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Benefits of keeping OM pool open are numerous

In characterizing the Orchard Mesa pool as a recreational niche amenity in your editorial of Jan. 23, you ignore the significant health and safety benefits to our community.

Back in 1922, the citizens and local government recognized that accessible and affordable training in water safety and swimming skills should be available to all but especially the children who were drowning in the river and ditches at an alarming rate. Hard work, cooperation and a generous donation from William Moyer, a respected merchant, resulted in the opening of the Lincoln Park pool.

The health benefits from participation in aquatic activities are numerous and well documented. Swimming builds strength and cardio abilities while improving physical and mental well-being just ask anyone as they leave the OM pool!

I also disagree with your statement that a lot of money is needed to get the OM pool up to snuff. I swim daily at the pool. It is a totally functional and safe facility offering all amenities you listed except a lazy river. It is managed by a highly competent and friendly staff. In the past six years, it has not been closed for major mechanical breakdowns.

In the past few weeks, we have attempted to investigate the rumor of closure of the pool.

As citizens and taxpayers, we have been totally ignored by the city (Parks and Rec) and Mesa County (Rose Puglieses office). Our requests for data have gone unanswered as well as basic questions concerning meetings and even the membership of the Pool Board.

Although I may disagree with many aspects of your editorial, I must state that only The Daily Sentinel and KKCO were helpful in our quest for information and documentation. I respect your commitment to a high level of journalism.

Member, Save the Pool Committee

Sentinel sends conflicting messages on value of pool

I have been following the Orchard Mesa pool issue and Thursday, I read that the Sentinels editorial staff advocated that we need to get out of the pool and accept the closure of the Orchard Mesa swimming facility.

And then I read, with bemused irony, the Sports section, the front page even, which went into great detail about the upcoming state swim meets, and Grand Junction High Tigers practicing to compete, how only three made it to State last year.

If Grand Junction wants to continue to have representation at the state level in swimming, does closing a community pool make sense? Sure, as the editorial staff pointed out, there are still options for swimmers at Colorado Mesa University, Fruita Recreation Center and fitness centers. But are those options for younger swimmers just starting out, especially up-and-coming swimmers in the Orchard Mesa area? Can younger swimmers afford the costs of joining a fitness center just to swim or the hour or more round-trip to the Fruita Community Center? The Orchard Mesa pool is also the closest option for those south of Orchard Mesa towards Whitewater and beyond.

Michael Phelps started swimming at 7 and by the age of 10 had a national record for his age group. Katie Ledecky was the most decorated female athlete of the 2016 Olympic games with four gold medals, one silver medal, and two world records all in swimming.

Maybe the Sentinel didnt mean to send a conflicting message on the same day, but it sure read that way to me.

Orchard Mesa pool far more than a niche amenity

After reading the editorial Time to get out of the pool, I am compelled to disagree that the Orchard Mesa pool is merely a niche amenity. The pool has offered swim lessons, CPR training, exercise programs and many other strong health benefits to children and adults of all ages. Many students ride bikes and walk to the pool. CMU keeps their water temperature very cool for competitive swimming. Not for 60-plus age folks or for ages below 11.

Closing the pool is a huge loss for our children to learn to swim and to practice their skills. Furthermore, many young lifeguards will lose their jobs. Losing Orchard Mesa is a huge loss all around for our Grand Junction community. If City Council and the mayor do not support this valuable asset, I hope our communities will vote them out. Children are the future. We must protect our children. They need to learn to swim to save their own life and the lives of others.

The rest is here:
Printed Letters: Jan. 24, 2020 | Letters - The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

By Janet Miranda January 22, 2020

BOUNCE is a community outreach program designed to reduced obesity in underserved communities. Norma Olvera, who founded BOUNCE, observed that 20 percent of children in the program lost up to 16 pounds in four weeks. | Photo courtesy of BOUNCE

Elementary and middle-school children from underserved communities in the East End and Third Ward who participated in a UH nutrition and exercise program are seeing lower rates of anxiety and sleep deprivation, according to the programs executive director.

The program, Behavior Opportunities Uniting Nutrition, Coaching, and Exercise, was founded in 2005 by Norma Olvera, a University professor and BOUNCEs executive director at the College of Education. BOUNCE is a community outreach and research initiative dedicated to reducing obesity-related diseases among underserved Hispanic and African American communities.

The BOUNCE program started from a class I took as a Ph.D. student at UH that centered on childhood obesity, Olvera said. We looked at the literature, and we realized that therewere very few programs that targeted minorities so there was a need.

The program began small, with Olvera working with a group of Hispanic and African American girls ages 9-14 in summer workshops.

Olvera, whose research interest centers around childhood obesity, said they observed that 20 percent of children were able to lose up to 16 pounds in four weeks and most importantly, they were able to maintain the weight.

BOUNCE has quantified the improvement of their current students in their most recent program, and they found positive results for the childrens waistlines along with their anxiety and sleeping patterns.

We found that our exercise program called Lace-Up and Move, made a difference to our participants, Olvera said. The children in the experimental group were able to decrease their anxiety level and sleeping pattern compared to the children in the comparison group.

BOUNCE has grown into a variety of classes and programs that benefit children and their parents, such as after-school exercise and nutrition programs for children. Other activities include gardening, a summer wellness program, shopping tours, nutrition education programs for parents, cooking demonstrations and 5K Fun Run/Walks.

