By Karen E. Wheeler
Everyone talks about preserving the environment, but some older Philadelphians are actually doing something about it.
As volunteers with the Center in the Park Senior Environment Corps (CIP/SEC), they work to improve the water quality of local streams by collecting samples, reporting adverse findings to regulatory agencies and educating the public on the need for combating watershed pollution.
Water samples collected by the volunteers from at-risk streams are forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection laboratory in Harrisburg, where bacteria in the water are identified.
New project across town
The program has been so successful that CIP/SEC has received a one-year grant from the William Penn Foundation to work with Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center, across town. It’s in Cobbs Creek Park, off 63rd and Catharine Sts.; CIP is at 5818 Germantown Ave.
The purpose of the program, which was kicked off in October, is establishment of a Senior Environment Corps in West Philadelphia to monitor the quality of the water. The Cobbs Creek facility is not a senior center, but it has a laboratory capable of helping in monitoring water.
Besides its water monitoring function, CIP/SEC provides a forum for teachers, volunteers and students to work together to protect the environment.
It makes presentations at schools, a program that includes field trips to water treatment plants, water monitoring, tree planting and other ventures.
The Center has some big needs, says Dr. Edward Chun. Dr. Chun, a Harvard-trained scientist with CIP/SEC and recipient of the 2007 MetLife Foundation Older Volunteers Enrich America Award, says they are operating without a lab, and have to use lab facilities at Chestnut Hill College.
Lab facilities needed
“We need our own dedicated workspace,” he says.
CIP/SEC maintains a core of about 30 older volunteers, and is recruiting new ones. Volunteers participate in water quality monitoring, habitat assessments, tree plantings, watershed tours, advocacy projects and outreach programs. Members train new volunteers.
If interested, you may contact CIP/SEC volunteer coordinator Fred Lewis, at 215-848-7722, or education coordinator (Ms.) Johnnie Henderson at that number or jhenderson@centerinthepark.org.
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) has added five dedicated foreign-language telephone lines to better serve the growing population of foreign-born Philadelphians.
Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander elders are expected to double in number by 2015, points out PCA’s director of research and evaluation, Dr. Allen Glicksman.
The main Helpline number — in English and Spanish — is 215-765-9040.
These have been added:
Cambodian: 215-399-4940
Chinese: 215-399-4944
Hindi (Asian Indian): 215-399-4943
Korean: 215-399-4941
Vietnamese: 215-399-4942
The TDD number (for the hearing impaired) is 215-765-9041.
The PCA Helpline is staffed by full-time bilingual employees who speak Spanish and Russian. Printed materials about PCA’s programs and services have been translated into a variety of languages and are available by calling the PCA Helpline. PCA’s new website, www.pcaCares.org, offers translation into 14 languages through World Lingo, an outside translation service.
By Enid Rosenblatt
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa, you may be having problems choosing gifts for the grandchildren.
If the grandchildren are very young, finding the right ones can be confusing.
One source of help is the second annual issue of Toy Insider, published by Adventure Publishing Inc. A comprehensive 24-page guide, featuring expert toy and gift recommendations, it appears in the November Redbook Magazine and online at www.thetoy insider.com.
Toy Insider features 102 toys by 70 manufacturers for four age groups: newborn to 2; 3 to 5; 6 to 8; 9 and older.
Product safety
“The Toy Insider tells you what the hottest and right gifts are for the holiday season,” says Jonathan Samet, a toy expert with 23 years experience, who publishes the guide. “We choose not only the hot toys, but also the age appropriate toys for children in each age group.”
Gifts associated with music or technology are the most popular with the over-9 group, Samet notes.
What about safety issues that have been so much in the news lately as a result of the recall of some toys manufactured in China?
About 80 percent of all toys are made in China, with a smaller percentage from the United States, Europe and other regions. Of the thousands and thousands manufactured each year, Samet says, only a very few are on the recall list.
You can find product safety information on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, www.cpsc.gov, the Toys “R” Us website www.toysrus.com/safety and www.recalls.gov.
The Toy Insider website has links to these websites and a special section with safety tips.
For older grandkids
For teenage and older grandchildren, you may want to consider such gifts as museum or cultural memberships, AAA membership, movie ticket packages, Netflix gift certificates or gift certificates for favorite stores.
Banks offer Visa gift cards, which often come with a holiday box and a gift card.
When asked for suggestions, the writer’s granddaughter, Cynthia, 15, unhesitatingly mentioned iTunes. By going to www.apple.com/itunes/store/ and following directions, you can buy a gift card allowing your grandchild to download tunes to play on an iPod.
Tickets to play or game
Cynthia also suggested gift certificates for your grandchild’s favorite clothing stores or for Starbucks, where teens like to congregate.
Clothing, iPods, digital cameras and care packages are popular with college students.
One parent told the writer the best gift grandparents can give is an experience, preferably one you can share with them — for example, tickets to a play or sporting event.
Another tip to take the stress out of holiday shopping:
Holiday Helpers Event takes place at all Target stores on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 8 to 10 a.m. It features a personal shopping assistant, free gift wrapping and refreshments.
|