Part Two: Jacksonville Public Safety Citizen's Academy

A couple of random thoughts from the 12th:

**Police and Firemen hate speed bumps  (especially Firemen who say speed bumps wreck the suspension on fire trucks)

**Officer D. S. says Jacksonville will never have red light cameras.  They cause more accidents than they're worth!  Yay!

**The police officers appreciate the cameras on their cars.  They don't want to have body cameras.  They realize they can be helpful in some situations, but they don't want the responsibility of knowing when to turn a body camera on, and when not to.  Do you turn the body camera on when you arrive to a scene?  Will you remember to turn it off if not necessary?  (Imagine someone getting CPR and are half naked because of it.  And, if they forget to turn the camera off if they use the bathroom,  well.... All that "data" has to be stored for at least 30 days, and storage becomes very expensive.  He said the City of Charlotte paid out millions of dollars on storage of camera data)


April 19th

     Tonight was the Fire Department's night to share with us.  There was just four of us again, but a different four than last week.  Tonight was three men.  and Me. 

    The Assistant Fire Marshall showed us a Power Point that showed us the hierarchy of leadership within the Fire Department.  I didn't understand this before, but the Police Chief is the Director of the entire Public Safety Department of the city, with the Fire Chief and others below that.

     He told us that the city of Jacksonville, and Camp Lejeune have a mutual agreement when it comes to fires (also with the police, but I forgot to write that before)  Camp Lejeune fire personnel will act when needed outside Camp Lejeune, and vice versa. 

     He talked about Fire Prevention, fire statistics for Jacksonville, when and where the most fires happen and why.  (Cooking is the most common cause of fires!) He gave us a little lesson on finding the cause of a fire. He showed us photos he had of fires he has investigated and explained what they look for to determine where a fire started and the cause.

     My apartment has fire sprinklers, so I asked him if they had to be tested or examined periodically.  He assured me that they are required to be inspected once a year and that the Fire Department will check to see that it's been done.   One of the men in our group is a former Marine and told us he was at the Pentagon on 9/11 and brought up how fire sprinklers don't do anything in certain types of fires, for instance an explosion or impact like on 9/11.  The sprinklers failed due to the impact, but the water from them just spread the jet fuel around and created more damage. 

     There was a lot more information shared but I can't possibly write it all out!  We ended the night with a demonstration on using a fire extinguisher.

      The department has a new toy, and the Assistant Fire Marshall was anxious to show it to us.  They have an actual 5lb fire extinguisher fitted with a laser, (much like the police department has for training) and a screen that can show different levels of fires.  When the laser on the extinguisher  is aimed at the screen, it will put out the fire that shows on the screen.  He asked the four of us if we wanted to try it out.  All three men said no.  He looked right at me and said, "Come on!  You got to try it!"  So, shy me went up front and held the fire extinguisher.  He "started a fire" on the screen, and I had to pull the pin, grab the hose on the extinguisher and walk toward the "fire" using the laser to put out the fire.  I have never had to use a fire extinguisher, but now I kind of know what it feels like!  This fire department "toy" even makes the sound of an extinguisher!

     Next Thursday is Elaina's birthday, so I will miss that week.  That will be another Police Department week.   I hope to go back on May third, which will be another Fire Department week.  Then there's only one more after that.

     I may have said it before but if your city has a program like this, I highly recommend going!

Jacksonville Public Safety Citizens Academy

I was accepted to participate in the Jacksonville Public Safety Citizens Academy and tonight was my first night.  This class lasts for 6 weeks, from 5:30 until 7 pm each Thursday.  I will probably write a little about each night as a reminder to myself of what I'm learning.  The Jacksonville Public Safety building houses both the police department and the fire department offices, along with traffic and communications.

April 5th
    There's only 8 of us here for the class.  We were introduced to the program by the chief of police, a police sergeant, and the assistant Fire Chief.  We were taken to the traffic department first where we saw all the traffic cameras on the major intersections around the city and how they control traffic problems that come up.  This was an entire huge wall of live video. Amazing to see your city from this perspective.  We were reminded that these cameras are not used for law enforcement purposes, but only to help traffic flow.

     We heard from the communications director about the 911 system and the new technology coming in the next year or so.  Some phone carriers are using text 911, but many are not using it yet.  Eventually skype to 911 will be available.  In the near future land lines will be obsolete as systems improve.

     Fire Station One is connected to the public safety building, so we were shown around the living quarters and kitchen area for the firefighters. It was fascinating to hear that they have a device on the front of each truck that can start the light cycle changing before they get to a light, so that they can have green as they get closer to the intersection.  Not foolproof of course, but definitely helpful.  Fire departments have to be certified and have to comply with certain response times to be certified, and this system helps them stay in compliance.