This year BOUNCE celebrates its 15th anniversary and its impact on the surrounding University community. With more than 20 participating elementary and middle schools, 10,000 families reached and 2,500 participants in their BOUNCE Fun Run/Walk, Olvera is exploring new initiatives and partnerships that could positively impact the local community.

Wed like to create summer programs in which we actually incorporate STEM components related to nutrition and exercise for minority girls, Olvera said.

In this program, Olvera aims to instill a love for learning the scientific concepts of food science. Students can learn why different kinds of food have different effects on the body and the processes of how exercise helps decrease anxiety and improve moods.

Along with summer programs, BOUNCE is continuing its expansion of gardening classes in local schools. Children can learn to grow vegetables and incorporate them into their meals.

BOUNCE has presented their research in national and international conferences, most recently in Cuba. They have also received recognition and awards from state-level organizations, such as the Texas Public Health Association and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The program recently opened applications for their Eye to the Future paid internship for UH students interested in nutrition and public health. The internship hopes to develop the next generation of childhood obesity educators, and its deadline to apply is March 5.

Olvera said its a way to support the local UH community and good experience for students who are interested in going into the health or nutrition fields.

The University of Houston has an excellent opportunity being surrounded by the Third Ward community and the East End, said Olvera. We can encourage children to form healthy habits and teach them how to be active. Its a great way for our students to gain experience and provide their expertise for a good cause.

[emailprotected]

Tags: East End, health, nutrition, Third Ward, UH BOUNCE

Continued here:
UH BOUNCE program aims to improve health of undeserved children - The Daily Cougar

(StatePoint) For many, the new year is about establishing goals for the year ahead. But where should you start? As we age, an increasing number of us link our emotional and physical well-being to our overall health. After all, you can't do the things you'd like if you aren't healthy.

With that in mind, Cigna and its Medicare Advantage (MA) fitness partner, the Silver&Fit Healthy Aging and Exercise Program, share these five tips to help older adults get fitter and stronger and be less stressed and happier in 2020:

1. Hit the gym. Exercise is a proven way to help you get fitter and stronger, improve balance, lose weight, reduce blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, manage pain and even be more social. Many gyms offer such options as free weights, machines, pools, classes, private instructors and other amenities that can inspire you to try new things. Prefer working out with others? Group classes can help you discover a new exercise, stick to a schedule and find exercise buddies. If you're new to exercise, remember that slow and steady is the way to build good habits, avoid injury and achieve health goals. It's always a good idea to consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

Can't afford a gym membership? You may be surprised to learn that many MA plans offer exercise programs at top fitness centers and YMCAs for no extra cost. Check your plan for details.

2. Nourish your body. For optimal health, nourish your body with healthy, energizing foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, fish and healthy oils, such as olive oil and sesame oil. Limit pre-packaged, processed foods. Set an achievable goal. Try cutting out one unhealthy food each month, such as sugary soft drinks or chips. Your body will love you for it! Also, stay hydrated, especially when exercising.

At the same time, eliminate unhealthy habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol in excess. With an MA plan, you may be able to get help with smoking cessation products or alcohol counseling at no extra cost.

3. Stress less. Stress can be toxic and debilitating. Develop a "PLAN" to deal with it. According to Cigna's Dr. Stuart L. Lustig, this includes identifying a Period of time to unwind, a Location to de-stress, an Activity to enjoy and the Name of someone with whom you can talk. Yoga, tai chi and meditation may help you cope with stress, as well as going for walks, listening to music, comedy or audio books -- or even coloring. If you're experiencing extreme stress, talk to your doctor. Remember, the mind and body are connected, and stress takes its toll on physical health.

4. Get social. According to a 2018 Cigna survey, loneliness in America has reached epidemic levels. Nearly half of Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone (46 percent) or left out (47 percent). Loneliness has been shown to negatively impact physical and mental health. Alleviate loneliness by taking one proactive step each week. For example, call or get coffee with friends or family, join a club or volunteer. You can also connect with other active adults on social media. Check out the inspirational health and fitness posts on the @SilverandFit Facebook page and join in the conversations.

5. Practice gratitude. Happiness comes with thankfulness. Think about people and things you feel grateful for, and start a gratitude journal.

By doing your best to incorporate these five tips into your life, you'll kick-start your journey toward a healthier 2020.

Excerpt from:
5 Tips to Help Older Adults Be Healthier in 2020 - Kiowa County Press

Trash-talking may be common in competitive sports, but an exchange between two soccer players in Exeter still comes as a surprise.

The conversation, across a cup of coffee inside a conference room at RiverWoods Exeter, a retirement community, had been cordial. Then Joe Kasper, 76, walks in, levels a gaze and lifts his chin in an air of confident acknowledgement.

Hey, Pete. I havent knocked you over in at least three or four weeks, right?, Kasper says to fellow resident Pete Dunning, 84.

But the pairs wry grins and hearty handshake hint at a larger story, one about a newfound camaraderie and an unlikely program that is gaining momentum and redefining what entertainment and recreation means among seniors.

It all began in 2018 when James Peterson, sales and marketing director for Seacoast United Sports Club, approached RiverWoods with an unusual idea.

