Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7

April 2011 Volume XVII Issue 7

Get to the Point: The NCCC News

An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication

Perry Point
Atlantic Region Contact us:
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 2

Featured on the Cover- Upper left clockwise: Alex Felt works with paints while down in NOLA. Buffalo 6 is
looking bright in the sun, while Buffalo 1’s Lauryn Kaczor TL Megan Riley & Eileen Munsch clean up the
schools. Raven 1 has a “hand”le on round 1 & Raven 6’s Cecilia Ochoa schools everyone in chop sawing.
Center: Moose 3 keeps the Girl Scouts Alive with their great work!

Strengthen communities
and develop leaders through
direct, team-based national
and community service

Inside Issue 7:

Back left to right: Michael Wessely, Melissa Kleppinger, Brandon Rayl, Brooke Gates, TL Allen Hunt, Nolan Orme & Christopher Blankenship
Moose 2 Update 2-3 Bottom: Maria Biava, Amanda Ambrass

Move of the Week 3 Treasure Hunting with Moose Deuce

By: Brandon Rayl and Amanda Ambrass
Trivia & Food 4 Moose Deuce is working in Baltimore with the Academy of Success. We are
working at two different sites within a few blocks of each other, The Academy of
Alumni Spotlight 5
Success Community Recreation Center and The Academy of Success Community
Socializing 6 Empowerment Center. We have been doing such task as cleaning up sites of debris
and gutting old buildings, demolition, organizing supplies and equipment, and
Alumni Special 7-8 renovating the surrounding landscape and buildings.
The recreation center is located at Gwynn Falls Park in Baltimore, and is
AmeriBubble 9
where we spent the first couple of weeks our project. Here we stripped and waxed
Karaoke 10 the floors, laid new tiles, painted the walls, pulled weeds from the flower beds, and
sorted through and organized sporting equipment, books, and games.
AmeriCount 10 Next we moved on to the Academy of Success Community Empowerment
“Back Thing Up” 11 Center, which still looks and feels like the abandoned Lasting Paint Factory,
however we were presented the plans and goals for the future Empowerment
Ruminations 12 Center. At this site we began gutting the old buildings, which could be described as
“Treasure Hunting!”
Happy Birthday: While clearing out the rooms and spaces of the warehouse and factory we
stumbled upon old books including Anemographs, signs and labels, wigs, “picture
Rachel Lantz-4/26
books,” Barbie's, scooters, sleeping bags, metal desks, fans, shotgun shells, cans of
I’m a member of the National Civilian
Community Corps, an AmeriCorps mystery ooze, silk screens, old cars and buses, and Eddy Kramer posters. We found
program. N-triple-C members are 18 to
24 years old and spend 10 months get-
many “treasures” while cleaning up the Gwynn Falls Bike Trail as well! During
ting things done for America while gutting we also organized scrap metal and sorted lumber and building supplies
developing their own leadership skills.
We serve on teams to help communities
prepare for and respond to disasters, (Continued on page 3)
build homes, and help the environment.
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 3

found in the warehouse. We also got some experience with power

tools (PPE always by our side) while doing finishing in the offices
and gutting the building, these included grinders, nail guns,
miter saws, saws-alls, sanders, and drills.
We spent the first part of our project commuting from
Perry Point everyday, but as soon as the Recreation Center was
ready for us (thanks to Glenn installing our make-shift shower)
we moved right in and made ourselves at home in the city! At the
recreation center we had a big screen TV with every Disney
movie you could name, plenty of space for activities, a large Moose 2 Above: Nolan Orme, Wesley Dexter, Christopher
Blankenship, Brandon Rayl, Michael Wessely & TL Allen
kitchen and bathroom, a computer room with Wi-Fi, and a whole Hunt Below: Melissa Kleppinger, Amanda Ambrass, Brooke
fleet of new bicycles at our disposal for trips into the Inner Gates, Maria Biava

Harbor! We also spent a day exploring Druid Hill Park, Edgar

Allan Poe gave, and Fells Point.
We look forward to our time remaining here in Baltimore
by continuing our treasure hunt at an upcoming Pirate Festival
and doing some service learning at a Civil War Encampment this
weekend. Moose Deuce has had a great time working for the
Academy of Success and our amazing sponsors!

