by Gloria Forgea, R.N., M.B.A. Director of Community and Professional Relations, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association

Most people know that eating fruits and vegetables is important for good health, but most of us still aren’t getting enough.

Eating a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits can help you:

• Lower your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer
• Prevent obesity and high blood pressure.
• Maintain or reach a healthy weight
• Keep your body strong and active
• However, many people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.
• Fewer than 1 in 4 adults eat the recommended amount of fruits every day.
• Fewer than 1 in 7 adults eat the recommended amount of vegetables every day.

Here are some ideas to help you and your family fit more fruits and vegetables into your day:

Keep a bowl of fruit handy where the whole family can see it.

Cut up fruits and veggies ahead of time so they’re ready for quick, healthy snacks.

Spread the word about programs that support local agriculture

Remember, eating more fruits and veggies can be fun – and it’s worth it!

http://healthfinder.gov

by Samantha Crisp, Director of Marketing

August brought twenty-two of our finest Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 Seabees to the Ventura Townehouse’s monthly Community Appreciation Breakfast in honor of their efforts. Lt. Michael Hall did a fine job coordinating efforts for this Battalion to get here. I would later discover why- they are a self-contained unit that moves quickly and quietly in the background of things. Thanks to resident “Hink” Hinkle, for discovering through a newspaper article where to find them working.  I made the call to the job site and Lt. Michael Hall called me back. He made it all so easy.

The Seabee are currently helping construct the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation’s training center in Santa Paula on Wheeler Canyon Road. They have been working on creating a disaster infrastructure, general construction and landscaping for the past three years.

They are participants in the U.S. military’s Innovative Readiness Training program that sends service members to work on civilian projects while training for construction skills. They are trained in combat also.

The Seabee’s arrived to an impressive sunrise Thursday morning. As they arrived resident Irene Olsen played the Navy Seabee song on the piano. Ken Rizza, resident and former Seabee, brought along a cloth with the Seabee Navy insignia on it that he draped over the podium for the visiting Seabee’s. CMI Sutton of the Seabee’s started us out with the Pledge of Allegiance and Otis “Hink” Hinkle, retired Seabee Captain, gave us a little history background of the Seabees.

CM1 Dan Sutton started the program with introductions of the troop and where they are all from and how they all decided to become Seabees. They are from all over the United States. Many of them have served all over the world.

The 20 men and 2 women surprised us by singing their Seabee song – acapella!  These fine people gave very moving words as they spoke about their families and duty to. EO2 Williams, a young man, stated he joined on a whim by friends daring him and it was the best decision that he ever made

The residents had a lot to say, too. By a show of hands about 1/3 of the room noted they had served in the military. Clara Jackson, resident, remembered serving the officers by making chili for them. Many residents spoke of family, wives at home and taking care of things while loved ones were away and making sure they were volunteering at the VFW or other military clubs.

These Seabee’s sat amongst each of the resident’s tables making them feel very special even though we were honoring them.

When we asked the Seabees if they would not mind stopping in our Alzheimer’s community-they did not hesitate for one minute to go over to see the retired military there. I have no words to tell you how moved, truly moved, we all felt listening to each of these fine people about their service and dedication to all they take on. I am comforted and inspired that they are here for us and I hope they know we will be here for them-waiting for them to come home and holding down the home front.

The Lexington will be hosting a special luncheon for our first responders to salute the men and women who serve our community every day.  The invitees will include the police department, fire department, sheriffs department and ambulance companies.  You are cordially invited to have lunch with our community’s local heroes.  This event is open to the public.  The Lexington is located at 5440 Ralston Street in Ventura.  The event will be held Friday, September 16th from 11:30am – 1:30pm.

For more information call 644–6710.

by Es Cole

“Fwonsa will see you now.”  Fwonsa is a doxie mix and has ruled our household for five years. Les Cole, my husband, aka Big Dog, is her slave. She barks, and Les opens the back door. She barks, and Les lets her back in. She barks, and Les comes up with treats. Then Manny was added to the household. He gets the same treatment as Fwonsa, but has to wait his turn.

Les is now at Victoria Care Center and misses the dogs like crazy. We brought Fwonsa to see him today, and, I swear, the entire establishment looked healthier when she walked through the front door.  As she strolled into Les’ room, I could feel Les’ blood pressure dropping.