I said, I know it sounds crazy, but we want to do a Walking Soccer program. Its soccer, but you have to walk no running or jogging. Wed love to try it with RiverWoods, Peterson said.

He teamed up with RiverWoods fitness director, Heidi Savage, to coordinate an interactive demonstration of the sport at Gooch Park during Active Aging Week, said RiverWoods marketing director Adelle Gabrielson.

We were the first club in the country outside of a club in Washington to try it in the U.S., said Peterson, who also pitched the idea to other soccer programs at the New England Club Summit earlier this month at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel and Spa in New Castle.

Based on the initial reception from RiverWoods participants, Seacoast United, which operates five sports facilities in New England for youth and adults, launched its first eight-week session of Walking Soccer at its Epping Sports Complex last fall.

Word spread about the Wednesday morning games, and a second drop-in session got under way Jan. 8, and has been attracting others seniors, including some from Sunrise Sunset Center Activity Center in Newmarket and Cornerstone at Hampton, a retirement and assisted living community.

The first Wednesday there were eight people, with two coaches jumping in to fill out the field. This past one (the count) was almost 20, said Peterson. The youngest has been 60 and the oldest, 95. That its taking off is such a rewarding thing. I wholeheartedly think this is one of the most significant things our organization has done.

Peterson says the social and mental aspects of the program are big selling points.

Its a team activity. At this point in life, we dont have a ton of team activities, Kasper says. We used to work youd be a part of a team in an office or a factory or whatever ... and that sort of goes away. Theres a great satisfaction that comes from being part of a team. Theres joy in it. And this is bringing it back for me. It feels good.

Some, like Kasper, who wears favorite league jerseys from the 1980s, and Dunning, who played high school and college ball, have soccer experience while many others are new to the game.

They swap us around in positions, which is nice, says Hannah Clements, who, at 84, is just learning how to play soccer.

I kinda like being in the back field because the pressure isnt on to score, just to protect the goal, she says with a laugh. Its good exercise. You get plenty of exercise walking around fast, and its good for your brain to figure out, OK, its coming at me, now what am I going to do with it, and boom, you see a person right in front of you to pass to.

Though its designed as a limited contact form of soccer, some people do take a tumble, said Clements, who played field hockey in her youth and takes strength and balance fitness classes and walks her yellow lab, Hailey, at RiverWoods.

Walking soccer is just what it sounds like it operated on the basic tenets of soccer but players have to walk instead of run. Plus, there are no off-sides rulings, and the ball cant be played higher than the knee, or else there is a free kick is given to the other team.

Keeping the ball below the knee takes away those whack-in-the-face moments, says Kasper.

It also makes the game more focused on passing than booting the ball up field for a sprint to the goal. Peterson calls it a more strategic possession game, in which players move the ball in thirds, utilizing the goalie as an extra player.

We dont look for physical contact, but it occurs occasionally, Dunning adds with a laugh. When I was playing in school, it happened on purpose.

Thankfully, the trio says, the cushioned indoor surface of the playing field at Seacoast United makes for a softer landing.

Ive seen a lot of quick stepping out there, Gabrielson chimes in. You all are constantly reigning yourselves in. Theres a lot of shuffling. Sometimes (a player or a ref) calls out a little reminder walk, dont run!

Dunning and Kasper have that competitive edge and off-field ribbing from earlier soccer days, yet neither had touched a soccer ball in quite some time Kasper in the past 10 years and Dunning for closer to 20.

Dunning, who grew up in Newbury, Mass., jokes that he went out for football as a freshman at what was then Governor Drummer Academy, a boarding school in Byfield, Mass., but his skinny frame hadnt been the right build for the sport.

At 510 and 110 pounds, my prospects werent great, he said.

Ten pounds heavier as a sophomore, he decided soccer might be a better fit. He moved onto varsity soccer in junior and senior years, and college play came next.

More recently, Dunning rendered people speechless by using his head to redirect some balls up field at a Walking Soccer game.

I got the attention of the guy running the program by doing a couple of headers, Dunning says, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Oh, that was you?, Gabrielson says, laughing. I have that on video. That made it on the Facebook page.

She explains to a visitor what happened: Hes just off camera. You hear a thunk and everyone go, Whoa! You can see the ball fly overhead.

Dunnings wife, Jackie, is a recent convert to the game of soccer, but Dunning promises he isnt doing any critiquing.

Well, of course, you have to be careful giving your wife pointers, Dunning says of maintaining marital harmony.

In Kaspers case, he didnt find a footing on the soccer field until he was a dad.

I grew up in a lacrosse state (Maryland). Soccer was defined in junior high school when the gym teacher came outdoors with all us boys and said, This is a soccer ball. Youre going to see it once and then were going to put it away, says Kasper.

But after he became a New Englander and his daughter started playing soccer at about 9 years old, Kasper became a fixture on the sidelines, joining other parents in calling out direction.

At one point the coach came over and said, You dont know what youre talking about. Have any of you played soccer? The answer for most of us parents was, No, Kasper says. So they started a summer parents league, and said, Come on out and show us what you think youre good at.

That minimal-contact introduction to soccer led him to an over-30s league in Andover, Mass., where he was hooked on the game.

It was just a blast. I had the good fortune to be on a team with, lets see 13 doctors, I was the rocket scientist, and we had a lawyer. The docs covered every specialty so whatever happened on the field, (we) were covered, Kasper jokes.

