Putnam County LTRTF has Blog!

So, why does the LTRTF need a blog?

At this time, the primary purpose of this web based web log (aka "blog") is to deliver the latest information to local and distant media and news sources, and to disseminate the issues concerning the LTRTF, the Flood Fund and the people affected by the flooding in Putnam County, Ohio as well as more specifically Ottawa, Ohio.

OK, so what is a "BLOG"? A Blog is a shortened version of the phrase "Web-Log," and as people started saying web-log, weblog, weBLOG, it eventually turned into BLOG.

But we still haven't answered the question, "what is a blog?" The best, quick way to explain a blog is a journal or diary that can be kept on the Internet, that can be easily updated, without having to do major web page programming. In fact, you can publish a blog without any knowledge at all about web page development. If you want a more technical description of a blog, google, "what is a blog" or "how do I write a blog" or go to this link on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

So why would the Putnam County Long Term Recovery Task Force (LTRTF) have a blog? Well, in this day and age, one of the easiest and quickest, and financially responsible (read "FREE") ways to spread the word far and wide is to use a blog. The greatest thing about a blog is that the information that needs to be disseminated quickly can be posted on the blog and people who have no knowledge of what a blog is or how a blog works or even know what a blog is, can still get the textual, picture, or video information contained in this blog.

This flooding happened in Late August of 2007, it was the combination of several very odd weather and climate occurrences that all happened together. This flood equaled the flood of 1913 and was a record breaker (there is some various opinion as to the facts if this flood was the highest ever recorded, but if you look at the pictures from the 1913 flood down main street, you see that it was very similar in level).

Check out the pictures and videos of the flooding here: Pictures and Videos of the flood

Also, check out the web page www.OttawaFlood.com for much, much more information about the flood, where to volunteer, where to get help, etc. A very valuable resource that is updated daily and will be for the foreseeable future.

If you have any questions that need to be asked or answered about the LTRTF, please submit them to the blog.

We will do our best to address the issues and post them here or at least get you pointed in the correct direction to answer your question. Many of the Frequently Asked Questions can be found and answered here OttawaFlood.com FAQs

Legal Aid Clinics for Flood Victims

Legal aid clinics for flood victims

The legal aid offices of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) and Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO), along with the Findlay-Hancock County Bar Association, continue their series of free, legal clinics for individuals most affected by the August flooding. A Legal Clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Family Center, 1800 North Blanchard Street in Findlay. Registration is suggested but not required. Call the ABLE office toll-free at 866-837-8832 to register for the free legal clinics.

Volunteer attorneys will be on hand to provide brief, legal advice to eligible flood victims for their individual issues. Those who need full service, legal assistance from ABLE or LAWO will be assessed for eligibility at the meeting, while others will be directed to community volunteer lawyers who are available on a pro bono basis.

ABLE and LAWO are a non-profit law firms that provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low-income individuals and groups in a 32-county area of northwest and west central Ohio.

For additional information, contact Patricia J. Robb, Communications Director, at 419-930-2517 or 419-350-6017 or probb@ablelaw.org

Volunteers and Donations Still Needed!

VOLUNTEER CONNECTION:

• VOLUNTEERS- Help will be needed for months!!! Skilled and unskilled workers please call the Volunteer Connection at @419-523-3288. (Electricians, plumbers, and drywallers please consider helping.)
• VICTIMS- Call with your needs! @ 419-523-3288.

UNITED WAY DISTRIBUTION CENTER:

• Donations still accepted. Drop off donations at the former Rite Aid Building. Pots and pans are very needed.
• Volunteers needed to help clients and manage merchandise.
• New Hours are Mon. & Wed. 12 - 6, and Sat. 10 - 2.

Volunteers Needed, Skilled and Un-Skilled!

Announcement: Help make the world a better place right here in Northwest Ohio! Ottawa will need volunteers for many months to recover from the August flood. Call the Volunteer Connection @ 419-538-3288 to find out how you can help. Consider helping the victims of the flood with your next fund raiser or donating your time to the cause.

How To Search the Internet For All Things Related to Ottawa, Ohio (Not the Capital of Canada!)

Note: When you are searching the internet for anything related to Ottawa, make sure to use the search terms "Ottawa," and "Ohio" or "OH" otherwise you will be bogged down by all things related to Ottawa, Canada, (probably not what you are looking for!).

It can be useful to try the search with using either "Ohio" or "OH" or a combination of both. The different combinations of keywords will all reveal different resultsin your search for information.Please leave a post, we want to hear from you, your thoughts, your links that may help others, etc.

Flood Emotional Care Coffee-House-Chat

Seventy days after the flood – the impact, the stress, the challenges go on and on. Some are able to move back in to their homes; some are seeing measurable progress; and some do not yet see any progress at all. Many are feeling great frustration, anxiety, worry hopelessness, perhaps even anger. If you find yourself at “wit's end,” overwhelmed, defeated, discouraged, you may benefit from an opportunity to express your thoughts and feelings in a warm, friendly setting.

The Long Term Recovery Committee through its “Spiritual/Emotional Care Task Force" is offering to anyone affected by the flood a “coffee-house-like” setting to talk out those inner feelings. Representatives from area churches will be available as listeners and facilitators of these conversations at the Ottawa Glandorf High School on two dates: Saturday, November 10, 9-11 AM, and Tuesday, November 13, 6 – 8 PM, both in Room 202 at the High School. Be assured that these are for your stress management; there will be no “church” talk from the facilitators. Hot and cold beverages will be available.