Paquin Tower Times

Fish oil may stall effects of junk food on brain

2013-05-14T13:27:00.003-07:00

Data from more than 180 research papers suggests fish oils could minimise the effects that junk food can have on the brain, a review by researchers at the University of Liverpool has shown.

Fish oil may stall effects of junk food on brain

Vermont House passes aid-in-dying bill

2013-05-14T13:27:00.001-07:00

The Vermont House has approved a measure that would allow doctors to provide lethal medication to terminally ill patients seeking to end their own lives.

Vermont House passes aid-in-dying bill

Stop spreading false rumors

2013-05-13T17:59:00.002-07:00

Words gets to me here in California if ya so much as breath my name around Paquin Tower folks. Don't think it doesn't for one minute. I have people there who respect unconditionally who I am and where I am today in my life. Who ever started the rumor that I want to or am thinking to move back there obviously have NO LIFE!

Seriously you no life @#$%^& can go jump out a 15th floor window for me into the Dumpsters when they are rolled out for pick up so Rino will not have to clean up the mess. Nobody except the other haters will miss you I promise. Why the @#$%^ would I want to move back into hell when I am living in paradise. Seriously. You have no clue how much I am blessed and my family as a whole is blessed.

To all the haters it will catch up to you in the long run, God will catch up to you and there will be no escape. Haters will always be hating. Sad but true.

To all the lovers you will be blessed Ten Hundred Thousand of times over.

Living back in Northern California is the best blessing I could have from God right next to my lovely and charming GF and her son.

Much Love, Honor and Respect out to the Lovers.

Nixon Moderates Stance on Ending Renters Tax Break | KOMU.com | Columbia, MO |

2013-04-13T06:53:00.001-07:00

JEFFERSON CITY - Governor Jay Nixon is moderating his support for legislation to end a tax break for low-income disabled and senior residents who live in rental housing.
Nixon released a statement Thursday urging lawmakers to pass a "comprehensive package of tax credit reforms." Nixon said he would not support a "partial reform that eliminates a single program, such as the renters' portion of the Property Tax Credit."
Legislators so far have handled the renters' tax credit repeal separately from the broader tax credit overhaul. The renters' credit repeal has passed the Senate and been endorsed by a House committee.
Nixon's proposed budget assumes lawmakers will end the renters' tax credit and redistribute the savings to be spent on existing health, mental health and social services that may benefit seniors and the disabled.

Nixon Moderates Stance on Ending Renters Tax Break | KOMU.com | Columbia, MO |

Abuse By The Disability Community

2013-04-11T17:46:00.004-07:00

The ongoing abuse by those in the Disability Community with the "Entitlement Mentality" disgusts me to no end. I am Disabled myself since birth and these "Entitlement Mentalities" make my blood just boil. I read of a case of abuse put forth upon a home broker by somebody with the "Entitlement Mentality" and it just made me cringe. Private Business Owners and Private Property Owners who do not take ANY Federal, State, County or City Tax Payer Incentives you do have YOUR RIGHTS and you MUST know, learn and stand by them in the face of ANY ABUSE from any Disabled Citizen. Abuse by the Disability Community with the "Entitlement Mentality" is just not right and I as a Disabled American Citizen since birth will stand shoulder to shoulder with ANY Private Business or Private Property Owner if need be to stand up for your rights from anybody in the Disability Community. This comes from a Disabled Citizen. Some in the Disability Community make me ashamed to be collected into the group as a whole. I have a lot of love in my heart as only God knows for my Disabled Brothers and Sisters but for those who will radically abuse the system to force abuse on others I will not claim as Disabled American Citizens. God knows my heart and even though I cast judgement here and now God knows I call it like it is. Much Love Honor & Respect to all my truly Disabled Brothers and Sisters who know we have a great blessing and knows we are NOT "Entitled" but know we are "Blessed by God". Never piss off a old Blue Dog. You will lose every single time in the long run. /rant off.

Bedbugs: Easy to attract, hard to eliminate

2013-02-11T07:22:00.001-08:00

Death, taxes ... and bedbugs? Infestations of bedbugs are on the rise in the United States and elsewhere, and while people are "bedbug magnets," the tiny pests are hard to detect, an expert says.

