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Daily low-dose aspirin has little impact on stroke risk and spikes risk of brain bleeding from falls

Low-dose daily aspirin does not provide significant protection against stroke resulting from blood clots and may increase risk of bleeding in the brain or skull after head trauma, according to an NIA-funded study. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, provide new evidence countering past conventional wisdom recommending a daily low-dose or baby aspirin for healthy older adults.

In this study, an international team led by Australian researchers analyzed data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial. ASPREE includes about 19,000 healthy older adult volunteers from Australia and the United States who were randomly assigned to take a daily 100 milligram aspirin or a placebo pill and were monitored for approximately five years.

The research team found no statistically significant difference in stroke incidence between those who took aspirin and those on the placebo. While a relatively small overall number of brain bleeds occurred in participants during the study period — 187 total, with 108 from the aspirin group and 79 from the placebo one — bleeding events were 38% higher among participants who were taking aspirin daily, regardless of their gender, age, or cardiovascular risk. Bleeding into the brain or onto its surface are common and serious results of fall-related head injuries in older adults. In this study, nearly half of these bleeding events were due to trauma.

In a related recent study, the ASPREE team also found that daily aspirin could increase anemia risk in older adults. In 2022, in part due to ASPREE findings, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its past recommendations to state that healthy adults age 60 or older should not start taking low-dose aspirin as a primary prevention strategy for cardiovascular disease. These recommendations do not apply to individuals taking aspirin for a known cardiovascular condition.

The ASPREE investigators view these recent results as further evidence that healthy older adults with no history of stroke or cardiovascular disease should talk with their doctors about the potential risks and benefits when considering taking aspirin daily. They further note that older adults who have had past strokes or are in higher risk groups for cardiovascular disease may still benefit from aspirin’s blood thinning effects, so these individuals should also ask about the benefits of aspirin versus other drugs such as statins.

This research was supported in part by NIA grants AG029824 and AG062682.

Vol. 17, No. 06 – Dec 13 – Dec 26, 2023 – As I See It

Glad to see that Downtown Ventura’s Limón y Sal restaurant has opened after a brief closure.

Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson recently said: “Someone asked me today in the media, ‘People are curious, what does Mike Johnson think about any issue under the sun?’ I said, ‘Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it. That’s my worldview.”

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The First Amendment.

“They want to call you a dictator,” Hannity said referring to the media reports. “To be clear, do you in any way have any plans whatsoever, if reelected president, to abuse power, to break the law, to use the government to go after people?” “You mean like they’re using right now,” Trump initially responded, before pivoting to speaking about the criminal indictments he faces.

Hannity again revisited the question just before a commercial break, asking: “Under no circumstances — you are promising America tonight. You would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?”

“Except for day one,” Trump responded.

That’s what Mussolini said (you youngsters can look him up).

Two vigils are planned this month to remember the 126 homeless Ventura County residents who died during the past year. Called the Longest Night memorial service, the Ventura vigil is scheduled in downtown Ventura at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at Plaza Park, 651 E. Thompson Blvd. Friends and family members are encouraged to display photos and other items to honor people they lost between Dec. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30 of this year.

The event also coincides with the start of the city’s foul weather program. The initiative puts the local homeless population in hotel and motel rooms when temperatures drop below 40 degrees or when projected rainfall exceeds a half inch.

Many of the homeless are also mentally ill and have nowhere to stay which is why the following is so important. There is a huge lack of facilities for the mentally ill. Especially for those that are too ill to understand and accept help.

A Ventura County board agreed to continue blocking Vista Del Mar hospital from admitting involuntary patients but is considering the authorization to be reinstated.

Voting unanimously, the Board of Supervisors approved the extension for Vista del Mar Hospital to give county officials time to evaluate whether the Ventura hospital has made sufficient progress in correcting serious deficiencies in patient care.

Vista del Mar remains licensed and can still admit voluntary patients but not those that are involuntary.

The hospital’s authorization was suspended two months ago. A 43-bed unit at Ventura County Medical Center is now the only facility where patients can be treated involuntarily in the county.

The U.S. has broken its previous record for most mass shootings in single year. The country has had 38 mass shootings (in which at least 203 people have died) so far this year, passing the previous high of 36.

An ad for a washer-dryer manufacturer explains how they made school so much better for students by installing washer-dryers in schools. I always wondered what kids kept in their backpacks – now I know, it’s dirty clothes.