The Walking Soccer program has given him a chance to meet more people, not only from other communities but from within RiverWoods, too, since there are about 650 residents living on three campuses there.

Word has been spreading, he says. Ive been proselytizing. Its fun. Its good exercise. And no ones gotten seriously hurt.

Which brings up the sense of humor that seems to filter through conversations between the players. When Dunning starts talking about disrupting a tough Latin American teams quick passing game for a win back in the day, Kasper helps explain the strategy.

A lot of players dont like to be marked that tightly, so you lean on their best player. And if you work really hard at it, they will get so ticked off that they will attempt to kick you and then get red-carded (for a foul). Get them angry, and theyll do something stupid, and goodbye, Kasper said, drawing a complicit laugh from Dunning.

Though a former pro soccer player from England recently joined one of the Walking Soccer games, Dunning said its mostly amateurs showing up to play, and its fairly split between men and women. And the newcomers are taking it in stride.

Clements appreciates helpful instruction from team mates.

Coach Pete, thats what we call him, gives out info on what to do, (how to) pass, look and play, Clements said. Hes great. Hes a riot.

Coach Pete is Peter Michel, who founded the New England Club Baseball Association and has been active in youth programs including Seacoast United Baseball.

He has been a fan favorite among the (Walking Soccer) players, with his outgoing personality and ability to cheer everyone up, says Seacoast United marketing associate Bryan Butt.

A plus is the timing of the games, which start at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays.

That the fun of playing Walking Soccer: you get excused from doctors appointments to play," Kasper said.

See the rest here:
Getting their kicks: 'Walking Soccer' program getting high scores among 60-to-95 set - The Union Leader

February school break is less than a month away. If you need to find something to occupy your children that week, Southborough Recreation has a couple of options.

Since the week starts off with Presidents Day, camp classes only run Tuesday, February 18 to Friday, February 21st. Programs will be held at Trottier Middle School.

Rec is offering two versions of Fast Athletics All Sports Clinic:

The class is for kids ages 7 12 years old. You can sign kids up for a full day class ($120 for 9:00 am 3:00 pm) or just the mornings (9:00 am noon for $90). The clinics cover gym games and sports likedodgeball, capture the flag, asteroid ball, pillo polo, and indoor soccer:

The games are designed to give children an aerobic workout while playing with friends!

For those who prefer to exercise their creativity, Skyrise Theater will put on a musical theater campfor ages 5 14.

The production isGrow Bean, Grow!, the companys musical parody of Jack and the Beanstalk. Classes are from 9:00 am 3:00 pm.

This 4 Day Production Class provides an opportunity for significant growth for your child in the performing arts. Rehearsal is 5 hours a day and at the end of the week the cast will perform a full 30 minute musical production. Please pack a peanut free lunch and water.

All cast members are to attend all rehearsals throughout the week. On Tuesday, there will be auditions, and then parts are cast. Nothing needs to be prepared for these auditions! Just be ready to move and have fun! Everyone is cast!. . .

Performance will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 21st in the Trottier Auditorium, admission is free!

While attending the final show is free, the camp is not. Participation is $275 per child through Southborough Rec.

To register for either camp, click here.

(Of course, Rec isnt the only option around. Algonquin teams often use the break to run fundraising clinics. For info on the ARHS Lacrosse Clinic click here. And stay tuned for info on the Basketball Clinic.)

Tagged as:Feb-break-2020

Read more here:
February break programs through Rec: All Sports Clinics & Skyrise Theater - mysouthborough

The Senior Program at the Greater Maple Valley Community Center, located at 22010 SE 248th St. in Maple Valley, invites all adults ages 50+ to come and see what we are all about! Call us at 425-432-1272 with any questions or visit our website http://www.maplevalleycc.org for more information and our monthly calendar.

We would like to offer our sincere thanks to Covington Place Sr. Apts. for their continued support of our programs.

Trips, Groups, Special Events

Payment for all trips is due at time of registration. Cancellations are refunded if seats can be filled; a $5 non-refundable service fee will be applied. Trip costs include all Community Center and travel expenses.

Friday, January 24, 31, Feb 7, 14, 21 Brain Fitness This program uses individual and group activities designed to stimulate a variety of your brain regions. The class is social, interactive, and fun! You can expect to be challenged with visual puzzles and games, and to participate in activities that use your short-term and long-term memory. The class is offered in partnership with MultiCare and is a part of their Celebrate Seniority program. There are 2 levels, Level 1 runs from 9-10:15 and Level 2 runs from 10:45 until noon. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Tuesday, January 21 Senior Trip: Seattle Antiques Market and Dukes Seattle Antiques Market is one of the largest collectibles and antiques dealers in Washington! This 6,000 sq. ft. store is filled with thousands of treasures from the past. We will leave GMVCC at 9:30a.m., shop for a while, then head to Dukes Chowder House for lunch. Cost is $15, plus money for shopping and lunch.

Monday, February 3 Book Club Get reading and join the conversation! Reading is fun, interesting, and good for you. Join our monthly book club for lively conversation and to meet new people, too. Selections for our club include titles from both fiction and non-fiction. We meet on the first Monday of each month (unless otherwise noted) at 10:00a.m. in the GMVCC library. You are responsible for getting your own copy of the book. This month we will be discussing A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving.

