volunteers.

Continued . . . 

* Prevention and/or Management of Chronic Disease

* Increasing Access to Health Care

Grants will be awarded as part of Outer Banks Hospital Development Council's 2012-2013 Community Benefit Grant Program which includes Dare County, Currituck County and Ocracoke Island. Non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or government entities are eligible for funding. Grants are not awarded for medical research. The grant period is July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.

252-207-5601. Please invite your friends. All events are FREE and open to the public.   

By Chris Fitzsimon
 10---number of counties in North Carolina that had poverty rates of 20 percent or more every year from 1970 to 2000 ("The Legacy of Hardship; Persistent Poverty in North Carolina, N.C. Budget and Tax Center, January 2012)

9---number of counties in North Carolina with persistent poverty that have housing stress, with 30 percent or more of its households having a lack of complete plumbing,  a lack of complete kitchen, having more than person per room or paying 30 percent or more of income for housing costs (Ibid)

5.6---average number of primary care physicians per 10,000 people in 10 counties with persistent poverty (Ibid)

9.4---state average number of primary care physicians per 10,000 people (Ibid)

9---number of 10 counties with persistent poverty with life expectancy below state average of 77.3 years (Ibid)

Fox trot, tango, the waltz and swing, anyone - or just judge. 

Attend the 2nd annual "Dancing Under the Stars" event Saturday, February 25 at the K.E. White center on Elizabeth City State University's campus.  The event will feature local celebrity dancers as well as professional ballroom dancers from Virginia.  There will be a "People's Choice" award given to the celebrity dancer receiving the most votes.  Votes are $1.00 and may be made the night of the event or by visiting our website, www.albemarleareauw.org or you can place your vote directly to the celebrity dancer.  Celebrity dancers include:  Angela Gary, Albemarle Hospital; Pat Albert, Wells Fargo;  Debbie Morrisette, Long and Foster;  Ann Hoffman, Daily Advance;  Mike Etheridge, Pasquotank County;  Officer Darrell Valentine, Elizabeth City Police Department;  and Diana Etheridge, YMCA.  Tickets are $35.00 and may be purchased from any First Citizens Bank in Elizabeth City or Chowan Hospital's Gift Shop in Edenton.  FMI call 252.333.1510.

February 7. The League of Women Voters Dare County is presenting a film series featuring women's history.  After each film,  Dr. Lin Logan facilitates an open discussion of the film's accuracy, relevance, and entertainment value.  The February focuses on Margaret Sanger, the mother of the birth control movement in the US.  All films are free and open to the public and will be shown at 2:30 PM.

Spring Arbor Community Room, 803 Bermuda Bay Blvd., Kill Devil Hills, NC. For Further information - 252-480-2866

Films subject to change.

 On Thursday, February 16, the team will present its report for Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras at the Fessenden Center (2-4 pm) and at the Hatteras Village Civic Center (5-7 pm).

Read more of the 50 page Saltwater Connection Report.on the Hatteras Island Communities

On Friday, February 17, team members will hold follow-up workshops for the Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo and Avon report at the Avon Fire Station (11 - 12:15) and at the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Building (4 - 5:30pm).  The workshops will be informal, and folks are welcome to drop in at any time at either location to talk with team members about implementation of recommendations in the report, and to discuss ideas for community projects using SaltwaterConnections funds.

 Saltwater Connections, as part of the overall program of work funded by the NC Rural Center, has funding for small community projects that build on community assets and help create and support jobs. 

Lessons Learned From Irene

A free public forum "Lessons Learned from Hurricane Irene" will be presented at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (Buxton) on Monday, Feb. 6.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The N.C. Department of Cultural organized the forum, which will include local, state and federal representatives and discussion of how the August 2011 storm was forecast and why it was so destructive. Presenters will share methods that individuals, businesses and museums can employ to protect themselves and their belongings in the event of a hurricane or other disaster. Representatives from the National Weather Service, Dare County Emergency Management Office, and the National Park Service will participate in a roundtable discussion led by N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Disaster Preparedness Coordinator Matthew Hunt. Cultural Resources Restoration Specialist Reid Thomas will discuss working with FEMA, insurance companies, and mortgage companies; and representatives from the Outer Banks History Center will offer advice on how the center can help with long term preservation of family records.

Soundtrack for a Revolution Trailer

Soundtrack for a Revolution which tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs that protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in police wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. A unique mix of historical documentary and contemporary musical performance, the film features new performances by top artists including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, Andrew Young, and dozens more.

Tuesday, February 21, 7:00 pm  Kelly's.  Public Welcome.

• Language & Linguistics
• Addiction & Recovery
• Neurological Disorders
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Thought & Cognition

RECENT POSTS

• What Lies under
• Evolving Truth about Fracking for Natural Gas [Updated]
• Research at Coastal Environmental Change Lab
• Climate 101

• • Hey, Did You Hear? ...Why We Don't Listen
  • Paying Attention
 

The Youth Issues Task Force held a facilitated planning meeting to establish priorities, and after incorporating feedback from youth focus groups from all geographic areas of the county, the task force developed goals and objectives.  These are increasing access to positive youth activities including transportation, affordability, and availability; and developing and providing clear expectations for youth, parents, and the community and then marketing these expectations so that Dare County is an even better place to raise children. The task force plans to continue to empower and involve youth in the work of the task force and has already met with the Dare County Youth Council to invite their participation. Because of the strong interest in expanding activities by the youth groups, the task force is working on strategies to accomplish this as a first step.  

LETTERS OF INTEREST SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

* Brief organizational history (Include contact person and daytime telephone)

* Project description, including target population

* How project addresses the program's focus area

* Dollar amount being requested

* Copy of organization's tax-exempt status (IRS Letter of Determination)

Letters of interest must be received by Thursday, February 23, 2012.

Submit letters of interest to The Outer Banks Hospital Development Council,

Attention: Amy Montgomery,  Community Benefit Grant Program, 4800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC 27959.

For further information, please call 252-449-4516.

The Expo will serve as both an educational and informative event for adults, with local professionals providing materials and valuable information regarding adult and child health and wellness, financial and estate planning, social and educational programs and more.  More than 30 local professionals, such as pediatricians, dentists, OBGYNs, lactation consultants, chiropractors, massage therapists, doulas, financial planners, attorneys/estate planning, preschools, dance and music programs and many others will be represented.

There will be several speaking engagements from 12-3 PM.  Speakers include Scott Brown of Edward Jones on Financial Planning and College Savings;  Christen Buchert, "The Swim Lady", on Aquatic Safety and Infant Swim Resource;  Outer Banks Birth Network on Pregnancy and Childbirth; Laurie Everett, Certified Lactation Consultant, on Breastfeeding; Dr. Benjamin Winfree, M.D., Gynecology and Obstetrics; and Beth Tillet, Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County, on Parenting and Power Struggles.  Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis.  

The Nags Head Fire Department will provide free car seat checks in the parking lot;  breastfeeding stations will be available and brought to the Expo by the Outer Banks Birth Network; and free childcare from 1-3 will be provided on a first come, first serve basis by the Outer Banks YMCA.  There will also be translators on hand to help our Spanish speaking guests.

This event is brought to you by the Outer Banks Mommy & Me and the Outer Banks YMCA.  Sponsors include:  Access Designs; The Outer Banks Community Foundation; Complete Business Services; Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals; and Outer Banks Child Magazine.  For more information, please go online to our website:  www.outerbanksmommyandme.blogspot.com.