April 12th

    Only 4 of us tonight.  Tonight we were taken to a training "studio" where a computer program called "Prism" is used as a training simulator.  They have laser equipment (9mm gun fitted with laser) to give them the opportunity to face real life scenarios and practice what their actions should be.  The trainer runs the scenario on the full screen and the trainee reacts to the individual scenes as he/she is trained using the laser equipment.  The program has approximately 4000 different scenarios that can be used.  Tonight we saw
 1. Active shooter in a hallway, with bodies on the ground.  The officer has to act according to what he is seeing and within a few seconds.  In this case the officer kills the shooter who is aiming at him with a rifle.
2.  Officer is checking business doors to check for security and finds someone in the building who doesn't belong there.  The man moves forward toward the officer with a knife in his hand and the officer has to react to protect himself by stopping the offender. 
3.  A  couple arguing at a picnic table in the park. The woman is swinging a baseball bat around. When she is told to put the bat down, she turns around and is hugely pregnant.  He kind of left us hanging on that one, saying no one wants to shoot a pregnant woman.  Talking down a situation is an art and they need the "gift of gab." 
4. An officer doing a welfare check on a woman in her home. The officer has no idea who is in the house or if there is a danger.  The woman pulls out a knife to kill herself and the officer has to talk her down and still check the house for other danger.

In each situation, the trainer is able to tell the trainee how long it takes them to react (within split seconds) and exactly where their bullet hit to take down the bad guy.  The Sergeant who is with us each night takes the time to answer all of our questions.  In each case where the officer's or other lives are in danger, they shoot to kill.  I asked that question: Is it always shoot to kill?  The Sergeant's answer was, If I need to stop the danger to myself and others, I will do what I know will stop them.  Shooting an arm or a leg or shooting the weapon out of their hand is no guarantee that they will be stopped. There's your answer.

Here's a link to a Youtube video of a similar product:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCY93NBKpHU

The sergeant told us that police like law abiding citizens that have concealed carry permits (which we do in this state).  He explained how this can be a way of protecting yourself and family (self-defense) but also explained how it should not be used.   I asked for clarification on that because at first they were describing using your gun and causing a problem.  So, why have concealed carry?   For example, if you're in Walmart and there's an active shooter, you do what you need to do to get you and your family to safety.  If you have to defend yourself in that process, so be it.  BUT, after getting your family to safety, Don't go back in with your gun drawn.  Then you become part of the problem, when law enforcement gets there and don't know who is who.

http://www.ncdoj.gov/getdoc/19be6294-bfbf-4875-bbef-ac2ebb6f47b2/2-6-3-6-3-Concealed-Weapon-Reciprocity.aspx

It was a very enlightening night.  I had a respect and admiration for police officers before this, but it has grown immensely.

Well, that's just the first two weeks.  Other nights will concentrate on the Fire Department as well.  As I'm still a new North Carolinian, I have questions about Volunteer Fire Departments!

Relief and Appointment and Retirement

Yesterday I went to an event at New River Air Station that Elaina invited me to. I've been to the squadron hanger before, and met some of "her" Marines but this time was different.  This event was called Relief and Appointment and  Retirement.

Chairs were set up at one end of the hanger for family members, guests and the Marines of  the squadron.  A CH53 helicoptor was parked in the middle of the open hanger door, looking like a giant metal grasshopper.

Elaina's SgtMaj for the past 18 months retired after 25 years in the Marine Corps.  and was relinquishing his duty to his replacement. The Marine Corps makes a big deal out of this kind of thing.  There was an impressive display of Marine Corps traditions, (They have a tradition for everything) the Second Marine Aircraft band played and speeches by current CO, and former CO of the retiring SgtMaj  acknowledging his 25 years of selfless service and dedication to the country and the Marine Corps. Happy to say this retiring, dedicated Marine began his speech by thanking his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, saying none of "this would be possible without Him."  He thanked the Marines, and his family for their sacrifice.

The incoming SgtMaj gave a short speech as well and just as impressive. She is going to be a force to reckon with, I'm sure. Tiny but mighty, I think.   

The band played the National Anthem, Marine Corps Hymn and Anchors Away.

The hour long ceremony was quite impressive and I feel honored to have been able to be there.  Brings out extra patriotism at an event like this.  As they say in the Marine Corps, "Fair Winds and Following Seas..."  SgtMaj.