Thursday, February 6 Burke Museum The Burke Museum was founded in 1885 by the Young Naturalists, a group of curious teenagers inspired by seeing Seattle transform before their eyes. For 130 years, the Museum has built upon this legacy, collecting objects that help us understand how the Northwest has grown and changed. Regardless of who you are or where you came fromwhether your family just got here or has called this land home for millenniathis is your museum. We will leave GMVCC at 9:15, spend a few hours at the museum, then have lunch at a caf afterwards. Cost for this trip is $20, plus bring money for your lunch.

Senior Fitness

Mon/Wed/Fri at 9:00a.m. Walking Group Meeting in the GMVCC lobby MWF at 9:00a.m., we walk on the Lake Wilderness Trail as a group, rain or shine. Everyone walks at his or her own pace; covering approx. 3 miles round trip. This is a drop-in activity; no need to call ahead. There is a $1 suggested donation to support on-going GMVCC Health and Wellness programs.

Mons and Weds., at 9:00am Aging-Well Yoga Instructor will help you gently increase strength, flexibility, posture and balance. Everyone will be working at their own pace. 4-class punch card is $30; 8-class punch card is $50; 12-class punch card is $70; drop-in rate is $10. No reservations are necessary; pay in class. This class is held in The Den. Call us with any questions.

Mons., Weds. and Fris. at 10:30 Fall-Prevention Exercise The Fall StopMove Strong exercise program was designed specifically to improve balance and strength. It is a series of 3 different 12-minute sessions. This is free and no sign-up is necessary. Please note: no exercise on party days.

Socials and Games

Time and availability might vary because of holidays and parties.

Suggested donation of $1 in the activity donation box.

Mons. Bingo at 11:00; Pinochle at 12:30; Ping Pong 12:30

Weds. Quilting & Sewing at 10:45 (2nd & 4th Weds.) in the Den; Bingo at 11:00, Pinochle and Mah Jong at 12:30

Fris. Bingo at 11:00, Painting at 1:00, Ping Pong 12:30, Pinochle 12:30

Fris. at 1:00 Painting

Calling all painters (all mediums) to come in to use our main hall to paint, socialize, and share ideas. Tables and space to spread out is available, however, there are no easels for use, and no instruction given.

Lunch Menus

Lunch served each Mon., Wed., Fri. at 12:00. For those age 60+ there is a suggested donation of $4. For all others, there is a $7 fee.

All menus are subject to availability of food items. Milk, coffee, and tea are available for all lunches.

Wed., Jan 22: Chicken pot pie, kale salad, peaches, roll, milk, birthday cake

Fri., Jan 24: French dip, coleslaw, pears, milk

Mon., Jan 27: Mini meatloaves, mashed potatoes, carrots, berries, roll, milk

Wed., Jan 29: 15-bean soup with ham, garden salad, biscuit, apricots, milk

Fri., Jan 31: Chicken enchiladas, mexi-rice, beans, zucchini, fruit, milk

Health and Wellness

Routine Pedicure/Footcare Karens Foot Care is offered to seniors on the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month and the 4th Thurs. Cost is $32. Please call GMVCC to make an appointment as this popular service fills quickly.

Blood Pressure Checks are offered on the 1st and 3rd Fridays between 10:30 and 11:00. This service depends on availability of MV Firefighters.

Services

Community Center Shuttle Need a ride in? Our shuttle runs M/W/F between 9am and 3pm and provides rides to GMVCC for programs and lunch. Shuttle rides are $1 each way within our transportation boundaries. Call 425-432-1272 for availability at least 24 hours in advance. $20 bus passes (good for 20 rides) are available.

Volunteer Transportation Need a ride to a medical appointment? Call Janet at 425-432-1272 at least one week in advance to arrange a free volunteer-provided ride. This Volunteer Program is now in great need of drivers. If you think you would like to help seniors get to medical appointments, please call the above number to become a volunteer.

Meals on Wheels (by application only). Applications must be obtained from and submitted to Sound Generations (call 206-448-5767 or mealsonwheels@soundgenerations.org and http://www.soundgenerations.org). A new, expanded menu is now available.

Free Pet Food In partnership with the Seattle Humane Society, the Greater Maple Valley Community Center offers free pet food for qualifying low-income seniors.

Medical Lending Closet Free walking aids & bathroom equipment are available from our lending closet free of charge(call for current items). We also welcome donations of these items!

Cell Phone Drop Off Drop off your old cell phones here to be distributed to US military as well as people in general disaster areas. This is part of the Phones for Soldiers Program. More information can be found at: http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Eye Glass Drop Off Drop off old prescription glasses here for the Lions Club to refurbish and redistribute to those who need them.

Computer Assistance Volunteer Curtis Patterson specializes in working with senior citizens and provides free, caring, patient, one-on-one computer assistance including repairs, upgrades, diagnostics, tutoring, virus/spyware cleaning, and more. PC and Android are his specialty, but Curtis is willing attempt to help with Apple products as well. Call us at 425-432-1272 to arrange and appointment. Age requirement is 50+.

Go here to see the original:
Maple Valley Senior News Updated 1-21-20 - Voice of the Valley

A large number of prestigious academic medical centers offer "executive screening" programs designed to allow asymptomatic people to obtain early risk assessment and detection of cardiovascular disease, presumably with the aim of earlier intervention and more favorable outcomes if an abnormality is identified.