Bedbugs: Easy to attract, hard to eliminate

Social Security To Halt Paper Checks - Disability Scoop

2013-02-05T13:21:00.001-08:00

In just a few short weeks, the government plans to stop issuing paper checks to all Social Security beneficiaries, including people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income.
As of March 1, the federal government expects to send all payments for Social Security and other benefits electronically through direct deposit or on a debit card.
With less than a month remaining until the deadline, however, nearly 5 million Americans — including 1.2 million SSI beneficiaries — have yet to move away from paper checks, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury. Though payments are not expected to stop for those who don’t change their payment method, holdouts can expect an extra nudge soon, officials said.
“They will still get a paper check, but they will be hearing from us in a more personal way,” said Brad Benson of the Treasury Department’s Financial Management Service.

Social Security To Halt Paper Checks - Disability Scoop

Concerned Citizens For Disability Advocacy on Facebook

2013-01-30T17:57:00.005-08:00

When I first started this project I also started a group of the same name on Facebook but now I am going to UPGRADE that old group to a normal page to get more views, coverage and to reach out to more people. Groups on Facebook only go so far and with a project like this it is in need of a full blown page in the realms of social media. If you have a Facebook account I hope you join us and share your stories of experience, strength and hope.

Concerned Citizens For Disability Advocacy

Charles E Dudley Jr
Blog Owner/Admin.

Sean Spence creates disabilities advocacy group Battle with MS makes latest effort personal.

2013-01-26T06:20:00.001-08:00

As an event planner, political campaign organizer, entrepreneur and marketer, Sean Spence has put his energy into countless causes. Now he wants to mobilize Columbia's disability advocates to work together.

And this time, it's personal.

Spence, 42, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 10 years ago, recently completed a 10-day course of treatment that included a daily injection and cost a total of $62,000. The price tag was the difference between walking and using a wheelchair.

"I happen to have very good insurance," said Spence. "Not everyone does."

The recent flare-up of his MS symptoms was the catalyst for shifting his energy to create the Como Disabilities Advocacy Network, or CDAN. He has invited local disability advocates and representatives of agencies that provide services to people with disabilities to attend a Feb. 20 brainstorming session to discuss working together to achieve common goals.

Already, nearly 30 people have said they will attend the get-together from 3:30-5 p.m. that day in the conference room at The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, 2101 Vandiver Drive.

"I'm really just trying to act as a coordinator" for others who are disability advocates, said Spence, who works as director of special projects at Marathon Building Environments.

"There are a lot of people doing a lot of incredible work" in advocating for safer sidewalks, independent living, lobbying, greater compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other issues, he said.

Troy Balthazor, the ADA specialist at the Great Plains ADA Center in Columbia, is among those who support Spence's initiative.

"In the past there have been attempts at this," Balthazor said, but he said those efforts have not resulted in a long-term, cohesive network of agencies and advocates. "You don't have an umbrella group," he said.

The concept of CDAN is "absolutely" needed, he added. "It's an opportunity for groups to come together to be part of something bigger."

Balthazor said a unified voice could be more effective in working with city government to make Columbia more accessible.

"If this is something that will help us come together as an undivided group, that's a good way to go," said Leslie Anderson, program director for Services for Independent Living.

Anderson said there is a vast array of organizations that provide services and advocacy for mental illness, independent living, developmental disabilities and others.

Networking is "essential," she said, for the work that SIL and similar organizations do. She likes the idea of advocates having a unified voice.

"We haven't met yet, so it would be premature to see what the direction of this group is going to be," Anderson said.

Spence said he has no preconceived agenda or list of priorities for CDAN, but he expects there could be common ground on the issues of transportation, jobs, housing and accessibility.

"I get the impression this is something people want," Balthazor said. "We're obviously stronger when we work together."

CDAN is not a membership group or a competing entity with other disability service-oriented agencies, Spence said.

Besides joining forces to advocate for policies that will make Columbia more accessible for people with disabilities, Spence said there's also an opportunity to educate people. Disability issues that get resolved, he said, "will benefit everyone."

