SCAVI NEWS
A monthly newsletter of the South Central Association of the Visually Impaired
SCAVI, P.O. Box 2216, Bedford, IN 47421
Newsletter written and produced by President Rita Kersh.
Rita can be reached at 812-278-3038 or e-mail at hoosierrita60\@gmail.com
October 2023
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SCAVI
Our next meeting will be on Monday, October 2 at 9:30 a.m. at the Free Methodist Church, 630 R St. in the basement fellowship hall.
We will use this as a planning meeting and collect ticket money.
SCAVI BIRTHDAYS
Sue Fleener Oct. 10
Cindy Brooking Oct. 16
Cliff Goodman
ACCESSIBLE TECH
Amazon Adds Alexa Emergency Assist to Echo Devices - CNET
Amazon is making it easier to get emergency help without your phone. The retail giant announced a new Alexa Emergency Assist service as part of its September product event on Wednesday. The service will allow customers to reach emergency responders through Echo devices while also sending alerts to emergency contacts. The service will cost $6 a month or $59 a year and will be available later this year. Guard Plus customers can access the Alexa Emergency Assist for $5 per month or $50 per year.
In an emergency, users can just say "Alexa, call for help" to be connected to an agent who will then call 911. Users will be able to add their information including their home address, medications and allergies, and emergency contacts to their profile, which can then be sent to first responders.
Amazon's foray into emergency services follows Apple's integration of emergency satellite connectivity into its latest iPhone lineup. Google also added emergency detection and sharing features on its Pixel lineup this summer.
Unlike emergency assistants on phones that use the device's sensors to detect falls and crashes, Amazon's services rely only on voice to self-report an emergency. Users will need to speak to an Alexa device and ask for help in order to activate the emergency services. The service seems as though it could be helpful for elderly customers who might fall in their homes and can't get up but don't lose consciousness.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/amazon-adds-alexa-emergency-assist-to-echo-devices/#ftag=CAD590a51e
RECIPE CORNER
Homemade Chicken Ramen Noodle Bowls
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 2
Yield: 2 cups
Nutrition Profile:
Healthy Low-Carb Diabetes-Appropriate Nut-Free Dairy-Free & Lactose-Free Healthy Low-Sodium Heart-Healthy Healthy Low-Calorie
Ingredients
1 (10 ounce) can condensed low-sodium chicken noodle soup
1 ½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
½ cup grated carrot
¼ cup thinly sliced scallions
2 soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs, halved
1/2 to 1 teaspoon Sriracha
½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Directions
Prepare soup according to package directions. Stir in ginger and heat until simmering.
Divide the soup between 2 wide, shallow bowls. Top each with 1/4 cup each cilantro and carrot, 2 tablespoons scallions and an egg. Finish with Sriracha to taste and sesame seeds.
Lemon Chicken Pasta
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 1
Yield: 2 cups
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes-Appropriate Nut-Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Healthy Low-Sugar Healthy Soy-Free Healthy High-Protein Egg-Free Healthy Low-Calorie
Ingredients
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup spiralized zucchini
1 cup baby spinach
½ cup shredded skinless rotisserie chicken breast
⅛ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
½ cup cooked whole-wheat spaghetti
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs, toasted
Directions
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini; cook for 1 minute. Add spinach and chicken; cook for 1 more minute. Season with salt and pepper; remove from heat. Add cooked spaghetti, Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice; toss to combine. Sprinkle with toasted panko and serve.
SCAVI MINUTES
September Minutes
The South Central Association of the Visually Impaired met on September 11 at 9:30 AM. Those present were: Cynthia Brooking, Doug and Brenda Eads, Sue Fleener, Loney and Ida Galey, Rita Kersh, Denise Mullis, James and Karen Veen, and new attendees: Belinda Collins (employee of Living Well), Dave and Sarah Hall. The meeting was called to order and our speakers were introduced. They were Valerie Luchauer, with Lawrence County Emergency Management, and Scott Smith, who assists with the "Smart 911" program.
Smart 911 is a program that records vital information about the caller and it automatically comes to the dispatcher. It identifies the correct address but when the number is called from another location the caller's location is identified. This is true even if the caller is out of state. With Smart 911, the dispatcher will get information about the household. This includes the caller, other household members and pets. Medical conditions and medications may be recorded. In creating the data base, participants can list the names of persons and their phone numbers so they will be notified of an emergency. A question was raised about entry into a home if no one was able to let emergency personnel in. This can be handled by adding information of a hidden key or information if the caller has digital locks. This information is secure. Scott said that last week dispatchers received 4 calls from the program. The speakers gave handouts with vital information. The app for the program can be downloaded at "Smart 911.com". Scott reminded us to crawl as low as possible if smoke becomes an issue. We learned that Chris at SICIL 812-277-9626 will help in setting up profiles.
The business part of the meeting included the approval of last month's minutes and the treasurers report. The beginning balance was 5,148.19. Income was $208.64, expenses were $209.04 with an ending balance of $5,148.19.
Our Fundraiser Chili Supper will be held on Tuesday, October 17, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Ticket sales have already begun. It will be held at the First Baptist Church in Bedford.
The state picnic will be held at McCormick's Creek State Park. It will begin with a meal at noon.
The National Convention will be held in Columbus, Ohio.
Submitted by Denise Mullis, secretary.