“How did you do this semester?” “Great, I got an A in clean clothes.”

Ten Wisconsin Republicans who posed as electors for Donald Trump in 2020 – despite the former president’s election loss – have acknowledged their actions were part of an attempt to overturn an election. If this doesn’t worry you, you just don’t get it.

A Texas judge had granted an emergency order allowing a pregnant woman whose fetus has a fatal diagnosis to get an abortion in the state. Late last month, Kate Cox, a 31-year-old Dallas-area mother of two who is about 20 weeks pregnant, found out that her developing fetus has trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal disorder likely to cause stillbirth or the death of the baby shortly after it’s born. Then, the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked the historic lower court ruling on Friday. The state’s attorney general asked the high court to reverse the judge’s decision.

The Texas Supreme Court has paused a judge’s decision to temporarily block the state from enforcing its strict abortion ban in the case of a woman who is seeking to terminate a pregnancy in which her fetus has a fatal diagnosis. How sad this is.

Even sadder Kate Cox has left the state after the Texas Supreme Court paused a lower court decision that would allow her to have the procedure, lawyers for the Center for Reproductive Rights stated.

“With our client’s life on the line, the State of Texas is playing despicable political games. This fight is not over,” stated the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is representing Cox.

If you’ve been naughty, it’s time to be nice,
as Santa Claus will be here shortly.
~ Santa

Fall prevention classes resume in January

Tai Chi can help prevent falls.

Sign-ups are now available for a new series of Fall Prevention classes that will begin in January. These award-winning classes are put on by the Ventura County Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition and the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Human Services Agency.

Four classes, with 12 sessions to choose from, will be offered in five Ventura County cities. The January offerings include:

Bingocize (Fillmore Active Adult Center)

A Matter of Balance (Simi Valley Senior Center, VCAAA office in Ventura)

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance (HELP of Ojai, Oxnard Public Library, County of Ventura California Room in Ventura, Community Presbyterian Church in Ventura, Ventura Church of Christ, Buenaventura Mobile Home Estates in Ventura)

Walk With Ease (Fillmore Active Adult Center)

Adults that are 60 or older that are concerned about falls, have recently experienced a fall, or who are just 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.

Bingocize is an evidence-based health education program that incorporates exercise, nutrition, and fall prevention within the popular game of bingo. Participants will have fun and meet new people while learning about techniques to reduce falls and increase cognition. Bingocize — which can be done seated or standing — is a 10-week program that is exercise for your body, mind, and spirit.

A Matter of Balance is designed for people who are inactive with poor balance, who have fallen, and who may have developed a fear of falling. Participants should expect to begin an easy-to-do regimen to improve balance, strength, flexibility and self-confidence. This class is held once a week for eight weeks and includes chair-based exercises.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is an exercise program developed especially for older adults using modified practices designed to improve and strengthen balance and mobility. Classes are intended for beginners. Canes and walkers are welcome. This class has been proven to reduce falls by 55 percent.

Walk With Ease is an exercise program that can reduce pain and improve overall health. This is a six-week program developed by the Arthritis Foundation that helps participants create a customized walking plan to stay motivated, manage pain, and exercise safely to stay strong, boost energy, and control weight. Participants walk together three times a week, starting slow and building up to walking for a total of 30 minutes.

For more information about the Fall Prevention Program, call (805) 477-7300 (option 6), or visit vcaaa.org/falls.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, is charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, children and adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting. The VCAAA advocates for the needs of those 60 years and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists found both potentially new and previously discovered Alzheimer’s disease genetic risk factors by analyzing the genomes of a relatively small group of people who were identified as being of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. The results from the NIA-funded study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, suggest that genomic studies of Ashkenazi Jewish people and other closely related “genetic founder” groups may help clarify the genetic basis for Alzheimer’s.

People of Ashkenazi ancestry descend from a population of Jewish people who founded communities in Central and Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. For many centuries, Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Europe were culturally isolated from non-Jewish Europeans, and as a result, the population is genetically distinct from non-Jewish Europeans. Due to this reduction in genetic variation, or “founder effect,” several hereditary diseases and types of cancer are found predominantly or more frequently in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. In this study, the researchers hypothesized that Alzheimer’s disease genetic risk factors may appear more frequently — and thus be easier to identify — than in broader, more genomically diverse European populations.

