AACOG assists in local response
to Hurricanes Katrina & Rita

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In preparation for Hurricane Rita, the Homeland Security Department participated in daily conference calls with the Governor's Division of Emergency Management.  After landfall we continued conference call participation in the event that resources were needed from our region.  We are continuing to support our local jurisdictions with evacuees and shelter management. 

Currently one of the AACOG regional communications trailers is deployed to Kelly USA to support communications between outside agencies and the San Antonio Police Department.  Captain Tom Polonis with the San Antonio Police Department said, "the first weekend I called Don McFarland (AACOG Homeland Security Director) in a panic.  He put out the phone calls and got a lot of needed regional assistance to us really fast.  The AACOG communications trailer from Converse was at Kelly USA within an hour."

Our Area Agencies on Aging have also been actively involved in assisting special needs and senior evacuees during the recent hurricane events, and in coordinating with other local agencies during this period.

Also, our Alamo WorkSource Career Center staff have actively been working with evacuees in the counties outside Bexar to assist them in receiving Disaster Unemployment Assistance, as well as offering individuals looking to remain in the AACOG region with job placement assistance.  The New Braunfels Alamo WorkSource Career Center, the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, and the Westside Community Center hosted a job fair for evacuees of Hurricane Katrina on September 15th.  Approximately 35 employers and 75 job seekers attended the fair.

AACOG employees also contributed funds to relief efforts and volunteered in area shelters.
 

Homeland Security Contact: Don McFarland

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Walk & Roll Challenge

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To prove to the Alamo Region that we can get around town using alternative modes of transportation, AACOG is challenging citizens to log a total of 500,000 miles during the month of October, which is also recognized as Commute Solutions Month. Commute miles, recreation miles, training miles, errands-they all count. Every time you utilize an alternative mode of transportation that is in one of the competition categories, you can log your miles using the event website. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each of the competition categories.
 

Walk & Roll Challenge Contact: Heather Willden

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Clean Cities Advancing the Choice Event

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On October 20, 2005, the Alamo Area Clean Cities Coalition and the Alamo Area Adopt-A-School Bus Program are hosting “Exhaust Reduction: Advancing Anti-Idling Initiatives” workshop at the San Antonio Airport Hilton from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The workshop will address idle-reduction technologies and other anti-idling initiatives geared towards reducing unnecessary emissions from idling vehicles as well as promote the displacement of petroleum by conserving fuel.  Fleet managers, school district transportation directors, and trucking companies are invited to attend and learn of the benefits of preventing unnecessary idling. 

The photo (above right) details the type of idle-reduction technology currently available in San Antonio.  Truck stop electrification enables truckers to have electricity as well as control the temperature of their cabs without idling.  The yellow modules enter their cab through the side window and provide electrical outlets, air conditioning/heater vents, phone jacks, and Internet access.
 

Clean Cities Point of Contact:  Isabel Martinez

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5th Scenic Hills Cruise Set to Wind
Through the Hill Country

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On the morning of October 15, 2005, members of more than 20 area car clubs and one antique motorcycle club will embark on AACOG’s fifth annual Scenic Hills Cruise.  A beautiful panoramic view of Leon Valley is afforded participants at the starting point for the cruise -- the parking lot for the Church on the Rock located where Bandera Road goes over what the old stagecoach drivers called “Nine Mile Hill.”  The Leon Valley Chamber of Commerce will provide morning coffee and  breakfast goodies to cruise participants.  The historic Huebner-Onion Homestead at 6613 Bandera Road is another great stop in Leon Valley for history buffs and lovers of local lore. 

To find out more information about locations and times for the Scenic Hills cruise, click here.
 

Scenic Hills Cruise Point of Contact:  Burma Hyde

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AACOG sponsors Energy Efficient Housing Symposium for Weatherization Day

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Housing Point of Contact:  Rose Jackson

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Residents Rights Week

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Throughout the country, long-term care residents, family members, ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff, and others will honor the individual rights of long-term care residents by celebrating Residents’ Rights Week October 2-8, 2005. National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Week highlights the importance of resident-directed care for the 2.7 million individuals living in the 62,000 nursing homes, assisted living, and board and care homes across the country.

“This year’s theme, Together We Can… Achieve Resident-Directed Care, again emphasizes the fundamental rights of all long-term residents to be treated with dignity and respect and to maintain quality of life,” said Alice H. Hedt, Executive Director of NCCNHR. “Members of the long-term care community nationwide will commemorate the week by holding special events that emphasize the residents’ right to self-determination, autonomy, dignity, and quality care.”

“Residents’ Rights Week is an excellent opportunity to re-affirm our collective commitment to residents’ rights and to honor long-term care residents. We strongly encourage the community to participate in Residents’ Rights Week activities and to visit residents who continue to be important to our communities and society,” Hedt said.

For more information and materials on Residents Rights Week, including how to get a copy of the poster and the 2005 Residents' Rights Week packet, visit www.nursinghomeaction.org or www.ltcombudsman.org.
 

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On January 1, 2006 Medicare’s new prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) will begin. All people receiving Medicare Part A or B will be able to sign up for a prescription drug plan.  There will be several plans to choose from.  People with limited income and assets will receive “extra help” paying for the plan premiums. On November 15, 2005, enrollment begins for the drug plans.  Drug plans will be able to begin marketing on October 1, 2005.  People are able to apply for the “extra help” now.

The Alamo Area Council of Governments' Bexar Area Agency on Aging will be giving talks about the new prescription drug benefit at San Antonio libraries.  These talks will explain the following: what the benefit is, what plans are available, how to get the “extra help” and what choices are available if you already have prescription coverage through a Medicare HMO or employee retirement.

For more information please contact Dana Long of the Bexar Area Agency on Aging at (210) 362-5307 or dlong@aacog.com.  Click here to view the AACOG Community Calendar of Events, which lists all of the Medicare Part D presentations being given in October in Bexar County and the Alamo Region.
 

Library Presentations Point of Contact: Dana Long

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Newsletter and calendar submissions are encouraged.  Please submit any newsletter ideas to mail@aacog.com.  Some publication links were created as PDF files. If you do not have the most current version, you may access your free version here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.