The Year We Really had SNOW!

As most of you know by now, we had a real snow storm this year!  Last year we had a dusting of snow, but this year we had 3-4 inches in my part of the area.  Other towns around us had as much as 7 inches this year.

Eastern North Carolina was basically "closed" over this time, mainly because we just aren't prepared for this kind of snow coverage.  The temperatures stayed below freezing for days on end, so the snow had no where to go and just became ice on the roadways.  Snow plows were able to work on the main roads, but, Eastern North Carolina is made up of lots and lots of side roads and country roads that didn't get plowed.  The Onslow County Sheriffs and Jacksonville Police were kept very busy with accidents all over the area due to icy conditions.  Businesses were closed, schools were closed.  The Marine bases were closed except for those who were necessary.  Even after the snow started melting in morning sun, the temps went back below freezing during the day.

The local news stations ran photos and videos of people enjoying the snow by sledding and building snowmen/women. In some cases kayaks were used for sledding since sleds were hard to come by around here. Where there's a will, there's a way!  Kids were having a ball, and parents moaning about another day of no school!  

Here's a few photos I took around my apartment building and my balcony.  I was seriously starting to feel cabin fever!  

On my balcony. I don't have any plants out there yet. 
I guess it's a good thing.

Two stray black cats wandered all over for days. 
Can't believe they are still alive.

Front of the apartment building

Looking out from front door of lobby to driveway

Empty field and street across from my buildiing

My little Honda freezing day 3 or 4. 
I went out to start it and it started right up.

Apt. Building "backyard" gazebo and garden area

The pretty sky and loblolly pines, my first day out to walk.

It's been an interesting winter for this former So. California girl.  I hope you all have a safe and happy rest of winter.

Longbourne Apartments

My new apartment home is in a building for seniors, 55 and older.

The Longbourne Apartments are part of East Carolina Community Development, a Non-profit association.  There are only 44 units in this building.  We have a community garden (weeds at this time of year), with a barbecue, community room, exercise equipment and I noticed today there is a shuffleboard court.  To get into the building, you have to enter a code, which helps me feel very safe here.

Everyone I have met, has told me the same thing, “We’re like family here, and we look out for each other.”  They have made me feel welcome.

I’m finding out just how much like a family, it is.  The manager is very nice and her own mother had been living here and recently moved to another senior apartment in a nearby town.

Late last week we were all asked to meet in the community room because Terri, (manager) wanted everyone to know her mom has just been hospitalized with leukemia.  Everyone was very sad to hear the news. They all miss her and are sorry that she moved.  There were many tears all around the room with everyone helping Terri get through her announcement.  Prognosis is not good by the way.

I know I’ve written this before, but there are a lot of Christians here in this area and prayer and comments about “The Lord” are common anywhere you go.  (Elaina: Mom, this is the South!) This morning in the meeting, prayer broke out loud and clear for Terri’s mom, thanks to the black ladies in the group of residents.  If you’ve never sat through a prayer meeting, or church time with gospel-loving black people, it’s an experience you should have at least once.  Everyone else was praying too, and encouraging Terri through her tears. 

Being the new person, I’m still getting to know people but I have been made to feel very welcome.  I met my next door neighbor this morning; a man named Ulysses.  He told me to come over sometime for a glass of wine!  (I know my sisters and my kids will want to get lot of teasing mileage out of that!  Don't do it!)  

I’m probably better off health-wise than 75 percent of the residents. Hope that fact continues!

Little did I know, when I applied here that this would be the kind of home for me that it is.  I asked the Lord to provide me a home where I can be content for as long as I need to.  I think I’ve found it!

December 13,2017

I haven’t written a blog post in a long time.  I was getting ready to move into my apartment.  Packing up my bedroom for the third time in two years was hard!  Most of my household stuff was already packed and in the garage since my move from California.  I had been through some of my boxes in the garage and taken a bunch of stuff to a thrift store, but there was still a LOT of stuff.  My household had been in storage since about 2006, but I had also accumulated MORE stuff during my years living at my mom’s house.

November 13, 2017, I paid rent and got my key to my apartment, which I had never even seen before.  I had seen a similar one, but not THIS one.  Elaina and I packed both of our cars and took what we could to the apartment.  The management has a nice big flatbed dolly that we used to load up.  The best part?  There’s an elevator to the second floor, where my apartment is.  The flatbed dolly, just fits in there with two people!

