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Let’s Spring into Shape!

by Leslie Sokol

The mild days of spring are a great time to get outside and move more – whether it’s walking, gardening, or hiking. As you age, you may find yourself becoming more sedentary, which causes you to lose strength and energy. Fight off those sluggish winter doldrums and get moving – you can keep your strength and get stronger no matter what age you are!

Focus on Your Core

What does it mean when someone tells you to focus on your core? Your core are the muscles in your midsection or torso surrounding the spine and pelvis. This includes the abdominal muscles at the front but also muscles within the lower back and around your sides. You use your core muscles while performing daily tasks like getting up from a chair, standing, walking, vacuuming and lifting things.
As with other muscles, if you don’t use our core muscles enough, they become weak. As the muscles weaken, your movements become less supported, which can put pressure on other parts of your body. Weakness in the core can also be associated with lower back pain, particular among older people.

The good news is you can improve core strength with exercise. And there is no one exercise that is best – choose an approach that works best for you. Start slowly and keep your movements slow to warm up the muscles and prevent injuries. In my next article I will give you examples of good exercises to do to improve your core strength.

As the weather gets warmer and you increase your physical activity, you need to remember to drink more fluids. Keeping hydrated is so important. Over 70 percent of our body is made up of water. Water helps regulate your body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells and keep organs functioning properly. Being well hydrated will also improve your sleep quality, cognition and mood. Always drink before, during and after you exercise.

Remember if you use it, you will not lose it – so take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and start moving more! Be healthy and happy, and always remember – age is just a number!

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program For the Young at Heart. She has been teaching adults and children for forty-five years. You can watch For the Young at Heart by visiting her YouTube Channel or on TVSB. She also teaches in retirement communities throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
For more information contact Leslie at [email protected] 805-312-8089
or visit the website: www.LeslieSokolDance.com

What is MCI?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which people have more memory or thinking problems than other people their age. The symptoms of MCI are not as severe as those of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. People with MCI can usually take care of themselves and carry out their normal daily activities.

People with MCI are at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Estimates vary as to how many people who have MCI will develop dementia. Roughly one to two out of 10 people age 65 or older with MCI are estimated to develop dementia over a one-year period. However, in many cases, the symptoms of MCI stay the same or even improve.

If you have this condition, it’s important to see a doctor or specialist regularly to help monitor changes in memory and thinking over time.

Many factors can cause problems with memory and thinking. There is no single cause of MCI, and it’s more likely to occur as someone ages. Estimates vary, but roughly 10% to 20% of people over age 65 have MCI, with the risk increasing as someone gets older. Other factors like genetics and certain conditions — including diabetes, depression, and stroke — may affect a person’s risk for MCI.

In some cases, memory and thinking problems may be caused by conditions that are treatable. For example, a bad reaction to medication, emotional problems, drinking too much alcohol, blood clots or tumors in the brain, or a head injury can all cause serious memory problems that can be resolved with treatment.

Symptoms associated with MCI lie in the space between what are considered normal age-related changes and dementia. Signs of MCI include losing things often, forgetting to go to important events or appointments, and having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age. It’s common for family and friends to notice these changes. Movement difficulties and problems with the sense of smell have also been linked to MCI.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of MCI, discuss these with your doctor. Your doctor can perform medical tests and assessments to help determine whether the source of memory problems is something treatable or may be MCI. He or she may also suggest that you see someone who specializes in the diagnosis of memory disorders, such as a neurologist, psychiatrist, or neuropsychologist.

There is currently no treatment or medication for MCI, but there are things you can do that may help you stay healthy and manage changes in your thinking. Keeping your mind active is one thing that may benefit your brain. The following tips may help you feel better, and could help your memory:

Follow a daily routine.

People with MCI may worry that their memory problems will progress to Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Because MCI may be an early sign of a more serious memory problem, it’s important to see your doctor every six to 12 months to track any changes in your memory and thinking skills over time.

If symptoms do progress to dementia, getting a diagnosis early can help you and your family prepare for the future. While there are no medications to stop or reverse Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, there are medicines that may help slow down certain symptoms, such as memory loss or behavioral problems.

Driving Safety and Alzheimer’s Disease

Good drivers are alert, think clearly, and make good decisions. When people with Alzheimer’s disease are not able to do these things, they should stop driving. But some people may not want to stop driving or even think there is a problem.

