United Way Supports Education for the 2010 Campaign Kickoff

John Erskine, chairman of Racine Federated and 2010 United Way Campaign Chair, invites you, your friends and neighbors to the 2010 Campaign Kickoff on Tuesday, August 31 at noon. 

The 2010 Campaign Kickoff is being held at Starbuck Middle School (1516 Ohio Street in Racine) and all attendees are asked to bring a school supply donation. United Way will be highlighting its support for a quality education at this event.

The school supply sculpture competition begins at 11 a.m. with teams competing to create table-top sculptures out of donated school supplies. Prospective teams may view details and register online at www.unitedwayracine.org. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team as determined by celebrity judges and a people’s choice winner.

The lunch will feature keynote speaker, Bill Van Atta, President of the Racine Unified School District Board of Education. John Erskine will announce the 2010 Campaign Goal. Remarks will also be made by Dave Maurer, United Way President; Francisco Sanchez, JP Morgan Chase Bank Vice President and United Way Board Chair; Dr. James Shaw, Racine Unified School District Superintendent and United Way board member; and Sandra Brand, Starbuck Middle School Principal.

The 2010 campaign will run through the end of November with more than 300 businesses and 10,000 individuals expected to participate. For more information, contact Mike Pilger, Vice President of Marketing and Resource Development, at 262-898-2249 or mpilger@unitedwayracine.org.

About United Way of Racine County
United Way of Racine County advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health; the building blocks for a good life. We not only fund more than 70 programs and special projects, but also initiate and facilitate systems-wide initiatives to create long-lasting change. We work in partnership with other individuals and organizations from all across the community who bring the passion, resources and expertise to address our community’s most critical issues. For more information visit www.unitedwayracine.org or call 262-898-2240.

New electronics recycling law begins Sept. 1

Starting Wednesday, September 1, City of Racine residents will be required by law to keep certain electronic devices out of the landfill by disposing of them at qualified sites and not as a part of regular or recyclables collection.

Electronic devices affected by the new law include:

·         Desktop/laptop/portable computers

·         Computer components including monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, scanners, flash drives and hard drives

·         Televisions, DVD, VCR and other video players

·         Gaming controls and devices

·         Printer/copier/fax machines

·         Cellular phones and handheld devices

The City of Racine Department of Public Works will be hosting a one time free drop-off and disposal of these items on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 9am until noon at the City Hall Annex Parking Lot by 800 Center St.  Residents of the city will be required to show proof of residency (driver’s license or current utility bill).  Commercial or business drop-offs are not included in this offer.

Residents may contact local electronic retailers for their current disposal rate or drop-off electronic devices at the Department of Public Works Pearl Street Facility for a small fee.  Pearl Street is open every Saturday from mid-April to mid-November.  For more information call 636-9126.

Volunteer Opportunities: Gardeners, tax-preparers and senior companions needed

TAX-AIDE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The AARP Tax-Aide program is looking for volunteers to help seniors of moderate to low income with the filing of their income taxes.  Registration starts in September.  Training is provided in January which leads to certification as a Tax-Aide. Time commitment is four hours of counseling per week during February, March and April.

COMMUNITY CENTERS SET TO PROVIDE JOB LABS

The Tyler-Domer, Dr. John Bryant, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Centers will transform their Computer Labs into Job Labs three times a week to help community members looking for employment.  Volunteers are needed to assist members with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, job searches, online applications, and a wide range of other employment-related activities.

ENRICH SOMEONE’S LIFE  

Ridgewood Care Center, 3205 Wood Road, needs volunteers to assist during weekly arts and craft sessions or to simply spend time reading to residents who are unable to communicate or are sight impaired. 

ASSIST STAFF, ADOPT-A-RESIDENT AT LAKESHORE MANOR

Lakeshore Manor, Wisconsin Avenue site, needs volunteers to assist the staff during group activities and/or interacting with residents in a one-to-one “Adopt-A-Resident” program.

GIFT SHOP ATTENDANTS

Wheaton Franciscan/All Saints’ gift shops on Spring Street and Wisconsin Avenue are open every day as a patient and visitor service.  Volunteers are needed to assist in all the duties entailed in running a retail business in these lovely shops.  Regular and sub shifts are open at each site including weekends.

GREEN THUMB VOLUNTEER

Lakeshore Manor, Wisconsin Avenue site, is in need of a volunteer with gardening (raising plants, growing herbs, etc.) experience for their stand-up garden.

If you are interested in any of the listed volunteer opportunities or others on file at the Volunteer Center of Racine County, call 262-886-9612 or toll free (Racine County only) at 1-800-201-9490 or email us at volunteer@volunteercenterofracine.org or visit our web site at www.volunteercenterofracine.org.  Office hours are weekday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 6216 Washington Avenue, Suite G.