On November 18, I had three Marines, (two male and one female) and the families of two of them load up a U-Haul and their pickup trucks with all my stuff and take it to the apartment.  They were done in two and half hours!  These Marines and families are friends of my daughter, or actually in her squadron.  The deal was that I would pay them each $50 for their help, but all three turned it down!  They love their Family Readiness Officer (Elaina) and just wanted to help.

You should have seen this tiny apartment with 50 boxes of household items sitting in the middle of the room with furniture all around the edges.  It took me over a week, but I went through each box one at a time and pulled out more stuff to give to a ministry called Philippians Place and put things away in the apartment. I think I am pretty well settled and feeling very content.

This apartment community is a great place and I am in awe of what God is doing with me, and my new home.  I will have a second post soon explaining why this is such a neat place for me to live.

You Know You Live in a Military Town When....

We live in Jacksonville, home of Camp Lejeune, New River Air Station, and Camp Johnson.

We live in a subdivision called Sterling Farms.  The homeowners and renters of Sterling Farms have a private Facebook group that we are members of.  (All the street names of Sterling Farms have to do with gems, or precious metals, like Emerald Ridge, Silver Hills, Turquoise, Opal, Moonstone, etc. )

Now, believe me, not everything that happens on the Facebook page is positive, because people are people. However, last week a homeowner posted a request that she was a little afraid to ask, but did anyway.  She and her Marine husband have a baby boy.  Dad will be going away from home soon and was feeling bad that he won't be here for his son's first Halloween Trick or Treating.

She asked if anyone would be willing to let him and their son come "Trick or Treating" early, so he could experience it with his son.  So many people agreed to have them come to their house, that the wife gave out white balloons to put on our mailboxes to show that we were participating and they could find us.  We were excited to participate in this sweet idea for a new Marine dad.   

It was planned to happen between 5-7 p.m. on Saturday and when they hadn't come by at 7, we were disappointed, thinking they weren't coming, but our doorbell rang closer to 7:30 and there they were:  Mom, Dad, and little 9 month old baby boy in his pumpkin costume!  Elaina tossed candy in their bag and we chatted a few minutes before they headed for home.  So glad we didn't miss them!

Sweet little family so grateful for a neighborhood that agreed to let them come out.  They told me they gave up on pushing the stroller around because so many people wanted to participate, that they had to get in their car and drive to the streets where people had agreed to participate.  

Such a small thing, but these new parents have a memory to add to their baby's baby book! We would do it again or anything similar if asked.

It doesn't take much to do something nice for someone else, whether you know them or not!

September 2017

I had a busy day today doing different things.  This morning a friend called and asked if we could meet somewhere to just chat.  We met at Duck Donuts where you can get a freshly made warm donut with your choice of glazes. I had a blueberry donut with blackberry glaze.  Too good.  They are famous for donuts all along the east coast.  
                          https://www.duckdonuts.com/menu/

The weather has cooled down a lot, (80 and sunny) so when I got home I felt like getting into the garage and going through some of my boxes.  I love BOOKS.  I have multiple boxes of books. (I mean multiple!) I pared down by emptying two small boxes by sorting some for the thrift store, and some to take to Second and Charles (Where they will give me store credit to buy more books!  Goody!)

                                               http://2ndandcharles.com/

As we have been preparing for Hurricane Irma, we cleaned some things out of the freezer.  I found a container of pumpkin so this afternoon I made a pumpkin bread.  We have been running the icemaker and packing ice into gallon ziplock bags to keep the freezer cold longer in case of power outage.

About that Hurricane.  Irma has been the talk for more than a week and "she" has been fooling the meteorologists as to where she will go.  At one time we thought we would have to evacuate.  Then the supposed track changed and we were left with "Where would we go to get away?"  Now today they are more aware of where she will go.  We won't get a direct hit, but we will have the wind and rain that goes along.  

We are stocked up with water, water, and more water in case we need it during the storm. We have plenty of canned food items in case we lose power and the refrig. food goes bad.  There's one more Hurricane (Jose) behind this one, so who knows what comes next.

I haven't written this in my blog yet, but, guess what?  I'm moving to an apartment on November 13th.  I'm very excited.  I applied in May and was told it could be 6 months before one would be available.  I paid a deposit in August (3 months) and it's available in November (6 months later), so I'm glad I didn't have to wait any longer.  I think I have it figured that I haven't lived alone in 11 years.  Not sure I know how!  This is the reason for going through my boxes in the garage. No sense in moving stuff I no longer care about.  I have plenty more boxes to go through before November.  