Older man with Alzheimer’s driving a carAs the caregiver, you must talk with the person about the need to stop driving. Do this in a caring way. Understand how unhappy the person may be to admit that he or she has reached this new stage.

People with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease should never get behind the wheel. People with very mild Alzheimer’s may be able to drive safely in certain conditions. But as memory and decision-making skills worsen, they need to stop because a driver with dementia may not be able to react quickly when faced with a surprise on the road. Someone could get hurt or killed. If the person’s reaction time or ability to focus slows, you must stop the person from driving.

Signs that the person should stop driving include:

New dents and scratches on the car
Taking a long time to do a simple errand and not being able to explain why, which may indicate the person got lost
Two or more traffic tickets or increased car insurance premiums
Comments from friends and neighbors about driving
Speeding or sudden lane changes
Confusing the brake and gas pedals
Recommendations from a doctor to modify driving habits
Other health issues that may affect driving ability, such as changes in vision, hearing, or mobility.
Some people with memory problems decide on their own not to drive, while others may deny they have a problem.

State laws vary regarding when a person with Alzheimer’s should stop driving. In some States, doctors are required to report to the State’s Department of Motor Vehicles whether a person has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. In others, anyone can report a potentially unsafe driver to the State. Check with your State’s Department of Motor Vehicles for more information. You may need to notify the person’s car insurance company, too.

It is a good idea to have the person’s driving skills assessed regularly by a professional. The American Occupational Therapy Association maintains a national database of driving specialists, or you can ask your State’s Department of Motor Vehicles or the person’s doctor to recommend someone who can test the person’s driving skills. Note that there may be fees associated with these types of assessments.

Department of Motor Vehicles staff may ask the person to retake a driving test. There are also a number of tools online that offer caregiver- or self-assessments.

Here are some ways to stop people with Alzheimer’s disease from driving:

Try talking about your concerns with the person.
Take him or her to get a driving test.
Ask the person’s doctor to tell him or her to stop driving. The doctor can write, “Do not drive” on a prescription pad, and you can show this to the person.
Hide the car keys, move the car, take out the distributor cap, or disconnect the battery.
Finding Other Transportation Options
If a person with Alzheimer’s can no longer drive, find other ways that the person can travel on his or her own.

For More Information About Driving Safety and Alzheimer’s
NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
800-438-4380
[email protected]
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers

Ventura Port District Maintenance Dredging and Beach Renourishment

An estimated 485,000 cubic yards of material has been removed from the entrance channel and placed upon the beaches.

With recent winter storms and high tides events having severely eroded areas of the California coastline and Ventura Harbor scenic beaches over the past few months, the Ventura Harbor’s annual dredging activities have significantly contributed to overall beach restoration.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), working with the Manson Construction Company, began dredging operations in Ventura Harbor on March 11. An estimated 485,000 cubic yards of material was dredged from the federal channel and sand traps to ensure that the Harbor entrance remain safe to navigate year-round for boaters and commercial fisherman, while then redispersing the sand back onto the harbor beaches.

Ventura Harbor’s beaches including Surfer’s Knoll Beach, South Beach, and popular Harbor Cove Beach (or Mother’s Beach as the locals call it) on Spinnaker Drive, have now being largely replenished, allowing the beaches to reopen and be available to the community.

“Maintaining a safe, navigable, and resilient harbor is one of the key guiding principles of the Ventura Port District,” states Brian Pendleton, General Manager of the Ventura Port District. “This crucial sand replacement, as a result of the dredging, also serves as an enormous benefit to residents, surfers, beach goers, and to wildlife, as the sand dunes and beaches provide critical nesting habitat for endangered species such as the Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern.”

The Corps pays for the annual Ventura Harbor entrance channel dredging activities.

In August 1968, the U.S. Congress approved Public Law 90-483, which among other things had the U.S. government acting through the Corps, assuming the maintenance responsibility for the navigation features at Ventura Harbor, subject to annual appropriations by the President and/or Congress. The features that the Corps is responsible to maintain include:

The Entrance Channel
Sand Trap
3 Jetties
An offshore breakwater
A groin

In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, frequent navigation problems resulting from shoaling at the harbor entrance developed due to a lack of Congressional funding. In 1983, the Port District recognized the need to communicate more effectively with the Congress and the Corps and retained the services of a Washington advocate. Since that time, over $140 Million has been expended by the Corps in maintaining and improving the harbor entrance system.

