Laughter Yoga: 10 Good Reasons to Laugh for NO Reason!

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1 The Newsletter of the City of Bowie s Senior Center The News Volume XIII Issue Seven July 2012 Evening Time Change: As of July 1st the Center will close at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Catch Those Zs! Join us on Thursday, July 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a sleep talk with Jim Hardenstine, of AAMC s Neurodiagnostics, and Jessica Schmidt, supervisor of the AAMC Sleep Center. They will provide an overview of sleep problems, diagnosis, and treatment. Learn about the proper care and maintenance of durable medical equipment for sleep apnea (CPAP machines), and discover ways to get a deeper, and more satisfying, full night s sleep! Be Tech Savvy Come join us to welcome Best Buy representative Danielle Edelen on Thursday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. She will show us how to use our E Readers! If you have one, bring it with you! Danielle will also be here on Thursday, August 9 at 10:30 a.m. to give you tips on using digital cameras. Laughter Yoga: 10 Good Reasons to Laugh for NO Reason! Join us for a free session of Laughter Yoga with Kathy Lacey on Wednesday, July 18 at 10:30 a.m., and find out for yourself why you should laugh for no reason! Laughter is a stress buster Laughter strengthens the immune system Laughter is anti-aging; toning muscles and increasing blood supply Laughter is aerobic exercise Laughter is internal jogging Laughter is a natural pain killer Laughter helps control high blood pressure Laughter reduces depression and anxiety Laughter improves bronchitis and asthma You Do Not Have To Be Happy To Act Happy Diabetic Support Group Speaker Mark Shields, the Center s Wellness Coordinator, will give an informative presentation to discuss diabetes and the importance of nutrition, exercise, and supplements. All are encouraged to attend this important discussion on Monday, July 2 at 10:30 a.m. The Center will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

2 Activities Room assignments for Classes, Meetings and Programs are listed daily in the lobby. Artist of the Month Sharing the Love Quilters Every week at the Center, a creative group comes together to share the love of quilting and friendship, and to share that love in the community through their quilts for charity. This is the Friday Quilting class. They artistically sew shreds of fabric together to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces which are on display during the month of July for your visual delight! Hot Topics: Good News Regarding Memory and Aging! Put your fears aside, there is hope for memory loss! Want to know more? Join us on Tuesday, July 17 at 6:00 p.m., to hear what the professionals have to say! Finding Energy During the Summer Months Yes, it s hot, but with cooling drinks, light food, and good play time we can move through the hottest months of the year. Join us at the Center on Tuesday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m. to learn more. Chorale Registration The Bowie Senior Chorale is a dynamic and award winning music program at the Center. The 110 member singing group, directed by Craig Sparks, rehearses every Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. They perform several community concerts during the year. This year s Winter Concerts will be on December 6 and 14, Registration for the fall session of 2012 will be Thursday, July 5 through July 26, Space is limited and new members will be put on a Wait List until notification of acceptance. The registration fee is $25.00 for Residents and $30.00 for Non-Residents. Senior Chorale rehearsals begin on Thursday, August 9, Computer Class Computer class sign-up will begin in August date (TBA) This registration will be for the class sessions that start the week September. We will offer the following classes: Introduction to Computers, Beginner's I, Beginner's II, Word Processing using MS Word 2010), Internet, & Google Docs and MS Excel (2012). Possible two evening classes Word Processing II Tuesday and Thursday 1st 4 weeks and Excel II Tuesday and Thursday 2nd 4 weeks. Veterans Wall of Honor Each veteran has a fascinating story to tell of their time in the military. The Center has created a Wall of Honor (near the front lobby). Every veteran is a hero in their own right and the valor of their military service is captured in this display. The framed display will change every month or two. If you have served our country and would be willing to share a part of your story, please sign up at the front desk. July Veteran: Idella Ford 2 Bowie Senior Center