RAVEN 6 SHOUT OUT: This week MOOSE 6

Lyndsey had a run in with the secret ser- J’s Quote of the week:
vice, Dr. Chill saved a mouse from a sticky But I, being poor, have
situation, and we’ve been thor- only my dreams;
oughly enjoying Nanjemoy, Nan- I have spread my dreams
under your feet;
Tread softly because you
tread on my dreams.
~W.B. Yeats

Physical Training: Move of the Week-

Good Mornings

AmeriCorps is your chance to put your
ideals into action while learning new
skills, making new connections, and
earning money to pay for college.
Join Tracy Choomack in getting
things done for America. .
Stand with feet about hip-width apart holding phone book (or
medium weight) straight up overhead. Keeping abs braced and
knees slightly bent, tip from the hips and lower the torso until it
is parallel to the floor, keeping the arms in line with ears. Lift
up and repeat. Keep the abs braced throughout the move. If
you have any back problems, skip this move!
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 4

Brain Food: L&M Trivia

Brought to you by: Laura Mack Community Relations STL & Melissa Jabat Programming Office STL

You must form a word by adding letters to the beginning B + A 6 / E + B = C / E + C + B = 8

and/or the end of the fragment. You may not add letters 1 2 3 4 5
to the middle of the fragment, nor may you rearrange the
A
letters given.
llel B

osoe C

Find the value of each variable.

Each value will only be repeated once.

BUFFALO 5 SHOUT OUT: B5 single handedly saved

Christmas from the clutches of an evil, pine tree
destroying beetle. You’re welcome. Also, can
you paint with all the colors of the wind? We
can. Just sayin. Oh, and we asked the grinning
bobcat why he grins. It’s because Buffalo 5 just
said something hilarious.

MOOSE 7 SHOUT OUT:

Maria Fernanda Medina
Alvarez – Weezy, I miss you
AmeriGourmet: The Cooking Corner
so much! It doesn’t smell like This week we are in the AmeriKitchen with Green Team and their P-I-Z-Z-A!
cupcakes anymore, and where
Mini Muffin Pizzas
did the rainbows go?? Karla,
Te extrano mucho ya quiero English muffin (cut in half)
que regreses! Tomato paste
I, Matthew Slavics, humbly
Grated Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese
challenge the entire corps and
Different toppings-that fit your fancy!
staff to a game of baseball/
softball at a field of your Toast the muffin until golden and leave to
choosing, at the time of your cool. Preheat the broiler. Spread the tomato
discretion. Be there, or be paste all over the muffin halves. Add the sea-
square. soning and toppings that make you happy!
Then scatter the cheese over top. Place under
Caboose out.
the broiler and cook until golden.

Solutions : 1. Parallel 2. Whosoever

 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 5

Alumni Spotlight: Emily Jacobson

Emily Jacobson, served as a Corps Member XI in Class at the Atlantic
Region- Recently, we caught up with her to find out her impressions
on her service year and what she is doing currently.
Emily Jacobson served as a Corps Member on Fire 7 in Class XI .

How did you find out about AmeriCorps NCCC?

I first heard about NCCC through a family friend. At first, looking at
the website, I didn't know that it was something I really wanted to do,
then after talking to some Alum (who happened to be CAPping),
I decided to put in an application. AmeriCorps Alums– Leaders

What was the best part of your year?

NCCC was full of crazy memorable moments, but one of the best happened in McComb, MS. Post
Hurricane Katrina, we had been working intense hours all over MS, LA, AL and parts of FL. When
it was time to go, we felt that our work was nowhere near being over and that we were leaving
people high and dry. The night before we left however, we were proved wrong. Our shelter
residents from all over the county came out to show us their appreciation and love, giving gifts,
letters, and signing our Red Cross vests. I still keep in touch with many of them today, and
as stressful and heartbreaking the work was, the people are what made it all worth it.

What are you doing now?

Today, I live in Washington state with my husband and two year old daughter. Before my daughter
was born I worked in Portland, Oregon with Children International. A non profit working to
improve children's conditions (be it education, health, housing, etc) across the world. We got
children and communities sponsored, built wells, houses, schools, educated women to become
teachers, nurses and the like. In taking such an active interest in communities through
NCCC, it allowed me to see that all communities can use a hand up, and that is what I
have gone on to give. Today I am with my beautiful family, attending town meetings, and
organizing workshops in our home community to bring these people together, like so many other
communities around the globe!

BUFFALO 4 SHOUT OUT: Congratulations to LeeAnne for winning B4’s first bi-monthly mud run! John would have won the
mud fight until he started chaffing and Joe chased him yelling “Chaffing!” Props to Sam for doing a face plant in a puddle.
Clearly the real winner here is Wally.
Shout-outs to Raven 4, Moose Deuce, and B3B3B3B3. B4 looks forward to seeing all the rest of you this week!
Nate! Do some ISPs. We’ll be retrieving you soon don’t worry. And answer your text messages!! Keep it gangsta.
Stephanie Snyder: S&S WorldWiDe reunited so soon! - Sam / Eileen: Shhhh….The Fireman is comin! -Sam
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 6

Socializing NCCC Style

Brought to you by: Sam McKenzie Community Relations Specialist

10 Social Media Rules to Socialize By:

Here below are ten rules to follow if you are using social media related to
AmeriCorps NCCC. AmeriCorps NCCC is a program of a federal agency which is an
entity. You must remember at all times while using social media that represents NCCC
that you are representing the program and not yourself.