The President’s 2024 Budget was released on March 9, 2023 and named the Ventura Harbor project for $8.471 million.

“With the support of Congress and the Senate, this will ensure that dredging will be completed again in early 2024 and provide additional funding for the Corps to update environmental studies and issue a new contract later in 2024,” states Todd Mitchell, Senior Business Operations Manager for the Ventura Port District. “We are enormously grateful for the efforts of Congressman Salud Carbajal and Congresswoman Julia Brownley to advocate for the President funding project in his 2024 budget.”

The District is responsible for permitting, funding, and contracting periodic dredging of the inner harbor (excluding the Ventura Keys). Performance of the dredging requires the District to maintain its own permits with the Corps, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Ventura County Air Quality Control Board, and the California Coastal Commission. The District’s permits not only allow for inner harbor dredging, but also to replicate the work conducted by the Corps in the event that there was an emergency and the work had to be performed by the District.

Because the inner harbor soil is primarily fine grain (silt), three of the District’s permits for inner harbor dredging have special conditions that require the Santa Clara river be flowing into the ocean in order for material placement to take place. In 2021 when navigating into channel into the Keys became a concern, the river condition was not met and the District and City of Ventura had to obtain emergency permits in order to perform the inner harbor dredging. Therefore, the District has been pursuing amendments to these permits so that inner harbor dredging can be performed when needed.

For more details on annual dredging activities in Ventura Harbor or information on Ventura Harbor beaches visit VentruaHarbor.com

El Camino High School ECTV crew wins WAVE awards

To learn more about CAPS, visit capsmedia.org.

The highly talented high school students at El Camino in the ECTV media program at CAPS, continue to receive accolades and win awards. The ECTV program was created by CAPS in partnership with the Ventura Unified School District. Students collaborate writing, producing, recording and editing their own programs.

Recently the ECTV crew won 4 WAVE awards at the annual competition directed by the Alliance for Community Media Western Region (ACM West). (Standing) Phil Taggart, teacher/mentor, Arshan Barati, Sophia Johnson, Sarah Briggs, Luca Falvo, Mika Long, Seth Steiminger, Christopher Giordano, DeeDee Black, Aracely Soriano Perez, Hector Guerrero, Principal El Camino High School, and Saadiyah Islam. (Kneeling): Allison Laak, Kampton Carter, Alyx Golson and Shayan Barati.

Every year, adult and student media crews from throughout the western United States compete for WAVE awards, which stands for Western Access Video Excellence. This years’ trophies increase the ECTV collection to more than 30 regional and national awards won over the past few years. All of the ECTV programs can be viewed on the CAPS Media website at capsmedia.org/ectv.

The Alliance for Community Media (ACM), founded in 1976, represents more than 3,000 Public, Education and Government access organizations and community media centers throughout the United States. ACM’s fundamental mission is to help democracy flourish in local communities by encouraging the public to be active participants in their local government and to foster free expressing and exchange of ideas.

CAPS is a proud member of ACM and is the only public access media center in Ventura. CAPS’ mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.

CAPS manages two television channels and one radio station in Ventura providing public programming on television, radio and online streaming 24/7 on all distribution outlets.

On Channel 6 and streaming online, CAPS presents programming created by and for the public including community information programs, faith-based services and more. On Channel 15 and streaming online, CAPS manages and presents government meetings at City Hall including city council, design review, general plan advisory committee, planning commission and more. In addition Channel 15 includes education and information programs produced by ECTV crews as well as fitness, science programs and more.

CAPS is the home of Radio KPPQ – Ventura’s only public access radio station. KPPQ features a dedicated and talented crew of local DJs producing unique and information programming. DJs include Pam Baumgardner, Kathleen Good, Mark, Nadine Piche, Kevin Wallace, and Dr. Q & Dr. C.

All of the KPPQ locally produced programs, as well as national and international shows, can be enjoyed 24/7 at 104.1 FM and streamed worldwide on myTuner Radio and on capsmedia.org. Many of the shows are available to listen on demand on the KPPQ podcast network found on the radio page of the CAPS website.