3 Reminisce: Let the Games Begin! The 2012 Summer Olympics, the Games of the XXX Olympiad, will take place in London, United Kingdom, from July 27 to August 12. An estimated 10,500 athletes from 205 nations are expected to participate in 302 events in 29 sports. Join us at 12:30 p.m., Monday, July 23, as we remember past Olympians who have brought medals home to the USA and talk about the different sporting events. Together, we ll celebrate America and our athletes efforts. Try Belly Dancing: It s Fun and So Good for You! Three Belly Dancing workshops will be offered at the Senior Center this summer. Historically this is a dance of celebration! Instructor Sasha will teach hand and arm movements, slow and fast hip movements, shimmies, walks, and more. You will strengthen your legs and back, arms and stomach. These workshops will give you an improved sense of well being and self esteem along with good exercise and fun. So come along on this journey and allow Sasha to introduce you to the world of Belly Dancing. The workshops will be Wednesday, July 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and Tuesday August 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. An $8.00 registration fee is due one week prior to each workshop. Don t delay, sign up soon! AARP Driver Safety Program The AARP Driver Safety Program offers a one-day classroom refresher course, designed for motorists age 50 and older. Upon course completion, each participant will receive a certificate that can be presented to an insurance company for a possible reduced rate. There is a $12.00 fee for AARP Members, and a $14.00 fee for Non-AARP Members. Make your check payable to AARP and include your AARP Member number on the check. Register at the front desk for classes on July 25 or August 13, The course runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Special Offer for Educators! Take the Safety Program course for only $5.00 in July and August! Bonsai Club Guest Speaker Mr. Jack Sustic, Curator of Bonsai and Penjing Museum, will be the guest speaker at the Bonsai Club on Friday, August 3. At the meeting, he will teach special Bonsai techniques. The Club meets from 9:30 11:30 a.m. All are invited to attend. July

4 Beyond 80 Grumblings of a Crabby Old Man A few weeks back I was complaining about having too much stuff photo albums, letters, colored slides, home movies, maps, political buttons, obsolete VCRs, a miscellany of mementos stacked on closet shelves or tucked away elsewhere upstairs and down. Well, I was wrong to complain. I m glad I have my stuff. I m glad because it struck me that my generation may be the last one to have any stuff at all. We re in an electronic era now. Messages whip around at 4G speeds and then they re gone. Nothing lasts. That goes for photos, too. It seemed such a boon when digital cameras came on the scene. Setting off on a trip? No need to stuff a suitcase with rolls and rolls of film. And no need to send all that film off for processing when you re back home again. All the wondrous things you saw are captured on one small memory card. It s so quick and easy to download digital images from camera to computer. And there they stay. Print all those photos? Stick them into albums? What s the need? They re safe on the computer. Out of sight. Out of mind. Gone. Now that every cell phone s a camera, people are taking more pictures than ever. Snap a photo, shoot a video, zip it to a friend, or maybe post it on Facebook or YouTube for all the world to share. Jillions of photos floating around in cyberspace but they never really land anywhere. Letters handwritten, neatly folded, tucked into stamped envelopes and sent off via the U.S. mail also are relics of the past. Our children, and their children, will miss the delight of finding and perusing a bundle of old correspondence tucked away in a trunk in the attic. Today, people are in constant communication but they aren t writing letters. They re texting. No time or space for gracious writing when you re thumbing out messages in 140 characters or less. Abbreviations will have to do. OMG = Oh My God. IC = I see. H/O = Hold On. It isn t easy for a person of mature years to get comfortable in this new world. The recent flap in England over hacking by Rupert Murdoch s news media let us in on the fact that Rebekah Brooks, at the time a Murdoch executive, regularly exchanged text messages with British Prime Minister David Cameron. She disclosed that Cameron was in the habit of ending messages with the abbreviation LOL. He thought those letters stood for Lots of Love. She had to tell him that in the world of texting LOL means laugh out loud. How times have changed! Wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill was not only an inspiring speaker but a prodigious writer whose output included a six-volume history of World War II and a four-volume history of the English speaking people. And poor David Cameron couldn t handle a simple texting abbreviation. I don t know whether to cry or LOL. Paul Schuette 4 Bowie Senior Center