Therefore:
1. Do not follow or like and/or make status updates & posts about political parties, political
commentators, political candidates, state & local officials, celebrities, athletes, sports teams, musicians
or public figures

2. Do not follow/like any brands, any products to include books/movies, etc, companies or entities
other than project sponsors and recruitment partners

3. Do not post or upload pictures/videos with any brands or products visible

4. Do not post pictures/video with Members not in uniform- no casual photos, no casual videos

5. Do not post pictures/videos of Members not in full proper uniform at all times - no backward hats,
shirts not tucked in, etc.

6. Do not disregard the privacy and personal information of your Team Members

7. Do not make posts/status updates related personal/individual opinions about anything non service
related

8. Do not post videos or pictures of any behaviors or activities not permitted while in service

9. Do not make posts/status updates related to any religious or spiritual subjects/issues

10. Do not post gripes or negative content about the program, projects, the team, the staff or Members

Spring Break is Coming…
Friday April 22 at 5pm until
Monday April 25 Evening
RAVEN 7 SHOUT OUT: Raven 7 is flying high in Vermont. Nicki especially has the
flying part down—she was all air after a tumble in the woods. Dominique has learned
to appreciate the pain Gillian feels all the time due to icy Vermont winds. If Rob isn’t
crossing a “bridge” (everyone else calls them fallen trees), he’s looking for
salamanders under rocks. Ariel’s boot was almost eaten by a swamp monster, Zac
discovered a new look that is more intimidating than ever, and Carl’s reunion with his
dog inspired the kind of overflowing emotions that only lifetime specials can generate.
Colin and Julian battled it out in the darkness in an epic PT challenge in the powerless
lodge in the middle of the woods. Sophia was somewhere waxing poetical about
Wendy’s and cursing McDonalds the whole time.
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 7

A Dinner with Alumni

Brought to you by: Raven Seven

Raven 7 arrived fashionably late to the alumni dinner at Mary’s Restaurant in Bristol, Vermont.
They stayed at the Nature Conservancy’s nursery later than planned because of a last minute delivery of
bare-root elm saplings that had to be planted immediately. They busted it out as expected, but still had to
navigate the dirt roads of Vermont’s backwoods, and then re-navigate after Julian almost plowed the van
into a lake that had flooded the road.
When the team finally arrived, they were warmly
welcomed by the lovely Laura Mack and her parents, the
proprietors of the inn and restaurant. NCCC alumni attended
the event and graciously shared their experiences with Raven
7. I found myself seated next to Katrina Antonovich, from
Class III at the San Diego campus. It had been over a decade
since she served in NCCC, and our conversation with her gave
us a glimpse into the program’s past and into our futures.
One of Antonovich’s projects was in Compton, one of
Raven 7 with Alumni & CRSTL/POSTL & Owners
the most notoriously dangerous neighborhoods in the coun-
try. One night she found herself unfortunately alone, and she was followed and eventually
approached by some seemingly threatening strangers. But then one of them asked her, “You’re one of those
AmeriCorps chicks right?” The man hugged her—he was going to live in one of the houses her team was
building. It became clear to us that the program has always been serving people in need, people who are
grateful and welcoming.
Nobody she knew outside her team felt safe in Compton, but Katrina
knew she was being watched out for.
This is a feeling that only NCCC members can understand,
and one that Raven 7 knew firsthand from their time in Northeast
DC. Katrina had come to this event so that she could talk to us about
these things-what it’s like to pull weeds all day, to adhere to a dress
code, to travel everywhere in a 15-passenger van- all the aspects of
Special Thanks to the Inn at Baldwin our way of life that we can’t really explain to anyone else. She could-
Creek & Mary’s Restaurant n’t even really talk about it with her husband, so she was very excited
for hosting the Alumni Dinner !
(Continued on page 8)
Thank you for your generosity!
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 8

to be able to talk with us.

