Clarksdale Happenings, June 2024

CLARKSDALE HAPPENINGS

June 2024

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." – Coretta Scott King

Fish Fry       June 1st

Farmer’s Market (9-Noon) June 8th

Flag Day June 14th Father’s Day June 16th

City Council Mtg (6:30pm City Hall)  June 18th

Juneteenth (City Hall Closed)   June 19th

Summer Begins June 20th

Sing for a Cause June 22nd

https://clarksdale-mo.com/ Find this newsletter, pay your bill, official minutes, reports, agendas, news about current projects, and more!

Consumer Confidence Report – The current 2023 Consumer Confidence Report is available at https://dnr.mo.gov/ccr/MO1010167.pdf. Call City Hall at 816-393-5363 for a paper copy. Or it can be viewed at https://clarksdale-mo.com/water-quality-report

Here is a link for PWSD No 1 of DeKalb County:https://pwsdco.com/documents/1577/MO1024191__3_.pdf

Here is a link for Missouri American:      https://pwsdco.com/documents/1577/MO1010714__3_.pdf

Farmers Market -Free! 9-12pm, 2nd Saturday of the month June -  Sept. at the large pavilion City Park. Looking for vendors and shoppers! Call or email  City Hall at 816-393-5363 or cityofclarksdale@yahoo.com 

Sing for a Cause- Silent Auction - Bud Drowns is hosting a Free will donation Gospel Concert and a silent auction in the City Park on Sat. June 22nd, at 6:00pm.  All proceeds will benefit the Patient Assistance Fund at Mosaic Cancer Center. **bring your own lawn chairs** Please join us! We would love it if you would join us! Not only by attending but participating as well. 

Confirmed singers - Soul Harvest Quartet, Trey Drowns, and Shelly Stevens.

If you are interested in performing, please reach out! See you there! 

Lead Service Line Grant - Total H2O Solutions is the company that received the grant to complete our Lead and Copper Service Line Inventory. They may be starting to dig up pipes from the meter to the house to determine what they are made of soon. If you haven’t filled out the survey, contact City Hall for one today! cityofclarksdale@yahoo.com or 816-393-5363.

Clarksdale Advancement Foundation  is looking for great people who want to make Clarksdale fantastic and help us achieve our goals. Come to our next meeting Thurs., June 13th at 6:30pm at City Hall. Snacks provided. “Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in”.~Author Unknown

Fresh Mobile Pantry - Second Harvest Community Food Bank - Wed., June 19th , 2024. Clarksdale City Park - 10am - 12pm  - While Supplies Last- Open to the Public. Please tell your friends and neighbors. Everyone is welcome. {NOTE: mandate from 2nd Harvest, we have been limited to three families per vehicle.} To sign up for our text alert system email your full name, phone number, and zip code to info@shcfb.org. This is the quickest and most effective way to get information on schedule changes. Visit www.shcfb.org  for more assistance options.The 2nd Harvest Food Pantry, sponsored by the Clarksdale Lions Club and the Clarksdale Christian Church.

Chic- Chat Group - June 17th All ladies welcome! 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. Bring a snack if you want, but not required. Enjoy an evening of fellowship and no children. Meeting at Meta Sampsel’s, 103 S. 4th Street, Clarksdale.  

Men’s Movie Night - Same time as women’s Chic-Chat group. At the Baptist Church, 213 N. 2nd Street, Clarksdale.

The Clarksdale  Lions Club meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month and we welcome anyone to come and hear what our club does for the community and we are always looking for new members.

Tri-County Health Department Survey-It would mean a lot to me, Teresa McDonald, BSN RN Administrator, if you could take a few minutes to complete this survey. Please share this with anyone else you can think of who lives or works in Dekalb or Gentry County. Thank you!  (On phone or tablet, open the built-in camera app. Point the camera at the QR code. Tap the banner that appears on your Android phone or tablet. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish signing in.)

Clarksdale Christian Church - VBS -Aug 4th thru 9th -Aug 4th Kick-off at 6:00 pm in the city park with a water side. Aug 5th - 8th VBS 6:30 - 8:30 pm Games, Songs, Bible Stories, Crafts, and Snacks. Aug 9th Family Night program and refreshments. 

Coming!  Trunk-or-Treat! Saturday, Oct., 26  and Breakfast with Santa  Saturday, Dec. 14th

LIGHTNING SAFETY 

WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS! Each year in the United States, there are about 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes and about 300 people struck by lightning. Of those struck, about 30 people are killed and others suffer lifelong disabilities. Most of these tragedies can be prevented. When thunderstorms threaten, get inside a building with plumbing and electricity, or a hard-topped metal vehicle! 

The National Weather Service collects information on weather-related deaths to learn how to prevent these tragedies. Many lightning victims say they were “caught” outside in the storm and couldn’t get to a safe place. Other victims simply waited too long before seeking shelter. With proper planning, similar tragedies can be avoided. 

Some people were struck because they went back outside too soon. Stay inside a safe building or vehicle for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder. While 30 minutes may seem like a long time, it is necessary to be safe. 

Finally, some victims were struck inside homes or buildings while they were using electrical equipment or corded phones. Others were in contact with plumbing, outside doors, or window frames. Avoid contact with these electrical conductors when a thunderstorm is nearby! 

WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT LIGHTNING  All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. Fortunately, people can be safe if they follow some simple guidelines when thunderstorms are forecast.

Lightning often strikes outside the area of heavy rain and may strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall. Many lightning deaths occur ahead of storms before any rain arrives or after storms have seemingly passed and the rain has ended. 

If you can hear thunder, you are in danger. Don’t be fooled by blue skies. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat.

Lightning leaves many victims with permanent disabilities. While only about 10% of lightning victims die, many survivors must live the rest of their lives with intense pain, neurological disabilities, depression, and other health problems. 

AVOID THE LIGHTNING THREAT

Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you’ll go for safety and ensure you’ll have enough time to get there. Postpone activities. Consider postponing activities if thunderstorms are forecast. 

Monitor the weather. Once outside, look for signs of a developing or approaching thunderstorm such as towering clouds, darkening skies, or flashes of lightning.

Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, seek safety immediately. Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing are best. A hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows closed is also safe. Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches do NOT protect you from lightning. 

If you hear thunder, don’t use a corded phone except in an emergency. Cordless phones and cell phones are safe to use. 

Keep away from electrical equipment and plumbing. Lightning will travel through the wiring and plumbing if your building is struck. Don’t take a bath or shower, or wash dishes during a storm. 

DON’T GET CAUGHT OUTSIDE No place outside is safe when a thunderstorm is in the area. Get inside as soon as you hear thunder. Run to a substantial building or hard-topped metal vehicle as fast as you can. If you can’t get to a safe building or vehicle: 

Avoid open areas. Don’t be the tallest object in the area. 

Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller objects in an area. 

Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can travel long distances through it. 

If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this actually increases the chance that someone might get struck, it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the chances that someone could help if a person is struck. 

IF SOMEONE IS STRUCK Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those who die. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and may need first aid immediately.

Call for help. Call 9-1-1. 9 Give first aid. Begin CPR if you are trained. 

Use an Automatic External Defibrillator if one is available. These units are lifesavers! 

Don’t be a victim. If possible, move the victim to a safer place. Lightning CAN strike twice. 

For more information Visit www.weather.gov/lightening

Summary of 2023 Fatal Lightning Incidents by John S. Jensenius, Jr., National Lightning Safety Council During 2023, the National Lightning Safety Council documented 14 lightning fatalities in the United States and its territories. The 14 fatalities were a result of 13 incidents which occurred on 13 different days. One of the lightning incidents (May 15th) led to two fatalities. 

Fatalities occurred in 10 states. Florida led the nation with 4 fatalities followed by Texas with 2 fatalities. The remaining lightning deaths occurred in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. 

As is typically the case, the majority of deaths were men (11 of 14). Ages of the victims ranged from 6 to 73. The monthly distribution of lightning deaths was a bit unusual with 3 deaths in April, 4 in May, 1 in June, 1 in July, 4 in August and 2 in September. Typically, June and July have the most lightning deaths. 

Leisure-related activities led to 6 of the 14 deaths with 3 of those related to water activities, including fishing(1), boating(1), and swimming(1). The other three leisure-related fatal activities were hunting(1), golfing (1), and taking a work break outdoors(1). 

Work-related activities led to 4 fatalities and included roofing (2), ranching(1), and farming(1). 

The remaining 4 fatalities were attributed to the victims’ normal daily routine and included walking home from the school bus stop (2), walking to/from a car, and driving (1) (tree toppled by lightning struck car). 

Detailed information on the 2023 lightning fatalities, as well as information on all fatalities from 2006 through 2023, is available from the National Lightning Safety Council “Fatalities” webpage. http://lightningsafetycouncil.org/LSC-LightningFatalities.html

• Prepare Your Pets for Disasters 
• Your pets are important members of your family! This is why they should be included in your family’s emergency plan.
• To prepare for the unexpected, keep your pets in mind as you follow these tips: 1. Make a plan. 2. Build an emergency kit. 3. Stay informed. 
• Make a Plan If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. 
• THINGS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR PLAN: ■ Know what to do with your pet during an evacuation . Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen. ■ Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. ■ Have copies of your pet’s vaccination record, and make sure your pet is microchipped. Keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include an emergency contact outside of your immediate area. ■ Keep contact information for your local emergency management office or animal control office and shelters on hand in case you become separated from your pet. 
• Build a Kit for your Pet Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival. Review your kit regularly to ensure that their contents are fresh. 
• HERE ARE SOME ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR YOUR PET: ■ Food and Water. Keep several days’ supply of both. ■ Keep food in an airtight, waterproof container, and have a water bowl to use. ■ Medicine. Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container. ■ First aid kit. Include items appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs. ■ Backup collar with ID tag and a harness or leash. Have copies of your pet’s registration information in a waterproof container and available electronically. ■ Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier for each pet. ■ Grooming items. Pet shampoo and other items, in case your pet needs some cleaning up. ■ A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from your pet, a picture will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. ■ Sanitation needs. Include pet litter and litter box, trash bags and other items to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs. ■ Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit to reduce stress for your pets. 
• Stay Informed Stay informed of current conditions and know how you will receive emergency alerts and warnings. 
• Download the FEMA app to get weather alerts for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. Always bring your pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm. For more information about how to prepare your pets, visit Ready.gov/pets.