To learn more about CAPS, visit capsmedia.org. A video on the home page, CAPS Media City Council Presentation 2023, presents an overview of the organization. Additional information is on the CAPS website including links to programing and information regarding reopening of the CAPS Media center to the public.

“One for One” initiative dedicated to planting trees in California

Ensemble Theatre Company, Santa Barbara’s professional theatre company, has announced a partnership with “One Tree Planted,” a non-profit that aims to plant trees in California. For every ticket purchased for the upcoming play, The Children, Ensemble Theatre Company will plant one tree.

“Our upcoming play, The Children explores the effects of climate change on our planet and what one generation owes to the next,” said Scott DeVine, Ensemble Theatre Company’s managing director. “The mission of “One Tree Planted” complements the show’s storyline and this partnership expands the way in which Ensemble Theatre Company influences and impacts the community we serve. We believe there is no better way to honor the sentiment of The Children, while recognizing the ideal of Earth Month, than to help the environment by planting trees on behalf of our audience.”

The objectives of this new partnership include:

Supporting reforestation efforts in California
Empowering consumers with sustainable actions
Raising awareness about the importance of ecosystem restoration

Planting trees is consistently identified as one of the best ways to combat the damaging effects of climate change. Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat for over 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Trees also provide lasting social impact by providing jobs to over 1.6 billion people, empowering women in underdeveloped nations, and supporting communities that are devastated by environmental damage.

The partnership is designed to be a simple way for Ensemble Theatre Company’s audience to give back and get involved in reforestation right here in California. For every ticket sold to The Children, Ensemble Theatre Company will partner with “One Tree Planted” to plant one tree. The trees are planted by “One Tree Planted’s” local partner organizations and community volunteers in areas where deforestation has occurred in California.

About One Tree Planted One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on that is a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to restore forests that have been degraded or deforested, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity habitat. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The Children will begin previews on Thursday, April 6 at 7:30pm; opens on Saturday, April 8 at 8:00pm and runs through Sunday, April 23, 2023 at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.

Live In the Moment

Just being aware of how you are sitting or standing can lead to better posture.

by Leslie Sokol

Maintaining a sense of purpose is important for a healthy lifestyle. If you find yourself retired and in a different stage of life, it’s a great time to indulge yourself and try new things. How about those hobbies that you always wanted to do but never had the time for? Now you can engage in positive activities that spark that magic from within. Keeping your mind and body active is crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

Research shows that negative stereotypes about aging are internalized over a person’s lifespan. These thoughts can harm your physical and cognitive health as you grow older. Developing an awareness of these messages can help you understand how they influence you. Aging does not have to be a negative or declining time in your life. With a positive and healthy attitude, you can accomplish many of the things you’ve always dreamed of doing.

Don’t forget – age is just a number! Perhaps it is not the number of years we live but how we age that matters most. It’s never too late and you are never too old to explore new interests. Living in the moment is crucial. Be active – join a club, do volunteer work, get involved in your retirement community, socialize with your neighbors, friends and family. You can also dance, exercise, paint, play board games or try whatever piques your interest and keeps you engaged.

Be sure to also make the time to work on staying physically active. Small changes can lead to big health benefits. How we stand and sit affects all parts of the body. Good posture increases energy, improves balance, lessens the chance of injuries, helps minimize back issues and so much more.

To start, sit or stand with your back straight, shoulders down, chin up, chest out, and your stomach pulled in. By keeping your core muscles tight and strong, you will stay centered and balanced.

When walking (either on your own or with a walker), keep your body weight centered, placing one foot in front of the other while looking straight ahead and focusing on what’s in front of you (be sure to double check that your path is clear first!)

There are also several stretches you can do to improve your posture:

1) While seated or standing, stretch your arms up slowly over your head, pulling your stomach in and bringing your shoulders down. Inhale slowly as you raise your arms and then exhale while lowering your arms and leaning forward from the waist. Try keeping your back flat and stretch outward with your chin and chest. Repeat four to six times.

2) From a seated position, bend forward from the waist with your arms bent and elbows facing forward. As you lean forward, try and get as close to your knees as possible and then slowly raise yourself back to the starting position. Repeat 8-15 times. Add more repetitions as you get comfortable with the movement.

Just being aware of how you are sitting or standing can lead to better posture, which in turn leads to better health. This is what living in the moment is all about!

