Major Robert J. Rappoport of the Rockville police department was last week’s speaker, and gave an enlightening talk on Emergency Preparedness.

The Washington area, according to Rappoport, “is a potential target for manmade terrorist attacks, plus natural disasters due to hurricanes, tornados, floods, blizzards, and extreme temperatures.”

Citizens should prepare and maintain a “to go” kit that can be grabbed quickly and contains supplies that will last for 3 days (water, food, clothing, bedding, flashlights, medications, etc.). They should also create a family communication plan, the location of the water shut off valve in their home, learn the emergency evacuation details at schools and workplaces, alternate routes away from home or area, and be prepared to be able to stay in homes for at least three days.

Dr. Ryan Mullen, a Chiropractor with Pro Health Chiropractic Wellness Center in North Bethesda informed us of the “Five Keys to Health.” Before revealing those key elements, he stressed the importance to shift the focus of Western medicine from “sick care” to “health care” by concentrating on preventing disease rather than waiting for illness to occur and then treating it.

The five keys to good health are

1. Understanding our Genetic history.
2. Keeping a positive mental attitude.
3. Getting Proper Rest so our bodies can heal and remain strong .
4. Maintaining Proper Nutrition by eating a balanced diet and utilizing appropriate supplements to bolster our health, and
5. Incorporating Movement and Exercise in our schedule EVERY DAY to manage energy and weight.

Dr. Frederick Abramson (last week’s breakfast speaker) wants to end the single-mother poverty-pregnancy cycle. His background in business and genetic science led him to create Fresh Start Science as a new type of lifechanging program. This non-profit program starts by testing the mother and child for 100 different normal genes that show natural talents, tendencies and affinities.

The DNA cross-section identifies inputs to her personality, weight control, creativity, behavior and other everyday characteristics. This baseline blueprint becomes the working template for coaching and mentoring, which helps the single mother build self-esteem and a can-do attitude. The program then connects her to appropriate community resources to give her a fresh start in life. Participating single mothers will not be charged.