Ohio

Code Red

I got an automated call at 10:30 pm last night. Code Red was the caller ID name. The call was from a local police department with information about a girl who was missing just a few blocks from my home. The call had all the pertinent information . . .

Maya Fleckenstein

Maya Fleckenstein
Black hair
brown eyes
Wearing a blue tee shirt, blue jeans and orange shoes
Last seen at 10:00 pm ET
Corner of West 130 St and Sprague Rd in Cleveland, Ohio
If seen, call Parma, Ohio Police at 440-885-1234

The message asked me to check my yard. We have no streetlights, so it was very dark. I turned on the outside lights and looked around. I noticed there were other lights on down the street. I wondered how many of them were checking for Maya, too.

I watched the 11:00 pm local news hoping to hear that Maya had been found safe, but there was nothing. And no report this morning, either. So I did a little research this morning. I went to the Parma, Ohio Police Department website. There was no news about Maya, even though there was a section with News Releases and another with Alerts.

So, I tried WOIO‘s website, a local TV channel. I didn’t see a news story, but a search of the site found an article from January 21, 2010. There it was … Maya’s picture, a video and the story of how she walked away from her school. If this happened in January, why did I get the call in April?

Next, I called the Parma Ohio Police Department. The phone number in the message I got was the non-emergency number at the police station. The dispatcher explained to me that Maya is a problem child and has run away in the past. Last night, she was with her mother, driving to the hospital and Maya suddenly jumped out of the car. How frightening! She was found safe a short time later.

I didn’t mind that the phone rang at 10:30 pm. In fact, I feel even safer knowing that this automated system is in place. I wonder what other emergencies and disasters would be reported this way. I love technology and think this is a great use of computerized phone calls. Parma is a neighboring suburb. I hope my city has Code Red, too.

Marilyn Kvasnok

New Blog Header

Feb 25th, 2009

by Marilyn.

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I’m learning as I go. I really liked my original header (pictured here) because it was so personal. Each pic along the bottom of the header meant something special to me. But, as I learned more about blogging and studied other blogs, I decided to go with a cleaner, more sleek look in a header.

Hurricane Dolly

Jul 23rd, 2008

by Marilyn.

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I’m sitting at my computer with one eye on Fox News. It’s sunny and breezy today in northeast Ohio, but stormy and very windy along the Texas coast. They’re being pounded with winds over 100 miles per hour as Hurricane Dolly comes ashore.

I’ve been thru several hurricanes in south Florida. As a college student, it was an opportunity to party. But now, as an adult, I’m very aware of the dangers associated with a hurricane.

The important thing is to be prepared. In south Florida, we have a survival plan. We invested in hurricane shutters. We keep a battery operated lamp, radio, flashlights, plenty of batteries, a propane stove, a charged up cell phone and non-perishable food. When a hurricane is possible, we keep the car gas tank full and stock up on water.

I think it’s a good idea to have a survival plan no matter where you are. Families should have a meeting place away from the house in case they’re separated during a disaster.

It’s easy to be complacent. And we’re all busy with our day-to-day living. Everyone thinks, “It won’t happen to me.” But, sometimes bad things do happen. Having a plan gives us peace of mind.

Resources:
Family Disaster Plan
Hurricane Tracking Chart
Safety and Preparedness Fact Sheet

Marilyn Kvasnok

The Story Behind the Health Talk Today Header

Jul 15th, 2008

by Marilyn.

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The Rainbow:
Rainbows have a special meaning to my family. In 1980, Dad passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. As Mom drove home from the hospital on that dreary, rainy day, the clouds parted and the sun peeked out. Just as mom turned the last corner, a rainbow appeared over the house. She knew it was a sign from Dad. He was in heaven. Since then, we’ve been drawn to rainbows – On birthday cards, suncatchers, stationery, tee shirts and anything else we find.

The Apples:
“An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” That’s a start, but it takes so much more. I try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

The Cat:
Cookie is my cat. She’s 7 years old. We adopted her from the Animal Protective League. I love animals and so we’ve always had pets.

The Vitamins:
I used to think I ate well and didn’t need vitamins. But, the food we eat today, no matter how well we think we eat, just doesn’t have the nutrients it used to have. There’s a wide range of vitamins on the market. Most of us are familiar with the popular brands like One-A-Day and Centrum. And there are lots to choose from at the health food store. I found a brand of vitamins and supplements that are working well for me and I take them every day.

The Globe:
Thanks to the Internet, we’re truly a global community. I have friends all over the world and stay in touch with them online. I’m with an international corporation that’s based in the US. They’re now in 6 countries and expanding to 50 in the next several years.

The Cleveland Ohio Skyline:
Cleveland Ohio is my home. That’s where my parents were born, grew up, got married and started their family. That’s where I was born and lived for several years. Even though we moved to the suburbs, I consider Cleveland my home.

The Trees:
I have 5 majestic oak trees in my front yard. Trees are a symbol of life. They provide shade and filter the air. I love to listen to the birds that live in the trees and watch the squirrels that scurry all summer, gathering acorns to eat during the long, cold winter.

Marilyn Kvasnok