Led by scientists at Boston University, the researchers used genomic information about the Ashkenazi Jewish population to analyze data of three different large genomic and genetic Alzheimer’s disease studies involving more than 80,000 participants of European descent. More than 6,500 individuals appeared to be of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Approximately 2,800 of these people were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and about 3,700 were not.

By comparing those who had Alzheimer’s with those who did not, the researchers found previously identified risk factors such as variants of genes called APOE and TREM2. The APOE associations were relatively strong given the small sample size. They also found several potential new risk factors that had borderline levels of association with Alzheimer’s. For example, one was found linked to a gene called RAB3B, which is involved in the release of dopamine, an important chemical signal in the brain.

Experiments on autopsied brain tissue provided further support for the idea that the variants identified by this analysis are Alzheimer’s disease genetic risk factors. The researchers note that studying a population with very similar genetics enabled them to uncover new genes that would have been hard to identify in a genetically heterogeneous population.

Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and potentially identify other genetic changes associated with Alzheimer’s in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent or in other historically isolated populations.

This research was supported in part by NIA grants.

Vol. 17, No. 06 – Dec 13 – Dec 26, 2023 – A View from House Seats

Two great events at the Rubicon.

by Shirley Lorraine

Rubicon Strikes Gold in Silver Year

Twenty -Five years ago the Rubicon theater began as a dream. It has grown, evolved, and become a shining light in the arts community, proving that dreams can come true. In this 2023-2024 season of must-see, “real” theater, the Rubicon continues to be a shining beacon.

Opening night of The World Goes ‘Round, a musical revue of the over 40-year collaboration of the highly successful songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, held a huge surprise.

Former Senator Hannah Beth Jackson, as well as Senator Monique Limon and Assemblyman Steve Bennett were on hand to make a special presentation. Their heartfelt, passionate presentations highlighted many ways the Rubicon has enriched our community over the last 25 years by providing high quality artistic opportunities to the citizens of our beloved community, as well as continuing to thrive and grow during the extraordinary experience of the pandemic.

Karyl Lynn Burns, Rubicon Executive Director, was presented with a $1.5 Million governmental investment to recognize their importance as a professional regional theater of note (see separate article).

Burns and her husband James O’Neill have been on this journey for the last 25 years, becoming champions of the arts in the Ventura area and cultivating community support.

A recent production of In the Heights was taken to schools throughout the area, introducing over 52,000 students to the magic that involvement in the arts can provide. That’s quite an impressive outreach, especially in a time when arts budgets in the schools are cut routinely. The concept of arts as a whole being a necessary component to well-rounded living was soundly applauded.

Following the presentation, the audience was treated to another extraordinary theatrical experience with The World Goes ‘Round, featuring songs of Kander and Ebb who penned such familiar classics as the scores to Chicago, Cabaret, Zorba, 70, Girls, 70 and many more.

The Drama Desk Award-winning musical revue exuded high energy, humor and complexity. Many of the songs will be familiar -some less so. Each one is given treatment apart from the usual contextual rendering of its original use. In every case however, the lyrics beautifully illustrate the timelessness and impact of the sentiments..

The Revue has been around since the early 1990’s. I vividly recall owning a vinyl copy of the original cast album and playing it often. It was, and continues to be, inspiring. This performance simply stunned me with its depth, triggering so many memories, tears and laughter.

Powerhouse vocals by each cast member shook the rafters. Each shone individually and collectively with some impressive pieces weaving several songs sung simultaneously. Once again, the Rubicon has given our community a priceless gift with extraordinary talent. This is a holiday gift not to be missed.

Performances run through December 23. with multiple opportunities to catch this stirring compilation of well known and not-so-well-known (but equally moving) songs by the duo of John Kander and Fred Ebb. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (talkback with cast following the 7 p.m. show), Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Go. Enjoy.

Free Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group meetings

Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group gets together every month with skilled, experienced professionals who present significant breakthroughs, strategies and related issues surrounding Parkinson’s. The group’s mission is for participants to better understand and talk about how this information impacts their own lives and affects immediate family members. In addition to those diagnosed with PD, caregivers, family members and friends are all welcome to attend free of charge.

More than just a meeting, all discussions/presentations offer interactive, compassionate, relevant education on PD. Topics range from “How to get up off the floor when you’ve fallen,” to “Nutrition and Parkinson’s” to “The benefits of deep brain stimulation and assessing if you’re a good candidate for DBS” to the importance of laughter in life and for healing.