5 Special Groups The Bowie Senior Center invites you to join a Group or Club with people that share your interests. This is a great way to make new friends. Just stop by! Group & Club Meetings Advisory Board Returns in September 10:00 a.m. Armchair Tours Armchair Tours will return in September 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Bonsai Club First Friday 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. BSS (Bowie Single Society) Second and Fourth Monday 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Computer Club First and Third Thursday 12:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Healthy Lifestyles Every Friday 10:00 a.m. Magic Club First & Third Wednesday 10:00 a.m. NARFE Counseling (Federal Retirees) First Tuesday 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Writers Group Every Tuesday 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. City Gym Senior Walk Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Advisory Board Members Judy Williams Chairperson Pat Rooney Co-Chairperson Naomi Kirkpatrick Secretary Herb Briscoe Robert Fierstein Carmen Laughery Carter Rardon Lillie Watson Tony Young Games Billiards Daily Center hours Bridge (Sign-up necessary) Duplicate Bridge (Sign-up) Every Tuesday Every Friday 1:00-4:00 12:30-4:00 Mahjong Every Monday and Thursday 1:00 Pinochle Every Monday and Thursday 12:30 Scrabble Every Wednesday 1:00 Table Tennis Every Monday Every Tuesday Every Wednesday Every Thursday Every Friday Every Saturday 12:00-4:30 3:15-5:00 3:00-4:30 12:00-3:00 3:00-4:30 8:30-12:00 Table Shuffleboard Daily Center hours July

6 Monday Tuesday July Classes Wednesday 10:00 Tai Chi (CC) 10:00 Jewelry Making/ Beg (CC) 12:00 Table Tennis 12:00 Computers/Beg. I (F/V) 12:00 Aquatic Exercise (at Sport Fit) 12:30 Stain Glass/Beg. (CC) 12:30 Pinochle 1:00 Mahjong 2:00 Traditional Drawing (CC) 2:30 Zumba Gold (F) Monday Special July 9 Health Presentation (12:30 p.m.) July 16 Wayne s Musical Memories (12:30 p.m.) July 23 Reminisce (12:30 p.m.) 9:00 Class Piano I (CC) 9:00 Bio-Fitness (F) 9:30 Knitting & Crocheting/Adv. (CC) 9:30 Writer s Group (V) 10:00 Community Spanish (CC) 10:00 Studio Fine Art (CC) 10:00 Current Issues (CC) 10:30 Walk Aerobics/Strength (V) 11:00 Class Piano II/Adv. (CC) 11:30 Knitting & Crocheting (CC) 12:30 American History (CC) 12:30 Stained Glass/Adv. (CC) 12:30 Bridge Club 12:30 Computers/ (F/V) 1:00 Line Dancing (CC) 3:15 Table Tennis 5:30 Gentle Yoga (CC) 6:00 Zumba Gold (F) Tuesday Special July 3 Old Tyme Radio (12:45 p.m.) July 10 Fireside Chat (11:00 a.m.) Storm Safety Tips July 17 Hot Topics: Memory and Aging (6:00 p.m.) 10:00 Environmental History Parks/West (CC) 10:00 One Act Plays (CC) 10:00 Watercolor (CC) 12:00 Aquatic Exercise (at Sport Fit) 12:30 Watercolor/Int. (CC) 1:00 Chair Fitness (V) 1:00 Scrabble 1:00 Tai Chi (CC) 3:00 Table Tennis Wednesday Special July 11, 18, & 25 3-Mile Walk Aerobics (10:15 a.m.) July 18 Laughter Yoga (10:30 a.m.) July is National Ice Cream Month! CC = Community College, Summer Trimester Classes at the Senior Center June 4-Sept. 15 F = Fee V = Volunteer, Staff F/V = Fee/Volunteer 6 Bowie Senior Center

