One of the many opportunities the Center offers is its Tuesday Lecture Series. Last Tuesday we watched a video on Blue Zones: longevity hot-spots where the inhabitants live longer, on average, than anyone else in the world. One common characteristic found for living so much longer is to keep moving naturally: staying physically active in everyday activities such as climbing stairs, cutting wood, or riding a bicycle. We all have been graced with different circumstances and we all don’t move as well as we did forty years ago (the tread on these tires are getting a little worn), but within our own limits, the goal is to keep moving and staying actively engaged.
Kathryn Savage, from the website Blue Zones, suggests five ways to change how we live at home in order to keep moving naturally. First, get rid of the remote or better yet watch less TV. Second, take the stairs. Many times to feel safe, we move less. Third, when spring arrives, plant a garden to nurture the body and soul. Fourth, get rid of the garage door opener and better yet get rid of the car. Walk whenever you can. And last but not least, cook instead of eating convenience foods. Preparing dinner is a simple but excellent way to keep moving naturally.
For those who enjoy exercising in a group setting which may not be natural but still beneficial and fun, there are many opportunities in the community including MCMC’s Center for Mind and Body and The Dalles Fitness and Court Club. At the Center Debra Lutje, the Motorcycle Momma, teaches both the Seniorcise class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays mornings and the Yoga class on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings. There is also the Strong Women class on Mondays and Wednesdays afternoons. And to round out our offerings, Tai Chi taught by Corlis Marsh is on Tuesdays and Ardyce Edling will tap circles around me (or on me) if I forget to mention Tap and Clogging on Thursdays.
Next Tuesday the 26th at 11:00, the lecture speaker will be Pat Visser, RN with cardiac rehab at MCMC, explaining the risk factors for heart disease. The lecture is timely because coming soon is the Heart Expo at the Civic Auditorium on Friday, February 5 from 11 – 2 followed on February 6 with a 3k/5k Walk/Run. Spend some time to learn how to love your heart.
Although Santa Claus won’t bring you any gifts until next December, you can still ask the “Sugar Daddies” for a special treat when they play tonight at the Center. And next week the Jazz Generations are back playing their “big band” sounds. The music starts at 7:00 and everyone is invited – long and short, sweet and sour, and young and old. The music is free but donations are appreciated. And Sunday the 24th will be the Center’s turn to host the Jammers for a Pie and Jam Social from 2:00 – 5:00pm.
A last minute bulletin just added. Martha has asked to have a $1 a bag sale this Thursday the 21st at the Center’s Nu-2-U Shop and her slightest wish is my sternest command. So come one, come all and find some great bargains.
If you read last week’s “Remember When” question and it didn’t quite sound right, it was probably because you couldn’t imagine the reserved and by-the-book Joe Friday from the TV show Dragnet calling anyone “mama”. As you probably guessed I meant “ma’am which was close by no cigar. Thanks to Joe Usatine for pointing it out to me.
But this week I hope to get it right. One of my favorite treats was staying up late to watch The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson – when it was an hour and a half long. Everyone remembers his sidekick for all those years, Ed McMahon, but who was his the first band leader for the show? (And it wasn’t Arlington’s favorite son.) Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop it off at the Center for a chance to win a free Saturday Night bingo packet.
Well it’s time to round up the cows and bring ‘em home. Until we meet again, keep moving and keep smiling, because as it is often heard around the Center, “what counts are not the years in your life but the life in your years”.