Jon Everhart, retired accountant, US Marine and regular group attendee said, “It’s nice comparing treatments, symptoms, and the challenges we all face living with Parkinson’s.” This caring group empowers people like Jon to be more proactive and to participate in deciding the direction of his treatment, complemented by his team of doctors’ suggestions.

This unique group gives everyone a great opportunity to learn more about current PD research, to gain more awareness about local help and resources, to share relevant experiences with others — and to have fun along the way.

The Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group was recently resurrected (post-Covid) by Dr. Vanessa White, owner of Ventura County Neurofitness (a local fitness program designed specifically for those with Parkinson’s and other neurological degenerative diseases). The impetus for her assuming this responsibility was after her mother-in-law, Toy White, was diagnosed several years ago with PD. This important, special group was born upon her passing.

Meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday, 10-11am, at Crosspointe Church (5415 Ralston Ave.)

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 19th and it will be a holiday social (sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation) with lots of fun, good food, games ,and fabulous prizes. And, it’s all free—please RSVP by Dec. 12th if you plan to attend Vanessa at 805.300.7749.

Vol. 17, No. 06 – Dec 13 – Dec 26, 2023 – Movie Review

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Leave the World Behind – Netflix & Theaters

3 out of 4 palm trees
Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees, 4 being best.

In “Leave the World Behind” Amanda (Julia Roberts) and Clay (Ethan Hawke) Sanford were living a busy working life in New York City, so decided to take an unplanned vacation up north on the coast with their two children Archie (Charles Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). They booked a vacation rental with the title “Leave the World Behind” that appeared the perfect location, though something seemed off when while they were at the beach later that day a huge oil tanker that was out of control ran up on the beach though no ports were anywhere near. The other troubling matter was that not only was the home WiFi not working, neither were any cell phones or tablets.

Back at the house the Sanford family shared a quiet night and after the kids had gone to bed Amanda and Clay shared some wine and time playing Jenga, when they heard a knock on the door. This immediately concerned Amanda due to the remote location of the rental, but Clay answered the door to find a finely dress man and young woman who apologized for the intrusion and shared it was their home. The man introduced himself as G.H. Scott (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la Herrold) and said that they went to spend time in the city, but that there was a blackout and chose to return to their house.

The Scotts said that they needed to stay at their home, but would refund the Sanfords their money and that there was an apartment downstairs they could stay the night until morning when they could find out what was going on in the city. Amanda did not want to agree to them being in the house together, but Clay was more easy going and compassionate about the Scotts situation so agreed to work out everything in the morning. Amanda only agreed to let the Scotts stay because of Clay and felt the G.H was withholding information, though he said he shared all he knew.

Due to the television, internet and phones still being down, the next day they decided to venture out to see if anyone had any information. G.H. headed to the closest neighbors home, Clay left for town and Amanda stayed back at the house with everyone else. This is when they began to discover something very serious had happened. Clay got lost without GPS and was chased back to the house by a huge drone dropping thousands of flyers with Arabic text which Archie was able to decipher said “Death to America”.

When G.H. arrived at the neighbors house, there was metal debris, luggage and other forms of wreckage on the front lawn and throughout the house which was right on the coast. Out back he discovered plane wreckage and dead bodies on the beach, and hearing another plane approaching, rushed back to the house for cover as another plane crashed onto the coastline. He returned to the house covered in water and wet sand, but had difficulty explaining what happened as his wife was on a return flight and concerned her plane had suffered the same fate.

Though in different locations, they then all heard several sonic booms and then an ear-piercing sound coming from everywhere that made them drop to their knees in pain that lasted for a while. Other strange things were happening with the wildlife including hundreds of deer surrounding the house and flamingos landing in the pool. With each new situation, G.H. seemed to grow more uneasy, as if he knew something about what was happening, some of which he shared with his daughter but was not sharing with the Sanfords. G.H. later shared that in his line of work as an analyst he dealt with clients in the defense industry and had been privy to some hypothetical scenarios on destroying a country and believed unfortunately that this was what had begun.

Runtime: 2h 20m

Make this an active holiday season

Leslie and her students at Regency Palms Oxnard are getting in the active holiday spirit!

by Leslie Sokol

During the busy holiday season, there is so much to do and so many places to be – it can really feel like our days are more than a little crazy! However, it’s important to keep our fitness goals on track during this time of year. We can all get lost in the chaos of shopping, attending parties and other fun social events. As hectic as this time of year can be, staying active is still well worth the time and effort. Exercise is about the closest we’ll get to a “miracle drug” when it comes to boosting our mood and energy levels. Making time for exercise will ensure we don’t wear ourselves out amidst the hustle and bustle.

