Homeland Security USA

If you have been so focused on inauguration the past few weeks, you may have missed ABC's newest show,

Homeland Security USA

Is this show any different from something you would see on TruTV?

Should the shows on TruTV be allowed, as it may "give anybody any ideas" as steford said on one of the message boards? Could the same not be said for video games, cable tv, and movies?

While the quality of the show is not what one may expect from a major network, the content provides a public understanding of a "day in the life" of someone working at DHS.

After all, it is about Neighbors Helping Neighbors. And Homeland Security USA helps us understand the jobs are neighbors in our community are doing to help protect us.

Please note, Homeland Security USA should not be consfused with D.H.S. The Series.

Volunteer Recognition - Can't Purchase This SIGNED Item In Stores

Are you looking for a unique way to recognize your volunteers?

Consider purchasing the

Barack Obama Inauguration Waterford Crystal Paperweight.

Available in dome (as pictured).

This item is not available on the Waterford website. Only a limited number of this item are being produced and have been shipped directly from Ireland.

This item is signed by Jim O'Leary, Waterford Design Director.

Jim began his four-decade career at Waterford Crystal as a cutter and rapidly attained Master Craftsman status. After a five-year stint in the Design Studio, he ascended to his current position as its director. Jim retains the skilled craftsman's dedication to the crystal arts, from blowing and cutting to sculpting and polishing.

Only a limited number of signed items are available.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.

For additional information, including pricing, please email neighborshelpingneighbors@live.com

What a great way to recognize your volunteers...

and have a piece of history!!!

Are you ready for Digital TV?

All this week, local major networks will be testing the digital conversion across the United States.

If you are not sure if your televisions will work after the conversion, this week is the test.

Check with your local stations to find out the exact date and times of the test. During this time (anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes), those stations will not be broadcasting in analog.



As a reminder the transition takes place in February 2009, just a few months away.

Other Volunteer Groups Across the National Prepare for Gustav - Other Model Programs

The following article was submitted to the CERT Yahoo group by Jerry Reimer and submitted to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors blog by Ric Skinner - "... Some models here for other CERTs to emulate."

Late Friday afternoon, this message went to all Harris County (TX) Citizen Corps members regarding possible CERT use for evacuation assistance.

Since it's inception in 2001, until recently, Mark Sloan was the Citizen Corps coordinator; now the county's emergency management coordinator. For his efforts sheltering Hurricane Katrina evacuees, he was named ABC News' "Person of the Week" for September 9 2005

Jerry Reimer
Harris County TX CERT

Subject: Harris County Citizen Corps: GUSTAV Update Date: Fri, 29 Aug2008

Harris County Citizen Corps Volunteers: If the storm begins to approach our portion of the Texas Gulf coast, we will need volunteers to support evacuation activities this weekend.

If this is necessary, you will receive an e-mail indicating times and location. Additionally, we will active the emergency / disaster button on the homepage of the website where volunteer information will be posted. Also please monitor the http://www.hcoem.org/ website for periodic updates on the storm.

Enjoy the long weekend and again thank you for making our region safer and better prepared!

Mark Sloan Coordinator
Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management 713-755-4077 http://www.harriscountycitizencorps.com/

Harris County is located in Texas, within the Houston-SugarLand-Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 3,400,578 (a 2007 estimate placed the population at 3,935,855), making it the most populous county in Texas and the third most populous county in the United States. Its county seat is Houston.