7 And Activities Thursday Friday Room assignments for Classes, Meetings and Programs are listed daily in the lobby. Saturday 9:00 Bio-Fitness (F) 10:00 Watercolor Adv. (CC) 10:00 Yoga (CC) 12:00 Pilates (CC) 12:00 Table Tennis 12:30 Drawing I & II (CC) 12:30 Pinochle 12:30 Bingo with Prizes 12:30 Computers/ (F/V) 1:00 Mahjong 2:30 Chorale 3:00 Ballroom Dance (CC) Thursday Special July 19 Tech Savvy (10:30 a.m.) Birthday Sing-Along (12:30 p.m.) 9:00 Walk Aerobics & Strength (V) 10:00 Critical Thinking (CC) 10:00 Quilting (CC) 10:00 Tai Chi/Int. (CC) 10:00 Healthy Lifestyles (V) 12:00 Computers/Pre-Beg. (V) 12:30 Quilting (CC) 12:30 Bridge Club (Duplicate) 12:30 Art Studio (CC) 1:00 Chinese Exercise (CC) 1:00 Literature/Tales of a Mid-Life Traveler (CC) 2:30 Art Studio (CC) 3:00 Table Tennis Friday Special July 6, 13, 20, & 27 Piano Lounge (12:30 p.m.) Healthy Lifestyles (10:00 a.m.) 8:30 Yoga/Adv. (CC) 10:15 Yoga/ Beg. (CC) Prince George s Community College (PGCC) SAGE (Seasoned Adults Growing Educationally) Continuing Education classes offered at the Center The SAGE calendar consists of three trimesters; Fall, Spring, and Summer. Maryland residents who are 60 or older may register for as many nonconflicting courses as desired and pay one $50 registration fee to PGCC. Seniors 55 to 60 contact PGCC or Senior Center for fee information. Independence Day is July 4! Red Cross Community Blood Drives: July 14 & August 11 Hours 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Call for appointments REDCROS July 2012 S M T W T F S July

8 Transportation New Summer Trip Brochures! Stop by the front desk and pick up our brochure with information on trips offered from July through September 2012! The next brochure will be available on September 1 and will cover October through December. We re hoping that this gives everyone plenty of time to see what s coming up and plan accordingly. Lunch Bunch Trips are also included in the brochure but please see the flyer for details. It is available in the Center Lobby. All trips in the brochure are open for registration immediately. July Trips & Events 11 Lunch Bunch at Red Robin 13 Annapolis Shopping (downtown area) 17 Atlantic City (Full) 25 A Taste of Dorchester (crabmeat cruise and winery) Future planned trips (T)= Tentative Three Special Shuttle Services Special shuttle services are now available through the Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Sign-up at the front desk is necessary, and the cost is a $.50 fee each time you board the bus. Anyone 55 years or older with a valid membership card may use the service. The Tuesday and Wednesday shuttle service makes a loop from the Center to Kohl s, Target, Wal-Mart and returns to the Center. Wednesday only- Hilltop Plaza and Freestate Mall. The Friday shuttle service makes a loop from the Center through Bowie Town Center and returns to the Center. All departures from the Center will be at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. There is a final RETURN ONLY loop from Town Center at 1:00 p.m. August Aug. 8 Legally Blonde at Toby s Aug. 15 Lunch Bunch at Bang Bang Mongolian Grill Aug. 24 Washington DC Museums (National Gallery of Art) Aug. 28 National Harbor September Sept. 5 Lunch Bunch at Red Lobster Sept. 13 Anne Arundel County Fair Aug. 19 Hershey, PA (Gardens or Museum Tour) Aug. 25 Harrington Slots Two new trips just opened up! Oct. 17: The Color Purple at Toby s Oct. 25 Colonial Williamsburg 8 Bowie Senior Center