After checking out the kind personnel looking after Les, Fwonsa decided she wanted a second opinion from her colleague Manny.

Manny is a cuddly, curly-haired poodle mix. He marched through the hallways, tried to peek into every room, acknowledged the oohs and aahs and allowed all attractive and gentle nursing people to pet him.

Nursing facilities that allow animal visits are smart and foresighted. They are getting effective, curative nursing procedures at no cost. You don’t even have to buy extra insurance coverage to take advantage of their healing skills.

Both Fwonsa and Manny had waved a happy wagging tail salute to John Gardner, Executive Director of Victoria Care, as they walked past his office.  I know they were thanking him and his entire staff for looking after their favorite ‘Big Dog’ while he was recuperating.

Bring a Brown-Bag lunch to enjoy between classes on the Little House deck set among giant oaks in a park like setting.

10AM-1PM, Dr. Amy Denton will be sharing her expertise with lectures on “The Arctic: Exploration, Exploitation, and Natural History”. Beginning with an overview of our current understanding of the Arctic and the history of polar exploration from Stone Age to the present you will experience arctic science with an emphasis on its unique flora, fauna, and geology; indigenous cultures; the history and current status of resources extraction,

Dr. Denton a professor of Biology at CSU Channel Islands and maintains a keen interest in the history and development of evolutionary thought.

1PM-3PM, Dr. Oliver Boyd-Barrett will explore “Media: Money and Power”. From media ownership and the interest they serve to ask the question has this become something to celebrate, to fear, or both. You will be asked to consider the implications for our informational, entertainment and surveillance environments.

Oliver Boyd-Barrett teaches for the Department of Communications at CSU Channel Islands and has taught and researched for the British Open University and the Center for Mass Communication Research at the University of Leicester (UK).

The cost for each 8-week sessions is $80.00. Classes begin Friday, September 9. For enrollment information, please contact Donna Ingles at 427.2748 or check http://ext.csuci.edu/community-ed/osher/index.htm or simply Google: CSUCI OLLI

by Es Cole

Irene Olson, master of the piano, virtuoso of sight-reading music; young in heart and soul; beautiful in dress and manners, sexy enough to have males drooling after her.

She resides at the Ventura Townhouse where she sings for her breakfast, lunch and supper. She provides promenade music when everyone is walking toward the dining room. Her repertoire is enormous – from classical to pop to golden oldies.

She plays every afternoon where some residents have forgotten much of their personal histories, but remember the words to songs by Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra or Michael Jackson — when Irene leads them in sing-alongs while playing the not-well-tuned piano.

She’s a treasure in a size 10 dress and a lovely white bouffant hair style.

If you’re lucky enough to get invited to lunch at the Townhouse, or take advantage of their exercise rooms, or join their personal history group, you may be lucky enough to catch Irene Olson doing what she loves to do – getting her audiences to tap their feet, sing and dance; feel the warmth running from their toes to their ears by the sweet memories evoked by her music.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association supports the total well-being of our community.  As part of their services, they host free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following in Ventura:

Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, September 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6:30-8:00 pm. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].

Newly Bereaved Support Group Thursday, September 8th from 6-7:30.  This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and is free. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].  These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Tuesday, September 6th from 1-2:30pm diabetes class.  These meetings are held on 1st Tuesday of each month.  General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes with emphasis on the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring.  Call 642-0239 for more information.

Thursday, September 1st from 1:00-2:00pm. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. These meetings are 1st Thursday of each month.  For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at  642-0239 ext. 739.

Monday, September 12th for both English and Spanish speaking.  English 4:00-5:00 pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care.  For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at  642-0239 ext. 739.

Held at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109.

On Friday, September 23,  the Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition (EFPC) of Ventura County, in association with Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) will host a Forum: “Ready, Steady, Balance”.

The format will consist of speakers interspersed with balance enhancement activities and demonstrations. There will be health assessments, including vision, hearing, balance and vaccinations. Dr. Cheryl Lambing, of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, will be the keynote speaker.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center (1375 E. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks). Registration starts at 8 a.m. Participants will be given time to visit vendors between 8 a.m.- 10 a.m. and also after the program, from 1 – 2 p.m.

The goal is to reduce the following:

•   In 24 months (2014-15), there were over 12,000 recorded falls in Ventura County residents ages 65+

•   99% of fall victims sustained injuries requiring treatment