The problem is that indiscriminate screening is not only expensive but runs counter to evidence-based recommendations of medical societies for asymptomatic individuals without specific risk factors, say authors of a research letter published January13 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

"Most of the best and most prestigious cardiology programs in the US have these executive screening programs that charge a lot of money, are not covered by insurance, and have no evidence to back up their value," David Brown, MD, professor of medicine, JohnT. Milliken Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St.Louis, told theheart.org| Medscape Cardiology.

"These programs provide an institutional stamp of approval on a two-tier system of medicine: those who can afford to buy whatever they want, and the rest of us who can't afford to do so," he added. "They also make a statement that if someone is willing to pay enough money, they can be given whatever test they want, even if there is no evidence to support it."

In this new analysis, investigators assessed the cardiovascular examinations offered in these programs at 18 "top hospitals" for cardiology and heart surgery, as ranked by US News and World Report, encompassing 28 programs.

They found that the programs included 12 cardiovascular tests plus a resting electrocardiogram (ECG): abdominal aortic ultrasonography; cardiac calcium score; cardiac stress test (including exercise ECG or echocardiography); cardiovascular counseling; carotid artery ultrasonography; carotid intima-media thickness (IMT); coronary artery CT scan; exercise consultation; lipid panel; lipoprotein(a); and vascular screening.

The most commonly offered tests were a lipid panel and cardiac stress testing, offered in 20 of 28 (71%) and 19 of 28 (68%) institutions, respectively. Cardiac CT scans either to determine the calcium score or to visualize the coronary arteries were included in 12 of the 28 programs (43%).

Two programs included cardiovascular counseling and one included exercise consultation.

The lowest-cost program, at $995, was the Comprehensive Health Assessment at Houston Methodist Hospital, while the highest-cost program, which cost $25,000, was the Premier Executive Health Program at Cleveland Clinic.

Only three programs submitted charges to an insurance carrier.

"The premise of using these tests is that the results may help reduce mortality from CVD through earlier disease detection or more precise risk assessment; however, no data support that premise," the authors note, as reflected in guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM).

Certain tests or interventions may be recommended under specific circumstances; for example, the USPSTF recommends offering or referring adults who are overweight or obese and have additional cardiovascular risk factors to intensive behavioral counseling interventions for CVD protection.

However, in the current executive screening programs, "a company's CEO who is a marathon runner might get the same testing as a CEO who weighs 300 pounds and is completely sedentary," Brown said.

"There should be no indiscriminate testing where your only qualification is that you have the money to pay for it," he emphasized.

The fact that these are offered at academic medical centers "sends negative messages not only to the public, but also to students, residents, and trainees," putting a "finger in the eye both to the equity of healthcare and to evidence-based medicine at the same time."

And these tests are not without harm, he noted. "There is a downstream cascade effect, where an incidental finding might lead to more tests, then more procedures, and more complications from procedures, and anxiety on the part of the patients."

Commenting on the study fortheheart.org| Medscape Cardiology, Ty Gluckman, MD, medical director, Center for Cardiovascular Analytics, Research, and Data Science (CARDS), Providence Heart Institute, Providence St.Joseph Health, Portland, Oregon, said that, in "selected circumstances, all of these tests might have clinical value, but from the standpoint of more widespread unselected testing/screening, most of the listed tests have little or no value in asymptomatic individuals, and instead, just drive up costs."

Moreover, unnecessary testing that yields indeterminate findings can prompt further testing that "may also be of little clinical value and potentially engender harm."

He acknowledged that there are anecdotal reports of individuals who were found to have abnormalities on tests, leading to interventions that "saved their lives."

The problem, he said, "is the application of anecdotes to the broader patient population."

He noted that the 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on cardiovascular risk recommends that one's 10-year risk for adverse cardiovascular events (fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke) be assessed using an equation that includes demographic factors, blood pressure which, he noted, should be assessed at every physical exam cholesterol levels, diabetic status, and history of tobacco use.

"In short, only one lab value, a cholesterol panel, is suggested for initial cardiovascular risk assessment, and not all of these other tests," he pointed out.

In individuals at intermediate risk, the 2018 AHA/ACC cholesterol guidelines now endorse consideration of using coronary calcium scoring to help further refine the estimated risk if there is uncertainty whether patients should be placed on cholesterol-lowering therapy.

The "flip side of these recommendations is that the current preponderance of evidence doesn't support unselected coronary calcium scoring, unselected stress testing, or unselected carotid ultrasounds to further assess the risk profile of a given individual," said Gluckman, who is also chair of the ACC's Solution Set Oversight Committee (SSOC) and was not involved with the study.

Also commenting for theheart.org| Medscape Cardiology, Rita Redberg, MD, MSc, professor of medicine, University of California, San Francisco, said that "imaging tests with no known benefits, such as offered by the executive screening programs, open a Pandora's box," and "it is hard to put the genie of incidental findings back in the bottle."

It is an "axiom that one (unnecessary) test begets another," said Redberg, who is the editor of JAMA Internal Medicine and the coauthor of an accompanying editorial.

Redberg, who was not involved with the study, said that she "sees many patients in clinic who are losing much sleep and more over meaningless but worrisome incidental findings found on inappropriate imaging tests."