AmeriCorps is still finding relevance in her life over a decade later. She doesn’t keep in close contact
with everyone from her team, but she sees her best friend from the program often, and has found almost her
entire team on Face book. She wears her uniform when she does yard work. She now works as a Parks and
Recreation Director in Vermont, and told us about her plans to apply for NCCC’s help in her town. “The
problem is that I don’t have a place to house a team,” she explained. “I want to build two community
centers, so after I build one I can house a team there and have them help build the second one!”
Katrina Antonovich knows that NCCC is the program that
will get things done, and that hasn’t changed since she was a
member. But there is one huge difference between then and now:
invasive species removal used to be called “non-native vegetation
eradication.” Try saying that five times fast.

BUFFALO 1 SHOUT OUT: Buffalo 1 cannot wait to be

Moose 7 is hosting the
reunited this week with everyone!!!
Community Meeting
We will miss Andrew and Eileen while they are gone Wednesday April 27th
on Phoenix 1.5…smoke ‘em!
@ 2:30-3pm
RAVEN 2
SHOUT OUT:

First round is coming

to an end and I can’t
wait to see all of your
lovely faces!!!

Be like Buffalo 7 and watch some YouTube

Videos: www.youtube.com/NCCCTeam#

RAVEN 4 SHOUT OUT: Stephen Drieze @ Habitat NOLA

We are incredibly excited to
see all of your beautiful faces Raven 6 has been helping Greater DC Cares & their
Serve-a-Thon.
on Friday. Cecilia Ochoa shows us how to pack the vans for a drop

MOOSE 2 SHOUT OUT: Shout out to B3 and B4, we had fun with y’all at the Irvine Nature
Center! Lessons Learned: the lady from the drum circle was clinically insane, and
Tony can play a wicked mandolin. Also, Brooke found stranger underwear mixed in with
her real clothes at the Laundromat. Mmmmm.
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 9

Bursting the AmeriBubble

Brought to you by: Laura Mack CRSTL & Multitudes of Media Sources

•A loaded handgun fell out of a student's pocket onto the lunchroom STL SHOUT OUT: We wish
you a merry green shirt, we wish
floor and discharged Tuesday, wounding him and two other kindergartners in a you a merry green shirt, we wish
Houston elementary school. School district and Houston police are investigating you a MERRYYYYYY
GREEENNNN SHIRT! And a
how the 6-year-old who brought the gun to school-one of the wounded children- happy 100 days!
obtained the weapon. (cnn.com)
Oh and Laura is a Goose Whisper
•A plane carrying first lady Michelle Obama came perilously close to a mas- just so you know& Melissa is busy
taking care of Knoble, preparing
sive military cargo jet because of an air traffic controller's error and had to abort a him for his long journey…
landing at Andrews Air Force Base. (msnbc.com) he’s so cooler than you

•Mr. An, (undisclosed name) an animal rights activist and volunteer at

Beijing based China Small Animal Protection Association, saw the
cramped, whimpering dogs and decided to do something.
His decision ended up saving the lives of 580 canines, who were on
their way to the northeastern city of Changchun, where they were to
be slaughtered and eventually served for dinner. (msnbc.com)

•The US soldier accused of leaking a trove of secret government documents later

published by the Wikileaks website is to be moved to a military prison in Kansas,

officials have said. Pte First Class Bradley Manning has been held pending court martial at a
Marine base in Virginia. His transfer comes amid international concern over his treatment. He
says he has been confined to a cell for 23 hours a day and forced regularly to undress. (bbc.com)

RAVEN 3 SHOUT OUT: Raven
3 is super excited for the 20+
hour drive awaiting them on
their return…..Yellow Car!!!
•Nicolas Cage Bailed Out by Dog the Bounty Hunter….HUH?.... Reality
star Duane 'Dog' Chapman – aka Dog the Bounty Hunter – posted the actor's
$11,000 bond after he was charged with domestic abuse and disturbing the
peace Saturday in the French Quarter. (people.com)

•A
year on from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, fishermen on
Louisiana's Delacroix Island face an uncertain future, with support
BUFFALO 3 SHOUT OUT: B3 from ProPublica. The community was already in decline - hurricanes,
V B4 …bring it, by now erosion, the intrusion of modern life and falling seafood prices had all taken
its already been their toll. Many are wondering “The end of an era in the 'prettiest place on
broughten….
earth'?” (cnn.com)
BUFFALO 6 SHOUT OUT: We
•50 Cent may seem untouchable in the eyes of his fans but a thief has
have the black sheep back (B6
van)!! Looking forward to 2nd managed to get close enough to the Queens rapper, resulting in him being a
round… bring it on!! victim of credit card fraud. (people.com)
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 10

PHOENIX 1 SHOUT OUT: Phoenix 1 has been busy burning all over the state of Virginia and is looking forward to fin-
ishing strong with Phoenix 1.5!

A O K E
KA R
N I G H T

A Class XVII Community Council Event

Please join us for an evening of: Fun & Entertainment!

When:Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 @ 7pm

Where: VA Theater

THE SIGN UP SHEET WILL BE IN B-15, Front Office

Please sign up by 2pm Wednesday April 27th

AmeriCount Down
Brought to you by: Old Man Time

4 9 27 218
Days Until Days Until Days Until Days Until
Transition 2nd Round Deploy AmeriCorps Week Graduation
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7 11

AmeriCorps Pledge
Brought to you by: AmeriCorps David Pergamit points out that Anthony Crowe is
I will get things done for America - famous because He’s on Picasa
Post Photos to Picasa & You’ll Be Famous Too!
to make our people safer,
smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together
to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy,
I will take action.
Faced with conflict,
I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity,
I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment
with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member,
Melissa Kleppinger & Brandon
and I will get things done!
Rayl remind you to follow all safety
rules while on your projects

MOOSE 5 SHOUT OUT: Bust out your Sunscreen and aviators Perry Point,
Moose 5 is bringing back their sunshine this week!
(ps- we still miss you Macy Batman Lytle <3)

RAVEN 1 SHOUT OUT: Raven 1 is excited to have all

of our premier teams back at the Point this week.
BUFFALO 2 SHOUT OUT: Excited
9Hers, you might notice a small change, courtesy of
about welcoming back the final
Raven 1. Excitement in the air!
member of our team, Angela!
Congrats to my R1 pod members, Wiley Biro & Zach
Raven 5’s Ella Chambers
needs Phoenix’s Help
Dech, for making the Phoenix 2 Fire Team. –KJ
 Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 7
Rod’s Ruminations: Ramblings
Brought to you by: Rod Swain Raven Unit STL
Ramblings…
-Talking with dental hygienists and barbers while they are
working on you is a tough proposition. On one hand, they’re
both holding sharp, metal tools near my face, so I want to keep
them happy. But on the other hand, the conversations are usu-
ally very boring and uncomfortable. “Yes, it has rained a lot
lately.” “Why do you want to know about my family? You’re
just the lady that accuses me of not flossing.” “I mean, there’s
just a point at which the crazy thing your labradoodle did this
morning ceases to be of interest to me.”
-Escalators are the perfect invention. This is because even
when they are broken, they are still functional.
-I want to show up at a Live Action Role Playing (LARP) event
wearing a dark shirt that just says “Black Plague” on it.
-My humble suggestions for possible future NCCC slogans:
1.“It’s Not a Miracle, It’s AmeriCorps.”
2.“There is No Plan B” (Displayed under the AmeriCorps A)
3.“No, we’re not with the National Guard…”
Wounded on the Worksite?
Hurt in the Field? Feeling Sick?
Need a New Set of Arms… like Moose 1’s Rebekah Gougeon?
For Medical Appointments During Transition
12
MOOSE 4 SHOUT OUT: When moose 4 thinks
about being reunited with the corps only one
word comes to mind… STOAKED!!!
MOOSE 3 SHOUT OUT: We are enjoying our time in
Earleville but can’t wait to see everyone during transition.
Moose Deuce – get ready to be annihilated in Ultimate Frisbee!
Megan – Congrats to the Phoenix 2 TL!
Jared Robison bids farewell.
Green Team I look forward to reuniting with all of you <3
MOOSE 1 SHOUT OUT:
-What’s an awesome team builder? TANK!!!
What a better way to get back at your fellow team-
mates than being blindfolded and throwing water
balloons at them! Thanks Katie!!!-MJ
-What up Corps? We can’t wait to see you in a
week.
-Shout out to B6 and M7- Thanks for an awesome
CAP event at Golden Ring!!!! –Saoirse and MJ
- Moose deuce - Brooke - Congrats on making fire
TL!!!! Can’t wait to celebrate.
-Weezy, my mom’s fur coats have your name
written all over them. <3 Eliza
-Sam of B4- Congrats on Phoenix 2- I MISS
YOU!! Love Stephanie
-Melissa & Amanda of M2- Miss you guys! Can’t
wait to be on spring break with you in Neewww
Yooork (in my best Alicia Keys voice)–Stephanie
-JJ my pod TL, I miss your beautiful face – With
all my love Mike
-1103 let the good times begin as we return for
transition!!! –MJ, Mike, and Jay
-Thank you Moose 1 for an amazing Round 1. It
has been a great pleasure being ATL and I truly
will cherish my time working with Katie and the
rest of the team. It has been life changing and I
will carry the leadership skills with me for a life-
time!-MJ
BUFFALO 7 SHOUT OUT: SEE Y’ALL BACK AT THE
POINT!!!
PIZZAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!