For more information contact Leslie at [email protected] 805-312-8089
or visit the website: www.LeslieSokolDance.com

Bingocize joins VCAAA’S fall prevention class lineup

“Bingo, and now I get to exercise.”

Bingocize, a nationally recognized evidence-based program, will join the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and the Ventura County Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition’s award-winning lineup of classes next month.

Bingocize strategically combines the game of bingo, exercise and health education, according to the National Council on Aging. During the 10-week program, participants play a traditional game of Bingo twice a week, with each session also including exercises (range of motion, balance, muscle strengthening, and endurance) and health education questions.

Health outcomes include improved lower/upper body strength, gait, balance, and range of motion; increased social engagement; and improved knowledge of falls risk reduction and nutrition.

The first Bingocize class will be held at the VCAAA (646 County Square Drive in Ventura) on Mondays and Wednesdays between April 24 and July 7. Classes will run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Classes, which are free, are designed for individuals 60 and up. Please click on the PDF for additional information, or visit vcaaa.org/falls. To register for the class, call the VCAAA at (805) 477-7300, option 6, or email [email protected].

Other Fall Prevention classes currently being taught are A Matter of Balance, Stepping On, Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, and Walk With Ease.

Individuals concerned about falls or those who have recently experienced a fall, as well as those who are interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength, are encouraged to participate. Nationally recognized research shows that one in four adults over the age of 65, and half of the population over the age of 75, fall each year. One out of every five falls results in a serious injury, and about three million older people are treated at emergency departments for fall injuries each year. Approximately 32,000 older adults die each year as a result of falls. However, studies show that participants in these evidence-based classes build skills that allow them to lower the risk of falls, to better manage chronic conditions, to engage in physical activity, and to proactively manage mental health.

WEV is a training provider for the EDC’s Ventura County Digital Upskilling Training Program

What is digital upskilling?

The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), in partnership with multiple regional partners, officially launched the Ventura County Digital Upskilling Training Program—a free short-term training program that will increase the digital skills of job seekers, current workers and small business operators. The initiative seeks to expand the opportunities and earning power of Ventura County participants by providing them with much-needed digital skills training to help both individuals and employers in the County grow.

The training program was made possible by State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who developed the project idea and secured $5 million in state general funds for a Digital Upskilling pilot in Ventura County.

Digital upskilling is the process of teaching people how to think, act and thrive in a digital world. It involves providing employees with the opportunity to gain the tools and skills they need to adapt to a world with ever-changing technologies. Apart from teaching technical skills, such as how to use a specific device or navigate a particular software, digital upskilling also ensures that employees have the fundamental knowledge required to understand new technologies.

Basic computer skills are increasingly needed in all industries, and people without digital skills are in danger of being left further behind as digitalization continues to expand. Without digital skills, people cannot search for and apply for jobs, expand their career opportunities, earn more money or enjoy the flexibility of working remotely.

Classes for new to tech learners, current workers and small business owners are now open for registration! Learn more and sign up at www.digital-upskilling.edcollaborative.com

The training program includes three different cohorts of learners who each have different base levels of computer skills and training needs.

Small business owners who need comprehensive knowledge and tools to establish an online business presence including e-commerce, SEO and digital marketing to grow and stay competitive can enroll in Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)’s Get Your Small Business Online course.

Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE), Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV).

For more information, visit www.digital-upskilling.edcollaborative.com

SEEAG to host Earth Day Plantopia U Pick Transplant Fundraiser

You don’t need a green thumb to select your plants.

Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) will host its first annual Plantopia U Pick Transplant Fundraiser to celebrate Earth Day. The event, held on Earth Day, April 22, will raise funds to support SEEAG’s agricultural education programs where students learn about the farm origins of their food, water resources, soil health, entomology and locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Plantopia is from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at SEEAG’s Ventura County Farm Lab at Petty Ranch (11917 Darling Road, Saticoy). For a $35 donation, participants can pick a combination of 12 small plants to fill two six-pack containers with tomatoes, zucchini, squash, basil and peppers. The organic seedlings are from Plantel Nurseries. In addition, donors will receive free four-quart bags of Agromin’s potting soil. Tours of Petty Ranch will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

“April is the perfect time to start a backyard garden,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG’s founder and CEO. “Creating a garden and watching the vegetables grow is something the whole family can enjoy.”

For more information about SEEAG’s Plantopia, go to www.SEEAG.org/plantopia.

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