If these programs are to be offered, "patients should be informed accurately and completely of the data on risks and benefits and allowed to decide accordingly," she said.

Brown went further, adding: "There is no need for these programs, which, I think, are done to generate revenue, donations from these wealthy patients.

"You have to show that a screening program prevents people from dying and there is no evidence of that," he said.

No source of funding reported. The study and editorial authors and Gluckman report no relevant financial relationships.

JAMA Intern Med. Published online January13, 2020. Research letter, Editorial

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Top Cardiac Centers Offer Unproven 'Executive Screening' - Medscape

Every once in awhile, a film comes along that you cant stop thinking about long after the credits roll. Miss Virginia is such a movie. With superb acting and heart-wrenching emotion, it features the true story of Virginia Walden Ford, a Washington, DC, mom who simply wanted better education options for her child and who would not tolerate mediocrity and the status quo.

Any parent can relate to Walden Fords story, so get ready to feel her anger and sorrow followed by joy and triumph. It is a powerful new film that everyone should watch.

Walden Ford was instrumental in helping to launch the Washington, DC, voucher program, giving low-income children access to funding to exit unsafe and low-quality public schools in favor of private options. The film is rooted in her experience of craving choice and encountering bureaucratic obstacles.

When she removes her teenage son from a failing public school and enrolls him in a nearby private school, Walden Ford feels hope and optimism despite needing to clean toilets and scrub floors to try to pay the tuition. Her hard work isnt enough to pay the bill, though, and she is forced to leave the private school and re-enroll her son in the district school, where his potential is squandered.

When Walden Ford learns that the DC schools spend twice the amount of money per pupil than the cost of her sons private school, she refuses to believe the prevailing rhetoric that public schools are chronically underfunded, and she seeks to establish a local school voucher program that gives disadvantaged families the opportunity to opt-out of mandatory school assignments in favor of private options.

Indeed, these are the options that more well-off families, including the legislator who opposes Walden Fords initiative, exercise all the time. Education choice programs extend these options to all families regardless of zip code and socioeconomic status.

The DC voucher program came under attack in recent years as previous assessments showed that achievement scores for voucher students were lower on average than district school students. But the most recent evaluation of the program, released last spring, showed no difference in achievement scores between voucher and public school students in DC while costing taxpayers about one-third the money.

Moreover, Corey DeAngelis, Director of School Choice at the Reason Foundation, has discovered that participants in the DC voucher program reported much safer learning environments. He writes:

Students that won the voucher lottery and attended a private school were over 35 percent more likely to report that their schools were very safe. And parents of voucher-using students were about 36 percent more likely to report that their children were in very safe schools.

Students in the DC voucher program also had higher overall satisfaction levels with their schools and significantly lower absenteeism.

Choosing safe and satisfying schools for their children is a key priority for many parents. Affluent families exercise this choice all the time, selecting private schools that focus on their childrens well-being or moving to communities with safer, better schools. Lower-income parents, like Walden Ford, want the same opportunity to choose safer, better schools. The DC voucher program and others like it across the country offer more parents greater choice and peace of mind.

Miss Virginia is a must-watch film. Click here for more information and viewing options. Be forewarned that I needed some tissues while watching, but it was well worth a few tears, and a few dollars, to learn more about this incredible woman, her remarkable story, and the promise of education choice for all families.

Continued here:
"Miss Virginia" Shows the Dilemma Many Lower-Income Families Face on Schooling | Kerry McDonald - Foundation for Economic Education

Citizens participate in chair yoga in the Costick Center gymnasium, a class recently added to the Adults 50 and Better Division programming.

The Costick Center swimming pool is open to all ages for private lessons or other recreational activities.

Photo provided by Angela Nazak, city of Farmington Hills

Citizens participate in a yoga class at the Costick Center.

Photo provided by Angela Nazak, city of Farmington Hills

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FARMINGTON HILLS The transition into a new year can mean a new set of fitness goals for some people. Sometimes that means stepping outside of the conventional gym or ones own comfort zone.

Whether youre making changes to your fitness plan or just getting settled into one for the first time, Farmington Hills offers classes to fit a variety of needs.

If what youre currently doing for exercise isnt meeting your needs, that would be a reason to do something different, said Marty Lillystone, an exercise physiologist with Beaumont Hospital. Whatever you choose to do for exercise should be dependent on what your goals are.

Whether youre 5 years old or older than 50 whether youre looking for exercise with a bit of competition, something simpler to keep your body limber or an activity that can help you relax at the same time theres a class for that.

For people who are more into the mind-body connection, we have yoga and tai chi. For those who may want a little bit of a competitive edge, we have pickleball a cross between tennis, pingpong and badminton, said Angela Nazak, a senior adult supervisor for the citys Adults 50 and Better Division. Then we have swimming for people who maybe used to be swimmers or have had a knee or hip replacement and need to be gentle on their joints the swimming pool is a good option.

Dance classes from flamenco to ballroom to line dance are also offered, as well as the Fit 5000 class, where participants use low-impact dance and fitness steps to reach 5,000 steps, and the Feldenkrais class, where participants use gentle movements to improve coordination, balance, mobility, breathing and posture.

New to the Adults 50 and Better programming this year are the Essentrics: Aging Backward and chair yoga classes.

