RB Neighborhood Watch and Emergency Preparedness are pleased to present their Spring Seminar 2001 on Wednesday, April 4 at 8:45 a.m. in the Community Room of the RB Library. Guest speakers will be Brian Maienschein, our new Councilmember, and Garrett Dettling from Aging and Independence Services which provides the "Vial of Life," Postal Alert, Are You O.K?, Gatekeeper, and Safe Return.

Brian Maienschein was overwhelmingly elected last November to represent the San Diego City Council's Fifth District, which includes Rancho Bernardo. As a City Councilman, Brian is using his private sector expertise as a successful business attorney to reform local government by instilling more fiscal responsibility and greater accountability at City Hall. As an I-15 resident, Brian has experienced first hand the effects of poor transportation and land use planning; his "neighborhoods first" approach at City Hall is leading the charge to address issues important to our families like reducing I-15 congestion and completing Route 56. He also pledged to see that Rancho Bernardo gets its Dog Park.

Brian will speak on specific Rancho Bernardo issues and give an overview of his first 100 days in office. Be sure to bring your questions to Brian on April 4.

What is this "Vial of Life" that we have been hearing so much about? Garrett Dettling, with the Health and Human Service Agency of the A.I.S. (Aging and Independence Services) will tell us all about it. He will also distribute Vials of Life to the audience April 4.

The "Vial of Life" is for older adults and the disabled. This is a small, magnetic plastic box to be placed on the refrigerator door and includes medical history, medications and other health-related conditions. This Vial will save precious time if paramedics are called in. He will explain how the paramedics know if someone has this "Vial."

Project CARE is one of the important partnerships provided by Aging & Independence Services. It recognizes that what older and disabled adults value most of all is their independence. And its Action Plan includes: letter carriers trained to keep a watchful eye on mailboxes of the elderly; a daily computer telephone service to elderly individuals; meter readers, refuse collectors and account representatives who have been trained to recognize problems; minor home repair volunteers; and Safe Return (a nationwide ID system) that helps locate, identify and safely return those who wander and become lost.

Share your thoughts and questions with Brian Maienschein and Garrett Dettling on Wednesday morning, April 4 at 8:45 a.m. to noon in the 2^nd floor Community Room at the RB Library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. A good turnout is necessary if we are to continue these important and informative Seminars. Come and bring a friend - or two.

Courtesy RB NEWSJournal
March 22, 2001