Spence said he has had a good history of working with city officials, but he realizes that others might not have similar experiences.

"The city is going to be someone who has to hear us," he said. "I'm not going anywhere. The disability community as a whole is not going away."

Source: Second hand posted by another user on Facebook directly from the Columbia Daily Tribune in Columbia Missouri.

The Wheels of Shame - Shaming Disabled Parking Violators

2013-01-21T17:42:00.001-08:00

The Wheels of Shame is a place where users can share photos or read blogs about non disabled people that choose to park in disabled parking. We also post blogs that are inspirational or helpful for those with disabilities!

The Wheels of Shame - Shaming Disabled Parking Violators

CHA puts focus on new site

2013-01-21T15:45:00.001-08:00

After its application for tax credits for a proposed housing development was denied, the Columbia Housing Authority is turning its focus to developing housing near Garth Avenue and Sexton Road.

On Jan. 11, the Missouri Housing Development Commission denied an application submitted for New Horizons Community Support Services, with whom the housing authority had proposed to construct affordable housing on a more than 4-acre site on Lambeth Drive. The application requested $1.3 million in tax credits to help finance the project, which was intended to target low-income households and people who are mentally disabled.

CHA puts focus on new site

Mobile dental clinic to visit Columbia

2012-12-29T06:31:00.006-08:00

The Elks Mobile Dental Unit, geared toward providing primary dental services to developmentally disabled children and adults in Missouri, will be in Columbia from Wednesday through Jan. 24.
The mobile dental office will offer services while parked at the Columbia Elks Lodge No. 594 at 4747 E. Elks Park Drive. Services include X-rays, fillings, extractions, cleaning and other treatments.
The mobile unit has been operated by the Dental Department of Truman Medical Center Lakewood of Kansas City since 1962 in partnership with the Missouri Elks Benevolent Association.
All services are provided at no cost to eligible patients in Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Randolph counties.
For information about eligibility or to make an appointment, call (573) 690-6003

Housing authority plans changes to Section 8 program

2012-12-26T16:05:00.001-08:00

The Columbia Housing Authority is seeking public comment on changes to its Section 8 housing choice voucher program that would lower the payment required of voucher recipients to allow them to budget for future home maintenance and large repair expenses.

Housing authority plans changes to Section 8 program

Prayers Up!!!

2012-12-14T18:42:00.002-08:00

Out of the love in our hearts and from our deepest love of God as we understand him my GF and I would like to offer up our prayers for all effected by the shootings in Connecticut and the incident in China where another 22 young souls were also lost this day. Prayers unto the Most High and Loving God Almighty for all effected this day.

Charles E Dudley Jr
Blog Owner.

Housing agency considers plans for new property

2012-12-13T13:30:00.001-08:00

The Columbia Housing Authority has purchased six properties near its Oak Tower public housing site at Garth Avenue and Sexton Road that might serve as the location for the development of new affordable housing.
The purchase includes more than 2 acres of land along Sexton and more than 40,000 square feet of land on five mostly non-contiguous lots at Lynn and Oak streets.
The property on Lynn and Oak is bounded by property owned by the city and the Columbia Community Development Corp., a consortium of eight local banks that pool resources to invest in community projects.

Housing agency considers plans for new property

Skamp needs your prayers.

2012-12-11T21:02:00.001-08:00

Update on my dog Skamp I posted about on another blog. Skamp has some severe Teeth issues and is quite sick.

We are giving him meds twice a day. This evening while giving him his meds 4 Teeth just fell out of his mouth. :(

Poor lil guy. Breaks my heart he is in such distress. The GF is a trooper when we wrap Skamp up tight in a large bath towel like a burrito with only his head out and we have to grip him tight to give him his meds we liquify with some warm water but we manage to get most all of the liquid into him.