Unlicensed or Unvaccinated Animals are a Public Health Problem

Good public health practice requires that all domesticated animals (dogs, cats, ferrets and potbellied pigs) are licensed by five months of age and vaccinated against rabies. Compliance with the rabies vaccination requirement helps bite victims avoid a series of injections and costly animal quarantine fees. Licensing helps identify an animal if a pet is lost and supports animal control services provided by Countryside Humane Society.

In order to increase the number of pets that are licensed, the City of Racine Environmental Health Division sent out over 2,000 letters to pet owners who have not yet licensed their animals this year. “Responsible pet owners license all of their licensable animals,” said Marcia Fernholz, Director of the Environmental Health Division of the City of Racine Health Department.

"An unlicensed or unvaccinated animal is a public health concern. Vaccinating an animal and buying a license is a cost-effective way to protect not only the animal's health, but the community as well," said Fernholz.

The deadline for obtaining animal licenses is January 31st as mandated under local ordinances. "Pet owners who have not licensed their animals yet this year may be subject to penalties," said Fernholz. Pet owners who apply for a license now will not have to pay a penalty except the late fee.

Chapter 10 of the City of Racine Municipal Code requires domesticated animals to be vaccinated and licensed (dogs, cats, ferrets and potbellied pigs). A current rabies vaccination certificate and payment is required before a license may be issued. All animal licenses are good for the calendar year and expire on December 31st. A license for a neutered animal is $10.00 (senior citizens, 65 years and older, may purchase a license for $5.00 – neutered only).

A license for a non-neutered animal is $35. After January 31st of each year a late fee of $10 per animal is assessed. A pet owner has 30 days after obtaining a new animal to purchase a license for it.

Pet fanciers permits are required if you live in a single family home and have more than three animals. The maximum limit of animals is seven if you live in a single family home and meet all criteria.

All cats are required to be vaccinated and licensed. In addition, cats are not allowed to roam neighborhoods freely and must be kept indoors or placed on a leash.

Licenses may be obtained at the Environmental Health Division office, Room 1, City Hall. City Hall is located at 730 Washington Avenue. A license may also be obtained by mailing a current rabies vaccination certificate, proper payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Environmental Health Division, Room 1 City Hall, 730 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. Your license and proof of vaccination will be mailed to you. Applications are available at City Hall, Room 1 or on-line at www.cityofracine.org (animal application). For more information, contact Environmental Health at 636-9203.

Racine's Jane Cremer Foundation Elects New Board Members

At the July 22 meeting of the Jane Cremer Foundation Board of Directors, new directors were selected to serve three-year terms.

They are Lydia Chairez, commercial deposit services project manager with the Johnson Financial Group; Chris Olson, RN,MSN, FACHE, vice president and chief administrative officer for the Aurora Medical Center, Kenosha; and Kristin Schroeder,  business consultant with the Racine County Workforce Development Center.

Leaving the board following their terms of service are A. J. Capelli, M.D., Terrie Garcia, Marlene Haigh, Jerry Hardacre, M.D., Michele Randall and Christine Rogan.

The mission of the Jane Cremer Foundation is to educate and empower women to be proactive in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Urban League offers prep classes for skilled trades' math tests

The Urban League of Racine & Kenosha holds daily prep courses for people applying to get into the skilled trades. 

People hoping to take part in programs like the First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship program are required to pass a basic math test before entering the program. The Urban League's ongoing classes helps adults acquire the minimum 10th-grade level math skills needed to pass the Test of Adult Basic Education, or TABE, required for positions in the building and road construction trades.

Participants will be admitted to Math Refresher program in groups of 10 upon completion of program application and intake process. Successful completion of all program requirements will be accomplished before participants receive a certificate of completion. 

Class run Monday through Friday from 8am to noon.

The Math Refresher program has four components:

1. An orientation process to assess placement in the program;
2. MECA sof tware and activity packets for Construction Technology, Building Maintenance, Heating Ventalation & Air Conditioning;
3. A Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program Study Guide and Workbook.
4. On-line modular TABE test prep using the internet and computer lab.

A valuable Certificate of Completion will be awarded to individuals who complete all four program requirements.

The program is paid for by the City of Racine.

For more information, contact Janet Green at (262) 898-9069.

Theatre Guild's 'Acting Adventures' class has openings

Space is still available in next week's "Acting Adventures" class at the Racine Theatre Guild. 

Students entering grades 3-5 will enjoy creating diverse characters and scenes as they dive into theatre games and improvisation. The class meets Monday through Friday, August 2-6, from 9 a.m. to noon. The instructor is Jenny Kostreva, Education Director, Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Tuition $90 ($80 family discount). 

Call 262-633-4218 to register.