9 Wellness In Defense of Salt, Part I It is probably clear by now that my nutritional views are not those of conventional dietary wisdom. Let s face it, conventional wisdom isn t working. As Americans have cut fat from their diets, choosing fat-free and low-fat options while increasing their grain consumption, obesity and degenerative disease rates are soaring. In past articles, I ve explained why fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol are not the dietary evils they have been made out to be and, in fact, are very healthy for us. There s another nutritional myth I d like to debunk, and that is the idea that salt is bad for us, specifically as a culprit of high blood pressure. Surely, I can t think that salt is good for us, can I? Let s look at the facts and the research. Studies show that if you reduce salt intake, you will see a drop of about 2 to 5 points in your blood pressure. This isn t necessarily relevant for those with normal blood pressure, nor will it cure hypertension in those with extremely high blood pressure. That said, if you do have high blood pressure, any drop will be beneficial. Certified Nutritional Therapist Craig Fear says that sugar is the real culprit in blood pressure issues and I agree, though I would also implicate a high processed carb diet as well. How does sugar or a high processed carb diet lead to hypertension? It occurs through a few mechanisms. First, the more carbs we eat, the more water our cells hold onto. This is one of the reasons salt gets bashed because it can cause some people to retain more water. Well, carbs will cause everyone to retain more water. An easy way to get your body to hold onto less water is by decreasing your carb intake, and ensuring that you drink enough water daily. Carbs are also at fault for increasing insulin production. What does that mean? Well, not only does insulin store body fat, it also signals the kidneys to hold onto salt, which again will cause fluid retention. Salt has been the scapegoat of carbs all along. Interestingly enough, I ve been experimenting with a low-carb/high-fat diet the past few months and noticed something strange, but unexpectedly pleasant. My blood pressure is usually in the /80-85 range, but since I ve dropped my carbs, my blood pressure now hovers around 110/70. And it will benefit you to know that throughout these few months, I ve increased my vegetable and salt intake. Some medical conditions such as kidney failure or congestive heart failure can be worsened by salt intake, so please be sure to consult with your physician about any questions you may have regarding the inclusion of salt in your diet. Stay tuned next month for a heavy dose of research findings and recommendations for reducing blood pressure. Mark Shields, Wellness Coordinator July

10 Happenings Save The Date Book Lovers Expo! Mark your calendars for the first Book Lovers Expo book fair hosted by the Center. This is a free community event featuring local authors who write for all audiences. There will be readings scheduled throughout the morning. Some genres represented include mystery, thriller, poetry, fiction, children s, well-being, romance, paranormal, and self-help. Join us on Saturday, August 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and make the Center the newest literary hotspot in town! Come Alive with Zumba Gold! You don t have to know how to dance; just follow certified instructor Sharon McCarroll and have fun! Zumba Gold takes fitness to the next level with Latin dance music. Join us for one of these two classes, Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., or Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This eight-week class begins the week of July 30. Please register at the front desk. The cost is $33.00 for Residents and $39.00 for Non-Residents. Discover the Most Effective Exercise Program for You! Are you new to exercising or just not sure if your current routine is right for your body and or your goals? Join Wellness Coordinator Mark Shields on Thursday, July 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., as he discusses how to get the most out of your old exercise routine, or, how to create a new one! Enhance Any Exercise Program s Effectiveness If you re an intermediate or advanced exercise enthusiast, this session is for you! Discover how to know when it s time to make changes to your program to enhance results. Or, maybe you re tired of the same old routine. That s okay too! Join us on Thursday, July 26 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as we share new ideas to help you bring that spark back into your workouts. Whether you re looking to lose fat or gain strength, this is a must attend workshop. Calling all Cribbage Players! Are you interested in singles or partners cribbage? The Center welcomes anyone who would like to participate, to sign up at the front desk. More information and a schedule of dates and times are coming soon! 10