This next Monday he goes into surgery. Keep up those prayers if you will please. Our pets are just like our children. :)

Local agencies stand to lose if ‘fiscal cliff’ not avoided

2012-11-25T06:08:00.001-08:00

The Columbia Housing Authority, for example, would see its funding cut for maintenance and operations at the 714 apartments it operates. The cuts, which will average about 8 percent for programs that are not exempt, would also take away an estimated 113 of the agency's 1,132 Section 8 housing vouchers, Executive Director Phil Steinhaus said.
He's already cut maintenance staff to the minimum, and with turnover of 15 to 20 vouchers per month, the cut could add six months to the already lengthy waiting time for housing assistance, he said.

Local agencies stand to lose if ‘fiscal cliff’ not avoided

Columbia Police online crime fighting links

2012-11-06T10:09:00.002-08:00

Thank you goes out to Mike Martin of The Columbia Heartbeat.

A couple of years ago I compiled these links from CPD. There's been a rash of break ins -- cars, etc. -- so I thought I'd forward them.

1) File a Columbia Police Report

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Crime_Reporting/index.php

2) Submit an anonymous CrimeStoppers Tip

http://www.875tips.com/submit-tip/

3) CrimeReports.com

Call it Zillow for crimefighting. CrimeReports.com is a one-stop interactive crime map that can tell you in a flash what occurred, when, and where. Type in an address and instantly get a map of every type of crime reported in a variety of different time periods:

CrimeReports.com

http://www.crimereports.com

Click "Get Crime Alerts" and you can even get free crime reports delivered to your email box -- or neighborhood listserv.

4) Request a Security Evaluation of Home/Office Information

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Department/CPU/securityevaluations.php

Request a Security Evaluation of Home/Office from CPD

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Forms/security_evaluation.php

5) On Vacation? Request Police Watch Your Home

Request a "Vacation Watch in Passing" Citizen Compliment Form

https://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Forms/wip.php

What to do when you're away

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/vac-crime_tips.php

6) Locate Registered Sex Offenders

Columbia/Boone County Offenders Registration List

http://www.showmeboone.com/SHERIFF/RegOffenders/RegOffendersList.asp

7) Check Maps for Crimes in Your Neighborhood

City of Columbia Crime Maps -- Street By Street

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Crime_Maps/index.php?loc=Maps/2009

8) Compliment an Officer

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Forms/cpd_compliment.php

9) Crime Tips, Police Complaints, and Other Info

Columbia Police Department Home Page

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/

10) Columbia's Most Wanted

Help identify these Suspects

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Identity/index.php

11) Neighborhood Watch Program

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Programs/Neigh_Watch/index.php

12) Register a Home Alarm System

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/PSJC/Services/alarm_ordinances.php

NAMI | Ask a Cop: Avoiding Arrest During a Mental Health Crisis

2012-10-31T15:16:00.001-07:00

Ask a Cop is a new occasional column produced by NAMI’s CIT Center, answering common questions about law enforcement and mental health issues. The column is an opportunity to learn about the law enforcement officer’s perspective on how officers, providers and individuals and families affected by mental illness can work together to improve crisis responses. To ask a question, please email laurau@nami.org with the subject line “Ask a Cop.” Please note that we will not be able to answer all questions or to discuss individual legal cases.

NAMI | Ask a Cop: Avoiding Arrest During a Mental Health Crisis

Housing expert is shifting

2012-10-29T16:26:00.001-07:00

As part of an effort to encourage a faster rate of turnover in specialized positions within the Columbia Police Department, the officer in charge of the department's crime-free housing programs and its liaison to the Office of Neighborhood Services — who is a nearly 20-year veteran of the department — will be transferred to the department's patrol division.
Officer Tim Thomason said the transfer will become effective Jan. 6, and the department has not yet named a replacement for his position. He said officers generally are trained in criminal law, but he has a specialized skill set that includes knowledge of environmental design, development plans and landlord-tenant law.
"So there's basically no one else that has the training I have to deal with landlord-tenant law at the police department," Thomason said.

