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Lifestyles Be prepared
for severe storms in coming month Be prepared for severe storms in coming monthAccording to the National Weather Service, the average tornado in Kentucky lasts nine minutes or travels approximately four miles. During a tornado, nine minutes would seem like a lifetime. Are you prepared for severe weather?
University of Kentucky Environmental Health and Safety is working with the Division of Environmental and Emergency Management, part of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, to help you learn the fundamentals of protecting yourself from the disasters that a tornado, severe thunderstorms, flood or lightning could create. "The theme this year is 'Be a Storm Survivor'," said Dion LeMieux, emergency manager for DEEM. "It is important that our community be prepared for any event that we could experience. DEEM is here to help." How can you get prepared? Establish a safe space in your home or office, and create an emergency preparedness kit good for any type of weather emergency and place this kit in your safe space. The kit should include a flashlight, batteries, a battery-operated radio, a cell phone, emergency phone numbers, a first-aid kit, gloves, extra shoes, drinking water, and non-perishable food. How will you know when severe weather or flooding occurs in Fayette County? Such occurrences are announced by interruptions on cable television, the special Emergency Alert System on AM and FM radios, the National Weather Service in Louisville over the N.O.A.A. weather radio system, and by outdoor warning sirens around Lexington. Sirens are sounded for tornado warnings or chemical emergencies. A tone and voice message is sounded for other emergencies. Siren locations can be seen at www.lfucg.com. Members of the DEEM staff are available year round to discuss severe weather safety and emergency response planning. If you would like a DEEM representative to speak to your group, call 258-3784. Exhibit honors 'Mythic Women'In the second of a three-part series on Kentucky artists, the University of Kentucky Art Museum will present the works of Louisville artist Ann Stewart Anderson in "Mythic Women." "Mythic Women" is made up of three series of paintings, the "Demeter and Persephone Cycle," "Ariadne's Labyrinth" and "Helen and Clytemnestra," and a mixed-media interactive installation of "Pandora's Boxes." ›tewart Anderson noted that Greek myths typically focus on male heroes, leading her to explore the "extraordinary wisdom, cunning, independence and faithfulness" of Greek heroines by showing them as sisters and mothers, daughters and wives - all the roles that women play regardless of when they live. Each series incorporates symbolic imagery with traditional and modern settings and the artist's expressive, emotion-driven brushstrokes and vibrant color choices further enhance the power of the works. Stewart Anderson said her aim is to retell familiar truths, offering "new interpretations of these mythic women ... with an attention to the details of narrative. They are essential statements about the vicissitudes of human life." Medicine to offer Mini-Med SchoolSchool begins April 9. Have you ever wanted the chance to go to medical school? Have you ever wanted more information about common health problems that may run in your family? The University of Kentucky College of Medicine will sponsor its annual Mini-Medical School, an eight-week series of lectures given by the college's faculty. This community medical school provides an opportunity to learn the clinical and scientific side of medicine with topics such as public health, bioterrorism, cancer and cardiology. "This is a great way for the college to give back to the community," said Mae Marie Quan, associate program director for the Area Health Education Center at UK. "It's a way for us to inform the community about our programs. We want to provide our community with information that will lead to better health and to let them know more about our college and its activities. This year, all of our topics have been chosen by faculty and are highly pertinent topics." For example, bioterrorism is a issue of importance, and people need to be informed about ability to respond to attacks, Quan said. Julie Ribes, assistant professor and director of clinical microbiology for the Department of Microbiology, will discuss the recent anthrax scare and about what the public should be concerned. A two-part series of topics regarding the heart will be presented. Jennifer Brueckner, assistant professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, will discuss the anatomy and function of the heart. William Abraham, chief of äardiovascular medicine and co-director of the Gill Heart Institute, will discuss diseases of the heart and how to prevent heart disease. "The lectures will address very important issues," Quan said. "Everyone has been touched by cancer or heart disease, and these lectures will offer the attendees significant information they never knew." Mini-Medical School is great for students who are thinking about a career in medicine. The cost of this year's Mini-Medical School is $25, which is a donation to the UK College of Medicine Salvation Army Clinic. This fee covers admission, all materials and parking. Registrants will receive a diploma upon attending the lectures. The classes will run from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays from April 9 to May 28. For more information or to register, call UK Health Connection at 257-1000 or (800) 333-8874. |