The Essentrics class combines aspects of stretching and flexibility with strength conditioning to tone muscles. Its similar to a barre class, with elements of tai chi to evoke relaxation, Nazak said. She said the class was added because mind-and-body-based classes are on trend right now.

Chair yoga was added recently due to a greater demand from those in the community who have trouble, because of surgeries or other issues, getting onto the floor.

I guess the need of the community dictated the addition. Were always open to suggestions from our residents, Nazak said.

The city offers a number of fitness programs for younger adults and children, as well.

There are diverse classes to get your heart beating: Z Box Fitness, a combination of boxing, dancing and body toning; Pound, a drum-based cardio program; Zumba; Dance Fitness; a fitness sampler class; and more.

Classes for the little ones include martial arts and karate, a Tiny Tumblers class, cheerleading, soccer, and youth pickleball classes.

If your goal with exercise is simply aerobic fitness and to reduce things like heart disease, diabetes, stroke and whatnot, then these community fitness classes would all be great exercise, Lillystone said.

Overall, joining a community fitness program isnt just beneficial to your physical health, but your social and emotional health, too.

An advantage of a community fitness program for some people might be the social aspect of it, Lillystone said.

Nazak said she can think of several friendships shes seen form through the fitness programs offered in Farmington Hills.

To learn more, visit fhgov.com.

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Farmington Hills classes offer fitness alternatives - C&G Newspapers

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The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has come a long way since its 2016 inception and is now one of the U.K.s most influential government bodies. Its first cyber survey found that 70% of people believe they will suffer a cyberattack at least once in the next two yearsproving that cybersecurity is now very much on the national agenda.

The survey formed part of the NCSCs annual review, which took a holistic look at some of its activities and successes from 2019. The centers Active Cyber Defence program, for example, reduced the U.K.s share of global phishing attacks from 5.3% in 2018 to 2.1% in 2019, which is a significant leap.

It is also positive to see the NCSCs Cyber Accelerator program helping startups to innovate within the field; criminals are always innovating, after all, so it is vital that defenders follow suit. The NCSC Cyber Accelerator provides the best startups with access to industry professionals and potential clientsand that's something that benefits all involved.

Beyond this, the review also illustrates the NCSCs growing reach, with the center now responsible for everything from inspiring future generations to protecting U.K. citizens and businesses from emerging threats. It has even turned its eye to the daunting, albeit important, task of training cybersecurity industry professionals, ensuring that the U.K. continues to lead by example.

A knowledge gap is forming

It is well known that a skills gap exists within cybersecurity; however, the knowledge gap that has now formed in some businesses is often overlooked. Despite measures from the NCSC, cybersecurity is still an issue at board level, and this stems from two things: a lack of technical knowledge, and a poor understanding of cybersecurity risk. As such, it is reassuring to see that the center has not neglected this area. Its Cyber Essentials program and boardroom toolkit provide step-by-step guidance on how businesses can secure themselves, using language that leaders can understand.

The aforementioned knowledge gap increases in severity when considered alongside the skills gap, which stands at 2.9 million globally (according to (ISC)). Fortunately the NCSC is well aware of this, having gone to great lengths to improve the U.K.s talent pipeline in recent years. Its Cyber First program, for example, aims to inspire students during their school years. There are also several undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, a bursary scheme and a newly launched apprenticeship scheme.

Classroom training only goes so far

These training initiatives are working. The Cyber First program has seen a 29% increase in applicants year on year, and 90% of those applicants have expressed an interest in working in the industry. But while this is an excellent start, more scalable and practical ways of boosting cyber skills must emerge.

Traditional training methods are helping university students and graduates, but large sections of the population are being overlooked. Looking after recent graduates and ensuring their skills are up to date is vitaland this is where online training trumps classroom-based training. Flexibility allows professionals to train when it suits them and provides them safe access to the most recent threats. Continued learning ensures investment in these people is worthwhile and will also help the industry retain them.

Active learning approaches show promise

Active learning approaches can reach greater numbers while being both cost effective and adaptable. More importantly, they can capitalize on the immersive nature of hacking and the mindset required to tackle it. Two of the NCSCs current program clearly demonstrate this potential. For students between ages 13 and 18, the Cyber Discovery program provides the gamified CyberStart Go platform, which allows students to experience life as a cyber professional. For organizations there is Exercise in a Box, which allows users to test and practice their cyberattack response.

Crucially, the Exercise in a Box addresses the knowledge gap by making security a business issue rather than levelling it at IT teams. ASOS CISO George Mudie said, At ASOS we decided to incorporate the Exercise in a Box content into our data security incident rehearsals. We found that the structure of the desktop exercises and simulation really helped to bring the rehearsals to life as well as encourage discussion and feedback.

A societal shift is necessary

These training initiatives are only the tip of the iceberg; a societal shift is needed if the skills and knowledge gaps facing U.K. businesses are to be answered. Yet, The NCSCs role in guiding the government's agenda should not be underestimated.

At a time when 5G could lead to a hackers paradise (according to the Financial Times), the government must remain vigilant. It must decide on how best to train and retain the next generation of cyber professionals. A thorough analysis of its current activities reveals how active learning methods will play a crucial role.

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NCSCs Training Programs Show A Path That Can Be Followed, But Dont Discount The Others - Forbes

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