11 Nurse on Duty A volunteer nurse is available for blood pressure screening: Monday July 2 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Thursday July 12 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Tuesday July 17 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Thursday July 26 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Mini Massage Information and Referral Specialist The Center offers assistance to seniors in the community by providing information and referral in areas such as: health care, finance, family issues, housing options, and many other concerns. Call for an appointment at or come to the Center. Monday Friday 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Some helpful printed resources are always available at the Center. Pat Durning, Certified Massage Therapist, offers free 15 minute mini-massages for your shoulders and back. Appointments necessary. Sign up at the front desk. Wednesday, August 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hearing Screening An audiologist from either Hearing Professionals, Inc. or Bowie Hearing Center will be available at the Center for hearing screenings once a month. Appointments necessary. Bowing Hearing Center Wednesday, July 18,1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Mental Health Services Helen Barnes, a geriatric Nurse Counselor, is available one day a month for individual free one-time-only consultations. Call to make an appointment for a session by calling the Center at This Counselor is available on Wednesday, July 11, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Special Interest Groups Aging Issues Support Wednesday, July 11 10:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Fireside Chat Tuesday, July 10 Storm Safety Tips 11:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. The Center Notary Notary services by appointment Caregiver Support Second Tuesday Fourth Thursday 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Hearing Impaired Seniors Wednesday, July 11 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Parkinson s Support Monday, July 23 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Diabetic Support Monday, July 2 10:30 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Stroke Survivors (quarterly) Wednesday, Sept. 12 1:00 p.m. 1:45 p.m. Health Presentation Second Monday 12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Grief Support First Friday 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. July

12 Bowie Senior Center, Where The Finest People Meet. Bowie Senior Center Health Center Drive Bowie, MD Alternative versions of this newsletter are available upon request. Call the Center at The Center is open to all independent seniors 55+ The hours of operation are: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For information about current programs or to obtain the day trips schedule, stop by the Center for the Monthly Newsletter and Trip List, or visit our web page or call the Center at The Center is a Smoke-Free Facility & Campus. Thank you for not smoking. Manager...Kathy White Assistant Manager...Laurel Raymond Transportation...Sue O Toole Wellness Coordinator..Mark Shields Information & Referral Specialist..Gloria Gaddy Program Assistants...Marchette Alexander, Judith Lorenz,...Patricia McCants, Jenny Tringali Receptionist...Pat Dunston Maintenance...Ray Esguerra, Joe Thornberry Sr. Nutrition Aid...Diane Clemons, Barbara Talbert Bus Drivers.. John Bannan, Lisa Bennett, Dario Ciuffetelli,... Joe Clark, Robert Garland, Vernard Gray,... Gary Harash, David Johnson, Bob Long,... Dean Moore, John Scanlon, Darryl Stafford,... Gerald Tucker, James Woodard Transportation Services Phone Numbers: Senior Center Transportation Weekday Nutrition Prince George s County Senior Information/Assistance Prince George s County (Aging Services) Home Delivered Meals Services Mission Statement The mission of the Bowie Senior Center is to serve, support and enhance the lives of senior adults 55 years and older by providing programs and services that promote active, independent and healthy lifestyles. Nutrition Program The City of Bowie Transportation Services offers (within the city limits of Bowie) curb-to-curb transportation for Bowie senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. This service is for medical appointments, shopping, Center activities, Senior Clubs, and other trips on a priority basis. A lift-equipped van is available for those in need. Please, let staff know of the need for a lift-equipped van when making a transportation appointment. A minimal $.50 fee each way is requested. To make an appointment, call Meals are served at the Center, Monday through Friday at 11:45 a.m. The meals are provided through the Prince George s County Department of Family Services, Aging Division, Nutrition Program. The county pays $4.49 per meal. Seniors are asked to donate as much as they can. Reservations are required 48 hours in advance. Cancellations should be made as soon as possible. Call