Second balcony from left will be mine

Longbourne Apartments

The apartment is one bedroom, in a senior housing building. There are only 24 units in the building.  It's on the second floor (there's an elevator) and I will have a small balcony where I can have a patio table and chair and look out at the thousands of trees across the way.  The apartment is quite large as one bedroom apartments go.  I'm told that the church will help me move, so I'm counting on that!  I will get serious about more packing in October.  This will be the third move since late 2015. I'm ready to settle!

I still volunteer with the USO, but have also signed up to volunteer with the Women's Shelter here in Jacksonville.  They have training in October, so I won't be able to help until after the training.  They have a thrift store (Yay!) so maybe I will work there when I go.

Well that's how September is starting out. Life Group starts this month after being off for the summer. I think Autumn is here, regardless of the calendar date.

A Nice Place to Call Home

Hi Friends and Family,
I haven't written an "I'm a North Carolinian" post in a while but thought I would today.  Some things came to mind that prompted me to write.

I just have to say, I'm happy to live in the Bible Belt. It seems that it's perfectly acceptable to be a Christian and speak freely about faith.  That doesn't happen everywhere.  I know, not everyone here is a Christian, however, it seems much more acceptable to be one.

I may have said this before, but I will again!  People are free to talk about "The Lord" or "Jesus" or "God" in all kinds of settings.  For  instance, on the local news, someone being interviewed by a reporter is free to say "...She knew Jesus, so I know I'll see her again" without being cut off by the reporter.  And, the on-screen personality shares openly about their church on Facebook.

Today at Wendy's (the hamburger place) the employee clearing tables and stocking supplies, is also the greeter.  He's probably late 70s,  and his name is Wade.  Wade greets everyone with a "God bless you, and welcome."  He greets all his regulars with a fist bump and "God bless you, I love you. Thanks for your business."  At my table (with a friend) he stopped to tell us the same thing.  

I've had complete strangers say similar things while just having small talk while waiting in line for something. (Well, they may not say I love  you, but you know what I mean)

I'm in a new Facebook group called "Onslow Rocks."  (Our county is Onslow).  If you haven't heard of this trend in cities around the country, the purpose is to paint little rocks, and leave them around in public places to bring a smile to someone's face when they find one.  You're welcome to keep what you find, but they also encourage you to post a picture on Facebook and tell where you found it.  Then hide it for someone else to find.  (Short explanation.  For more info, go to

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Onslowrocks/permalink/1833453993639637/   )

I have noticed a few times that when someone posts a photo of a rock they found, they will say "I've been having a really hard time, and this little rock brought a smile to my face today."  Others will comment, "Praying for you today, that things will get better..."  Etc. This is not a religious, or Christian Facebook group.  Just a local group of people who care about other people.

With so much bad stuff that happens in the world, I really enjoy seeing and hearing this kind of stuff right here where I live.  I wish for more of this everywhere.  I know, it may seem insignificant, but it does make for a nicer place to live.

You might check your own towns or counties to see if you have a "this place Rocks" group.  It's kind of fun to see what people come up with. 

On another note, I'm old and I have trouble with the soda machines in fast food restaurants.  Today, I had my cup under the spigot waiting for the drink to flow and the man behind me had to tell me, "You have to mash this button first."  So if you're ever in North Carolina and someone tells you to "mash" something, they're just telling you to push it.  😉

Summer Update

I haven't written in a while simply because not much is happening in my life.  I'm still in a Life Group, I still volunteer with the USO and I still live with Elaina.  Summer has been hot, humid and thurnderstormy!

I do have exciting news to share regarding Elaina!  On June 9, 2017, she published a novel on Amazon Digital Services LLC  called, Chasing Hope, A Story about Finding Family. 

Paperback book cover

In the first few days there were over 900 downloads of her novel. As a marketing plan, these downloads were free, with the idea that good reviews would come from those downloads. She currently has 16 great reviews on Amazon and a few more on Good Reads.  It's listed in the category of Women's Fiction and Romance.  If you like uplifting stories with substance and heart, you will enjoy her novel!

There have been many more downloads of the Kindle version and also paperbacks that have been sold.  We are hoping for an increase in sales as time goes by.  She is currently working on another novel that will include characters from the first one.  Her "fans" have asked for more!

Here's a link to her author page on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Elaina-Avalos/e/B071WZP392/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0


And a link to her Amazon reviews:  

https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Hope-Story-Finding-Family-ebook/dp/B071GF5WBD/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

And Good Reads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35404073-chasing-hope?from_search=true

I am extremely proud of her for using her God-given gift of writing.  I know God smiles every time she writes a new sentence. 


That's it for now, until I have more to say!  (I've lived here for over a year and a half now, so I'm practically a native! 😉)