You might feel overwhelmed during this time of year, which means you need to be organized and efficient with your workouts. Setting expectations too high can be challenging and could backfire. You need to be kind and patient with yourself and do your best to fit in a workout without making it overly stressful. Just thirty minutes a day can keep your body feeling good, your mind alert, and ward off some of those unwanted extra holiday pounds from all the sweets. Try and make your exercise routines joyful and festive (maybe try working out to some uplifting holiday music). Doing some form of exercise daily will keep you motivated and on the right path for being healthy and fit as you move into the New Year!

Healthy Active Tips:

1. Choose exercises and activities that you enjoy most.

2. Make your workouts convenient and easy to do.

3. Join a group dance and fitness class at your Retirement community or local community center.

4. Get a friend or family member to join you for a hike, walk or sightseeing adventure.

5. Enjoy some quality time with your grandchildren – play catch, ride a bike, take a nature walk, have a dance party, or enjoy a sports activity together.

6. If you’re traveling and staying with family or at a hotel, find a spot in the house or hotel room where you can work out or try and see if there is a local gym or community center you can visit.

7. Go on a walk after each meal – try for a morning beach stroll or a hike around the neighborhood or on a nearby trail.

A common pitfall is the belief that health and fitness goals must all or nothing. Do not fall into the trap of believing you have failed if you don’t stick to your game plan perfectly. When this happens, you may end up forgoing your goals altogether and then later regret your decision. A healthier mindset focuses on long term, sustainable health. This doesn’t mean perfection – this means making adjustments as seasons and holidays come upon us.

Take a moment this holiday season to be mindful and reflect on all the accomplishments and tasks that you achieved this year. It is imperative to make time for self-care and self- love. Pamper yourself, be intensive, joyful and have fun!

Have a healthy and happy holiday season!

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

Vol. 17, No. 06 – Dec 13 – Dec 26, 2023 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season, there are a few more opportunities to catch live music if you need a boost. On one end of the spectrum, the Rubicon Theater will host a Saturday afternoon Tiny Tots Christmas Concert on December 23 (2-4 pm) featuring enchanting songs of the season that will tug at your holiday heartstrings.

And then on the other end of the spectrum, if you appreciate a wicked sense of humor that is, then you won’t want to miss loveable punk rockers, The Vandals, when they play the Majestic Ventura Theater on Friday, December 22. This is the band’s 28th Annual Christmas Formal where they’re sure to play such punk holiday favorites as “My First Christmas as a Women,” “Oi to the World,” “Grandpa’s Last X-mas” and “I Don’t Believe in Santa Claus.”

Non-holiday events include a fundraiser to help get Red Headed Stephchild to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next month. The event will be held at Bombay’s on Saturday December 16 from 2-6 pm with performances from Ray Jaurique Trio, Hot Roux, American Standard and Red Headed StephChild.

Singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom plays Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts in Ojai on Sunday December 17. So many of her songs have been recorded by a wide variety of artists such as Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Anne Murray, Harry Belafonte, Kurt Cobain and of course Bette Midler who hit a number one hit with her tune, “The Rose”.

Albert Lee will be celebrating his 80th birthday at the Twist on Main with Hot Roux supporting the phenomenal Grammy award winning guitarist. Lee has worked with the likes of the Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris and more. This ticketed event falls on Friday, December 22 with tickets available on the HiHatEntertainment.com website.

Keep in mind, you should firm up your New Year’s Eve party plans sooner than later. My next column will highlight some of the bigger parties, but meanwhile, go to VenturaRocks.com and on the calendar, just search “NYE” for parties throughout Ventura County.

Quick Notes: Rey Fresco opens for Ozomatli at the Ventura Music Hall on Thursday, December 14; Simon Phillips returns to the Grape for another sure-to-sell-out performance on Friday, December 15; Red Hot Cholo Peppers play Copper Blues on Friday December 15; Brendon Willing James plays the Farmer and the Cook in Ojai on Sunday December 17; and Tribal Me has reformed and renamed the group, The Jelly Band.

Though I’ve placed the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on hiatus after 200 shows, I’d like to invite you to start your very own radio show on CAPS Media’s KPPQ local non-profit radio station. You can do a talk/podcast type show, or play music of any genre. Reach out to the program director at [email protected].

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.