Housing expert is shifting

Columbia Housing Authority considers tax-credit application for Lincoln and Unity Drive homes - Columbia Missourian

2012-10-17T05:23:00.001-07:00

Public housing units at Lincoln and Unity drives might be a step closer to renovations, as the Columbia Housing Authority announced plans Tuesday to apply for tax credits in March to fund the project.
The renovation of the 56-year-old apartments is part of the housing authority's long-term Affordable Housing Initiative .
The tax credits would come from the Missouri Housing Development Commission, in a process similar to the application sent to the commission for the proposed Lambeth Apartments. The Lincoln-Unity application would request 4 percent tax credits, which is less competitive than the 9 percent Lambeth tax credit, according to housing authority CEO Phil Steinhaus.
Renovation plans for the 68 townhouses on Lincoln and Unity drives call for retaining the exterior of the homes and completely revamping the interiors, including improvements to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and piping. According to assessments done by engineers, it will be more affordable to renovate the buildings than to raze them and build new ones, Steinhaus said.
Ken Nuernberger, principal with ND Consulting Group of St. Louis, said there are other funding options the housing authority might consider. These include Housing and Urban Development HOME funds, city of Columbia Community Development Block Grant funds and the MHDC tax-credit funds. These funding sources could be combined or used individually for future housing authority plans, Nuernberger said.
The housing authority plans to renovate existing public housing and develop new affordable housing, including new rental homes, with and without support services.
Several vacant lots in Columbia were reviewed as potential sites for new affordable housing, including two lots on Providence Road, Steinhaus said.

Columbia Housing Authority considers tax-credit application for Lincoln and Unity Drive homes - Columbia Missourian

Downtown FastCAT stops, times change | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

2012-10-15T05:19:00.001-07:00

Bloggers Note: What is the closest that it gets to Paquin Tower now? Is it still by Manor House at Hitt and Paquin St? Is there a covered bus stop there? How are the older and mobility challenged doing with the change?

Changes to bus stop locations and schedule times for the city's FastCAT Express route, which serves the downtown area, will go into effect tomorrow, according to a news release from Columbia Transit.
Some stops along the route will be shifted slightly, such as the stop at the corner of Tenth and Walnut streets, which will be shifted east to be closer to Orr Street. The city says that change will give FastCAT riders easier access to Wabash Station to be able to ride other Columbia Transit routes.

Downtown FastCAT stops, times change | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

From the ground up

2012-10-12T06:29:00.001-07:00

Columbia Housing Authority CEO Phil Steinhaus explains the new geothermal energy system that circulates water into deep wells outside Paquin Tower and back to the basement to provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning for the 200 apartments in the building. Paquin officials held an open house yesterday for residents and the public to view the new energy-saving updated equipment. The new HVAC system cost about $2.8 million and was part of $3.6 million in total for renovations and projects intended to improve energy efficiency, including about $367,000 for new energy-efficient windows for all the units in the building and $124,000 for Energy Star-rated refrigerators, washers and dryers. The changes saved the housing authority almost $100,000 in energy costs over the past year.

Steinhaus shows off new Geo Thermal System. for Paquin Tower

Advocates reflect on disability act’s legacy | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

2012-10-03T06:05:00.001-07:00

After watching "Lives Worth Living," a documentary on the history of the disability rights movement, local advocates said last night that there is still work to do to achieve equality and access for people with disabilities.
"You can't walk away from this and be done," said Aimee Wehmeier, executive director of Services for Independent Living. "The disability rights movement is here."
SIL and MUSE, or MU Student Exceptions, an advocacy group for University of Missouri students with disabilities, joined with Ragtag Cinema to offer a free screening of the documentary. It tells the story of the disability rights movement in the words and images of the activists who led the way to passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 1990.

Advocates reflect on disability act’s legacy | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

Paquin to showcase energy-efficiency upgrades | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

2012-10-01T14:04:00.001-07:00

When Paquin Tower was completed in 1973, energy efficiency was not foremost on the mind of builders, said Phil Steinhaus, CEO of the Columbia Housing Authority.
The 200 units at Paquin Tower, a CHA high-rise for people who are disabled or elderly, were heated through a boiler system, and residents had little control over the temperature of their rooms. Steinhaus said some residents living in the upper floors opened their windows in the dead of winter to cool down.

Paquin to showcase energy-efficiency upgrades | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri