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Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance

Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance

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The Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance (SGA) is a newly-formed collaboration of neighbors, local nonprofits, businesses, and churches actively working to inform the community, and support relief and recovery efforts in the Swannanoa Valley. Our mission is to share accurate information, provide helpful resources, and serve as a communication bridge within the valley. We’re also here to listen to our neighbors and ensure that all of our voices are heard, and advocated for, as external relief organizations arrive and government entities begin the process of rebuilding.

Our digital presence on social media (“Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance” on Facebook and Instagram) and our website (www.swannanoagrassrootsalliance.org) are meant to serve as a hub for resources, services, and information for folks who live in Swannanoa and the surrounding area. The information is updated daily to ensure accuracy.

 

Check it out and share with your networks in Swannanoa!

Jail and Housing Conditions in Post-Helene Asheville

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This week on The Final Straw Radio, you’ll hear three interviews interviews relating to community needs and recovering concerning Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.

First up, you’ll hear Jen Hampton of the WNC Tenants Network about the re-opening of eviction courts in Buncombe County and conditions of housing in an already difficulty place to live.

Then, Bruce and G talk from the Asheville Community Bail Fund speak about conditions in the local jail during and after this unnatural disaster.

If you’re listening to the radio edition, consider checking out the podcast where you’ll find an additional interview with Yousef of the Palestinian and Arab-led Sumud Collective speaking about his experience of the storm and recovery work in the region in an interview recorded a couple of weeks ago.

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Featured Track:

  • Reflections by The Supremes from Gold

More Posts for Show: The Final Straw Radio

Taking your blood pressure the right way is better for your health

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BALTIMORE, MD – October 7, 2024 – Did you know that holding your arm in a certain position may make a difference in your blood pressure measurement? Common arm positions during routine blood pressure checks can cause a significant increase in blood pressure reading. Therefore, blood pressure readings might not be accurate unless the arm is in the correct position to take a measurement.

In a recent study published on October 7, 2024, in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine, blood pressure readings were obtained while people held their arms in 3 different positions. The arm was leaning on a surface, resting on the lap or hanging by the side of the body while the blood pressure was taken. The study found that the most accurate measurement was obtained by having the arm rest on a surface near heart level. Holding your arm in your lap or by your side, lower than the heart, can result in a higher systolic number. The higher number, known as the systolic pressure, is the amount of pressure in a person’s arteries when the heart contracts and propels blood throughout the body.

The study was performed at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 133 adults had their blood pressure measured in each of the 3 arm positions.

Health care providers and patients will be able to measure more accurate blood pressures and avoid false diagnosis and unnecessary treatment. These findings are supported by the American Heart Association.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

Keeping healthy after Hurricane Helene: Monitor your blood pressure

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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA – October 4, 2024 – My wife and I have become climate refugees following western North Carolina’s destruction by Hurricane Helene. We lost electricity, running water, cell service and internet access for most of 5 days. We ran out of food to eat and water to drink. My wife’s blood pressure was high for the first time in her life at her medical appointment one week later.

Your body reacts to stress by releasing a surge of hormones as part of the “fight or flight” response. These hormones allow the body to better adapt by increasing the blood flow to your muscles so you can react. It’s considered normal for your blood pressure to increase for a short time during times of stress. Long-term high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, kidney disease and stroke.

Adrenaline and cortisol are the main hormones that are elevated. The former increase your heart rate and your blood vessels to narrow; while cortisone can raise your blood sugar and improve its utilization.

Learning how to manage stress can lower blood pressure. Your blood pressure should normalize once the stress goes away. Sticking to an exercise routine and having enough sleep can help lower stress.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

The weekly COVID-19 update: The August surge was here. Can wastewater predict the future?

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ASHEVILLE, NC – October 16, 2024 – The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 5th shows:  

  • Almost 2% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2nd lowest level of 6 groups and increased since last week.
  • Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1.5% of all visits and a substantial decrease since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 2nd was unknown for the week, including:

  • The number of viral gene copies in each water sample
  • The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample.

Vaccine protection wanes over time and newer variants evolve to evade the body’s defenses. Persons in high-risk groups, ages 65 and older, with chronic health conditions and weakened immune systems, are more likely to develop severe illness. At-risk people can be protected, by staying home when not feeling well and keeping current with vaccination.

Americans can order up to 4 free COVID tests at COVIDtest.gov. I just did.

A new COVID vaccine is available for currently circulating strains. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The timing is optimal to protect against getting severely ill during the winter surge of respiratory infections. Check with local pharmacies for availability.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

Homeless Organizing in Oakland and Rural Relief After Helene

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Homeless Organizing in Oakland and Rural Relief After Helene

This week on the show we’re featuring two inteviews. First up, you’ll hear from Freeway, a houseless activist in Oakland, CA, about the recent series of sweeps of homeless being promoted by Governor Gavin Newsom. Freeway has been a member of Wood Street Commons and is now a member of Oakland Homeless Union (IG or donate). Then, Janet of Rural Organizing and Resilience (IG or donate) in Madison County, speaks about post-Hurricane Helene organizing and disaster preparedness in the mountains of Western North Carolina. More and links to be added soon.

If you’re a non-Pacifica station airing our show and need access to the episode, you can find a radio-friendly version here until Archive.Org is restored following a DDOS attack

A longer version of this show can be found here

Other groups mentioned by Janet of ROAR include:

  • Holler Harm Reduction
  • PODER Emma
  • Appalachian Medical Solidarity
  • Asheville Tool Library
  • Asheville Repair Clinic
  • Another Gulf is Possible
  • Bulboncha Liberation Radio

Announcement

Phone Zap for Buncombe County Jail

Members of the Asheville Community Bail Fund have announced a phone zap concerning conditions in the Buncombe County Detention Facility where reports are coming out of a lack of clean water, irregular bathroom breaks and other lack of access are leading to calls for those in the jail to be released or transferred to a facility with more humane conditions.

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Featured Track:

  • I Wanna Know If It’s Good To You by Funkadellic from Free Your Mind… And Your Ass Will Follow

More Posts for Show: The Final Straw Radio